Long-Range Planning

Overview

Long-range plans articulate the Town's vision and provide a comprehensive policy framework for how the Town should grow and develop, provide public services, and maintain the qualities that define the Town of Nags Head. Nags Head has a long history of long-range planning dating back to the 1960's and firmly believes that this process is a vital component of a successful community. Nags Head conducts long-range planning efforts in order to:

  • Identify community needs such as parks, housing, or transportation.
  • Identify specific strategies for development that align with the Town’s vision.
  • Provide residents, local officials, and others with an overview and projection of development and conversion areas in the Town.
  • Serve as a basis for capital improvement planning (CIP)  for important Town needs such as parks, bicycle paths, water and wastewater systems and other infrastructure.
  • Serve as a basis for many other public programs such as those relating to growth management, the environment, coastal resiliency, economic development, historic preservation, transportation, or parks and recreation.

The 2017 Comprehensive Plan is the Town's primary long-range planning document. Below is a link to the Comprehensive Plan as well as other plans and studies that were incorporated into the Comprehensive Plan.

Current Planning Documents 

Comprehensive Plan/CAMA Land Use Plan 2022

Comprehensive Plan

Dare Co. Transportation Plan (2015)

Dare County Comprehensive Transportation Plan

VCAPS Report (2017)

Vulnerability, Adaptation, Planning Scenarios (VCAPS) Report

Pedestrian Plan (2014)

NH Ped Plan

OBX Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan (2020)

OBX Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan

Parks and Rec. Plan (2012)

Parks and Recreation Plan

Historical Planning Documents 

Hazard Mitigation Plan (2015-2020)

Albemarle Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan

Decentralized Wastewater Study (2005)

Decentralized Wastewater Management Plan

Cottage Row Historic District Plan (2008)

Beach Cottage Row Historic District Plan

Carrying Capacity Study (1984)

Carrying Capacity Study 1984

The Beach Road Study (2008)

The Beach Road Study Report

Comprehensive Ocean and Estuarine Access Plan (1989)

Comprehensive Ocean and Estuarine Access and Recreational Plan

Plans By Other Agencies

Ocean Outfall Masterplan (2016)

Ocean Outfall Masterplan

OBX Field Site Capstone Report (2019)

OBX Field Site Capstone Report 2019

OBX Field Site Capstone Report (2018)

OBX Field Site Capstone Report 2018

Outer Banks Visitors Survey

The Outer Banks Visitors Bureau Visitors Survey

Economic Valuation of the Albemarle-Pamlico Watershed

Economic Valuation of the Albemarle-Pamlico Watershed’s Natural Resources

Report on Stormwater Management and Septic Tank Management (2013)

Report on Stormwater Management and Septic Tank Management

Outer Banks Hydrology Study

Outer Banks Hydrology Management Committee Report

Chamber of Commerce White Paper

The Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce Economic Development & Sustainability White Paper

Publications About the Planning Department 

The Little Town That Could

APA Article- Nags Head