Land Use Plan and Policies for Growth and Development Update-1987

Boiling Spring Lakes, North Carolina
Land Use Plan
and
Policies For Growth
and Development
1987 Update
Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates, Planners and Landscape Architects

i
.r .
1
r
Boiling Spring Lakes
Land Use Plan -
and
1
Policies For Growth
1
1
r
Technical Assistance by:
Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates
1
Adopted by the Board of Commissioners
November 23,1987
r
Certified by the N.C. Coastal Resources Commission
1 December 4,1987

1
City of Boiling Spring Lakes
Mayor and Commissioners
Elinor F. Handler, Mayor
Donna M. Baxter
George Henry Lanier, Jr.
Eleanor R. Ensminger
Herbert C. Bunten
Planning Board
Robert Williams, Chairman
Robert Rollosson
Florence Andersen
Donald Kirby
Tom Simmons
Community Appearance Commission
Anthony Aweeky
Bill Dunn
'
Elsie Kendrick
Dorothy Beck
George Zieres
Marlene Pike
Mary Riese
5
Board of Adjustment
Elsie Kendrick
Donald Litchfield
Alfred R. Toney
Ernest G. Wise
Mary Riese
James Jeffries
Richard W. Buckbee
Barbara Cumbee, City Clerk
Carol Nunnery, Assistant to the City Clerk
Technical Assistance
Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates
Planners and Landscape -Architects
215 South Front Street
Wilmington, North Carolina 28401
The preparation of this document was financed, in part, through a Coastal
Area Management Act Grant provided by the N.C. Coastal Management
Program, through funds provided by the Coastal Zone Management Act of
1972, as amended, which is administered by the Office of Coastal Zone
Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Table of Contents
Executive Summary
1
1.. Data Collection and Analysis Section 1, Page 1
1.1 Information Base
1
1.2 Present Conditions
2
1.2.1 Population and Economy
2
1.2.2 Existing Land Use Analysis (Map)
13(16)
1.2.3 Current Plans, Policies, and
Regulations
18
'
1.3 Constraints; Land Suitability
25
1.3.1 Physical Limitations For
Development
25
'
1.3.2 Fragile Areas
30
1.3.3 Areas With Resource
Potential
32
1.4 Constraints; Community Facilities
and Services
33
1.4.1 Water
33
'
1.4.2 Sewer
33
1.4.3 Transportation -
34
1.4.4 Police
34
1.4.5 Fire Protection
34
1.4.6 Schools
35
'
1.4.7 Parks and Recreation
35
• 1.4.8 Solid Waste Disposal
36
1.5 Anticipated Demand
37
1.5.1 Population Projections
37
1.5.2 Future Land Use Needs
38
1.5.3 Community Facility Demands
39
2. Policies For Growth and
Development Section 2, Page 1
'
Introduction to the Policies
1
2.1 Resource Protection
3
2.1.1
Constraints to Development
3
2.1.2
Areas of Environmental
1
2.1.3
Concern
Other Hazardous or Fragile
4
Land Areas
5
2.1.4
Hurricane and Flood
Evacuation
7
2.1.5
Protection of Potable Water
Supply
7
2.1.6
Package Sewage Treatment
.
Plants
8
2.1.7
Stormwater Runoff
8
Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan
Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates

2.1.8 Industrial Impacts on Fragile
Areas
9
2.2 Resource Production and
Management Policies
11
2.3 Economic and Community
Development Management Policies
12
2.3.1 Types and Locations of
Desired Industry
12
2.3.2 Provision of Services to
Development
13
2.3.3 Urban Growth Pattern
13
2.3.4 Redevelopment
14
2.3.5 State and Federal Program
Support
14
2.3.6 Energy Facilities
15
2.3.7 Waterfront Access
16
2.3.8 Residential Development
17
2.3.9 Commercial Development
18
2.3.10 Growth and Development
Controls
19
2.4 Public Participation Policies
21
2.4.1 Public Participation
21
2.5 Storm Hazard Mitigation, Post
Disaster Recovery and Evacuation
Plan
23
3. Land Classification Section 3, Page 1
3.1 Purpose of Land Classification
and Relationship to Policies 1
3.2 Land Classification System (Map) 2(5)
4. Intergovernmental Coordination and
Implementation Section 4, Page 1
4.1 Intergovernmental
Coordination and
Implementation 1
5. Public Participation Section 5, Page 1
Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan

Executive
Summary
Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan
` Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates

I
Introduction The City of Boiling Spring Lakes was established in the late
1950s as primarily a planned, low density residential retire -
Need For Planning ment community. Growth was fairly modest during the
decade of the 1960s, but escalated dramatically during the
1970s. Since 1980, the growth rate of the City has been
roughly equivalent to that of Brunswick County, and contin-
ues at a relatively brisk pace.
As the City of Boiling Spring Lakes becomes more densely
settled, however, new growth issues have emerged, includ-
ing: an increasing number of housing types other than
traditional single family residential, development occurring
on less suitable soils, a tightening of State and County regu-
lations regarding the suitability of soils for septic tanks, the
need for alternative sewage treatment systems, a shortage of
revenues to pay for needed services and facilities, and the
possible degradation of the natural features of the commu-
nity.
The intent of the Land Use Plan is to anticipate and plan for
future growth, in a manner which helps protect the existing
quality of life of area residents and avoids unreasonable
increases in the local tax burden. The NC General Assembly
recognized these issues when it passed .the Coastal Area
Management Act of 1974, which requires coastal local gov-
ernments to develop Land Use Plans and update them every
five years. The first Land Use Plan for the City of Boiling
Spring Lakes was adopted in 1983; this 1987 Update primar-
ily refines the 1983 Plan and Policies to reflect current condi-
tions in the City.
Functions of the Plan The Land Use Plan performs several important functions for
local governing bodies and the general public; these func-
tions are briefly described below:
• Source of Information - The plans' technical
studies provide information on a number of
topices, including the local economy,
population, environmental features, housing
trends and facility needs.
Guidance for Government Decisions - Once a
governing body adopts a plan, it then has a
blueprint for guiding future decisions on
budgets, ordinances, and zoning or
subdivision applications.
• Preview of Government Action - Business
decisions of the public in general, and
Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan - Executive Summary, Page 1

developers in particular, are easier to make
when the probable outcome of governmental
decisions is understood; the adoption of a Land
Use Plan increases the predictability of
government actions.
• Public Participation in Managing Growth -
Public Meetings and hearings held during the
plan's preparation help to insure that the plan
expresses the will of the area's citizens.
Several major steps were involved in the preparation of the
Land Use Plan for Boiling Spring Lakes. First, a number of
technical studies were made on the past and present condi-
tions in the City. From these initial studies, forecasts for
future growth and development of the area were summa-
rized. Finally, policies and a Land Classification Map were
devised to address present and future needs.
A number of basic studies are required before sound
policy decisions can be made. These basic studies include
the following subjects:
Population and Economy
Existing Land Use Analysis
Current Plans, Policies and Regulations
Physical Limitations for Development
Fragile Areas
Areas with Resource Potential
Water Supply
Sewage Treatment
Transportation Facilities
Police Protection
Fire Protection
Schools
Parks and Recreation
Solid Waste
Population and Economic Projects
Future Land Use Needs
Community Facility Demands
Collectively, these studies summarize past and present con-
ditions, while providing the essential yardsticks for estimat-
ing future conditions. The results of these studies are con-
tained in full in Section 1 of the Land Use Plan. In addition,
detailed mapping of existing land uses is available for inspec-
lion at the City Hall.
Ingredients of the Plan
Technical Studies
Page 2, Executive Summary - Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan Edward D. Stone, jr. and Associates I

Highlights of the Technical
Studies
Population In 1985, there were an estimated 1,314 residents in the City,
up from about 245 residents in 1970. Based on recent trends,
the City's population is expected to reach about 2,300 persons
by 1995. In a community the size of Boiling Spring Lakes,
however, this figure could vary dramatically with the addi-
tion of a single major new development. In the past few
years, the City has emerged from being a primarily retire-
ment -oriented community to one which supports a signifi-
cant number of families with school -age children.
Economy Despite the reputation of Boiling Spring Lakes as aretirement
community, Census figures reveal that area residents typi-
cally have higher household and family incomes than the
County as a whole. It appears that a significant number of
Boiling Spring Lakes residents may be employed at some of
the higher paying industries in the area, such as the CP&L
Power Plant and the Pfizer Chemical Plant. There are cur-
rently no industries within the corporate limits, and only a
limited amount of commercial and service -oriented busi-
nesses.
Land Use and Housing The 1987 Existing Land Use Survey revealed that the City is
seeing an increasingly larger proportion of its new housing
stock appear in the form of mobile homes. It is estimated that
mobile homes now comprise approximately 50% of the City's
total housing stock. Another trend in the City is the early
signs of strip commercialization appearing along NC 87.
Soil Suitability for Septic Suitabilityof soils for septic tanks has emerged as the number
Tanks one constraint on the future growth and development of
Boiling Spring Lakes. The majority of the land area within the
City is not suited for conventional septic tank use. This issue
has implications for future development patterns, housing
types, and the need for public or private central sewage
treatment facilities.
Policies for Growth. and The technical reports described above were geared to gather -
Development ing and summarming information related to the growth of
the City. Building upon this information, a number of
policies were prepared for consideration by the Boiling
Spring Lakes Board of Commissioners. The policies which
are presented in this document are the result of this process;
as officially adopted policies of the City, they will serve as the
basis for future decisions on capital improvements, ordi-
Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan - Executive Summary, Page 3

nance, zoning requests, special use permits, subdivision
approvals, and other similar matters. In addition, once the
Plan and Policies are approved by the Coastal Resources
Commission, the document becomes the official plan for state
and federal permit and funding decisions.
Some of the policies make reference to specially mapped
areas; the Land Classification Map contained in the Land Use
Plan illustrates these areas. The four land classification cate-
gories (Developed, Transition, Rural, and Conservation)
were adapted from the Coastal Area Management Act's Land
Use Planning Guidelines. By assigning the land classes to
specific parts of the City, the map shows visually where and
at what density growth should occur, and where significant
natural resources are to be conserved. These classes are as
follows:
1. Developed provides for continued intensive
development and redevelopment of existing urban
areas.
2. Transition provides for future intensive urban
development within the ensuing ten years on lands that
are most suitable and that will be scheduled for
provision of necessary public utilities and services.
3. Rural - The purpose of the Rural Class is to provide for
agriculture, forest management, mineral extraction, and
other low intensity uses. Residences may be located
within Rural areas where urban services are not
required and where natural resources will not be
permanently impaired.
4. Conservation provides for effective, long-term
management of significant, limited or irreplaceable
areas. Conservation lands are the lakes and connecting
wetlands of Boiling Spring Lakes, as well as any isolated
wetland or marsh areas under the jurisdiction of the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers 404 Wetland Permitting
Program. These isolated wetlands pockets are site
specific and, therefore, are not shown in map form.
• Policy on Package Sewage Treatment Plants - The City
has adopted a policy which specifically supports the use
of package sewage treatment plants when the plants are
properly developed and maintained. The recent
tightening of State and County regulations regarding
the installation of conventional septic tank systems has
further constrained the potential for growth in the City.
Land Classification
Map
Major Changes From
the 1983 to the 1987
Updated Policies
C
L'
I
Page 4, Executive Summary- Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates

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The City recognizes, that under certain conditions,
package sewage treatment plants can offer a viable
alternative to conventional septic systems.
• Attached and Cluster Housing Encouraged - In
response to continued demographic changes in the
population of Boiling Spring Lakes, area residents have
begun to recognize the need for housing types beyond
conventional site built, single family homes, and mobile
homes. These housing types might include attractive
apartments and cluster developments, as well as garden
homes, patio homes, and townhouses. These housing
types may respond to the needs of young families, as
well as the less active retired, who are less able to
manage the responsibilities of a traditional single
family home on a large lot.
• Strip Development on NC 87 Discouraged - City
officials have identified the beginnings of a stripped
commercial development pattern along NC 87 as it
passes through the community. The Planning Board
has initiated discussions regarding changing some of
the strip commercial zoning along this route to a more
consolidated area on 87 west of the Town Hall and north
of South Shore Drive. This initiative is reflected in the
policy statements.
• Need for Improved System of Development Controls
Recognized - Most residents attending the public
meetings related to the Land Use Plan were in
agreement that the City's existing development controls
and administrative procedures need to be overhauled.
The Planning Board has established this overhaul as its
highest priority for the five year planning period
leading to the next update of the Land Use Plan.
iEdward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates Boiling Spring Lakes: Land Use Plan - Executive Summary, Page 5

Section 1:
Data
Collection
and
Analysis
Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan
Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates

E
I
1.1 Information Base The CAMA guidelines for preparing land use plans in
the coastal area of NC require that an analysis of existing
conditions and future trends be performed prior to
policy development. The intent of this requirement is
to insure that the policies as developed respond as
closely as possible to current problems and issues facing
the City. Key components of the analysis may be
described in four categories: 1) present conditions,
including population, economy, existing land use, and
current plans and regulations; 2) land suitability
constraints, including physical limitations for
development, fragile areas, and areas with resource
potential; 3) community facility and service constraints,
including water, sewer, transportation, police, fire,
schools, parks and recreation, and solid waste; and 4)
anticipated demand, including population and
economic projections, future land use needs, and
community facility demands.
Collectively, these studies summarize past and present
conditions, while providing the essential yardsticks for
estimating future conditions.
Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates
Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan - Section 1, Page 1

Population Growth
1950-1985
Boiling
Spring Brunswick
Year Lakes Court
1950
_
19,238
1960
100
20,278
1970
245
24,223
1980
998
35,777
1985
1,314
45,555
ABSOLUTE INCREASE (DECREASE)
1950-1960
100
1,040
1960-1970
145
3,945
1970-1980
753
11,554
1980-1985
316
9,778
AVERAGE ANNUAL GROWTH RATE
1950-1960 _
0.5%
1960-1970 9.4%
1.8%
1970-1980 - 15.1%
4.0%
1980-1985 5.7%
5.0%
Source: U.S. Census
Brunswick County Planning Department
for 1985 Estimate
EDSA
Because the City of Boiling Spring Lakes was planned as
a new community during the 1960s, there are no
significant population records prior to 1960. A review of
the population growth rate from 1960 to 1985 reveals
several trends. The decade of the 1970s was the City's
fastest growth period. During that time frame, the City
added over 700 new residents and achieved an average
annual growth in excess of 15%. For comparison, all of
Brunswick County grew at an average annual growth
rate of only 4% during the same period. While the
decade of the 1980s continues to show strong growth,
the rate of increase has declined. With an estimated 316
1.2 Present Conditions
L2.1 Population and
Economy
1.2.1(a) Population
Page 2, Section 1- Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates I

