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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLand Use Plan 1991 Update-1992.1 ChowanCounty CA DCM COPY 'i/ ` DCM COPY lease do not remove!!!!! Division of Coastal Management Copy Ian p 1 The preparation of this document and/or maps, was financed In part through a ' grant provided by the North Carolina Coastal Management Program, through funds provided by the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended which is administered by the Office Of Ocean And Coastal Resource Management National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration. ' Local Adoption: July 6, 1992 CRC Certification: July 24, 1992 91 �jTWA Ken Weeden &Associates 1 1 CHOWAN COUNTY p NORTH CAROLINA LAND USE PLAN: 1991 UPDATE PREPARED FOR ' CHOWAN COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA i� I !i Ul CHOWAN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS R. Wayne Goodwin, Chairman James C. "Pete" Dail, Vice Chairman George E. Jones Frank W. White, Jr. James E. Taylor Emmett Winborne A.F. "Jerry" Downum PREPARED BY CHOWAN COUNTY PLANNING BOARD Jack Evans, Chairman Percy White Anthony Hathaway, Jr. Linda White Emily Amburn Derrick Wadsworth Carolyn Spruill Lynda Hendricks, Clerk to Planning Board AND CHOWAN COUNTY MANAGER'S OFFICE Luther C. Copeland, County Manager Nancy B. Morgan, Administrative Assistant PLANNING ASSISTANCE PROVIDED BY Kenneth Weeden, AICP Planner -In -Charge Ken Weeden & Assoc., Inc. CRC Certification: July 24, 1992 1 rr r r .r rr �r �r �■r r� r rr ■r ter � r r r r CHOWAN COUNTY VIRGINIA TENNESSEE �� �:� ;'--"'i-----r �---TJ--,-1 L_ � -� ' � '�'�-'ram ' ``\, 1 '^^, ��•� j ` � Qo• --- SOUTH CAROLINA' �- Scale In Miles 0 25 50 75 100 ALBEMARLE SOUND MAP 1 Location Map I n CHOWAN COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA LAND USE PLAN: 1991 UPDATE TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE SECTION I: Analysis of Existing Conditions A. Establishment of Information Base 1 B. Present Conditions 2 1. Population 2 2. Economic Analysis 5 a. General 5 b. Agricultural and Forestry 5 C. Commercial Fishing 7 d. Manufacturing and Commercial Activity 8 e. Tourism 9 f. Employment and Income 9 g. Local Government Revenue Summary 12 h. Economic Summary 13 3. Housing 14 C. Existing Land Use Analysis 15 1. General Patterns 15 2. Significant Land and Water Compatibility Problems 18 3. Major Problems from Unplanned Development 20 4. Areas Likely to Experience Major Land Use Changes 20 5. Identification of Areas of Environmental Concern 21 D. Review of Current Plans, Policies, and Regulations 23 E. Constraints: Land Suitability 26 1. Physical Limitations 26 2. Fragile Areas 32 3. Areas with Resource Potential 37 F. Constraints: Capacity of Community Facilities 40 1. Water 40 2. Sewer 41 3. Solid Waste 42 4. Public School Enrollments 42 5. Transportation 44 6. Medical Services 46 7. Emergency and Protective Services 46 8. Recreation 46 9. Other Facilities 47 G. Estimated Demand 47 1. Population and Economy 47 2. Future Land Need 48 3. Community Facilities Need 48 SECTION II: POLICY STATEMENTS A. Resource Protection 50 1. Area of Environmental Concern 50 2. Development in Areas with Constraints 53 3. Hurricane and Flood Evacuation Needs 55 4. Other Resource Protection Policy Areas 55 ii 1� I I �7 1� B. Resource Production and Management Policies 58 1. Commercial & Recreational Fisheries 58 2. Recreational Lands 59 3. Residential & Commercial Land Development 59 4. Agriculture 59 5. Commercial Forestry 60 6. Other Resource Production & Management Issues 60 7. Resource Production & Management: Implementation Strategy 60 C. Economic and Community Development Policies 61 1. Community Attitude Toward Growth 61 2. Types and Locations of Desired Industry 62 3. Local Commitment to Service Provisions 63 4. Desired Urban Growth Patterns 63 5. Redevelopment of Developed Areas 64 6. Commitment to State and Federal Programs 65 7. Assistance to Channel Maintenance 65 8. Energy Facility Siting 65 9. Tourism and Beach and Waterfront Access 66 10. Establishment of a Recycling Program 66 11. Density of Development 66 12. Land Use Trends 67 D. Continuing Publi.c_Participation Policies 67 E. Storm Hazard Mitigation, Post -Disaster Recovery, and Evacuation Plans 68 1. Effects of a Coastal Storm 68 a. High Winds 68 b. Flooding 69 c. Wave Action 69 d. Erosion 69 2. Composite Hazards 70 3. Storm Hazard Mitigation Policies 70 4. Policy to Discourage Development in Most Hazardous Areas 71 5. Policy on Public Acquisition of land in the most hazardous areas 72 6. Post -Disaster Reconstruction Plan 72 7. Hurricane Evacuation Plan 76 8. Re -Entry 76 SECTION III: LAND CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM A. General 77 B. Limited Transition 78 C. Community 79 D. Rural, WIth Services 79 E. Conservation 79 F. Other Classifications 81 G. Land Classification Summary 81 SECTION IV: RELATIONSHIP OF POLICIES AND LAND CLASSIFICATIONS SECTION V: INTERGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION iii [1 I r_1 I LIST OF TABLES, CHARTS, MAPS Table No. Title Page 1 Chowan County Population 1950-2000 2 2 Racial Composition of Chowan County 3 2-A Gender and Age, 1990 3 3 Public School Enrollment, 1980-1988 4 4 Township Population: 1950-1990 4 5 Agricultural Income: 1986-1990 7 6 Commercial Fishery Income 8 7 Payroll and Establishments,1980-1988 8 8 Tourism Income: 1981-1988 9 9 Civilian Labor Force Characteristics, and Unemployment rates 10 10 Industry Employment by Place of Work 10 11 State Sales and Use Tax For Chowan County, FY 1985-1989 11 12 Gross Retail Sales by Major Business Groups; FY 1985-86: and 1989-90 11 13 Chowan County Families and Persons with Below Poverty Income 12 14 Per Capita Personal Income 12 15 Real Property Assessed Tax Values, 1985-1990 13 16 Building Permit Data, 1985-1990 13 17 1980-1990 Census Housing Data 15 18 Major Land Uses: 1978, 1987 16 18-A Approved Subdivision Plats by Township; 1985-1991 17 19 Soil Types Suitable for Various Uses 28 20 Classifications of Water Systems 31 21 Characteristics of Significant Natural Areas 33-A 22 Soil Types Identified for Important Farmland 38 23 Chowan County Water System Customers: 1975-1991 40 24 County Water System Capacity 41 25 Edenton - Chowan County Schools First -Month Daily Membership 43 26 Edenton - Chowan School District School Membership and Classroom Utilization, 1990-91 44 27 Chowan County Highway Mileage, 1982, 1987, and 1990 45 28 Average Daily Traffic Courts for Key Intersections in Chowan County, 1987 and 1989 45. 29 State Recreation Plan: County Needs Assessment 47-a iv I 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 MAPS 1. Location Map i 2. Chowan County Township Map 4a 3. Existing Land Use Map (Attached) 4. High Hazard Flood Areas (Attached) 5. Estuarine Erosion Areas 27a 6. General Soils Limitations for Septic Tanks (Attached) 7. Water Classifications (Attached) 8. Significant Natural Areas 33a 9. National Register of Historic Properties/Study List (Attached) 10. Major Traffic Intersections; ADT, 1987, 1989 (Attached) 11. Composite Hazards (Attached) 12. Land Classification, 1991 (Attached) CHART I. Estuarine Erosion Areas 27b 91 1 I I I I 1 CHOWAN COUNTY LAND USE PLAN UPDATE, 1991 A. ESTABLISHMENT OF INFORMATION BASE This 1991 Land Use Plan Update for Chowan County has been prepared in accordance with requirements of the North Carolina Coastal Area Management Act (LAMA). Specifically, this document complies with Subchapter 7B, "Land Use Planning Guidelines," of the North Carolina Administrative Code, as amended. The initial LAMA Land Use Plan was prepared jointly for Chowan County and the Town of Edenton in 1976. The first update of the County's plan was prepared in 1981 and the second update in 1986. The 1981 and 1986 Updates did not include the Town of Edenton. During those periods, Edenton prepared its own separate plan. According to the Land Use Planning Guidelines, the major purpose of periodic updating of local land use plans is to identify and analyze newly emerging community issues and problems. The update process also allows the County to incorporate new elements required by the amended guidelines. The guidelines give the following additional objectives a Plan Update should meet: to further define and refine local policies and issues; to examine and refine the land classification system and the land classification map; to assess the effectiveness of the existing land use plan, policies, and its implementation; to explore the existing implementation procedures, and; to promote citizen participation and thereby a better understanding of the land use planning process. The initial 1976 Land Use Plan and both the 1981 and 1986 Updates provided some of the needed information base for this 1991 update. However, in many cases, new information had to be researched and refined. A number of data sources were utilized during the preparation of this plan in order to prepare updated analyses of population, housing, economics, (including agriculture, fisheries, and forestry), and existing land uses. Most of the data came from primary and secondary sources in the form of direct contacts with representatives of various state and federal agencies and/or previously published documents or reports. Also, "windshield" surveys were conducted in certain areas of the county to obtain data on existing land use patterns. Interviews were conducted with various County officials. Efforts were made to obtain data that was as up to date and accurate as possible. The 1991 data analysis showed that there have been some notable changes since the 1986 Plan Update. Some new trends in the population, land economy and land use appear definitely to be emerging. Some major conclusions of the updated land use plan are: Chowan County's population grew between 1970 and 1990, reversing a twenty-year old trend of population losses. Population growth is projected to continue through 2000, with notable shifts in age ratios, i.e., decline in school -age population, increase in the elderly population. The Edenton and Middle Townships are projected to receive most of the growth. The economic importance of agriculture is firmly established and will remain so in the County throughout the next 10 years. However, manufacturing, service, and tourism are all increasing in economic importance. 1 The overall land development pattern, being one with a predominantly rural, scattered character, will likely continue in most parts of the County. ' Areas with the greatest potential for urbanization are those areas currently urbanizing, i.e., Arrowhead, Chowan Beach, and the Cape Colony Country Club areas. Some of the data sources utilized in preparing this document include: U.S. Census of Population, 1990 (Preliminary Figures) U.S. Census of Population and Housing, 1980, U.S. Department of Commerce. N.C. Office of State Budget and Management, Demographic Section. (For ' estimated breakdowns of 1990 Census, and Projections). 1986 Chowan County Land Use Plan. Before the Storm• Managing Development to Reduce Hurricane Damages, McElyea, Brower, & Godschalk, 1982. B. PRESENT CONDITIONS — 1. Population 1 Chowan County, located in predominantly rural Northeast North Carolina on the north side of the Albemarle Sound, is one of the smallest counties in North Carolina with 181.55 square miles and consequently has one of the smaller county populations of the State's 100 counties. Notice Table 1, below, which shows the decencies population of Chowan County from 1950 to 1990 and projections for 1995 and 2000. TABLE 1: Chowan County Population: 1950-1990, With Projections to 2000 Num. Pct. Year Population Change Change 1950 12,540 1960 11,729 - 811 - 6.5 1970 10,764 - 965 - 8.2 1980 12,558 +1,794 +16.7 1990 13,506 + 948 + 7.4 *1995 14,502 + 996 + 7.3 *2000 14,999 + 497 + 3.4 Source: 1980 and 1990 U.S. Census (Preliminary) *Projections by the North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management The population trends in Chowan County showed a strong, steady decline from 1950 to 1970, as Table 1 shows. From 1950 to 1970, the County lost a total of 1 1,776 persons or 14.2% over the 20-year period, with the strongest decrease occurring between 1960 and 1970. However, the 1980 Census, showed that the County experienced significant growth during the 19701s, gaining more people within that one decade than it lost during the previous two. I ' Moderate growth continued in the 1980's as shown by a net population increase of 948 persons or 7.5 percent between 1980 and 1990. Growth is projected to continue through the 1990's. Composition a. TABLE 2: Racial Composition of Chowan County, 1970-1990 1 -White Year White Non u 1970 6,227 (58%) 4,537 (42%) 1980 7,294 (58%) 5,264 (42%) 1990 8,349 (62%) 5,157 (38%) ' Source: U.S. Census (N.C. State estimates of racial composition for 1990) The racial composition of Chowan County's population remained fairly constant in 1970 and 1980 with whites comprising 58 percent of the population and non -whites comprising 42 percent. However, the 1990 census reveals that the white proportion slightly increased to 62 percent whereas the non -white proportion decreased to 38 percent. This change in racial composition is ' probably more attributed to the influx of white retires settling in this coastal community rather than the out migration of non -whites. This trend can be better analyzed as more detailed racial and age data is released from the 1990 U.S. Census data. In 1990, there were 3,536 residents or 26.2 percent of the County's population were under 18. The gender composition, i.e., more females than males, is typical. Table 2-A below shows both an increase in the - elderly -population -and -the -school -age -population. ---- TABLE 2-A: Chowan County (lender and Age, 1990 Sex Male- 6,275 46.5 Female 7,231 53.5 Age Under 5 years 933 6.9 5 to 17 years 2,603 19.3 18 to 20 years 491 3.6 21 to 24 years 547 4.0 25 to 44 years 3,790 28.1 45 to 54 years 1,348 9.9 55 to 59 years 664 4.9 60 to 64 years 750 5.6 65 to 74 years 1,391 10.3 75 to 84 years 738 5.5 85 years and over 251 1.9 Median age 36.4 Under 18 years 3,536 26.2 65 years and over 2,380 17.6 ' Source: US Census, 1990, Summary Tape 1-A Another indicator of the school -age population is public school enrollment as shown in Table 3. Public school enrollment began to decline in the early 1980's but has gradually increased since 1985. By 1988, the school enrollment of 2,627 was only 27 students less than the enrollment in 1980. -3- ITABLE 3: Chowan County Public School Enrollment, 1980 - 1988 Year Number of Students Enrolled Number Changed ' 1980 2,654 - 1981 2,588 -66 1982 2,563 -25 1983 2,515 -48 1984 2,482 -33 1985 2,502 +20 1986 1987 2,551 2,580 +49 +29 1988 2,627 +47 ' Source: North Carolina Data Center - Link System b. Dispersal There are four (4) Townships in Chowan County, as Map 2, page 4-A shows. The County's population is dispersed throughout the Townships, with the largest concentrations being in the Edenton and Middle Townships. The 1990 Census data points to some very interesting trends among the Townships, this will be discussed below. The Town of Edenton is located in the Edenton Township, and two large subdivisions, Arrowhead and Chowan Beaches, are located in rural communities at crossroads intersections with major highways or paved secondary routes in areas such as Rockyhock, Valhalla, Smalls Crossroads, Welch, and Center Hill. Table 4 below, shows the population within each township from 1950 to 1990. TABLE 4: Chowan County Township Population: 1950-90 Percent/Numerical/ Change Township 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 1980/1990 Edenton 7,508 7,294 6,814 7,790 7,447 -323 - 4.4% Edenton (town) (4,468) (4,458) 4,766 (5,357) (5,268) - 89 - 1.7% Middle 2,232 2,244 1,840 2,557 3,017 +460 +18.0% Upper 1,499 1,449 1,278 1,294 1,336 + 42 + 3.2% Yeopim 1,301 762 832 917 1,706 +789 +86.0% Sources: U.S. Census: 1986 Plan Particular note is the reversal of the growth trend of the 1970's for the Edenton Township. This Township, which includes the Town of Edenton, actually decreased by 343 persons from 1980 to 1990. Middle and Yeopim Townships showed the greatest percentage of population increase. Middle Township gained 460 persons for an 18.0 % increase whereas Yeopim Township had a net gain of 789 persons for an 86.0% percent increase. The population in Upper Township remained relatively stable during the 1980's with a net gain of 42 persons for a 3.2% increase. The Yeopim Township includes several sizeable subdivisions, including Cape Colony and Country Club. One large new residential golf -course community has also began developing in the Yeopim Township (Mulberry Hill, which has 34 lots approved, plans to have a total 112 residences when completed.), as well as several new homes on individual private lots. Newer homes have also ' -4- ` o u ~ T . CHOWAN COUNTY } NORTH CAROLINA CCYMTt M �- � • AP Z TOWNSHIPS UPPER TWP. o �1. a L _ •_ It .' - 1 0� MIDDLE TWP. � tltl vt A to qeop \s %3 r M � c M � O M A ` N 1 M G 4-a ' been developed in the Middle Township. (More information on subdivisions is contained in Section C.1). C. Seasonal Population The trend of "second homes" being developed or mobile homes being placed ' along Albemarle Sound and Chowan River, contributing to some seasonal population changes has continued since the 1980 update. Also, "Historic Edenton," one of the earliest settlements in colonial North Carolina, continues to grow as a tourist attraction in Chowan county also contributing to seasonal population growth. Unlike some other coastal areas, however, currently there are no major seasonal fluctuations which would exert undue pressures on the provision of public facilities or services. ' d. Population Summary The analysis of existing and projected population in Chowan County suggests the following trends: (1) A three -decade -old trend of population losses ended in 1980 and has been replaced by a gradual growth trend, projected through 2000. The racial composition of the County has slightly changed with the percentage of white population slightly increasing and conversely the non -white populations slightly decreasing to 38 percent. ' (2) The moderate population growth from 1980 to 1990 occurred primarily in Middle and Yeopim Townships, with some increase also noted in the Upper Township. Edenton Township as well as the Town of Edenton ' showed slight decreases in population for this period. This may indicate more development in the outlying areas away from the Town of Edenton -- especially since the County water system now serves the entire county. (3) Analysis of the age composition of the population for 1990 indicates a simultaneous trend of growth both in the retiree -age and school -age populations. 2. Economic Analysis a. General The economic picture for Chowan County showed good improvement in the 1986 Plan and has steadily been improving. The County's economic base continues to be primarily agricultural, but with increasing diversification. Other significant elements of Chowan County's economy include manufacturing, commercial forestry, and commercial fishing. ' Existing economic conditions are discussed in more detail, beginning below through p.14: b. Agricultural and Forestry Agricultural and forestry activities continue to play a major role in Chowan County's economy. In 1990, the estimated agricultural income was over $30 million dollars, according to data provided by the Chowan County Agricultural Extension Office, and the State Extension Service report: "Annual Estimates of Cash Farm Income." (see Table 5, p.7). This income has a significant impact on the local economy. It is interesting to note -5- ii that, perhaps consistent with national trends, the number of farms and total farm acreage is steadily declining. According to the 1982 and 1987 U.S. Census of Aariculture, between 1978 through 1987 the total number of farms in the County declined from 302 in 1978 to 259 in 1982 and 220 farms in 1987. This decrease of 82 farms represents a total decrease of 27 percent, or about eight farms per year. However, it appears that some smaller farms became part of larger farms, since the average size of each ' farm rose from 184 acres in 1978 to 211 acres in 1982 to 229 acres in 1987. This trend of fewer, but larger farms in Chowan County is significant. Overall though, the total acreage of land committed to ' farming declined from 54, 749 acres in 1982 to 50, 446 acres in 1987. A loss of 4,303 acres representing about 43.9 percent of the total county's land acreage (excluding water acres.) Total farm income fluctuated between 1986 through 1990 as show on Table S. These fluctuations are largely due to changes in the weather conditions, type of crops grown, and crop prices. For example, 1987 was a very dry year thus affecting field crop production, whereas 1990 was an excellent year for cotton and peanuts. Field crops and vegetables, most notably peanuts, cotton, soybeans, tobacco, and corn, produce the most farm income. Livestock production, mostly hogs, is also a major factor. Forestry also plays a major role in the agricultural sector. Private ' farms account for 33 percent of forestry production whereas commercial producers such as Weyerhauser, Union Camp, and Champion International account for the balance of 67 percent. Forestry income increased significantly from $2.7 million in 1986 to nearly $6 million in 1990. However, this more than doubling of income may not necessarily indicate a long-term trend. According to local forestry officials, the increases in forestry income resulted from a combination of factors, i.e., expansion in the acreage harvested and simultaneous rise in prices. They are quick to point out, however, that both the amount of acres harvested, and prices can fluctuate from year to year. 1 ff= 1 1 1 1 1 i i 1 1 I 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 TABLE 5: -------------- Field Crops Tobacco Cotton Lint Peanuts Corn Wheat Rye Grain - Sorghum Soybeans Sweet Potatoes Cabbage Cantaloupes Sweet Corn Leafy Greens Chowan i Agr: ---1986 . .773 1.341 5.931 1.225 .097 .005 .007 1.440 .330 .041 .770 .522 .059 'Aunty J Lculturi 1987 .787 .536 5.360 .784 .129 .010 1.695 .554 .120 .688 .303 .217 ►griculi Ll Inco: 1988 .946 1.550 5.479 1.610 .415 .027 .007 2.220 .577 .120 .750 .056 .366 rural I: le 1989 1.086 1.707 4.846 1.401 .489 .040 .022 1.110 1.371 .231 .650 .525 .062. LCOme: 100) 1990 1.134 4.509 7.375 1.769 .352 .023 .035 1.142 .674 .160 .630 .420 .047 L986-1990 ------------------ % Change 1986-90 146.7 236.2 24.3 44.4 262.9 360.0 400.0 -20.6 104.2 290.2 -18.1 -19.5 -20.3 Peppers .062 .035 .036 .077 -- -- Snap Beans .070 .026 .039 .048 .031 -55.7 Squash .122 .174 .080 .064 .033 -73.0 1 Watermelons .720 1.181 2.100 1.125 .928 28.9 Sub -----------+-------+------+------+------+-------+---------- Total 113.515 112.599116.378114.858119.262 I 42.5 -----------------------+--------------------------------------- Livestock & Poultry I I I I I Hogs 3.720 3.984 4.158 3.401 4.224 135.5 Cattle .187 .221 .237 .266 .288 54.9 Poultry .231 .231 1.280 .280 .316 36.8 ----- -----+-------+-----+------+-------+----------------- Sub Total 4.138 14.436 14.6751 3.9471 4.8281 16.8 -------------- ------ ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Forestry I I I I I Soft -Pulpwood .097 .339 .451 .451 .514 430.0 Lumber 2.570 3.700 3.478 3.478 4.121 60.4 Hard -Pulpwood .038 .236 1.016 1.016 1.291 3,297.4 Lumber 0 .031 .025 .025 .030 -3.3 --------------------- -------- Sub-Total 2.705 I 4.3061 4.971 4.97 I 5.9561 120.2 (Total 20.358 I 21.341126.023123.771130.046 I 47.6 --------------------- ------------------- Source: North Carolina Agricultural Extension Service -Annual Estimates Income c. Commercial Fishing of Cash Farm Nearly a third of the area within Chowan County's jurisdiction consists of water, i.e., portions of the Chowan River and Albemarle Sound. A substantial amount of commercial fishing occurs both in the Albemarle Sound and in the Chowan River. However, for many years, serious pollution of the Chowan River has adversely affected fish landings in the County. -7- I According to the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries, commercial catches in Chowan County have steadily declined since the exceptional year of 1985. As shown in Table 6. From 1982 to 1990, the poundage of total catch has declined by 66.2 percent while the monetary value decreased by 32.4 percent during the period. Deterioration of the coastal waters has hindered the spawning of the river herring and white perch as well as other species. Table 6: Chowan County Commercial Fishery Income, 1982 -1990 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Wholesale Rank Among 21 Total Catch- Monetary Coastal Counties Year Pounds Value --------------------------- Total Catch-lbs.l $ Value -------------+---------------+-----------+--------- -------+---------- 1982 7,089,979 $727,144 5 --- 1983 4,911,080 $519,941 5 --- 1984 5,282,063 $666,679 --- --- 1985 9,622,835 $991,933 4 --- 1986 6,999,375 $872,745 4 9 1987 4,862,409 $895,859 5 10 1988 5,155,562 $873,512 5 10 1989 3,012,743 $686,692 7 13 1990 1 2,396,190 $491,418 --- I --- -------------+-----------------+-----------+----------------+---------- Change- 1982 1990 I -66.2% I -32.4%--- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ' Source: N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries 1 d. Manufacturing and Commercial Activity Other major income sources for Chowan County include income from manufacturing as well as from wholesale and retail trade and services. According to the U.S. Bureau of the Census' County Business Patterns, the annual business payroll increased steadily from 1980 through 1988. Notice Table 7 below: Table 7: Payroll and Establishments 1980-1988 --------------------------------------------- Year INo. Establishments �$1000) ---- I Annual Payroll ----------+----------------------- ------------------------------------- 1980 252 $31,354 1981 245 $34,767 1982 250 $35,427 1983 288 $38,148 1984 310 $42,125 1985 331 $45,944 1986 311 $53,349 1987 348 $59,313 1988 1 324 $61,337 ----------+----------------------+------------------------------------- Percent change 1 1980-1988 +28.6$ +95.6% Source: County Business Patterns, 1980-1988, U.S. Bureau of the Census. -8- As Table 7 shows, income from businesses, including manufacturing, wholesale -retail trade, and services, steadily increased in Chowan County ' from 1980 through 1988. Overall, within this eight year period 72 additional establishments were noted for a 28.6 percent increase. Significantly, the annual payroll nearly doubled between 1980 through 1988 ' with a $28,983,000 increase (not accounting for inflation). e. Tourism ' Income from tourism has risen dramatically in Chowan County and has a substantial impact upon the County's economy as shown in Table 8. Travel expenditures in Chowan County increased by 276.0 percent between 1981 and 1988. Historic Edenton is an appealing waterfront community, stocked with colonial legend and lore and beautiful historic homes. The friendly shops and stores, pleasant restaurants, and exceptional "bed -and -breakfast inns" accommodations are attracting more and more people each year. Table 8:Chowan County Tourism Income - 1981 - ------- 1988 -------------------------------------------- I Travel Expenditures Percent of % Change Year ($1,000) State Total I I ---------- ----+-------_.---------- ---+--------------+---------- by Year 1981 $1,680 ---- ---- 1982 $2,030 ---- 20.9 1983 $2,590 27.6 ' ____ 1984 $3,740 44.4 1985 $3,985 .09 6.6 1986 $4,204 .08 5.5 1987 $4,591 .08 9.2 1988 $6,316 .10 37.6 Percent Change 1981 - 1988 276.0 Source: N.C. Travel and Tourism Division, Department of Commerce. ' f. Employment and Income (1) Employment. Overall employment in Chowan County has been expanding since 1980. Table 9 shows that between 1980 through 1989 the civilian labor force expanded by 618 persons while the number of those employed ' Oincreased by 736 persons. Chowan County's average annual employment rate from 1980 through 1988 has been favorable when compared to the unemployment rate for North Carolina. Only in 1989 was the County's rate, of 3.7 percent, slightly higher than the State's unemployment rate of 3.6 percent. 11 -9- Table 9: Chowan County Civilian Labor Force Characteristics and Unemployment Rates, 1980 - 1989 ---------------------------------------------------------------- Civilian County N.C. Labor Number Number Unemployment Unemployment Year Force Employed Unemployed Rate Rate US ----+--------+-------------------+-------------------------+---- 1980 5,070 4,740 330 6.5 6.5 7.0 1981 5,060 4,770 290 5.7 6.4 7.5 1982 4,960 4,540 420 8.5 9.0 9.5 1983 5,050 4,640 380 7.6 8.9 9.5 1984 5,229 4,920 300 5.7 6.8 7.4 1985 5,300 5,050 250 4.7 5.4 7.1 1986 5,320 5,100 220 4.1 5.3 6.9 1987 5,360 5,120 240 4.5 4.5 6.1 1988 5,460 5,260 200 3.7 3.6 5.4 1989 5,688 5,476 212 1 3.7 3.6 1 5.2 ----+--------+--------+----------+------------+------------+---- Cange +618 +736 -118 I I 1980h19891 ( � --------------------------------------------------------------------- Source: North Carolina Employment Security Commission, North Carolina Data Center Link System Analysis of the 1988 civilian labor force estimates reveals the employment ' characteristics of Chowan County, as shown on Table 10. According to the North Carolina Employment Security Commission estimates, 1,510 or 27.8 percent of the county's residents were employed in manufacturing positions; 3,690 residents or 67 percent were employed in non -manufacturing positions; and 250 ' or 5.2 percent were employed in agricultural. The major employment categories were trade positions (1,200 or 22.0%); textile manufacturing workers (940 or 17.2%); service workers (950 or 17.3%); and government workers (620 or 11.3%). 