CAMA Land Development Plan Update-1976

TUFT
FOR
CHOWAN COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
DCM COPY 'e7 "' DCM COPY
lease do not remove!!!!!
Division of Coastal Management Copy
PREPARED BY
FERAEN PLANNING GROUP
Gire4nvlile, N.C.

PREFACE
The preparation and successful completion of a county -wide plan
such as this requires the close coordination of many individuals and
organizations. The Chowan County Planning Board acted as the central
working body during the preparation of this plan and provided local
input regarding all aspects of the plan preparation. The Board of
County Commissioners, as the final decision -making body, provided the
necessary local political decision -making required to finalize the all-
important policy section statements of this document. To these two
bodies, especially, and to all of the other state and local agencies
who contributed their time and source data, we at the Ferren Planning
Group express our sincere appreciation.
CHOWAN COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
J.D. Peele
Mrs. Barbara Ward
C.A. Phillips, Chairman
CHOWAN COUNTY
PLANNING BOARD
Wilbur J. Privott, Chairman
Alton G. Elmore
George E. Jones
Vann Small Marvin Smith A.C. Hudson
T.D. Berryman Tony Webb Mrs. April Lane
A special thanks goes to Nancy Morgan, Secretary to the County
Manager, whose coordinating efforts greatly assisted in the preparation
of this plan.
N
W

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
INTRODUCTION
This planning document is a comprehensive update of Chowan County's
1976 CAMA Land Use Plan. The land use plan update and the 1976 plan
s
were prepared in accordance with the 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,
along 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 the local 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 is
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.
i

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.
a
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.
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.
ii

ESTIMATED GROWTH 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 increase 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 lots 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.
iii

TABLE OF CONTENTS
SUMMARY OF PLAN
CHAPTER I - INTRODUCTION
..Purpose of Study
..Citizen Participation
..Planning Area
CHAPTER II - ANALYSIS OF CHANGE
..Introduction
..Population
..Existing Land Use
..Problems of Unplanned Development
..Significant Land Use Compatibility Problems
..Current Plans & Policies
CHAPTER III - CONSTRAINTS.TO DEVELOPMENT
..Public Services
CHAPTER IV - ESTIMATED GROWTH DEMAND
..Introduction
..Population Growth
..Economic Growth
..Impact of Growth on Economic & Community Development
..Discussion of Standard Issues
CHAPTER V - DEVELOPMENT ISSUES
..Introduction
..Policy Statements
CHAPTER VI - LAND CLASSIFICATION
..Introduction
..Land Classifications
Appendix A
Land -Classification Map
PAGE
i
1
1
2
4
6
6
6
15
18
23
26
30
30
35
35
35
36
37
42
44
44
44
53
53
53

LIST OF EXHIBITS
Exhibit
1
- Location
and Vicinity Map, Chowan County, N.C.
Exhibit
2
- Planning
Area Map
Exhibit
3 -
Selected
Study Areas
Exhibit
4 -
Existing
County -Wide Land Use
Exhibit
5 -
Existing
Land Use, Airport Area
Exhibit
6 -
Existing
Land Use, Arrowhead - Chowan Beach
Exhibit
7 -
Existing
Land Use, Tyner & Riverton
Exhibit
8 -
Chowan County Water System
PAGE
4
5
16
19
20
21
22
31

CHAPTER I
J111 Isau
PURPOSE OF STUDY
Chowan County prepared a Land Use Plan in 1976 in response to the
Coastal Area Management Act, passed by the North Carolina Legislature
in 1974. The purpose and intent of the act is best described in
Section .0101 "Introduction to Land Use Planning" Subchapter 7B -
Land Use Planning Guidelines (as amended 9/l/79):
.0101 Introduction
(a) The Coastal Area Management Act of 1974 establishes a cooperative
program of coastal area management between local governments
and the state. Land use planning lies at the center of local
government's involvement, as it gives the local leaders an
opportunity and responsibility to establish and enforce policies
to guide the development of their community.
(b) The purpose of these state guidelines is to assist local
governments in each of the 20 coastal counties with the preparation
of their own individual land use plans. Each county and the
municipalities within the coastal counties are encouraged to
develop a plan which reflects the desires, needs and best
judgment of its citizens. The land use plans prepared under
these guidelines, when considered together, form the basis for
"a comprehensive plan for the protection, preservation, orderly
development and management of the coastal area of North Carolina",
which is the primary objective of the Coastal Area Management
Act of 1974..
Further in the guidelines in Section .0201 (c), the heart of why
North Carolina communities and counties need to prepare land use plans is
described.
.0201 Introduction
(c) Local governments, through the land use planning process, address
issues and adopt policies that guide the development of their
community. Many decisions affecting development are made by
other levels of government, and local policies must take account
of and coincide with established state and federal policies.
Most decisions, however, are primarily of local concern. By
carefully and explicitly addressing these issues, other levels
of government will follow local policies that deal with these
issues. Policies which consider the type of development to be
encouraged, the density and patterns of development, and the methods
of providing beach access are examples of these local policy decisions.
1

More significant even than the "requirement" that communities prepare
Land Use Plans every five years is the uses that are made of.the.local
plans once they have been completed. In the publication, The Impact of
State Regulation of Coastal Land in North Carolina, prepared by Charles
D. Liner of the Institute of Government at Chapel Hill, he noted the
impact of local land use plans on state and federal decisions:
...Land -use plans have a potential effect on (local) land use because:
(a) CAMA'Permits may not be issued for development that is inconsistent
with land -use plans (since CAMA permits are required only in AEC's,
this effect is limited to land within AECs).
(b) Local ordinances and regulations that apply to AECs must be
consistent with the land -use plan; local ordinances and regulations
affecting land outside AECs are subject to review by the Coastal
Resources Commission, which is authorized to recommend modifications
to the local government.
(c) Federal actions involving grants, licenses, permits, and development
projects must be consistent with local land -use plans, as required
by Section 307 of the FCZMA.
(d) In accordance with the Governor's Executive Order Number 15, certain
state agency actions and policies must be consistent with land -
use plans.
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION
One of the basic requirements for the preparation of any community
planning document is to solicit the opinions of the general public for which
the document.is being prepared. The reason for this is simple. Planning
documents are prepared so that elected and appointed officials can use them
to determine the future courses of action which will be of most benefit
to the greatest number of people in a community. Planning documents require
the identification of problems in the community and examination of alternative
solutions to those problems.
.Input from the citizens of a community for which a plan is being
prepared is especially needed in the beginning phases of a plan. Neither
the elected or appointed official, nor the professional planner can state
with assurance that he knows all the problems which exist in a community.
Nor can they say as to the best way of solving various problems. Also,
the opinion of the general public relative to its "feelings" as -a -whole
about the community, and what it hopes will take place in the future, are
all things that no single group or individual can predict with certainty.
Therefore, in an effort to determine the public opinion of Chowan
Countians, a survey form was distributed throughout the County through the
schools to all households. The survey contained questions related to the
respondents' personal characteristics and questions related to existing
public facilities , the environment and future growth and development in
the County. •
It should be noted, however, that although the rate of return of
survey forms was more than might have been normally expected, it was not a `
sufficient number to be able to determine with quantitative certainty that
the answers to all the questions represented the majority of the citizens
of Chowan County. The number returned is sufficient, however, to make
general statements about'the results of those who did respond. This
information was used throughout the rest of the planning process to measure
2

decisions made during that time.
Characteristics of Respondents
A majority (57%) of the respondents live in Edenton. The rest were
evenly distributed throughout the County. Over 62% were between the ages
of 26 and 55. Sixty-eight percent of the respondents were females and 52%
of all respondents were white. Married respondents made up over 63% of the
total. Over 80% have lived in Chowan County more than 5 years and most of
them (63%) own their own homes. More than 10% of the respondents
classified themselves as unemployed. Students, housewives, retired
individuals and others made up 21% of the total respondents. The other
68% were evenly employed in various sectors of the economy. More than 77%
of the respondents earn most of their income in Chowan County. This
particular fact is significant when compared to Gates, Perquimans and other
neighboring counties where over half of the employed residents must travel
outside their resident counties to find jobs.
Results of Survey
Generally, it can be stated that a majority of the survey respondents
want to see Chowan County's population and economy grow. Yet they do not
want growth if it might damage the County's environment. They want to see
an increase in tourism and tourism facilities such as motels, restaurants
and public recreational areas. For themselves, they feel there is a strong
need for more shopping facilities (department & discount stores, drug
stores, discount grocery stores and more restaurants). Over 35% felt
a need for a shopping center.
Environmentally, they expressed concern over pollution of the Chowan
River. More than 36% felt roadside trash was the single most critical
environmental problem in the County, although poor drainage, septic tank
problems and shoreline erosion combined made up 41% of environmental
problems, according to the respondents. Along those lines, over 80% felt
that the County should develop a county -wide drainage program to help farmers.
While a majority of the respondents want to see the County grow, over
92% said that future growth should be planned for. Industry is needed,
according to the survey results, and the respondents felt new industry should
be agriculturally related to complement the County's existing agricultural
production. They also felt that shoreline property should not be made
available as future industrial sites. Generally, the respondents expressed
the need for orderly, controlled socio-economic growth.
Individual responses to various issues will be referred to throughout
the following chapters of this report. For a more detailed reading of the
survey results, a copy of the tally sheet of the survey form has been included
in this report in Appendix A.
Other Methods of Citizen Participation
Besides using the survey results, it was considered necessary to .
provide opportunities for further public input during the planning process.
Two public information meetings were held to inform the public of progress
being made during the preparation of the plan and to solicit any public
opinions on topics being reviewed at the time of each meeting.
3

Also, because the Chowan County Board of Commissioners represent the
final decision -making necessary to adopt this plan upon its completion,
meetings were held with the Commission to inform them of progress and
recommendations being formulated on the various issues. By following
this process, the Commission was made aware of the contents of this plan so
that when it was presented to them in final form, they could more readily
decide whether or not to accept or adopt it.
PLANNING AREA
Chowan County is located in the northeastern corner of the state in
what is known as the Albemarle Region. (See Exhibit 1). It is bounded on
the west by the Chowan River; the south by the Albemarle Sound; on the east
by Perquimans County, and on the north by Gates County. (See Exhibit 2).
The planning area for this study is all of Chowan County except Edenton
and its extraterritorial planning jurisdiction because Edenton opted to
do their own plan.
Exhibit 1... Location and Vicinity Map, Chowan County, N.C.
Ohio _ VA. -- —�--- `
W.Va
Ky. Ala, GATES � � C,4� � c�
re
U. HERTFORD y
PERQUIMANS
S.C.
Ga.
BERTIE
4

EXHIBIT 2
a,
0
a
7
PLANNING AREA MAP
County Planning Area
Edenton City Limits
Edenton Planning Area
CAMA LAND DEVELOPMENT PLAN
CHOWAN COUNTY, N.C.
1980

CHAPTER II
INTRODUCTION
One element required in the CAMA planning process is to examine
any changes that have taken place since the 1976 CAMA Plan was prepared
for Chowan County. As will be seen in the following pages, Chowan County's
population base is expanding, employment opportunities improving and in
so doing reversing trends begun in the fifties and sixties. Indications
these growth trends were beginning was described in the 1976 CAMA Plan,
but recent population and employment figures confirm them. What will
such changes mean if they continue in the eighties? How will land use
in predominantly rural Chowan County be affected? The data and projections
presented in this and subsequent chapters provide some indications.
The following discussion of the County's population and economy
characteristics emphasizes post-1976 data analysis.
Also in this chapter is a brief discussion of public plans and policies
relevant to County development.
POPUT.ATION
Population levels and trends in Chowan County, inclusive of Edenton
are shown in Table 1. The county's population has recently increased,
reflecting moderate growth. Between 1970 and 1980, the county gained
an absolute increase of approximately 1,733 residents or 16.1% increase.
At this time, however, the 1980 Census has not published enough data
to break out such population characteristics as racial breakdown, age
structure, and permanent versus seasonal residency. This increase
represents an average of about 170 persons per year. Conversely, population
decreased by 1,776 residents between 1950 and 1970, from 12,540 to
10,764 for an average annual decrease of 59 residents. During the seventies,
therefore, absolute resident population increased at nearly double the
rate of decrease encountered in the previous two decades.
A good measure of what sections of the County have been experiencing
population influxes is reflected in the breakdown of historic population
trends by township presented in Table 2. From the information presented,
Edenton and Middle Townships have accounted for increases of 904 and 734
residents respectively, from 1970 to 1980. Those two .townships have
absorbed 94.5 percent of the County's entire population increase. Yeopim
Township picked up the remaining 79 residents (4.6%), while Upper Township
remained relatively stable.
11

