This comes a few weeks after development-related services ended at the LUESA South office in Matthews.

Before land can be graded or a building can be built, the developer must submit land development plans for approval and the construction site must be inspected. Mecklenburg County’s Land Development Program provides these review and inspection services for the six Towns and in unincorporated areas of the county.

The LUESA North office has served Cornelius, Davidson and Huntersville. The LUESA South office provided service for Matthews, Mint Hill and Pineville. However, technology has reduced the need for satellite offices. Developers can submit plans electronically rather than bring blueprints and paper forms to a government office.

Services moved from the two LUESA satellite offices to the Hal Marshall Services Center:

• Land development plan review and permitting for subdivisions and commercial projects
• Land development bonds and sureties
• Residential building permits
• Construction site inspections such as roadways, driveways, sidewalks and storm drainage infrastructure
• Water quality regulations including erosion control, stream buffer protection and impervious area limits
• Zoning compliance and enforcement of the three northern Towns’ zoning ordinances.

These services are primarily funded by fees paid by developers. County Land Development fee revenue dropped significantly in recent years. To reduce costs, some Land Development employees were laid off. The two LUESA satellite offices will stop offering land development services. The LUESA North office will close completely. The former LUESA South office is now used by some employees of the County Tax Assessor’s office and Area Mental Health.

Land development and zoning services inside the Charlotte City limits are not affected by these changes.