Racial Composition, 1980
Persons By Age, 1980
new residents added to the City's population from 1980
to 1985, this translated to an average annual growth rate
of 5.7%. This current rate of growth is comparable to the
County's as a whole over the same period.
Amer.
White Black Indian Asian Hawaiian
Boiling
Spring
Lakes 980 6 0 5 5
!��
wick Co. 27368 8261 51 104 6
Source: U.S. Census Bureau for Decennial Statistics
Compared to the total population of Brunswick County,
Boiling Spring Lakes' racial composition in 1980 was
overwhelmingly White, with less than 1 % of the
population Black.
Boiling
Spring
Age Lakes
0-4 75
5-14 160
15-24
25-34
35-44
45-54
65-74
75+
Total
169
158
105
27
162
106
36
998
Bruns-
% of Total
wick Co.
% of Total
7.52%
2595
7.25 %
16.03%
6222
17.39%
16.93%
5946
16.62%
15.83%
5518
15.42%
10.52%
4137
11.56%
2.71%
3681
10.29%
16.23%
3843
10.74%
10.62%
2726
7.62%
3.61%
1109
3.10%
100.00%
35777
100.00%
Source: U.S. Census, 1980 and EDSA
Note: Population totals in the two tables on this page
may not equate due to occasional vagaries in U.S.
Census Data (e.g. data suppression for privacy).
Edward D. Stone, jr. and Associates
Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan - Section 1, Page 3

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The age breakdown for Boiling Spring Lakes vs. the
County reveals the tendency of the City toward a greater '
retirement aged population. This is evident particularly
in the 55-64 and 65-74 age groups. Another significant
variance between the City and the County is a lack of '
Boiling Spring Lakes' residents in the 45-54 age group.
All other age categories in the City are roughly
equivalent, percentage wise, to the County totals. ,
Persons 5 Years
Boiling
Where Residents Lived In '
1975
and Over by
Springs
Brunswick
Residence in 1975
Lakes
Counjy,
Same House
357
19401
Different House in U.S.
Same County
200
6426 .
'
Different County,
Same State
107
4149
Different State
,
Northeast
107
745
North Central
43
383
South
109
1875
,
West
6
98
Abroad
0
39
,
Source: U.S. Census,1980
The predominance of people moving into Boiling
Spring Lakes from out-of-state is also revealed by their
location of residence 10 years ago. At the time of the '
1980 Census, over 250 residents of Boiling Spring Lakes
had been living in a different state in the country just
five years earlier. The figures reveal that over 100 had '
lived in the Northeast, another 100 had lived in a
different state in the South, and the balance came from
the North Central or Western sections of the country. ,
This is in striking contrast to the same figures for
Brunswick County.
1
Paget Section 1- Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates

School Enrollment, 1980 PERSONS
3 YEARS
OLD AND OVER ENROLLED IN
SCHOOL BY SCHOOL ENROLLMENT
Kindergarten
High
Nursery
& Elementary
School
School
1-8 Years
1-4 Years
College
Boiling
Spring
Lakes
4
154
51
19
% Total
Pop.*
0.40%
15.43%
5.11%
1.90%
Brunswick
County
259
5663
2582
817
% Total
Pop.*
0.72%
15.83%
7.22%
2.28%
*Based on 1980 population of 998 for Boiling Spring
Lakes and 35,777 for Brunswick County
Source: U.S. Census, 1980 and EDSA
Despite Boiling Spring Lakes' reputation as a
predominantly retirement -oriented community, there
are a sizable number of school -aged children living in
the City. For example, in 1980 there were 154 students in
grades K-8 comprising 15% of the City's population.
This percentage was roughly equivalent to the County as
a whole. School enrollments at other grade levels are
also roughly equivalent to the County's percentages.
Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan - Section 1, Page 5

Persons by Nativity
Boiling
Brunswick Where Residents Were
and Place of Birth
Siring Lakes
Courtly Born
Native
Born in State of
Residence
359
27063
Born in Different
State
585
8171
Born Abroad, at Sea,
Etc.
11
129
Foreign Born
42
414
Source: U.S. Census,1980
While the vast majority of Brunswick County residents
were born in the state of North Carolina, a
predominance of Boiling Spring Lakes' residents were
born in a different state. This is perhaps a reflection of
the community's marketing orientation toward out-of-
state residents.
Persons 25 Years
Old & Over By
Years of School
Completed
Elementary
0-8 Years
High School
1-3 Years
4 Years
College
Educational Attainment Of
Boiling % of % of Residents,1980
Spring Total Brunswick Total
Lakes. Pop.* Coun Pop
77 7.7% 5602 15.66%
90 9.02% 4583 12.81 %
251 25.2% 6555 18.32%
1-3 Years 137 13.73% 2591 7.24%
4 Years or More 93 9.32% 1683 4.70%
* Based on 1980 populations of 998 for Boiling Spring
Lakes and 35,777 for Brunswick County
Source: U.S. Census,1980 and EDSA
Boiling Spring Lakes' residents in general tend to be
better educated than those residents of the County as a
whole. While only 18% of the total County population
over 25 years of . age had completed four years of high
school, over 23% of Boiling Spring Lakes' residents had
completed four years. At the college level,
Page 6, Section 1- Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates

approximately twice as many residents of Boiling Spring
Lakes, percentage -wise, had completed college.
Age of Housing,1980 Year-round
housing units
Boiling
% of all
% of all
by year
Spring
housing
Bruns-
housing
structure built
Lakes
units
wick Co.
units
1980-1985
150
25.00%
9154
33.94%
1979-March1980
29
4.83%
962
3.57%
1975-1978
155
25.83%
3095
11.48%
1970-1974
95
15.83%
4867
18.05%
1960-1969
165
27.50%
4631
17.17%
1950-1959
1940-1949
1939 or Earlier
TOTAL
0 0.00%
0 0.00%
6 1.00%
1864 6.91 %
1041 3.86%
1356 5.03%
600 100.00% 26970 100.00%
Sources: U.S. Census,1980 for figures through 1980
Brunswick County Planning Department
for 1980-1985 Estimates
According to U.S. Census data, only six year-round
housing units were' built within the corporate limits of
the City before 1960. This figure represents only 1% of
the City's total housing stock in 1985. The figures also
reveal the periods of most rapid growth for the City over
the past 25 years. According to the Census, the single
fastest period of new housing construction in Boiling
Spring Lakes was from 1975 to 1978, with 155 units being
built or put in place, representing over 25% of the total
housing stock in 1985.
Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan - Section 1, Page 7

Boiling
Spring % of Brunswick % of
Lakes Total Counjy Total
Total 366 100% 12,411 100%
Renter
Occupied 55 15% 2,337 18.8%
Source: U.S. Census,1980
Boiling Spring Lakes has slightly fewer renter occupied
housing units compared to Brunswick County as a
whole on a percentage basis.
1970 1980 1985
Boiling Spring
Lakes 118 460 610
County 11,729 21,551 30,719
Source: U.S. Census decennial statistics
Brunswick County Planning Department for 1985
statistics
The growth in housing units for Boiling Spring Lakes
has obviously paralleled the City's population growth.
The number of housing units in the City nearly
quadrupled during the fast growth period of the 1970s
and has increased an additional 50% during the first half
of the 1980s. While the increase ui housing units far
surpassed the increase of the County during the 1970s,
the production and placement of new housing units in
the City has roughly paralleled the rate of production
and placement for the County as a whole during the
1980s.
Occupied Housing Units By
Tenure
Housing Units
Page 8, Section 1- Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates

Housing Types, 1980 Year -Round
Housing Units,
Boiling
1980 by Units
Spring
Brunswick
In Structure
Lakes
Co2nty
1, Detached
343
13,079
2
6
596
3 and 4
3
161
5 or More
1
364
Mobile Home
or Trailer
97
3,572
Other
0 '
44
Source: U.S. Census, 1980
Compared to Brunswick County, Boiling Spring Lakes
has an overwhelming predominance of single family
homes and mobile homes. In 1980, approximately 30%
of the City's total year-round housing stock was
comprised of mobile homes or trailers. Discussions with
the City Clerk, as well as the inventory of existing land
use, have revealed that the percentage of mobile homes
within the City has risen to approximately 50% as of
1986.
Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan - Section 1, Page 9

Employed Person
Boiling
16 Years and Over
Spring
By Occupation
Lakes
Managerial & Professional
Specialty
Executive, Administrative,
Managerial
39
Professional Specialty
14
Technical, Sales, Administrative
Support
Technicians and Related
Support
22
Sales
18
Administrative Support
Including Clerical
37
Service
Private Household
0
Protective Service
34
Service, Except Protective
and Household
23
Fanning, Forestry and
Fishing
7
Precision Production, Craft
and Repair
81
Operators, Fabricators, and
Laborers
Machine Operators,
Assemblers, Inspectors
25
Transportation and Material
Moving
12
Handlers, Equipment Cleaners,
Helpers, Laborers
8.
TOTAL EMPLOYED
PESONS
320
Source: U.S. Census,1980
% of Bruns- % of
Total wick Co. Total
12.19% 918 6.97%
4.37% 1225 9.30%
6.88%
315
2.39%
5.63%
1033
7.85%
11.56%
1542
11.71%
0.00%
131
1.00%
10.63%
315
2.39%
7.19%
1249
9.49%
2.19%
668
5.07%
25.31%
2413
18.33%
7.81%
1605
12.19%
3.75%
911
6.92%
2.50%
840
6.38%
100.00% 13165 100.00%
Compared to Brunswick County, Boiling Spring Lakes
had a higher incidence of employed persons in the
following occupations: managerial and professional
specialty, technical, sales, and administrative support;
protective service; and precision production, craft and
repair. Occupations of less significance in the City were
as follows: farming, forestry and fishing; and operators,
fabricators, and laborers.
1.2.1(b) Economy
Occupations of Residents,
1980
Page 10, Section 1- Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates

1
Persons 16 Years and Over
Boiling
By Labor Force Status
Spring % of Brunswick % of
Lakes Total Court Total
Labor Force 356 47.09% 14433 55.13%
Armed Forces 3 0.40% 115 0.44%
Civilian Labor Force
Employed 320 42.33% 13165 50.28%
Unemployed 33 4.37% 1153 4.40%
Not in Labor Force 400 25 91 % 11748 44.870/,
Total, All Persons
16 Years + 756 100.00% 26181100.00%
Source: U.S. Census and EDSA
In 1980, less than half of the total population of the City
over 16 years of age were in the labor force. This figure
contrasts with Brunswick* County, where approximately
55% of the total adult population was considered to be
part of the labor force.
Household and Family
Boiling Brunswick
Incomes,1979 -
Households Spring Lakes Coun
Median
$15,882
$12,992
Mean
$17,642
$15,623
Boiling
Brunswick
Families
Spring Lakes
Coun
Median
$17,222
$15,153
Mean
$19,177
$17,199
Source: U.S. Census,1980
Despite the significant number of retired residents
within the City, Census data reveals that Boiling Spring
Lakes' residents have higher household and family
incomes than the County as a whole. One possible
explanation for this may be the number of Boiling
Spring Lakes' residents employed at the CP&L Power
Plant in Southport, at Pfizer Chemical, and at other
higher than average paying employment sites.
I
Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates
Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan - Section 1, Page 11

Boiling Employment by Industry,
Employed Persons 16 Spring % of Brunswick % of 1980
and Over By Industry Lakes Total County Total
Agriculture, Forestry,
Fisheries, Mining 7
2.19%
645
4.90%
Construction 49
15.31%
1904
14.46%
Manufacturing
Nondurable Goods 26
8.13%
1775
13.48%
Durable Goods 10
3.13%
886
6.73%
Transportation 18
5.63%
471
3.58%
Communication, Other
Public Utilities 66
20.63%
908
6.90%
Wholesale Trade 0
0.00%
482
3.66%
Retail Trade 45
14.06%
1942
14.75%
Finance, Insurance and
Real Estate 8
2.50%
515
3.91%
Business and Repair
Services 18
5.63%
501
3.81%
Personal, Entertainment, and
Recreation Services 10
3.13%
529
4.02%
Professional and Related
Services
Health Services 14
.4.38%
541
4.11%
Educational Services 12
3.75%
1082
8.22%
Other Professional and
Related Services 5
1.56%
340
2.58%
Public Administration 32
10.00%
664
5.040/.
TOTAL 320
100.00%
13165
100.00%
Source: U.S. Census, 1980
Employment figures by industry
in 1980 reveal
that
nearly one out of every three employed persons
in the
City works in the area
of communication,
public
utilities, or public administration.
This is significant
in
that these industries are
less susceptible to
major
fluctuations in the national and
local economy. By
contrast, only about 12% of
the total employed persons
in Brunswick County work in
these two industries.
Page 12, Section 1- Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates I

1
1.2.1(c) Impact of Seasonal The impact of seasonal population on the City of Boiling
Population Spring Lakes is negligible. According to the 1980 U.S.
Census of Population and Housing, no less than 95% of
the City's total housing stock is in year-round
occupancy. (See Section 1.2.1(a)). As is the case with
most communities located near the ocean, there may be
an increase in the overall level of population during the
summer months due to higher levels of friend and
family visitorship, but this is difficult to document. In
any case, such visitorship is not considered to be
significant, compared to the seasonal impacts
experienced by nearby ocean -oriented beach
communities in Brunswick County.
Those public facilities that are typically most impacted by
increases in seasonal population, such as water and
sewer, are not provided by the City of Boiling Spring
Lakes.
1.2.2 Existing Land Use
Analysis
Purpose The existing Land Use Survey and Analysis serves a
number of useful functions. The primary function is to
provide a "snapshot" . of development patterns, and a
basis for determining growth trends over time. The
survey identifies where development has occurred,
what kind of development it is, and at what density.
The survey also shows the relationships between
different kinds of land use, and whether or not they are
compatible.
Current land use information is fundamental to the
preparation of a land use plan. Not only is the survey
helpful in preparing growth and development policies,
but it is also useful in identifying, for example, where it
may be cost effective to provide public services, such as
water and sewer. Accurate information on existing land
use can also be helpful in making changes to an existing
zoning ordinance, or in providing new zoning where
none was present before.
Data provided by the survey are also useful to both the
public and private sectors in considering specific
development proposals. For the public sector, the land
use survey can assist in siting a school or park, while in
the private sector, the information might be helpful in
locating a future shopping center or residential
development.
Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates
Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan - Section i, Page 13