7I L� PJ The growth in the employment sector is likewise confirmed by analysis of the state sales and use tax for Chowan County. Notice Table 11 and 12. Between fiscal years 1985-86 and 1989-90, gross collections increased by 23.3% and gross retail sales expanded by 16.1%. Table 10: Chowan County Industry Employment by Place of Work, 1988 Nonag. Wage & Salary Manufacturing Textiles Lumber and Wood Other Manufacturing Non -manufacturing ' Construction Trans., Comm., & Public Util. Trade Finance, Insurance, & Real Estate ' Service Government Other Nonmanufacturing 4,820 1,510 940 210 360 3,310 220 210 1,200 100 950 620 10 All Other Nonagricultural 380 Agriculture 250 Source: North Carolina Employment Security Commission -10- Table 11: State Sales and Use Tax for Chowan County Fiscal Years 1985 - 1989 ---------- ------------------- Fiscal ---------------- Gross ---------------- Gross -- % Change Year Collections Retail Sales by Year 1985-86 $1,666,122 $74,163,080 -- 1986-87 $1,809,489 $72,842,678 -1.8 1987-88 $1,819,669 $74,664,601 2.5 1988-89 $1,995,923 $81,650,815 9.4 1989-90 $2,054,180 $86,089,092 5.4 Percent Change - to ------ ------- -----23_3------------------ Source: North Carolina Department of Revenue State Sales and Use Tax Statistical Reports for Fiscal Years 1985-86 thru 1989-90 *Retail Sales Table 12: Chowan County Gross Retail Sales by Major Business Groups for Fiscal years ---------------------------------------------------------------- 1985-86 and 1989-90 Percent Business Group 1985-86 1989-90 Change ' 1% Retail Sales $ 5,820,224 $ 5,681,084 - 2.4% 2% Retail Sales $ 6,851,379 $ 3,281,806 - 52.1% Apparel $ 1,540,995 $ 1,822,862 + 18.3% Automotive $ 5,813,162 $ 8,602,412 + 48.0% ' Food $19,156,698 $27,436,258 + 43.2% Furniture $ 2,575,420 $ 5,152,599 +100.1% ' General Merchandise Lumber and Bldg. Mat. $15,735,270 $ 4,918,407 $17,952,870 $ 4,046,705 + 14.1% - 17.7% Unclassified $11,751,535 $12,112,496 + 3.1% Total $74,163,090 $86,089,092 + 16.1% ---------------------------------------------------------------- Source: North Carolina Department of Revenue State Sales and Use Tax Statistical Reports for Fiscal Years 1985-86 and 1989-90 Income: Although the income picture in Chowan County has been improving, there are still a number of families and individuals below the poverty income level. The 1980 U.S. Census data showed that 685 (or 19.8%) of the County's 3,466 families (enumerated in 1979) had below poverty incomes. There were 2,972 individuals (or 23.7%) with incomes below poverty levels in Chowan County in 1979. As shown in Table 13, Chowan County has a significantly higher percentage of families and individuals living below the poverty level than the state's percentage. I� 1 I Table 13: Chowan County, Families and Persons with Income Below the Poverty Level ---------------------------------------------------------------- Chowan County Number Percent N.C. Percent Families 685 19.8 11.6 Individuals 2,972 23.7 14.8 ---------------------------------------------------------------- Source: U.S. Census, 1980 Another measure of local income posture is growth in per capita personal income. Notice Table 14 below: Table 14: Chowan County: Per Capita Personal Income, 1979-1988 ---------------------------------------------------------------- Chowan North Chowan's Year County Carolina % of N.C. 1979 $ 6,177 $ 7,297 .84 1980 $ 6,827 $ 7,999 .85 1981 $ 7,724 $ 8,879 .87 1982 $ 7,689 $ 9,283 .83 1983 $ 8,297 $ 9,988 .83 1984 $ 9,216 $10,999 .84 1985 $ 9,744 $11,658 .84 1986 $10,708 $12,457 .86 1987 $11,170 $13,333 .84 1988 $12 047 $14 297 --_84 ---------------------------------------------------------- Source: North Carolina Data Center - Link System Although per capita income nearly doubled in Chowan County between 1979 and 1988, the county's per capita income has consistently been below the per capita income of the state as a whole. g. Local Government Revenue Summary Local government revenues, most notably from real property taxes, can also be indicative of local government trends. Notice Table 15 below. Between Fiscal Years 1984-85 and 1989-90, real property assessed values rose by $29,451,909 or 12.8 percent, which was a substantial increase for the six year period. However, FY 190-91 was the year of re -valuation, and the difference from 1989-90 was over $137 million, or 60.0%. -12- I I I Table 15: Real Property Assessed Tax Values, Chowan County 1985-1990 Fiscal Real Property General County Year Assessed Value Tax Rate/$100 ---------------------------------------------------------------- 84-85 $201,676,535 $0.605 85-86 $205,260,680 $0.67 86-87 $210,611,991 $0.79 87-88 $215,082,878 $0.79 88-89 $224,609,330 $0.79 89-90 $231,128,434 $0.84 90-91 ---------------------------------------------------------------- $368,422,914 $0.62 Source: Chowan County Manager's Office * Year of re -valuation ** Does not include fire tax There has been a notable amount of construction in Chowan County since July 1985 when the County's building inspection office was created and began to issue permits. These figures as noted in Table 16 below, indicate that new construction has totaled over 25 million dollars for 1,609 building permits since mid-1985. Table 16: Building Permit Data, Chowan County: 1985-1990* Calendar Commercial Residential All Other Total Year Number Value Number Value Number Value Number Value 1985* (July- 5 $43,000 44 $930,509 28 $133,225 77 $1,106,734 Dec.) 1986 9 $272,784 132 $3,631,727 73 $427,835 214 $4,332,346 1987 8 $880,750 156 $4,845,315 75 $735,455 239 $6,461,520 1988 10 $522,905 110 $3,609,181 85 $743,449 205 $4,875,535 1989 6 $395,685 98 $3,493,285 79 $554,291 183 $4,443,261 1990** 3 $151,347 80 $3,999,778 68 $638,818 151 $4,151,133 TOTAL 41 $2,266,471 620 $20,509,795 408 $3,233,073 1,609 $25,370,529 * Data for July -December only for 1985. ** Does not include construction of White Oak Chowan Middle Schools totaling $3,820,000. h. Economic Summary 1. The overall economic trends in Chowan County appear to be positive. Although agriculture, forestry and commercial. fisheries still play a major role in Chowan County's economic base, the dominant source of income is increasingly from commercial and manufacturing establishments. 2. Commercial fish landings have been declining perhaps because of the declining water quality of the Chowan River and Albermale Sound. -13- 3. The number of commercial establishments fluctuated during the mid '80's, and even declined slightly during the late 19801s. Nevertheless, the total annual payroll steadily increased, nearly idoubling between 1980 and 1988. 4. Perhaps one of the most important economic trends is the tripling of 1 tourism and travel expenditures in Chowan County from 1981 to 1988. Several new establishments have developed in the Town of Edenton since the 1986 Land Use Plan which caters to and attracts tourists. These establishments include: two new Bed and Breakfast Inns, ie. 1 Granville Queen, and Governor Eden Inns, and the Travel Host motel. Also, the Lord's Proprietor Inn has undergone a major expansion since the last Land Use Plan. Out in the County, in the Yeopim Township, another Bed and Breakfast Inn, The Mulberry Hill Inn is also a new establishment. Capturing more of the growing travel and tourism ' expenditures by capitalizing prudently on their Natural and Historic assets is a major mutual economic issue for both Chowan County and the Town of Edenton. In 1989, the County received legislative authority to establish the Chowan County Travel and Tourism Authority and initiated a 3% occupancy tax for hotels and Bed and Breakfast establishments. The revenue is used to help promote travel and tourism in the County. 5. Both employment and income in Chowan County remained fairly stable relative to other eastern North Carolina Counties and the State as a L whole during the 1980's. However, in 1990 the annual unemployment rate in the County exceeded those of the State and the nearby counties of Perquimans and Pasquotank. One industrial concern, a boat manufacturer, closed in 1989. Also, the local cotton mill experienced significant layoffs. The picture is expected to improve during this planning period, however, as the Town and County intensify their joint economic development efforts. 6. Finally, the real property values, ie. the County's tax base has continued to expand, since the last Land Use Plan. From 1985 through 1990, according to the County Building Inspections Office, the total value of approved building permits was $25.4 million. Most of this value was for new residential units in several developing subdivisions. (See Existing Land Use Analysis, Part C, this Section.) 3. Housing The provision of adequate housing is an important land use consideration for any jurisdiction. The issue of housing and residential trends was briefly mentioned in the 1981 Plan Update, and discussed in more detail in the 1986 Update. While 1980 historic census data is available, 1990 census information on housing has not been finalized. Table 17 is intended to show the 1980-1990 Icomparative trends. P, -14- 1 Table 17: 1980-90 Census Chowan County Housing Summa Item 1980 1990* Total Units 5,265 5,910 Vacant, Seasonal, Migratory 466 346 Year -Round Units 4,799 5,564 Vacant Year -Round Units 449 797 Occupied Year -Round Units 4,350 5,113 Persons in Occupied Units 12,413 13,506 Average Household Size 2.85 2.64 Source: US Census, 1980, 1990 NC State Data Center ' * Preliminary The average household size has been steadily declining in Chowan County from 3.3 persons in 1970 to 2.85 in 1980 to 2.64 in 1990. Chowan County had a significant vacancy rate, ie., 9.3% of all year-round units in 1980. However,, 1990 Census data shows an even higher vacancy rate, i.e., 13.5%, or 797. However, a number of the 1980 units may have been "substandard" since only 181 were reported to be either "for sale" or "for rent" or "held for occasional use", and 268 listed as "other vacant". In 1990, only 184 were listed as "other vacant", while 610 were listed as being for sale, rent, or held for occasional use. Although the Census does not have specific measures for "substandard" or "standard", the number of units lacking complete indoor plumbing for exclusive use provides some indication. The 1980 Census reported complete indoor plumbing for exclusive use, with 301 of the units being occupied and 187 vacant. Of the 301 occupied units in this category, 1 two-thirds (202) were reported renter -occupied. There were 3,611 owner occupied housing units in Chowan County in 1990 (86.5%) with an overall average value of $75,236. of these 2,683 were owned by white I persons with an average value of $84,960. Blacks owned 917 units with an average value of $46,324. Persons of other races owned eleven units with an average value of $97,000. There were also 1502 renter occupied housing units in Chowan County in 1990. Of these units, 235 (16.8%) had no cash rent and 1,167 rental units had an overall average rent of $185. Blacks rented 782 of these units with an average rent of $153, while whites rented 715 units had an average rent of $218. Persons of other races rented five units with an average rent of about $253. The 1986 Land Use Plan Update reported that, based on windshield surveys, there appeared to be significant numbers of substandard dwellings in various ' parts of the County. This issue has subsequently been addressed to a small degree by Chowan County. In 1990, the County applied for a Community Development Block Grant to help identify and correct housing and related deficiencies in four areas of the county. The primary target area was the Green Road Community. The County received $591,764 to carry out this project, which includes rehabilitation of 25 units, and acquisition, demolition and clearance of two units in the area. The County hopes to be able to address other areas with similar program activities in the future. C. Existing Land Use Analysis 1 1. General Patterns The general land use patterns in Chowan County has been changing gradually -15- 1 since the late 19701s. Notice Table 18 below, which was from data contained in the previous Land Use Plan and information from the State Data Center. 1 Table 18: Major Land Uses in Chowan County 1978-1987 Category 1978 1982 1987 Land (Acres) 114,800 114,800 114,800 - Farms (57,502) (54,749) (50,446) - Urban & Built-up ( 4,400) N/A - Forestland --- (55,651) N/A Water 37,100 37,100 37,100 Total 151,900 151,900 151,900 Source: State Data Center, Linc System; Profile of N.C. Counties, and U.S. Census of Agriculture, 1982, 1987 1 From 1978 through 1987, a total of 7,056 acres of land previously used for farming was taken out of farmland. It is not clear what all of this land was converted to, but a substantial amount was converted into residential subdivisions. From 1980 to 1990, the total number if dwelling units increased by 645 units. However, as will be discussed below in this section, since 1985, 16 subdivision plats containing 180 building lots have been approved by the County. As previous plans have noted, the primary "urban and built-up area" in Chowan County is the Town of Edenton. Edenton, with centralized water and sewer, is the only incorporated municipality in the County. Two other "built-up" areas 1 in the County, ie., the Arrowhead-Chowan Beach and the Cape Colony -Country Club areas have continued to experience modest residential development. 1 A major shift in the land development pattern appears to be taking place because of more and more subdivisions occurring in outlying areas of the County. As the population analysis reported, between 1980 and 1990, the Yeopim and Middle Townships. The Edenton Township, which had experienced faster growth rates during the 19701s, actually lost population. Perhaps due to the presence of County -wide water, and the desire to take advantage of the County's abundant waterfront aesthetics, the increased rate of land conversions in the outlying Townships will continue. a. Residential Land Use The primary concentration of residential land uses outside of Edenton, as noted in the previous land use plan, is still located along the shorelines and banks of the Chowan River and the Albermarle Sound. Two areas of concentration, i.e., Chowan Beach -Arrowhead Beach, and L Cape Colony -Country Club contain several residential developments. Additional unincorporated "crossroads" communities, usually consisting of a cluster of houses, one or two stores, a church, etc., are found along several major highways and secondary routes in the County. The I most notable include Valhalla, Rockyhock, Smalls Crossroads, Yeopim, Welch, Riverton, and Tyner. As noted in the previous Updates, residentials lots in the Cape Colony, Arrowhead Beach, and Chowan Beach Subdivisions were sold prior to the County's adoption of subdivision regulations and many are -16- I 1 I 1 I I relatively small with 50-foot-wide lots. The Country Club area, however, was developed under the County's subdivision regulations and generally consists of larger, more spacious lots. Prior to August 1985, Chowan County did not enforce zoning controls anywhere in the County. However, since August 1, 1985, a partial zoning ordinance covering the Cape Colony -Country Club area was enacted. This ordinance, which includes regulations on the placement of mobile homes and single-family homes, has had and will continue to have a significant impact on future single-family development in these areas. From July, 1985 through December, 1990, a total of 620 residential building permits were issued by the County Building Inspector, which is an annual average of 112 permits over the five and one-half year period (It is not clear how many were for mobile homes as opposed to "conventional', units). The average annual permit requests indicate continued strong residential growth in Chowan County. As stated previously, since 1985, 16 subdivision plats containing a total of 180 building lots have been approved by the County. These subdivision plats are listed below by the Township in Table 18-A. Table 18-A: Approved Subdivision Plats Since 1985 by Township Name No. Lots Township 1. Sandridge 17 Edenton 2. Hickory Fork 9 Edenton 3. Rockyhock Safe Harbor 28 Upper 4. Quail Run 12 Yeopim 5. Mulberry Hill 34* Yeopim 6. Hidden Oaks 6 Middle 7. Charles/James Ward 5 Yeopim 8. Shannon C. Bradley 3 Middle 9. Stanley Blan Land 3 Middle 10. Winslow Cooper 8 Upper 11. Tildon Whitehurst 14 Yeopim 12. Tim White 7 Middle 13. Murray Goodwin 5 Middle 14. Crossroads 16 Upper 15. Airrie Perry (heirs) 8 Edenton 16. Fleetwood Bros. 15 Yeopim Total 180 Source: Chowan County Tax Office * Total of 112 lots proposed The largest proposed subdivision is Mulberry Hill, located in the Yeopim Township, adjacent to Country Club, along the Albermarle Sound. Eventually, this development hopes to have 112 residential units. This development, again, is reflective of the projected growth of the Yeopim Township. Outside of the crossroads communities and residential subdivisions, residential dwellings and mobile homes are literally scattered throughout the County, along every major road. b. Commercial Land Uses The majority of commercial land uses is still concentrated within the -17- fl Town of Edenton, in the Central Business District, shopping centers, or the immediate environs around the Town. Since the last Land Use Plan, a new Shopping Center opened in Edenton at the intersection of U.S. 17 and N.C. 32. Out in the County, however, commercial land uses are mostly scattered, with few concentrations. However, there is a concentration of commercial activity near Edenton Municipal Airport, along S.R. 1114, between the Cape Colony and Country Club Subdivisions. Included within this area are two trucking companies and a community store and gasoline station. In other areas of the County, especially at crossroads communities, it is common to find small grocery stores with gasoline service pumps along major thoroughfares, such as U.S. Highway 17 and N.C. Highways 32 and 37. C. Industrial Land Use Outside of Edenton and its immediate environs, industrial land uses are located near the Airport and south of the Chowan Beach area near the Chowan River. Industrial tracts range in size from 4 acres ro 54 acres. One substantial industrial concern, i.e., the Bayliner Boat Company, ceased operation in 1989. d. Institutional Land Uses Institutional land uses generally consist of government uses, such as schools, or churches, cemeteries, or public recreational areas. A new Middle School opened in the Middle Township in the Fall of 1991. The most significant tract of government -owned land beyond the immediate environs of Edenton is the Municipal Airport, which consists of 717 acres. Another significant tract is the Edenton Sewage Treatment Plant, consisting of 27 acres and located northwest of the Cape Colony Subdivision near the Albermarle Sound. e. Land Use Summary The land use changes in Chowan County during the last half of the 1980's have shifted from previous projections. More concentrated growth is shifting away from the Edenton Township and Chowan Beach/Arrowhead Beach, to the Yeopim Township. Mobile home placement is still a significant factor in the County representing a less expensive alternative for viable, adequate housing for many of the County's rural residents. Although there is still conversion of farmland into non -farm uses, the amount of lands involved do not appear to indicate a threat to farming. Generally, existing land use patterns, as discussed above, are projected to continue throughout the period covered by this 1991 Plan Update, i.e., 5-10 years. However, other factors affecting land use, such as the absence of centralized sewer and septic tank limitations, possible zoning and other control devices, and continuing water quality concerns, could alter any land use projections. 2. Significant Land and Water Compatibility Problems a. Land Compatibility In the conventional application of the concept, there are a few significant problems in Chowan County. A land compatibility problem is generally identified when two or more land use types are adjacent to each other and one is somehow restricted from expansion because of ' -18- 1 I I I fl I 1 1 b. P adverse conditions caused by the other, thus discouraging additional investment. In both the 1981 and 1986 Plan Updates, four issues addressed were "land compatibility" problems, i.e., (a) conversion or rural land to urban uses; (b) encroachment or drainage of wildlife habitat; (c) Airport Land Use compatibility, and (d) residential neighborhood encroachment of non-residential uses. Of those four, only Airport Land Use is still a relevant issue. Other issues are also addressed below: 1) Airport Land Use Compatibility The Edenton Municipal Airport is a "General Aviation" facility located southeast of the Town of Edenton and within one-half mile of the Cape Colony and Country Club Subdivisions. Runways 1-19 and 6-24 are oriented such that incoming or departing flights pass directly over homes in those two areas, and these operations do produce some noise, mostly from single -engine aircraft. With the existing commercial and light industrial activity already occurring in the vicinity, (the Yeopim Township) it is quite possible that similar commercial/industrial developments will be attracted to the area. Both the Town of Edenton and Chowan County have taken steps to protect airspace (in compliance with the Federal Aviation Administration guidelines) and to encourage utilization of land conducive to the overall location. In July of 1985, the Chowan County Board of Commissioners adopted the first zoning ordinance for the County, which was limited to the Cape Colony -Country Club area, including the Airport. The ordinance, which became effective August 1985, classifies most of the land near the Airport as "industrial," and includes supplementary regulations in the ordinance on "Airport Height Restrictive Areas" (Article XII, Chowan County Zoning Ordinance). Also, the undeveloped area within and immediately adjacent to Cape Colony and Country Club subdivisions are classified as either of two residential districts, thus limiting their use to predominantly residential purposes. These actions should be quite effective in dealing with Airport area compatibility problems. 2) Suitable Location for an Industrial Park Both Chowan County and Edenton have desired to develop an industrial park outside of Edenton. However, because of both land and water compatibility problems,i.e. right combination of acreage compatible with surrounding land uses, and located so as not to threaten surface water quality, along with facility constraints, this has been difficult. (See item b below.) Water Compatibility Problems Water quality issues and concerns are still very important in Chowan County. The County's perception is that large industries, i.e., Weyerhauser, Union Camp, etc., outside of the County contribute to the detriment of the water quality of the Chowan River. Steadily declining amounts of fish catches are perceived as being directly connected to declining water quality. Certain kinds of industries, including the dye -making plant located in the County, which have heavy water discharges, are viewed as being environmentally incompatible. Another water compatibility problem is the limited public access -19- t ' opportunities to the County's extensive waterway, although there is increasing interest in the waterfront residential developments. There ' are only two North Carolina Wildlife Access Ramps in the County. However, in 1989, the County amended its subdivision ordinance to require developers of waterfront subdivisions to provide land for public access. All such subdivisions approved since 1989 will comply ' with those provisions. 3. Maior Problems From Unplanned Development Some problems noted in both the 1981 and 1986 Plans, i.e., the fact that I Chowan Beach, Arrowhead Beach, and Cape Colony subdivisions were all designed prior to the enforcement of subdivision regulations by the County, are still relevant. Many small, 50' wide lots are included within ' these developments and some are not suitable for placement of septic tanks. Although the internal street patterns have all been laid out, all of these streets have not been developed, and some of the ones which have been developed have not been paved. An "incompatibility" problem exists in the sense that the lots which have been developed (most notably in the Arrowhead Beach-Chowan Beach areas) contain a' mixture of cottages, permanent conventional single-family dwellings, and mobile homes. In the Cape Colony subdivision, however, conventional single-family units are separated from mobile home units by deed restrictions. Future incompatibilities for the undeveloped portions of the Cape Colony subdivision will be somewhat ameliorated by enforcement of the Zoning ' Ordinance, since August, 1985. However, zoning regulations currently do not cover the Arrowhead Beach-Chowan Beach areas. ' On the other hand, the Country Club Subdivision, located along the shore of the Albermarle Sound, and all of the proposed/or developing subdivisions listed in Table 18-A are or will be developed under the subdivision regulations. These consist of generally, larger lots, with uniform residential development patterns. Other problems from unplanned development include unregulated junkyards, and buildings located too close to roadways. The latter problem was addressed in 1989 through the adoption of a county -wide "setback" ordinance. ' 4. Areas Experiencing or Likely to Experience Major Land Use Changes The presence of the Countywide water system may encourage the development of rural, low -density subdivisions away from currently developing areas. However, current trends point to continuing development in the Yeopim and Middle Townships. The absence of a centralized sewer outside of Edenton, (except for the Chowan Middle School) will help to assure that all development will be low -density. I D 1 -20- 'J ' S. Identification of Areas of Environmental Concern One of the most significant aspects of the legislation which created CAMA, ' was the designation of special "Areas of Environmental Concern" (AECs). These areas, which are defined in the North Carolina Statues, require special protective consideration as far as land use planning is concerned. AECs are ' further designated under two major categories, the Estuarine System, and Ocean Hazards AECs. Only the Estuarine System is applicable for Chowan County. The Estuarine System AECs includes Coastal Wetlands, Estuarine Waters, Estuarine Shorelines, Public Trust Waters, and most recently, ' Outstanding Resource Waters. These areas and their general occurrence in Chowan County are discussed below: a. Coastal Wetlands 1 These areas are defined as any salt marsh or other marsh subject to regular or occasional flooding by tides, including wind tides (whether or not the tide waters reach the marshland areas through natural or artificial water courses), but not including hurricane or tropical storm tides. ' Coastal marshlands also contain some, but not necessarily all, of specific marsh -plant species. There are no coastal wetlands or salt marshes in Chowan County of any significance. Although the majority of the County's borders are water courses (the Chowan River and Albemarle I Sound), the occurrence of statutory defined CAMA "wetlands" is insignificant. 1 b. Estuarine Waters This AEC is defined as all the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the bays, sound, rivers, and tributaries thereto, seaward of the dividing line between coastal fishing waters and inland fishing waters. The estuarine waters and adjacent includes the following: (1) The Albemarle sound and all man-made tributaries, (2) The Yeopim River (below Norcum Point; waters beyond Norcum Point are inland waters), and (3) Chowan River (joint waters from the north to 300 yards south of the U.S. 17 bridge and then coastal waters to its mouth). The primary significance of estuarine waters is that they are a dominant component of the entire estuarine system, mixing aquatic influences from both the land and the sea. Coastal estuaries are among the most productive natural environments in North Carolina. They support the valuable commercial and sports fisheries of the coastal area consisting of such estuarine dependent species as menhaden, flounder, shrimp, crabs and oysters. These species must spend all or some part of their life cycles within the estuarine waters in order to mature and eventually reproduce. Of the ten leading species in the commercial catch, all but one are dependent on the estuary. The high productivity associated with the estuary results from its unique circulation patterns caused by tidal energy, fresh water flow, and shallow depth; nutrient trapping mechanisms; and protection to the many organisms. The circulation pattern of estuarine waters performs a number of important functions, including transporting nutrients, propelling the plankton, spreading seed stages of fish and shellfish, flushing wastes -21- 11 I from animal and plant life, cleaning the system of pollutants, controlling salinity, shifting sediments, and mixing the water to create a multitude of habitats. Secondary benefits include commercial and sports fisheries, waterfowl hunting, processing operations, and tourist -related industries. In addition, there is considerable non -monetary value associated with aesthetics, recreation and education. Again, there is an extensive amount of estuarine waters in Chowan County's jurisdiction. c. Estuarine Shorelines As AECs, estuarine shorelines, although characterized as dry land, are considered a significant component of the estuarine system because of the close association with the adjacent estuarine waters. Estuarine shorelines are those non -ocean shorelines which are especially vulnerable to erosion, flooding, or other adverse effects of wind and water and are intimately connected to the estuary. All of the dry land area adjacent to the estuarine waters of Chowan County up to 75 feet are designated as estuarine shorelines. 1 The extent of the estuarine shoreline area extends from the mean high water level or normal water level along the estuaries, sounds, bays, and brackish waters for a distance of 75 feet landward (see b, for definition of estuarine waters). ' Any development that occurs within the estuarine shoreline can influence the quality of the estuarine life. Such development is also subject to the damaging processes of shore front erosion and flooding. ' d. Public Trust Waters 1 C] I These are described as (1) all the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the lands thereunder from the mean high water mark to the seaward limit of state jurisdiction; (2) all natural bodies of water subject to measurable lunar tides and lands thereunder to the mean high water mark; (3) all navigable natural bodies of water and land thereunder to the mean high water level or mean water level as the case may be, except privately -owned lakes to which the public has no right of access; (4) all water in artificially created bodies of water containing significant public fishing resources or other public resources which are accessible to the public by navigation from bodies of water in which the public has rights of navigation; and (5) all waters in artificially created bodies of water in which the public has acquired rights by prescription, custom, usage, dedication, or any other means. In determining whether the public has acquired rights in artificially created bodies of water, the following factors shall be considered: (1) the use of the body of water by the public, (2) the length of time the public has used the area, (3) the value of public resources in the body of water, (4) whether the public resources in the body of water are mobile to the extent that they can move into natural bodies of water, (5) whether the creation of the artificial body of water required permission from the state, and (6) the value of the body of water to the public for navigation from one public area to another public area. In Chowan County, all of the waters listed as Estuarine Waters and inland 01*M 1 ' waters are considered Public Trust Waters. Other Public Trust Waters include: (a) Pollock's Swamp, (b) Rockyhock Creek, (c) Dillard or Indian Creek, (d) Stumpy Creek, and (e) Catherine, or Warwick Creek. The significance of the public trust waters is that the public has rights to them, including navigation and recreation. In addition, these public waters support valuable commercial and sports fisheries, have aesthetic value, and are important resources for economic development. e. Outstanding Resource Waters In 1989, the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission designated certain waters within North Carolina as Outstanding Resource Waters. These areas were designated because they were considered to be of significant value as recreational and natural resource areas. Special development controls may be imposed in each area. These controls include, but are not necessarily limited to, expanding the estuarine shoreline width to 575 feet. There are no designated outstanding resource waters in Chowan County. Currently, all development and development -related activities within the designated AECs in Chowan County are regulated by the CAMA permit process and are guided by local policy regulations which allow a local government to develop its own use standards for AECs if they are more restrictive than the States. At this time, however, Chowan County's regulations are ' not more restrictive than the State's. It is -important to understand the distinction between Estuarine Waters and Public Trust Waters because of the different LAMA enforcement jurisdictions. For all Estuarine Waters, the area of CAMA permit jurisdiction includes the water and the 75-foot inland Estuarine Shoreline area. However, the permit jurisdiction for the Public Trust Waters includes only the water itself. Also, if an undesignated creek empties into either Estuarine Water or Public Trust Waters, for permit purposes, it receives the same designation as the ' water into which it empties. D. REVIEW OF CURRENT PLANS, POLICIES REGULATIONS 1. Local Plans, Studies and Regulations Since completion of the 1986 Plan Update, several important changes ' regarding regulatory ordinances and enforcement procedures have taken place in Chowan County. Mobile home regulations, building setback ordinances, and revised subdivision regulations have been enacted. Additional information ' concerning local plans, studies, and regulations are listed and summarized below: a. Edenton-Chowan County Land Use Plan 1976 Prepared by DNRCD, jointly with Edenton under LAMA, this initial Plan provides a description of present condition of population, economy, and land use constraints to development. It discusses fragile and hazard ' areas, areas of environmental concern, areas with resource potential, and community facilities. It estimates future needs and sets out policies and objectives related to implementing those needs. -23- ' b. Chowan County Land Use Plan Update, 1981 This was the first 5-year update of the initial LAMA Plan (1976) and contains a re -assessment of existing conditions and projections of population, land use and economic conditions. Updated policy statements on various development issues and implementation strategies are also in the Plan Update. This update was not prepared jointly with the Town of Edenton. C. Chowan County Land Use Plan Update, 1986 This was the second 5-year update of the initial CAMA Plan and contains a re -assessment of existing conditions and projections of populations, land use, and economic conditions. Revised policy statements and implementation strategies are included. As with the 1981 update, this ' 1986 update focuses upon the unincorporated areas of Chowan County and was not prepared jointly with the Town of Edenton. ' d. 