ARCHER LODGE, NC – At its August 3, 2026, Regular meeting, the Archer Lodge Town Council voted to adopt an update to their Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) for the Town of Archer Lodge. This is an update to the town’s original CLUP, which was adopted in 2015. The North Carolina General Statutes require local governments “reasonably maintain” a comprehensive plan to facilitate planning and zoning services.

A Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) is the most valuable tool for helping communities achieve their desired goals. In its most basic form, the plan provides guidance for how to use a community’s most limited resource – the land itself.

Archer Lodge’s estimated population in 2024 was 5,371. The State Demographer for the North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management (OSBM) estimates the town’s population will grow to approximately 10,000 by 2050. The CLUP outlines a long-term vision for residential and commercial growth, infrastructure improvements, land preservation, and overall community character. It is designed to serve as a roadmap for decision-making, ensuring that future development aligns with the values and priorities of Archer Lodge residents.

“We are pleased to adopt this much-needed update to the Town’s Land Use Plan that will guide planning and development for our growing Town in the coming years,” says Mayor Matt Mulhollem.

The adopted vision statement of the plan is: “The Town of Archer Lodge will preserve its heritage as a farming community with a strong sense of civic pride that supports families and residents while promoting single-family and balanced commercial growth, that supports greater mobility, and economic strength through partnerships with the larger community and region.”

To help the Town reach this vision, this Plan identifies the following four main goals:

1. Preserve Rural Character
2. Consider Establishing a new Village Center
3. Consider Expanding the Town’s Planning Jurisdiction
4. Facilitate Infrastructure Improvements

The CLUP includes a series of short-, medium-, and long-term action items to help the town reach its goals.

“A Comprehensive Land Use Plan is not just a plan put together by a few people. The process involves town staff, elected officials, citizen boards for planning, and the public. The Town of Archer Lodge’s plan is a shared promise to protect the past, guide growth, and ensure our small town remains a place the next generation is proud to call home. I want to thank everyone involved, especially the public, for input that produced a plan that honors our small town’s character and history. Collaboration is key and I feel this plan reflects the shared voice and vision of residents to manage growth responsibly so new development serves the community rather than changing it,” says Planning Board Chair John Oglesby.

The CLUP document was a result of a comprehensive process of public input from residents, community stakeholders, property owners, and professional representatives. CodeWright Planners provided guidance and consultation to complete the project, which took two years from start to finish. The adopted Comprehensive Land Use Plan can be found on the town’s website HERE