The study area for the existing Land Use Analysis
consists of the entire 17,000-acre area within the
corporate limits of the City of Boiling Spring Lakes.
The existing Land Use Survey and Analysis prepared for
the 1987 Land Use Plan was conducted in accordance
with traditional land use survey methods. First,
available single sheet base maps showing primarily the
existing street pattern were obtained from the City and
from the offices of the Brunswick County Planning
Department. Second, parcel level tax maps were
obtained from Brunswick County as necessary to
encompass the entire corporate limits. Third, a 1986
county -wide land use survey conducted by the
Brunswick County Planning Department and including
Boiling Spring Lakes was consulted. These preliminary
land use survey maps were used as a point of departure
for conducting the 1987 survey.
Land. uses were field checked by windshield survey, and
also verified through discussions with City officials. A
composite color coded existing land use map was then
prepared at the single sheet scale, and served as the basis
for preparing the reproducible black -and -white land use
survey contained in this report. The color . coded map
has been retained on file in City Hall.
Current existing land use patterns in the City have
continued to reinforce those patterns established over
twenty-five years ago during the community's early
development stages. Traditional single family
residential development continues to occur
predominantly' along the shorelines of the lakes, as well
as adjacent to the golf course. The City has also
witnessed a scattering of traditional single family
residential development from Boiling Spring Road
north to Queens, Glen Oak, and Jupiter Drive, as well as
locations south of the golf course area.
The recent accelerating rate of mobile home placements
in the community has occurred predominantly in three
areas:
1. a triangular area bordered by Cherry Street on the
west, Beach Street on the north, the railroad tracks
on the east, and Boiling Spring Road to the south,
2. an area in the extreme southeastern corner of the
City, bounded by the railroad tracks to the west and
north, by the city limits to the southeast and south,
and by Woodcrest to the southwest,
Study Area
1.2.2(a) Methodology and
Findings
Page 14, Section 1- Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates ,

3. an area generally to the west of Lake Hastie and
Lake Reeves in the south central portion of the City
bounded generally by Goldsboro Street to the west,
Fifty Lakes Drive to the north, Beaufort to the east,
' and Catawba to the south.
A fourth and much smaller cluster of mobile homes
occurs in the area of the City west of NC 87 and is
bounded generally by Greenlawn to the north, Bluebird
to the east, Hunters Road to the south, and
Bermuda/Barclay to the west.
Office and institutional uses have tended to congregate
along NC 87 and Boiling Spring Road at the
' approximate centerpoint of the community. Included
here is the City fire station, the Town Hall, real estate
offices, churches, and the VFW Post. It should also be
' noted that South Brunswick Middle School and South
Brunswick High School share a common site in the
south central area of Boiling Spring Lakes on the east
side of NC 87.
Commercial/retail uses have chosen to locate on NC 87
near the City center. Typical of these commercial uses
are a convenience store and gas station. A small motel
is located at the intersection of NC 87 and North Shore
' Drive fronting on the main lake.
Transportation, communication and utility uses include
all existing streets in the City, as well as small utility
' substations and the Sunny Point railroad track, which
cuts through the community just east of the main lake.
There is no -warehousing or industrial development in
the City of Boiling Spring Lakes.
There are three principal recreational uses in the
' community. The first is the City's main park which is
located about two blocks east of the Town Hall on
Boiling Spring Road. The second is the Boiling Spring
' Lakes golf course and country club. The country club is
located at approximately the midpoint of the main lake
on South Shore Drive. The 18-hole golf course
' encompasses approximately 150-170 acres of land, and
winds through much of the land area south of Boiling
Spring Lake. Due to the course's location and layout, it
provides open space relief for a large number of single
family homes which back up to the fairways. It should
be noted, however, that the golf course and country club
' are privately owned facilities.
The third major category of recreational uses in the
t community is the lakes after which the community is
named. In addition to providing permanent open space,
Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan - Section 1, Page 15
r1

they also offer opportunities for water sports and
fishing.
The vast majority of Boiling Spring Lakes' 17,000
incorporated acres is undeveloped, including nearly all
of the land area west of NC 87, a large area on the north
side of the community east of NC 87, and most of the
land area east of the railroad tracks.
The City of Boiling Spring Lakes has few significant land
use compatibility problems. Reasons for the lack of land
use conflicts include the following:
1. an overall low density of development
2. the predominance of single family residential and
lack of multi -family residential
3. a limited amount of commercial and office
development, largely confined to the NC 87 City
center area
4. the absence of industrial development
5. a limited population on 17,000 acres of land.
The few instances of land use .conflicts can be found
where commercial development on NC 87 is adjacent to
residential sites. The City is currently acting to prevent
future reoccurrences of this situation by eliminating
commercial strip zoning along certain portions of NC 87
and redirecting such future commercial growth to an
area generally west and northwest of the Town center.
There is very little residential development near the
proposed new commercial district. There is also
sufficient acreage such that any new commercial
development could be well buffered from the few
residences located nearby.
Another potential land use compatibility problem is the
presence of the Sunny Point railroad which cuts
through the eastern part of the City. A significant
number of single family residences, both stick built and
mobile homes, are within a few hundred feet of the rail
line; perhaps as many as 30-40 homes have lots backing
up directly to the rail right-of-way. Most residents have
accepted the presence of the rail line, and in fact, decided
on their home sites with the full knowledge of the
presence of the rail line nearby.
In addition to the noise associated with the shipment of
munitions to the Sunny Point Military Terminal, recent
developments in the southeastern area of Brunswick
County may cause a further increase in the use of this
rail line. For example, a new cogenerating facility is
presently under construction north of the Town of
1.2.2(b) Significant Land
Use Compatibility
Problems
Page 16, Section 1- Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan Edward D. Stone, jr. and Associates

I
LEGEND
Single Family Residential
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
P
I
I
I
% I Mobile Home Residential
Office and Institutional
Commercial
Transportation, Communication and Utilities
Recreational
Vacant and Undeveloped
U
21
Q Y
T7
-�•1 sr,,t' ..«`,,,�.. .. Q � - �t `'._=r,c ct�._ - J'. � � I ( i1 �f 4 •�/
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I
BOILING SPRING
A,
one
NORTH CAROLINA
GENERALIZED EXISTING LAND USE MAP 1987
LAND USE PLAN UPDATE 1987
d As
Edward D. Stone, ran sociates
.............. .
Planners and Landscape Architects
ZiS t;w1h f coil tilfeat. W*-VW% NW11 "OW[Uh 28401 t319134J 1515
6m
The preparation of this map was financed in part through a grant. provided by the Nofth SCALE IN MILES 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.

I
' its operations, which will likely be shipped into the
facility via the Sunny Point rail line. The City may wish
to discourage future residential development from
' locating adjacent to the rail line.
L2.2(c) Major Problems As noted above, there are few major land use problems
From Unplanned in the City of Boiling Spring Lakes. The potential
Development problem of strip development along NC 87 has already
been recognized by City officials, and steps are being
' taken to redirect future commercial development away
from a linear strip along the highway and into a more
controlled commercial district.
tOne other potential problem which is currently being
examined by the Planning Board is the occasional lack of
' transition between the City's various residential zoning
districts. For example, northeast of the main lake the
zoning changes from R 1, the most restrictive residential
' district, to R-5, a district set aside specifically for mobile
home development. One action being considered is the
creation of an R 2 residential district as an appropriate
transition between the R 1 and the R-5 in this area of the
City. The issue warrants further study by the Planning
Board.
1.2.2(d) Areas In general, the City of Boiling Spring Lakes does not
Experiencing Or Likely To anticipate any major redirection of development
Experience Changes in activities in the community. Residential development
Predominant Land Use should continue to occur largely as infill within existing
' residential areas.
It should be noted that the majority of the dedicated
streets in the City are unpaved. As sparsely developed
residential areas become more densely settled, there is
oftentimes a need to pave such streets to serve the
' increased traffic load. When such streets are paved,
infill development oftentimes accelerates. Thus, the
existing development pattern is further reinforced,
' reducing the probability of expansion of residential
development into new areas of the City.
One possible major change in predominant land use,
however, may occur in the proposed new commercial
district northwest of the City center. As residential
' development continues to occur not only in the City of
Boiling Spring Lakes but also in Bolivia to the north and
the more beach -oriented areas to the south, there may be
an increasing demand for a centrally located commercial
development on NC 87. A small shopping center,
Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan - Section 1, Page 17

including perhaps a grocery store and drug store, could I
become a reality within this new district.
As a means of coordinating the planning activities of
1.2.3 Current Plans,
Boiling Spring Lakes with those of the Federal, State and
Policies and Regulations
County government, a summary of the City's previous
plans, policies, and regulations is included here.
1. 1983 Land Use Plan, City of Boiling Spring Lakes
1.2.3(a) Plans and Policies
- This was the first Land Use Plan prepared for
Boiling Spring Lakes under the guidelines of the
Coastal Area Management Act. The plan
established the initial land classification system for
1
the City, and included many of the policy
statements that provided the foundation for the
1987 Land Use Plan Update.
'
2. Municipal Water System, Economic FeasibilitX
Report and Addendum #1 (1981) - The first report,
'
completed in January of 1981, evaluated the
economic feasibility of developing a water supply
source, storage, and distribution system within the
Town of Boiling Spring Lakes. Addendum #1 to
the initial report was completed in July of 1981, and
evaluated the possibility of establishing a
distribution system for only certain areas of the
City, with a supply source provided by the
Brunswick County water system. The second
option, as outlined in Addendum #1, was found to
be potentially feasible, depending upon the
availability of a State of North Carolina Clean
,
.Water Bond Grant and a Farmer's Home
Administration Grant and/or Loan. The report
recommended that the Board of Commissioners
initiate discussions With. the FmHA about the
possibilities of starting on the initial system.
,
3. Sinkholes: Plan of Action (1983) - The purpose of
this study was to investigate and recommend short -
and long-term courses of action to address the
'
problem of limestone sinkholes in the corporate
limits of Boiling Spring Lakes. The problems with
the sinkholes, which develop as a result of the
solution and breakdown of the limestone
substructure in the area, focused on their negative
impacts on railroad and dam construction and
'
maintenance. The conclusions of the study
included a range of alternative actions, varying
Page 18, Section 1- Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan
Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates

from a relocation of the existing railroad, to
lowering the water level of the lake above the dam.
' 1.2.3(b) Regulations 1. Zoning Ordinance - The City adopted a zoning
ordinance in October of 1975. The City's zoning law
is basically a traditional zoning ordinance, with
several separate and distinct zoning districts laid
out in specific parts of the community.
The residential districts are distinguished from one
another primarily by the minimum heated square
footage required for structures in each of the
respective districts. For example, in the most
restrictive residential district (R-1) the minimum
heated square footage is 1,300 square feet. In the R 2
and R 3 districts, the minimum square footage
drops to 1,000 square feet and 800 square feet,
respectively. The R 5 district is the City's primary
district for mobile homes.
In general, minimum lot area requirements in all
of the residential districts are 10,500 square feet,
except for the R 6 district which does not have a
minimum. There is some concern in the
community that .the 10,500 square foot minimum
lot size is an insufficient area to accommodate a
residential structure plus a private well and
traditional septic tank and nitrification field. This
problem is becoming more apparent with the recent
tightening of septic tank regulations in the County.
Since the last Land Use Plan in 1983, several
1 changes have been made to the zoning ordinance.
First, provisions have been added to the ordinance
to regulate the placement and use of satellite dish
' antennas in the community. Second, a Planned
Residential District (PRD) has been added to the
zoning ordinance to accommodate multi -family,
condominium, townhouse, and apartment -type
residential developments. Unlike the other
residential districts in the City, which are fixed to
' specific locations, the PRD is a floating zone.
Another difference between the PRD and the
traditional residential districts in the City are
specific requirements for parking, in addition to
paved roads.
A third and relatively minor change in the
ordinance since the last Land Use Plan has
Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Assodates Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan - Section 1, Page 19

been the relaxing of setback requirements primarily
for mobile homes in the R 5 district.
2. Subdivision Re ations - The City's subdivision
regulations are patterned after the model
subdivision regulations prepared and published by
the North Carolina Division of Community
Assistance. The regulations call for the submission
of a preliminary plat for review by the Planning
Board, and a final plat to be prepared and recorded
following completion of construction. The 1983
Land Use Plan noted that the subdivision
regulations require the installation of certain
physical improvements that might be considered
excessive in light of the community's overall lack
of urban level development and public utilities.
The regulations reviewed at the time of this Land
Use Plan Update, however, note that certain
physical standards will not be considered
mandatory until such a time as the City reaches a
more urban level of development.
3. Flood Insurance Regulations - According to the
Federal Emergency Management Agency, there
exists no threat of flooding within the corporate
limits, and for this reason, the City does not
participate in the Federal Flood Insurance Program,
nor does it regulate development for the purpose of
protection from flooding.
4. CAMA Permits For Minor Developments and
AECs - To date, there have been no AECs
designated within the corporate limits of Boiling
Spring Lakes. No minor permitting program is,
therefore, in effect.
The following is a list of State and Federal permits and 1.2.3(c) State and Federal
licenses which may apply to developments occurring in Government Licenses and
the City of Boiling Spring Lakes: Permits
STATE LICENSES AND PERMITS
Department of Natural
Resources and
Community Development
Division of Environ-
mental Management
Permits to discharge to
surface waters or to operate
waste water treatment
plants or oil discharge per-
mits; NPDES Permits,
(G.S.143-215).
Page 20, Section 1- Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan Edward D. Stone, jr. and Associates

Permits for septic tanks with a
capacity over 3,000
gallons/day (G.S.143-215.3).
- Permits for withdrawal of
surface or ground waters in
capacity use areas (G.S.143-
215.15).
- Permits for air pollution
abatements facilities and
sources (G.S.143-215.108).
- Permits for construction of
complex sources; e.g. parking
lots, subdivisions, stadiums,
etc. (G.S.143-215.109).
- Permits for construction of a
well over 100,000 gallons/day
(G.S. 87-88).
Division of - Permits for development
Coastal Management in Areas of Environmental
Concern (G.S.113A-118).
NOTE: Minor development
permits are issued by the
local government.
Department of Natural - Permits to alter or construct a
Resources and dam (G.S. 143-215.66).
Community Develop-
ment, Division of - Permits to conduct geo-
Earth Resources physical exploration (G.S.113-
391).
- Sedimentation erosion
control plans for any land
disturbing activity of over one
contiguous acre (G.S.113A-
54).
Department of - Permits to construct an oil
Natural Resources refinery.
Community Develop-
ment, Secretary of - Easements to fill where lands
NRCD are proposed to be raised
above the normal high water
mark of navigable waters by
' Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan - Section 1, Page 21

filling. (G.S.146.6(c)).
Department of - Approval to operate a solid
Human Resources waste disposal site or
facility (G.S.130-166.16).
- Approval for construction of
any public water supply
facility that furnishes water
to ten or more residences
(G.S.130-160.1).
FEDERAL LICENSES AND PERMITS
Army Corps of
- Permits required under
Engineers (Department
Sections 9 and 10 of the
of Defense)
Rivers and Harbors of 1899;
permits to construct in
navigable waters.
- Permits required under
Section 103 of the Marine
Protection, Research and
Sanctuaries Act of 1972.
- Permits required under
Section 404 of the Federal
Water Pollution Control Act
of 1972; permits to undertake
dredging and/or filling
activities.
Coast Guard
- Permits for bridges,
causeways, (Department of
'
Transportation) pipelines
over navigable waters; re-
quired under the General
Bridge Act of 1946 and the
Rivers and Harbors Act of
1899.
- Deep water port permits.
Geological Survey - Permits required for off -shore
� Y q
Bureau of Land drilling.
Management (Depart-
'
ment of Interior) - Approvals of OCS pipeline
corridor rights -of -way.
Page 22, Section I - Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan
Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates

Nuclear Regulatory
- Licenses for siting, construc-
Commission
tion, and operation of nuclear
power plants; required under
the Automic Energy Act of
1954 and Titl 11 of the Energy
Reorganization Act of 1974.
Federal Energy
- Permits for construction,
Regulatory
operation and maintenance of
Commission
interstate pipelines facilities
required under the Natural
Gas Act of 1938.
' - Orders of interconnection of
electric transmission facilities
under Section 202 (b) of the
Federal Power Act.
' - Permission required for
abandonment of natural gas
pipeline and associated
facilities under Section 7C(b)
of the Natural Gas Act of 1938.
- Licenses for non-federal
hydroelectric projects and
associates transmission lines
under Sections 4 and 15 of the
Federal Power Act.
1.2.3(d) Evaluation of Discussions with City officials responsible for land use
Previous Land Use Plan planning in Boiling Spring Lakes have generally
Effectiveness indicated that the 1983 Land Use Plan has not been used
' in guiding development decisions. There are a number
of reasons why this may be the case:
' 1. The City has no paid planning staff responsible for
administering day-to-day planning and
development activities in the community.
Responsibility is loosely shared by the Board of
Commissioners and the Planning Board with the
Town Clerk serving as the only regular point of
contact in City Hall.
2. New development in the City has been brisk but
incremental, i.e. most new residential development
has been on individual lots with little or no large-
scale subdivision activity. Most such activity has
1 required only a building permit and
I
Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan - Section 1, Page 23

other standard permits, thereby not directly
involving any policy -making board.
3. Likewise, commercial and office development in
the City has involved only individual businesses
on relatively small parcels of land. No planned
shopping centers or office complexes have yet been
proposed in the City where a higher level of
development review would be in order.
'
4. The 1983 Land Use Plan contains few specifically
identified implementation actions. The lack of
such identifiable actions requires policy makers to
"read between the lines" as to what near -term
courses of action may be needed to correct problems
in the City's land use and growth management
system.
In light
of the situation described above, this update to
the City's Land Use Plan will focus on clearly identifying
those implementation actions thought necessary to carry
out the policies of the land use plan. Each action. will be
dearly labeled in relation to the specific policy statement
which it is designed to address. It will then be up to the
initiative of the Board of Commissioners and the
Planning Board to see to it that the implementation
actions are carried out. .
I
It is not likely that the City will be in a financial position
to afford a paid planner in the near future. Therefore,
the initiative taken by the individuals serving on the
City's elected and appointed boards will be critical in the
successful implementation of this plan.
1�
Page 24, Section 1- Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates I

1 1.3 Constraints; Land
Suitability
1.3.1 Physical Limitations
for Development
1 1.3.1(a) Natural Hazard At the time of preparation of the 1983 CAMA Land Use
Areas Plan, there was uncertainty as to whether the City of
Boiling Spring Lakes had any flood hazard areas. On one
hand, U.S.G.S. topographic maps (7 1 /2 minute series)
indicated that there were flood hazard areas within the
city limits. On the other hand, no flood hazard areas had
been identified up to that time under the National Flood
Insurance Program.
Since the writing of the last Land Use Plan, City officials
have consulted directly with Federal Emergency
' Management Agency personnel 'to resolve the issue.
The City has subsequently been informed that there are
no flood hazard areaswithin the corporate limits and
there is, therefore, no need for the City to participate in
the National Flood Insurance Program.
The other natural hazard condition found in the City is
the presence of limestone sinkholes underlying some
parts of the community. The problem of sinkholes is
well documented in the CAMA-funded 1983 study
entitled:. Sinkholes: Plan of Action, Boiling Spring
Lakes, North Carolina. While these sinkholes pose no
sudden danger to area residents, their presence adversely
impacts the general development suitability of the area,
particularly for the railroad and dam located in the
' community. The sinkhole problem is a complicated
issue, with no easy solutions; the reader is directed to the
detailed study for further information.
1.3.1(b) Manmade Hazard Manmade hazards which pose a potential threat to the
Areas City of Boiling Spring Lakes include the railroad line
which bisects the community, and the Carolina Power
and Light nuclear -powered generating plant located
southeast of Boiling Spring Lakes and north of the Town
1 of Southport. Concern about the rail line rests to some
degree with the frequent shipment of munitions over
this section of rail to the military ocean terminal at
Sunny Point. A more recent and perhaps even greater
concern is the movement of coal shipments through the
City to the new cogeneration facility now under
rconstruction north of Southport. When the facility
comes on line, a reported 80 to 85 coal cars per week are
Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan - Section 1, Page 25

expected to move through Boiling Spring Lakes on the
rail line. Both the rail line and the nuclear -powered
plant are considered to be permanent facilities that City
residents have accepted at a reasonable level of risk. The
City continues to cooperate with representatives of each
of these facilities to maximize information exchange
and public safety.
The suitability of soils for development activities,
particularly conventional septic tanks, is the number
one constraint on the future growth and development
in the City of Boiling Spring Lakes. The 1983 Land Use
Plan for the City devoted some ten pages of text and
fifteen pages of maps to cover the subject. Nearly all of
the pages were excerpts from a preliminary soil survey
for Brunswick County.
In November of 1986, the U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service published the
final Soil Survey of Brunswick County, North Carolina.
The soil survey, printed in booklet form, includes all
appropriate mapping and soil interpretation charts and
narrative suitable for generalized soil interpretation and
land analysis. For the most up-to-date soil mapping and
full interpretation of soil series occurring in Boiling
Spring Lakes, the reader is referred to that document.
By way of a summary analysis, there are thirteen soil
series occurring in the City of Boiling Spring Lakes, of
which eight have a depth to the seasonal high water
table of two feet or less. Twelve of the thirteen soil
series are rated as severe for septic tank absorption fields.
The thirteen soil series and some of their key
characteristics are summarized in the table below.
Depth To
Limitations
Seasonal
High
Water
Flooding
Streets
Soil
Table
Frequency
and
Septic
Series
Slope feet
surface
Dwellings
Roads
Tanks
Baymeade
1-6% 4-5
None
Mod:
Slight
Mod. -
Fine Sand
wetness
wetness
Croatan
0-2% 0-1
Rare
Severe-
Severe
Severe
Muck
low
wetness
wetness
strength,
low
peres
floods,
strength slowly
wetness
1.3.1(c) Soil Limitations
Page 26, Section 1- Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates I

Soil
SeriesSlo e
Foreston 0-2%
Loamy Fine
Sand
Kureb Fine 1-6%
Sand
Leon Fine _
Sand
Lynchburg <2%
Fine Sandy
Loam
Mandarin 0-2%
Fine Sand
Muckalee 0-2%
Loam
Murville
Fine Sand
<2%
Depth To
Limitations
Seasonal
High
Water
Flooding
Streets
Table
Frequency
and
Septic
feet
(surface) Dwellings
Roads
Tanks
21/2-
None
Slight
Slight
Severe
31/2
wetness
poor
filter
>6
None
Slight
Slight
Severe
poor
filter
0-1
None
Severe-
Severe
Severe
wetness
wetness
wetness
poor
filter
1/2-
None
Severe
Severe
Severe
11/2
wetness
wetness
wetness
11/2-
None
Mod.-
Mod: Severe
31/2
wetness
wetness wetness
1/2-
Freq.
Severe
Severe Severe
11/2
floods,
wetness wetness
wetness
floods
0-1
None-
Severe
Severe Severe
rare
wetness
wetness wetness
poor
filter
0-1
None
Severe
Severe Severe
wetness
wetness wetness
1/2-
Freq.
Severe
Severe Severe
11/2
wetness
wetness wetness
floods
floods floods
1/2-1
None
Severe
Severe Severe
wetness
wetness wetness
Rains Fine
<2%
Sandy Loam
Torhunta
0-2%
Fine Sandy
Loam
Woodington
0-2%
Loamy Fine
Sand
Goldsboro
nearly
2-3
Fine Sandy
level -
Loam
gently
sloping
None Mod.- Mod- Severe
wetness wetness wetness
Edward D. Stone, jr. and Associates . Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan - Section 1, Page 27

From the table, it is apparent that only Baymeade soils
are capable of accepting conventional septic tank
absorption fields without significant modifications of
the land resource. A review of the soil maps covering
Boiling Spring Lakes reveals that Baymeade soils are
found relatively infrequently within the corporate
limits, and comprise a minor amount of acreage in the
community. Much of the existing development in the
community has occurred on Mandarin, Kureb,
Murville, and Leon soils. This development has been
accomplished only through extensive surface drainage
and ditching.
It should also be noted that State and County regulations
regarding the installation of septic tank systems have
been tightened in recent years, increasing the distance
required between the bottom of the septic 'tank
absorption field and the top of the seasonal high water
table. These new regulations have further constrained
the future of development in Boiling Spring Lakes
without some alternative means of wastewater
treatment and disposal. As will be discussed under the
policy section of this plan, the desire to identify and
encourage such alternative facilities is a high priority of
the City.
The 1983 Land Use Plan contained an excellent
summary and analysis of the surface and groundwater
resources available to the City of Boiling Spring Lakes as
prepared by the regional hydrologist in the Wilmington
office of the Department of Natural Resources and
Community Development (Memorandum from
Richard Shiver, April 13, 1981). Portions of that
appraisal are repeated here in full, as it is unlikely that
regional groundwater conditions have changed over the
past four years:
1
Ll
rj
1.3.1(d) Water Supply
1
"Underneath Boiling Spring Lakes, usable groundwater
occurs within the surficial aquifer and the limestone
aquifer. Commonly known as the water table aquifer,
the surficial aquifer exists from a few feet below land
surface to a depth of 20% Permeable sands form the
geologic framework of this aquifer. Wells exposed to
this aquifer are generally not capable of yielding more
than a few gallons per minute of water. Fair in quality,
iron is a common constituent that causes nuisance
problems. Since the cost of constructing a well in the
underlying limestone aquifer is low, the surficial aquifer
is rarely used as a source of water supply.
Page 28, Section 1- Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates

"The limestone aquifer occurs from a depth of 20-40' to a
maximum depth of 150' below land surface. Aquifers
past 150' contain brackish water, and therefore, are not
usable as a source of water supply. The aquifer
Iframework is composed of shells, shell limestone, and
sandstone. Considerable quantities of water are stored in
the pores and cracks of these rocks. Wells exposed to the
limestone aquifer are capable of yielding up to 200
gallons per minute of water. The quality of water from
' this aquifer is good to fair; again, iron may occur in
concentrations that cause nuisance problems. However,
in spite of this iron problem, the aquifer is considered an
' excellent source of water supply.
"Significantly, the surficial aquifer and the limestone
aquifer are connected with one another. The clay layer
that usually separates aquifers, called an aquitard, is not
everywhere present, and where present is 'leaky'; rain
infiltrating into -the surficial aquifer is thereafter
transmitted into the limestone aquifer. Moreover, other
geological factors interact to promote efficient aquifer
recharge, as a consequence, Boiling Spring Lakes is
located over a primary aquifer recharge area.
"Since it is a primary recharge area, development of
Boiling Spring Lakes must proceed carefully. Wastes
disposed on or into the land have the potential to
'
severely, and irrevocably, contaminate groundwater in
this primary limestone aquifer. Water pumped from
this aquifer in excess of recharge —in this instance, an
impressive 1-2 million gallons per day per square mile --
will accelerate the collapse of theretofore inactive
sinkholes. In conclusion, if the groundwater resources
are improperly managed, it will serve only as a short-
term source of water supply for the City; if properly
managed, the groundwater resources will be available
'
- for use in the many decades to come."
In the same memorandum, Mr. Shiver also makes
reference to the feasibility of using surface water supplies
in the Boiling Spring Lakes area for potable water.
Referring to the many manmade impoundments as well
as several of the larger sinkholes in the community, he
states that the quantity of water would be adequate, but
the costs of developing such a water source would not be
cost effective.
I Since the time of the preparation of the 1983 Land Use
Plan, the Brunswick County regional water supply
Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan - Section 1, Page 29
N

system has become a reality. A major trunkline for the
system runs down NC 87 through the City of Boiling
Spring Lakes, and is available for use by the City if it
desires. The quantity of water available through the
regional County system is more than ample to serve the
needs of the County for many years to come, and the
County is actively seeking customers to help pay for the
further development of the treatment and distribution
system. At the present time, the City of Boiling Spring
Lakes does not have the financial resources to tap into
the trunkline and build the necessary water distribution
system within the corporate limits. Ultimate use of the
regional water supply system will be dependent upon
the emergence of other factors in the community, such
as the availability of a centralized sewage treatment
system and higher density levels of development.
Boiling Spring Lakes does not contain any areas where
the predominant slope exceeds 12%.
There are no Areas of Environmental Concern, as
defined in the Coastal Area Management Act
Guidelines, that have been formally identified and
recognized in the City of Boiling Spring Lakes. Certain
fragile areas do exist in the community, and these areas
are associated primarily with the lakes and numerous
wetland areas found throughout the community.
Many of the wetland areas in the community occur in
the form of pocosins, which literally translated means
"swamp on a hill." Typically, an underlying layer of clay
forms a barrier to the downward movement of
rainwater through the soil, causing very wet soil
conditions with a groundwater table near or at the
surface. As a result of water availability, pocosins are
most often characterized by a heavily vegetated
understory of evergreen shrubs and small trees. The
upper canopy of trees, if present, is oftentimes quite
sparse.
A distinct topographic feature found in Boiling Spring
Lakes, with which pocosins are oftentimes associated,
are "Carolina Bays." Carolina Bays are land features of
unknown origin on the coastal plain landscape of the
Southeast from Virginia to North Florida. The bays are
elliptical depressions with the long access of the ellipse
oriented within about 18-20° around northwest -
southeast. Thousands of these bays occur in the coastal
1.3.1(e) Areas Which
Exceed 12% Slope
1.3.2 Fragile Areas
Page 30, Section 1- Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates '

plain in the Southeast, and several are readily apparent
in aerial photographs of the Boiling Spring Lakes area.
Some of the bays in other areas of the State contain open
water, as do some of those in Bladen Lakes State Forest,
White Lake, and Lake Waccamaw. Some depressions
contain deep peat deposits supporting pocosin
vegetation, and some are filled by sand or a mixture of
sand and clay. Some theories consider the depressions
are of meteoric origin, but no such materials have ever
been found. Current thinking subscribes to the idea that
they were derived from a combination of wind and
water related phenomena prior to the onset of the last
Ice Age, the Wisconsin Glaciation. None of these
theories is entirely satisfactory, so the origin of Carolina
Bays remains unknown. (David DuMond and New
Hanover County Planning Department, "Conservation
Resources in New Hanover County," September,1984)
For at least the past twelve years, pocosins in the City of
Boiling Spring Lakes have been identified as supporting
remnant species of venus flytrap. The venus flytrap is
an endangered plant species in North Carolina.
It is conceivable that one or more of the pocosin areas in
the City of Boiling Spring Lakes could be designated as
an Area of Environmental Concern under the Remnant
Species category of the CAMA guidelines. Any citizen,
interest group, local government, state or federal agency
may nominate areas such as this for designation as an
AEC. Forms are available from the North Carolina
Division of Coastal Management and must be sumitted
to that agency for formal review. The 1983 Land Use
Plan indicates that fragile wetland areas in Boiling
Spring Lakes may also contain the American Alligator,
the Red Cockaded Woodpecker, and the Osprey. These
three species are also considered endangered or
threatened by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
It should also be noted that the small wellsite for the
public water supply east of NC 87 and on Boiling Spring
Road has the potential for designation as an Area of
Environmental Concern under the Public Water Supply
category.
The North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources,
Division of Archives and History, has stated: "There are
four archaeological sites ... within the Boiling Spring
Lakes city limits. Since the area has never been
systematically surveyed in order to determine the
location or significance of archaeological resources,
' . Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan - Section 1, Page 31

others may exist. Based on our current knowledge of
similar environmental settings, the upland areas
immediately adjacent to the navigable portions of Allen
Creek hold a moderate potential for containing
archaeological resources. The remaining portions have
a low potential for such resources.
We have conducted a search of our maps and files, and
have located no structures in Boiling Spring Lakes
which are listed in the National Register of Historic
Places or on the Division of Archives and History's
Study List for future nomination to the register. Since a
comprehensive cultural resources inventory of Boiling
Spring Lakes has never been conducted, there may be
properties of architectural and/or historical significance
of which we are unaware located in the area." (Letter
communitication, May 21,1987)
There are no known areas in the City of Boiling Spring
Lakes suitable for commercial forestry, mining, fishing,
agricultural or other significant activities drawing on the
natural land and water resources of the area. It has been
noted, however, that the significant wetland areas
(pocosins and Carolina Bays) in the community provide
habitat for many forms of wildlife, and may therefore be
considered suitable for passive recreation and open space
uses.
1.3.3 Areas With Resource
Potential
�I
L
1
Page 32, Section 1- Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates I

�J
1.4 Constraints: As discussed in the preceding section, the suitability of
Community Facilities land for development presents one set of constraints on
and Services the future growth of Boiling Spring Lakes. These
mostly natural constraints are largely beyond the control
of man without considerable and oftentimes costly
modification of the land resource.
' A second set of constraints, however, has to do with
local government's ability to provide and pay for
' community facilities and services in the face of
continued growth. While such ability is linked to some
degree to the natural systems upon which certain
' facilities (such as water) depend, the provision of such
facilities and services is more a function of conscious
decisions on the part of local government as to when
such services are needed, who will pay for them, how
and when.
' In the City of Boiling Spring Lakes, some of the
community facilities and services are provided through
the limited tax base of the community and are operated
and controlled by the City. In other instances, such as in
fire protection, the services are provided by a volunteer
group. Finally, some other services are provided
through the County. Each of the City's major service
needs and offerings are summarized in the paragraphs
below.
'
1.4.1 Water
There is no publicly owned or operated central water
supply system serving the City of Boiling Spring Lakes.
'
There is, however, a small water distribution system
previously owned by the Boiling Spring Lakes
Development Company, which was subsequently
'
turned over to a cooperative called the Boiling Spring
Lakes Water Corporation. There are about 30-35
residential customers on the system, and it generally
'
serves an area along Willetts Road, Wendover Road
and North Shore Drive near the intersection of NC 87
and Boiling Spring Road.
'
All other residents of the City obtain water from small
'
individual deep wells. A more detailed discussion of
the groundwater resource serving the City is found in
Section 1.3.1 W.
1.4.2 Sewer There is no publicly owned or operated central" sewage
collection and treatment system within the corporate
1 limits of Boiling Spring Lakes. In addition, there is no
public or privately owned package sewage treatment
I
Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan - Section 1, Page 33

plant within the community. All residences and
businesses rely upon individual septic systems and
nitrification fields to handle sewage disposal needs
within the Town. As noted in Section 1.3.1(c), there is
a predominance of soils in the community that are
unsuited for septic tank use. The inability of many lots
to percolate is the singlemost constraining factor on the
future growth and development of the City. For a
more detailed discussion of the various policy options
available to the City in dealing with this issue, see
Section 2.1.6.
The City has a street maintenance department
equipped with two motor graders, two front end
loaders with backhoes, and two tractors with bushhogs
for right-of-way mowing. Two full-time employees
work three days per week in the street maintenance
department and two days per week in the solid waste
and trash collection area.
Of the City's 116 linear miles of streets, 16 are paved
and 100 are dirt. The City uses its annual Powell Bill
funding to operate the street maintenance department.
For Fiscal Year 1986, the City was allocated $133,000
which it uses to pay the salaries of the two employees,
provide fuel and oil, new tires, supplies, and other
necessary equipment to run the department. During
the past fiscal year, $45,000 of the total allocation was
appropriated for the upgrading of streets in the Town.
Such upgrading can include, for example, marl
improvements to dirt roads or the resurfacing of some
streets facing continued deterioration to avoid total
loss of the paved surface. There are no plans to change
the current operation of the department or its funding
methods.
1.4.3 Transportation
The City of Boiling Spring Lakes maintains its own full- 1.4.4 Police
time police department. The department consists of
four full-time officers. The City currently has three
patrol cars, one of which has been modified for animal
control use.
According to the Emergency Management Coordinator 1.4.5 Fire Protection
for Brunswick County, there are two volunteer fire
stations serving the City of Boiling Spring Lakes. Fire
House #1 is located on NC 87 in the City, while Fire
House #2 is located on Frink Lake Drive. Winnabow
and Southport serve as backup stations for the City,
while the Sunny Point Military Terminal has two six -
Page 34, Section 1- Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates I

1 wheeled vehicles used predominantly for brush fires.
The Boiling Spring Lakes' volunteer fire department
has equipment as follows: two pumper trucks, three
tank trucks, and one four-wheel drive brush truck with
PUMP -
Since there is no central water supply system in the City,
there are also no fire hydrants in the City, with the
exception of several dry hydrants connected to the lake
' system for pumping on demand. The fire department
has a fire chief and approximately 17-25 volunteers. The
City as a whole has a fire insurance rating of 8. There
' are no plans to change the current firefighting capability
of the volunteer fire department.
1.4.6 Schools
School -age children in the City of Boiling Spring Lakes
are served by the Brunswick County public school
system. Children in grades 1-5 living on the north side
'
of Boiling Spring Lakes attend Bolivia Elementary
School, while children living on the south side of the
main lake attend Southport Elementary School.
Children of junior high school age attend South
Brunswick Middle School, while high school students
attend South Brunswick High School. Key numbers for
these various schools are as follows:
Additional
i4th
Month Grades Classrooms
School Membership Served Needed*
Bolivia
Elementary 484 K 5 4
Southport
Elementary 830 K 5 3
South Brunswick
Middle 690 6-8 4
South Brunswick
High 887 9-12 12
*Telephone interview with Gene Yarborough,
Superintendent of Public Schools, Brunswick County,
'
2/17/87.
1.4.7 Parks and Recreation
Boiling Spring Lakes maintains one small community
park just off the main road east of the Town Hall. The
'
park includes the following features: one tennis court,
one basketball court, a picnic shelter and picnic area, and
Iplayground
equipment. There are no plans to expand
Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates
Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan - Section 1, Page 35

this park or to add additional park facilities in the near
future.
A significant recreation and open space feature within
the City of Boiling Spring Lakes is the golf course and
country club. This semi -private dub has a current
membership of 150+ members, but the course is also
open the public. Total yardage for the course is 6,762
yards over 18 holes. The golf course encompasses an
estimated 150-170 acres of land in open space. While the
golf course is not owned or operated by the City, it is felt
to be a significant enough open space amenity to be
included in the discussion of recreation under the plan.
The City provides garbage pickup services twice weekly.
Two full-time employees split their time two days per
week in garbage collection and three days per week in
the street maintenance department. - The Town has one
garbage truck which it uses to collect the trash and
deliver it to the County transfer station on NC 133 near
the Board of Education office. When the transfer station
is not operating, the solid waste is carried to the County
landfill near Supply off Highway 17. Expansion of the
County's landfill system by about 300 acres is currently
being implemented and should accommodate the needs
of the community for the foreseeable future.
1.4.8 Solid Waste Disposal
Page 36, Section 1- Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan
Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates I

1.5 Anticipated Demand The purpose of this section is to anticipate how future
population projections may impact upon the need for
additional developable land and facilities in the City of
Boiling Spring Lakes. These projections have a direct
' bearing on the amount of land allocated, for example,
to 'the Transition class of the Land Classification Map.
' This is more fully explained in the paragraphs that
follow.
' 1.5.1 Population As noted earlier under Section 1.2.1, the population
Projections growth rate for the City of Boiling Spring Lakes has
varied considerably over the past three decades. During
' the 1960s, for example, the City's population increased
by an average annual growth rate of just under 10% per
year. For the 1970s, this growth rate accelerated to just
over 15% per year for the decade. During the first half of
the 1980s, however, the average annual growth rate for
the City has fallen to between 5 and 6% annually.
Several factors may have contributed to the decline in
the growth rate in recent years. First, there is
' undoubtedly more competition today from other
developments and communities in Southeastern North
Carolina than during the locally high growth period of
' the 1970s. Second, the tightening of State and County
regulations for the installation of septic tanks has made
much of the land area in the City of Boiling Spring
Lakes more difficult to develop. Third, there has been a
nationwide slowdown in the movement of individuals
from the Northeast and Midwest to the Southeast,
West, and Southwest. Fourth, the development
company which was responsible for much of the
community's early growth and development has
gradually become less active, perhaps as a result of the
previous three factors.
Based upon the aforementioned factors and trends, it is
unlikely that the rate of growth in Boiling Spring Lakes
is apt to increase significantly without some significant
' change in one of the factors discussed. An example of a
major change might be the establishment of a new grant
funding initiative at the State or Federal level for the
' construction of municipal sewage treatment plants.
Another example might be the takeover of the existing
' development company by a new development company
with different development objectives. (It is known
that the existing development company is available for
purchase at this time.)
' Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan -Section 1, Page 37

Thus assuming no change in the growth and
development factors mentioned above, the most likely
projected growth rate for the City is considered to be
approximately 6% per year, a figure roughly equivalent
to the current growth rate. The State Office of
Management and Budget has estimated that the City of
Boiling Spring Lakes had a permanent population of
1,314 residents in 1985. If the 6% average annual growth
rate is applied to this 1985 estimate and carried through
over the ensuing ten year period, a 1995 projected
population of 2,356 persons may be determined.
As a final caveat, it should be noted that population
projections for communities the size of Boiling Spring
Lakes are oftentimes highly unreliable. If any single
growth factor mentioned above should change
significantly, there could also be a dramatic change in
the associated population level of the community.
Future land use needs are a function of overall
population growth for the area, and associated
residential, institutional and commercial land
development factors. No industrial land uses are
projected to occur in the City of Boiling Spring Lakes for
a number of reasons as discussed in Sections 2.1.8 and
2.3.1 of this plan.
The City of Boiling Spring Lakes encompasses a very
large territory in comparison to its population base.
With approximately 17,000 acres in the corporate limits,.
there were only 1,314 residents and 610 housing units in
the community in 1985. Despite the constraints
imposed by soil conditions throughout the City, and the
presence of a primary aquifer recharge area underlying
much of the community, there is ample available land
remaining in the City for any growth that might be
anticipated over the next several decades.
The 1983 Land Use Plan categorized much of the
subdivided areas of the City of Boiling Spring Lakes as
Developed and several smaller areas as Transition. It
should be noted that much of the areas designated as
Developed contain ample opportunities for Infill
development on undeveloped lots scattered throughout
the subdivided areas. The Transition areas are designed
only to supplement new growth that would not be
considered as infill development. With the addition of
just 150 new housing units in the five year period from
1980 to 1985, an expansion of the Developed and
1.5.2 Future Land Use
Needs
Page 38, Section 1- Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates I

Transition categories as identified in the last Land Use
' Plan does not appear to be justified at this time; nor has
commercial development along NC Highway 87 been
sufficient to warrant an expansion of the Developed
' category identified along this facility.
Under the recently tightened State and County
regulations for septic tank installation, it is likely that
future development may have to occur on larger lot
sizes than has been the practice in the past. However,
such new development is not likely to significantly
change the amount of Developed and Transition land
' identified on the Land Classification Map.
1.5.3 Community Facility
Demands Based on the 1995 population projection of 2,356,
Boiling Spring Lakes should be able to continue its
recent slower rate of growth without the necessity for
community water and sewer facilities. As noted above,
there appears to be ample acreage in the community to
accommodate a growth pattern of large lots with
homesites dependent upon individual wells and septic
tanks.
This rate of growth and type of development pattern has
' certain policy implications, however. These
implications are more fully discussed in Section 2.3.2 of
this plan, which is entitled "Provision of Services To
Development."
Aside from traditional water and sewer services and
street paving, the community is also beginning to
identify the need for other community facilities. For
example, the need for an additional park facility to serve
the City's growing child -aged population was
mentioned at the public meetings held for the Land Use
Plan Update. At the same time, the current City Hall is
very much in need of a planned expansion to allow for
the seating of the public at meetings of the various
Town Boards. At present there is barely enough room
' to seat the members of the particular board that may be
meeting, while also reserving a minimal amount of
office space for the functions of the City Clerk.
At the present time, any such activities are typically
dependent upon volunteer help to see them carried
' forward. As a result, progress is oftentimes slower than
desired, and unpredictable.
Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan -Section 1, Page 39