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. e. 201 Wastewater Facilities Study, 1976 A "201" 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 would be operated and built by such a "sanitary district." f. Chowan County Subdivision Regulations, 19781 amended 1989 The Chowan County Planning Board, with technical assistance from N.C. DNRCD, prepared subdivision regulations which were adopted in 1978. These regulations govern the transition of raw land into new residential subdivisions and set out criteria for required facility improvements and general design standards. The subdivision ordinance is administered by the Board which reviews development proposals against the standards set out therein. For example, there is a stipulation 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. ' The subdivision ordinance was revised in 1989 to include provisions for public access in waterfront subdivisions. ' g. Federal Flood Insurance Program The Federal Flood Insurance Program in Chowan County officially moved from the Emergency Phase to the Regular Phase in 1985 and is in effect ' throughout the County. -24- Ih. State Building Code In 1985, the County adopted the State Building Code and since July, 1985 employs a full-time Building Inspector. i. Septic Tank Regulations Septic tank regulations are administered by the Regional Health Department, which covers five counties. However, a Sanitarian is based in Chowan County. J. Mobile Home Regulations The mobile home regulations were adopted in March, 1986 and regulates the placement of mobile homes throughout the County and contains siting criteria for mobile home parks. ' k. Building Setback Ordinance, June 1989 Enacted in June, 1989, the building setback ordinance is effective county wide and regulates the minimal required distance from road right-of-way which structures may be constructed. 1. Zoning Ordinance, Adopted 1985, Revised 1989 The County has adopted a zoning ordinance for the Cape Colony -Country Club area and lands adjacent to the Edenton municipal Airport. 2, State Agency Plans a. Transportation Improvement Program, 1991 ' Two major projects for U.S. 17 are included in the 1991 Transportation Improvement Program which was adopted in December, 1990. The first project is to widen 11.3 miles of U.S. 17 to four lanes for the road between Edenton and Windfall. Construction in one section will begin in July, 1991 with the right-of-way acquisition for the second section beginning in the summer of 1992. The second project is to improve U.S. 17 to a multi -lane facility for the 7.6 miles of the road between the Chowan River to east of Edenton. Right-of-way acquisition for this ' segment is scheduled for fiscal year 1996. Additional minor improvements are proposed for several secondary routes in the County. b. Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, SCORP The purpose of the SCORP is to compile and analyze the existing supply of and demand for recreation facilities in the State. In 1989, the SCORP analysis contained a profile of Chowan County which is discussed in the capacity section of this report. Chowan County is in Region R. 3. Local Regulations ' In addition to the regulations listed under Local Plans, the CARA major and minor permit process are also enforced in the County. However, Chowan County does not have and does not enforce other ordinances such as historic districts, nuisance, sedimentation and erosion control, or on local environmental impacts. There is one additional policy of the Town of Edenton, as noted in the 1986 Update, which may affect potential land uses in -25- the County and should be mentioned. The Town of Edenton, historically, has not provided sewer service outside of its corporate limits except to two county schools. It should be noted, however, that as increasing urbanization occurs near Edenton, this policy could change. 4. Federal and State Regulations In addition to the local ordinances and regulations discussed above, there are also various State regulations which could also affect land development in Chowan County. These may include U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' 404 wetlands regulations, Federal Emergency Management (FEMA), Flood Plain regulations, or permits issued by the State Divisions of Environmental Management, Marine Fisheries, and Land Resources. ' E. CONSTRAINTS: LAND SUITABILITY This section of the Chowan County Land Use Plan proposes to identify features of ' the land or landscape of the County which are or could pose serious constraints to development, such as, physical limitations, fragile areas, and areas with resource potential. ' 1. Physical Limitations for Development Certain areas of Chowan County have conditions which make development costly or would cause undesirable consequences if developed. This section focuses upon hazard areas including man-made hazards such as the Edenton Municipal Airport and natural hazards such as flood hazard areas, estuarine erosion areas, areas with soil limitations, areas which serve as source of water ' supply, and areas with excessive slope. a. Nan -Made Hazards ' The most significant man-made hazard in Chowan County is the Edenton Municipal Airport, located south of Edenton near the Cape Colony and Country Club Subdivisions. In 1976, however, an "Airport Noise Impact and Land Use Control" (ANILUC) Map was prepared for the Edenton/Chowan County Airport Commission. The map was accepted as a guide for ensuring compatibility of surrounding land uses with the Airport. Also, the Zoning Ordinance, adopted by Chowan County in 1985, includes land adjacent to the Airport area and also contains a complete section titled ' "Airport Height Restrictive Areas." These rules are supplementary to the Zoning classifications, and serve as "overlay" restrictions. Both the ANILUC and the height restrictions in the Zoning Ordinance will help ' facilitate compatible land uses and also minimize adverse impacts in the Airport area. Several open dumps and/or junkyards are also considered man-made hazards ' in Chowan County. b. Natural Hazard Area 1. Flood Hazard Area: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) initiated a detailed study of flood hazard areas in 1982, with the final' maps being effective on July 3, 1985. The study, which consists of report and a series of maps of all of the unincorporated area of the County (the Town of Edenton has a separate study) shows the areas which are subject to inundation by the 100-year flood (zone "A"s) along with elevations, as distinguished from areas subject to C. 1 LJI minimal flooding dangers (Zone "C"). Not surprisingly, the detailed study shows that substantial sections of Chowan County are subject to the 100-year flood. However, the majority in the land area is included in the "Zone C" classification, ie. in the 500-year flood area and subject to minimal flooding. Most of the flood -prone areas, is., "Zone All areas subject to a 1 percent change of flooding during any given year, are located in the western sections of the County, adjacent either to portions of the Chowan River or a major creek, such as Dillard's Creek or Rockyhock Creek. Some flood -prone areas include: the Cannon's Ferry area; Harris Landing; and land south of the US 17 bridge from Bertie County and south of Riverton, around to Reedy Point. Other significant Zone A areas are located in the Yeopim River area (Drummond Point, for example), and land in the Middle Creek area. (See Map 4, High Hazard Flood Areas, attached.) 2. Estuarine Erosion Area: Eroding shorelines along the coastal sounds and rivers in North Carolina has long been a major concern of soil and water conservationists. In October 1975, the results of a study involving 15 counties, and which was conducted by the USDA Soil Conservation Service, were published in a report titled "Shoreline Erosion Inventory, North Carolina." This is still the most recent "official" data available. Estuarine erosion rates were determined for several points or "reaches" along the Chowan County coastline, using aerial photographs covering 31 years. The erosion rate for Chowan County was determined to be 0.94 feet per year, which was next to the lowest rate among all 15 counties in the Study (Bertie County's rate was 0.92 feet per year, compared to 4.5 feet for Washington County, which had the highest rate). The Chowan County study covered 42.1 miles and showed 25.0 miles were eroding (see Map 5, page 27a, and the accompanying chart I), for a total loss of nearly 148 acres over the 31-year period. Although the above cited study is somewhat dated, estuarine erosion is still a concern in Chowan County. Areas With Soils Limitations The Soil Survey of Chowan County and Perauimans' Counties North Carolina was published in September 1986 by the US Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service. The report includes detailed descriptions of the soil types and properties for Chowan County with discussions of the suitability for various uses, such as croplands, urban development, septic tank placement, and recreation. The most important feature or property of soils to consider in nearly any location is the drainage capability, since well -drained, stable soils can be used for a variety of "development" purposes, ie. croplands or residential (septic tank suitability). Generally, most of the soils in Chowan County have limitations for many uses because of wetness, too rapid permeability, too slow permeability, or low strength. Of the 37 mapped soils classifications contained in the Soil Survey Report, only 15 were classified as suitable for dwellings without basements, only 9 classifications are suitable for dwellings with basements; only 5 are classified as suitable for septic tank absorption fields; and only 3 are described as suitable for sanitary landfills. The acreage and characteristics of the soils deemed suitable for the above purposes are shown on Table 19 based on the detailed soil survey sheets. The "general soils" map from the same Publication, however, groups -27- E S o U N i Y CHOWAN COUNTY ir yi A 5 M 1 N G 27_8 4 I: CHART *Estuarine Erosion Areas: Chowan County, North Carolina REACH NO. 1 Av. width lost to erosion 50.4 feet ' Av. height of bank 7.6 feet Length of shoreline eroding 9.1 miles Length of shoreline accreting 0 miles Total length of shoreline 9.5 miles REACH NO. 2 Av. width lost to erosion 35.5 feet Av. height of bank 9.4 feet Length of shoreline eroding 2.7 miles Length of shoreline accreting 0.5 miles Total of length of shoreline 3.9 miles REACH NO. 3 Av. width lost to erosion 51.1 feet Av. height of bank 5.6 feet Length of shoreline eroding 3.2 miles Length of shoreline accreting 0 miles Total length of shoreline 3.5 miles REACH NO. 4 Av. width lost to erosion 42.7 feet Av. height of bank 0.5 feet Length of shoreline eroding 3.6 miles Length of shoreline accreting 0 miles Total length of shoreline 4.6 miles PEACH No. 5 Av. width lost to erosion 22.2 feet Av. height of bank 0.8 feet Length of shoreline eroding 3.2 miles Length of shoreline accreting 0 miles Total length of shoreline 7.7 miles REACH NO. 6 Av. width lost to erosion 6.1 feet Av. height of bank 8.5 feet Length of shoreline eroding 3.2 miles Length of shoreline accreting 0 miles Total length of shoreline 12.9 miles *Source: Shoreline Er sion Inventorv, North Carolina, U. S. DA. Soil Conservation Service, Raleigh, NC October, 1975. I 27-b t 1 1 1 1 1 1 A 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 several soil associations together and indicates there may be larger areas suitable for septic tank placement, with moderate to slight limitations. (See Map 6 which is very generalized because of the necessity for on -site investigations). The 22 soil classifications not listed have severe constraints for these types of development. Most of the soil types, however, are suitable for various agriculture uses if the proper drainage is provided. Although several soil types in Chowan County consist of highly decomposed organic matter, there are no substantial deposits of peat in Chowan County. Table 19: Soil Types in Chowan County Suitable for Residential Use and Sanitary Landfill, Based on Limitations Chowan Suitable Area Soil County dwell w/o Dwell. w/ Septic Tank Sanitary Type Acreage basements basements Absorb. Fields Landfill Altavista 3,860 moderate, severe severe severe wetness Bojac 285 slight moderate, moderate, severe wetness wetness Cainhoy 1,545 slight slight severe severe Conetoe 4,565 slight slight slight severe Doque 5,590 moderate, severe severe severe (DgA) wetness, shrink -swell Doque 2,620 moderate, severe severe severe (DgB) wetness, shrink -swell Echaw 3,515 slight moderate, severe severe wetness Munden 560 moderate, severe severe severe wetness Seabrook 1,665 moderate, severe severe severe wetness State 2,245 slight moderate, moderate, moderate, (StA) wetness wetness wetness State 1,750 slight moderate, moderate, moderate, (StB) wetness wetness wetness State 295 slight moderate, moderate, moderate, (SuA) wetness wetness wetness Tomahawk 4,320 moderate, severe severe severe wetness Vahalla 1,950 slight moderate, severe severe wetness -28- ' Wando 5,060 sliaht sliaht severe severe Total Acreage Suitable 39,825 21,210 9,140 4,290 Percent of County's Land Area 34.6% 18.4% 7.9% 3 7% Source: US Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Services. Soil Survey of Chowan and Perauimans Counties North Carolina. September 1986. With the recently established trend of population growth, as well as the absence of centralized sewer facilities, a very important consideration is the extent of soils suitable for urban development, ie., septic tank placement. The combined acreage of the five soil types more suitable for septic tanks, according to the detailed survey sheets, is 9,140 acres or only 7.9 percent of the 115,200 acres located in Chowan County. Map 6, attached, shows the general areas with septic tank and building development limitations according to the "General" soils map, which groups several associations together. This representation, however, is general, and specific determinations must be based on individual on -site analysis and testing. A total of 4,290 acres or 3.7 percent of the County is considered suitable for sanitary landfills. 1 d. Sources and Estimated ouantitV of Water Suppiv 1. Groundwater: The Chowan County water system is based on a system of deep wells which tap underlying groundwater. The principal source of groundwater in Chowan County is precipitation which falls on the County and some of which falls on the recharge areas farther west on the Coastal Plain Province. Other groundwater that may be encountered in the County is that which was trapped in the 1 sedimentary deposits at the time of their deposition or during subsequent inundations by the sea. 1 Underlying Chowan County are five distinct aquifers from which freshwater can be obtained at some location within the County. These aquifers were mapped by the US Geological Survey and are described in detail in a report titled, "Ground Water Bulletin No. 14.: a. Aquifer A: Aquifer A includes all the sand strata from land - surface down to the first semi -confining layer at depths ranging from 10 to 35 feet in the County. This aquifer is used for some water supplies to driven wells and dug wells. Its water usually is acidic, corrosive, and contains objectional concentrations of dissolved iron. It is not considered as an important source of water in the area. b. Aquifer B: This aquifer occurs in the upper part of the Yorktown Formation. The top of this aquifer is at depths of about 15 feet in the northwestern part of the County and at about 40 feet in the central part. Its thickness ranges from 35 feet along the Chowan River to 90 feet northeast of Valhalla, but where its average thickness is about 50 feet or more, this aquifer can yield approximately 100 gpm (gallons per minute) to large diameter gravel -packed wells. In most parts of the County, Aquifer B is a significant source of water. C. Aquifer C: Aquifer C includes permeable strata in the upper part of the Beaufort Formation, the Castle Hayne Limestone, and the Pungo River Formation. The water in this aquifer is under -29- L� 1 I I I artesian conditions throughout the County. The top of Aquifer C lies at depths of approximately 130 feet west of Smalls Crossroads to almost 300 feet in the extreme southeastern part of the County. It has an average thickness of about 50 feet, but may be about 75 feet thick in the extreme southeastern part and approximately 100 feet near Valhalla. It is a significant aquifer in the Valhalla -Edenton part of the County even though its water requires treatment for excessive concentrations of dissolved iron. Although this aquifer contains freshwater only in the central part of the County, from the vicinity of Burnett's Mill Pond to Edenton, it is the principal aquifer in the County for public and industrial water supplies. Gravel -packed wells in Aquifer C can yield 500 gpm or more. d. Acxuifer D: Aquifer D occurs near the middle part of the Beaufort Formation. It is overlain by about 40 feet of glauconitic silt and clay, and its contained water is under artesian conditions. The top of this aquifer lies at depths ranging from 200 feet near Smalls Crossroads to about 420 feet at the southeastern tip of the County, with an average 50-foot thickness. The water in Aquifer D is too brackish for use in most of the County. Aquifer D is capable of furnishing several hundred gallons per minute of water to large gravel -packed wells. Because of the proximity of brackish water and the concentrations of fluoride, it probably is not desirable to pump large quantities of water from a single well in this aquifer. This aquifer may be considered as significant in only about 30 percent of the County. e. Acxuifer E: Aquifer E occurs in the uppermost part of the Black Creek Formation. It is separated from the overlying aquifer by a silt and clay aquiclude ranging from 30 feet thick in the northern part of the County to 170 feet thick in the southern part. The aquifer has an average thickness of about 100 feet throughout the County. The top of Aquifer E lies at depths ranging from 285 feet in the northwestern part of the County to 690 feet in the southeastern part. Freshwater occurs in this aquifer only in a small part of the County west of Small's Crossroads and north of Rockyhock. Aquifer E is not a significant aquifer in Chowan County because of its limited area of freshwater. Recovery of Water Large quantities of groundwater can be obtained from wells 'in all parts of Chowan County. However, its usefulness is limited by the chemical quality of the water. The general quality of groundwater in the County is such that some degree of treatment is necessary to make it meet the U.S. Public Health Service standard for public water supplies. I -30- In summary, most of Chowan County's water supply comes from below the "unconfined" aquifers, i.e., the general water table. Because of the depth of this water supply, it is unlikely that above -ground activities will produce adverse impacts. 2. Surface Water Ouality: The quality of the surface water in the Chowan County area, especially the Chowan River, has been of special concern to North Carolina environmental officials for many years. State agencies in both North Carolina and Virginia have been involved in discussions and projects to locate and identify sources of the serious algae bloom problem in their attempts to develop solutions. In November 1990, the North Carolina Department of Envirnnmc"t� Health and Natural Resources issued reports classifying water quality standards for the Waters of the Chowan River Basin and the Pasquotank River Basins. Table 20 details these classifications for water of Chowan County and Map 7 shows their locations. Table 20: classification of Water Systems in Chowan County Classification Classification Definition Water Systems Class SB Tidal Salt Waters used for primary Albemarle sound from recreation and aquatic life propagation Horny Blow Point to and survival, fishing, wildlife and Yeopim River secondary recreation Class BNSW Primary recreation, aquatic life Albemarle Sound near propagation and survival, fishing, Chowan River, Chowan wildlife, secondary recreation, and River, Stumpy Creek, agriculture. Nutrient Sensitive Waters Dillard Creek (Dillard which require limitations on nutrient Millpond), Indian inputs. Creek, Rockyhock Creek (Bennett Millpond), Pembroke Creek Class CNSW Aquatic life propagation and survival, Catherine Creek, fishing, wildlife, secondary recreation, Warwick Creek, Edenton and agriculture. Nutrient Sensitive Bay, Pollock Swamp, Waters which require limitations on Queen Anne Creek nutrient inputs. Class SC Tidal Salt Waters used for aquatic life Yeopim River propagation and survival, fishing, wildlife and secondary recreation. Class CSW Swamp waters which have low velocities Middleton Creek and other natural characteristics which are different from adjacent streams and used for aquatic life propagation and survival, fishing, wildlife, secondary recreation and agriculture. Source: "Classifications and Water Quality Standards Assigned to the Waters of the Pasquotank River Basin and Chowan River Basin," North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, November, 1990. All of the Chowan River and its tributaries, as well as the section of the Albemarle Sound located at the mouth of the Chowan River, have been classified as Nutrient Sensitive Waters. This special -31- designation (one of only two in the State as of 1985) requires certain actions to help minimize point and non -point sources of pollution. Examples include: requiring the upgrade of wastewater treatment systems to eliminate point source discharge, such as Edenton's Land Application Sewage System, or imposing agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs). ' The North Carolina Agricultural Non -Point Cost -Share Program, for nutrient -sensitive waters, begun in 1984, is designed to assist farmers to develop management practices which will reduce non -point pollution and sedimentation in sensitive waters --mainly from phosphorus and nitrogen. Technical assistance is provided to aid farmers in terracing, developing filter strips, and cultivation in tillage and non -tillage. Chowan County has been active in the program since its beginning. These practices, undertaken as a result of the water quality concerns' and the Nutrient -Sensitive Waters designation, should, over a period of time, contribute to the Chowan River's and Albemarle Sound's potential for improved recreational and commercial fishing utility. e. Slopes in Excess of 12% The elevations in all of Chowan County are all very low and there are no steep slopes in excess of 12% in the County. 1 2. Fragile Areas These are areas which could easily be damaged or destroyed by inappropriate or poorly planned development. These include those areas previously identified and discussed as Areas of Environmental Concern (AECs). These included estuarine waters, public trust waters, and estuarine shorelines (see pages this section). However, there are other fragile areas in the County which are not classified as Areas of Environmental Concern, but nevertheless, due to either natural or cultural significance, are environmentally sensitive. These areas will be identified and discussed below as either "Natural Resource Fragile Areas", or "Cultural Resource Fragile Areas". ta. Natural Resource Fragile Areas Natural resource fragile areas are generally recognized to be of educational, scientific, or cultural value because of the natural features of the particular site. Features in these areas serve to distinguish them from the vast majority of the landscape. These areas include: complex natural areas, areas that sustain remnant species, unique geologic formations, pocosins, wooded swamps, prime wildlife habitats, or registered natural landmarks. Nine significant natural areas in Chowan County were identified in a regional survey of the Albermarle-Pamlico Estuarine Regions commissioned by the NC Natural Heritage Program. The findings of this survey was published in January, 1990 in a report entitled Regional Inventory for Critical Natural Areas, Wetland Ecosystem and Endangered Species Habitats of the Albermarle-Pamlico Estuarine Region: Phase 1. -32- Table 21 briefly describes the location, significance, characteristics, ownership, protection status, and natural resource features of these nine sites and their general location is shown on Map 8. L(1) Coastal Complex Natural Areas I Coastal complex natural areas are defined as lands that support native plant and animal communities and provide habitat qualities which have remained essentially unchanged by human activity. Such areas may be either significant component of coastal systems or especially notable habitat areas of scientific, educational, or aesthetic value. They may be surrounded by landscape that has been modified but does not drastically alter conditions within the natural areas. Coastal complex areas are significant in that they function as a key biological component of natural systems and provide habitat suitable for threatened or endangered species or support plant or animal communities representative of pre -settlement conditions. Coastal Complex Natural Areas may be designated as an Area of Environmental Concern (AEC) by the Coastal Resource Commission. All nine sites listed on Table 21 are considered by the N.C. Natural Heritage Program to be coastal complex natural areas. In fact, Snow Hill Bay, Drummond Point Woods, and the Catherine Creek Marsh and Swamp are considered to be of state significance while Warwick Creek Oak Flats and Slopes, Holiday Island, the Lower Indian Creek Swamp and Ravine, the Gallberry Swamp and Pocosin, the Reedy Point Swamp, and Cherry Point Woods are of regional significance. (2) Areas that Sustain Remnant Species Coastal areas that sustain remnant species are those areas that support native plants or animals which are determined to be rare or endangered (synonymous with threatened and endangered), within the coastal area. Such areas provide habitats necessary for the survival of existing populations of rare endangered species within the coastal area, preserve our natural heritage, and protect natural diversity which is related to biological stability. Four of the nine areas in Chowan County are classified as areas that sustain remnant species. The Warwick Creek oak Flats and Swamp, Holiday Island, and Catherine Creek Marsh and Swamp are black bear habitats which is a wildlife species of special concern. Moreover, the Catherine Creek Marsh and Swamp and the Lower Indian Creek and Swamp are perhaps one of a few sites for an unusual form of turk's-cap lily (Lilium Superbum). (3) Unique Geological Formations Unique coastal geological formations are defined as sites that contain geological formations that are unique or otherwise significant components of coastal systems, or that are especially notable examples of geological formations or processes in the coastal area. The presence of two Carolina bays with natural vegetation still remaining north of the Neuse River is rather surprising. Consequently, both the Snow Hill Bay and Gallberry Swamp which are -33- r M M M M M M� r M M M M M M M r M sir Table 21 : Characterisctics of Significant Natural Areas in Chowan County 1 \CI�LLiCLLl\VJ�JYiwi Ka�YiW Site size Location Significance Description Ownership P Compi- ",;� Sustain �,�` Unique a Resiaered � Prime H "°°°"° Warwick Along Warwick Creek, on Small black water stream; floodplain r Creek Oak ns Acres County Line, Regional Regional and gently rolling upland slopes with mesic mixed hardwood forest. Black Private None x x x x Flats and from NC 32 down nearly to SR Y bean habitat. Beaver ponds may carry Slopes 1232 rare plant species. About 2 miles northwest of Carolina Bay with Maple. Dominated Swamp Forest. Honey cup, a pocosin z Snow Hill zosA�r« Snow Hill, rest west of State species seldom found this far north, Private None x x x x Bay intersection of NC 37 and SR occurs in bay. The presence of the 1002 Carolina Bay itself in this part of the state is also unusual. In middle of Chowan River, Low-lying island in & around Chowan 3 Holiday 168 A-m Northwest of Cannon Ferry, Regional g River, with cypress gum swamp. Black Private None x x x x Island bear use the island, and ospreys nest on Access by boat it. Lower Along lower Indian creek, from Small creek bottom and adjacent upland Indian SR 1226 down to Chowan slopes and ravines. Small acreage of old 4 Creek Swamp 250Acres River, just north of the Regional growth hardwood forest. Tidal freshwater marsh is one of several in Private None x x x and Arrowhead Beach county. One of perhaps 6 or six known Development. sites for unused form of Turk's Cap lily. Ravine Gallberry SwamP 0.5 mile west of ROckyhock, Carolina Bay contains good examples of �lr ownd by Stan: oft DD a x x x s zmAcre, North of SR 1217, West of SR Regional mature forested westland vegetation, an ofndmini.tou None x 1222, & East of SR 1218 uncommon natural community type. bay are �� Pocosin Reedy Along East and North Shore of Six miles of extensive swampy forest, Private, c Point rason� Chowan River from the mouth Regional dominated by pond pine and red maple. Feral None x x x x Swamp of Pembroke Creek at Edenton, Cypress and tupelo on fringe. Valuable �'Pr Pe g wildlife habitat owners NW to vicinity of SR 1205 Cherry ()a Northeast side of Albemarle Rolling mesic uplands and swampy 7 Point 290 A,= Sound, Northwest of Cape Colony, Regional drainage, with mesic mixed hardwood in Private None x x x Woods South of Edenton good condition. On southside of Yeopim River Natural area features diversity of Private; most Drummond ,cons« at its mouth; bordered by State acquatic and wetland habitats ranging owned by None x x x a Point Woods Albermarle Sound to the east from swamps to a variety of isolated single and SR 1105 to the south pooh Diverse flora individual One of the most extensive swamp forest Catherine Along Northwest shore of g in NC. Tidal freshwater marshes located at mouttu of creeks. Rare plant Portions private owned. Part Creek Chowan River, from mouth of State species include Turk's cap fily, prairie owned by NC Forestry None x x x x v Marsh & the Meherrin River cordgrass, wild rice, arrow arum, g Foundation and Swamp Downstream to Cannon Ferry Atlantic white cedar. Important wildlife habitat for black bear, bobcat, river NCSU School of Forestry otter, and red -shouldered hawks. 