Table 1... Population Trends, 1950-1980
YEAR NUMBER % CHANGE DENSITY (Pop./Sq. Mi.)
1950 12540 70
1960 11729 -6.5 65
1970 10764 -8.2 60
1980 (est.) 12497 16.1
68
Source: 1980 Preliminary Census Count, 1950-70, U.S. Bureau of the Census
Table 2... Township Population Trends, 1950-1980
1950
1960
1970
1970 HU's*
1980
1980 HU's
Edenton
7508
7294
6814
2032
7718
3001
Middle
2232
2224
1840
525
2574
1280
Upper
1499
1449
1278
382
1294
548
Yeopim
1301
762
832
232
911
386
TOTAL
12540
11729
10764
3614
12497
5434
Source: Demographic Research, Division of State Budget and Management
N.C. Department of Administration, June 1979
*Housing Units,
Another good measure of growth is the.change in the number of housing
units by location in the County over the last ten years. The 1980
Preliminary Census, as shown in Table 2, indicates increases in all
townships. Again, however, Edenton and Middle Townships accounted for
almost 95% of all the new housing units in the ten year period.
Labor Force/Employment
Estimates of labor force available in Chowan County are compiled each
year by the North Carolina Employment Security Commission (ESC). Table 3
contains ESC's ldbor force estimates for Chowan County in 1970, 1975, 1978
and q.une 1980. Although the June figures are presented, they are not
seasonally adjusted for direct comparison with the annual averages. There
appears to be 300 fewer people in the labor force in June of this year
than in 1978. This may be a true reflection of the recessionary trends
the economy is in or simply a seasonal drop.
Total civilian labor force did increase by 530 during the eight
year interval between 1970 and 1978, representing an 11.6% increase --
an annual growth rate of 1.5%.
Not all categories of employment increased, however. The most
significant decrease occurred in agricultural employment where there was
an absolute drop of 140 from 500 to 360. This trend parallels national
and state trends that started in the 1940's; and reflects increasing farm
Y
0
7

size, greater mechanization, and decreasing numbers of family farms.
Although in eight years the agricultural work force dropped by 140,
an additional 700 non-agricultural jobs were secured by county residents,
further demonstrating the shift from agricultural employment dominance.
It is important to note.where the county residents in the work
force listed in Table 3 are actually employed, and in which specific
industries they are employed. In the economy section of the 1976
Cama Plan employment commuting patterns as they existed in 1970, were
r mapped. Ten years ago, 165 more commuters came to Chowan County for work
than left. Estimates provided by the N.C. Employment Security Commission
in 1979 show a slight increase in the number of workers commuting into
Chowan County over those commuting out.
Table 3... Civilian Labor Force Estimates, 1970-1980
1970
1975
1978
June 1980
Employment - Total
4350
4190
4910
4480
Agricultural
500
450
360
Nonag. Wage & Salary
3170
3130
3810
All Other Nonag.
680
610
740
Unemployment - Total
230
360
200
330
Rate
5.0
7.9
3.9
6.9
TOTAL CIVILIAN LABOR FORCE 4580 4550 5110 4810
Source: 1970-79 estimates, "N.C. Labor Force Estimates,", 1979, Bureau
of Employment Security Research, N.C. Employment Security Commission.
1980, Preliminary Estimates for the month of June 1980
Note: All estimates are based on Place of Residence
Table 4 presents employment by industry within Chowan County for the
years 1970, 1975 and 1978. The number of jobs indicated are held in the
County but they may or may not be held by county residents; keeping in
mind that in 1970,.782 of these employees were from outside Chowan County.
Manufacturing employment decreased by 320, a 23.9% drop between
1970 and 1975. In the three years between 1975 and 1978, however, 300
employees were regained with an economic rebound following the recession
of 1974. Perhaps a better measure than direct employment figures of how
well manufacturing is contributing to the local economy can be gained by
examining changes in the "value added by manufacturing".
Each five years the Bureau of the Census conducts a Census of
Manufacturing which includes those firms with 20 or more employees. The
latest report, published in 1977, provides comparable data to the 1972
Census. It also provides a valuable tool for measuring manufacturing's
ability to bring income into the county.
8

Table 4 ... Employment by Industry by Place of Work, 1970-1978
% Change
% Change
INDUSTRY
1970
1975
'70-'75
1978
175-178
Manufacturing
1340
1020
(23.9)
1320
29.4
Food
50
30
(40.0)
80
166.7
Textiles
840
650
(22.6)
640
(1.5)
Lumber & Wood
210
160
(23.8)
340
112.5
Other
240
180
(25.0)
260
,
44.4
Nonmanufacturing
2040
2310
13.2
2800
21.2.
Construction
180
150
(16.7)
160
6.7
Transp., Comm.,
Util, 90
110
22.2
140
27.3
Trade
650
830
27.7
920
10.8
Fin., Ins., Real
Est. 80
60
(25.0)
70
16.7
Service
440
490
11.4
740
51.0
Government
500
530
6.0
590
11.3
Agri & Other
100
140
40.0
180
28.6
Source: Employment Security Commission of N.C., Annual Work Force Estimates
Table 5... Value Added by Manufacturing North Carolina/Chowan County,
1972-1977
CHOWAN
COUNTY
NORTH
CAROLINA
VALUE
INFLATION ADJUSTED*
VALUE
INFLATION ADJUSTED*
YEAR ADDED
VALUE ADDED
ADDED
VALUE ADDED
(million
$) (million $)
1977 $24,200,000
$13,333,333
18,105.6'
91,975.5
1972 16,700,000
12,846,153
11,014.5
91,252.2
Change
'72-'77 7,500,000 487,180 7,091.1 796.8
% Change 31% 3.7% 39% 8%
Source: Bureau of the Census, 1977 Census of Manufacturing (Preliminary
Report)
*Calculation.of inflation adjusted dollars made by dividing by the Consumer
Price Index for all items in the appropriate year.
Value added by manufacturing* is considered to be the best value
measure available for comparing the relative economic importance of
manufacturing among industries in different geographic areas. With this
in mind, Table 5 shows the impact of manufacturing on.Chowan County's
economy. Between 1972 and 1977, the annual increase in value added by
manufacturing rose by half a million inflation -adjusted dollars, even though
*[Value added by manufacturing is derived by subtracting costs for materials,
supplies, containers, fuel, purchased electricity, and contract work from
the value of shipments The result is then adjusted by the value added by
merchandising operations plus the net change in finished goods and work -in -
process inventories between the beginning and end of the year.]
9

total manufacturing employment had decreased. This represents a true increase
of 3.7% in five years compared to an 8% rise for all of North Carolina.
With the agricultural work force decreasing and manufacturing
employment remaining relatively stable,.where then are the employment
gains occurring? Table 4 shows that all of the non -manufacturing
employment categories are gaining in numbers. This is especially true
for retail and service employment where 570 jobs were added in the same
eight year period, a 34% increase. Likewise, employment in government
and in transportation, communications, and utilities increased by 18%
and 56% respectively. Edenton's continuing growth as a retail and service
employment center in the region is reflected in these figures. It
was considered necessary to determine what these moderate increases in
non -manufacturing employment really mean in terms of possible demand for
additional floor space for retail and service businesses. Table 6
provides an estimate of the annual demand for building floor space in
each of the major non -manufacturing employment categories. A total annual
demand of roughly 40,000 square feet of building space is not a significant
threat to the open spaces of Chowan County; but if past trends are a
measure, Edenton's immediate trade area -- downtown and along major roads
and particularly U.S. Highway 17 Bypass -- will attract most of the County's
share of new and expanding non -manufacturing business growth.
Table 6...Space Demand Estimates by Major Non -Manufacturing Employment
Categories
Employment Employ. Employ. Increase Space Need Factor Space Demand Annual
Category 1978 1975 75-78 (S.F./employ.) 75-78 Space Demand
Transp.,
Comm. ,
Util. 140 110 30 200 6000 sf 2000 sf
Trade 920 830 90 300 27000 sf 9000 sf
Fin., Ins.,
Real Est. 70 60 10 200 2000 sf 670 sf
Services 740 490 250 300 75000 sf 25000 sf
Government 590 530 60 200 12000 sf 4000 sf
TOTALS 122000 sf 40670 sf
Space demand for manufacturing is not estimated because of little
recent growth in the employment category.
Retail Sales
Gross retail sales trends for Chowan County for selected years between
1960 and 1978 are shown in Table 7. Between 1960 and 1970 the average
annual percentage increase in inflation -adjusted retail sales was 3.80.
A slightly slower 3% per year rate of increase occurred from-1970 to 1975,
reflecting effects of the 1974-75 recession on retail sales. However,
a quickened pace of retail sales took place between 1975 and 1978, when
a 4.7% annual increase occurred.
10

Table 7... Gross Retail Salesa Trends, Chowan County, 1960-1978
YEAR
1959-
60"
1969-
70
1974-
75
1977-
INFLATION AVERAGE RETAIL SALES
ADJUSTED b ANNUAL PER CAPITA
RETAIL SALES RETAIL SALES % INCREASE INFLATION ADJUSTED
$10,127,838 $11,418,081 $ 973
21,395,130 18,396,500 6.1% 1709
34,822,639 21,602,133 3.5% 1875
78 49,120,789 25,151,453 5.5% 2048
Source: Retail Sales Data: N.C. Department of Revenue, Sales and Use
Tax Division
aTotal Taxable & Non -Taxable sales as reported by merchants on sales and
buse tax reports.
Inflation Adjustment (1967 constant dollars) based on dividing each years
retail sales by Consumer Price Index for that year, using 1967=100%,
1960=88.7%, 1970=116.3%, 1975=161.2%.and 1978=195.3%.
Table 7 also contains the per capita inflation -adjusted retail sales
for the selected base years. Retail sales during the 1975-1978 period
grew at over three times the 1.2% annual increase in county population,
yielding evidence that Edenton/Chowan County's role as a regional trade
center is strengthening.
Trends in retail sales for Chowan County by major sales use taxing
classifications are presented in Table 8 for the 1975-1978 period, along
with sales per. capita of county population. The sales figures shown.
include real increases in sales volume plus inflationary effects. Table 9
presents similar data to that contained in Table 8, except that dollar
sales are inflation adjusted to equalize the data.
Percentage increases/decreases in total retail sales by category for
the 1975-1978 period in Chowan County are presented in Table 10. These
figures represent comparisons of inflation -adjusted increases/decreases
for the State of North Carolina over the same time frame. The data presents
a complex picture of local business trends. Further market -area studies
would reveal more detailed information. Several business trends do seem
evident however.
11