Section 2:
Policies for
Growth and
Development
Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates

r
Introduction to the Policies
The data collection and analysis described in Section 1 of this
plan was geared to gathering and summarizing information
related to the growth of Boiling Spring Lakes. Building upon
'
this information, a series of official local government policies
are hereby set forth. As officially adopted policies of the
City's Board of Commissioners, they serve as the basis for
future decisions on capital improvements, ordinances, re-
zoning requests, subdivision approvals, and other similar
matters.
rPolicy
Format
'
Each major policy category in the 1987 update to the Policies
for Growth and Development is addressed according to the
following format:
i - A brief of the issues and
Discussion summary
ary
relevant findings.
Policy Statement - A statement of local government
principle designed to achieve
r
legitimate public objectives related to
the issue.
Implementation - Assignable actions designed to carry
r
Actions out the policies, and which can be
accomplished within the 1987-1992
timeframe.
rIt
is important to understand that discussion and implemen-
tation actions are not policies, and do not carry the same
'
degree of importance as the actual policy statements. The
narrative in each discussion section is designed to provide
background and rationale for the ensuing policy statement.
r
In most instances, the discussion serves to identify a problem
or issue, and may present a summary of findings from other
'
technical studies. There is no intent to establish policy within
any discussion section.
Short-term (i.e. within five years) implementation actions are
designed to suggest several possible courses of action avail-
able to the City to carry out the policies. The suggested
' actions are not intended to be all-inclusive, nor are they
binding. In other words, as conditions change, additional
actions may be added to the list and others removed.
The policy oli statements, on the other hand, must be viewed in
' a wholly different light. As statements of local government
principle, the policies should remain substantially un-
Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan - Section 2, Page 1
1

changed during the five year planning period. Frequent
changes to the policies would undermine their effectiveness
in achieving intended goals and objectives. Indeed, the
policies are designed to maintain a consistent and predictable
direction for local government decisions affecting the local
growth and development, of the City during the planning
period. Therefore, in reviewing the pages that follow, the
reader is asked to focus greatest attention on the policies,
while relying upon the discussion and implementation ac-
tions primarily as explanations as to intent.
Page 2, Section 2 - Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates I

L
2.1 Resource By consensus of residents attending the public meetings for
Protection the land use plan, the suitability of soils for septic tanks
within the City is the number one issue and constraint on the
2.1.1 Constraints to future growth and development of the City. In the early years
Development of the community's development, most of the new homesites
were located on reasonably good soils that were capable of
accepting effluent from septic tanks. Gradually, however,
and especially in the past five years, more development has
been occurring on marginally suitable soils for septic tanks.
At the same time, the County Health Department has tight-
ened its standards for septic tank approval and percolation
tests to increase the separation of the nitrification lines from
the groundwater table. Some septic systems have been
installed in fill dirt. This practice has been acceptable so long
as the fill dirt has not caused runoff to flow onto adjacent,
lower lying properties.
A final concern has been that the continued use of septic tanks
may eventually contaminate the groundwater resource upon
which the vast majority of the City's residents depend.
As long as development in the City remains dependent upon
conventional septic tank systems, the continued growth and
development of the community will be hampered.
Policy 2.1.1 IT SHALL BE THE POLICY OF BOILING SPRING LAKES
TO PROTECT ITS GROUNDWATER RESOURCES AND
AESTHETIC ENVIRONMENT FOR PRESENT AND
FUTURE GENERATIONS BY THOROUGHLY CONSID-
ERING SOIL LIMITATIONS AND THE REQUIRED
MODIFICATIONS FOR VARIOUS USES.
Implementation 1. The City will continually seek from local, state and
federal agencies all available information regarding
technological advances in low cost sewage treatment
alternatives.
2. In reviews of major development projects and planned
residential developments, the City will encourage the
use of environmentally sound package treatment plants
and technologically advanced systems.
Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates
Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan - Section 2, Page 3

There are no areas of environmental concern (AECs), as
defined by the Coastal Area Management Act, located
within the corporate limits of Boiling Spring Lakes. As
identified under CAMA, AECs are areas that are of statewide
significance and therefore warrant special attention and
regulatory control.
At the local level, however, the citizens of the City feel very
strongly about the need to protect and conserve two basic
environmental features of the community, namely the lakes
and wooded condition of the area. Iii the 1983 plan, the
following statement was made which holds equally true
today: "To remain an attractive community, we must be
conscious of what makes our community so livable. We must
preserve and conserve those attributes."
Land adjacent to the lakes is in the ownership of a large
number of private individuals (single family lots) as well as
the Development Corporation. Only the big lake is in the
ownership of the City, but the Development Corporation has
given the City the power to regulate the use of all the lakes
within the City limits.
At the major lakes, the City has obtained certain lots for
public recreational activities. At the smaller lakes, the City
has permanent drainage easements which afford public
access. Recently, concern has heightened over the use of the
lakes, specifically the construction of private boat docks and
the lack of standards for their construction.
2.1.2 Areas of
Environmental Concern
2.1.2(a) Lakefront
Development and Use
THE CITY SHALL SEEK TO MINIMIZE ADVERSE IM- Policy 2.1.2(a)
PACTS OF LAKEFRONT DEVELOPMENT, TO INSURE
REASONABLE ACCESS, AND TO DEVELOP FOR PUB-
LIC PURPOSES ITS AREAS SUITABLE FOR RECREA-
TIONAL ACTIVITIES.
1. The City shall investigate the feasibility of establishing Implementation
minimum standards for dock construction on the lakes of
the City.
2. As finances allow, the City will seek to improve its
existing public access points to the lakes. An inquiry will
be made to the State regarding the possibility of receiving
a construction grant for public access improvements.
3. The City should evaluate the need for an additional small
public park, perhaps adjacent to one of the lakes.
L
1
L I
Page 4, Section 2 - Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan . Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates I

2.1.2(b) Preservation of Residents of the City have expressed concern over the prac-
Wooded Areas tice of clearcutting lots prior to new construction. Discussion
focused on the need to discourage such practices, but at the
same time, recognized the difficulties in establishing and
enforcing an ordinance to prevent clearcutting. Examples
given were the need to clear trees away to establish septic
tank nitrification fields and gardens. A liability question was
also raised regarding the possibility that a tree could fall over
on a house during a storm and the City might be held liable
I
for not allowing the property owner to cut down those trees.
Policy 2.1.2(b)
THE CITY ENCOURAGES AND REQUESTS THAT PRI-
VATE PROPERTY OWNERS DISTURB ONLY THAT
AREA OF THEIR LOT REQUIRED FOR BUILDINGS,
ACCESS, PARKING, WATER SUPPLY, WASTE DIS-
POSAL, AND OTHER NORMAL REQUIREMENTS. THE
CITY WISHES TO RETAIN A WOODED APPEARANCE
IF POSSIBLE.
Implementation
1. The City will advise the property owner upon request
for a building permit of the City's policy against
'
clearcutting. If such information can be passed along to
new residents prior to the request for a building permit,
an effort will be made to do so.
2.1.3 Other Hazardous Or
Fragile Land Areas
2.1.3(a) Freshwater
While freshwater swamps and marshes are not a typical
Swamps and Marshes
feature of the land area found within the corporate limits,
there are extensive areas of the City that have extremely wet
soils. In particular, the soil survey of Brunswick County
identifies Croatan muck, Leon fine sand, Lynchburg fine
sandy loam, Murville fine sand, Rains fine sandy loam, and
Torhunta fine sandy loam as being especially susceptible to
'
wetness year-round. Many of these soil types occur within
pocosins and Carolina bays, which are typical throughout
much of the community. It should be noted that the variation
of soil types from one area to another is sometimes quite
subtle, and is therefore subject to site specific investigation.
'
Policy 2.1.3(a)
THE CITY SUPPORTS THE POLICIES AND REGULA-
TIONS OF THE U.S. CORPS OF ENGINEERS AS IT
'
SEEKS TO PROTECT AND CONSERVE OFFICIALLY
DESIGNATED WETLAND AREAS UNDER THE "404"
PERMIT PROGRAM. THE CITY WILL MAKE EVERY
ATTEMPT TO PRESERVE, IN THEIR NATURAL STATE,
Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates
Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan - Section 2, Page 5

ANY FRAGILE AREAS IN WHICH THREATENED OR
ENDANGERED SPECIESW OCCUR.
'
1. In its review of subdivision plats, the City will seek to
Implementation
encourage a pattern of development which avoids "404"
'
wetland areas andfragile areas containing threatened or
endangered species.
'
As noted in Section 1.3.2, the State Division of Archives and
2.1.3(b) Cultural and
History has stated that there are four known archaeological
Historic Resources
'
sites within the Boiling Spring Lakes city limits. In addition,
the agency has noted that "the upland areas immediately
adjacent to the navigable portions of Allen Creek hold a
moderate potential for containing archaeological resources."
State Archives also has no record of any structures in Shal-
lotte which are listed in the National Register of Historic
'
Places or on the Division Study list for future nomination on
the Register.
Locally, City residents have not recognized any historic sites
in the community.
'
THE CITY SUPPORTS THE IDENTIFICATION AND
Policy 2.1.3(b)
PRESERVATION OF CULTURAL AND HISTORIC RE-
'
SOURCES WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS.
1. Recognizing that the resources of the State Historic Implementation '
Preservation office are limited, the City welcomes
further investigations of cultural and historic sites that
may be located within the City limits. r
As noted previously, there are few actual manmade hazards 2.1.30 Manmade Hazards '
located within the city limits of Boiling Spring Lakes. The one
notable exception is the rail line passing through the City
which serves the Sunny Point Munitions Terminal. While the '
munitions terminal and the nuclear powered generating
plant at Southport are both located outside the city limits,
they are nonetheless close enough to be of continuing con-
cern.I
(Also see Section 1.3.1(a) Hazard Areas).
CONSIDERING THE INHERENT HAZARDS IN- Policy 2.1.3(c) '
VOLVED IN THE OPERATION OF THE RAILROAD,
THE MUNITIONS TERMINAL, AND THE NUCLEAR
POWERED PLANT, THE CITY SHALL SEEK INFORMA-
TION AND COOPERATE TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT
POSSIBLE WITH THE MANAGEMENT OF EACH OF
THESE FACILITIES TO INSURE SAFE OPERATION
AND TO MINIMIZE THE RISK.
Page 6, Section 2 - Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates '

Implementation 1. The City shall seek on a continual basis additional
information regarding the mitigating measures designed
and in place for the ammunition terminal, the railroad
facility serving the terminal, and the nuclear powered
plant.
2. Evacuation plans for railway or nuclear power plant
accidents shall be acknowledged and carefully
coordinated in conjunction with representatives of these
facilities and the County Emergency Preparedness
Coordinator.
2.1.4 Hurricane and Flood The City of Boiling Spring Lakes has no history of flooding or
' Evacuation damage from minor or major storm events. City residents
noted that during hurricanes, the community serves as a "safe
area" for evacuees from the beach communities.
The Cityhas also full investigated the desirability and need
YtY
for participating in the National Flood Insurance program.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has indicated
that there is no justification for the City's participation in the
' program and therefore, City officials have dropped further
consideration of the issue.
' 2.1.5 Protection of Potable As noted under Section 1.3.1-d, Water Supply, City residents
Water Supply are currently totally dependent upon the surficial and lime-
stone aquifers as sources of water. Most potable water is
' drawn from the limestone aquifer at a depth of from 20-40' to
a maximum depth of 150' below land surface. It was further
noted that the surficial aquifer and the limestone aquifer are
' connected with each other hydrologically. As a result, con-
taminants that entered the groundwater table at the surface
could eventually find their way to the deeper limestone
' aquifer without necessarily having to pass through a separat-
ing natural filter such as a clay layer.
It was also noted that Boiling Spring Lakes is a primary
aquifer recharge area. Because of the area's importance to the
entire groundwater system in this part of the County, devel-
opment should proceed with care and concern for the protec-
tion of the groundwater resource.
Policy 2.1.5 IN RECOGNITION OF THE CITY'S ROLE AS A PRI-
MARY AQUIFER RECHARGE AREA, THE CITY WILL
' REMAIN WATCHFUL OF THE POTENTIAL ADVERSE
IMPACTS OF NEW DEVELOPMENT UPON THE
GROUNDWATER RESOURCE.
Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan - Section 2, Page 7

1. Through the administration of the zoning ordinance and
the subdivision regulations, the City will encourage new
residential development to occur on large lots. When
possible, smaller undeveloped lots will be combined to
form new larger lots until such a time as public facilities
are available.
2. The City recognizes the administration and enforcement
of the County septic tank regulations by the County
Health Department as a means to protect groundwater
quality.
As discussed previously, the general unsuitability of soils
within the City for septic tank use is a major constraint on the
future growth and development of Boiling Spring Lakes.
Several trends have emerged which lead City residents to be
increasingly supportive of the use of package sewage treat-
ment plants. These trends include:
1. New development occurring on marginally suitable
soils.
2. A tightening of County regulations for the siting and
operation of conventional septic tanks.
3. An identified need for a greater variety of housing
types in the community, including multi -family and
cluster development.
4. The scarcity of state and federal funding sources for the
construction of municipal sewage treatment plants.
All of these factors lead the City to the conclusion that the
private sector will have to play an increasing role in the
provision of sewage treatment facilities in the City of Boiling
Spring Lakes.
Implementation
2.1.6 Package Sewage
Treatment Plants
THE CITY OF BOILING SPRING LAKES SUPPORTS Policy 2.1.6
THE USE OF PACKAGE SEWAGE TREATMENT
PLANTS WHEN SUCH FACILITIES ARE PROPERLY
DESIGNED, LOCATED, AND WHEN THERE IS ASSUR-
ANCE OF CONTINUED PROPER OPERATION.
1. In its review of multi -family and planned residential Implementation
developments, the City will cooperate with state and
local health and environmental officials to see that all
environmental and technical standards are met.
Concern about stormwater runoff in the community focuses 2.1.7 Stormwater Runoff
primarily on the maintenance of a high level of water quality
in the various lakes of the City. Currently, there are few areas
Page 8, Section 2 - Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates 1

i
of lakefront property that have not been developed for resi-
dential purposes. There is concern, however, that many of
the lots of record in the City are too small and that this will
contribute eventually to unacceptable levels of stormwater
' runoff into the lakes.
' City officials have identified the need for a comprehensive
drainage study for the community, such study to include
provisions for the control of stormwater runoff. There is also
a movement afoot to encourage owners of currently platted
small lots to combine their lots with adjacent properties to
achieve a larger lot prior to development.
iPolicy 2.1.7 STORMWATER RUNOFF AND DRAINAGE FROM
DEVELOPMENT OR OTHER ACTIVITIES SHALL BE OF
A QUALITY AND QUANTITY AS NEAR TO PREDEVEL-
OPMENT CONDITIONS AS POSSIBLE.
Implementation
1. The City shall request funding through the Coastal
Management Program to conduct a comprehensive
drainage study for the community.
2.1.8 Industrial Impacts on
Due to the occurrence of a high water table throughout most
'
Fragile Areas
of Boiling Spring Lakes and the role of the land area within
the community as a primary aquifer recharge area, there
should be considerable concern regarding the potential for
i
adverse impacts of industrial development on the natural
resource base of the community. To date, however, there has
been no industrial development per se in any part of the City.
iReasons
for a lack of industrial development include the
predominance of wet, poorly drained soils and the lack of
ipublic
water and sewer treatment facilities. Also, while a rail
line runs through the community and there are adequate
secondary roads serving the area, the transportation network
'
serving the community is less attractive compared to other
available sites in southeastern North Carolina. Despite the
'
current lack of interest in industrial development within the
City, it is conceivable that industrial development could
occur at some point in the future.
iPolicy
2.1.8
FUTURE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT SHALL BE
DISCOURAGED FROM LOCATING IN AREAS OF THE
CITY CONSIDERED TO BE FRAGILE, INCLUDING
UNIQUE NATURAL AREAS, AND AREAS PARTICU-
LARLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO GROUNDWATER CON-
TAMINATION.
Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates
Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan - Section 2, Page 9

