1981 Land Use Plan Executive Summary-1981

CHOWAN COUNTY
1981
LAND USE PLAN
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
DCM COPY
DCM COPY
lease do not remove!!!!!
Division of Coastal Management Copy
The preparation of this report was financially
aided through a federal grant from the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The grant
was made through the North Carolina Department of
Natural Resources and Comminity Development.

E\ECII-T.VE 1'Jj10u1_l,RY
iNTRODUCTION
This planning do:runent. is a comprehensive update of Chowan County's
1976 CA14A Land Use Plan. The land ise plan update and the 1976 plan
were prepared in accordance with th�� Coastal Area Management. Act of 1974
and the land use planning guidelines promulgated by the act. It should
be mentioned that the planning guidelines have been substantially revised
since the 1976 plan was prepared. It is expected that Chowan County,
alona with the other 19 counties covered by CAMA, will update their land
use plan again in 1986.
Many Chowan County residents probably question why the County has
a land use plan. Perhaps the most important reason is that the plan
affords all the residents of Chowan County an opportunity to manage the
County's resources in a manner consistent with their own values and needs.
It is also important for Chowan County to demonstrate how land use issues
will. be addressed on zhe loca1 level since many policies affecting these
issues are made at the state and federal levels of government.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
One of the most important aspects of any community planning effort
is public input because the finished product should reflect the desires
of the overall community. During the update of Chowan County's land
use plan public input was solicited through public meetings with the
Planning Board and County Commissioners and through a survey questionnaire.
A majority of the respondents to the questionnaire generally favored
population and economic growth but not at. the expense of the environment.
POPULATION AND ECONOMY.
In contrast to the 1950's and '60's when population decreases were
reported, Chowan County experienced a population increase during the
1970's. According to preliminary 1980 Census figures, Chowan County's
population increased from 10,764 in 1970 to 12,497 in 1980, or 16.1%.
Practically all of the population increase occurred in two of the County's
four townships, Edenton and Middle Townships. Another good measure of
the County's population growth was the increase in housing units seen
during the 1970's, when a 50% increase in housing units was reported.
Employment and retail sales data indicated economic growth has
occurred in the recent past. Employment increases occurred in non -
manufacturing fields primarily, but especially in the trade and service
categories. Agricultural employment continued to decline which is
consistent with recent statewide trends. Retail sales in Chowan County
have increased at a pace faster than the State as a whole from 1975 to 1978.
Particularly significant was the high growth rate in sales of building
materials and general merchandise, indicating an increase in building
activity and disposable income. On the other hand, per capita sales of
big ticket items such as cars and furniture lag behind the statewide
figures, indicating many residents shop for these items outside the County
in larger retail centers. However, there are other indications that the
.Chowan County retail center (Edenton) serves as a regional shopping center.

EXISTING LAND USE
How Chowan County land and water resources are used now and in the
future is the main question directed to coastal residents by CAMA.
Perhaps the term "rural." best characterizes existing land uses in Chowan
County. The different types of land uses can be described as
agricultural, forested, and developed.
Approximately 50% of all. land in Chowan County is covered by
forests, most of which is in the eastern section of the County. Many
of these woodlands are actively farmed for timber and other wood products.
A little more than one-third of the County is used for agricultural purposes.
Developed lands occupy the remaining 14% of Chowan County. Residential
development occurs in three general patterns: stripped along state roads
and highways, in planned subdivisions and in small communities like Tyner.
Subdivisions along the Chowan River., such as Arrowhead and Cape Colony
are becoming increasingly popular for both permanent and seasonal residents.
Commercial development is largely limited to small grocery stores and
service stations. Industrial operations are concentrated along the Chowan
River near the airport and south of Chowan Beach, most of which are wood
or water -oriented industries. Several types of potential and existing
land use conflicts were identified, particularly compatibility problems
between residential and nonresidential land uses, like the airport and
nearby industrial plants and residential subdivisions.
From all indications, major changes in established land use patterns
are not expected during the planning period.
CONSTRAINTS TO DEVELOPMENT
One of the purposes of the Coastal Area Management Act is to insure
land development or use occurs only to the extent that the land is capable
of supporting it. Therefore, it is important for the land use plan to
identify areas or situations where certain types of land use may not
be appropriate.
In Chowan County the two major constraints to development are
flood hazard areas and soils with a high water table or poor drainage
characteristics. Potential conflicts in these areas are avoided because
of the County's flood plain zoning and septic tank ordinance, both of
which establish standards for development in these areas. In addition,
the Edenton-Chowan Airport and its growing number of users act as a
constraint to development because of the accident hazards normally associated
with an airport. The County is presently considering zoning for this
area as a means of ensuring that development in the area is compatible
with.the airport.
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The availability or absence of public services can be considered a
constraint to development. Like most counties in North Carolina there
is.no,sanitary sewer system in Chowan County outside of municipal areas, ;
which causes developments to rely on septic tanks or locate in the Town
of Edenton where a sewer system is available. The absence of sewer limits
the density of residential developments and the types of commercial
and industrial establishments in County areas. A county water system
serves almost the entire county population with a capacity to serve a
much.larger population. �:

