Empowering communities with expert land use solutions
Your partner in strategic land use and zoning decisions.
Empowering communities with expert land use solutions
Your partner in strategic land use and zoning decisions.
About Anchorpoint Planning
Our Mission
Anchorpoint Planning is dedicated to assisting local government planning efforts by building resilient, well-planned communities through expert land use planning, thoughtfully crafted zoning regulations, and ongoing municipal support. We are committed to providing practical, forward-thinking solutions that balance growth, environmental stewardship, and community needs.
The Meaning of 'Anchorpoint' in Planning
The name 'Anchorpoint' reflects the essential role that local government planning plays in providing stability, direction, and a strong foundation for communities. Just as an anchor secures a vessel amidst changing tides, Anchorpoint Planning assists communities in navigating growth, development ordinance updates, and zoning regulations with confidence. By offering expert guidance, we serve as a reliable point of reference for local governments striving to create balanced, well-structured communities.
Leadership
Wes MacLeod, AICP, ASLA - Principal
Ron Satterfield - Director of Planning Services
Ron Satterfield - Director of Planning Services
With over two decades of experience in local government planning, Wes has played a lead role in some of the most complex and meaningful planning efforts in North Carolina. His portfolio includes comprehensive plans, development ordinance updates, and ongoing planning support to communities navigating growth, resilience, and change. Wes sp
With over two decades of experience in local government planning, Wes has played a lead role in some of the most complex and meaningful planning efforts in North Carolina. His portfolio includes comprehensive plans, development ordinance updates, and ongoing planning support to communities navigating growth, resilience, and change. Wes specializes in guiding communities through the intersection of policy, regulation, and public interest, including zoning regulations. He has a deep working knowledge of coastal development rules, land use laws, and the unique pressures faced by fast-growing communities. His expertise lies in balancing competing stakeholder interests and aligning technical requirements with real-world implementation. As Principal of Anchorpoint Planning, Wes delivers practical, high-quality services tailored to the needs of communities, including board of adjustment training. Whether working with elected officials, planning boards, or private development teams, he brings clarity, strategic insight, and a collaborative mindset to every project.
Ron Satterfield - Director of Planning Services
Ron Satterfield - Director of Planning Services
Ron Satterfield - Director of Planning Services
Ron is a seasoned planning professional with more than 30 years of experience serving North Carolina communities and the private sector. He brings a depth of expertise in local government planning, particularly in municipal and county planning, with leadership roles that spanned current planning, long-range policy, zoning regulations, his
Ron is a seasoned planning professional with more than 30 years of experience serving North Carolina communities and the private sector. He brings a depth of expertise in local government planning, particularly in municipal and county planning, with leadership roles that spanned current planning, long-range policy, zoning regulations, historic preservation, neighborhood revitalization, and grants administration. Before joining Anchorpoint Planning, Ron worked as a Senior Development Manager for Cushman and Wakefield and as the Assistant Planning Director for the City of Wilmington, where he oversaw the city’s planning division, including zoning administration and historic preservation. He previously served as Director of Community Development for the County of Lee, City of Sanford, and Town of Broadway. Known for his strong leadership, clear communication, and collaborative approach to planning challenges, Ron also offers board of adjustment training to enhance community engagement. At Anchorpoint, he supports clients across North Carolina with planning services rooted in experience, practicality, and public service, including development ordinance updates to ensure compliance with evolving regulations.
Services
Comprehensive Planning
Board and Administrative Staff Training
Code and Ordinance Preparation
Anchorpoint develops clear, community-driven comprehensive plans that balance growth with local values. Our team brings experience guiding dozens of North Carolina communities through long-range planning processes—integrating land use, housing, infrastructure, economic development, and environmental stewardship into a single, actionable vision.
Code and Ordinance Preparation
Board and Administrative Staff Training
Code and Ordinance Preparation
We prepare development codes that are modern, legally sound, and user-friendly. Whether crafting a new Unified Development Ordinance or updating existing regulations, Anchorpoint ensures your code supports community goals while streamlining review and compliance.
On-Call Planning Services
Board and Administrative Staff Training
Board and Administrative Staff Training
Anchorpoint provides on-call and contracted planning support for day-to-day development review, rezoning requests, and complex entitlement oversite. Our planners act as an extension of your staff—keeping projects moving, assisting applicants, navigating political hurdles, and ensuring consistency with adopted plans and ordinances.
Board and Administrative Staff Training
Board and Administrative Staff Training
Board and Administrative Staff Training
Empowering local leaders and boards is crucial for effective governance. Our training programs equip boards and administrative staff with the knowledge and skills needed to make informed decisions.
Testimonials
I’ve had the pleasure of working closely with Wes MacLeod on various planning efforts and strategic initiatives in more than one jurisdiction. Wes is an absolute professional with a keen attention to detail and a talent for clear, effective communication.
His expertise in local government processes is unmatched. He excels at ensuring that everyone involved is not only informed but also aligned on the topics and decisions that matter most to our communities. Wes’s ability to translate complex concepts into actionable insights has been instrumental in helping make informed decisions that will shape the future of the communities we call home.
Kyle Breuer, AICP - Town Manager, Town of Surf City
I have worked with Wes MacLeod on a range of projects for more than ten years. The projects have ranged from board training to drafting a municipal land use plan. I have found Wes to be prompt, thorough, and very knowledgeable. Each project has been handled to our satisfaction and completed in the expected time frame with positive outcomes. He is very accessible and willing to make himself available for phone calls or meetings. I would recommend considering Wes and his firm for any local government planning project.
Robert Waring - Assistant Town Manager/Planning Director, Town of Shallotte
I’ve had the pleasure of working with Wes MacLeod for the past eight years in his role as a consultant providing land planning services and ongoing municipal support for the City of Boiling Spring Lakes. Throughout that time, Wes has consistently demonstrated a deep knowledge of land use planning, zoning, and development regulations. He brings a thorough, forward-thinking approach to every project and has been an invaluable resource to our team. Wes does a fantastic job, and I would highly recommend him to any local government in need of expert land planning services and support.
Nicole Morgan - Assistant City Manager, City of Boiling Spring Lakes
Wes MacLeod is the go-to land use professional for communities across Eastern North Carolina. No one understands the regulatory complexities of coastal North Carolina better than Wes. His extensive experience, spanning work with Holland Consulting Planners, the Cape Fear Council of Governments, and now Anchorpoint Planning, have made him an invaluable resource for local governments throughout the region. In coastal communities, where the interplay between NCGS-160D requirements, CAMA regulations, floodplain standards, and environmental protections can be daunting, Wes brings unmatched expertise. His years of experience updating codes, developing land use plans, and providing on-call planning services have helped many North Carolina communities navigate these challenges with confidence.
Wes is also an outstanding facilitator and teacher for elected officials. appointed boards and new professionals alike. During my time with the City of Southport, we relied on him repeatedly to train our Board of Aldermen, Planning Board, and Zoning Board of Adjustment. He guided our Unified Development Ordinance process with professionalism and grace from start to finish and was instrumental in helping our small department implement and administer the new regulations effectively. What sets Wes apart, however, is his ongoing commitment to the communities he serves. Unlike many consultants, Wes doesn’t disappear once a project ends. He remains genuinely invested in sound planning and good governance throughout Southeastern North Carolina. The amount of friendly advice and pro bono support he offered after completing Southport’s UDO update speaks volumes about his character and dedication. Whenever I had a question about new legislation or its implications for the city, Wes was always my first call, He was always gracious and happy to help. He should be your first call too
Thomas Lloyd - Senior Planner, City of Grand Junction