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 MAP 8: SIGNIFICANT NATURAL AREAS l � KEY f.i . 11 ` "� 1. Warwick Creek Oak Rats and Slopes �. 0 2 to 2 . Snow Hill Bay a Holiday Island 4. Lower Indian Creek "felt •9 Swamp and Ravine :we , ♦ - S. Gallberry Swamp r & Reedy Pant Swamp 7. Cherry Pant Woods Drummond Point Woods Y - 9 Catherine Creek Marsh and Swamp . .•. / + - Source: NC Natural Heritage Pro- _ / , �:I gram: Regional Inventory for Critical Natural Areas, Wet- land Ecosystems, and En- dangered Species Habitats oftheAlbermarie-Pamlico Es- t - � tuarine Region, Phase 1., I January 19W 1 • 33-b Carolina bays are considered to be significant physiographic sites. (4) Registered Landmark None of the nine sites in Chowan County are registered natural landmarks. Moreover, these sites have no protection status to prevent the disruption of their natural ecosystems. Although not presently protected, Chowan County considers all of the "Significant Natural Areas" to be locally significant. The County will explore procedures for obtaining designation as Registered Landmarks. ' (5) Wooded Swamp Wooded swamps are simply forested wetlands. All nine sites are classified entirely or to some extent as wetlands on the National Wetlands Inventory. All nine sites, likewise, have vegetation suitable to classify them as wooded swamps. (6) Prime Wildlife Habitats Prime wildlife habitats are areas supporting large or unusually diverse populations of considered to be rare, wildlife or are habitats endangered, or of special for species concern. The Warwick Creek Oak Flats and Slopes, Holiday Island, Reedy Point Swamp, Cherry Point Woods, Drummond Points Woods, and Catherine Creek Marsh and Swamp are prime wildlife habitats. (7) Pocosins I C� I F� 1 A Pocosin is a wetland with vegetation consisting of scrub swamp dominated by evergreen heath and hollies with pond pine in the canopy. Generally, pocosins occur on acid, peats, or sandy plat soils. Three areas in Chowan County are classified as pocosins. Carolina Bays are generally pocosins and Snow Hill Bay and Gallberry Swamp are classified as such. The Reedy Point Swamp likewise has vegetation in some areas that qualify as pocosin. (8) Scenic and Prominent High Points The elevations in all of Chowan County are very low, thereby, there are no prominent high points. However, Drummond's Point, an area of land located near the confluence of the Yeopim River and the Albermarle Sound, is considered by many local residents and the Planning Board, to be a significant local scenic point which may need protection from improper development. (9) Maritime Forests: There are no maritime forests within Chowan County. (10) 404 Wetlands: Some "404" wetlands have been identified in Chowan County. Further identification of "404" wetlands requires specific site analysis by the Army Corp of Engineers. (11) U.S. Fish and Wildlife National Wetlands Inventory: In 1974, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service mandated that an inventory of the nation's wetlands be conducted. The National Wetlands Inventory -34- (NWI) became operational in 1977. Wetland maps for Chowan County were finalized in 1990 and were ' produced by stereoscopically interpreting high altitude photographs of Chowan County which were taken in 1982. The information was then transferred to U.S. Geological Survey maps. Wetlands were identified on the photography by vegetation, visible hydrology, and geography. Collateral information also included U.S. Geological Survey topographic maps and Soil conservation Service soil surveys. 1 1 i� The intent of the National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) was to provide information concerning wetlands to local, state, and federal officials. The NWI maps do not define wetlands for regulatory purposes, especially since the wetland boundaries may not be exact. The NWI maps are to serve only as a "red flag" showing that an area may contain wetlands. Those considering land use changes in these areas should obtain a site -specific wetlands determination from a private consultant or an appropriate government agency such as the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, or the U.S. Soil Conservation Service. It is not surprising that Chowan County has extensive wetlands given the amount of land which borders the Chowan River, the Albemarle Sound, and the Yeopim River, as well as the extensive stream network and marsh and wooded swamp areas. The predominant wetlands classification in Chowan County is Palustrine Forested Areas (PFO) which simply means wooded swamps which border freshwater. The more detailed designation after the PFO prefix describes the type of vegetation in the wetlands area. For example, PFO 6F is the most common designation found in Chowan County which is an area that predominantly has bald cypress and black gum, or tupelo gum and Carolina ash in the wettest sites and is frequently found along coastal plain rivers and large creeks. (12) Chowan County does not contain the fragile areas of coastal wetlands, sand dunes along the Outer Banks, and ocean beaches and shorelines which are mandated by the CAMA guidelines to be identified. b. Cultural Resource Fragile Areas Fragile areas may be particularly important to a local either in an aesthetic or cultural sense. Fragile coastal cultural resource areas are generally recognized to be of educational, associative, scientific, aesthetic, or cultural value because of their special importance to our understanding of past human settlement of and interaction with the coastal zone. Their importance serves to distinguish the designated areas as significant amount the historic architectural or archaeological remains in the coastal zone, and therein establish their value. The State Division of Archives and History conducted a comprehensive architectural survey of Chowan County between 1985 and 1987. Over 200 properties were identified. However, this survey is still in its draft stages and its final release is not anticipated until the Fall of 1992. The property files from the 1985-1987 survey are now in the Raleigh collection. -35- 1 I I I [j I 11 1� There are already several sites in the town of Edenton and Chowan County which have been placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Moreover, an additional five properties are designated as "study list properties" in Chowan County, meaning that the property has been reviewed and determined eligible for National Register designation. The National Register of Historic Places properties and study list properties are listed below by their locality and those properties in Chowan County are shown on Map 9. Town of Edenton a. National Register of Historic Places Albania, south side of U.S. 17, 1 mile west of junction with NC32 Barker House, south terminus of Broad Street Chowan County Courthouse, East King Street Cupola House, 408 Broad Street Edenton Historic District Hayes Plantation, east side Edenton Bay on south side of Queen Anne Court James Iredell House, 107 East Church Street Pembroke Hall, West King Street Peanut Factory, East Church Street St. Paul's Episcopal Church and Churchyard, West Church Street at Broad Street Speight House and Cotton Gin, north side of East Church Street, extension (NC 32) at SR 1105 Strawberry Hill, south side of junction of NC 34 and US 17 east of Church Street extension Wessington House, 120 West King Street Chowan County a. National Register of Historic Places 1. Athol, south side of SR 1114 2. Cullins-Baker House, west side NC 32 at junction with SR 1304, Tyner vicinity 3. Greenfield Plantation, southeast side of SR 1109, 0.9 miles east of junction with SR 1100, Somer vicinity 4. Mulberry Hill, south side of SR 1114, 0.3 miles east of junction of SR 1118, Edenton vicinity 5. Sandy Point, east side of SR 1118, 0.8 miles south of SR 1114, Edenton vicinity 6. Shelton (Clement) Hall, on lane off west side of NC 32, 0.9 miles north of SR 1200, Edenton vicinity b. Study List Properties 1. Bennett's Mill Pond, north side SR 1222, 0.5 mile west of junction with NC 32, Valhalla vicinity 2. Briols, southwest side NC 32, 0.3 mile northwest of Pollock Swamp Bride, Hancock vicinity 3. Coke House (Beech Grove), on 1.2 mile lane, northeast side SR 100, 0.7 mile east of SR 1108, Somer vicinity 4. Haughton-Leary House, NC 37, Edenton vicinity 5. Martinique, down 0.3 mile lane, north side SR 1222, 1.3 mile west of SR 1226, Small Crossroads vicinity The most notable location of archaeological significance is, perhaps, the Arrowhead Beach Subdivision, where Indian artifacts have been found. -36- 1i n ' According to the State Division of Archives and History, there are 78 recorded archaeological sites in Chowan County. However, very few have been evaluated for National Register significance and there have been no ' extensive professional surveys in the County. Areas near the water courses may well contain additional historic and prehistoric sites, according to the State. 3. Areas With Resource Potential a. Agricultural and Forest Lands ' The primary areas with resource potential to be considered in this 1991 update of the Chowan County Land Use Plan are agricultural and forest lands. As discussed under existing economic conditions (pages 6-7), agriculture and commercial forestry are substantial income producers for Chowan County and therefore cannot be under -estimated in value. In August, 1983, the Governor of North Carolina issued a formal policy declaration (Executive Order 96) concerning the State's desire to promote the "Conservation of Prime Agricultural and Forest Lands" in support of ' and to assist with compliance of the Federal Farmland Protection Policy Act of 1980. The declaration of Executive Order 96 recognized the fact that in many areas of the State, prime agricultural and forest lands are being converted to other uses at such a significant rate that these 1 irreversible uses may ultimately reduce the capacity of food and fiber production. Prime agricultural and forest lands were defined as those lands "...which possess the best combination of physical and chemical ' characteristics for producing food, feed, fiber (including forest products), forage, oilseed, and other agricultural products (including livestock), without intolerable soil erosion." ' The Governor directed the Secretary of the State Department of Natural Resources and Community Development to assume the responsibility of carrying out the Order. The program proposed in the Executive Order involved the identification of and mapping of prime agricultural and forest lands by the Soil and Water Conservation Commission through the assistance of local Soil and Water Conservation Districts. Also, by means of the existing State Clearinghouse review process, the impact of any development proposed on prime agricultural or forest lands would have to be assessed beginning January 1, 1984. Table 22 shows the soil types identified as "Important Farmland" soils by the Soil Conservation Service in May 1991. The definition of the codes are as follows: P1 All areas are prime farmland; P2 - Only drained areas are prime farmland; S1 - All areas are farmland of statewide importance; S2 - Only drained areas are farmland of statewide importance; U1 - All areas are unique farmland. The acreage figures represent only the total occurrence of that particular soil type in Chowan County and does not indicate whether that land is now in agriculture use or has been ' drained and thereby suitable for farmland. fl -37- I I Table 22: Soil Types Identified as Important Farmland May 1991 Important Farmland Soil Type Acreage --------------------------------------------- Code Altavista 3,860 P1 Arapahoe 2,440 P2 Augusta 3,175 P2 Bojac* 1,545 Sl Cape Fear 1,775 S2 ' Chapanoke 1,260 P2 Conetoe* 4,565 S1 Doque (Dq A) 5,590 P1 Doque (Dq B) 2,620 P1 ' Dragston 1,680 P2 Icaria 5,000 P2 Lynn Haven 2,550 U1 Munden 560 P1 ' Nimmo 820 P2 Perquimans 2,450 P2 Roanoke 18,300 S2 1 State (St A)* 2,245 P1 State (St B)* 1,750 P1 Tomahawk 4,320 S1 Tomotley 7,205 P2 ' Valhalla 1,950 S1 Wahee 2,240 S2 Yeopim (Ye A) 1,845 P1 ' Yeopim (Ye B) 425P1 - ----- Total Acreage 80,170 -- ---------------------------------------------- *Suitable for septic tank absorption fields Source: Soils Identified as "Important Farmland" for Chowan and Perquimans County by Horace Smith, State Soil Scientist, Soil Conservation Service, May 1991. Overall, Chowan County has 80,170 acres of soil types classified as potential important farmland. This represent 69.6 percent of the 115,200 acres in the County. Significantly, four out of the five soil types identified as suitable for septic tanks are also considered important farmland soils thereby increasing the conflict between agricultural use and development. Use -value taxation is a method used to preserve farmland from development. With use -value taxation, lands used for farmland, timberland, or horticulture purposes may qualify to be taxed at their lower "use -value" rather than at their real property or market value. Interest in the use -value taxation program increased significantly after property was re -valued in 1990. As of 1990, 202 landowners who own 1,320 parcels had their property assessed at use -value. b. Productive Water Bodies Because of the significance of commercial and recreational fishing in Chowan County, the primary fishing areas should also be considered as an area with resource potential. Chowan County has experienced a decline in -38- ' commercial fishing during the 1980's as stated on page 8 of this report. Serious pollution of the Chowan River as evidenced by its designation as a Nutrient Sensitive Waters has affected fish landings in the County. The deterioration of commercial fishing has significant economic impact because there are two fishery processing businesses in the County providing employment and income to some of the County's residents. ' According to the North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, there are no designated primary or secondary nursery areas in Chowan County. However, this agency is in the process of developing anadromous spawning and nursery areas and artificial habitat designations. The Albemarle Sound, Chowan River, Yoepim River and their tributaries function as spawning and nursery areas for the blueback herring and alewife. Other anadromous species (American shad, hickory shad, and striped bass) also utilize these waters as a nursery. These species are included in the "Threatened and Endangered" species profiles under Category 3 (Vulnerable). Moreover, white perch, yellow perch, catfish, spot, croaker, blue crabs, and other commercially and recreationally important species also utilize these waters as nursery areas. The extensive prevalence of submerged and floating vegetation, wetlands, and swamps enhance the spawning and nursery capabilities of Chowan County waters. Consequently, these waters are considered to be important spawning and nursery areas which will meet the proposed criteria for anadromous spawning and nursery areas and critical habitat designations. ' c. Mining Lands Chowan County does not have a substantial peat reserve capable of being mined for commercial or industrial purposes like several other coastal counties. However, review of detailed soils classifications maps prepared by the U.S.D.A. Soil Conservation Service, indicates that soil types with highly decomposed organic matter as surface layers and underlayed by decayed logs, etc. may signify the presence of peat. These types of soils can be found in various pockets in the County, usually coinciding with very poorly drained soils. Also in Chowan County, there are 6 sand mining operations. There are no other known areas in the 1 County which contain marketable mineral resources, such as phosphate. d. Publicly Owned Forests and Fish and Gamelands rThere are no publicly owned forests in Chowan County. There is one publicly owned gameland in Chowan County managed by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. The Chowan County Game Land is approximately 30 acres of mostly swamp, located at Highway 17 Business and Pembroke Creek near the Edenton city limits. e. Privately -Owned Wildlife Sanctuaries There is one privately owned wildlife refuge in Chowan County. The John Crisanti Wildlife Refuge is a 40-acre refuge located on Airport Road. There is a lake on the property. f. Non -Intensive outdoor Recreation Lands ' Lands used for hunting, fishing, boating, hiking, camping, and other outdoor recreational uses are also important resources to consider in the development of land use policies. In Chowan County, because of two major -39- ' productive water bodies, and expansive woodlands, recreational fishing and hunting opportunities, within the appropriate seasons, abound. F. Constraints: Capacity of Community Facilities 1. Water The Chowan County water system has been growing steadily since its beginning in the mid-1970's. The initial water service study for the first phase of the system projected that the entire system would have 2,000 customers by the year 2,000. However, from a beginning of 1,200 customers in 1975, the system now serves 3,356 customers, including 36 industries and commercial customers, as of March 31, 1991. The growth of the water system is depicted in Table 23. Table 23: Chowan County Water System, Customers Served 1975-1991 Year Customers Served Change 1975 1,200 --- 1981 2,226 +1,026 1 1986 2,796 + 570 1991 3,356 + 560 ---------------------------------------------- Sources: 1986 Chowan• County Land Use Plan, Chowan County Water Department This represents an increased growth between 1981 and 1991 of 113 ' additional customers per year. The distribution lines cover the entire County, and virtually all of the population outside Edenton has access to the water system. In 1987 the Phase III improvements discussed in the previous land use plan update were completed. The water system is now a combined system rather than two separate "northern" and "southern" systems. The water system consists of 242 miles of lines ranging in size from 2" to 10", and three elevated storage tanks, each with a capacity of 200,000 gallons, for a combined storage capacity of 600,000 gallons. Daily water treatment and distribution are provided by the Valhalla ' and Brahall water treatment plants. The Yeopim plant is available for standby use only. The current total system operates with a total of 8 wells. The current capacity of the system is shown on Table 24 below. �I 1 I 11 -40- Table 24: Chowan-County Water System Capacity 24-Hour Wells Daily 1991 24-Hour Plant Combined Capacity Water Plant % Use Site No. GPM of Wells Capacity at Peak ---------+----+---------+-------------+--------------+-------- Valhalla 4 800gpm 2.304MGD 1.152MGD 61% Brayhall 2 600gpm .864MGD .576MGD 22% Yeopim* 2 400gpm (.576MGD) (.288MGD) (NA) TOTAL** 18 I 3.164MGD** I 1.728MGD *The Yeopim plant operates on a standby basis only. **Total Figures represent 24-hour capacity of Valhalla and Brayhall ' plants only. Source: Chowan County Water Department The 1987 improvements have greatly enhanced the capacity of the Chowan County water system. Prior to the improvements, the County did not have excess capacity during peak periods and had to purchase additional water from the Town of Edenton, Perquimans County, and Gates County. Although water purchase agreements still exist with these jurisdictions, Chowan County would only need to purchase water as an option to solve a short-term emergency distribution problem. ' Currently, the 3,356 water customers use an average of 311 gallons per day, for a total daily consumption of 1,044,163 gallons. The Valhalla and Brayhall water plants have the capacity to produce 1.728 MGD. The Chowan County water system now has an excess capacity of 683,837 gallons which is sufficient to serve an additional 2,199 customers. The total system is now operating at 60 percent capacity. It should be noted that peak demands come usually during two seasons: I May, because of fish processing, and generally high summer demand during July -August. Projected improvements at the Valhalla Water Plant will further increase the capacity of the Chowan County Water System. over the next five years, the County plans to upgrade its capacity to one million gallons. The State of North Carolina currently uses a ' guideline that water plants should operate at 50 percent capacity in order to compensate for emergencies, peak periods, and temporary repairs. The Valhalla Water Plant is now operating at a 61 percent capacity. Within two years, the pumping capacity of the Valhalla plant will be will be doubled, thereby bringing the plant up to the State guidelines. Overall though, the Chowan County Water System has sufficient ' capacity to accommodate growth because the Brayhall plant only operates at a 22 percent capacity and the Yeopim Plant is used only on a standby basis. There are no private water systems located in ' Chowan County. 2. Sewer The only centralized sewer system in the County is still the one which serves the Town of Edenton. Edenton has a policy of not extending sewer lines beyond its corporate limits with one important -41- �I 11 exception. Edenton has extended sewer lines to the Chowan Middle School and the White Oak Elementary School; however, no other taps are permitted. If the Town ever changes this policy, development in the county outside of Edenton would be affected. Chowan County residents outside of Edenton utilize septic tanks for sewage disposal. However, the majority of the soil types in the County may not be conducive for septic tank placement (See Map 6). There has been some general discussion among county officials about the utilization of package sewage treatment plants, but no policies have been adopted. There are no private sewage treatment facilities operating in Chowan County. 3. Solid Waste Chowan County has solid waste agreements with Perquimans and Gates County. These three counties jointly operate a 90 acre landfill site in Perquimans County. Approximately 20 acres of the landfill site has been used as of 1991, leaving 70 acres remaining or about 77%. However, some, or most of this acreage is set aside for buildings. ' The State of North Carolina issues landfill permits for a maximum of 5 years and the Perquimans landfill has 4 to 5 years remaining on its current permit. Based on current State criteria, the landfill may ' not have sufficient capacity to accommodate future growth. Current state rules require all landfills not having liners and leachate collection systems to close by 1998 unless certain conditions are demonstrated. 1 New federal regulations will also affect future landfill development. Subtitle D of the Federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, adopted in October, 1991 requires all new landfills developed after October, 1993 to use a liner/leach collection system or other high technology methods. The Perquimans, Chowan and Gates Counties landfill does not currently meet these standards. It should be mentioned that only two counties within North Carolina, New Hanover County and Rowan County, currently operate landfills which meet the proposed federal guidelines and it is conceivable that solid waste disposal will become a crisis situation for most of the State. Furthermore, the type of landfills proposed in the federal regulations are very expensive to build and operate and may become an economic burden for small rural counties like Chowan County. Chowan County is planning to convert its current "greenbox" collection system to a "convenience/recycling" system. From 80 to 90 "green boxes" are now located throughout the County and the services of a private contractor are used to collect the solid waste. Chowan County intends to convert to "convenience/recycling" sites whereby the collection site will have a trash compactor and recycling bins for aluminium cans, glass, plastic, and waste oil. It is anticipated that three convenience sites will be operational in Chowan County by 1992. 4. Public School System The Edenton-Chowan County School System faced steady decline in the early 1980's. With a steady increase in membership during the latter -42- I 1 I part of the decade, however, the trend reversed. Notice Table 25. Table 25: Edenton-Chowan County School First Month Daily Membership, 1980-1990 School Year First Month Membership Chancre 1980-81 2,554 --- 1981-82 2,510 -44 1982-83 2,462 -48 1983-84 2,438 -24 1984-85 2,407 -31 1985-86 2,413 + 6 1986-87 2,490 +77 1987-88 2,490 0 1988-89 2,504 +14 1989-90 2,513 + 9 1990-91 ----------------------------------------------- 2,556 +43 Source: North Carolina Data Link System (1980-81 thru 1988-89, Edenton-Chowan County School System (1989-90 and 1990-91) Between school years 1980-81 and 1984-85, total school membership dropped from 2,554 in 1980-81 to 2,407 in 1984-85, a decrease of 147 students or a 5.7 percent decline. However, school membership started to increase in the 1985-86 school year with a membership of 2,413. The growth trend continued and school membership in 1990-91 was 2,556. Consequently, school membership increased by 149 students or by 6.2 percent between school years 1984-85 and 1990-91, thereby reversing the previous declining trend. School membership in 1990-91 was just slightly higher than the membership in 1980-81. Chowan County's population growth was the major factor causing the increasing school membership. The 1990 census figures also show an increase in the general school -age population. The Edenton-Chowan County School District now operates two elementary schools, the White Oak Elementary School and the D.F. Walker Elementary School, as well as the Chowan Middle School and the John A. Holmes High School. Table 26 shows school membership, grades currently being served, and type of classrooms being utilized. It should be noted that currently a new Chowan Middle School is being constructed, and will open in the Fall of 1991. -43- Table 26• Edenton-Chowan School District School Membership and Classroom Utilization, 1990-91 September 1990 Grades Grades to School Served be served Classroom Utilization School Membership 1990-91 1991-92 Permanent I Improvised I Mobile I Total ------- --------+----------+-------+--------.... +-----------+------------+--------+------ White Oak Elementary 382 K-5 K-5 14 --- 4 18 D.F. Walker Elementary 937 K-6 K-6 49, --- --- 49 Chowan Middle School 495 6-8 --- 25 4 --- 29 (New Chowan Middle School) --- --- 6-8 (35) --- --- (35) John A. Holmes High School 706 9-12 9-12 39 --- --- 39 ---------------+----------+-------+---------+-----------+------------+--------+------ Total 1990-91 I 2520 I--- I --- I 127 I 4 I 4 I 135 Total 1991-92 --------------------------- I 2533 I--- I --- I 137 I --- I 4 i ----------- 141 Source: Edenton-Chowan County School District The construction of the new Chowan Middle School will enhance the capacity of the Edenton-Chowan School District. Starting in the Fall of 1991 all sixth graders will attend the new middle school. Approximately 150 sixth graders who previously attended the D.F. Walker Elementary School will be served at the Chowan Middle School. This will increase the capacity of the D.F. Walker Elementary School. Moreover, the new middle school will correct the current overcrowded conditions at the existing Chowan Middle School as evidenced by the use of improvised classroom space. However, the rapid growth in the northern part of Chowan County has resulted in the use of four mobile classrooms at the White Oak Elementary School. Given the tight educational budget, it is not anticipated that permanent additions at the White Oak Elementary School will occur within the next five years. Kindergarten enrollments, however, on a Countywide basis, appears to be declining. Overall though, the Edenton-Chowan County School District has the capacity to absorb growth and does not pose a constraint to population increases. It should be noted also that there are two private schools operating in the Chowan County vicinity. The Emmanuel Christian School is located in Edenton and Lawrence Academy is located in Bertie County. It is estimated that only about 50 Chowan County residents attend private schools, thereby private school enrollment does not significantly impact public school enrollment. S. Transportation There are several major thoroughfares in Chowan County. U.S. Highway 17 bisects the County from west to east in the southern section and includes a bypass around the Town of Edenton. N.C. Highway 32 enters the southern portion of the County via the Albemarle Sound Bridge, then cuts across into Perquimans County, then curves back into Chowan, near the northeastern tip of the County. Also, there are S -44- many State -maintained secondary roads --paved and unpaved. Table 27 below, summarizes the highway mileage for years 1982, 1987, and 1990. Table 27: Chowan County Highway Mileage, 1982, 1987, and 1990 1982 1987 1990 1 -------------------------------------------------------------- Primary - Total miles 53.63 53_63 53.63 Rural 48.17 48.12 Municipal 5.46 --- 5.51 Secondary - Total miles 186.91 194�38 196.41 Rural 183.81 192.97 Municipal 3.10 3.44 Total Miles - All roads 240.54 248.01 250.02 Paved 204.98 212.40 215.72 Unpaved 35.56 35.61 34.30 Source: North Carolina Department of Transportation Since 1982 the amount of primary roads has remained constant at 53.63 miles, whereas secondary roads has expanded from 186.91 miles in 1982 to 196.41 miles in 1990. The additional 9.5 miles of secondary roads is directly related to the development of new subdivisions throughout the County. Little progress has been made in the pavement of unpaved roads. Only 1.31 miles of unpaved roads has been paved since 1987. Unpaved secondary roads constitute 17.5 percent of all secondary roads in 1990. Traffic volume in Chowan County has risen steadily as the population in the County has grown. Notice Table 28 which shows the average daily traffic counts (ADT) for key intersections in Chowan County. The location of these 14 sites is shown on Map 10. ' Table 28: Average Daily Traffic Counts for Key Intersections in Chowan County, 1987 and 1989 Percent Intersection 1987 1989 Change Change 1. NC 32 at NC37 1800 2500 +700 +39.9% 2. NC 37 at NC32 700 800 +100 +14.3% 3. NC 32 at Ballards Creek Bridge 1700 2200 +500 +294% 4. SR 1222 at Small Crossroads 1000 1200 +200 +20.0% 5. US 17 near Chowan River Bridge 4400 NA 6. US 17 Bypass near NC32 3300 5100 +1800 +54.5% 7. NC 32 near US17 7600 8400 +800 +10.5% 8. US 17 Bypass near SR 1319 3200 4500 +1300 +40.6% 9. Bus. 17 near US 17 Bypass 2000 2800 +800 +40.0% 10. NC 32 near SR 1114 and SR 1103 4300 4700 +500 +11.9% 11. SR 1114 near NC 32 and SR 1103 2600 2800 +200 +7.7% 12. NC 32 near Albemarle Sound Bridge 2300 2300 -0- -0- 13. NC 32 near NC 37 1300 1800 +500 +38.5% ' 14. NC 37 near NC 32 1200 1200 -0- -0- Source: North Carolina Department of Transportation Annual Average Daily Traffic Maps, 1987 and 1989 Despite the increasing traffic volume, the North Carolina Department of Transportation considers the general road system as adequate with -45- sufficient capacity to handle future growth. The primary road system in Chowan County is in good shape and improvements to US 17 Bypass included in the 1991 Transportation Improvement Program will ease traffic congestion along that route. NC 32 is not currently being used to its capacity. Secondary roads in Chowan County in some areas may need to be widened to handle increased traffic volumes caused by the construction of new subdivisions in outlying areas. The paving of unpaved secondary roads will continue. The Albermarle Sound Bridge was replaced in 1988 and is in excellent shape. The Chowan River Bridge has also been discussed for replacements, but is not included in the 1991 Transportation Improvement Program. 