ESTIMATED GROItiTii DEMAND
The previous sections of'the land use plan have focused on existing
conditions in Chowan County, but this section deals with anticipated
future conditions in Chowan County. Population projections indicate
the County's population should increases during the 1980's at much the
same pace as it did during the 1970's. It is also expected that most
of the population growth will occur in Middle and Edenton Townships
where most of it took place during the 1970's..
However, there must also be economic growth if a population increase
is to be realized. Based on past trends in employment, retail sales,
and other economic factors it appears that economic growth will take
place over the next 10 years. In all likelihood, industrial development
will concentrate in Edenton or in the vicinity of the airport. Commercial
development in County areas will probably be limited to service oriented
uses such as small groceries, except along U.S. Highway 17 where travel
oriented businesses may develop. Residential development will most
likely occur on lets already platted for development in areas such
as the Country Club and Cape Colony developments. However, the county -wide
water system will probably stimulate additional development along State
roads and highways.
DEVELOPMENT ISSUES AND POLICY STATEMENTS
Although Chowan County considered many different development issues
there was little cause for the County to enact major policy changes or
initiatives as part of this plan. This is primarily because of the
moderate amount of growth which has been occurring as well as the fact
that many development issues have previously been addressed by the County.
Issues such as second home development, access to public waters,
Chowan River -Albemarle Sound water quality, and the county -wide water
system -were reviewed by the County Planning Board and Commissioners along
with a number of other issues. Yet, the County already had a subdivision
ordinance and a septic tank ordinance to oversee land development practices,
plus there are numerous state and federal regulations affecting water
and land use. In general, the policies adopted as part of this plan are
supportive of the citizens' desires for economic and population growth
only if it does not result in harm to the natural resources. Some of
the policy initiatives adopted during the plan update are listed as
follows: study the possibility of preparing a county -wide zoning ordinance,
identify substandard housing and seek state and federal assistance to
improve housing conditions, give high priority to preservation of fragile
areas, investigate means of establishing a sanitary sewer district in the
airport vicinity, and encourage light manufacturing and assembly operations
which do not require large amounts of public water for their operations.