1. Prior to approving an industrial development or the Implementation
rezoning of a land tract for future development as
industrial, the City will consult with appropriate state
and federal agencies including the NC Department of ,
Natural Resources and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
I
Page 10, Section 2 - Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates ,

2.2 Resource Production
' and Management
E
0
Of the three general policy areas specified under the Coastal
Area Management Act for land use plans, the Resource
Production and Management policy area is of markedly
lesser importance to the land area encompassed by the City
of Boiling Spring Lakes. Due to the predominance of wet,
poorly drained soils and the original conception of the City as
a residential community, resource production is not a current
issue, nor is it expected to be one in the future.
There are no productive agricultural lands located within the
City. While much of the community is wooded, none of the
City is in use as commercial forest land, and this status is not
expected to change. There are also no mineral production
areas within the City. Fisheries resources from a manage-
ment standpoint are limited to recreational fishing by City
residents in the area lakes. The freshwater fisheries resource
of the City's lakes is not considered sufficient to support a
commercial fishing industry. The City does support, how-
ever, several policies regarding the future development of
the community which lends support to the continued high
standard of water quality in the lakes.
The use of off -road vehicles in the Town is not considered to
be an issue by area residents and there have been no reported
significant abuses of natural areas in the community by off -
road vehicles.
Despite the general absence of concern regarding resource
production issues, the City does wish to adopt the following
policy statement regarding resource production and man-
agement.
Policy 2.2 THE POTENTIAL PRODUCTIVITY OF LAND AREAS
LOCATED WITHIN THE CITY OF BOILING SPRING
LAKES FOR AGRICULTURAL USE, COMMERCIAL
FORESTRY, MINERAL PRODUCTION, AND FISHER-
IES RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT SHALL BE PRE -
SERVED FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS THROUGH
PROTECTION OF THE UNIQUE NATURAL ECOSYS-
TEMS UPON WHICH THEY DEPEND. THE FUTURE
DEVELOPMENT OF ANY SUCH PRODUCTIVE RE-
SOURCE SHALL ONLY BE PERMITTED WHEN SUCH
DEVELOPENT IS CONSIDERED COMPATIBLE WITH
THE DESIRED CHARACTER OF THE COMMUNITY.
Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates
Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan - Section 2, Page 11

This policy section is concerned with those issues associated
with the development and redevelopment of the City of
Boiling Spring Lakes regarding the types and locations of
desired development, the willingness of the City to provide
public services to development, the desired pattern of devel-
opment, local support for state and federal programs influ-
encing development, and the provision of access to public
open space and recreational areas.
Section 2.1.8 discussed many of the reasons why industrial
development has not occurred to date within the City of
Boiling Spring Lakes. Chief among those reasons was the
high water table occurring throughout the community, the
poor drainage of area soils, and the absence of a superior
transportation network relative to other sites available in
southeastern North Carolina.
Due to the residential character and intended future develop-
ment of Boiling Spring Lakes, only clean, light industries -
would be considered compatible for development in the
City. The location of new industry would likely occur
adjacent to either of the main secondary highways serving
the community, NC 87 and NC 133. In any case, it would be
desirable to have such industry located away from existing or
planned future residential development. This separation of
uses could also be achieved by having commercial or office
development located on lands between the industrial and
residential areas. In absence of such intervening transitional
uses, natural buffer areas should be required.
The City recognizes that new industry could contribute
significantly to expanding the community's limited tax base,
while at the same time, providing employment for area
residents.
THE CITY OF BOILING SPRING LAKES SUPPORTS
AND ENCOURAGES THE DEVELOPMENT OF CLEAN,
LIGHT INDUSTRY ON ENVIRONMENTALLY SUIT-
ABLE SITES WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. NEW INDUS-
TRIAL DEVELOPMENT SHOULD HAVE SUFFICIENT
PHYSICAL SEPARATION FROM EXISTING OR PO-
2.3 Economic and
Community
Development
Management Policies
Introduction
2.3.1 Types and Locations
of Desired Industries
Policy 2.3.1
C
P
Page 12, Section 2 - Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates

I
1
TENTIAL FUTURE RESIDENTIAL AREAS, ACHIEVED
BY APPROPRIATE BUFFERING OR THE PLACEMENT
OF APPROPRIATE COMMERCIAL AND OFFICE
TRANSITIONAL USES ON INTERVENING LANDS.
2.3.2 Provision of Services Regarding the provision of public services to development,
to Development the City of Boiling Spring Lakes finds itself in a dilemma. On
one hand, development in the community is currently being
constrained by the lack of public sewage treatment facilities
to overcome the problem of unsuitable soils for septic tanks.
On the other hand, the City lacks the tax base and financial
resources to build the public facilities necessary to attract
new development. Public funding sources to subsidize the
development of community -wide water and sewer services
have all but dried up in recent years.
IPolicy 2.3.2
Brunswick County is well along in the process of construct-
ing a regional water supply system. A major trunkline of the
system parallels NC 87 through the heart of Boiling Spring
Lakes, and is available to be tapped. At the present time,
however, the City does not have the financial wherewithall to
tap into the line and construct the water distribution system
throughout the balance of the community. Even with the
provision of potable water from this outside source, the
problem of soil suitability for septic tanks is not resolved.
Therefore, until such a time as sewage treatment technolo-
gies and development costs change, or new outside funding
sources are put in place, the City must maintain a conserva-
tive posture on its commitment to providing public services.
IT IS THE POLICY OF BOILING SPRING LAKES TO
PROVIDE BASIC MUNICIPAL SERVICES REQUIRED
OF AN URBAN SETTLEMENT PATTERN WHEN SUCH
PROVISION CAN BE MADE AT COSTS WITHIN THE
REASONABLE FINANCIAL CAPABILITY OF THE CITY.
THE CITY SHALL REMAIN OPEN TO THE POSSIBILITY
OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL COOPERATION AGREE-
MENTS FOR ALL SERVICES.
2.3.3 Urban Growth Pattern The City of Boiling Spring Lakes was originally conceived as
a low to moderate density residential retirement community.
The existing street pattern reflects this philosophy of growth.
At public meetings concerning the land use plan update, area
residents expressed support for a general continuation of the
original low to medium density concept. Within this general
pattern of development, residents are supportive of a mix-
ture of multi -family housing at appropriate locations in the
Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan - Section 2, Page 13

community. Residents are also supportive of a clustering of
commercial uses at designated sites along NC 133 and NC 87.
These sites are reflected accurately in the City's zoning ordi-
nance, subject to future revisions. ,
THE CITY OF BOILING SPRING LAKES WISHES TO Policy 2.3.3
RETAIN ITS IDENTITY AS A PRIMARILY LOW TO
MODERATE DENSITY COMMUNITY. THE HEART OF
THE COMMUNITY'S GROWTH PATTERN SHOULD
CONTINUE TO BE REINFORCED ON NC 87 NEAR THE I
SITE OF THE PRESENT TOWN HALL.
1. Current and ongoing rezoning actions will be supportive Implementation '
of the above stated policy.
Due to the development of the City as a new planned residen- 2.3.4 Redevelopment
tial community and the limited age of most structures in the
City, redevelopment in the traditional sense is not yet seen as
an issue. There is some strong sentiment, however, that
many previously platted single family residential lots are too
small in light of soil conditions and recent tighteningof septic
tank regulations. The City is therefore interested in investi-
gating ways in which these smaller lots could be replatted to
more closely match current standards and the presentlevel of I
knowledge about soil conditions.
THE CITY OF BOILING SPRING LAKES SHALL BE Policy 2.3.4
SUPPORTIVE OF ALL EFFORTS TO COMBINE EXIST-
ING SMALLER LOTS INTO LARGER LOTS MORE
SUITABLE FOR DEVELOPMENT.
With recent cutbacks in various state and federal grant and 2.3.5 State and Federal
loan programs, there are a limited number of such programs Program Support
available to the City. At the present time, those programs of
greatest importance include possible federal or state support
for municipal wastewater treatment facilities and support
for road construction and maintenance. As noted previously
under Section 1.4.3, the City has approximately 116 miles of
streets, of which only 16 are currently paved. The City relies
heavily upon available Powell Bill funds to operate its street
maintenance department. I
The City has looked into the need for and desirability of
participating in the Federal National Flood Insurance -Pro-
gram, and has been informed by the Federal Emergency
Management Agency that participation in the flood insur-
Page 14, Section 2 - Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates

' ance program is not necessary due to the lack of a flooding
problem in the City.
' Of all federal programs having a potential impact on the
future growth and development of the community, funding
for municipal wastewater collection and treatment plants
looms as the most signficant. Recently there have been
discussions at the state legislative level that a statewide
revolving loan fund or other revenue source might be created
and made available to local governments. Presumably,
various local governments in the state would have to com-
pete for such funding based upon the severity of the need for
municipal sewage treatment. It is not clear at this time
whether such a revolving loan fund may in fact be created or
how high on the list Boiling Spring Lakes may rank in
comparison to other communities.
Policy 2.3.5 CONSIDERING ALL THE NEEDS OF BOILING SPRING
LAKES, THE LIMITED FINANCIAL RESOURCES
AVAILABLE, AND THE POTENTIAL FOR LONG-TERM
POSITIVE IMPACT, WASTEWATER TREATMENT
SHALL BE THE TOP PRIORITY FOR FUNDING
THROUGH STATE AND FEDERAL PROGRAMS.
Implementation
1. Boiling Spring Lakes will continually monitor
developments at the state and federal level regarding
the availability of funding for wastewater treatment
projects.
2. The City will keep abreast of new technological
developments in wastewater treatment with an eye
toward cost effective means of establishing centralized
sewage treatment facilities to serve the community.. At
a minimum, the City will request copies of
demonstration project reports from other local
governments.
2.3.6 Energy Facilities
Due to the City's geography, it is doubtful that Boiling Spring
Lakes would be the site of an oil refinery, nuclear power
plant, or other major energy facility. However, the general
area of Brunswick County east of Boiling Spring Lakes has
been considered on occasion for various other energy facili-
ties, including the BECO Oil Refinery and numerous coal
export facilities.
It is conceivable that Boiling Spring ring Lakes could be in the
right-of-way path for energy products' transmission lines,
such as oil or gas pipelines, and could also be subject to coal
Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates
Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan - Section 2, Page 15

train movements serving exporting facilities. In other com-
munities, these energy -related facilities have been known to
be quite disruptive.
The general welfare and general interest of the nation, state
and community require that a reliable source of energy be
made available to its citizens. Thus, there must be a proper
balancing between the public benefits of energy develop-
ment and the potential for disruption of a community like
Boiling Spring Lakes.
THE SITING OF ENERGY FACILITIES WITHIN THE
CORPORATE LIMITS OF BOILING SPRING LAKES
WILL BE ACCEPTABLE ONLY IF IT CAN BE DEMON-
STRATED THAT SUCH FACILITIES WILL NOT BE
DISRUPTIVE TO THE DESIRED CHARACTER OF
DEVELOPMENT IN THE COMMUNITY AND THE
QUALITY OF LIFE PROVIDED BY ITS NATURAL
AMENITIES.
1. Applicants for energy facility siting in Boiling Spring
Lakes will be required to disclose to the City all costs and
benefits (economic, social and environmental) associated
with the project.
Policy 2.3.6
Implementation
The most important natural resource in Boiling Spring Lakes 2.3.7 Waterfront Access
is the lakes. As noted in Section 2.1.2, land adjacent to the
lakes is largely in private ownership. The big lake is owned
in its entirety by the City, and it is monitored by the Lake
Watch Committee.
Fortunately, at the major lakes, the City has obtained certain
lot areas for public recreational activities. At the other
smaller lakes, the City has permanent drainage easements
which afford public access. As identified on plat maps
located in City Hall, there are approximately 22 such recrea-
tion access points available to the public in Boiling Spring
Lakes.
THE CITY SHALL SEEK TO MINIMIZE ADVERSE IM- Policy 2.3.7
PACTS OF LAKEFRONT DEVELOPMENT TO INSURE
REASONABLE ACCESS, AND TO DEVELOP FOR PUB-
LIC PURPOSES ITS AREAS SUITABLE FOR RECREA-
TIONAL ACTIVITIES.
Page 16, Section 2 - Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates I

