Cumberland County Planning & Inspections Department earns honorable mention from State Planning Association

By Staff Report, posted Aug 27, 2025 on BizFayetteville.com

Pictured in front from left are Cumberland County Comprehensive Planning Manager Trey Smith, Planner III Sarahgrace Mitchell, Planner I Kristopher Lawhorn, and Planner I Joel Schult. Pictured in back is Planning & Inspections Director Rawls Howard.
Photo provided by Cumberland County

The Cumberland County Planning & Inspections Department is proud to announce that its North Central Area Land Use Plan has been selected as a recipient of a 2025 Marvin Collins Honorable Mention in the Small Area Plan Category from the North Carolina Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA–NC). The plan was selected from nearly 50 submissions of plans and projects statewide and will formally receive the recognition at the APA–NC Annual Fall Conference, set for Oct. 15–17, 2025, in Charlotte.

This distinction is particularly meaningful as the plan was developed entirely in-house by the Comprehensive Planning Division.

“I am immensely proud of our Comprehensive Planning staff,” said Planning and Inspections Director Rawls Howard in a press release. “Their dedication and work continue to shine. With each plan they complete, they further raise the bar. To earn this recognition for work completed internally underscores our team’s exceptional talent.”

This award marks the first time in recent history that the department has received recognition from the NC planning chapter for a plan developed wholly in-house.

“This accomplishment reflects the hard work and vision of our planning team,” said County Manager Clarence Grier in a press release. “The North Central Area Land Use Plan embodies thoughtful, community-centered planning that serves as a lasting blueprint for sustainable growth. We commend everyone involved and celebrate this well-deserved honor.”

Adopted on Oct. 7, 2024, the North Central Area Land Use Plan covers a rapidly growing region of Cumberland County, to include Linden, Shaw Heights, and the Carvers Creek State Park vicinity. This area spans approximately 38,000 acres and houses about 17,000 residents.

Development commenced in 2022, incorporating extensive community input. The plan balances growth with preservation of rural character, open space, and agricultural land, while promoting a diverse mix of residential, commercial, and industrial uses in line with long-term infrastructure capacity and community vision.

The Planning & Inspections Department looks forward to celebrating this achievement at the APA–NC conference in Charlotte this fall. Staff extended gratitude to the County’s leadership, the Planning Board, and the community for their continued support of the department’s mission: to guide thoughtful, sustainable development that benefits all residents.

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