CHAPTER V
DEVELOPMENT ISSUES
INTRODUCTION
The preceding discussion of the various issues of concern to Chowan
County pointed out that there are certain policies used by the County
to control development. It was Also pointed out that the policies related
to fragile lands, which were stated in the 1976 CAMA Plan, are still valid,
due to the fact that iio significant changes have taken place in the County's
environment since 1.976. Certain issues were discussed in the last chapter
which are required by the CAMA land use planning guidelines, but which
have no significance to Chowan County (i.e, off -road vehicles, mineral
production).
An attempt was made in the last chapter to focus each of the issues
discussed by pointing out how each one affects Chowan County locally.
With that in mind, the following pages contain: 1) a brief summary of
each issue as it relates.to Chowan County; 2) alternative approaches for
dealing with each.issue; and 3) the selection of the alternative which
best applies to Chowan County. The selected alternative is then restated
in the form of a policy statement. Following each policy statement is a
discussion of how each statement can best be implemented except inthose
cases where the method of implementation is part of the policy statement
itself:
POLICY STATEMENTS
SPECIAL ISSUES
Four-laning of U.S. 17
Should U.S. 17 be widened to four lanes through Chowan County, develop-
ment pressures will grow at its intersections with other roads, especially
at the N.C. 32 intersection.'
Alternative 1 - Because the N.C. Department of Transportation has no concrete
plans to actually widen this highway at this time, the County may elect
to wait for the highwav to be built before it sets a policy on the types
and locations of development it wishes around those interchanges within its
jurisdiction.
Alternative 2 - Recognizing that development pressures may already exist,
the County may elect to specify the types and locations of potential
development around each interchange in its jurisdiction as well as along
each highway intersecting U.S. 17. By so doing, the County will ensure that
future developments will attract motoring tourists and that they.will provide

them with a pleasant atmosphere and needed services.
Alternative 3 - The County may adopt a county -wide zoning Ordinance which
would include the specifications of type and location of all future develop-
ments in the County, including the interchanges with a widened U.S. 17.
Alternative Selection - The County selects a combination of all three
alternatives. While four-laning of U.S. 17 has been discussed for several
years, the N.C.D.O.T. has no known plans to widen this highway in the
near future. The County feels that its consideration of (and probable
,
adoption of) zoning to cover the airport area will, in the next 2-3
years provide .it with "zoning experience" and therefore make adoption of a
county -wide zoning ordinance an easier transition.
POLICY STATEMENT - It shall be the policy of Chowan County to encourage
the State of North Carolina to widen U.S. 17 from two to four lanes, from
Virginia to South Carolina but dons not consider it a high priority issue.
The County will, as part of this policy, support adequate local planning
in order to guide and control the types and locations of future development
which will result from this project_
Implementation - Close coordination will be maintained between the County
Manager's office and the N.C.D.O.T. to insure prior knowledge of any decision
to four -lane U.S. 17 through Chowan County. In the interim, the County
Planning Board will seek CAMA planning grant funds within the next two
years to study each intersection which may be impacted by such a project
and determine the optimum land use types and locations most desirable.
Within the next five years, the County will study the possibility of preparing
a county -wide zoning ordinance which would include zoning recommendations
for the subject intersections.
County -Wide Water System
Because the policies of the water system are contained in the system's
adopted "rules and regulations" and subregulations, no additional policy
statements are considered necessary in this document.
Second Home Development
The shorelines of the rivers and sound in Chowan County are particularly
attractive for second home or vacation home developments. These same
shorelines are also desirable for permanent home development. The County
presently does not have a county -wide zoning ordinance which, would be
necessary to specify permitted land uses at various locations.
Alternative 1 - The County may informally discourage second home development.
Alternative 2 - The County may encourage second home developments and,
because of the typical remoteness of such sites, exempt them from certain
requirements made in the subdivision regulations.
Alternative 3 - The County may encourage second home developments through
a county -wide zoning ordinance and require that they meet all the requirements
of the subdivision regulations, as if they were permanent home developments.
Alternative Selection - The County selects Alternative 3.