.1.
s
Table 8 ...Retail Sales Trends, Chowan County 1975 - 1979
1975-76
1976-77
1977-78
1978-79
Total
Total
Total
Total
Category
Sales
Sales
Sales
Sales
1% Retail Sales
$ 3,656,881
$ 5,019,104
$ 4,725,131
$ 4,807,153
2% Auto & Planes
2,634,747
2,685,979
2,969,805
3,102,650
Apparel
522,371
634,961
657,195
795,373
Automotive
6,049,046
6,383,494
6,299,703
6,849,747
Food
10,113,696
11,233,037
10,733,312
11,953,806
Furniture
1,361,810
11,582,767
1,501,888
1,516,613
General Merchandise
8,040,574
9,396,042
10,750,918
13,704,995
Building Materials
1,174',829
2,962,528
5,438,387
8,103,932
Unclassified Group
4,551,344
5,276,041
6,044,450
6,884,107
TOTAL SALES
$38,376,298
$45,173,953
$49,120,789
$57,718,376
Source: North Carolina Department
of Revenue
NOTE: Each
year indicated runs from September
- August.
Table 9 ...Retail Sales Trends (inflation -Adjusted)*
Chowan County,
1976 - 1979
1975-76
1976-77
1977-78
1978-79
Total
Total
Total
Total
Category
Sales
Sales
Sales
Sales
1% Retail Sales
$ 2,309,268
$ 3,005,451
$ 2,704,711
$ 2,569,296
10%
2% Auto & Planes
1,663,350
1,608,370
1,699,945
1,658.,284
(.3%)
Apparel
329,779
380,216
376,185
425,105
22.4%
Automotive
3,818,842
3,882,451
3,606,012
3,661,008
(4.1%)
Food
6,384,909
6,726,369
6,143,853
6,388,993
(0%)
Furniture
859,728
947,764
859,695
810,589
(5.7%)
General Merchandise
5,076,119
5,626,372
6,153,931
7,324,957
30.7%
Building Materials
1,103,427
1,773,968
3,112,986
4,331,337
74.5%
Unclassified Group
2,873,323
3,159,305
3,459,902
3,679,373
21.9%
TOTAL SALES
$24,227,460
$27,050,271
$28,117,223
$30,848,944
21.5%
*Inflation -adjusted:
Each year's
sales were divided by the commodities factor
of the Consumer Price Index for the given year.
12

Table 10... Percentage Change in Inflation -Adjusted Gross Retail Sales -
Chowan County and North Carolina, 1975-1978
Chowan County North Carolina
% of Total Sales % of Total Sales
Category. Change 1975-78 Change 1975-78
1% Retail Sales 11 % 12.7%
Autos & Planes -2.0% 18.1%
Apparel 22.4% 23.50
Automotive Supplies -4.1% 23.0%
Food 0.0% 13.6%
Furniture -5.7% 21.8%
General Merchandise 44.0% 15.1%
Building Materials 293.0% 32.50
Unclassified Group 28.0% 26.5%
TOTAL SALES 27.0% 19.8%
Overall, North Carolina's percentage increase in total retail sales
was. slightly.lower than Chowan County.(19.8 and 27.0%, respectively),
indicating the economic picture for Edenton/Chowan County is strong.
Particularly significant are the exceptionally high rates of growth in
sales of building materials, at 293.0%,increase -- this amounted to more
than that for the State, and general merchandise, at 44%, doubled North
Carolina's rate. Strong showings in these two retail sales categories
can possibly be explained by the documented increases in new home
construction and new household formations (see Population section) in
the county and region. Curiously, though, increasing building material
sales do not seem to have had an effect on employment in the construction
industry (see Table 6), where employment has grown by merely 6.7% from
1975-1978. This may simply reflect increasing do-it-yourself projects.
General merchandise sales increases are a good sign and generally mean
growth in disposable family income is increasing and new household formations
are occurring.
. The 10% increase in the 1% Retail Sales category (one including
farm -.related sales) was slightly below the 12.7% rise for North Carolina,
indicating that even though agriculture is continuing to add capital to the
county's economy, it is slipping relative to other income -producing activities.
. Four categories of retail sales for Chowan County are lagging far
behind North Carolina's gains. Sales in Autos & Planes and Furniture
categories would commonly be evident in more rural areas and customers for
these items would generally drive to larger retail centers, such as Norfolk
SMSA, to pay lower prices. Sales in the Automotive Supplies category increased
13

from 1975-1978 by 4.1%, well below the 23% increase for North Carolina.
Economic Well -Being Index
As part of the base data collection and analysis undertaken under
the North Carolina Balanced Growth Program, the Division of Policy
Development, Department of Administration developed a statistical index
for measuring each of North Carolina's counties relative economic well-
being. The Economic Well -Being Index specifically measures unemployment
and income factors and results in a numerical score for each county, where
1.000 is the State average. Table 11 presents a comparison of Economic
Well -Being Indices calculated for Chowan.County and the other nine counties
within Region R. The Index shows Chowan County scoring 1.304 in 1977,
higher than the State average and doing well but showing no improvement
since 1970. Because the index is closely tied to unemployment, a closer
look at this subject is necessary.
Table 11... Economic Well -Being Index - Region R Counties, 1970, 1976 & 1977
1970
1976
1977
Region R
.086
.490
.589
CHOWAN
1.315
1.303
1.304
Camden
-.290
.731
.948
Currituck
-.229
.380
.448
Dare
1.377
1.462
1.540
Gates
.808
1.288
1.432
Hyde
.320
.488
.482
Pasquotank
.910
1.208
1.257
Perquimans
.823
.920
1.077
Tyrrell
.506
.548
.548
Washington
.654
.905
-.908
NOTE: 1.000 is the State Average.
Source: "Balanced Growth in North Carolina, A Technical Report," December,
1979, prepared by the Division of Policy Development, N.C.
Department of Administration, p. 289
Summary
From the foregoing analysis and from examinations in the land use
analysis and population sections of the 1976 CAMA Plan and this update,
a number of concluding observations about the socio-economic changes
taking place in Chowan County seem appropriate.
...The family farm is being replaced as the mainstay of social, cultural,
and economic base by a larger - more corporate version of the family
farm, where larger acreages and mechanization are removing the farm
labor pool and shifting it to non -farm enterprises.
...Farming and agricultural production is still a major source of income
for the county, but unless more local processing of the farm products
are carried out in the county, much of the growth in field production
will not see a proportional increase in employment.
14

...Edenton seems to be going through a gradual transition from a
manufacturing -based employment center to a service -retail center.
...As more land holdings are consolidated, timber production will become
increasingly important to the local economy, but with it comes greater
dependence on a raw material for which demand is largely susceptible
to national economic cycles.
...Overall gains in employment and retail sales that exceed gains for ,
the State as a whole.indicate a strong and improving local economy.
These gains also show regional retail.demands being placed on Chowan ,
County which are not being met through either expansions of existing
retail establishments or opening of new ones.
EXISTING LAND USE
Introduction
How Chowan County land and water resources are used now and tomorrow
or even in two decades is the main question directed to people in coastal
communities by CAMA. Wise stewardship of those given resources through
planning for change is the difficult charge to county officials. An
understanding of past and anticipated changes in county land use will receive
attention in this chapter.
The 1976 CAMA Plan contains several sections describing land use and
for the most part in sufficient detail not to need repeating, therefore
this update will focus on refining information in the earlier work and
pointing out where changes have occurred since 1976.
A "windshield survey" was made throughout Chowan County in the latter
part of August and first half of September to determine existing land uses.
Prior to the survey the Planning Board agreed that the survey should
concentrate on those areas of the County which, 1) exhibit characteristics
of urban development and 2) because of their locations, possess the potential
for future urban -type development.
The selection of the areas to be surveyed required the input of local
officials and other county residents. Also, the County has recently completed
a mapping program which resulted in cadastral maps (maps with complete
property line information). The areas suggested by the Planning Board
and others were examined on the cadastral maps to determine how much
urban development has taken place. Other resource maps such as USGS
quadrangle maps, soils surveys, etc. were also examined to assess the
.potential other areas of the County might have for.future development.
It must be remembered that this survey did not include either the
City of Edenton or the area within its extra -territorial jurisdiction.
The areas of the County selected for the survey are shown generally on
Exhibit 3. Separate maps of each area are shown on the following pages,
along with the results of the survey.
General
Land uses throughout the county can be classified as rural, both rural -
farm and non -farm. Almost all paved roads in the county exhibit the strip
15

7
SELECTED STUDY AREAS
A Arrowhead & Chowan Beaches
Selected Areas B Cape Colony- Country Club
C Tyner
D Riverton
CAMA LAND DEVELOPMENT PLAN
CHOWAN COUNTY, N.C.
1980

residential development typical of a predominantly rural county. This
type of development is not made up of planned subdivisions. Rather it
consists of parcels of one (1) acre or more grouped together, especially
near crossroad communities. The existing land use map from the 1976
CAMA Plan shows that this trend in rural residential development had
begun prior to the preparation of that plan.
Generally it can be said that development in the County outside of
Edenton has taken place almost exclusively along the shorelines of the
Chowan River and the Albemarle Sound. Specifically, a majority of
new developments in the last five years have occurred in the Cape Colony -
Country Club Drive area, south of the airport and in the Arrowhead and
Chowan Beach area on the northeastern shoreline of the Chowan River.
Smaller pockets of residential development have grown in the Riverton
area, immediately west of Edenton (outside its planning jurisdiction)
near the eastern intersection of Business U.S. 17 and the U.S. 17
Bypass. Also the Tyner community at the intersection of State Roads
1303, 32 and 1312 has shown growth in the last five years. As stated earlier,
there are other pockets of development, but few of the others exhibit the
density of development which approaches urban densities.
Developed Areas
The Arrowhead-Chowan Beach developments were designed and built prior
to the enactment of the County's subdivision regulations. In fact, the
problems experienced by the County in dealing with the sale of lots with
only 50 feet of frontage prompted the adoption of the subdivision
regulations. Cape Colony had also begun prior to adoption of these
regulations and also contains 50' lots. A more detailed discussion of
the problems associated with this type of subdivision design is made under
"problems of unplanned development", which follows.
Arrowhead, Chowan Beach and Cape Colony were originally developed
as vacation or second home resorts. All interior streets have been layed
out, although not all of them are paved. While a majority of the lots
have been sold to private owners, no more than 30-40 percent of the lots
have been built upon. Those lots which have been developed contain a
mixture of cottages, mobile homes and permanent homes. Mobile homes are
typically located on individual 50' lots, while most cottages and permanent
homes are located on lots made up of two or more of the 50' lots, resulting
in lots with 100' to 300' of frontage. While mobile homes and more
permanent residences are mixed in both Arrowhead and Chowan Beach, they
are separated by deed restrictions in the Cape Colony area. In all three
developments the condition of housing ranges from very good, where stylish
permanent homes have been built, to very poor, where second-hand mobile homes
have been placed on lots and have not been maintained.
One major residential development had begun during the preparation of
the 1976 Plan. That was the Country Club Drive subdivision, located south
of State Road 32 south of the airport along the shore of the Albemarle
Sound. This subdivision is made up of approximately 100 large lots.
Fifty-nine of these lots have been developed and contain permanent homes.
17

c
J
0
i
e
EXISTING COUNTY -WIDE
LAND USE
•` "`'`' Forest Land Developed
��•`_E
Wetlands, Swamps Farmland, Other
(�o
CAMA LAND DEVELOPMENT PLAN
CHOWAN COUNTY,KC.
1980

Other Land Uses
Approximately one-half of all land in Chowan County is covered by forests.
A majority of these forests are located in the eastern "toe" of the County and
in the eastern half of the rest of the county. These are the areas which con-
tain large tracts of forest lands that are either owned or leased by major
commercial forest product companies. Forest areas are shown on the county -wide
existing land use map, Exhibit 4. These large tracts make up approximately
58,000 acres or 50.4% of the total county land area.
Also, shown on Exhibit 4 are the freshwater wetlands, swamps, and pocosins.
These are discussed more fully under "Constraints to Development". The rest
of the land in the county is used for agricultural purposes. According to the
1979 Census of Agriculture, agricultural land occupies 41,000 acres, or 35.7%
of all Chowan County land area.
There is very little commercial land outside of Edenton. Most consists of
small grocery stores and service stations at various crossroads throughout the
County. The largest commercial land use is a heavy equipment dealer located
at the airport.
As in residential development, industrial developmeits outside of Edenton
are located at or neart he airport and immediately south of Chowan Beach on
the shore of the Chowan River. Atlantic Forest Products is located at the air-
port and is 37 acres in size. Teelock Corp., Carolina Block Co., and Tanzier Yacht
Co., are located south of the airport. Fiberform, a manufacturer of luxury
cabin cruisers, is located at the end of Midway Drive on the shore of the
Albemarle Sound. It occupies 54 acres of land. Across the street from Fiber -
form is the Union Camp wood lot, where, hardwood trees shipped from Tyrrell
and Dare Counties are stored. It occupies 5 acres, most of which fronts on
Country Club Drive. The only other major industrial land is the 49 acres owned
by United Piece Dye Works, located south of Chowan Beach. These industrial lands
are shown on the individual land use maps and/or on the county -wide existing
land use map (Exhibits 4, 5, 6 & 7).
Public and semi-public lands in Chowan County consists mainly of schools,
churches, cemeteries and small recreation areas and community centers. The
largest single tract of public land is the Edenton airport which consists of
approximately 716 acres. The second largest tract of publicly owned land is
the City of Edenton's sewage treatment plant, consisting of 27 acres and located
on the Albemarle Sound immediately adjacent to Cape Colony to the northwest.
There are a total of ten boat ramps (2 public and 8 private) located along the
coast line of Chowan County. They are shown on individual and/or the county-
wide land use maps. Of the eight private boat ramps, Bennett Mill Pond, Pembroke
Creek, Sandy Point and Murray Bonds' boat ramps are open to the public for a
fee. The N. C. Division of Fish and Wildlife have 2 public boat ramps located
at the U. S. 17 bridge and at Cannon's Ferry in the northern part of the county.
PROBLEMS OF UNPLANNED DEVELOPMENT
The major development areas discussed above were "planned" in the sense
that a subdivision plat(s) was prepared for each section which showed lot lines,
street rights -of -way, and the locations of resident club
18

c
0
CHOWAN COUNTY WATER SYSTEM
WATER LINE SIZES
10"& 8"
691
4" & 2"
EXHIBIT 8
TREATMENT & STORAGE
Water Treatment Plant
Treatment Plants w/ Storage
O Elevated Storage Tanks
CAMA LAND DEVELOPMENT PLAN
CHOWAN COUNTY, N.C.
1980

