Updating the comprehensive plan (and state-certified Coastal Area Management Act plan) for Ocean Isle Beach, N.C., was the first step in helping the small, fiercely protective seaside town manage skyrocketing demand for development. Although more than 75% of OIB’s residences are vacation, rental, and second homes, the ±1,000 full-time residents nevertheless anticipate a doubling of the permanent population, plus an additional 10,000 homes just outside the town limits. The comprehensive plan process involved gathering public input and analyzing how to balance residents’ needs and desires with those of builders and tourists sustaining the local economy — while also being considerate of coastal hazards (rising seas, shoreline erosion, beach nourishment, etc.).

Inspire collaborated with Town staff to facilitate an effective update to the Town’s comprehensive and CAMA land use plan, meeting all required state statutory requirements to effectively manage coastal growth and development. Providing meaningful engagement enabled the team to write a shared community vision. Inspire was then able to tailor a plan to local priorities and values, focusing on topics that residents cared deeply about like water quality and public beach access points, plus adding depth and detail to technical items like zoning and infrastructure needs.

The plan also set the stage for a major update to the zoning at the island’s gateway for a new high-end, pedestrian-friendly, shopping-and-dining downtown district on the mainland. This concept was discovered during the planning process as a way to provide access to these uses without having to cross the bridge, which is often frequently congested.

Overall, the updated plan brought community members and leadership together to chart a path forward. It fostered clearer dialogue on coastal hazards and strengthened coordination with neighboring agencies and jurisdictions to balance growth pressures.