POLICY STATEMETT - It shall ire the poiic:j of Chowan County along the
waterfronts to informally acknowledge second home and other types of
residential developments, as long as the;, meet all the requirements of
the County's subdivision regulations and other ordinances and policies
in effect at the time of their development.
Implementation - The County will continue to enforce its subdivision
regulations, and will, in the next 2-4 years, investigate the need for
a county -wide zoning ordinance.
Public Access to Public Waters
There are several points of access to the public waters of Chowan County...
two state-owned boat ramps, five privately -owned, open -to -the -public boat
ramps and one privately owned & operated beach. Over 80% of the
resl.ondents stated a need for more access to the rivers and sound.
Alternative 1 - The County may choose to develop public beaches and boat
ramps at strategic locations along the shorelines of Chowan Caupty.
Alternative 2 - The County may choose, because of the number and locations
of existing points of access, to take no action toward providing more
access points or public facilities.
Alternative 3 The County may choose to evaluate the actual need for more
access points and facilities on a periodic basis and take appropriate
actions based on the results.
Alternative Selection - The County selects Alternative 3.
POLICY STATEMENT - The County shall evaluate in 1981-82 the recreational
needs of Chowan County on a periodic basis, and shall include in those
evaluations a determination of actual need for more public access points
and facilities. As such access points and facilities are shown to be
needed, the County will seek technical assistance and funding to see that
said facilities are made available to the citizens of Chowan County.
Water access in new shoreline developments is covered in the subdivision
regulations.
Water Quality of the Chowan River/Albemarle System
POLICY STATEMENT - It has been and shall continue to be a policy of Chowan
County to participate with all concerned units of local governments and
state and federal agencies to seek a resolution of the problems of pollution
of the Chowan River in order to increase its value to Chowan County as
a natural recreational and commercial fishing resource. Chowan County
considers the pollution of the Chowan River a top priority.
Implementation - The County Manager or his representative will attend
intergovernmental and/or interagency meetings in which progress on the
problem is to be discussed.
Hurricane and Flood Evacuation Plan
Chowan County and Edenton have adopted the "Chowan County Civil
Preparedness Hurricane Evacuation Plan", prepared.in 1978 and revised as

late as Febuary, 1981. No other Fool icy related to this issue is considered
necessary.
Productive Aqricultural & Forest Lands
Because of the relatively small number of acres (14 per year) projected
for development during the planning period, there appears to be no immediate
or long range danger of losing large tracts of most productive agricultliral
lands or productive forest lands to urban development. Therefore, no
policy on this issue is considered necessary.
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Channel Maintenance
Chowan County recognizes that periodically navigation channels must
be dredged to ensure the safe operation of commercial and recreational
vessels in waters in and around Chowan County. However, the County feels
that the various state and:.federal regulations related to dredge and fill
projects and channelization of streams for flood protection,etc. are
sufficiently specific and contain adequate permitting procedures to ensure
the environmental. integrity of such projects in Chowan County's planning
jurisdiction. While no specific policy on this issue is considered
necessary, the County does anticipate being informed of such projects
by permitting agencies prior to the implementation of such projects.
Fragile Land Areas
Definitions of the various fragile land areas were given in the 1976
CAMA Plan. As stated in the last chapter, it is not considered necessary
to repeat all the definitions. Nor is it considered necessary to repeat
the allowable land uses in these areas because they are specifically
stated in Coastal Area Management Act and specifically in the North
Carolina Administrative Code (2/20/80), S NCAC 7H.
Coastal Wetlands - Low Tidal Marshland: To give the highest priority to the
preservation of low tidal marshland.
Coastal Wetlands - Other Coastal Marshland: To give a high priority to the
preservation and management of the marsh so as to safeguard and perpetuate
their biological, economic and aesthetic values.
Estuarine Waters: To preserve and manage estuarine waters so as to
safeguard and perpetuate their biological, economic and aesthetic values.
Fragile, Historic or Natural Resource Areas - Complex Natural Areas: To
preserve the natural conditions of the site so as to safeguard its existence
as an example of naturally occurring, relatively undisturbed plant and
animal communities of major scientific or educational value.
Fragile, Historic or Natural Resource Areas - Areas that Sustain Remnant Species:
• To preserve habitat conditions necessary to the continued survival of rare
or endangered native plants and animals and minimize development of
land uses that might jeopardize known areas that support remnant species.
Fragile, Historic or Natural Resource Areas - Areas Containing Unique Geological
Formations: To preserve the scientific, educational or scenic values of
unique geological formations so that they may be available for future study
and enjoyment.