CHAPTER III
CONN I V
D E V UT
PUBLIC SERVICES
COUNTY WATER SYSTEM
When the 1976 CAMA Plan was prepared for Edenton and Chowan County,
Phase I of the county -wide water system was being installed. This initial
phase consisted of 200 miles of line and had 1,480 customer services at
a total cost of $3,759,000. The cost of the system was provided by a
loan from the Farmers Home Administration of $1,900,000, a grant from
FmHA of $775,000, a grant from the N.C. State Clean Water Bonds and a
$400,000 grant from the Coastal Plains Regional Commission. (See Exhibit 8).
Since the completion of Phase I, the county water system staff has
tapped -on an additional 600 customers. Phase II of the system was 90%
completed as of October 21, 1980. It has been financed by a $46,000
loan and $364,000 grant from FmHA, a $157,000 grant from the State's
Clean Water Bonds, $114,500 of local County funds plus $8,000 in sales
tax refunds from materials used to construct the system, making the total
cost of Phase II $690,000. It adds 30 miles of new water lines and 146
new customers, making the total system service to 2,226 customers.
The system's customers are made up of 6 industries, 16 commercial
establishments and 2210 residential customers. Based on the preliminary
1980.U.S. Census counts there are 3.1 persons per household. If this
figure is multiplied by the 2210 residential customers, approximately
6850 people are being served by this water system. Therefore, 96% of the
total county population, exclusive of Edenton, are served.
The line sizes and locations of the entire system are shown on Exhibit 8.
Also shown are the elevated storage tanks. Each has a 200,000 gallon
capacity, except the one at the airport which has a 150,000 gallon capacity.
There are 3 treatment plants located at their well sites. As shown, two
of these plants can pump 200 gallons per minute and one can pump 400
gpm. This gives a daily pumping capacity of 1,152,000 gpd. However,
these plants are only operated 21 hours per day, so the actual production
capacity being utilized is 1,008,000 gpd.
Peak demand on this system was reached in August of 1980 when on one
day 670,000 gallons of water were used. This represented 66.5% of the
daily production and 58.2% of the system's total pumping capacity. It
also represented 90% of the system's total storage capacity. This peak
demand was brought about by an exceptionally hot and dry summer.
30

Army Corps of Engineers (Department of Defense):
..Permits required under Sections 9 and 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act
of 1899; permits'to construct in navigable waters
..Permits required under Section 103 of the Marine Protection, Research
and Sanctuaries Act of 1972
..Permits required under Section.404 of the Federal Water Pollution Control
Act of 1972; permits to undertake dredging and/or filling activities
Coast Guard (Department of Transportation):
..Permits for bridges, causeways, pipelines over navigable waters; required
under the General Bridge Act of 1946 and the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899
..Deep water port permits
Geological Survey, Bureau of Land Management (Department of Interior):
..Permits required for off -shore drilling
..Approvals of OCS pipeline corridor rights -of -way
Nuclear Regulatory Committee:
..Licenses for siting, construction and operation of nuclear power plants;
required under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 and Title II of the Energy
Reorganization Act of 1974
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission:
..Permits for construction, operation and maintenance in interstate pipelines
facilities required under the Natural Gas Act of 1938
..Orders of interconnection of electric transmission facilities under
Section 202(b) of the Federal Power Act
..Permission required for abandonment of .natural' gas pipeline and
associated facilities under Section 7C (b) of the Natural Gas Act of 1938
..Licenses for non-federal hydro -electric projects and associated transmission
lines under Sections 4 and 15 of the Federal Power Act
One other type of plan has been completed which should be included
here. .This was an "Airport Noise Impact and Land Use Control (ANILUC) Map,
1976", prepared for the Edenton/Chowan County Airport Commission.
While this plan is in the form of a map, rather than a document, it
has-been accepted by the FAA as a guide for ensuring compatibility of
surrounding land uses with the airport. One of the stipulations made by
FAA is that this plan map be made a part of the local jurisdictions's
(Chowan County's) land use plan. Because of the FAA requirement that the
local jurisdiction provide sufficient land use controls around the airport
to ensure future compatible land uses, Chowan County is preparing a
zoning ordinance which will meet this requirement.
29

will be discussed in appropriate sections throughout the remainder or
this report. `
Besides local policies related to development there are several state
and federal laws which may be applicable to potential development in
Chowan County. These are listed below along with very brief
descriptions of the types of developments for which each law, statute or
' regulation applies.
Department of Natural Resources and Community Development, Division of
• Environmental Management:
..Permits to discharge to surface waters or operate waste water treatment
plants or oil discharge permits; NPDES Permits (G.S. 143-215)
..Permits for septic tanks with a capacity over 300 gallons/day (G.S.143-215.3)
..Permits for withdrawal of surface or ground waters in capacity use
areas (G.S. 143-215.15)
..Permits for air pollution abatement facilities and sources (G.S. 143-215.108)
..Permits for construction of complex sources; e.g. parking lots,.
subdivisions, stadiums, etc. (G.S. 143-215.109)
..Permits for construction of a well over 100,000 gallons/day (G.S. 87-88)
Department of Natural Resources and Community Development, Office of
Coastal Management:
..Permits to dredge and/or fill in estuarine waters, tidelands, etc. (G.S.113-229)
..Permits to undertake development in Areas of Environmental Concern
(G.S. 113A-118) Note: Minor development permits are issued by the local
government.
Department of Natural Resources and Community Development, Division of
Earth Resources:
..Permits to alter or construct a dam (G.S. 143-215.66)
..Permits to mine (G.S. 74-51)
:.Permits to drill an exploratory oil or gas well (G.S. 113-381)
..Permits to conduct geographical exploration (G.S. 113-351)
..Sedimentation erosion control plans for any land disturbing activity of
over one contiguous acre (G.S. 113A-54)
Department of Natural Resources and Community Development, Secretary of NRCD:
..Permits to construct an oil refinery
Department of Administration:
..Eastments to fill where lands are proposed to be raised above the normal
high water mark or navigable waters by filling (G.S. 146.6(c))
Department of Human Resources:
..Approval to operate a solid waste disposal site or facility (G.S. 130-166.16)
..Approval for construction of any public, water supply facility that
furnishes water to ten or more residences (G.S. 130-160.1)
28

Zoning Ordinance - At this time no zoning ordinance has been adopted in
Chowan County. One has been prepared, however, which will, if adopted,
guide developments in the Cape Colony, Country Club Drive, Airport -area.
This part of the County appears to be the fastest growing and it has
the highest potential for future industrial and residential growth and
therefore has the highest probability of land use compatibility problems.
(See Existing Land Use Analysis in Chapter II for a discussion of problems
already existing in this area). Preparation and consideration of this
ordinance is, in part, in response to regulations of the Federal Aviation
Administration which require some form of land use controls by local
governments around airports receiving FAA funds.
The policies described above are ones which are now being utilized
on a daily basis (except for the Zoning Ordinance) to guide development
within the County by the County itself. There is one local policy which
is not a County policy, but impacts directly on development in Chowan
County.' The Town of Edenton has had a long-standing policy to provide
sewer service only inside its corporate limits.
Should an industry wish to locate near the airport, for example,
and it required sewer service, the Town would not provide that service.
However, if the County or an organized independent sewer utility district
wished to serve that industry —or any portion of the County, the Town
would permit such sewer lines to be connected to the Town's system and
the Town would treat the resulting wastewater at its sewage treatment plant.
It should be noted, however, that Edenton's sewage treatment plant is
operating almost to capacity during wet weather due to heavy inflow
and infiltration of surface and ground -water into the sewer system. As
that problem is corrected, the treatment plant would be capable of
treating wastewater from any county system.
In this regard a 11201" Wastewater Facilities Plan was prepared for
Edenton in 1976. A major recommendation of that plan was, "...that a
Sanitary District be created to own, administer, manage, construct, operate
and maintain wastewater collection and transportation facilities..." (sic)
outside the corporate limits of the Town of Edenton. The "201" area of
study included a slightly larger geographic area than the extraterritorial
jurisdiction of Edenton. Therefore, any lines outside the Town limits would
be operated and built by such a "sanitary district".
Chowan County jointly prepared a CAMA Land Use Plan with the Town
of Edenton in 1976, as has been noted in previous sections., Prior to
that the County Planning Board had a sketch development plan prepared in
1973. The 1976 CAMA Plan was, and has been to date, the most comprehensive
plan prepared for Chowan County, in that the guidelines in use at that
time required investigations of many facets of County government and its
relationship to urban growth and development.
One major recommendation of this plan was to have a detailed soils
survey prepared county -wide. This survey is being completed at the
present time by the Soil Conservation Service and many of its findings
have been utilized in the preparation of this plan update. A recommended
county -wide drainage plan has not yet been prepared. The County began
involvement in the National Flood Insurance Program and has continued
this involvement to date, being supervised through the County Tax
Supervisor's office. Other major recommendations of the 1976 CAMA Plan
27

According to the 1979 Census of Agriculture, 58,000 acres of Chowan
County are in forest cover, representing 50.4% of the County's land mass.
Most forest production activities are concentrated in the "toe" and
eastern one-third of the County. This pattern of land use should continue
for two principal reasons: (1) major.land holdings in commercial forests
are maintained in these sections of the County, and (2) the flatness of
terrain and poor drainage makes much of this land less suitable for
farming or more intense development.
Commercial development demand outside of Edenton and its extraterritorial
area is largely limited to service stations and convenience stores. These
uses will continue to infill nearby residential clusters at crossroads.
Farmland preservation and concern for protection of natural resources
were goals in the 1976 CAMA Plan. Total acreage in agricultural
production has remained stable from 1969 to 1979, with slight increases
in production of row crops, hogs, and cattle. The notable change in
agricultural land use patterns will be the continuing trends of small
family farms decreasing in number with consolidation of land holdings
and increasing farm size. Gradual reduction of rural farm population will
continue following state trends.
CURRENT PLANS & POLICIES
A review of current plans prepared by Chowan County, which are used
regularly to guide development, will reveal recommended actions and controls
being enforced today. Determination of existing policies, which are
sometimes written, sometimes not written or just simply understood, provides
insight into the amount of responsibility the County takes in guiding new
developments. This section,=then, lists all plans, ordinances and
development policies now utilized by the County. Also listed are current
state and federal laws which have potential application to developments
which have occurred or may occur in .the future.
Subdivision Regulations - These regulations were adopted by the Chowan
County Board of Commissioners in 1973. According to local officials, the
reasons for adopting subdivision regulations were generally in response
to serious problems which had developed along the shores of the Chowan
River and Albemarle Sound prior to the adoption of these regulations.
A more specific discussion of those problems is given in the section dealing
with existing land use analysis, and especially under "Problems of Unplanned
Developments". The subdivision regulations are administered by the County
Tax Supervisor and enforced by the County Planning Board. They stipulate
that developers must provide water service at their own expense to
County water system standards and they must pave interior streets to N.C.D.O.T.
standards.
Water'System Rules & Regulations - Adopted in December, 1976, these
regulations specify how the county -wide water system will be operated and
maintained. It specifies the size line required for varying sized
developments and restricts industrial usage according to location and system -
.wide needs. These regulations are linked directly to the subdivision
regulations.
26