6. Medical Services Generally, medical services are adequate in Chowan County. The County maintains a 111 bed facility, Chowan Hospital, Inc., which is managed by a private management firm. The hospital provides acute, skilled, and psychiatric services and now offers a full dialysis center and a weekly Oncology clinic which administers chemotherapy supervised by a visiting Oncologist. The hospital has a local Board of Directors, which is appointed by the County Board of Commissioners. The hospital serves Chowan County and several surrounding counties. There are also 20 physicians and five dentists in private practice in the Town of Edenton. A public health clinic is operated by the Chowan County Health Department, which is part of the five -county Regional Health Service. Additional specialized medical services are available in Greenville (60 miles away) and in Norfolk (80 miles away). In the Town of Edenton, there are also three pharmacy stores. 7. Emergency and Protective Services As in the case with medical services, emergency and protective services for Chowan County are also based in the Town of Edenton. Law enforcement in the County is primarily the responsibility of the County Sheriff and a staff of six deputies and one dispatcher. The County is served by two Fire Departments. The Town of Edenton has a full-time Fire Department, while the County has one volunteer Fire Department based in the northern portion of the County at Smalls Crossroads. Emergency medical rescue is provided for the County by the Edenton-Chowan Rescue Squad, which consists of three full-time personnel and volunteers. All three full-time personnel and several volunteers are certified Emergency Medical Technicians and have recently been certified as EMT-D which is an advanced life support procedure. The rescue squad building is located behind the Chowan Hospital in Edenton. There are also two rescue squad units outside of Edenton, one each in Gliden and in Rockyhock. The Edenton-Chowan Rescue Squad also maintains two water rescue boats which supplements U.S. Coast Guard Services. In 1989 a 911 system was initiated in Chowan County and now all emergency calls are handled by this system. 8. Recreation The Town of Edenton and Chowan County have a joint recreation department. The Recreation Department manages 4 passive park areas, 5 playgrounds, and 2 ballfields, all of which are located in the Town of Edenton. The Recreation Department also manages 3 tennis courts, -46- 1 basketball courts, and softball fields at the Chowan Middle School which is located in the County. This site is currently undergoing renovation and will reopen in the Fall of 1991. The Recreation Department is scheduled to do a Master Plan for Recreation beginning in July, 1991. A major objective of this plan is to determine the feasibility of acquiring more swimming and boat access areas in Chowan County. Currently, there are still six boat ramps located in the County providing recreational and commercial water access to the public. Only two are publicly owned, while four are private, charging minimal fees. This appears to be inadequate for a County with such a large number of miles of shoreline. There are still no public swimming facilities in the County. As the population increases, there will likely be a need for additional points of public water access for both boating and swimming. The need for additional recreational facilities in Chowan County is evident in the County Needs Assessment conducted by the North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation and included in the 1989 Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP). Notice Table 29 which profiles the Chowan County Needs Assessment. The County has sufficient baseball fields, basketball courts, golf course, softball fields, and tennis courts. However, the County has insufficient lands devoted to neighborhood and community parks, as well as, camping areas, football fields, playgrounds, soccer fields, nature trails, and volleyball courts. 9. Other Facilities iOther facilities in Chowan County include the County Library, which is part of a regional library system based in Plymouth. The library also operates a bookmobile to the high school and middle school. Most County offices are currently housed in the County Administration Building, including the Board of Education. Because of the age and space limitations in the structure, discussions have been conducted concerning eventually providing new administrative office facilities for some County departments. However, no definite plans have been made. The County Manager's Office was recently located to a former structure near the County Administration Building. G. Estimated Demand 1. Population and Economy According to the projections in Table 1, Chowan County's population in 1995 will be 14,502, an increase of 996 persons, or a 7.3 percent increase, over the 1990 U.S. Census count of 13,506. Population growth is expected to continue during the 1990's as shown by the projection of 15,000 persons in Chowan County by the year 2000. overall, during the next decade, Chowan County's population will increase by 1,494 persons or by 11 percent. Both the 1995 and 2000 projections were provided by the North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management. This moderate growth rate of 11 percent during the 199O's does not imply a "rapid growth" situation and should not impose sever stresses upon existing facilities and services. 11 MIWM I r it WON man m m m m r. m� Table 29, NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT 06/20/89 DIVISION OF PARKS AND RECREATION - STATEHIDE COMPREHENSIVE OUTDOOR RECREATION PLAN COUNTY NEEDS ASSESSMENT COUNTY : CHORAN REGION a R PRESENT 1990 1995 1990 PERCENT ------1995 -- PERCENT AREA GROSS NEED SUPPLY NET NEED NET NEED SUFFICIENCY SUFFICIENCY NEIGHBORHOOD PARK ACRES 27 b 19 21 29 7 27 % COMMUNITY PARK ACRES 111 4 107 112 3 X 3 DISTRICT PARK ACRES 139 0 139 145 0 REGIONAL PARK ACRES 278 0 278 290 0 y 0 x DISPERSED USE ACRES 1,807 0 1,807 1,885 p 0 y FACILITY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------------------------------- BASEBALL FIELDS 2 3 -1 -1 150 x 150 r V BASKETBALL COURTS 2 10 -8 -8 500 500 % CAMPSITES, PRIMITVE 13 0 13 I4 0 % 0 X CAMPSITES, TENT 8 TRAILER 69 0 69 72 0 Y. 0 :c FOOTBALL FIELDS 2 1 1 1 50 i 5U 7 GOLF COURSES (18 BOLE) 0 6 0 0 100 z 100 % PICNIC TABLES 27 17 10 12 62 :c 58 % PLAYGROUNDS/TOTLOTS 13 7 6 7 53 r. 50 :G SOCCER FIELDS 1 0 1 1 0 'r. O i SOFTBALL FIELDS 2 5 -3 -3 250 i 250 % SHIMMING POOLS 0 0 0 0 100 i 100 TENNIS COURTS 6 9 -3 -2 150 -r. 128 i TRAIL MILES (ALL TYPES) 13 0 13 14 0 X 0 i VOLLEYBALL COURTS 2 0 2 2 0 i 0 y i� P I I I 1 1 1 2. 3. There appears to be a trend towards smaller households (e.g. the average household size in 1970 was 3.3 person, 2.85 persons in 1980, and 2.64 persons in 1990.) The average household size could be 2.5 persons by 2000. Thus assuming an average of 2.5 persons per household in 2000, the increased population could result in an additional 597 households in Chowan County. These additional households will place certain demands upon goods, services, and facilities. It should be noted here that there is no appreciable seasonal population in Chowan County. Future Land Need Chowan County has ample amounts of vacant, undeveloped, but developable land. If the projected 597 additional dwelling units each needed a half -acre lot only an additional 298.5 acres would be required. This requirement will not be a problem in Chowan County. Community Facilities Need The additional population increase in the unincorporated areas of Chowan County of 1,494 persons or 597 households will require more water from the Chowan County Water System. However, as discussed under the "Community Facilities Constraints" section, the expanded water system should be able to accommodate 2,199 additional customers, especially after the pumping capacity of the Valhalla plant is improved in 1993. Therefore, even with the addition of moderate industrial consumption, the County water system should be adequate to serve the projected increase. Outside of Edenton, additional residents will have to continue to rely on septic tanks for disposal of sewage. With the limited availability of suitable, well -drained soils, septic tank placement may pose problems. Septic tank placement may require additional design criteria. The capacity of the County's solid waste disposal system depends upon the pending implementation of Subtitle D of the Federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. Under existing state and federal regulations, the tri-county landfill in Perguimans County has sufficient capacity to accommodate the projected growth in Chowan County. However, if new federal regulations are implemented, the Perquimans, Chowan, and Gates County Landfill Commission will only have 18 months to construct a new landfill operation at considerable expense. The primary road network in Chowan County is considered to be functioning at below capacity by the North Carolina Department of Transportation. Widening and . paving of secondary roads will continue. Recreational services may need to be expanded to meet the needs of County residents. A recreation master plan study is currently being developed jointly for the Town of Edenton and the County. Other facilities and services, such as schools, medical, protective and emergency services, are projected by the County to be adequate throughout the planning period. at3M I SECTION II: POLICY STATEMENTS Preface The formulation of specific policies regarding growth, development, and management objectives is perhaps the most important part of any land use plan -- especially those prepared under the State's Coastal Area Management Act. Because of regulatory requirements and local peculiarities, the policies often attempt to strike a delicate balance between desires and objectives of local citizens, the local government, and the objectives of CAMA itself. Land development policies, which should be based on analyses of existing conditions (including consideration given to natural and man-made constraints) and projected trends, are to serve as general guides for future desired development. Under CAMA, the overriding issue is that of growth management while protecting coastal resources. The many special resources within Chowan County were identified in Section I of this plan. The policy statements contained in this section addresses both growth management as well as protection, and maintenance of these resources. It is both interesting and important for the citizens of Chowan County to understand the significance of local CAMA policy statements and how they interact with the day-to-day activities of a local government. Three areas are affected to aid in that understanding, an explanation of these three areas, as excerpted from the 1990 Chowan County Land Use Plan Update, as presented below, might be helpful: 1. CAMA minor and major permitting as required by N.C.G.S. - 113A-118 prior to undertaking any development in any area of environmental concern. i2. Establishment of local planning policy. 3. Review of proposed projects requiring state or federal assistance or approval to determine consistency with local policies. "For the issuance of CAMA permits within areas of environmental concern, the state defines minimum acceptable use standards which are defined by 15 NCAC 7H. A local unit of government must adopt policies which are, at a minimum, equal to and consistent with the state's minimum use standards. A local unit of government may adopt policies which are more stringent than the minimum use standards. For example, the state standards allow marinas to be located within primary nursery areas if some minimum conditions are met. A local government may adopt a policy stating that marinas will not be permitted within primary nursery areas. If this were to occur, a CAMA permit for marina construction in a primary nursery area would not be issued. IT IS CRUCIAL THAT A LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNDERSTAND THE IMPACT OF ITS POLICIES WITHIN AREAS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN." "The second area of land use plan application is that of establishing policies to guide the jurisdiction's local planning. This may apply both within areas of environmental concern where CAMA regulations apply and in non-CAMA regulated areas of the Town. Under North Carolina legislation, land use plans are not regulatory controls. Non-CAMA-related recommendations must be implemented with local land use ordinances such as zoning or subdivision ordinances. If a land use plan recommends that the average residential density should be three dwelling units per acre within a particular area, then that density must be achieved through a local zoning ordinance or other regulatory control. (This should not be confused - 49 - I �1 with the interaction of the land use plan with the CAMA regulations and 15 NCAC 7H use standards). The final area of application if that of "Consistency Review". Proposals and applications for state and federal assistance or requests for agency approval of projects are normally reviewed against a jurisdiction's land local use plan to determine if the project is consistent with policies. Inconsistencies of a project with local policies could serve as grounds for I I denial or revision of a project. For example, an individual or agency may request state or federal funding to construct a 30-unit low -to -moderate income housing project. If the proposed location of the project is within an area in which the land use plan states that the residential density should not exceed two dwelling units per acre, the project may be judged to be inconsistent with the local land use plan." (Taken from Section IV-2-2, of Carteret County Land Use Plan, 1991). For this 1991 update of the Land Use Plan, Chowan County employed several means of soliciting meaningful citizen participation in developing policies. The first step was the appointment of the Planning Board as the primary Citizen Liaison group. The next step was the development, adoption, and implementation of a citizen's participation plan. The participation plan included the development of a "Land Use Plan Information Packet", copies of which were mailed to all civic groups and clubs in the County at the beginning of the Planning Process. Also, several advertised "public information" meetings were held in different parts of the County to provide citizens opportunities for meaningful input. Finally, the Planning Board held monthly meetings with the Consultant, all of which were open to the public. (For additional details, see p. 67, item D). The Coastal Resources Commission, recognizing the diversities which exist among the coastal communities, requires each locality to delineate specific development policies under five broad categories, each with its own subset of policy areas. Although policies developed under these topics cover most of the local development issues, in some cases they do not. In the latter case, the locality, i.e. Chowan County, has flexibility to address its own locally defined issues. During the planning process, several local issues specific to Chowan County were identified and are addressed in this section. These included waterfront development, water front access, solid waste and recycling, and siting of marinas. The five required topics, addressed in order in this section, are: -- Resource Protection -- Resource Production and Management -- Economic and Community Development -- Continuing Public Participation -- Storm Hazard Mitigation Prior to proposing updated policies for the 1991 all of the previous policies contained in the presented in Appendix I) The foregoing policies framework for guiding growth and development in years, i.e., 1991-1996. A. Resource Protection 1. Areas of Environmental Concern update, the Planning Board reviewed 1986 update. (This assessment is were developed to provide a general Chowan County over the next five Chowan County being nearly surrounded by water, recognizes the primary - 50 - concern of the Coastal Resources Commission, in terms of protecting 1 resources, as managing Areas of Environmental Concerns (AECs). The County also shares this concern for the protection and sound management of these environmentally sensitive lands and waters. The AECs which do occur in Chowan County's jurisdiction were identified in Section I of this Plan on 1 pages 21 through 23, all of which consist of Estuarine System AEC's. In respect to developing policies, the Estuarine system AECs, which include Coastal Wetlands, Estuarine Waters, Estuarine shorelines, Public Trust Areas, and Outstanding Resource Waters (ORW's), will be addressed together since they are so closely interrelated. Note, however, that there are no ORW's within Chowan County's jurisdiction. Another reason for grouping these AECs together is the fact that the effective use of maps to detail exact on -ground location of a particular area, as opposed to actual on -site analysis, poses serious limitations. As noted in Section I, the Estuarine System AECs in Chowan County relate primarily to the Chowan River, Albermarle Sound, Yeopim River, and adjacent ' land and shoreline areas. Prior to setting forth policy statements, a brief review of those areas might be helpful. The location of Estuarine Waters and Estuarine Shorelines consist of the Albemarle Sound and all man-made tributaries; the Yeopim River, Norcum Point, and the Chowan River (although joint waters from 300 yards south of the U.S. 17 bridge, Northward), and the adjacent shoreline up to 75 feet inland. ' There are no technical coastal wetlands in Chowan County. Finally, virtually all of the Estuarine Waters to their "navigable" limits are Public Trust waters (more descriptions are in Section I, items b and c, page 21-22). Chowan County's overall policy and management objective for the Estuarine System, consistent with the State "7-H" Standards, is "to give the highest priority to the protection and perpetuate their biological, social, economic, and aesthetic values and to ensure that development occurring within these AECs is compatible with natural characteristics so as to minimize the likelihood of significant loss of private property and public resources." (15 NCAC 7H. 0203) In accordance with this overall objective, Chowan County will permit those land uses which conform to the general use standards of the North Carolina Administrative code (15 NCAC 7H), with the noted exceptions, for development within the Estuarine System. Generally, those uses which are water dependent will be emphasized. Specifically, each of the AECs within the Estuarine System is discussed below. a. Coastal Wetlands: Policies ' By technical definition, there are no "coastal wetlands", i.e., regularly flooded salt marsh areas containing certain plant species, of any significance in Chowan County. Most of what could be termed "wetlands", although not coastal wetlands, in the County consists of "wooded swamp" areas in the lowlands near the river. The more sensitive areas are those closest to the water. Some of the wooded swamps in Chowan County are designated significant natural areas and could also contain areas that sustain remnant species, and wildlife habitats. All of these are important resources to Chowan County. However, the County does not believe that all land uses in these areas should be prohibited. I - 51 - (1) Policy Choices: (a) The first priority of uses of land in these areas should be the allowance of uses which promote "conservation" of the sensitive areas, with conservation meaning the lack of imposition of irreversible damage to the wetlands. (b) Generally, uses which require water access and uses such as utility easements, fishing piers and docks, will be allowed, but must adhere to use standards of the Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA: 15 NCAC 7H). Shoreline access facilities such as boat ramps may also be permitted. b. Estuarine Waters and Estuarine Shorelines: Policies The importance of the estuarine waters and adjacent estuarine shorelines in Chowan County was discussed in Section I of this document on pages 21-22. Although solid, recent, information on the existence of estuarine erosion in Chowan County is not available, there exists the possibility of such erosion along sections of the shorelines of the Chowan River and the Albemarle Sound. Chowan County is very much aware that protection of estuarine waters and adjacent estuarine shorelines is of paramount importance to maintaining the delicate balance necessary for the healthy proliferation of marine life and waterfowl. The County recognizes that certain actions within the estuarine shoreline, again which is defined as the areas extending 75 feet landward of the mean high waterline of the estuarine waters, could have a detrimental effect upon the quality of the waters. Of added significance, is the continual designation of most of ' the estuarine and public trust waters in Chowan Countyy's jurisdiction as "Nutrient Sensitive Waters". This designation indicates a need for additional efforts to protect the quality of these waters and shorelines. (1) Policy Choices: I [I In order to promote the quality of the estuarine waters as well as minimize the likelihood of significant property loss due to erosion or flooding, Chowan County will permit only those uses which are compatible with both the dynamic nature of the estuarine shorelines and the values of the estuarine system. Residential, recreational, and commercial uses may be permitted within the estuarine shoreline, provided that: A substantial chance of pollution occurring from the development does not exist; Natural barriers to erosion are preserved and not substantially weakened or eliminated; The construction of impervious surfaces and areas not allowing natural drainage is limited to that necessary for development; Standards of the North Carolina Sedimentation Pollution Control Act of 1978, and as amended in 1990, are met; Development does not have a significant adverse impact on estuarine resources; (f) Development does not significantly interfere with existing public rights or access to, use of, navigable waters or public resources; Chowan County recognizes that both the Chowan River and Albemarle Sound systems are affected by a rather large ' - 52 - ii watershed basin. Storm water runoff, from various types of development, whether urban or rural in nature, can affect the water's quality. The County believes that a detailed, comprehensive storm water management plan needs to be developed with water quality concerns in mind. c. Public Trust Waters: Policies Chowan County has long recognized that the public has certain established rights to certain land and water areas. (For definitions and geographic 22-23, Section I). These locations of public trust waters, see pages public areas also support valuable commercial and recreational fisheries, waterfowl hunting, tourism, and also are of significant aesthetic value. ' In many ways, the presence of Chowan County's Public Trust waters remain a valuable untapped asset in helping to provide additional recreation resources. (i) Policy Choices Chowan County will promote the conservation and management of its public trust waters. Appropriate uses generally include those allowed in estuarine waters, i.e., which protect public rights for navigation and recreation. Projects which would directly or indirectly block or impair existing navigation channels, increase shoreline erosion, deposit spoils below mean high tide, cause adverse water circulation patterns, violate water quality standards, or cause degradation of shellfish waters, shall not be allowed. Allowable uses shall be those which do not cause detriment to the physical or biological functions of public trust areas. Such uses as navigational channels, drainage ditches, bulkheads to prevent erosion, marinas, piers or docks, shall be permitted. d. Outstanding Resource Waters (ORW) This is a new classification of area of environmental concern (AEC). ' ORW's are defined as being unique and special surface waters that are of exceptional state or national recreational or ecological significance with exceptional water quality. There are no ORW's within Chowan County's jurisdiction. 2. Development in Areas with Constraints The constraints to development in Chowan County were discussed in Section I and relate to both physical constraints and limitations of community facilities. The physical constraints include man-made hazards, high hazard flood areas, estuarine erosion areas, soils limitations, natural resource fragile areas, and cultural resource fragile areas. Each of these are addressed again, below: a. Flood Hazard Areas The high hazard flood areas in Chowan County are areas that are susceptible to the 100-year flood. This includes a substantial amount of land area, located primarily adjacent to the Chowan River, Albermarle Sound, Dillard's Creek, Rockyhock Creek, the Yeopim River, and related branches. According to maps prepared by the Federal Emergency Management ' - 53 - I 1 1 Administration the majority of the County is in the Zone C category, i.e., minimally flooded areas that are susceptible to a 500-year flood. The areas with the highest risk appear to be the areas generally described above and interior lowland areas. It is not likely that all development should be prohibited from these areas. Significant residential, and in some cases, commercial, development already exists in as a constraint some of these areas. Estuarine erosion areas, physical to development was discussed on page 27, and is also closely related to the high hazard flood areas. b. Areas with Soil Limitations The majority of the county's land area consists of soil types not 1 conducive for urban development. As was noted in Section I, p. 27-28, a significant amount of soils are not suitable for dwelling foundations or septic tank placement. Also, it should be noted, many soil associations considered as "prime" or important farmlands occur within Chowan County. These soils make up 70% of all soils in the County. c. Natural Resource Fragile Area The Natural Resource Fragile Areas in Chowan County are extensive and includes coastal complex natural areas, significant natural areas, potential 404 wetlands, and areas which sustain remnant species. Although the National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) maps indicated significant amounts of wetlands in Chowan County the identification of such areas are not "official" 404 designations without on -site verification. The designation of portions of the Chowan River and Albermarle Sound as "NSW" (Nutrient Sensitive Waters) also makes these water bodies natural resource fragile areas. 1 d. Cultural Resource Areas The cultural resource fragile areas in Chowan County and areas listed in the National Register of Historic Places were presented on p. 35-37. As a result of a recently completed county -wide survey, other properties the "Study" list. will likely be recommended for designation on e. Policy Choices: Areas with Constraints The following policies, regarding development in areas with constraints, are adopted by Chowan County: (1) The County will permit development to take place in noted flood hazard areas, consistent with the Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision, and the County's Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance, adopted in 1985 consistent with the Federal Flood Insurance Program and State Building Code. (2) Residential and Commercial development, consistent with the County's Zoning ordinance, as applicable, shall be permitted in the estuarine erosion areas in accordance with policies on development for the Estuarine Shorelines. (3) Nearly all of the County currently utilizes septic tanks. Chowan County will not encourage development in areas with septic tank - 54 - limitations, but will support decisions made by the Chowan County Health Department. Also, when and where feasible, the County would ' prefer to see centralized sewer service provided for development located in or adjacent to natural fragile areas. (See policy on package treatment plants). (4) Consistent with policies regarding development within the Estuarine Systems, Chowan County also wants to see the currently identified significant natural areas protected from undue encroachment, damage, or pollution. In the undeveloped areas adjacent to these areas, allowable development densities and lot coverage will be kept low, e.g. 1 - acre minimum, and 30% maximum lot coverage. Certain non -water dependent uses may also be determined to be inappropriate in some of these areas. (5) Chowan County recognizes the importance of maintaining its cultural ' resources. Therefore the County will coordinate with The Edenton Historic Commission and State Division of Archives and History, as part of the review process for approving new developments which may affect significant cultural resources. 3. Hurricane and Flood Evacuation Needs and Plans: An entire section within the Policy Statement discussions is included separately for hurricane and flood evacuation, as well as storm mitigation and post -storm redevelopment policies (see Part F. Storm Hazard Mitigation, Post -Disaster Recovery and Evacuation Plans). 