Fragile, Historic or Natural Resource Areas - Historic Places: To rrotect
and/or preserve the integrity of districts, sites, buildings, and objects
in the above categories.
Areas Subject to Public Rights _- Certain Public Trust Areas: To protect
public rights for navigation: and recreation and to preserve and manage
the ;)ublic trust waters so as to safeguard and perpetuate their biological,
economic and aesthetic value.
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Natural Hazard Areas - Excessive Erosion Areas - Estuarine and River
Erodible Areas: To insure that: development occurring within these areas
is compatible with the dynamic nature of the erodible lands thus minimizing
the likelihood of significant loss of property.
Implementation - Chowan County will, as it has in the past, ensure that
future developments will not negatively affect the County's fragile cultural
and natural resources. Through locally adopted plans, regulations and
ordinances, the County will ensure compatibility with state and federal
statutes applicable to these areas, thus preserving and protecting them,
and access to them for all the citizens of Chowan County. Land uses permitted
within these areas are listed in the definition of the "conservation" land
classification in Chapter VI of this plan update.
ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Types of development to be encouraged and capacities of the county water
system and solid waste system to service new developments
While second home development will be required to meet the criteria of
the county's subdivision regulations (see policy above), so will all types
of residential developments. It has been pointed out in previous sections
that new commercial establishments will be needed in the future to service
basic needs of residents in the more developed areas of the county. Because
the County provides only water and solid waste collection and disposal,
only these two public services are discussed here.
Alternative 1 - The County could choose to restrict all new residential
development to already developed areas of the County and could choose
to restrict new commercial developments to areas around Edenton.
.Alternative 2 - The County.could encourage new residential development in
areas where residential development has already begun and county water
is already available. New commercial development would likewise be
encouraged to develop in these areas.
Alternative 3 - The.County could choose to encourage strip residential and
commercial development anywhere in the county.
Alternative Selection - The County selects Alternative 2.
POLICY STATEMENT - It is considered to be in the best interest of Chowan County
•
to encourage cluster types of residential development in areas already
being developed for:that purpose. Scattered development is addressed in
the policy statement related to "second home development". It shall,
therefore be the policy of Chowan County to encourage cluster residential
development and the development of service -oriented commercial establishments
in these same areas in locations such that they do not become incompatible
with the residential developments. Based on the county water system and

solid waste system capacity and foreci.istcd growth over the next ten
years, both systems should be able to accomodate these new developments.
without any major improvements.
Implementation - Encouragement of these types of development will be made
through locally adopted plans, regulations and ordinances in effect at the
present time and through those which may be enacted in the future.. The
Tax Supervisor has and,will, have the responsibility of enforcing the
subdivision regulations. As other ordinances are adopted, responsibility
of enforcement will be assigned as -appropriate.
Types and locations of industries desired
The recommendations of the report, "Industrial Park Feasibility Study
for the Town of Edenton, N.C.", included the.need to attract "dry" industries,
especially those "light manufacturing and assembly operations". The study
pointed out that these types of industries would be most ideally suited
to match Edenton's and Chowan County's labor force and physical characteristics.
Alternative 1 - The County could choose not to encourage any new industries
to locate in the County, yet encourage new industries to locate only within
the Town of Edenton.
Alternative 2 - The County could choose to attempt to attract the types of
industries recommended in the study named above, and the County could in
cooperation with the Town of Edenton, seek to locate new industries in
either the Edenton Industrial Park, or on land suitable for industry located
near the airport.
Alternative 3 - The County could choose to try to locate new industry of any
type to locate anywhere in the County.
Alternative Selection - The County selects Alternative 2.
POLICY STATEMENT - It shall be the policy of Chowan County to cooperate with
the Town of Edenton and the local Chamber of Commerce in seeking new
industries, which substantially meet the industry type of "light
manufacturing and assembly operations", and/or which do not require large
amounts of water for their processing, to locate in either the Edenton
Industrial Park or on land near the airport, which is considered suitable
for industrial purposes. Further, it shall be the policy of Chowan County
not to exclude other types of industries locating in Chowan County, except
that any new industry must not require large amounts of public water, nor
will it be of an industrial type which inherently has the potential of
disturbing the environment of. Chowan County.
Implementation - The County Board of Commissioners through its regular
contacts with and participation in the local Chamber of Commerce, will
make known the above stated policy. As evidence of this policy, the
County Manager will write a letter to that organization stating this and
• other policies contained in this plan which relate either directly or
indirectly to industrial development within Chowan County.