Airport Land Use Compatibility
The Edenton Municipal Airport is a general aviation facility located
southeast of Edenton and north but within one-half a mile of the Cape
Colony and Country Club Drive subdivisions. Runways 1-19 and 6-24 are
oriented such that incoming or departing flights pass over homes in
those subdivisions.
With the potential for increasing activity at the airport and as more
development occurs in the vicinity, chances are that at least some
residents will express sensitivity to increasing aircraft noise. Likewise, ■
the economic importance of the airport will likely increase too. To
insure protection of air space and encourage location of land uses
compatible with airports to locate nearby, regulations or other means of
protecting the airport and its neighbors will likely need serious
consideration. This was a major recommendation made on the "Airport
Noise Impact and Land Use Control (ANILUC) Map", prepared for the City/
County Airport Authority in 1976.
Residential Neighborhood Encroachment of Non -Residential Uses
In the 1976 CAMA Plan mention was made of farmers' concerns that non-
farm households and non-residential development were encroaching on their
farm lands and as a result their new neighbors would complain about
annoyances from smelly or noisy farming operations. Regardless of whether
or not the County had some form of rural performance type zoning, such
conflicts will occasionally occur.
Residents of the Cape Colony area expressed concern in 1976 over
additional manufacturing development between them and the airport and
the potential for increased traffic resulting from it. No new manufacturing
firms have located in this area since 1976, but as alluded to under the
previously mentioned topic of airport land use compatibility and because
of logical marketing pull of the existing firms and the airport, it is
probable that additional manufacturing will establish there.
Detailed land use plans and -traffic planning for this area of the
County would be advisable before too much of it "just grows up" without
direction.
Areas Likely to Experience Changes in Predominant Land Use
From all indications no major changes in established land use patterns
are expected. Residential development will continue to occur along the
southern and western shore areas and stretch outward from Edenton along
state roads. This development will be both individual home sites and
occasionally small subdivisons. Most new housing will.be single family
with mobile homes following established trends of replacing substandard
housing and serving seasonal housing needs.
Intensification of development will likely occur southward of the
Edenton Airport, as public sewer is extended there, when and if a Sanitary
District is formed and sewer service is provided to this area, as
recommended in the Edenton 201 Wastewater Facilities Plan.
25

.Encroachment of residential neighborhoods by increased traffic and
commercial or industrial development;
Land Conversion - Rural to Urban
Five years is too short a period to see significant reductions of
prime agricultural lands unless hundreds of acres of land are being converted
yearly; this has not been the case. In 1975 Chowan County had approximately
38,500 acres of land in crops and pasture and of this amount perhaps one-
third is generally considered prime or of greatest potential for crops.
■ Because a precise map tracing development patterns since 1975 is not
within the practical scope of this update, an estimate of impact can be
obtained by overlaying the existing land use patterns with a map of
productive agricultural lands. The four major developing sections of
Chowan County outside of Edenton are not located in areas with prime
agricultural potential soils. However, it is significant to note that
strip development of home sites and commercial buildings along State roads
is highly visible to the public so that it appears more land is coming out
of farming production than may be the case. The following example is used
to illustrate the point.
An estimated 892 housing units were added to county areas outside
of Edenton between 1970 and 1980, for an average annual increase of 89
units. From examinations of land use patterns and septic tank permit
issuances, approximately 70% of these units have been constructed as
single family homes or added as mobile homes in the four cluster areas
previously described. Each is located in sections of the county with -
fair agricultural potential soils predominant. The remaining 27 housing
units per year are strung out along State roads and at crossroads
communities. At an average of one-half acre per unit, 14 acres of cropland
or pasture is being converted each year, a negligible percentage of the
38,000 acres available. Contrast this with the loss of an estimated
100,000 acres of farm land in Orange County, North Carolina during the
past decade.
However, one added factor that may increase the rate of dispersed
county growth and subsequent conversion of agricultural lands is the
county -wide water system.
Encroachment or Drainage of Wildlife Habitat
Perhaps one of the more difficult subjects to quantify is how many
acres of land in timber, pocosin, and cultivation are drained each year
and what impact such drainage has on wildlife.
The majority of shoreline development is occurring as infill on
previously drained soils and it is presumed that no significant impacts
on wildlife habitat is occurring in these areas. Beyond them, drainage
for commercial forestry and farming operations constitutes the major
form of natural wildlife habitat destruction, but even this creates
habitat for differing types of wildlife. So instead of bear or ducks,
larger population of rabbit and raccoon may appear.
24

houses and boat basins. However, all three areas were intended to be
used for vacation or second home developments with few permanent,
full-time residents. Arrowhead, Chowan Beach and Cape Colony developers
all assumed individual wells and septic tanks would be sufficient to
accommodate potential residents.
As discussed under "Constraints to Development", septic tank overflow
and infiltration into individual wells became a problem in all three areas.
Fortunately, the development of the county -wide water system alleviated
this problem in the Arrowhead/Chowan Beach areas. Soils there can
adequately accommodate septic tanks if no drinking water is required from •
wells. Unfortunately, septic tanks remain a major problem in the Cape
Colony area. High water table and an increase in permanent (year-round)
residences have combined to make septic tank overflow a major health hazard
during periods of heavy rainfall.
Had subdivision regulations been in effect prior to development of
Cape Colony, it can be assumed that it could not have been developed
without proper consideration to potential septic tank problems. Also,
had subdivision regulations been in effect before any of the three developments
were started, there would have been no lots with 50' of road frontage
permitted, thereby controlling the density of development and consequently
reducing the potential health hazards associated with septic tank problems.
The existing county subdivision regulations do require a minimum lot
size of 20,000 square feet. They also require minimum street.design and
assignment of maintenance responsibility. One of the problems noted in
the 1976 Plan as well as this one, is the fact that the interior streets
in all three developments are narrow and poorly maintained.
SIGNIFICANT LAND USE COMPATIBILITY PROBLEMS
Several land use compatibility problems were examined while conducting
the "windshield survey". After reviewing the 1976 CAMA Plan on this subject
and discussing them with the Planning Board it is apparent that land use
compatibility problems continue to be present and are becoming recognized
more by locals as modest growth and change continues in the County. Their
"significance", although recognized, has not yet been measured in terms of
policy decisions by local officials or interest groups directed at
lessening conflicts. This is not too surprising in a rural county where
land use is not changing drastically in large areas or in short periods
of time.
Four major categories of land use compatibility problems reviewed
as part of this plan update are listed below. The order of listing does
not necessarily indicate level of significance.
.Conversion of prime agricultural farm lands and commercial forests to
"urban" non -farm uses (houses, factories, stores, roads, etc.);
.Encroachment or drainage of wildlife habitat for agricultural, forestry,
and non -farm uses;
.Development of the Edenton Municipal Airport and immediate surrounding
lands and possible conflicts with residential neighborhoods nearby;
23

RESIDENTIAL
COMMERCIAL
PUBLIC
VACANT
Riverton
. .
EXHIBIT 7
EXISTING LAND USE
STUDY AREAS C & D
2 �0� 0
SCAL*: 1"-2,0"'
SOURCE: Umpu6lishcd U.5.6.5. Quad Skeet-,, IIli Uata.

Arrowhead
iY.Y� sus "
�i.
Chowan
Beach
EXHIBIT 6 ] I
RESIDENTIAL
COMMERCIAL
INDUSTRIAL
® PUBLIC
VACANT
EXISTING LAND USE
� z000' i o' pow
l
i{ scale:"•aoao' soot U��.11:shed�l5G3.Quad
4-4 Sl,.eks, t�'tt Data

Recreation programs are supervised by the Edenton-Chowan Recreation
Department. Costs are shared with Edenton providing 2/3 and Chowan
County providing 1/3 of the costs. The department is located in the
National Guard Armory on N. Broad Street in Edenton. While this facility
is now being shared with the National Guard, a new armory is being
constructed at the airport. Upon its completion, the recreation department
will be able to refurbish and utilize the entire armory building and property.
Except for two boat ramps owned by the N.C. Wildlife Resources
Commission, there are no public points of access to the Chowan River or
the Albemarle Sound. There are a total of 8 other boat ramps, four of •
which"charge a fee for boat launching. The only swimming area in the
County is located at Sandy Point, a private recreation area located
near the bridge on N.C. 32 which crosses the Sound. There is a fee
charged for all activities at this location. Other boat ramps and
basins are located in Chowan Beach, Arrowhead, Cape Colony and on Country
Club Drive. These are restricted to property owners of those developments.
SCHOOLS
. The Chowan County School Board operates one high school (Holmes,
located in Edenton), two junior high schools and three elementary schools.
The 1979-80 school year population consisted of 2,675 total students,
compared to 2,820 the preceding year. The loss of school -aged population
in the County was discussed earlier. It should be noted that this decline
in student population resulted in the closing of Chowan High School and
the consolidation of all high school classes at the John A. Holmes High
School. Projections of school population made by the State Department of
Public Instruction shows a continuing decline through the 1981-82 school
year, with slight increases thereafter. School capacity, therefore,
provides no constraint for future development... either in the County or
within the Town of Edenton.
ROADS
The North Carolina Department of Transportation has prepared a
"Thoroughfare Plan" for the Town of Edenton, but one has not been prepared
for Chowan County. However; Edenton's plan shows, in Appendix A, that major
highways which extend through or from Edenton into the county are well
below their design capacity. This is explained in the "Thoroughfare Plan"
as being the result of the opening of U.S. 17 Bypass. Apparently, the
Bypass provides a direct route through the County, thus reducing the
"average daily trips" on many of the other Town and County highways.
Therefore, the road and highway system within the County provides no
constraint to future development.
SOILS
The "Chowan and Perquimans County.Soils Survey" represents a detailed
analysis of soils in both counties. It is scheduled for completion in
1981. Generally, the areas with soils limitations in Chowan County
discussed in the 1976 CAMA Plan remain unchanged. On a county -wide basis,
the soils which experience regular flooding or which are very poorly
drained are shown as "wetlands and swamps" on Exhibit 4 in Chapter II.
There are other soils which have severe limitations for urban types of
development. The locations of those soils which have poor percolation
33

