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e <br /> A BILL TO BE ENTITLED <br /> AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE MUNICIPALITIES AND <br /> COUNTIES TO ENGAGE IN JOINT PLANNING PROGRAMS <br /> AND TO ENTER INTO ANNEXATION AGREEMENTS <br /> The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: <br /> Section 1. Article 19 of G.S. Chapter 160A is amended to add a new <br /> Section 160A-360.1 to read as follows: <br /> § 160A-360.1 Joint Planning. <br /> (a) A city and a county may agree that, within a mutually agreed upon <br /> geographical area (hereinafter, the "joint planning area") all of the <br /> powers granted by this article, including without limitation powers <br /> involving the exercise of legislative discretion, may be exercised by the <br /> city on behalf of the county, by the county on behalf of the city, or <br /> jointly by both the city and county. By way of illustration without <br /> limitation, a city and county may agree that, within a defined joint <br /> planning area, the city may adopt the text of a zoning or subdivision <br /> ordinance on behalf of the county and may administer and enforce such <br /> ordinance, but that all decisions establishing or amending the zoning <br /> classifications or properties shall be jointly determined by the two <br /> governing bodies. <br /> (b) Any agreement authorized under subsection (a) shall be reduced to <br /> writing and shall be ratified by resolution of the governing body of each <br /> unit that is a party to the agreement. The agreement shall specify: <br /> (1) The area or areas within which the power specified in the <br /> agreement are to be exercised. <br /> (2) The powers that are to be exercised and the manner in which the <br /> powers are to be exercised by the parties (i.e., one unit on <br /> behalf of another or jointly). <br /> (3) The duration of the agreement. <br /> (4) The methods for amending the agreement (including the area within <br /> which the agreement will be effective) and terminating the <br /> agreement. <br /> (c) If the city exercises any legislative or administrative powers or <br /> functions on behalf of a county under this section, then the agreement <br /> authorized under subsection (b) may provide for a means of representation <br /> of residents of the joint planning area in the same manner and to the same <br /> extent as representation of residents of an extraterritorial planning area <br /> is provided for under G.S. 160A-362. <br /> (d) In exercising any power or function authored under an agreement <br /> adopted pursuant to the section, a city or county' governing board or <br />