The General Assembly of North Carolina recognizes the importance of reaching a higher standard of living throughout North Carolina by maintaining a balance of people, jobs, public services and the environment, supported by the growing network of small and large cities in the State. The General Assembly of North Carolina, in order to assure that opportunities for a higher standard of living are available all across the State, declares that it shall be the policy of the State to bring more and better jobs to where people live; to encourage the development of adequate public services on an equitable? basis for all of the State’s people at an efficient cost; and to maintain the State’s natural environmental heritage while accommodating urban and agricultural growth. (1979, c. 412, s. 3.)