It should be noted that the county water system can add to its total
capacity,in,case of emergency through inter -connections with the Gates
County, Perquimans County and Town of Edenton water systems.
Although not specifically designed to be utilized for fire protection,
the Chowan County water system can provide water to county fire pumpers
from hydrants on six inch lines or larger. The water system permits this
activity and has an agreement with the fire department, as long as they
maintain 15 psi of positive pressure on the line being utilized. Even
with this agreement, fire insurance rates do not reflect this added protection.
The operations and management of the water system are prescribed in
the Chowan County Water System Rules and Regulations, adopted in December, 1976.
The 6 industrial customers pay the same basic rate as residential ones,
but pay less per 1,000 gallons after they use their minimum amount.
The industrial users are also restricted to the total amount of water they
may use in any one month.
The other major waters users besides industries are approximately 16
hog operations and chicken houses, who must tap on to 1" to 2"
meters. All residential customers are served by 3/4" meters. Multi-
family structures and mobile home parks must have either 1" meters where
1-5 families will be served, or 2" meters, where 5-20 customers will be
served.
SEWER SYSTEM
Edenton maintains the only sewer system in Chowan County. The town
has a policy to not extend sewer lines outside of its corporate limits.
However, this policy does allow the County to service any areas it chooses
and to connect with the town's system and treatment facilities. As of yet,
the County has not chosen to provide any sewer lines to County residents.
The problems of septic tanks in the Cape Colony area are noted in other
sections and will not be restated here. At present, the Town's "201 Facility
Plan" has not been completely.approved, and, because of major infiltration
of ground water and inflow of surface waters during wet periods, the Town's
sewage treatment plant operates beyond its design capacity at those times.
(1 million.gallons per day capacity compared to peak load of 1.08 million gpd)
Until this situation has been rectified, the Town will not have sufficient
capacity to serve areas outside its corporate limits.
SOLID WASTE
Chowan County provides "greenboxes", or solid waste containers at
various locations throughout the County. Collected solid wastes are then
taken to a permitted landfill which is shared by and located in Perquimans
County. Local sources indicate the present landfill has a useful life of
three more years, assuming existing rates of usage. Collection of solid
wastes from the "greenboxes" is done by the county.
' RFCRFATTOM
All publicly owned park lands in Chowan County are located within the
corporate limits of Edenton. However, summer recreation programs are held
at Chowan Junior High School (formerly Chowan High School). There are
three lighted tennis courts at that location and they are open to the public.
32

characteristics are described in the preceding chapter, generally being
in the Cape Colony area. It has also been pointed out that problems of
infiltration of septic tank overflow into individual shallow wells
has been alleviated to a great extent by the development of the county-
wide water system. Where the problem existed before a public potable
water supply was available, provision of public water has eliminated
the need for private wells. Problems continue, however, in the Cape
Colony area, where septic tanks overflow to the ground surface during
periods of heavy rains.
While soil limitations in various locations throughout the County
do exist, the County's septic tank ordinance prevents development on those
soils which have severe limitations for septic tank use. With the
completion of the detailed soils analysis, more precise identification
of soils limitations for urban development can be determined during the
initial review process of proposed developments.
SLOPE
There are no areas within Chowan County which have slope gradients
which exceed 12%. Therefore, the degreee of slope does not provide a
constraint to development.
FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM
The County participates in the Federal Flood Insurance Program and
provides local administration of this program through the Office of the
Tax Supervisor. This program acts as a constraint to development only
in those instances where proposed developments would locate within the.
area of the 100-year flood, as shown on flood insurance maps. Even so,
it requires only that the ground floor of any structures be elevated to
an elevation one foot above the 100-year flood elevation. In a sense,
the administration of this program locally provides a needed control over
developments proposed in areas where flood hazards may exist.
34

CHAPTER IV
ESTIMATED GROWTH DEMAND _
INTRODUCTION
Having discussed many facets of how existing development has occurred
in Chowan County, and having provided some analyses of the relative
strengths & weaknesses of existing land use patterns, it is in this
chapter than an attempt will be made to determine future demands which
will be placed on the land. These demands will include population &
economic growth and the relationships of that growth to future land
needs to accomodate it.
Much of this chapter is devoted to discussions of development issues
concerning economic and community development which are prescribed by
the land use planning guidelines of the Coastal Resources Commission.
However, if they were not required, it would be necessary to discuss most
of them because of their applicability to future development within
Chowan County. From these discussions and projections of future growth
will emerge a set of policy statements (in the next chapter) which will
include existing County policies toward development, as well as possibly
new policies which may have heretofore not been considered.
POPULATION GROWTH
Recalling the increase in population referred to in Chapter II, it is
relatively safe to anticipate continued growth of County population in
the future. The planning period of concern in this plan update is 10
years, or 1990. Therefore, projections of growth in all areas will fall
within that time period.
While positive population growth is anticipated... and shown on the
following table of population projections —it must be noted that there
are numerous variables and relationships between those variables which
must be maintained in the future as they have in the recent past. For
example, should one or two major industries in the County close down and
"- no new employment opportunities were available to absorb the resulting
unemployment, it is reasonable to assume that there would be a significant
exodus of county residents to other employment centers. The exodus in
this example would be comparable to the one experienced in Chowan County
during the fifties and sixties. Restated, then, there has to be a balance
between employment opportunities, capacities of public facilities to
accomodate growth, availability of safe, affordable housing and many other
factors before population growth can be assured. At the present time almost
all of those variables appear to be in proper balance.
35

Because of that, reasonable projections of future population can be made.
Table 12 shows projections of future population by five-year periods.
These projections were prepared by assuming 5 and 10 year increases at
least equal to those experienced during the 1970-1980 period. The 1980
population figure is the one shown on Table 1 in Chapter II, which came
from 1980 Preliminary Census counts.
Table 12... Population Projections, Chowan County, 1980-1990
Trends
1970 1980
Chowan County 10,764 12,497
Edenton 4,956 5,240
% of County 46.0 41.9
Projections
Change Change
1985 No. % 1990 No. %
13,550 853 6.8 14,230 880 6.6
5,540 300 5.7
41.5 - -
5,800 260 4.7
40.8 - -
Source: N.C. Department of Administration 1978 Estimates of Population;
1980 Preliminary Census Counts, Bureau of the Census
As shown, the County can expect an increase of 853 more residents
within the next five years and a total of 1733 more between 1980 and 1990.
Again, recalling Table 2 in Chapter II, the Edenton and Middle Townships
had absorbed 94.5% of the total population growth between 1970 and 1980.
While no projections are made here for each township, it is most probable
that these two townships will continue to absorb most of the population
increases through the year 1990, with the Cape Colony/Country Club Drive
portion of the Yeopim Township absorbing the rest.
The impacts of these population increases on future development is
discussed later in this chapter.
ECONOMIC GROWTH
The forecasting of employment and other economic trends is, at best,
a "risky business". While portions of this plan have discussed past
trends and their impact on the County, no attempt has been made to prepare
a complete socio-economic base study. Without such a study projections
of future economic growth cannot be quantitatively made with any
assurance of validity.
It is possible, however, to state that based on past trends in
employment, Tabor force, retail sales and commuting patterns, et.al.,
Chowan County can anticipate positive growth in several sectors of its
economy over the next 10 years. This is especially true in retail sales,
service and manufacturing employment.
For example, Table 8 in Chapter II showed a 3 year trend for retail
floor space, which amounted to 9,000 square feet of building space per year.
Were that trend to continue over the next 5 years, an additional 45,000
square feet of retail floor space would be required. Realistically, less
than that would probably be needed. However, this estimate does point
out that the retail sales sector of the economy is dynamic and should continue
to be so due to Edenton's place as a recognized regional center for retail
36

activities. The service employment sector, spurred by employment at the
Chowan Hospital and ancillary medical facilities, may not grow at the
rate it has in the past, but it should at least continue to provide
a significant percentage of the County's total employment.
Industrial development, which provides new manufacturing jobs, is
in a somewhat unique position in the County's economy. Manufacturing jobs
in 1978 made up 32% of the County's total employment. It would take only
the location of one medium-sized industry (such as Carter Ink) to
significantly increase that percentage. Considering the amount of
industrial land available at Edenton's industrial park and around the
airport; along with public facilities to accomodate new industry, there
is reason to believe new industries will locate in Chowan County within
the next 10 years.
Considering the projected growth in population and the anticipated
growth in the County's economy, how then, will this growth take place?
Where will it take place and what types of growth can the County reasonably
expect and/or desire? An attempt to answer these questions is made
in the following paragraphs.
IMPACT OF GROWTH ON ECONOMIC & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Industrial Development
Those sectors of Chowan County's economy noted above which are
anticipated to grow, will require land for stores, offices, factories,
etc. Industrial growth over the next ten years can be accomodated in the
Edenton Industrial Park on approximately 170 acres, and to a lesser
extent on property near the airport which is presently being considered
for industrial zoning classification on a proposed county zoning ordinance.
A feasibility report entitled, "Industrial Park Feasibility Study
for the Town of Edenton, N.C.", published in August of 1976 recommended
that the proposed industrial park be subdivided into tracts -of 10 acres
or less for sale to new industries. Public utilities are available
on or near the site depending on which utility you are referring to.
The same study.recommended that Edenton attract "dry" industries, in order
to minimize the costs of improvements to water and sewer systems. The
study did point out that "light manufacturing and assembly operations"
would be most ideally suited to match Edenton's (and Chowan County's)
labor force and physical characteristics.
More relevant to future decision -making by Chowan.County are the
industrial lands which are either now proposed for, or may become
available for industrial purposes near the airport. At the present time,
more than 100 acres of land are being used for industrial purposes already.
• As the proposed zoning ordinance for this area is -refined, more specific
recommendations for industrial land will become available. The County
realizes that future industrial development in this location will require
good planning to ensure that land use compatibility problems, such as ones
already in existence, do not reoccur. Also, new industries in this area
will have to meet height and safety criteria of the Federal Aviation
Administration. The existing Chowan County water system can now
accomodate future "dry" industries which may locate in this area over
the next 10 years. (See "Constraints to Development - Public Facilities"
in Chapter III). The impact of this water system on future industrial
37

development is discussed later in this chapter under "Special Issues".
It should be noted that the citizens' survey results indicated that
the respondents felt that no industriai sites along the County's coastlines
be offered or developed for npw industries. By the sheer size of each
industrial location described above, it would appear unnecessary to locate
any new industry on the coastline. Should an industry need more land
than is available in either location, there are some larger tracts zoned
for industrial purposes available within the planning jurisdiction of
Edenton which could be utilized.
Commercial Development
The impact of growth on commercial land needs outside of the Edenton
planning jurisdiction is discussed under the "Special Issues" of the impact
of four-laning U.S. 17. It should be noted here, however, that the
limited amount of commercial growth expected in the rest of Chowan County
should take the form of service oriented uses such as convenience
grocery stores, dry cleaners, etc. The most probable need for this type
of development is near the airport, where the highest potential exists
for new residential developments. Should the Arrowhead/Chowan Beach areas
suddenly increase in population (although this is not anticipated), there
would be a need°for similar commercial facilities in that general area.
Residential Development
. As stated many times in this report, the County's adoption and
enforcement of its subdivision regulations has virtually brought to an
end the days of "unplanned" residential developments in Chowan County.
Approximately 70% of the anticipated residential growth over the next
10 years will most likely occur on lots already platted as part of the
Country Club Drive development, in -filling in the Cape Colony development,
and, to a lesser degree, in the Arrowhead/Chowan Beach area.
A discussion on the impact of the county -wide water system follows
later in this chapter. It is sufficient to note here that the existence
of this water system will most assuredly result in continued residential
development along the various major and minor roads. And while the
subdivision regulations were designed to improve"subdivisions" of land
for residential uses, and to prevent unplanned developments, it does allow
large -parcel lots to be established along the county's roads as long as
they do not.necessitate the provision of interior streets. Therefore,
large -lot (1 acre or more) strip residential developments along country
roads will continue. However, if past trends continue, the increases
in residential strip development will account for only 30% of the total
residential development.
SPECIAL ISSUES
The Coastal Resources Commission has identified special issues for
each locality preparing CAMA Land Use Plans which it feels may have
potential impact worthy of note in the plan updates being prepared this
year. The special issues the CRC has asked Chowan County to consider
are:
38