Local commitment to providing services to development
Throughout this report the capacities of the county -wide water system
and solid waste system and their ability to serve new developments, has
been discussed. However, if a potential industry wishes to locate near
the airport, but recfaires sewer, the County will need to be able to state
its position relatec to providing, or riot providing such facilities.
Alternative 1 - The County could choose not to provide, or facilitate
the provision of a sewer system to the area around the airport.
Alternative 2 - The County could choose to provide a sewer line to that
industry.
Alternative 3 - The County could choose to facilitate the formation of a
sanitary sewer district, made up of residents and businesses around the
airport, which could, in turn, provide sewer service to existing and
potential industries in that area.
Alternative Selection - The County selects Alternative 3.
POLICY STATEMENT - Because of existing sanitary problems in the Cape
Colony area, and, because of the potential of new industrial development
on land near the airport, it shall be the policy of Chowan County to
investigate means of organizing a sanitary sewer district in the area
generally in the vicinity of the airport.
Implementation - The County will apply to the appropriate state/federal
agency for funds to be used to prepare a preliminary study of the
feasibility of installing sewer lines in existing developed areas in the
vicinity of the airport. Further, this study will address the feasibility
of installing lines of sufficient size to accomodate industries as
described in the "Edenton Industrial Park Feasibility Study" as noted
in this plan. Either as part of this study, or as a separate study,
the County shall investigate state statutes applicable to the formation
of an independent sanitary sewer district in this area to determine if
all statutes could be met. These studies will be prepared within the
next two years (by 1983).
Redevelopment of developed areas
. While it is not within the scope of this study to identify areas
within. the County which require redevelopment, it is within the scope
of this study to recognize that there may be concentrations of substandard
condition which may one day require county action. The publication .
of the results of the final Census counts of the 1980 Census, will show
by township where such concentrations of poor housing may exist.
Alternative 1 - The County may choose to "do nothing" towards the
identification or mitigation of poor housing conditions within the County.
Alternative 2 - The County may choose to try to identify such concentrations
of poor housing conditions and attempt to seek ways of improving them
prior to the publication of the 1980 Census results.
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Alternative 3 - They Cour:ty may choose to identify tcwnship-n where,
according to the results of the 192U Census, poor housing conditions
are significantly high. The County may, rafter such identification,
seek the assistance of state and federal agencies in determining the best
course of action to take to limit. said housing conditions. .
Alternative Selection: - The'County selects Alternative 3 and hart of
y Alternative 2.
POLICY STATEMENT - It shall be the policy of Chowan County to attempt to
identify any concentrations of substandard housing conditions within the
County. Further, it shall be the policy of the Countv to seek assistance
from state and federal agencies to determine the most appropriate course
of action toward improving such conditions.
Implementation - Upon publication of the 1980 Census, the County will apply
to appropriate state and/or federal agencies for a planning grant for
the preparation of a county -wide housing study which should identify
specific areas which may meet funding criteria of the appropr_ate state
and/or federal agencies for the redevelopment of those areas.
Commitment to Federal and State Programs in the County
POLICY STATEMENT - Chowan County has participated in and utilized effectively
various state and federal programs which have been made available to it in
the past. The most recent example is the financial participation in the
preparation of the "Chowan County and Perquimans County Soils Analysis",
mentioned previously. It shall be the policy of Chowan County to continue
its commitment to state and federal programs (i.e, highway improvements,
dredge and fill operations, erosion control, etc.) where and when applicable
to Chowan County.
Continued Public Participation in the Planning Process
During the preparation of this plan update, the participation of
the general public was solicited, first through the distribution of a
general questionnaire, and secondly, through the invitation of public
input at a Public Information Meeting, held on January 29, 1981.
Alternative 1 - Chowan County could choose not to encourage continued
public participation in the planning process. The implication this
alternative would present is public unawareness of plans and policies
being adopted for the citizens of Chowan County.
Alternative 2 - Chowan County could choose to prepare annual questionnaire -
type surveys, soliciting citizen response on various issues under
consideration at that time. This alternative would require a great
deal of local expertise in both the development and distribution of survey
forms to ensure statistical validity of the results.
Alternative 3 - Chowan County could choose to invite the public to attend
all meetings of the County Planning Board by placing a notice of each
meeting time, place and subjects to be discussed in the newspaper. This
alternative would provide an on -going, regular method of soliciting
citizen involvement in the planning process.