4. Other Resource Protection Policy Areas: There are some additional resource protection issues which are required to be I addressed by the CAMA planning guidelines and which perhaps have lesser relevancy in Chowan County than in some other coastal areas. These areas, along with relevant policy discussion and statements are included below: a. Protection of Potable Water Supply As discussed in Section I, (p.26-40-41) Chowan County's water ' distribution system is based on groundwater taken from several deep wells as the source of the system. Land uses near groundwater sources are regulated by the North Carolina Division of Environmental Management through N.C.A.C. Subchapter 2L and Subchapter 2C. Chowan recognizes the ' importance of protecting its potable water supplies and therefore supports the enforcement of these regulations. b. Use of Package Treatment Plants ' The only centralized sewer service currently in Chowan County's planning jurisdiction comes from the Town of Edenton to serve the new elementary school. It may become necessary to develop small package treatment systems in order to accommodate certain types of development in outlying areas of the County. This development may be residential, commercial, or industrial. It shall be the policy of Chowan County to allow such package plants if they can be constructed within the overall intent of this plan i.e., other Resource Protection Policies, and meet other federal and state environmental regulations. However, the preferred - 55 - 1 1� method of discharge would be by land application/spray irrigation. Any permitted system, however, must be of the highest level of suitable technology, e.g. tertiary treatment. It is the County's overall intent to protect and enhance the quality of its waters. C. Stormwater Runoff Associated with Agriculture, Residential Development, Phosphate or Peat Mining and Its Impact on Coastal Wetlands, Surface Waters, or Other Fragile Areas As stated previously, significant portions of the major watercourses in Chowan County's jurisdiction are "Nutrient Sensitive Waters". This ' designation and its causes has been an ongoing concern for the County for quite some time. Stormwater runoff from both urban development and agricultural activities, could adversely affect the quality of these waters. For several years now, the County has been involved in the ' Agricultural Best Management Practices (BMP) Program, aimed at reducing the amount of agricultured run-off into these waters. Also, special studies have been conducted under the Albermarle-Pamlico Estuarine Study (APES) on aspects of improving overall water quality. (See Implementation strategies, item g). i The County will continue to support strict enforcement of existing sedimentation and pollution control measures including the BMP program, and APES studies. ' d. Marina and Floating Home Development The development of marinas may have significant commercial and recreational potential in Chowan County. There is still substantial amounts of vacant, undeveloped and/or redevelopable lands along its many I water courses. Therefore, the County generally supports the development of marinas, in compliance with existing environmental regulations. At the same time, as discussed above, the County does not wish to see unnecessary degradation of it's waters nor interference with public use of all parts of the river. Therefore, the County will encourage the development of upland excavated marinas where as a preference over waterfront marinas. All marinas, regardless of location, must comply with applicable local, State and Federal regulations. Floating homes, or any long-term occupancy, is not visualized as being a desirable use of any future marinas in Chowan County. Even for temporary occupancy, the County will require strict adherence to Health Department regulations for pump -out facilities and proper trash disposal. Long term occupancy is defined as occupancy for more than 30 days. e. Industrial Impacts on Fragile Areas Currently, no industrial uses appear to have direct impact on noted ' fragile areas. The section of this report entitled "Types and Locations of Desired Industry", contains specific policy statements on industry for Chowan County as well as locational and environmental standards. 1 f. Development of Sound and Estuarine System Islands There is one estuarine system island in Chowan County's jurisdiction, ' -56- 1 i.e., Holiday Island. This island can be characterized as a wooded swamp and is, therefore, a natural fragile area. It is the County's policy that this area should be protected from any environmentally adverse development. This area will be classified as "Conservation" on the Chowan County Land Classification Map. Man-made Hazards g. Any proposed new development posing the potential of serious detriment to the environment, shall provide assurance of compliance with all applicable State and Federal environmental protection regulations and any other restrictions which may be imposed by the County at that time. The County deems this to be necessary in order to prevent possible ' irreversible damage from either air, water, or ground pollution and to help safeguard the health of its citizens. Such hazards could possibly result from certain industries or certain construction practices. The County will insist on adherence to local, state, and federal requirements. Although the Edenton Municipal Airport may be considered a man-made hazard, existing zoning -- both for height restrictions, and ground level are adequate controls for this area. h. Drvstacking Facilities Drystacking facilities, like marinas, are viewed by Chowan County as 1 potential important support resources for recreational boating and possible urban economic development. The County supports the development of such facilities, provided they can be located in compliance with existing state, federal, and local siting regulations. Also, such ' facilities must be associated with a marina and be self-contained. i. Restrictions Within Areas That Might Be Susceptible to Sea Level Rise and ' Wetland Loss Chowan County believes that this issue is not "solid" enough to propose realistic policy statements at this time, since it is one still being debated in scientific circles. However, the County is supportive of on- going research on this issue and supports related provisions of the Federal Flood Insurance. j. Upland Excavation for Marina Basins Chowan County recognizes the potential environmental benefits of developing marinas and boat basins in upland excavated locations as opposed to waterfront locations and the County will give preference to such development. All proposals for marina development must be carefully reviewed on a case by case basis. Resource Protection Policies: Implementation strategies ' a. The County will continue to regulate the density and type of development within the allowable areas of the Estuarine System through existing land use controls, i.e. zoning ordinance, subdivision regulations, flood damage prevention ordinance, and building inspections program. In FY 92-93, the C� zoning ordinance will be carefully reviewed to see if currently allowed densities are appropriate for land uses adjacent to fragile areas. - 57 - 1 b. Chowan County will continue to support development permit decisions within the AEC's rendered by the appropriate LAMA permit officer. c. The County will continue discussions with the Town of Edenton concerning the feasibility of providing centralized sewage services in certain parts of the County, especially near fragile areas. This service, if developed, could contribute to enhancing waters currently classified as "Nutrient Sensitive" by reducing to some extent runoff from failing septic tanks. d. In order to help ensure the long-term enhancement and protection of its special historic resources, the County does not want to see development take place which will threaten presentation of those resources. The County ' will support the efforts of the Commission of Edenton Historic Commission in helping to maintain mutual historic and cultural resources. The county also supports acquisition or a possible preservation tool. f. Chowan County will continue to cooperate with the Town of Edenton concerning environmental and land use issues of mutual impact and interest. g. In Fy 192-93 the county will request that the NC Division of Environmental Management prepare a storm water management plan for the county. ' B. Resource Production and Management Policies Care and appropriate management of productive resources is vitally important to any of North Carolina's coastal communities. In Chowan County, as is true in ' most localities, the productive resources are intricately connected to its economic base. Activities such as agriculture, commercial and recreational fisheries, commercial forestry, and recreational uses of land are among the resources to consider. Specific policy statements in these areas are: 1. Commercial and Recreational Fisheries As discussed in Section I, even though most of the estuarine waters in Chowan County's jurisdiction are considered to be "nutrient sensitive", portions of these waters are also important spawning and nursery areas. This makes these areas important for the propagation of fish and shellfish, which contributes both to recreational and commercial fishing in Chowan County. As noted under the economic analysis, fish and shellfish landings have been steadily declining in Chowan County's waters. Declining water quality could be a major factor in this circumstance. a. Policies (1) Chowan County would like to see continual declines in the amount of urban and agricultural run-off into the productive water bodies within its jurisdiction. (2) The County also supports the regulation of development in coastal wetlands and 404 wetlands as administered by CAMA and the US Army Corps of Engineers, respectively. ' (3) Because of the sensitivity of certain soils near the productive water bodies, Chowan County believes that density of development and ' -58- it I placement of septic tanks in these areas should be carefully and strictly regulated. 2. Recreational Lands ' As a growing county, Chowan recognizes the need for provision of parks and open space to serve an expanding population. a. Policies (1) Chowan County will continue to encourage and support the development, and/or expansion of parks and recreational facilities in appropriately -sited locations, consistent with the County's other development policies and the subdivision regulations. (2) The County recognizes that certain lands along creek and stream beds and other water courses offer, in many cases, an untapped resource as passive recreational land. Therefore the County will explore the feasibility of the development of a Greenways and Trails system, in concert with the Town of Edenton. 3. Residential and Commercial Land Development Chowan, as the population and economic analysis showed, is still growing -- especially in the Yeopim Township and in other areas outside of Edenton. The County is certainly conscious of the need for consistent and compatible planning for land use, provision of services, and even aesthetics. ' a. Policies (1) The County recognizes that in order to accommodate additional growth, additional land for residential, commercial, institutional, industrial, and other purposes will need to be developed. As a general policy, however, the County believes that all new development and/or redevelopment must be consistent with existing policies on Resource Protection, Resource Production and Management, and Economic and Community Development. I Additional and more detailed policies on types, densities, and locations of development are contained in Part C of this section, "Economic and Community Development". (2) Generally, the County believes that development should only take place when and where adequate services, including water, sewage disposal, road access, are available to support that development. ' 4. Agriculture on the basis of soil types, and the reality of the local economic base, there ' are substantial amounts of soils that are considered "prime" or "important" for farming within Chowan County. The County acknowledges that these agricultural soil types and lands are vitally important. a. Policies Chowan County, in recognition of the importance of agriculture to the ' - 59 - L7 County's economy, believes that existing federal and state permitting procedures (e.g., Corps of Engineers) pose enough limitations to the use of farmland in the County. Because of the soil types and topography, the County recognizes that proper drainage is essential and must be allowed to continue as needed, and as it does not result in irreversible damage to environmentally sensitive areas and is consistent with other resource protection policies. The County will continue to support participation in the Non -Point Pollution Agricultural Cost -Share Program, and the "Best Management Practices". These programs are designed to balance proper agricultural management with protection of nutrient -sensitive waters from agricultural run-off. 5. Commercial Forestry Woodlands and forests cover most of Chowan County's landscape. Substantial amounts of income are generated annually from forest products, mainly from saw timber. "Prime" forest lands, as defined in Executive Order 96, have not as yet been identified for mapping in Chowan County. "Productive" forest lands, however, are found in many sections of the County. a. Policies: The County believes that imposing additional restrictions are not necessary at this time nor should be throughout the planning period. However, Chowan County will encourage reforestation whenever feasible, as a sound timber management practice. 6. Other Resource Production and Management Issues There are several other Resource Production and Management policy areas which are contained in the Land Use Planning guidelines but which have little or no relevancy in Chowan County. These include: existing and potential mineral production areas; off -road vehicles; and peat or phosphate mining's impact on any resource. These areas are not included in the County's policy discussion. 7. Resource Production and Management: Implementation strategies ' a. Chowan County will continue to enforce its existing land use controls and regulations, especially regarding location and density of development, (see Implementation strategies under Resource Protection, p.57-58) and ' support permit decisions of related state and federal agencies. b. The County will continually seek to expand passive park and recreational lands in cooperation with the Town of Edenton and the State. I - 60 - 11 C. Economic and Community Development Policies 1. Community Attitude Toward Growth Chowan County has been steadily growing and is expected to experience moderate population growth during the next 10 years. Recent trends indicate that the County, with its quiet extensive waterfront areas and historic appeal has attracted many retirees and other immigrants from various parts of the Country. This is a trend likely to continue, a fact which Chowan County recognizes. At the same time, however, Chowan County recognizes that improperly managed growth can actually harm or destroy the very "appeal" which attracts new residents here in the first place. Therefore, the County's overall attitude toward growth is expressed in the following comments: a. Generally, Chowan County believes in managing and directing the County's growth and development in balance with the availability of adequate support services. b. The County believes that population and growth guidance should be based on: 1) the suitability of land to accommodate the use; 2) the capacity of the environment; 3) the compatibility with goals and objectives of the County; 4) density in sensitive areas; and 5) the availability adequate of support facilities and services. c. The County wants to be prepared for moderate population growth, projected to reach 15,000 permanent residents by 2000 a gain of 1,494. Further, it is the County's intent to protect the community from adverse developments by taking the following actions: 1. To institute continuous land use planning and growth direction by enforcing the relevant ordinances.(Zoning, Subdivision, Setback, Flood Damage, etc.) 2. To guide new development so as not to encroach or destroy Areas of Environmental Concern (AECs) and other special and sensitive areas, as reflected in policies for Resource Protection and Resource Production and Management. 3. To direct new development in accordance with soil capacity to accommodate water and sewer needs. 4. To guide new development away from hazardous areas where there is a tendency toward septic tank problems, flooding, and excessive erosion. 5. To approve new development only when and where adequate public facilities and services to support it are available. The above statements reflect the Chowan County's general attitude toward growth. Additional policy issues required by the CAMA Guidelines along with locally recognized issues, are addressed beginning below: - 61 - I ' 2. Types and Locations of Desired Industry Although there are several industries located in the County outside of Edenton, Chowan County has a need for increased job opportunities for many of its unemployed and under -employed citizens. Industrial development could provide these opportunities as well as expand the County's tax base. Chowan County would like to see industry developed which could take advantage of existing natural resources and/or expand upon the current major industries in the County. Among existing industries are forest products, peanut processing, and cotton processing. a. Locations and Standards ' The County would like to see industry locate, if feasible, in industrial parks which could be developed in suitable locations in the County. All industrial prospects will be required to comply with general development standards which are designed to protect environmentally sensitive areas, including: 1. Providing an assessment of the impact of the development of the industry and be required to use the best available technology to avoid pollution of air or water during construction or operation. ' 2. Be located on land having stable, well -drained soils. The sites must be located in areas adequately protected from flooding and be accessible to existing public utilities and transportation routes. Some industries, such as boat or ship maintenance and repair, may need to be close to water areas, or have adequate water ' access. b. Policy Choices ' As Chowan County recognizes the need for economic expansion and the fact that industrial development can greatly enhance this expansion, the County hereby adopts the following position: 1. The County, in cooperation with the Town of Edenton, will seek to develop an active industrial recruitment program, seeking low -pollution, light manufacturing and/or Research and Development industries. Industries such as hazardous ' waste incinerators or toxic waste storage facilities will not be permitted. 2. Chowan county will continue to seek technical assistance and financial help to enhance the growth of the industrial park, located outside of Edenton. ' 3. The County believes that all industrial prospects should be given a fair, case -by -case assessment in order to carefully compare possible economic benefits with possibly negative environmental effects. Such reviews will be coordinated by Chowan County. - 62 - I 4. The County will provide water through the County water system, and with the Town of Edenton (if the Town's current policies change), provide, as much as is locationally and economically feasible, sewer, to newly locating industries. C. Implementation Strategy The County will establish more active contact with the State's industrial development representative for the region. The County will actively explore funding assistance to develop an industrial park, outside of, but near the Town of Edenton. 3. Local Commitment to Service Provisions Currently, the major service to development provided by the County is water, through the county -wide water system. The County water system, independent of the Town of Edenton's system, serves nearly all residential areas in the County. The excess capacity of the County water system is more than adequate throughout the planning period (through the year 2000). A county -wide sewer system is still economically unfeasible. Both Chowan County and the Town of Edenton are committed to providing basic services such as water, and where feasible, sewer, to serve increased development in the County. This is especially true for areas which are already developing at high densities, e.g. Yeopim. However, it has been the policy of the Town of Edenton to not extend sewer services outside of the Town, and even the Town's land application treatment system has little if any excess capacity. Other support facilities and services provided by or within the County, such as police and fire protection, health services, social services, solid waste collection, and library services, appear to be adequate throughout the planning period. As development occurs and the local tax base expands accordingly, slightly higher levels of county -funded services can be provided. a. Policy Choice Chowan County will remain committed to providing needed services, as economically feasible, to accommodate new residential, commercial, and industrial development in the County. b. Implementation The County will work with the Town of Edenton throughout the period to encourage the provision of services where needed, and as feasible, for new development. 4. Desired Urban Growth Patterns The most significant "urban" area in Chowan County is the Town of Edenton. The rest of the residential development in the County has a pronounced rural pattern, except for two major subdivision areas near the Chowan River and the Albemarle Sound, i.e., Arrowhead-Chowan Beach and Cape Colony Country Club. However, with the expansion of the County water system, subdivisions have begun to 63 - I I I 1 develop in other parts of the County. An example is the rapid development which has been occurring in the Yeopim and Middle Townships. Future subdivisions will all have to meet formal orderly development design standards in accordance with the County Subdivision Regulations. The rural cluster community pattern, evident in the Valhalla, Rockyhock, and Tyner communities, for example, is usually built around a church or churches and a community store. Most of the developed areas appear to be located in areas where the soils are more suited for development, i.e., capable of supporting septic tanks. Another trend in the County, possibly affecting urban growth patterns, is the increasing number of mobile homes. Although mostly scattered on individual lots, mobile homes have residents and the County may wish to plan for the eventuality of mobile home parks. a. Policy Choices 1. The existing rural cluster communities are a long established residential pattern in Chowan County, and will not be discouraged by the County. However, the County will not encourage "new" developments in areas with identified limitations such as soils, flood hazards, or proximity to AECs. However, redevelopment, or rehabilitation activities are viewed as being acceptable. All newly developing subdivisions will have to adhere to the standards of the County subdivision regulations. 2. Because of the increasing potential for additional residential growth in the County, it may become necessary to expand the current ordinance to cover additional land areas. b. Implementation Schedule In FY 193, examine growth patterns and consider expansion of currently zoned areas. Will expand zoning to areas when it is deemed necessary and appropriate based on development pressures. S. Redevelopment of Developed Areas "Redevelopment" usually implies the refurbishing or rehabilitation of deteriorating areas already concentrated with development. Although there are a number of substandard structures located throughout Chowan County, there are no substantial concentrations or "neighborhoods", as might be found in more urbanized areas. However, detailed surveys in the future may reveal residential areas with sufficient concentrations of substandard conditions, requiring redevelopment activities such as funded through a community development block grant. In such cases, it shall be the County's general policy to support applications for needed federal or state financial assistance. Also, some redevelopment activities in the Town of Edenton, such as along the waterfront, for example, may be of mutual benefit and/or interest to the County. Again, it shall be the County's position to support such activities. L� a. Policy Choices 1. Chowan County would like to see redevelopment/rehabilitation activities occur in such communities, as may be identified in the future, where there are concentrations of substandard housing conditions. 2. The County will continue to work with the Town of Edenton in encouraging redevelopment activities of the waterfront area and other projects of mutual interest and concern. b. Implementation Schedule In FY 193, apply for Community Development Block Grant Funds in order to address additional areas of concentrated substandard housing. 6. Commitment to State and Federal Programs Chowan County is generally receptive to State and Federal programs, particularly those which provide improvements to the County. The County will continue to fully support such programs. The North Carolina Department of Transportation road and bridge improvement programs are very important to Chowan County. Examples of other State and Federal programs which are important to and supported by Chowan County include: social programs, drainage planning and erosion control activities carried out by the U.S.D.A. Soil Conservation Service and the Agricultural Non -Point Pollution Control Cost Share Program, which is valuable to farmers; dredging 1 and channel maintenance by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; and Federal and State projects which provide efficient and safe boat access for sports fishing. All of these programs and others are important to Chowan County, and the County is committed to their continued support. 7. Assistance to Channel Maintenance Proper maintenance of channels, including periodic dredging, is very important in Chowan County, mainly because of the substantial economic impact of commercial fisheries. If silt or other deposits fill in the channels, this could impede efficient mobility and docking of commercial and recreational vessels. With adequate channel maintenance, Chowan County can make better utilization of its waterways for water transportation purposes. 8. Energy Facilities Siting In some coastal counties, the siting or location of energy facilities relates to either peat mining or phosphate mining, or off -shore oil exploration. However, in the absence of significant peat reserves, phosphate, or oil resources, no specified, detailed policies in this area can be formulated at this time. Nevertheless, should the siting of an energy facility become a realistic possibility for Chowan County, including the possibility of electrical energy facilities, it shall be the policy of the County to carefully review each such project and require strict adherence -65- ito federal, state, and any local environmental regulations. 9. Tourism, Beach, and Waterfront Access iAs discussed under the economic analysis section, tourism income nearly tripled from 1981 to 1988 and will likely have a significant impact upon Chowan County's economy in the future. Although most of the tourist economy revolves around "Historic" Edenton, Chowan County does support tourism and is aware of the potential economic benefit of such activity. Both the Town and the County jointly participate, actively, in the Chowan County Tourism Development Authority (TDA). Monthly meetings are conducted with both the County Manager and Town Administrator usually in attendance. Several promotional projects have been jointly planned and completed, including selecting a logo design and developing a brochure. The TDA's activities, along with efforts by the Chamber of Commerce will continue. Although there are several public access points to the public waters of Chowan County, i.e., two State-owned boat ramps and five under private ownership, but still open to the public, and one private beach, there is a real need for more public access. The County supports access program's sponsored by CAMA and Wildlife Resources. a. Policy Choice Chowan County wants to see improved waterfront access opportunities for the general public and will take additional measures to better assure those opportunities. tb. Implementation Schedule 1. In FY 193, Chowan County will apply for funds through the Division of Coastal Management to develop a sound, practical public access Plan which will analyze the County's public access needs and designate potential access sites. 2. Also, in FY 193, Chowan County will review its existing Subdivision Regulations to see if and how additional steps can be taken to improve public access in new waterfront subdivisions. 10. Establishment of a Recycling Program One of the negative aspects of development is an increase in the volume of solid waste which the County could produce annually. In light of this fact, and in compliance with new state and federal requirements to reduce solid waste by 25% and redesign landfills. The county supports the establishment of a recycling program as an alternative to unnecessary landfill expansion. 11. Density of Development Overly dense development is not a problem in Chowan County, nor is it anticipated to become a problem during the period covered by this plan update. With an anticipated population growth of 1,494 persons between 1990 and 2000, (an increase of 11.06% over the 1990 estimate), the rate of growth will not push developed densities to unacceptable levels. As presented in other discussions in this - 66 - i 11 report, there are soils suitable for residential development in most of the County. Also, most of the County is classified as "Zone C", i.e., minimally flooded areas according to the Flood Insurance Maps prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). (See Maps 4 and 6 attached). Chowan County would like to see development continue in areas which are considered as most feasible to accommodate growth and where support services, such as water and sewer (including septic tank placement), are feasible and practical to provide. Also, the county 1 will continue to enforce its Subdivision Regulations, and Zoning Ordinance for the Cape Colony Country Club areas, which have established minimum lot sizes in coordination with sanitary requirements of the County Health Department which will affect development densities. The minimum square footage for lots without access to public sewer ranges from 15,000 s.f. to 25,000 s.f. The average density of development in these areas will range from 2.9 to 1.7 units per acre. 12. Land Use Trends [1 The overall land use trends in the Yeopim and Middle Townships, as have been discussed in other sections of this report, include continuing, although at a slower rate, land clearing activities; continued emphasis on agricultural uses of land, and increasing, although not dramatic, waterfront residential development. With county water available to the entire County, subdivision may develop outside of currently developed areas, such as the Macedonia area, for example. The projected land use changes are not anticipated to be causes for alarm in Chowan County. Continued enforcement and coordination, of existing local, state, and federal land use regulations, i.e., through LAMA, Corps of Engineers, 404 process, sanitary regulations, and the County's Subdivision Regulations, and Zoning Ordinance, and building inspections program, are adequate to help assure orderly growth and development in the County. D. Continuing Public Participation Policies From the beginning of the 1991 Land Use Plan Update process, Chowan County gave full recognition to the requirements contained in the guidelines that the planning process be conducted in the "Public Arena." A formal Public Participation Plan was developed and adopted by the Board of Commissioners in January, 1991. The plan, along with other supporting elements, is contained in Appendix II of this Land Use Update. Some of the major elements in the Public Participation Plan included: 1. The designation of the Planning Board, as the primary citizen liaison group for the County and proposing to conduct public information meetings in different areas of the County. The Planning Board met with the Planning Consultant throughout the planning process. 