Planning & Development

 

The city of High Point's vision is to become the single most livable, safe and prosperous community in America. We, in the Planning & Development Department, perceive our role as shaping a more livable community, which is the core of our mission.

We provide professional and technical services to our clients, which include the public, City Managers Office, City Council, Planning & Zoning Commission, Board of Adjustment, Historic Preservation Commission, city departments and other governmental agencies.

We carry out our mission as a city department containing three operational divisions: Planning Services, Development Services, and Inspection Services.

 

PLANNING SERVICES DIVISION

The Planning Services Division conducts studies, produces plans, identifies program needs and develops policies that promote the physical, economic and social development of the community. The division advances the orderly growth of the community through competent land use planning; environmental planning, small area planning and corridor planning. Such efforts have resulted in the development of the city's Land Use Plan, Community Facility Plan, various small area plans and growth strategies for the community. The division also conducts demographic and socioeconomic studies, disseminates census information, and prepares population estimates and projections.

DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DIVISION

The Development Services Division ensures that changes to the community's physical environment comply with applicable land development policy. The division reviews development proposals, policies, codes and ordinances to insure consistency with city policy and land development code requirements. Such development proposals include requests for voluntary annexation, zoning map amendments, street closings, special use permits, variances, special exceptions, certificates of appropriateness, subdivision plans, watershed development plans and site plans. The division also approves new street names, and assigns and administers city wide property addressing.

INSPECTION SERVICES DIVISION

The Inspection Services Division ensures the sound construction of new buildings and the safe maintenance of existing buildings, and ensures that construction and development practices are in accordance with the NC State Building Code and local codes. The division reviews building construction plans, issues permits and performs building, plumbing, mechanical and electrical inspections for home and business construction. Responsibilities also include ensuring properties comply with city codes that establish standards for housing, junk motor vehicles, public nuisances and signs.

ADMINISTRATION

Department Administration provides administrative and clerical support to the Planning, Development and Inspection Services Divisions. This department function supports and assists the city's planning related boards and commissions, develops and administers the annual planning work program, develops and administers the department budget, monitors programs, and supervises the activities of the department's divisions.