Wildlife resource grant to be used for comprehensive land use plan 

 

COLUMBUS—The Town of Columbus accepted a grant in June to help create a comprehensive land use plan.  

The plan will include how to incorporate conservation areas of Chocolate Drop and White Oak Mountain, possibly creating a wildlife corridor between the two areas.  

The grant was accepted from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission in the amount of $12,000.  

Columbus Town Council heard from Dale Holland, with Holland Consulting during its June meeting prior to approving the grant.  

Holland said steps can be taken throughout the development process to help wildlife flow naturally between the conservation areas. The grant money will help cover the costs for the town’s comprehensive land use plan, which has been estimated at $39,000. The grant would reduce the town’s cost to $27,000 for the plan.  

Holland estimated that the comprehensive plan will take 12 months to complete. The Wildlife Resources grant is on an 18-month schedule, he said.  

Councilman Robert Williamson said he supports the grant, saying there is land that has gone into conservation and this will be a great opportunity for the town to look at how to incorporate the two areas into the town’s growth and development plan.  

Columbus also approved its new fiscal year 2019-2020 budget, which includes $25,000 for the development of a comprehensive plan.