2. A monthly meeting schedule was established in the beginning, which included several advertised public information meetings, which were held on February 12, 1991, February 19, 1991 and August 27, 1991. Prior to the meetings, notices were published in the Chowan Herald Newspaper. 67 - I L 11 Chowan County took extraordinary steps to help inform, and educate its citizens that the CAMA plan was indeed being developed. At the beginning of the process, a news release was developed and submitted to the weekly newspaper cited above. The release resulted in a news story. Also, CAMA an "information packet" was developed and submitted to all civic groups in the County (a total of 14 packets). Meetings with the Planning Board were held every second Tuesday, on the following dates in 1991: January 8th; February 12th; February 19th; March 12th; April 9th; May 14th; June llth; July 9th; August 13th; August 27th; and September 11. The citizen input via the Planning Board was useful in developing final policy statements. 1. Policy Statements It shall be the policy of Chowan County to continue to use the local news media to inform the citizens of the various opportunities for input into land use planning and related policy matters. E. Storm Hazard Mitigation Post -Disaster Recovery, and Evacuation Plans The purpose of this section of policies is to address issues and concerns relating to the potentially damaging effects of hurricanes or major coastal storms. As stated in the 1986 plan, Chowan County recognizes the potential threat that hurricanes or tropical storms pose to the health and safety of its citizens. Damage from high winds, flooding in low-lying areas, and to some degree, erosion along some sections of the Albemarle Sound and Chowan River shoreline, are some of the potential adverse effects which need to be considered. These elements could affect both property and infrastructure. It should be noted that many elements addressed in this section are included in the Chowan County Hurricane Evacuation Plan, which was originally adopted in June, 1978 and periodically updated. Additional information on this plan is presented later in this section. Beginning below is a brief discussion of how some elements of a major storm event may affect Chowan County. 1. Effects of a Coastal Storm a. High winds High winds are major determinants of a hurricane. By definition a hurricane is a tropical disturbance with sustained winds of at least 73 miles per hour. Extreme hurricanes can have winds up to 165 miles per hour, with gusts of up to 200 miles per hour. These winds circulate around the eye, or center, of the storm, generally, over open water. As the hurricane moves inland, although the friction or impact of the winds striking land causes dissipation of the full force, there is still a tremendous amount of energy left. This intensified wind energy causes damage to buildings, overturns mobile homes, fells trees and power lines, and destroys crops. Tornadoes can often be spawned by a hurricane's size and power. In the event of a major storm moving as far inland as Chowan County, it is likely that all of the County would be subject to the same wind velocity. _�M 11 Ib. Flooding Flooding, on the other hand, may not affect all areas of Chowan County with equal rigor. The excessive amounts of rainfall and the storm surge which often accompany hurricanes can cause massive coastal and riverine flooding which could result in ' excessive property damage and deaths by drowning. (More deaths are caused by drowning than any other cause in hurricanes.) Flooding is particularly a problem in oceanfront coastal areas because of the storm surge in low-lying areas. Chowan County, although relatively inland, under intense conditions, could be affected by a storm -surge. The Eastern N.C. Hurricane Study indicated that under Level 5 conditions, stillwater storm surge could be as high as 7.4 feet at Edenton, and 8.2 feet at Arrowhead Beach. A significant amount of the County's jurisdiction is located in the 100-year flood plain. FEMA maps show that the Zone A flood plain extends to land area adjacent to the Chowan and Yeopim Rivers and the Albemarle Sound and the creeks and streams which feed into the rivers. Most of the land area is vacant. However, as the Composite Hazards Map 1 (Map 11, attached) shows, the high hazard flood area extends in finger -like protrusions adjacent to and encompassing a significant amount of developed area, including some platted lots. In the event of a major storm, these areas are the ones most susceptible to damage from flooding. This is especially true for the Reedy Creek area, Harris Landing, and lands adjacent to Pollock's Swamp, and Rockyhock Creek. ic. Wave Action Damage from wave action is connected very closely to the storm surge, i.e., wind -driven water with high waves moving to vulnerable shoreline areas. Areas most likely to be affected are ocean erodible areas and estuarine shoreline areas. There are no ocean erodible areas in Chowan County, but there are extensive estuarine shoreline areas (75 feet inland from the mean high water mark of estuarine waters) in the County. However, wave action damage would have the most significant impact along the Albemarle Sound shoreline. As the existing land use map (Map 3, and the Composite Hazards Map, Map 11) show, there is a significant amount of residential development in or near the estuarine shore line area. Wave action can cause erosion as well as push possible flood waters to areas not reached by the storm surge itself. The estuarine shoreline along Chowan's riverine shores, i.e., the Chowan and a portion of the Yeopim, are generally sufficiently inland from an open coast so that the wave energy is dispersed and diffracted, mainly by the proximity to forested areas. d. Erosion The final major consideration in storm hazard mitigation is severe erosion, caused by high winds, high water, and heavy wave action. Again, in Chowan County, the area most susceptible to storm -related erosion is the estuarine shoreline AEC along the Albemarle Sound from Queen Anne Creek south to Hornblower Point, -69- and from the Yeopim River southwest to the NC 32 Bridge, and from Pembroke Creek south of Edenton to the Chowan River up to the US 17 Bridge. North of the US 17 Bridge, along the banks of the Chowan River, erosion has historically not been as severe. (See Map 5 and Chart 1, pages 27-a-b.) This is essentially the same area potentially affected by the action of damaging waves and described in part c, above. Shoreline erosion could lead to loss of property through portions of waterfront lots being washed into the Sound or even actual structural damage to buildings. Erosion potential is an important factor to consider in developing storm hazard mitigation policies. 2. Composite Hazards Map 11, attached, shows the "Composite -Hazards" which must be taken under consideration for Chowan County's jurisdiction. As noted in the previous discussion, the entire area would be subject to high winds. Flooding, on the other hand, would have a more intense affect on those low-lying areas identified as being located in the 100-year flood plain and other areas under extreme conditions. The 100-year flood plain is shown on the composite hazards map. Also shown is an area which might be susceptible to minor erosion. a. Land Use Inventory A comparison of the existing land use map with the composite hazards map indicates that as of the writing of this report, outside of Edenton, there are a number of lots or parcels located within the 100-year flood plain. Some of these lots are I developed with residential uses, while a few contain commercial establishments. Most, especially in the southwest and northwest areas of the County, consist of large wooded vacant parcels with only a portion of the area located within the flood plain. The area subject to potential minor erosion problems consists mostly of undeveloped property along the Albemarle Sound and Chowan River shoreline. In terms of risk, again more areas are subject to potential flooding than problems from erosion. 3. Storm Hazard Mitigation Policies In order to minimize the damage potentially caused by the effects of a hurricane or other major storm, Chowan County proposes the following policies: a. High Winds Chowan County will continue to support and enforce the N.C. State Building Code, particularly requirements of construction standards to meet wind -resistive factors such as design wind velocity. The County also supports provisions in the state Building Code requiring tie -downs for mobile homes, which help resist wind damage. b. Flooding Chowan County is supportive of the hazard mitigation elements of 70 - the National Flood Insurance Program as contained in the County's Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance. Chowan County has participated in the regular phase of the insurance program since 1985. The County also supports continued enforcement of the CAMA and 404 Wetlands development permit processes in areas potentially susceptible to flooding. There are also special provisions in the subdivision ordinance relative to development densities and setbacks for water -front development. c. Wave Action and Shoreline Erosion 1 Chowan County supports the CAMA development permit process for estuarine shoreline areas and the requisite development standards which encourage both shoreline stabilization and ' facilitation of proper drainage. 4. Policy to Discourage Development in the Most Hazardous Areas The major policy instrument relative to development in the most hazardous areas, is the Chowan County's Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance, which is enforced by the Building Inspector. Major provisions of this ordinance include the following: a. restricting or prohibiting uses which are deemed dangerous to health, safety, and/or property; 1 b. requiring that those uses vulnerable to flooding be protected against flood damage at the time of initial construction; c. controlling all types of alternatives to -natural flood plains, stream channels, and other natural protective barriers; d. controlling those types of development which might increase erosion; and e. regulating the construction of flood barriers which will unnaturally divert flood waters or which may increase flood hazards to other lands. The County Building Inspector administers this ordinance through a permit process which allows for special construction modes for structures erected within a flood plain which encompass the following standards: 1. residential construction: new construction or substantial improvement of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated no lower than one foot above base flood elevation. 2. non-residential construction: new construction or substantial improvement of any commercial, industrial, or other non-residential structure shall either have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated no lower than one foot above the level of the base flood elevation or, together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities, be flood -proofed and certified as such by a registered engineer or architect. u - 71 - 3. mobile home: no mobile home shall be placed in a designated flood way or coastal high hazard area, except in an existing mobile home park or mobile home subdivision (with the latter requiring over -the -top ties and frame ties capable of carrying a force of 4,800 pounds). Nonconforming structures in existence prior to the adoption of this ordinance (1985) are not required to comply. However, should these structures be moved or destroyed, any subsequent buildings must comply with the ordinance. All requests for re -zoning and subdivision plat approvals are made to the Chowan County Planning Board. Developers are made aware of potential hazards and the scope of .the flood damage prevention ordinance. 5. Policy on Public Acauisition of land in the Most Hazardous Areas It shall not be the policy of Chowan County to seek to acquire such lands which may currently be in the most hazardous areas. 6. Post -Disaster Reconstruction Plan Chowan County recognizes that in the event of a major storm, it will be very important to have, at a minimum, a general recovery and reconstruction plan. However, it should be noted that Chowan County provides a number of emergency services, including disaster management. These services are coordinated by a full-time Emergency Services Coordinator. All of the County's emergency and disaster plans, including those dealing with the effects of a hurricane, are maintained by the Emergency Services Coordinator. The County has a comprehensive "Disaster Relief and Assistance Plan", with a number of very well -detailed subplans, or "Annexes." For example, "Annex F" provides a detailed Damage Assessment Plan, whereas "Annex G" details the Disaster Assistance Center Plan. All of the subplans detail clearly the actions and steps to be taken in the event of an emergency, the officials and responsible personnel involved, as well as the lines of responsibility. All of the actions are coordinated with the Town of Edenton. Although many elements of "Post -Disaster Recovery" are already addressed in existing plans, some useful issues are not addressed. This section of the Land Use Plan Update will address these issues. a. Appointment of a "Post -Disaster Recovery Team" Prior to a major storm having landfall in the vicinity of Chowan County, when evacuation orders are issued, the evacuation "Control Group", as identified in the Evacuation Plan, shall appoint a "Post -Disaster Recovery Team"/ This team shall consist of all of the members of the Evacuation Plan and listed below: i 1. Chowan County Manager - Group Chief 2. Town of Edenton City Manager - Assistant Group Chief ` 3. Sheriff ll 4. Director of Social Services 5. Superintendent of Schools I 72 - developed. As stated previously, Chowan County already has a detailed "Damage Assessment Plan", which was prepared in accordance to guidelines provided by the N.C. Division of Emergency Management. In the Plan, certain personnel are assigned to the Damage Assessment Sections (DAS), broken down further ' into two Damage Assessment Teams (one for private property and one for public property). The damage assessment activities are to be coordinated by the Chowan County Tax Supervisor, who serves as the Damage Assessment Officer. As soon as safety conditions permit, the DAS personnel are to be notified to report to the County Emergency Operations 1 Center, where they will receive their assignments and necessary supplies, i.e., standard forms, maps, etc. Written reports are to be provided to the EOC. The damage assessments will continue until all suspect areas are covered, even after the arrival of Federal and State assistance. Also, the Plan includes a Damage Assessment Guide, which provides a rule -of -thumb for estimating damages to real property and placing the damage in one of the four categories below: 1. Minor Damage - Habitable 10% damage Impact damage, mostly exterior surface, broken glass, minor roof damage, some shingle loss, or flood water mark not much above floor line. 2. Minor Damage - Uninhabitable 30% damage Impact damage to exterior wall or walls create openings, portion of roof open to attic, some interior damage, or flood water mark up to 3 feet above floor line. 3. Major Damage - Uninhabitable 70% damage Impact damage is extensive to exterior and interior walls, portions of roof and/or walls destroyed, or flood water mark 3 to 6 feet above floor line. 4. Destroyed - Uninhabitable 100% damage Impact damage has destroyed most of structure, roof gone, most walls destroyed, or flood water mark 8 feet ' above floor line. The total estimated dollar value of damages will be summarized and reported to the Disaster Recovery Team Leader ' for transmittal .to appropriate State and/or Federal officials. I 2. Reconstruction Development Standards Generally, reconstruction shall be held at least to the same standards as before the storm. However, developed structures which were destroyed and which did not conform to the County's storm hazard mitigation policies, i.e., with basic measures to reduce damage by high winds, flooding, -74- I I 1 I I P C� 3. 4. wave action or erosion, must be redeveloped according to those policies. Non -conforming uses in areas subject to the zoning ordinances will comply with provisions of the ordinance of destroyed. In the event the loss of property containing shoreline structures is substantial enough to prohibit the re -issuing of a septic tank permit, the County Will support the relocation of construction, or no reconstruction at all. To the extent feasible, when relocation is required, such relocation will be placed in less hazardous areas. Building permits to restore destroyed or damaged structures, which were built in conformance with the State Building Code and County storm hazard mitigation policies (including the subdivision regulations and, where applicable, the zoning ordinance), shall be issued automatically. All structures suffering major damage will be repaired according to the State Building Code. All structures suffering minor damage, regardless of location, will be allowed to be rebuilt to the original condition prior to the storm. Development Moratoria Chowan County, because of a lack of densely populated areas, does not foresee the need to prohibit any and all development for any specified period of time. Residents shall be allowed to proceed with redevelopment and reconstruction as soon as practical and in accordance with the various levels of State and Federal disaster relief provided to them. Damage to the properties in some areas of the county may indicate a higher susceptibility to storm damage than other areas. If the County determines that some areas are more vulnerable to storm damage than others, then the Board of Commissioners may declare a development moratorium, prohibiting all redevelopment for a specified period of time. This will allow the County time to assess previous damage mitigation policies for their effectiveness and possible modification. Repair/Reconstruction Schedule The following schedule of activities and time frame are proposed with the realistic idea that many factors of a hurricane may render the Schedule infeasible. Activity a. Complete and Report Damage Assessments Time Frame 2 weeks after storm b. Begin Repairs to Critical As soon as possible Utilities and Facilities after storm C. Permitting of Reconstruction Two weeks after activities for all damaged damage assessments structures ("minor" to pre- are complete storm original status, "major" to State building code and hazard mitigation standards - 75 - 11 11 ' 5. Aaencv Responsible for Implementation ' The Chairman of the Chowan County Board of Commissioners, as chief elected official of the County, will be the chief responsible authority in implementing these policies. The Board Chairman will delegate the oversight of the ' reconstruction and recovery effort and implementation of the plan. 6. Repair and Replacement of Public Utilities If water lines or any component of the water system are damaged and it is determined that the facilities can be relocated to a less hazardous location, then they will be relocated during reconstruction. Damage to other utilities, such as electric lines or telephone lines, will be the responsibility of the appropriate private utility company. 7. Hurricane Evacuation Plan Chowan County, as stated previously, has an official "Hurricane Evacuation Plan" which was adopted in June, 1978 and has been updated periodically. A review of this plan indicates that it is generally adequate for the County's needs. The plan indicates a projected evacuation time of from 6-8 hours, which is adequate within the National Weather Service warning system guidelines. The Hurricane Evacuation Plan involves a number of County and Town of Edenton personnel and local agencies, with varying specific duties and responsibilities. There are eight shelter locations throughout the County, mostly in school facilities. During both storm threats of 1984, 1985, and 1991, people did come to the shelters, although there were no required evacuations. However, since there are no "stocked shelters", residents are encouraged to bring food to the shelter site. 8. Re -Entry Factors regarding re-entry are also included in the Hurricane Evacuation Plan. Because of the possibility of fallen power lines, or telephone lines, re-entry will be closely coordinated with the appropriate private utility companies. The Chowan County Plan has been reviewed by the North Carolina Division of Emergency Management and meets the agency's approval. The evacuation plan will be incorporated into the Land Use Plan by reference. - 76 - ' III. Land classifications A. General The land classification system provides a uniform way of looking at how the planned use of land interacts with environmentally sensitive areas and with the development of a Town or County. It is not a strict regulatory devise as is a zoning ordinance or zoning map. It represents more of a tool to help understand relationships between various land use categories and how these relationships help shape local policy. Particular attention is focused on how intensely land is utilized and the level of services required to support that intensity. Land ' classifications are also useful in the staging of services necessary to support development. The regulations for the Coastal Area Management Act (CARA) state: The land classification system provides framework to be used by local governments to identify the future use of all lands. The designation of land classes allows the local government to illustrate their policy statements as to ' where and to what density they want growth to occur, where they want to conserve natural and cultural resources by guiding growth. (7B.0204)(b) 1 There are seven general land use classifications under CARA: Developed Urban Transition; Limited Transition; Community; Rural; Rural with Services; and Conservation. In applying the land classification system, each local government should give careful consideration to 1 how, where and when certain types and intensities of development will be either encouraged or discouraged. A summary of the broad classifications, as contained in the CAMA rules Subchapter 7B is presented below: Urban land uses and higher intensity uses which presently require the traditional urban services should be directed to lands classified developed. Areas developing or anticipated to develop at urban densities which will eventually require urban services should be directed to lands classified transition. Low density development in settlements which will not require sewer services should be directed to areas classified as community. Agriculture, forestry, mineral extraction and other similar low intensity uses and very low density, dispersed residential ' uses should be directed to lands classified rural. The Rural Services Class is to provide for very low density land uses including residential use where limited water services are provided in order to avert an existing or projected health problem. (7B.0204(5)(A) 1 The purpose of the conservation class is to provide for the effective long-term management and protection of significant, limited, or irreplaceable areas. ' (7B.0204)(7)(A) Consequently, urban services (whether public or private) should not be provided to those areas as an incentive to stimulate more intense development. Each - 77 - 11 B. 1 11 of these classes that are applied to the area must be represented on a Land Classification Map. The seven land classifications and the Land Classification Map are therefore intended to serve as a visual reflection of the policies previously stated in Section II. The map which depicts these classifications should be as flexible as the policies that guide them. (See Map 12, Land Classification Map) The land classification system contained in this 1991 Update of Chowan County's LAMA Land Use Plan, has been developed as an aid to guiding the growth and development of the County. The land classification discussion and map are expressions of the County's desired future growth patterns, consistent with existing land use controls. The classifications shown on the map are of necessity, general in nature and should be viewed as showing the general character of an area rather than the specific use of individual lots. It is hoped that local, state, and federal regulatory agencies will find the adopted land classification map useful for providing the following: 1) Consistency and coordination between local land use policies and those of the State of North Carolina; 2) a guide for public investment, by assisting local and State government to know in advance the need for parks, schools, highways, etc; 3) a general framework for budgeting and planning for the construction of community facilities; and 4) enabling the County to "guide" growth and development to areas best suited to service their needs. The land classification system serves as a vital implementation tool for the identified community issues and policies found in the preceding Section II. Of the seven LAMA classifications, only four appear to be pertinent in Chowan County. These four are, Limited Transition, Community, Rural with Services, and Conservation. Additional descriptions are provided below: Limited Transition The purpose of the Limited Transition classification is to provide for development in areas that will have some services, but are suitable for lower densities than those associated with the Urban Transition classification and/or are geographically remote from existing towns and municipalities. In Chowan County this includes areas adjacent to Edenton along US 17 and the areas near the airport. Lands in this classification will experience increased development pressures during the planning period. This development may necessitate some municipal type services but will be of only modest densities. These lands are often comprised of soils unsuitable for high intensity development. These lands may further be defined as lands with physical limitations or areas near valuable estuarine waters or other fragile natural systems. These lands should not include areas which meet the definition of Conservation Land. Lands in this classification should be predominantly residential with densities of three (3) units per acre or less, or with the majority of lots larger than 15,000 square feet. Cluster or planned unit developments are allowed in this classification - occasionally with closed water systems. Commercial and industrial users may also be acceptable, consistent with other policies. - 78 - 11 11 1 1 C. Community The Community classification provides for clustered mixed land uses to meet housing, shopping, employment, and public service needs within the rural areas of a County. It is usually characterized by a small grouping of mixed land uses which are suitable and appropriate for small clusters or rural development not requiring municipal sewer service. These areas provide residents with a sense of a community. This is an important classification in Chowan County, since most of the County's population not residing in the areas classified previously as "Limited Transition", live in such clusters. There are not other incorporated municipalities in Chowan County, other than Edenton, but many small communities are located along the primary roads in the County. Areas classified as "Community" include: Macedonia, Valhalla, Rockyhock, Smalls Crossroads, the Center Hill Area, and the area west of Gliden along NC 132 north to the Gates County line. The waterfront developing areas of Arrowhead Beach and the Chowan Beach area should also be considered "Community". All of these areas currently are serviced by the County water system. D. Rural with Services The Rural with Services classification was created to provide for very low density land uses including residential uses where limited water services are provided or will be provided in order to avert an existing or projected health problem. Other services such as sheriff and fire protection and rescue services may also be available. E. Conservation The final land use category, according to CAMA guidelines, is the Conservation class, which provides for effective long-term management of significant, limited, or irreplaceable resources, specifically, and at minimum, all of the statutory defined AEC's. However, beyond the presence of AECs, other areas within the County, because of natural, cultural, recreational, productive or scenic value, may also require similar "effective long-term management." Examples could include major wetlands (other than statutorily defined coastal wetlands); essentially undeveloped shorelines that are unique, fragile, or hazardous for development; lands that provide necessary habitat conditions (especially for remnant species); pocosins; the previously identified "Significant Natural Areas" (see Map 8); or publicly owned water supply watersheds and acquifers. The designation "Conservation" should not be misconstrued to imply "non-use," but does imply a need for careful and cautious management of any allowable use. For example, within a "conservation" area, there may be high ground areas which are suitable for "development," in which case development should be allowed to take place under carefully managed conditions. The term "preservation," on the other hand, implies total restriction on all uses. Within lands designated Conservation, each proposal, or application for any "developed" use should be reviewed on a case by case basis. Other than the statutorily -defined Areas of Environmental Concern, there are not many additional areas of Chowan County that have special features conducive to being placed in the Conservation Classification. - 79 - The overall premise for the designation "Conservation" in Chowan County will be to strike the delicate balance between careful long-term management of sensitive or valuable resources and the freedom of landowners to utilize their properties. i Therefore, in Chowan County, the environmentally sensitive areas identified as Areas of Environmental Concern (AEC's) i.e, Estuarine Waters, Estuarine Shorelines, and Public Trust Areas are classified as i "Conservation." There are no significant coastal wetlands, "salt marshes" or ORW's in Chowan County. However, outside of these Areas of Environmental Concern, the primary designation of "Conservation" areas in Chowan County will be for the purpose of sustaining shoreline stability, protecting water quality, along the County's estuarine waterways, protecting certain wooded swamp areas from the encroachment I of improper development, such as the area on either side of the US 17 Bridge in the southwest portion of the County, and the Significant Natural Areas whose generalized locations are shown on Map 8. Note that these are not exact locations. (See attached Land Classification Map, Map 12.) Since, as stated previously, "Conservation" does not imply I "Preservation," specific allowable uses in the Conservation class shall include: Drainage: Adequate drainage is essential to the economic vitality I of Chowan County; therefore, drainage facilities over and through these areas, but not with the intent of draining the Conservation areas for "development" purposes, will be allowed. Such facilities may include diking, tiling, and piping systems. lLow density residential development if, and as, allowed by the County Health Department and not opposed by the U.S. Soil Conservation Service. However, water and/or sewer services will not be extended to such a residential area merely to stimulate additional growth and development. On -site sewer services will be required and must be feasible. I Water -dependent uses such as piers, docks, and marinas, (consistent with other policies, i.e., preferably in upland locations) if they are shown not to cause detriment to the estuarine waters or the Conservation lands. Necessary utility service lines, such as water, sewer, electrical, natural gas, etc., when it is demonstrated that the ecological system of the Conservation estuarine area will not be significantly altered. (As noted in Item 2 above, development of and/or extension of necessary utilities and services will not be done merely as a stimulus for additional growth and development, only to the extent needed). Roadways, when construction of roadways can be conducted without significantly altering the ecological system, and in compliance with existing federal, state, and local regulations. Timber harvesting with approved management practices. Permanent barge landings to be permitted only in commercially zoned areas. - 80 - IV. Relationship of Policies to Land Classification As required by the Coastal Area Management Act, the land use plan must relate the policies section to the land classification map and provide some indication as to which land uses are appropriate in each class. The proposed policies for Resource Protection, Resource Production and Management, and Economic and Community Development are generally reflected in the proposed Land Classification system. The proposed development densities, types, and locations, as well as the need for basic support ' services were described in the preceding discussions of the Land Classification system. Only four classifications are proposed for Chowan County, Limited Transition, Community, Rural with Services, and Conservation. One notable departure from the 1986 Update, is the absence of a graphic depiction of all areas in the "Conservation" class. Because of the difficulty in pinpointing "on -the -ground" locations of the conservation areas, it was decided not to attempt to portray all conservation areas on the map. However, the recommended allowable uses and density issues for each classification are presented on pages 78-81 with "Conservation" uses on p. 80-81. 