Comprehensive Plan Update

Share Comprehensive Plan Update on Facebook Share Comprehensive Plan Update on Twitter Share Comprehensive Plan Update on Linkedin Email Comprehensive Plan Update link

The Town Council unanimously voted to adopt KnightdaleNext V.2 2035 Comprehensive Plan on July 17, 2024 as the official guidance statement regarding the Town's goals and objectives for future growth.

Comprehensive Plans

According to North Carolina State Statute, a comprehensive plan is required for any local government that practices zoning regulation. A comprehensive plan provides guidance on where and how a community will grow and change through the use of maps, goals, policy statements, and implementation strategies. Knightdale's comprehensive plan establishes goals and policies to strategically accommodate future growth and change, while preserving and enhancing the qualities and characteristics that make Knightdale a highly-desirable place to live, work, learn, and play.

The Plan serves as the foundation to set effective public policy and make land use decisions for the future that will provide an ongoing framework for public investment, private development, and infrastructure.

Comprehensive Plan Update: KnightdaleNext V.2

KnightdaleNext V.2 is the updated name for the 2035 Comprehensive Plan. This name shows that this isn't a brand new plan, it's an update to the original KnighdaleNext Comprehensive Plan, adopted in 2018. The horizon year remains at 2035. This plan update focuses on conservation and development efforts for an eleven-year planning horizon, 2024 to 2035.

Some reasons for the update include:

  1. to update demographic data and summarize growth trends that influence recommendations in the plan;
  2. to respond to changing market conditions, regional investments, infrastructure limitations, and state laws;
  3. to build upon achievements credited to the previous comprehensive plan;
  4. to connect with other plans, ordinances, or studies completed since the previous plan was adopted in 2018

The updated V.2 plan builds upon the information included in the 2018 version, and provides greater focus and clarity related to community character, quality development, and preferred growth areas expected for the planning area. It moves the community closer to “intended outcomes,” “greater predictability,” and “coordinated efforts” for the future.

Public Outreach & Participation

Community engagement was a key component in this update process. There were several opportunities throughout the planning process for Knightdale residents, business owners, and stakeholders to provide thoughts and feedback on the future of Knightdale.

  • Community Ideas Exchange Workshop - As our first public outreach opportunity, we held an in-person interactive workshop on October 19, 2023. Participants were able to provide input on a variety of topics including development types and intensities, transportation, home choices, recreation and outdoor facilities, and public spaces. The online version of this workshop is now closed. Thank you for participating!
  • Draft Recommendations Open House - We had a great turnout for our open house on Tuesday, April 30! Thank you to everyone who came out to review the draft plan and provide feedback
  • Draft Plan Release & Review - The first draft plan was released in May following the Draft Recommendations Open House. Several document revisions were released and can be viewed under the "Project Documents for Download" section.
  • Joint Public Hearing - On June 20, 2024, the Town Council and Land Use Review Board convened to receive public comment on the draft plan.


The Town Council unanimously voted to adopt KnightdaleNext V.2 2035 Comprehensive Plan on July 17, 2024 as the official guidance statement regarding the Town's goals and objectives for future growth.

Comprehensive Plans

According to North Carolina State Statute, a comprehensive plan is required for any local government that practices zoning regulation. A comprehensive plan provides guidance on where and how a community will grow and change through the use of maps, goals, policy statements, and implementation strategies. Knightdale's comprehensive plan establishes goals and policies to strategically accommodate future growth and change, while preserving and enhancing the qualities and characteristics that make Knightdale a highly-desirable place to live, work, learn, and play.

The Plan serves as the foundation to set effective public policy and make land use decisions for the future that will provide an ongoing framework for public investment, private development, and infrastructure.

Comprehensive Plan Update: KnightdaleNext V.2

KnightdaleNext V.2 is the updated name for the 2035 Comprehensive Plan. This name shows that this isn't a brand new plan, it's an update to the original KnighdaleNext Comprehensive Plan, adopted in 2018. The horizon year remains at 2035. This plan update focuses on conservation and development efforts for an eleven-year planning horizon, 2024 to 2035.

