Since the Leland 2045 Comprehensive Plan was adopted in November 2021, Town staff have used it to guide goals and initiatives across all departments.
The purpose of Leland 2045 is to enable Leland officials and citizens to anticipate and constructively respond to growth and change, and to encourage the development of safe and healthy built and natural environments that create opportunities for all. The plan outlines goals, policies, and implementation strategies that were developed through a robust public engagement process.
The Town has refined its approach in assessing the plan’s progress, ensuring that updates are directly liked to the initiatives supported by each action item. The Town will continue to update the Action Playbook to accurately reflect the progress made over the last four years, tracking initiatives from launch to completion.
Through collaboration with Planning staff, the community, and the Leland 2045 focus group, six themes were created to represent a vision to collaboratively advance the economy, society, culture, and the environment. The following action items have been pursued in alignment with plan themes from November 2025 to January 2026:
A Resilient and Stable Economy
- Rezoned approximately 1.45 acres near Hawthorne Waterside Apartments at the intersection of Highway 17 and Hubert Way from multi-family district to general commercial district to better integrate housing with services and amenities, resulting in a more walkable community.
An Inclusive, Supported, Healthy, Safe, and Educated Community
- The Leland Police Department earned full accreditation from the North Carolina Law Enforcement Accreditation Program.
- The Leland Police Department completed its second North Carolina League of Municipalities Law Enforcement Risk Review process.
Infrastructure that Supports Community Life
- Installed four rectangular rapid flashing beacons along Town Hall Drive, funded primarily by the $15,000 AARP Community Challenge Demonstration Grant.
- Initiated work on the Ocean Gate Plaza intersection improvements.
- Completed the 2024-2025 road resurfacing project.
- Began phase two of the Jackeys Creek streamflow rehabilitation project.
Updates are organized by the theme where they have the greatest impact, though many also support progress in other areas. The interconnected impact of the updates demonstrates that Leland 2045 is designed to operate by guiding capital investments and operational decisions across departments to achieve coordinated, practical benefits for the community.
Updates will be shared each quarter with Town Council and on the Town's website and social media platforms.
View the full quarterly update.