A Future Land Use Map is a guiding tool used in comprehensive planning to envision and direct the long-term growth and development of a community.

Unlike a zoning map, which establishes legally enforceable regulations for land use and development, a Future Land Use Map serves as a policy document. It provides a framework for decision-makers by outlining desired land use patterns, helping to align future development with community goals and values.

to learn more about the Future Land Use Map, and how you can share your input in its development, click the link below to visit the instructions and map page (map is at bottom of the page).

The development of this Plan will be driven by the community and will include the state-required CAMA elements, as well as consideration of local elements that celebrate community character and advance local initiatives.

Work in the project will be focused in a specific Study Area within the Town's Business District. To view this Study Area in greater detail, click on the map below.  

Click the map below to view the incorporated Town limits (Study Area):

As part of the 2045 Charting The Course project and the Comp Plan update, the Town will also conduct a Streetscape Visioning Plan.

Areas along East Oak Island Drive will be re-imagined to meet the needs of current and future residents. This visioning process will help create a roadmap to the future.

Click the map below to view the Streetscape Plan Study Area:

On July 9, 2024, the Oak Island Town Council approved a contract with Civil & Environmental Engineering firm WithersRavenel, for consulting services to update the Town's Comprehensive Land Use Plan.

Over the course of the project, WithersRavenel will be working closely with Town staff from the

• Planning Department
• Economic Development Office
• Communications Office
• Town Manager

... along with several other departments and elected officials.  

To contact any of these department directly, simply use the contact forms found on the Contact Us page at OakIslandNC.gov/CONTACT.

On Wednesday, August 21, Town Staff and representatives from WithersRavenal held an initial project meeting to review the scope and deliverables for both Comprehensive Plan and "Task 4" (Streetscape improvement)

The meeting also held a review of schedules, roles and lines of communication, and points of contact for project management.

Afterwards a field review was conducted. 

KICKOFF EVENT 

On Thursday, September 19, 2024 from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM, the Town held a Community Kickoff Event for the 2045 Charting The Course project.

Click the invitation below for a brief video tour! 

STEERING COMMITTEE: FIRST MEETING

The Land Use Plan Update Steering Committee held its first meeting on Friday, September 20, 2024, at 11:20 AM in the Council Chambers, located on the second floor of Town Hall, 4601 E. Oak Island Drive.

STEERING COMMITTEE: SECOND MEETING

The Land Use Plan Update Steering Committee held its second meeting on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 in the Council Chambers, located on the second floor of Town Hall, 4601 E. Oak Island Drive. 

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SURVEY 

From November 7 through December 7, residents & property owners were invited to participate in a Community Engagement Survey, which provided valuable public input to help examine progress made and identify new initiatives for the future.

The Survey included questions related to the Town’s simultaneous Streetscape Project.

STEERING COMMITTEE: THIRD MEETING

The Land Use Plan Update Steering Committee held its third meeting on Wednesday, December 11, 2024 in the Council Chambers, located on the second floor of Town Hall, 4601 E. Oak Island Drive.

STEERING COMMITTEE: FOURTH MEETING

The Land Use Plan Update Steering Committee held its fourth meeting on Monday, January 13, 2025 in the Council Chambers, located on the second floor of Town Hall, 4601 E. Oak Island Drive.

The second Community Open House for the Comprehensive Land Use Plan update was held on February 12, 2025 at Town Hall, with over 100 attendees from the community.

Attendees reviewed and provided feedback on the DRAFT Vision Statement and Plan Goals, which were shared alongside materials from the concurrent Streetscape Master Plan.

The fifth Steering Committee meeting was held the following morning on February 13.

Click the link below to view the results from the Open House event.

The sixth Steering Committee meeting took place on April 7, 2025, focusing on DRAFT Action Items tied to the Plan’s Goals and Objectives.

The following day the project team presented a status update on the Comprehensive Plan process to the Town Council during its April 8, 2025 Regular Meeting.

Click the link below to view the presentation.

The 2045 Charting the Course Comprehensive Land Use Plan was adopted by the Town Council during the August 14, 2025 meeting. Click the Graphic below to view the updated Plan.