Some reasons for the update include:

  1. to update demographic data and summarize growth trends that influence recommendations in the plan;
  2. to respond to changing market conditions, regional investments, infrastructure limitations, and state laws;
  3. to build upon achievements credited to the previous comprehensive plan;
  4. to connect with other plans, ordinances, or studies completed since the previous plan was adopted in 2018

The updated V.2 plan builds upon the information included in the 2018 version, and provides greater focus and clarity related to community character, quality development, and preferred growth areas expected for the planning area. It moves the community closer to “intended outcomes,” “greater predictability,” and “coordinated efforts” for the future.

Public Outreach & Participation

Community engagement was a key component in this update process. There were several opportunities throughout the planning process for Knightdale residents, business owners, and stakeholders to provide thoughts and feedback on the future of Knightdale.

  • Community Ideas Exchange Workshop - As our first public outreach opportunity, we held an in-person interactive workshop on October 19, 2023. Participants were able to provide input on a variety of topics including development types and intensities, transportation, home choices, recreation and outdoor facilities, and public spaces. The online version of this workshop is now closed. Thank you for participating!
  • Draft Recommendations Open House - We had a great turnout for our open house on Tuesday, April 30! Thank you to everyone who came out to review the draft plan and provide feedback
  • Draft Plan Release & Review - The first draft plan was released in May following the Draft Recommendations Open House. Several document revisions were released and can be viewed under the "Project Documents for Download" section.
  • Joint Public Hearing - On June 20, 2024, the Town Council and Land Use Review Board convened to receive public comment on the draft plan.


CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

Please use this forum to provide comment on the draft KnightdaleNext v.2 plan.

