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 planning document outlines goals, policies, and implementation strategies that were developed through a robust public engagement process.
To assess the plan’s progress, the Town is ensuring that updates are directly tied to the initiatives outlined within it. This includes updating the Action Playbook to accurately reflect the progress made over the last four years, marking initiatives that have been launched.
Through collaboration with Planning staff, the community, and the Leland 2045 focus group, six themes were created to represent a vision to collaboratively advance local opportunities, economy, culture, and protect the environment. The following updates have been achieved in alignment with plan themes from August to October 2025:
Highly Valued and Protected Natural and Cultural Resources
- Rezoned approximately 4 acres adjacent to Mill Creek and Village Road to conservation district.
Livable, Diverse, and Connected Neighborhoods that Accommodate Growth
- Rezoned approximately 515 acres along U.S. Highway 17 between the Westgate shopping area and Brunswick Forest, and along N.C. 133 (River Road) north of the Westport neighborhood to FlexCode zoning.
Infrastructure that Supports Community Life
- Installed bike lanes on Grandiflora Drive in Magnolia Greens as part of the 2024-2025 roadway resurfacing project.
- Began the design phase of the Leland unpaved roads improvements project.
- Awarded $443,108 from the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund to build a public boat dock and boardwalk at the future Sturgeon Creek Park.
- Began the construction phase of the Ocean Gate Plaza intersection improvements project.
Quarterly updates to Leland 2045 seek to show how all Town departments are incorporating the plan's current and long-range goals. These updates will be shared each quarter with Town Council and on the Town's website and social media platforms.
View the full quarterly update.