11 - 82 - 1 I 1 1 I I V. Intergovernmental Coordination A. General Throughout the development of this Plan, effort was made to make the policies consistent and compatible with other local, State and Federal requirements. Implementation of the Plan will likewise follow the same intergovernmental concern. Contacts and data sharing also took place between the Town of Edenton's and the County's Planning Consultants. A number of State, County, and Federal agencies were contacted during the Plan development process. Contact was made with representatives of the Chowan County government in order to discuss issues of mutual concern and to obtain relevant base data. It is anticipated that this 1991 Plan Update will serve as an "Interactive Document" between County, State, and Federal agencies. - 83 - I 1 f] I Appendix I � Analysis of 1986 Policy Statements lJ 1 1 A I 1 u PREFACE CHOWAN COUNTY LAND USE PLAN UPDATE, 1991 Analysis of 1986 Policy Statements/Implementation Action The CAMA Land Use Plan for coastal communities is essentially a policy document aimed at guiding localities toward sound growth management. Because circumstances, conditions, and issues change over time, the Coastal Resources Commission, under State law, requires the local land use plans to be updated every five years in order to "take a second look". at old policies for their relevance as well as examine newly emerging trends and concerns. The Commission also requires in all updates an assessment of the previous policy statements and implementation steps taken to effectuate them. This summary analysis of the 1986 policies is being presented here as a "Preface" to the 1991 Update of Chowan County's Plan. Status/Relevancy Policyf Implementation Actions I. Areas of Environmental Concern: Development Policies (General) 1. Policy: Chowan County's Continuing Concern overall policy and management objective for the estuarine system (the only type of AEC in the County) is "to give the highest priority to the protection and coordinated management of these areas, so as to safeguard and perpetuate their biological, social, economic, and aesthetic values and to ensure that development occurring within these AECs is compatible with natural characteristics so as to minimize the likelihood of significant loss of private property and public resources." 2. Policy: To permit those Continuing land uses which conform to the general use standards of the North Carolina Administrative Code (15 NCAC 7H) for development within the Estuarine System. F I h i I 1 I I I E. Coastal Wetlands 1. Policy: To permit uses which promote conservation of wetlands (there are no coastal wetlands, only wooded swamp wetlands near the river) - generally their uses which require water access and utility easements. These uses must adhere to use standards of the Coastal Area Management Act (15 NCAC 7H) . C. Estuarine Waters and Estuarine Shorelines 1. Policy: To permit only those uses which are compatible with both the dynamic nature of the estuarine shoreline and the values of the estuarine system. 2. Policy: To permit residential, recreational and commercial uses within the estuarine shorelines provided that: a. there is no substantial chance of pollution, b. natural barriers to erosion are preserved, c. the construction of impervious surfaces and areas not allowing natural drainage is limited only to that necessary for development, d. standards of the NC Sedimentation and Pollution Control Act of 1973, are met, as ammended, e. development does not have a significantly adverse impact on estuarine resources, f. development does not significantly interfere with existing public rights or access to, or use of, navigable waters on public resources. - 2 - on -going concern: It was learned that there may be some coastal wetlands in the County. Continuing Continuing I I 1 1 L7 1 I I D. Public Trust Areas 1. Policy: To promote the conservation and management of public trust areas. 2. Policy: To promote those uses which protect public rights for navigation and recreation, and to generally not allow uses which impair navigation channels, increase shoreline erosion, deposit spoils below mean high tides cause adverse water circulation patterns, violate water quality standards, or degrade shellfish waters. 3. Policy: To permit uses which do not damage the physical or biological functions of the public trust area such as navigation channels, drainage ditches, bulkheads to prevent erosion, piers, docks or marinas. 4. Policy: To continue to utilize the existing regulatory system (subdivision regulations, zoning ordinance) along with the Federal and State permits and review processes (404 and CAMA). E. Development in Areas with Constraints 1. Policy: To permit development in some areas subject to erosion provided proposals comply with provision outlined for development within the estuarine shorelines. 2. Policy: To continue to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program and enforce its regular Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance enforcement through the County Building Inspection Program. - 3 - Continuing Continuing Continuing; except County is concerned about shore front marinas; prefers up- land facilities. Continuing Continuing Continuing I I 3. Policy: To permit proposed developments which are not otherwise damaging to AECs and provide protective measures which comply with flood insurance requirements. 4. Policy: To not encourage development in areas where soil types have limited bearing capacity. 5. Policy: To remain committed to decisions by the Regional Department's Sanitarian County in areas with septic tank limitations. 6. Policv: To continue rendered Health for the possible to enforce existing regulatory controls. F. Other Resource Protection Policy Areas 1. Policy: To protect potable water supplies and therefore support the enforcement of these regulations. 2. Policy: To allow package treatment plants if they can be constructed within the overall intent of this plan and meet other federal and state environmentalregulations. 3. Policy: Phosphate mining is not an issue in Chowan County. 4. Policy: To support the development of marinas in compliance with existing environmental regulations based upon additional studies of the County's needs in reference to the sizes and location of marinas. 5. Policys Floating homes are not an issue or problem. =1= Continuing Continuing Continuing Continuing Continuing Continuing, except the County has a preference for land application systems. This concern shifted becuase of large marina developments proposed in neigh- boring counties. If developed in Chowan, preference would be given to upland marinas. The County now recog- nizes that floating homes can become an issue. I I 3. Policy: To support the Ongoing concern State Clearinghouse review I of the impact of development projects on prime forestlands. C. Mining Resource Areas 1. Policy: To continue to Continuing allow the existing sand pits, I and possibly others, to operate as long as they are in compliance with federal state and local environmental regulations (there are no notable peat or phosphate mineable resources in Chowan County). D. Commercial and Recreational Fisheries 1. Policy: To remain Ongoing concern supportive of the state initiated CHORE (Chowan River Restoration Project), declaration of the river as a nutrient sensitive water, and various positive actions to reduce both point and nonpoint sources of pollution and would like to see water quality in all of the productive water bodies maintained. 2. Policy: To support Continuing enforcement of current state, federal and local regulations which govern commercial and recreational fisheries. 3. Policy: To support the Continuing concern activities resulting from the Chowan River Water Quality Management Plan of 1982. 4. Policy: To continue to Subdivision revula- enforce the County's subdivision tions were revised in regulations, requiring larger 1989 to include lot sizes for residences in special provisions areas where soils are not well for waterfront deve- suited for septic tank placement. lopment and access. L I I I 11 n 1 F� I [I I E. Off -Road Vehicles 1. Policy: To continue to Continuing allow the use of off -road vehicles by landowners and hunters to travel in swampy areas of the County (there are no ocean beaches in the County). F. Residential and Commercial 1. Policy: To encourage Continuing concern, land development, whether for with special emphasis residential, commercial or on low -density deve- industrial uses in conformance lopments. with existing regulatory controls. III. Economic and Community Development Policies A. Types and Locations of Desired Industry 1. Policy: The County would ongoing concern; but like to see industry developed especially in comp - which could take advantage of liance with State, existing natural resources and\or Federal, and local expand upon the current major environmental regul- industries in the County as long ations. as the integrity of environmentally sensitive areas could be assured of maintenance and stability - also, other low pollution, light manufacturing and/or assembly industries would be desirable. B. Location and Standards 1. Policy: The County would The County and Town like to see industry locate, of Edenton have esta- if feasible, in industrial parks blished a cooperative located in suitable locations in relationship. the County and to require them to comply with development standards designed to protect environmentally sensitive areas. 2. Policy: To have Continuing industrial proposals provide an assessment of the development's impact. - 7 - I 3. Policy: To require new Continuing industrial developments to use the best available technology to avoid pollution of air or water during construction and operations. 4. Policy: To require that Continuing new industry be developed on land having stable, well drained soils, in areas that are adequately protected from flooding and accessible to existing public utilities ad transportation routes. S. Policy: To seek to This activity/rel- develop an active industrial ationship has been recruitment program, seeking initiated. low -pollution, light manufacturing industries in cooperation with the Town of Edenton. 6. Policy: To actively seek Ongoing concern technical assistance and financial help to develop at least one industrial park to be located outside of Edenton. 7. Policy: To give all Continuing industrial prospects a fair, case -by -case assessment so as to compare possible economic benefits with possible negative environmental effects. 8. Policy: To provide water Continuing to new industry through the County water system. 9. Policy: To provide Continuing concern, sewer, in conjunction with but very limited the Town of Edenton, as posibilities. locationally and economically feasible. Local Commitment to Service Provisions 1. Policy: To remain Ongoing concern committed to providing if economically feasible basic services such as water, and where feasible, sewer (in conjunction with the Town of Edenton) to new residential, commercial and industrial development. - 8 - 1 I 1 I 1 P, D. Desired Urban Growth Patterns 1. Policy: To not encourage new development in areas with identified limitations such as soils, flood hazards, or proximity to AECs. 2. Policy: To encourage the continuation of the County's long established rural cluster residential pattern. 3. Policy: To require new subdivisions to adhere to the standards of the County subdivision regulations. 4. Policy: To consider adopting a Mobile Home Park Ordinance in FY 1986. S. Policy: To consider expanding the current zoning ordinance to cover additional lands in FY 1987. E. Redevelopment of Developed Areas 1. Policy: To support application for needed federal and state financial assistance, such as CDBG application. 2. Policy: To work with and support redevelopment activities in the Town of Edenton, such as along the waterfront and other projects of mutual interest and concern. 3. Policy: To "support" redevelopment/rehabilitation activities in areas that may be identified in the future where there are concentrations of substandard housing conditions. F. Commitment to State and Federal Programs 1. Policy: To fully support state and federal programs particularly programs which provide improvements to the County. Continuing Ongoing concern Continuing: (Regula- tions were revised in 1989). - Mobile Home Park Ordinance was adopted in 1988. - Zoning Ordinance coverage has not been expanded. Continuing Not initiated County applied for and received CDBG funds for housing rehabilitation. Continuing ��J G. Assistance to Channel Maintenance 1. Policy: To support dredging and channel maintenance by the US Army Corps of Engineers. H. Energy Facilities siting ' 1. Policy: To carefully review each energy facility siting project and to require strict adherence to federal, ' state and local environmental regulations. I. Tourism, Beach and Waterfront Access 1. Policy: To support tourism in Historic Edenton and Chowan County. 2. Policy: To apply for funds through the Division of Coastal Management in FY 1987 to develop a sound, practical public access plan which will analyze the County's public access needs 1 and designate potential access sites. 3. Policy: To review the existing subdivision regulations in FY 1987 for possible steps to improve public access in new waterfront subdivisions. J. Density of Development 1. Policy: To "continue to direct" development into areas which are considered as most feasible to accommodate growth and where support services (water and sewer) are feasible and practical to provide. 2. Policy: To continue to enforce its subdivision regulations and zoning ordinance for the Cape Colony Country Club areas which have established minimum lot sizes as per requirements of the County Health Department. I I - 10 - Ongoing Concern Ongoing Concern The County developed, and works with Edenton, a Tourism Development Authority Access plan has a not been developed. Subdivision ordinance was revised in 1989. Ongoing concern Continuing 1 I I I 1 I I F� K. Land Use Trends 1. Policy: To continue enforcement and coordination of existing local, state, and federal land use regulations as these are adequate to help assure orderly growth and development. IV. Continued Public Participation Policies 1. Policy: To "continued' to provide open opportunities for citizen input through execution of the public participation plan, developed for the land use plan update, advertised public information meetings and regular open planning board meetings. ongoing Continuing I 1 1 I � Appendix II ' Citizen Participation Plan and � Additional Information I 11 I 1 A I 'd Ll I 1 COUNTY OF CHOAAN, NORTH CAROLINA 1991 Land Use Plan Update Public Participation Plan Subchapter 7B of the N.C. Administration Code, CAMA Land Use Planning Guidelines, requires that the plan update process be conducted in the public arena. It is therefore the responsibility of the local government to involve, inform and educate a broad cross-section of the population. There should be a continuous structure in place which both reaches out and invites diversified segments of the community to participate within its jurisdictional boundaries. Chowan County is aware of this responsibility and will seek to carry out this obligation throughout the updating of the 1991 CAMA Land Use Plan. The following steps will be taken in order to provide information to the public and to maintain citizen involvement throughout the process: 1. Designation of Citizen Advisory Board The Chowan County Board of Commissioners will designate the County Planning Board, which represents a cross-section of the community, to serve in a review and advisory capacity to the Planning Consultant. This citizen's group will serve throughout the Plan development process and will meet on a regular basis with the consultant to review draft material, help clarify local planning issues, and provide general input. 2. Initial Public Information Meetings The Planning Board, along with the appropriate county staff and Planning Consultant, will conduct two publicly advertised "Public Information Meetings" during the initial stages of the planning process. The purpose of these meetings (which are not formal public hearings), will be primarily educational. The public will receive an overall explanation of the purpose and use of the State -required CAMA Land Use Plan, and be informed of additional opportunities for citizen involvement. These meetings will be conducted in different parts of the county, i.e.one in Edenton and one in the Rockyhock area. They will be scheduled for February 1991. Also, notice of the meeting will be advertised through the local media, i.e., the Chowan Herald, and radio and television public service announcements. 3. Newspaper Releases At the beginning of the plan update process, contact will be made with the Chowan Herald, and a press release will be submitted. It is hoped that the press release will lead to a news or feature story to be published in the local I 1 fl it I fl Ll newspaper. Also, throughout the entire planning process, especially prior to the public information meeting(s), periodic releases will be developed as the planning data base is revised. 4. Development of Information Packets Prior to the initial public information meetings, the planning consultant will develop an information packet describing the CAMA plan update process. Working with the Chamber of Commerce, these packets will be distributed to various community organizations in the county. They will also be available to citizens. S. Monthly Meetings with Advisory Board It is anticipated that the Planning Consultant will meet at least monthly with the Planning Board. These meetings will be open to the public, with adequate notices to be published prior to each meeting. These meetings will be conducted from January through September, 1991 on the second Tuesday of the month, unless otherwise advertised. The schedule of meetings are as follows: January 8; February 12*; February 19*; March 12; April 8; May 14; June 11; July 9; August 13; September 10*; and, September 19*. 6. Second Public Information Meetings After the initial draft of the updated plan has been completed, including development of policy statements and proposed land classifications, a second round of public information meetings will be conducted. Again, these will not be formal public hearings, but additional opportunities for citizens to comment on the preliminary land use plan. These meetings should be conducted in September 1991, in the same areas of the initial meetings, prior to submission of the preliminary plan to the Coastal Resources Commission. Notices of these meetings will be advertised through the local media as is proposed for the Initial Public Information meetings. All of the above activities should provide substantial opportunities for Chowan County to inform, educate, and involve a broad cross-section of citizens in the 1991 CAMA Land Use Plan Update process. * Special Public Information Meetings u 11 [1 I I'S CO u0 j 6 6, & CHOWAN COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA z �� • x Q 09fa Th CARC� Chowan County: Public Information Meeting/August 26, 1991 Draft Policy Statements - Generalized Summary (Policy: ".. any governing principle, plan, or course of action." Webster's Dictionary). I. Natural Resources; Fragile Areas A. Resource Protection 1. AEC's: give highest priority to protection and enhancement, and uses which are compatible with the natural characteristics... to minimize the likelihood of loss of private property and natural resources. 2. Permit uses which are water dependent, i.e. piers, docks, boat ramps, but not commercial marinas. 3. Place all identified AEC's in a "Conservation" zone. 4. Because of the "nutrient sensitive" water classifications, permit only uses which: * do not cause pollution * preserve natural barriers to erosion * do not interfere with public rights, or access to use of navigable waters * comply strictly with local, state, and federal regulations, including the North Carolina Sedimentation and Pollution Control Act of 1990 5. Limit or restrict density of development adjacent to identified sensitive or fragile natural areas. 6. No commercial or recreational marinas directly on the shoreline of any Public Trust Water, but should be located on excavasted upland basins. B. Physical Constraints 1. Not encourage development in areas with septic tanks problems, but will accept decisions of the County/District Health Department. 2. Continue to support identification and preservation of significant archeological and historical resources coordinate with the Town of Edenton. 3. Permit or allow Package Treatment Plants to be developed in the County. 4. Prohibit shoreline marinas, but allow excavated boat basins; also permit drystack storage facilities. 8. Restrict development from existing estuarine island; Holiday Island retain "conservation" designation. F I II. Economic and Community Development A. Overall Attitude Towards Growth 1. Growth and development should be responsible, i.e. adhering to both the letter and intent of protective regulations. 2. That population growth and land development be based on: a) availability of land b) capacity of environment c) availability of adequate, safe support services, i.e. water, sewer, and road access 3. Development should be directed away from areas subject to high erosion, septic problems, or flood hazards. B. Growth Patterns 1. Encourage continuation of low -density, single family development, consistent with the existing subdivision regulations and Zoning Ordinance. (Questions and Answers) r� 11 = M 1=1 = M Edenton. N.C. Thursday, Febr„bry 7 1991 atehand [_Tse Upd., l chedu ed This year Chimall County public meetings with the Bricks, Clerk to the Planning � Will again updatt. its Land Planning Board and the con-' "-B6i d, at 482-8486. Use Ilan, under thL• pruvi sultant. F ings, the planning process sions of the state's Coastal The first Public Informa• should be explained. All citi- Area Management Act tion Alc sting is scheduled for zens are invited to attend. (C:1111A). livery rive years, rI uesdaA February 12, at 7 according to the state's plan. p,m• in the conference room, It should be noted that the ping guidelines, the counties second floor of the new court- < regular Chowan County Plan - and local governments which house. The second meeting ping Board meetings, which have land use plans are re- will take place Tuesday, Feb- . take place the second Tuesday, quired to update their previous ruary 19, at 7 p.m. at the , of each month, are open to the plans. Center Dill - Crossroads Vol- . public. Questions regardin Chowan County has con- unteer Fire Department - on ' .the. public meetings may 4' tracted with the Wilmington_ IIwy. 32 North. At these meet- :addressed to Lynda 11-- based firm of Ken Weeders ' 4OTICE OF an(I ASSOMILCs, Planning Consultants, to prepare the 11,)91 update. This firm will work closely with the Chowan County Planning Board over the next several months to i help identify newly emerging r trends, issues and land use t policies which need to be ad- t dressed in,the new plan. t A major aspect of the plan- ning process concerns pro- viding the opportunity for involvement by the citizens of Chowan County. Throughout the process, citizens will be . encouraged to provide input,.. primarily through* a series of . . .b ♦ ♦ ,► �. -b ,4 4, 4, y k y tit. PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETINGS CHOWAN COUNTY CAMA LAND USE PLAN UPDAT Chowan County Planning Board will conduct twtpublic in- formation meetings to explain the 1991 CAMA Land Use Plan Update which is now under preparation. The meetings will be held as follows: February 12, 1991 at 7:00 p.m. ommisstarrer's Room, 2nd Floor ew Courthouse, Edenton, NC February 19;1991 at 7:00 p.m. Center Hill -Crossroads Volunteer Fire Department Highway 32 North The purpose of the meetings is to discuss the Land Use Plan Update and provide citizens an opportunity for input. Citizens of Chowan County are urged to attend. For addi- tional Information, contact Lynda Hendricks, Clerk to the Planning.Board;. at 482-8486. r. 0 u HER T;ORD C 0 U N T Y "A 316*15, v T 1-2 61 \,\I 'BURNEr — HILL - 200- 4- r 0 U N T Y CHOWAN No COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA z 0 37 u 0 SCALE 2 3 A MKES mu FO h, SCALE FOR ENLARGEMENTS to) MAP 3 z Existing Land Uses 1991 Z RESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL INSTITUTIONAL Agricultural & Forests 7. -0 3A V z 10 lag, til uj LL2Q so 37 ly uto 1-001 % 1114 LIU Pim Ed-*— M.-dpl 1. JjR4 1 uni S Lul. W." row 1114 X. 10 WOO' uay NOW 0 A L J3 0 0 THE FRE'"ATON Of TNI$ MAP NdS F06AOCED ST THE G S N N PART THMA" A GRANT FOOVWS)WEV A NONTO CAROLINA COASTAL WAXNT FROGMAN. THROWN FUNDS PROV 0 SIT TWAL E COASTUK WANA"WENT ACT OF 072. AS "WO" mm" is "WINSUP96 91 THI OFFICE OF COASTAL PC= WAAKWKT &ATIMAL OCCANC AND AT&OWPOW A010109TRATON V W r W O N T Y CHOWAN COUNTY t E S I b..a - NORTH CAROLINA C7 � / L•9I o 77 36.70' e 1�2 36 / u � , L799 r • - SCALE 1 0 n U CHFiFiF�F�-Tr-ps3 H E R T F O R D \ \ ry io w��tt _ SCALE FOR ENLARGEMENTS 90 LW ,7 COUNTY ' 'it LW �� } Rr�e 7 > i s..a IC 0 , Ir1I / _ .e MAp 1l4L ~ ry � � J d ko.io �. 36.15' 7 ! •v .� 17_l4 1991 36.13' Z laNwd irw -- -� I 0 Lm O' 1.7 Z % 1777 IA I F ® H HAZARD FLOW AREAS 22 .. 1i91 HIGH / 1 7�+♦: 199I 1 ♦ / t lii7 .177e •� 3 Gnl./ No LIM LW ILsri 1. � 1 � I ► 7 1 u+ 1313 I I ' Ili Lu • `. 1717 Mavaton v 1 Me.wsl J � 0- �IIIl d \ A,k `� •, IJ 1 I Rodr%hod 1 1� .•. 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COVN - 12 17 �P 36ro7° y lA Ull tlgia V U 139E •l /' 2.L101 111E 17 �\ '°: .•.°. •.o. .• I e llll p 111! 3t % �o \ ►ob* 1 ll➢lSt 101A.. �O � 4 / MMkipal Akw LJll L1J1 � JJ.2! �Wl ►oio %\ 0 11H J.IH LUA V GO .-*,' 76°00' A �.r A L B N t r V R A G O N O W A 5 H N G I 25-a S ► � W n O a 3 A a, 4Y OF H S i 9 9 U6 S;t�7 Z, • • : ,: .� R ,A �..'.'.'.'W.'•..1 I L k 1 N n O 7 \s \ C U d M ? Y E It c i —' 16 10 °` 2.2 r v �s s•tis• a 1 \ t R U M ( < �!. A N l S ` C O N r r � D C 0 U N T Y IJap" -- 2 H E R T F 0 R D tykM COUNTY UK IN • kwin Wis, ml .00 im OIL is 1p Ila i LILL LILL lin %LOU 32 C4~ "a lilt . c6m A lin '$' erg ILL LEA ck v kl.,.,.. Liti ) J."', 40, LM BURNE MILL ILLI POND lul Illl ULM 1� Li Lilt f Poho aw 1L.1 WOZ CHOWAN COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA Lml 0 SCALE U 0 4 MESS 0 OS I MILE E=3 ro SCALE FOR ENLARGEMENTS 1291 Map 10 HIM Chowan County, Major Traffic -ftrs9cfions,ADTfbr 36*15' z 1987 and 1989 1. NC 32 S. U.S. l7s"me 2. NC 37 9. BUS. 17 3. NC 32 10. NC 32 4. SR 1222 11. SA 1114 5. U.& 17 IZ NC 32 6. US 17 mvpm 13. NC 32 7.- NC 32 14. NC 37 or 'P'*Q(J4t4Ns f7�7- Y I ;= un 9 mt 'shm P.*0 lul im 9 0LLit mt 32 ID 0 s A A L 0-25RAiSm f 4 47 it 0 %) 1-0 c A S H N G 0 42—a I i. � ,,. `� .���ri� .fay faOl���� ,` �; l// • •`�,� MI . • Ito kh lamp 44 ALU • "K N*WAT" OP Two PPAI MA• ro- rAD M PINT TrOOL". A • "T •OOV•CO N Im OORTH CAOOLWA COITAL NANACCA<OT PMOG4Ar. TMOU•1 PYIM POO.IKO OT THE COACLL ION[ NANACC•CNT ACT OF 072, A• A•ICPO[D OMCr If AOAt•N•TCOCO OT THE 0I749 Or COASTAL IK•OUKt AWL IAWNT OI N►►AL OCCAMC APO ATOO•P60 K AOIO••TOATOr r p V p G A / A o� G W S H I N 23-a C 0 U N T Y ­ C H E R T F 0 R D C 0 U N T Y 36*15' pull 0 v- '0" Tw popawm Or VMS WAS iw"MD N MAT TMOWS" a ~T 1ROV40 ev TIC SORT* CAROLM COASTAL SIAMSEMENT POOGRAW. IrKtaw WOO NO 106a ey TIK COAS TAL 201E :T ACT or all. A& low %voww" a "W"Ttwo ey TNE O"ON OF COASTAL MONO= INAMSIMUT NATIONAL OCCAM AM ATSIOSVWNC ASINNISTMATION CHOWAN COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA z 0 SCALE 0 1 2 7 A WAIS U r'R R pr3q R_ =3 ME! ro SCALE FOR ENLARGEMENTS isu + Saw FIX MAP 12 36*15' z LAND CLASSIFICATION 1991 Limited Transition Community Rural With Services Conservation *41VS 0 C 0 A S H N G I