  • Share The current KnightdaleNext plan places the intersection of Smithfield and Poole Rd in the conservation/open space “rural living” placetype. Last year the town received development requests that were not in alignment with this placetype and furthermore the location was listed as outside of the municipal target growth area. As currently zoned WC R30/R40, Wake County expanded the study area of their new Lower Neuse Plan, including this location to specifically address concerns regarding future growth. At both the Planning Board and Wake Commissioners hearings, members of each board strongly vocalized a need to protect this area in future development patterns as it falls in and adjacent to property in the “Marks Creek Rural Land Initiative”, a high priority conservation area including historic landmarks and agriculture parcels with soils of statewide significance. This initiative is an over 20 year and 25 million dollar and growing investment by the county, conservation groups and local landowners for a once in a lifetime opportunity to preserve open space for our community. To facilitate this, an outdated activity center designation at that location was removed unanimously from county planning maps as deemed inappropriate and potentially harmful. The Knightdale Next plans state that intentional growth areas should remain consistent and there are specific goals of “safeguarding the town’s natural resources” including woodlands, agricultural lands, tree canopy and implementing a “regional strategy for identifying and securing protected open space”. It also states that officials should “explore and encourage long term conservation efforts in rural preserve areas in coordination with Wake County or other land conservation groups.” With these statements of consistency, I am confused and alarmed at the proposed placetype change in the new plan at the above referenced location to add in a new mixed use activity center right beside Wake’s largest conservation initiative and property in their Farmland Protection Program. This is the exact opposite of the area plan change WC made, goes against the request of over 100 written public comments by this area’s citizens, and does not do enough to take into account the "trickle down effects" of adding this type of density at the farthest edge of Knightdale. While I think the conservation neighborhood idea is a step in the right direction, can this new plan be adjusted to remove the activity center at this location in order to guide any future development to become more in alignment with municipal, county and citizen past and present commitments/placetypes? on Facebook Share The current KnightdaleNext plan places the intersection of Smithfield and Poole Rd in the conservation/open space “rural living” placetype. Last year the town received development requests that were not in alignment with this placetype and furthermore the location was listed as outside of the municipal target growth area. As currently zoned WC R30/R40, Wake County expanded the study area of their new Lower Neuse Plan, including this location to specifically address concerns regarding future growth. At both the Planning Board and Wake Commissioners hearings, members of each board strongly vocalized a need to protect this area in future development patterns as it falls in and adjacent to property in the “Marks Creek Rural Land Initiative”, a high priority conservation area including historic landmarks and agriculture parcels with soils of statewide significance. This initiative is an over 20 year and 25 million dollar and growing investment by the county, conservation groups and local landowners for a once in a lifetime opportunity to preserve open space for our community. To facilitate this, an outdated activity center designation at that location was removed unanimously from county planning maps as deemed inappropriate and potentially harmful. The Knightdale Next plans state that intentional growth areas should remain consistent and there are specific goals of “safeguarding the town’s natural resources” including woodlands, agricultural lands, tree canopy and implementing a “regional strategy for identifying and securing protected open space”. It also states that officials should “explore and encourage long term conservation efforts in rural preserve areas in coordination with Wake County or other land conservation groups.” With these statements of consistency, I am confused and alarmed at the proposed placetype change in the new plan at the above referenced location to add in a new mixed use activity center right beside Wake’s largest conservation initiative and property in their Farmland Protection Program. This is the exact opposite of the area plan change WC made, goes against the request of over 100 written public comments by this area’s citizens, and does not do enough to take into account the "trickle down effects" of adding this type of density at the farthest edge of Knightdale. While I think the conservation neighborhood idea is a step in the right direction, can this new plan be adjusted to remove the activity center at this location in order to guide any future development to become more in alignment with municipal, county and citizen past and present commitments/placetypes? on Twitter Share The current KnightdaleNext plan places the intersection of Smithfield and Poole Rd in the conservation/open space “rural living” placetype. Last year the town received development requests that were not in alignment with this placetype and furthermore the location was listed as outside of the municipal target growth area. As currently zoned WC R30/R40, Wake County expanded the study area of their new Lower Neuse Plan, including this location to specifically address concerns regarding future growth. At both the Planning Board and Wake Commissioners hearings, members of each board strongly vocalized a need to protect this area in future development patterns as it falls in and adjacent to property in the “Marks Creek Rural Land Initiative”, a high priority conservation area including historic landmarks and agriculture parcels with soils of statewide significance. This initiative is an over 20 year and 25 million dollar and growing investment by the county, conservation groups and local landowners for a once in a lifetime opportunity to preserve open space for our community. To facilitate this, an outdated activity center designation at that location was removed unanimously from county planning maps as deemed inappropriate and potentially harmful. The Knightdale Next plans state that intentional growth areas should remain consistent and there are specific goals of “safeguarding the town’s natural resources” including woodlands, agricultural lands, tree canopy and implementing a “regional strategy for identifying and securing protected open space”. It also states that officials should “explore and encourage long term conservation efforts in rural preserve areas in coordination with Wake County or other land conservation groups.” With these statements of consistency, I am confused and alarmed at the proposed placetype change in the new plan at the above referenced location to add in a new mixed use activity center right beside Wake’s largest conservation initiative and property in their Farmland Protection Program. This is the exact opposite of the area plan change WC made, goes against the request of over 100 written public comments by this area’s citizens, and does not do enough to take into account the "trickle down effects" of adding this type of density at the farthest edge of Knightdale. While I think the conservation neighborhood idea is a step in the right direction, can this new plan be adjusted to remove the activity center at this location in order to guide any future development to become more in alignment with municipal, county and citizen past and present commitments/placetypes? on Linkedin Email The current KnightdaleNext plan places the intersection of Smithfield and Poole Rd in the conservation/open space “rural living” placetype. Last year the town received development requests that were not in alignment with this placetype and furthermore the location was listed as outside of the municipal target growth area. As currently zoned WC R30/R40, Wake County expanded the study area of their new Lower Neuse Plan, including this location to specifically address concerns regarding future growth. At both the Planning Board and Wake Commissioners hearings, members of each board strongly vocalized a need to protect this area in future development patterns as it falls in and adjacent to property in the “Marks Creek Rural Land Initiative”, a high priority conservation area including historic landmarks and agriculture parcels with soils of statewide significance. This initiative is an over 20 year and 25 million dollar and growing investment by the county, conservation groups and local landowners for a once in a lifetime opportunity to preserve open space for our community. To facilitate this, an outdated activity center designation at that location was removed unanimously from county planning maps as deemed inappropriate and potentially harmful. The Knightdale Next plans state that intentional growth areas should remain consistent and there are specific goals of “safeguarding the town’s natural resources” including woodlands, agricultural lands, tree canopy and implementing a “regional strategy for identifying and securing protected open space”. It also states that officials should “explore and encourage long term conservation efforts in rural preserve areas in coordination with Wake County or other land conservation groups.” With these statements of consistency, I am confused and alarmed at the proposed placetype change in the new plan at the above referenced location to add in a new mixed use activity center right beside Wake’s largest conservation initiative and property in their Farmland Protection Program. This is the exact opposite of the area plan change WC made, goes against the request of over 100 written public comments by this area’s citizens, and does not do enough to take into account the "trickle down effects" of adding this type of density at the farthest edge of Knightdale. While I think the conservation neighborhood idea is a step in the right direction, can this new plan be adjusted to remove the activity center at this location in order to guide any future development to become more in alignment with municipal, county and citizen past and present commitments/placetypes? link