..Potential impact of future development should four-laning of U.S. 17
take place
..Impact of future development caused by completion of the county -wide
water system
..Public access to public waters and private and public marina development
..Second home development
..Water quality in the Chowan/Albemarle systems
U.S. 17
The potential for development along a widened Highway U.S. 17 would
normally be considered strong. Historically, the development of a major
highway (or improvements'to one) has stimulated urban growth, which in
turn stimulates the need for public services. In Chowan County the
U.S. 17 Bypass was opened in 1978. Since that time there have been a
couple of commercial establishments ( a farm equipment dealer and a
funeral home) which have located near but not on the Bypass. This is
due in part to a fairly strict enforcement of Edenton's zoning ordinance.
There are no developments of -any kind along the .right-of-way of the
Bypass from the first entrance to Edenton, going south from Perquimans
County, to the U.S. 17 bridge over the Chowan River. This is not to say
that development pressures will not someday be placed along this highway.
In the analysis of the Chowan County economy earlier in this report,
it was noted that the regional demands for retail services (which are
not according to the analysis, being met at present) will cause increased
pressure for expansion of downtown businesses in Edenton as well as
pressure to develop retail and highway commercial businesses along major
highways in the county, especially along the U.S. 17 Bypass.
Should this highway be widened to four lanes, it is a relatively
safe assumption that any major development would occur at the one major
intersection along the route ... at N.C. 32 and U.S. 17. Other development
pressures may occur at the U.S. 17 Bypass and U.S. 17 Business intersection
and, to a lesser extent at S.R. 1101, near the Perquimans County line.
In any case, potential major development pressures will be heaviest
at the N.C. 32 intersection, which lies partly inside the Town limits of
Edenton and completely inside the Town's extraterritorial planning
jurisdiction. The County's responsibilities in this area are therefore
limited to a cooperative concern and interest in future developments there
with Edenton. If recent decisions of the Town Council and Planning Board
toward restricting development at that intersection are an indication,
it can be predicted that developments which eventually occur will be
scrutinized at length. This will ensure controlled developments which
the Town feels are in the best interest of the Town (and,indirectly the
County) as a whole.
The County's major areas of responsibility and concern will be the
U.S. 17'Bypass & Business intersection and along the rest of U.S. 17
through the County. This concern is not limited to whether or not U.S. 17
is four-laned, because development pressures may occur even if this event
doesn't take place. Typically, highway -oriented businesses such as motels,
service stations, etc. are the first to seek property along such routes.
The increased traffic volumes which would most likely.result from four-
laning of U.S. 17 would increase the demand for these types of developments.
M

When and if these developments begin, the County will have to make
decisions about potential traffic problems and provision of water
and/or sewer services, for example. The increased traffic volumes
will bring additional tourists into the County. It will be up to
,the County and Edenton to decide the degree they will want to attract
tourists and provide services and facilities to accomodate them.
In summary, the U.S. 17 Bypass has a real development potential which,
at this time, has not been realized. Should it be four-laned, this
potential would become even stronger and the pressures to develop,
especially at the major intersection, will require local guidance in order
to ensure rational development.
County -Wide Water System
The potential development pressures which historically have,taken
place along new major highway improvements can also be described, to a
lesser degree, for a public service such as a water system. A needed
public utility can become a stimulus for new development of various types,
depending on the size and capacity of the system.
The analysis of existing land use in Chapter II of this study included
some possibilities which may occur as a result of the completion of the
county=wide water system in Chowan County. Included was the probability
of making it at least as easy to buy and build on a large lot as to
buy and build within an approved subdivision. It is also important to
remember that a subdivider/developer must provide water lines (streets,
etc.) within his development at his own expense, which is then passed
on to the potential property owners. A home built on a highway or road
where a water line already exists incurs only the expense of "tapping on"
to the system.
It must be noted, however, that the conversion rate of agricultural
land into residential uses over the past 5 years has amounted to only
14 acres per year. This includes subdivisions in the four cluster areas
and in strip developments across the County. Densities of strip developments
already begun are not expected to be great.
As strip residential increases, so will the demand for more commercial
development. Generally, this will occur at strategic crossroads through-
out the County. New development of this type, however, is not anticipated
to become significant.
The impact of the county -wide water system on future industrial
development appears to be limited county -wide. This is especially true
because of the number of acres available for future industrial development
northeast of Edenton on U.S. 17 and around the airport. If residential
growth will be stimulated in a low -density "sprawl", industrial growth
is planned for in specified areas by both Chowan County and Edenton.
(See "Constraints to Development" for a detailed discussion of the county-
wide water system's capacity to accomodate new industries).
40

Second Home Development
Under the "Existing Land Use Analysis" in Chapter II, the problems
of unplanned developments were discussed at some length. The adoption
and enforcement of the county's subdivision regulations will ensure
that second home developments do not occur unless they meet the development
criteria in the subdivision regulations.
The County therefore has no objections to second home or vacation
home developments which are developed in an orderly fashion and which
also comply with the County's water system regulations. Future develop-
ment of this type is not expected to occur in large developments such
as Chowan Beach, Arrowhead and Cape Colony. Rather, they will occur in
small subdivisions along the Chowan and Yeopim Rivers and along the shore
of the Albemarle Sound, if recent trends continue. Several problems
have arisen for developers of these small, somewhat isolated subdivisions.
The problems have centered around the subdivision regulations' requirements
to provide internal and access roads to such developments which will meet
N.C.D.O.T. design criteria. In many cases the costs of providing these
streets, and connections to the county -wide water system make these
second home developments financially unfeasible.
Public Access to Public Waters
The ability of the general public of Chowan County to gain access
to the Chowan and Yeopim Rivers, to Pembroke Creek, the Albemarle Sound
and Bennett Mill Pond is'not limited by any local public policy. At
present there are six boat ramps (seven including Edenton Marina) from
which the public may launch boats for recreational purposes or commercial
fishing purposes. Two of these boat ramps are publicly owned. The other
four are private ramps which charge a minimal fee. There are no publicly
owned beaches available for swimming. The only beach area open to the
public for a fee is at Sandy Point, near the bridge of N.C. 32.
Where developments have taken place along rivers, streams and the
Sound, access to those bodies of water has been restricted to residents
and/or property owners within them. The citizen opinion survey prepared
as part of this study indicated that the citizens of Chowan County felt
a need for more recreational areas, especially outside of Edenton, but no
special concern seemed to be expressed toward boat ramps or beaches.
At any rate, until the algae bloom problems in the Chowan River are
mitigated, recreational uses will be somewhat limited.
Water Quality of the Chowan River/Albemarle System
Pollution of the Chowan River and its resultant algae bloom problem
have been discussed in many documents over the past several years. It
was described in the 1976 CAMA Plan.
No solutions have, as yet, become evident and therefore the problem
remains, negatively affecting both the recreational potential and potential
for commercial fishing in the river and the Albemarle Sound. Chowan County
has actively participated with various state and federal agencies, other
local units of government and the State of Virginia in trying to determine
the cause and solutions of this problem. Through this plan update
Chowan County reaffirms its intention to continue its participation with
all of these agencies and governments to seek solutions to this problem.
41

DISCUSSION OF STANDARD ISSUES
FRAGILE LAND AREAS
Fragile land areas, such as wooded swamps and other freshwater wetlands,
historic and archeological sites, etc. were discussed in depth in the
1976 CAMA Land Use Plan. The nature and location of the fragile lands
in Chowan County have not changed since that plan was completed. Therefore,
it was considered unnecessary to restate the discussion in this document.
Please refer to pages 34 through 48 of the 1976 CAMA Land Use Plan
Two hazard areas identified in the 1976 Plan and in this update are:
1) flood plains of major streams; and, 2) the man-made hazard created
by aircraft operations around the airport. These will be discussed further
here.
As with the other fragile or hazardous areas in Chowan County, the
flood plain (areas subject to periodic flooding) have not changed in the
last five years. However, the identification of 50 and 100-year flood -
prone areas made as part of the National Flood Insurance Program has caused
much concern in Chowan County and others. This concern has been carried
to the point of requesting a more modern flood plain identification study
to be made by the N.F.I.P. This new study should identify with more
precision the true limits of flood -prone areas in the County. However,
this study is not scheduled for completion until sometime in 1981 or 1982.
In the interim, the identification of flood -prone areas during the review
process', subdivision regulations, etc. can easily be made through the
Soil Conservation Service office in Edenton. A detailed Soils Survey is
.almost.completed for the entire County. Reference to this study for
identification of flood -prone lands, based on soil characteristics, should
provide a more realistic evaluation of the suitability.of the land for
new developments than doee the present set of N.F.I.P. maps which are
based on high water mark (elevation) of the worst flood in the past 100 years.
The airport area has been discussed in previous sections of this report.
It is only.necessary to notg here that provisions for providing local
height, hazard and noise standards for development around the airport
are now being considered. When the zoning ordinance being considered is
adopted, the provisions of zoning classes for land in the area of the
airport should be included by reference as part of the recommendations
and policies stated in this document.
RESOURCE PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT
As stated°in'Chapter II of this report, the most productive agricultural
land in Chowan County is located generally to the east, and to a lesser
degree, west of N.C. 32 from Edenton north. This land has been identified _
locally by the county extension service and the Soil Conservation Service
office. Also, as noted in Chapter II, the loss of agricultural land
(not necessarily "most productive") in Chowan County to urban uses amounts
to approximately 14 acres per year. Almost all of the agricultural land
converted to urban uses is located along major roads and highways throughout
the County. Because of the existence.of the county -wide water system,
this trend should continue. However, because of the relatively small
amounts of land involved, there appears to be no immediate danger of losing
large tracts of the "most productive agricultural lands" to urban purposes
during the planning period.
42

Commercial forest lands in Chowan-County are located generally in the
"toe" and generally the eastern half of the County. Most of this land
is held by a few large land owners, 'including large commercial forest
companies. Most of the timber harvested from these lands is transported
outside of Chowan County for processing. But because commercial and
private -owned forested areas are a valuable natural resource of the County,
they should be properly managed to ensure future timber production. Although
no exact figures are available, local officials state that more and more
acres of land once used exclusively for agricultural production are being
forested by small farmers who, due to economic pressures, are resorting to
the long-term benefits of forest production rather than continuing agricultural
production. Should this trend continue, and the large commercial tracts
are properly managed, timber production should continue to be a large
area of natural resource'production activity in Chowan County.
There are no known areas within the County which contain marketable
mineral resources and therefore there is no significant production of
minerals within the County.
Commercial fishing in Chowan County has continued over the past five
years as a relatively minor part of the County's total economy. Ex -vessel
landings of fish by 180 licensed full and part-time commercial fishermen
in the County amounted to 4,659,500 pounds and $467,946 for all species in
1979. These figures refer to the sale of fish directly from the fisherman's
boat to a buyer and they do not include the money associated with processing,
shipping or retailing of fish. Commercial fishing should continue to be
a full-time activity for a few Chowan County residents throughout the
planning period. However, the nearest market of significance for these
fishermen is, and will continue to be located in Elizabeth City. The
seasonal algae bloom problem in the Chowan River will continue to negatively
affect commercial and recreational fishing activities in Chowan County during
the next few years.
There appears to be no identifiable problem related to off -road
vehicles.within Chowan County. There are no natural sand dunes or beaches
in Chowan County, therefore, the potential degradation of such areas by
off -road vehicles will not become a problem in the future.
ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Many of the standard issues required for.discussion by the land use
planning guidelines of CAMA have been discussed under "Special Issues".
There are others, however, which will be discussed in the following paragraphs.
There are no major concentrations of poor housing located in Chowan
County, although there are substandard houses located throughout the County.
Because there are no "concentrations" of poor housing, it appears to the
general public not to be a problem of major significance. The publication
of the results of the 1980 Census will show the number and general locations
of substandard housing. Areas which might require redevelopment of the
magnitude which would require federal funding (such as Community Development
Block Grants) cannot be identified at this time. Changes in the qualifications
of areas for these very competitive federal funds will require a somewhat
more detailed study than can be made as part of this plan. Suffice it to
say here, that as such areas are identified the County should consider making
application for these funds. It has been the policy of Chowan County in
the past to utilize federal funds for various projects.
43

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 no significant changes have taken place in the County's
environment since 1976. 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 in those
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 highway 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 devdlopments will attract motoring tourists and that they will provide
44

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-laping 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 does 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.
45

POLICY STATEMENT - It shall be the policy of Chowan County along the
waterfronts to informally acknowledge second home and other types of
residential developments, as long as they 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
respondents 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 County.
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
46

late as Febuary, 1981. No other policy related to this issue is considered
necessary.
Productive Agricultural & 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 agricultural
lands or productive forest lands to urban development. Therefore, no
policy on this issue is considered necessary.
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), 5 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.
47

Fragile, Historic or Natural Resource Areas - Historic Places: To protect
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 public trust waters so as to safeguard and perpetuate their biological,
economic and aesthetic value.
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
48

solid waste system capacity and forecasted 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.
49

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 requires sewer, the County will need to be able to state
its position related to providing, or not 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.
50

Alternative 3 - The County may choose to identify townships where,
according to the results of the 1980 Census, poor housing conditions
are significantly high. The County may, after 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 part of
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 County 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 appropriate 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.
r
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.
51