Alternative Selection - The (' _)unt.'f :e! cct:; Altern.'ative ?.
POLICY STATEMENT - It shall 1:,(2 the ;.:Li_ of Chcr,;c n County to actively
sol..ici.t input from the cit:.izcns of Chowan County into the planning process
on a regular basis.
Implementation - The County Manager's office will place a notice in a
newspaper with local distribution stating the time, place and subjects
to'be discussed of each County Planning Board meeting. Such notice
shall be so made one week prior to each Planning Board meeting date.
Other Issues Not Relevant to Chowan Coun
The Land Use Planning Guidelines Chapter 7B, Section .0203 (B) of
the P.C. Administrative Code require issues to be discussed other than
those above. These issues were discussed by both the County Planning
Board and the Chowan County Board of Commissioners and were found to
be not applicable to Chowan County. They are:
1. potential environmental impact of off -road vehicles on beaches
2. potential mineral mining activities
3. energy facility siting and development
As discussed in the preceding chapter, there are no beaches which
could be damaged by off -road vehicles. There are no known mineral resources
in Chowan County. Therefore no policy statement on these issues was considered.
The likelihood of a refinery of any size whatsoever locating in the
County was considered too remote to warrant a policy statement (the average
shallow depth of the Albemarle Sound and the lack of a protected bay of
sufficient size to accomodate oil tankers provided the basis for this
decision). The County recognizes the potential for peat or coal-fired
electric generating plants north of the Albemarle Sound. However, until
the location of such a facility in Chowan County is proved to be feasible
and essential, the County will not adopt a policy on this issue.
While commercial and sport fishing have in the past been active
pursuits by residents of Chowan County, the major commercial and sports
fishing center of the region has been in Elizabeth City. Due to the
relatively small number of access points to the Chowan River and Albemarle
Sound, it was considered unlikely that any such.facilities will be
developed within the County. Therefore, no policy statement was considered
necessary.
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CHAPTER VI
J
INTRODUCTION
A land classification system has been developed by the North Carolina
Coastal Resources Commission as a means of assisting in the implementation
of the policies developed within local CAMA Land Use Plans, such as this one.
By showing land classifications on a mar) and describing them in narrative
form, Chowan County specified those areas where the policies described
in the last chapter will apply. It should also be noted that the
various land classification also show areas which come under the purview
of various state and federal statutes and regulations. (See "Current
Plans and Policies".) Although certain areas are outlined on the
Land Classification Map, it must be remembered that land classification is
merely a tool to help implement policies and not a strict regulatory mechanism.
The designation of land classes permits Chowan County to illustrate
its policy statements as to where and to what density it wants growth to
occur, and where it wants to conserve natural and cultural. resources by
guiding growth.
LAND CLASSIFICATIONS
There are five broad classes within the land classification system.
These are used by all 20 coastal counties. They are defined as follows:
Developed Land - Areas classified as developed include those lands already
developed for urban purposes with a density at or approaching 500 dwelling
units per square mile. These areas usually have already been provided with
typical urban services (i.e., public water, sewer, recreational facilities,
police and fire protection).
There are no areas within the planning jurisdiction of Chowan County which
meet both the density and the public urban services criteria as stated in the
above definition. Therefore, no developed lands are shown on the Land
Classification Map. The only developed lands in the County are located
within the planning jurisdiction of the Town of Edenton. Refer to Edenton's
CAMA Land Use Plan Update, 1981... Land Classification Map for a description
of developed lands within its jurisdiction.
Transition Land - Land classified as transition are those developable lands
which will be needed to meet anticipated population and economic growth.
These areas must either be served or be readily served by public water,
sewer and other urban services including public streets, and be generally
free of severe physical limitations for urban development. Lands classified
as transition are the only areas which would be under active consideration
by Chowan County for intensive urban development requiring urban services.