    The current KnightdaleNext plan places the intersection of Smithfield and Poole Rd in the conservation/open space “rural living” placetype. Last year the town received development requests that were not in alignment with this placetype and furthermore the location was listed as outside of the municipal target growth area. As currently zoned WC R30/R40, Wake County expanded the study area of their new Lower Neuse Plan, including this location to specifically address concerns regarding future growth. At both the Planning Board and Wake Commissioners hearings, members of each board strongly vocalized a need to protect this area in future development patterns as it falls in and adjacent to property in the “Marks Creek Rural Land Initiative”, a high priority conservation area including historic landmarks and agriculture parcels with soils of statewide significance. This initiative is an over 20 year and 25 million dollar and growing investment by the county, conservation groups and local landowners for a once in a lifetime opportunity to preserve open space for our community. To facilitate this, an outdated activity center designation at that location was removed unanimously from county planning maps as deemed inappropriate and potentially harmful. The Knightdale Next plans state that intentional growth areas should remain consistent and there are specific goals of “safeguarding the town’s natural resources” including woodlands, agricultural lands, tree canopy and implementing a “regional strategy for identifying and securing protected open space”. It also states that officials should “explore and encourage long term conservation efforts in rural preserve areas in coordination with Wake County or other land conservation groups.” With these statements of consistency, I am confused and alarmed at the proposed placetype change in the new plan at the above referenced location to add in a new mixed use activity center right beside Wake’s largest conservation initiative and property in their Farmland Protection Program. This is the exact opposite of the area plan change WC made, goes against the request of over 100 written public comments by this area’s citizens, and does not do enough to take into account the "trickle down effects" of adding this type of density at the farthest edge of Knightdale. While I think the conservation neighborhood idea is a step in the right direction, can this new plan be adjusted to remove the activity center at this location in order to guide any future development to become more in alignment with municipal, county and citizen past and present commitments/placetypes?

    BMarshburn asked 7 months ago

    Thank you for reviewing and providing comments on the draft plan. The Town will take your requests into consideration as we work through the public comment period.

  • Share The draft plan is unavailable to download from Sharepoint on Facebook Share The draft plan is unavailable to download from Sharepoint on Twitter Share The draft plan is unavailable to download from Sharepoint on Linkedin Email The draft plan is unavailable to download from Sharepoint link

    The draft plan is unavailable to download from Sharepoint

    Devmaughn asked 7 months ago

    EDIT: We have updated the document link so there should no longer be any user permission or access issues!

    The document link is working on our end. Please try again and give the document a few minutes to download. Let us know if you continue to have issues. Thank you!