Alternative Selection - The County selects Alternative 3.
POLICY STATEMENT - It shall be the policy of Chowan County to actively
solicit input from the citizens 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 County
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.
52

CHAPTER VI
LAND CLASSIFICATION
v
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 map 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.
53

These are the areas where detailed land use and public investment
planning will occur. State and federal expenditures on projects
associated with urban development, such as water, sewer, urban streets,
etc. would be guided to these areas by the County.
The designation of transition classification of areas within the planning
jurisdiction of Chowan County are shown on the Land Classification Map.
The Cape 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 U.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,tchurches,
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
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
54

w
of the conservation classification. Therefore, determination of whether
or not a certain parcel of land meets this classification should be
made by determining that 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 natural or cultural resource which would suffer
irrepairable 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.
55

-2-
12. Do you favor consolidation of city and county government?
Yes - 55%
No 36.6%
13. In your opinion, is there a problem of insufficient or inadejuate shopping
facilities in the county and town? Yes 64% No 23.3% If so, what is
needed?
Please selectupto three.
Shopping center -
35%
Department; store -
17.4%
Parking -
8.4%
Clothiri€! -
8.1%
Shoe store /shoe repair -
6.7%
Discount departTCOnt store -
30.8%
Young pe c.-p-1 e's shop -
8.1%
Discount `rug 2t 3re -
15%
Dress shop -
3.6%
Discuiuit grocery -
31.8%
Rest tturrint -
24.2%
Si;o t.ng goods -
9.1%
'.•cot: store -
10.1%
construction/electrical supplies-
2.6%
Hobby shop -
14%
Pdu i� store -
6.6%
14. Would you :1 kc tr, se- moire. tourists •::ome t:! Ci.owan County?
Yes - 76.7% No - 19.3%
15. What, if any, t.yp,:� of tourist facilities do vt:w. tt.iak should be developed
in this area'
Please select lip to three.
Motels/hotels -
35%
Fairs -
10%
Restaurants -
28.3%
Pageatat -
9%
Waterfront recreation -
19%
Carriage tours -
3.4%
Parks/picnic areas./camping -
40%
Museum -
9.1%
More historic preservation/tours -
7.4%
Black history -
22.4%
Rest areas -
10.8%
Fu'blic transportation -
14.3%
Better information center -
5%
Zo -
16.6%
Souvenir shops -
8%
Flower Garden -
3.3%
Craft shops -
10.9%
Better recreation
16. What do you think is the most important environmental problem in the county
other than the Chowan River?
Water pollution (other than the Chowan River) - 12.5%
Roadside trbsb - 36.7`8
Air a ol'.ution - 15.9%
Drainage 17.4%
Septic tanks/sewer - 17.2%
Industry - 14%
Waterfront - 3.6%
Need for zoning - 13.5%
Wind erosion - 9%
Shorelir_e ero:sioii - 8.1%
17. What is your attitude toward the following AGREE DISAGREE
statements':
(a) Economic development is more important 31 4% 60%
than environmental protection.
(b) laie county and town's future development s 1.7%
must be planned.
(c) Our resources and wildlife 89 % 4.5%
should be protected.
(d) Our historic assets should be preserved. 85% 7.9%
(e) `ll e appearance of our county and town 61.2% 9� %
needs to be improved.
(f) More industry is needed to supplement 71.7% 20.3%
existing agricultural base.

CHOWAN COUNTY
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT QUESTIONNAIRE
1. In which community do you live?
1. Yeopim - 9.9%5. Ryland 3.3% 9. Edenton 57%
2. Rocky Hock - 6.6% 6. Gliden 5.9% 10. Advance 4%
3. Center Hill - 1.8%7. Valhalla 4.1%
4. Small X Roads - 5% 8. Green Hall 2.4%
2. AgeL
1. 15-18 - 13.3%
2. 19-25 - 4.1%
3. 26-35 - 50.8%
3. Occupation
4. 46755 - 10.8%
5. 56-65 - 13.4%
6. 66-Over 2.5%
Unemployed
i0.8% Craft
8% Driver/Delivery
1.7%
Student
13.4% Operative
5% Farm labor
1.7%
Military/Government 1.9% Clerical
8.3% Farm Owner/Manager
2.6%
Housewife
13.3% Administrativel.7% Retired
1.7%
Service
3.3%Sales
3.3% Other
6.2%
Professional
9.1% General Labor
12.5%
4. Sex
Male - 30.8% Female - 68%
5. Race
a
1. Black - 46% 2. White - 52% 3. Other
6. Number of years you have lived in this county.
1. Under 1 year 3.4% 3. 5-20 years 30%
2. 1-5 years 15.9% 4. 20-above 50%
7. Which of the following applies to you?
1. Own home - 62.5%
2. Rent home - 33.4%
3. Own other property in county. - 5%
8. Marital Status
1. Single - 23.3% 3. Widow or Widower - 4.2%
2. Married - 63.3% 4. Divorced -12.4%
9. Where is most of your income derived?
30% 1. Chowan County 4. Edenton 47.5%
8.3% 2. Adjacent county 5. Other 10.8%
3.3% 3. Tidewater Virginia
10. How do you obtain most of your information about activities in the'county?
1. Local newspaper - 48.4%
2. Regional newspaper - 4.1%
3. Radio - 51.7%
4. Television - 20%
5. By word of mouth - 27.4%
11. In your opinion, which of the following should the county adopt as its policy
for county population growth during the next 10 years? (Circle One)
1. Remain the same size - 16.6%
2. Small increase - 34.1%
3. Substantial increase - 39.1%
4. Reduce population - 4.2%
W

-k-
AGREE DISAGREE
(f) Residential sites in the county should have
a minimum of 100 feet on the water or on
the road.
(g) Chowan County should encourage waterfront
land developers to build "retirement and
weekend communities."
20. Would you like to have a public transportation system in Chowan County?
Yes 49%
No 19.1%
A.
Within
Chowan County
Yes
35%
No
17.4%
B.
Chowan
County to Elizabeth City
Yes
35.6%
No
16.2%
C.
Chowan
County to Greenville
Yes
22.6%
No
24.9%
D.
All of
the above
Yes
44.1%
No
23.2%
21. What would be your major reason(s) for a public transportation system?
Shopping 50.8%
Medical 52.5%
Social -Recreation 18.3%
Education or Day
Care 20%
Employment 46.7%
Bank 14%
Youth or older
adults nutrition
site 20.3%
Relative or Friends 18.2%
22. Would you pay a nominal fee to ride on a transit system?
Yes 65% No 19.4%
23. What, if any, additional recreational facilities would you like to see in
Chowan County and Edenton?
Please select up to three
Recreation Center -
36.7%
Nightclub/dance hall/coffeehouse -
16.4%
Bowling -
39%
Movie/drive-in -
18.3%
Parks and playgrounds -
23.4%
Bike/walking trails -
14.9%
Swimming pool -
19.9%
Recreation activities for elderly-
14.8%
Boating/beaches/fishing -
8.3%
Trailer parks -
1.9%
Skating rink -
41.7%
Softball fields -
9.3%
Tennis courts -
3.8%
Car tracks -
3.6%
Boys club/Girls club -
14.1%
Concerts/entertainment -
26.6%
Theater group -
2.8%
24. Would you like to see U.S. 17 four-laned through Chowan County?
Yes 55.2% No 40.8%
25. Are you satisfied with the County water system?
Yes 79.1%
No 19.3%
26. More private marina development is needed in the county
Yes 17.4% No 75%
27. More public marina development is needed in the county
Yes 58% No 36.8%
28. More public swimming and picnicking areas are needed along the county's
waterfront.
Yes 80% No 15.9%
29. Do you favor the construction of a new consolidated high school?
Yes 79.2%
No 18.9%
30. Would you support a local bond referendum to improve the educational
facilities in the county?
J
Yes 80.7%
No 14.3%

- 3-
AGREE DISAGREE
(g)
There should be a minimum lot size for
59%
35.8%
every house lot in the county.
(h)
Emphasis on future growth should be
59%
33.3%
concentrated in existing communities
(such as Yeopim, Rocky Hock, Center
Hill, etc.)
(i)
The area needs more agricultural related
66.6%
24.9%
industries.
Q)
Chowan County is primarily rural/agri-
40.9%
44.5%
cultural oriented. It should remain
this way.
(k)
Since the agricultural lands of the
80%
8.5%
county are of primary importance and
drainage is essential, the county should
strongly push for a drainage program.
18. Do
you feel the following are adequate in Chowan
County and
Edenton?
AGREE
DISAGREE
(a)
Road maintenance and upgrading
54.9%
40.8%
(b)
Water facilities
73.3%
20.7%
(c)
Sewer facilities
54.6%
(d)
Fire protection
73.6%
(e)
Historic preservation
73.6%
(f)
Electrical utility services
60%
(g)
Storm water drainage and flooding control
46.6%
(h)
Community appearance
59.1%
(i)
Water access
69.1%
(j)
Proper housing
51.7%
(k)
Planning and coninunity development
45.8%
(1)
Zoning and land use controls
46.6%
(m)
Relationship between the county and towns
44.1%
(n)
Code enforcement and inspection
58.4%
(o)
Refuse collection and disposal
51.6%
(p)
Educational facilities
47.4%
(q)
Cultural facilities
45%
(r)
Rescue and ambulance service
78.4%
19. Re:
Chowan County Waterfront
What
is your attitude toward the following statements?
AGREE
(a)
More waterfront sites should be made
38.1%
available for industry.
(b) Public beaches should be made available.
(c) More public boat ramps are needed.
(d) Public fishing piers should be built.
(e) Chowan County has adequate waterfront
recreational facilities at the present.
74%
57.6%
35.8%
19.2%
15.7%
32.4%
44.9%
32.4%
25%
40.7%
38.2%
37.5%
41.8%
25.8%
36.8%
48.3%
43.1%
13.5%
DISAGREE
51.7%
16.7%
33.3%
68.1% 22.5%
30.7% 55.7-%-
r V

IM
42. In taking a look at the areas around the airport; do you think that
additional measures should be taken in dealing with wasterwater treatment there?`
Yes 55% No 30%
43. What do you think hinders the economy and development of the county?
Transportation
- 23.4%
Soils
- 2.6%
Water facilities
- 6%
Sewer facilities
- 9%
Utility rates
- 59.2%
44. What do you like most about Chowan County or Edenton?
45. What do you like least about Chowan County or Edenton?
46. What are the three (3) most serious problems in the county or town?
2.
47. In your opinion, do the citizens of Chowan County and Edenton have adequate
opportunity to participate in local.government and community affairs?
Yes 65.9% No 21.6%
If your answer is no, please state your reason.

-5-
31. Would you favor the installation of sewage treatment facilities in the
problem areas of the county?
Yes 71.6% No 17.5%
32. Do you support the use of county tax dollars to develop a county waterfront
park at the Edenton Airport?
Yes 36.5% No 53.5%
33. Do you support recreational activities and. facilities to be constructed
with county tax dollars in the northern part of the county?
Yes 52.5% No 37.4%
34. Do you favor county wide zoning?
Yes 55% No 35.8%
35• Do you have any recommendations as to where to put trash dumpsters in
the county?
Energy Section
36. If you thought that any gas station had too high gas prices, would you
report them to the U. S. Department of Energy.
Yes 72.5% No 15.7%
37. Are you aware that the local Electric Membership Corporation has
persons available to help you save energy at home.
Yes 40% No 50.8%
38- In other areas of the United States a program called an Energy Audit is
being instituted. This program allows a person to come into your home
and make a survey of your house to show where you are wasting energy.
This person will also forecast for five years the money that you would
spend if you make no improvements and just paid the electric bill. In
most cases the money you spend on improvement of energy saving devices
for the next five years will be less than the cost of paying the bills
over those years. Would you support this program?
Yes 75% No 13.5%
39. Do you believe that second home or vacation development should not be
allowed when it endangers the water quality of the area, public access
to the water, or fragile areas not yet under protection? Yes rn_, No-Inp%
Comments
40. Do you agree or disagree that continued attention should be given to the
Chowan/Albemarle Sound nutrient and pollution problems.
Agree 85% Disagree 4.8%
41. What changes would you make to correct the environment of the Chowan River`!