These arc, the areas where, detailed larirl use and public investment
planning will occur. State and federal expenditures on nro;ects
associated with urban development, such as water, sewer, urban streets,
etc. would be guided to these areas by the. County.
The designation of transition classificaticn of areas within the planning
jurisdiction, of Chowan County are shown on the Land Classification Map.
The Cace Colony/Country Club Drive area and those lands generally
surrounding the airport are designated as transition areas. This general
area is already served by the county -wide water system. It has
the greatest potential for future urban growth, both residential and
industrial and there is sufficient land included in this classification
to accomodate the projected population and economic growth discussed under
"Estimated Growth Demand". Edenton's Wastewater Facilities (201) Plan
recommended that this area be provided with public sewer service as soon
as the existing sewage treatment plant has been improved to accept the
flow from this area.
The Riverton area at the intersection of L.S. 17 Business and U.S. 17
Bypass are also classified as transition. Next to the airport area,
this area would be the next to be sewered, if the property owners were
so desirous.
Community Land - Lands classified as community are those areas within the
planning jurisdiction needed to provide for clustered land development
to help meet housing, shopping, employment and public service needs within
the rural areas of the county. These areas are characterized by small
groupings of mixed land uses, such as residences, small stores, churches,
schools, etc., which are suitable for small clusters of rural development
not requiring public sewer service.
The areas so designated in Chowan County are shown on the Land Classification.
Map. While almost all of the areas shown as community are already served
by the county water system, none of them meet both the density criteria
of 500 dwelling units per square mile and the need for public sewer service.
Rural Land.- Lands classified as rural are all other agricultural and forested
areas which are not classified as either transitional, community or
conservation. These lands are best suited for agriculture, forestry management
and other low intensity uses. Small subdivisions may be located within "rural"
areas where urban services are not required and where natural resources will
not be permanently impaired. Areas classified as rural are shown on the
Land Classification Map.
Conservation Land - Lands classified as conservation are those lands which
contain: major wetlands, wooded swamps; essentially undeveloped shorelands
that are unique, fragile or hazardous for development; necessary wildlife
habitats; publicly owned water supply watersheds and aquifers and forest
lands that are undeveloped and will remain undeveloped for commercial purposes.
While lands classified as conservation are generally not considered suitable 1
for urban development, there are certain uses which may be permitted. It
must be pointed out that because of the small scale of the Land Classification
Map shown in this document, it is impossible to pinpoint each parcel of land
which may exist within the conservation areas that may not meet the criteria

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of the conservatior. classification.' Therefore, determination of whether
or not a certain parcel. of land meets this classification should be
made by determining -chat it is not: 1) in the flood -plain of a continuously
flowing stream of water; 2) on soils which have severe limitations for
septic tanks, building foundations or poor drainage; 3) in an area considered
to be an unique natLral or.'cultural resource which would suffer
irrepa irable damage as a result of development and/or in areas which would
otherwise be hazardous to developments, or which would be detrimental
to the surrounding environment. These determinations will be made on a
case -by -case basis, should they arise. The Planning Board will have
the responsibility of making these determinations with the advice and
assistance of the local Health Department, Soil Conservation Service
and the office of Coastal Management. References will be made to the
most recent detailed soils analysis, flood plain studies and local, state
and federal regulations.'
Summary
All land in Chowan County has been classified in this chapter and on
the Land Classification Map. These classification will remain in effect
until such time as this document is updated (roughly 5 years from the
date of publication). The land classification and the other parts of
this study will be used in making decisions regarding future development
proposals. It will also be used by state and federal agencies in making
determinations on funding requests made by the County or municipalities
therein. Should a major event take place during the next five years which
has not been anticipated (i.e., location of a major industry, discovery
of a major mineral deposit, etc. ) as part of this study, application for
funds to update this document will be sought in order to maintain its
validity and utility as a local guide for development decision -making.

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