  • Share Hello...we came to the open house and are a little confused. We live on the 52 acre parcel right next to the recently approved Haven at Griffiths Meadow 180 lot subdivision on 60 acres. But it appears our property is part an area not expected to allow development for quite some time? Is this a change since the approval of the Haven neighborhood next door to us? Our understanding is that we will have access to water and sewer once that neighborhood is in, so we would think we would be allowed to develop something similar to that? on Facebook Share Hello...we came to the open house and are a little confused. We live on the 52 acre parcel right next to the recently approved Haven at Griffiths Meadow 180 lot subdivision on 60 acres. But it appears our property is part an area not expected to allow development for quite some time? Is this a change since the approval of the Haven neighborhood next door to us? Our understanding is that we will have access to water and sewer once that neighborhood is in, so we would think we would be allowed to develop something similar to that? on Twitter Share Hello...we came to the open house and are a little confused. We live on the 52 acre parcel right next to the recently approved Haven at Griffiths Meadow 180 lot subdivision on 60 acres. But it appears our property is part an area not expected to allow development for quite some time? Is this a change since the approval of the Haven neighborhood next door to us? Our understanding is that we will have access to water and sewer once that neighborhood is in, so we would think we would be allowed to develop something similar to that? on Linkedin Email Hello...we came to the open house and are a little confused. We live on the 52 acre parcel right next to the recently approved Haven at Griffiths Meadow 180 lot subdivision on 60 acres. But it appears our property is part an area not expected to allow development for quite some time? Is this a change since the approval of the Haven neighborhood next door to us? Our understanding is that we will have access to water and sewer once that neighborhood is in, so we would think we would be allowed to develop something similar to that? link

    Hello...we came to the open house and are a little confused. We live on the 52 acre parcel right next to the recently approved Haven at Griffiths Meadow 180 lot subdivision on 60 acres. But it appears our property is part an area not expected to allow development for quite some time? Is this a change since the approval of the Haven neighborhood next door to us? Our understanding is that we will have access to water and sewer once that neighborhood is in, so we would think we would be allowed to develop something similar to that?

    Mel asked 8 months ago

    Thank you for attending the open house and for your interest in the KnightdaleNext 2035 Comprehensive Plan v.2 update. You are correct, there has been a change since the last Comprehensive Plan. Part of the updated plan includes an Intentional Growth Areas map that encourages development in areas where infrastructure exists today. Your property has been proposed as “Growth Reserve” on the Intentional Growth Areas map. These areas are reserved for future growth. The plan states “Areas designated as growth reserve on the map are not strictly prohibited from development in the future, but properties proposed for development should be evaluated utilizing the playbook approach in the comprehensive plan. Town officials should resist using the playbook approach unless significant infrastructure and service commitments are made by the private developer.” Based on this, once utilities are brought to this area by the Haven at Griffith Meadows development, your property may be eligible for utilizing the playbook approach. It will, however, be up to the Town Council to ultimately decide if a rezoning is granted based on the merits of the development proposal and the playbook approach in the Comprehensive Plan.

  • Share Is there more information going to be shared regarding the open house on 4/30/24? I am interested in the updates that are being proposed. on Facebook Share Is there more information going to be shared regarding the open house on 4/30/24? I am interested in the updates that are being proposed. on Twitter Share Is there more information going to be shared regarding the open house on 4/30/24? I am interested in the updates that are being proposed. on Linkedin Email Is there more information going to be shared regarding the open house on 4/30/24? I am interested in the updates that are being proposed. link

    Is there more information going to be shared regarding the open house on 4/30/24? I am interested in the updates that are being proposed.

    OD24 asked 8 months ago

    Yes, additional information including the full draft plan will be shared in the coming weeks. 

  • Share What are your plans for the Village of Shotwell? on Facebook Share What are your plans for the Village of Shotwell? on Twitter Share What are your plans for the Village of Shotwell? on Linkedin Email What are your plans for the Village of Shotwell? link

    What are your plans for the Village of Shotwell?

    PatriciaAnnMcCullers asked 8 months ago

    Thank you for your question. The southern edge of the Knightdale Comprehensive Plan's study boundary is the Smithfield Rd. & Poole Rd. intersection. Areas south of Poole Road generally fall under Wake County's jurisdiction. Their recently adopted Lower Neuse Area Plan includes land-use goals and plans for the Shotwell area. 

Page last updated: 08 Aug 2024, 09:52 AM