Implementation 1. The City should inquire of the State Division of Coastal
' Management as to the possibility of receiving a grant to
provide for improvements to the town's existing access
facilities. Such improvements could include physical
changes to the access points, but it could also include
signage identifying the availability of the access to the
public. City officials have also noted an interest in the
possibility of State funding for regulatory signage in
conjunction with public access signage.
' 2.3.8 Residential To date, the City of Boiling Spring Lakes has been developed
Development exclusively as a single family residential community. Hous-
ing types have included site built single family residences, as
well as mobile homes. Current estimates by City officials
indicate that approximately 50% of the housing units in the
' City are site built and 50% are mobile homes. This statistic
was generally confirmed by the survey of existing land use
prepared as part of the land use planning process.
While the community was originally conceived primarily for
M retirement -aged persons, the City has gradually evolved
over the past 10 years into supporting a substantial non -
retirement population including signficant numbers of chil-
dren. In addition to the so-called "active retired" population
of the City, there is also a growing number of retired persons
who are less able to manage the responsibilities of a tradi-
tional single family home on a large lot.
In light of these demographic changes in the community,
area residents have begun to recognize the need for a wider
variety of housing types. Included might be attractive apart-
ments and duster developments, as well as garden homes,
• patio homes, and townhouses. These housing types can
oftentimes be built on less land and can be serviced by
package sewage treatment plants, in turn overcoming one of
the largest deterrents to growth in the community, non -
perking soils.d
Policy 2.3.8 THE CITY RECOGNIZES THE NEED FOR A VARIETY
OF HOUSING TYPES WHICH DO NOT NEGATIVELY
OR ADVERSELY AFFECT CONVENTIONAL SINGLE
FAMILY HOUSING TYPES, AND SHALL THEREFORE
CONTINUE TO ENCOURAGE A VARIETY OF HOUS-
IING TYPES AT SPECIFIC LOCATIONS.
u
Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates • Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan - Section 2, Page 17

1. The City shall encourage the use of the planned
residential district to facilitate the development of non-
traditional housing.
2. The City shall consider the designation of one or more
specific areas of the community to be set aside in the
zoning ordinance for the benefit and use of double -wide
manufactured homes.
Boiling Spring Lakes recognizes that as the area in and
around the City continues to develop for residential pur-
poses, commercial uses are likely to follow. In most urban
areas, there is a natural tendency for commercial uses to
locate in a stripped fashion along the area's major highways.
Such stripping provides maximum exposure to the traveling
public and allows developers to pick sites on the outskirts of
town where real estate prices are lower.
Unfortunately, this pattern of development has many public
costs:
1. The use and efficiency of the highway is diminished by
the number of driveway cuts and turnouts onto the
highway. This can cause an unpredictable flow of traffic,
resulting in congestion and increased accidents. In most
instances, it eventually results in the loss of the highway
for its originally intended purpose, that of moving traffic
through the urban area. Parallel roads must then be built
at additional public expense.
2. This stripped development pattern is also more costly to
service with regard to the extension of water and sewer
lines, police and fire protection, and trash collection.
3. Strip commercialization can eventually lead to visual
blight due to a proliferation of signs, variable setbacks,
unplanned parking areas with minimal landscaping, etc.
The City of Boiling Spring Lakes has recognized in the past
few years the beginnings of such a commercial strip develop-
ment pattern along NC 87. The Planning Board has initiated
discussions regarding changing some of this strip commer-
cial zoning to a consolidated area along 87 west of the Town
Hall and north of South Shore Drive.
Regarding the level of commercial development, Boiling
Spring Lakes does not wish to become nor is it likely that it
will become a regional commercial center for this sector of
Brunswick County. Commercial uses permitted within the
Town should be those that generally serve the local area
Implementation
2.3.9 Commercial
Development
Page 18, Section 2 - Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates

market at the community level. However, in the future as the
community continues to grow, it may be necessary to reevalu-
ate this position. If, for example, a major new development
' corporation should take over the interests of the current
development corporation, there could be a new initiative
toward additional development with the need for associated
increased commercial activity.
Policy 2.3.9 IT IS THE POLICY OF BOILING SPRING LAKES TO
' ENCOURAGE AND PERMIT ONLY THOSE COMMER-
CIAL ACTIVITIES WHICH COMPLEMENT A LOW TO
MODERATE DENSITY RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY.
Implementation 1. The City shall continue its investigations of the ossibili
P tYpossibility
of creating a consolidated commercial district west of
Town Hall as opposed to strip commercialization along 87
through the community.
2. The zoning ordinance shall also be reviewed with regard
to permitted uses within the commercial districts in
keeping with the above stated policy.
2.3.10 Growth and The City of Boiling Spring Lakes is in the process of a total
Development Controls review and possible revision of its land use controls. Several
development trends in the community are causing the City to
reassess the adequacy of its existing regulations to guide and
control future development in the community. For example,
the rate of placement of mobile homes in the community has
exceeded the rate of placement of conventional single family
homes over the past five years. As noted previously, mobile
homes now comprise approximately 50% of the total housing
stock of the community.
Whereas early development in the Town was concentrated
primarily on the best available soils in terms of septic tank
suitability and drainage, recent new development has been
moving into marginally suitable soils. There is also increasing
recognition of the problem of previously platted lots in pri-
vate ownership that are too small for development in light of
the current understanding of soil suitability and drainage.
At the early public meetings regarding the development of
the land use plan, the need for improvement in the City's
existing land use controls was evident by comments received
from City residents. Comments included: the need to upzone
some areas of the City, to require larger lot sizes, to adopt
more strict design criteria, to conduct a general overhaul of
existing zoning standards and zoning classifications, to better
' Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan - Section Z Page19

enforce the City's current ordinances and codes, to establish
a system of review of plans and specifications, etc., prior to
the issuance of a building permit, and to develop an expedi-
tious method for dealing with code violators.
It is evident from these various concerns that development
control and enforcement is probably the number two priority
of the Town, second only to the issue of resolving the sewage
treatment and disposal problem.
THE CITY OF BOILING SPRING LAKES SUPPORTS
THE DEVELOPMENT CONTROL PROVIDED BYLAND
USE AND BUILDING ORDINANCES, AND IS COM-
MITTED TO THE PROPER ENFORCEMENT OF OFFI-
CIALLY ADOPTED ORDINANCES.
Policy 2.3.10
1. The Planning Board will continue to examine the Town's Implementation
current development controls as its highest priority task.
Application will be made to the State CAMA programs
for a grant to assist the City in revising and upgrading its
development ordinances.
Page 20, Section 2 - Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates

2.4 Public Participation At public meetings related to the land use plan, a recurring
Policies problem expressed by many area residents was the lack of an
effective means for the City to communicate with its citizens.
There is no newspaper of general circulation, for example,
that area residents regard as an accepted source of local
information about activities in the City. The "closest" news-
papers to the City include: Brunswick Beacon, Brunswick News
and Shopper, State Port Pilot and the Wilmington Star News.
Because the City has no water or sewer bills, there is no op-
portunity to send out public notices with such bills, as is a
common practice in many communities.
The Property Owners Association (POA) is one potential
resource for distributing information but, unfortunately, the
membership of the POA is roughly ±100 homeowners, and
comprises only 20% of the total households in the commu-
nity. Currently, notices of public meetings are posted in the
local post office and at the Town Hall. In the past, these
notices have proven generally ineffective in turning out
sizable crowds, even for issues of presumably significant
concern.
The current small Town Hall is also not conducive to public
meetings. There is little or no space available inside the
building to accommodate area residents as the various
boards deliberate over City business. Meetings for the land
use plan update, for example, were held at the VFW post to
allow for adequate seating.
To the City's credit, the community has established several
worthwhile boards comprised of many dedicated citizen
volunteers. The City Council, the Planning Board, the Com-
munity Appearance Commission, and the Board of Variance
are examples of boards that are active in the community.
The City is also in the process of building an addition to the
current City Hall. Building materials and supplies have been
acquired, and commitments have been obtained from several
craftsmen to volunteer their labor to do the project. Because
of the volunteer nature of the work, however, City officials
are uncertain as to when the job will be completed. Note:
Please also see Section 5 of this Plan for a further discussion
of public participation.
Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates
Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan - Section 2, Page 21

IT IS THE POLICY OF BOILING SPRING LAKES TO
WELCOME AND SOLICIT THE PUBLIC'S INVOLVE-
MENT IN REGARD TO THE CITVS BUSINESS ON A
CONTINUING BASIS.
1. Boiling Spring Lakes will appoint active, community -
minded citizens to its advisory boards.
2. Boiling Spring Lakes will support the efforts of the
Property Owners Association and its efforts to organize
and inform community residents for the betterment of
Boiling Spring Lakes.
3. Boiling Spring Lakes will continue to sponsor meetings
(other than regularly scheduled meetings) to solicit
citizens' opinions on specific issues.
4. Boiling Spring Lakes will continue to investigate
alternative methods for notifying the citizenry of issues of
common concern and of specific meetings to deal with
those issues. Consideration will be given to the printing
and distribution of an annual calendar of events for the
City. Such a calendar could include the regularly
scheduled meetings of the various boards. and
commissions dealing with City business.
Policy 2.4.1
Implementation
Page 22, Section 2 - Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates

n
2.5 Storm Hazard As noted under policy section 2.1.4, the City of Boiling Spring
Mitigation, Post- Lakes is not subject to hurricane threat, flooding, and the
Disaster Recovery, and associated destruction that can accompany major storms. In
fact, area residents noted at the various public meetings that
Evacuation Plan Boiling Spring Lakes serves as an area of refuge for beach
community residents during hurricane events and other
storms.
City officials have inquired as to the need and desirability of
obtaining Federal Flood Insurance, and have been informed
by the Federal Emergency Management Agency that there is
no need for the City to participate in the program. This
finding has been substantiated by the experience of City
residents during recent storm events.
Beyond flooding, the other potentially significant cause of
damage stemming from a major storm event is high winds.
Hurricane force winds can cause serious structural damage
as well as damage to overhead utilities. Boiling Spring Lakes
is located in a zone identified by the State Building Code as
having a -reasonable expectation of having 100 mph winds
from a hurricane. The State Building Code requires that any
new structure built in the area be able to withstand winds of
100 mph. The Building Code sets standards for design,
anchorage and tie downs for structures. As noted in Section
1.2.1(a) of this plan, approximately 50% of the housing stock
in Boiling Spring Lakes is comprised of mobile homes. The
State Building Code requirement for anchorage and tie
downs is therefore particularly important in Boiling Spring
Lakes.
Brunswick County, in which Boiling Spring Lakes is located,
has an official Hurricane Evacuation Plan which has been
prepared at the request of and for approval by the Brunswick
County Board of Commissioners, and mayors of towns and
municipalities in the County. This plan was prepared with
the assistance of the Brunswick County Civil Preparedness
Agency and the North Carolina Department of Crime Con-
trol and Public Safety, Division of Civil Preparedness.
The Evacuation Plan identifies hurricane routes and shelters,
anticipated evacuation times for various severities and in-
structions for evacuees. In addition, the Plan provides hur-
ricane safety rules, safe boating precautions, and hurricane
facts. Copies of the Plan are available from the Brunswick
County Civil Preparedness Agency.
Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Assodates Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan - Section 2, Page 23

The City of Boiling Spring Lakes has officially endorsed and
supports Brunswick County's Hurricane Evacuation Plan,
and considers the plan adequate. The County Civil Prepared-
ness Agency has taken the lead in coordinating Brunswick
County's Hurricane Evacuation Plan with the Eastern North
Carolina Hurricane Evacuation Study. However, as noted
previously, there is clearly less need for evacuation from
Boiling Spring Lakes relative to the beach communities of the
area.
City officials, as well as representatives of the Boiling Spring
Lakes volunteer fire department, participate in the regular
emergency management program organized at the County
level.
THE CITY OF BOILING SPRING LAKES SUPPORTS THE
EFFORTS OF THE BRUNSWICK COUNTYEMERGENCY
MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR TO FACILITATE
AND ENCOURAGE THE SAFE EVACUATION OF VUL-
NERABLE AREAS OF THE COUNTY DURING STORM
EVENTS.
BOILING SPRING LAKES WILL CONTINUE TO SUP-
PORT THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE NORTH CARO-
LINA BUILDING CODE, PARTICULARLY THE PROVI-
SIONS WHICH REQUIRE CONSTRUCTION STAN-
DARDS TO MEET WIND RESISTIVE FACTORS, I.E.
DESIGN WIND VELOCITY.
1. City officials will continue to actively participate in
various scheduled activities of coordination between
towns in the County for storm preparedness, evacuation,
and post -disaster recovery.
Policy 2.5
Policy 2.6
Implementation
Page 24, Section 2 - Boiling Spring Lakes -Land Use Plan
Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Assodates ,

Section 3:
Land
Classification
Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan
Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates

3.1 Purpose of Land A land classification system has been developed as a
' Classification and means of assisting in the implementation of the policies
Relationship to Policies adopted by the City. By delineating land classes on a
map, local government and its citizens can specify those
areas where certain policies (local, State, and Federal)
will apply. Although specific areas are outlined on a
land classification map, it must be emphasized that land
classification is merely a tool to help implement policies
and not a strict regulatory mechanism. The designation
of land classes allows the City to illustrate its policy
statements as to where and at what density growth
should occur, and where natural and cultural resources
should be conserved by guiding growth. Where the City
has enacted zoning controls which apply in the various
land classification areas, appropriate land uses are
specified by the zoning map and ordinance.
While North Carolina's Coastal Area Management Act
Guidelines for Land Use Planning suggests a general
format for the land classification system, local
governments may modify the system within reason to
Imeet local area needs.
1
�J
' Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan - Section 3, Page 1

For Boiling Spring Lakes, four general land classes have 3.2 Land Classification
been devised to cover all parts of the City. The various . System '
classes are shown on the land classification map and
may be described as follows:
A. DEVELOPED: The purpose of this land
classification is to provide for continued intensive
development and redevelopment of existing cities.
According to the CAMA guidelines, "areas meeting
the intent of the Developed classification are
currently urban in character where minimal
undeveloped land remains and have in place, or
are scheduled for the timely provision of, the usual
municipal or public services. Urban in character
includes mixed land uses such as residential,
commercial, industrial, institutional, and other
'
uses at high to moderate densities. Services include
water, sewer, recreational facilities, streets and
roads, police and fire protection. In some instances,
an area may not have all the traditional urban
services in place, but if it otherwise has a developed
character and is scheduled for the timely provision
of these services, it still meets the intent of the
Developed classification. Areas developed for
predominately residential purposes meet the intent
of this classification if they exhibit existing high to
moderate densities such as:
(i)
a density at or approaching 500 dwelling
units per square mile; or
,
(ii)
a density of 3 or more dwelling units per
(iii)
acre; or
a majority of lots of 15,000 square feet or
'
less, which are provided or scheduled to be
provided with the traditional urban
services; and/or
(iv)
permanent population densities
approaching or exceeding 2,000 persons per
square mile and the seasonal population
may swell significantly."
It is the intent of the Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use ,
Plan that those high ground areas that are already
disturbed or occupied with various types of
residential and commercial activities should be
designated as Developed for land classification
purposes. Under the above stated CAMA '
definition, the characteristic that most closely
Page 2, Section 3 - Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates I

' applies to Boiling Spring Lakes is that the majority
of lots in the City are less than 15,000 square feet
and are currently provided with traditional urban
services, including: street maintenance, garbage
collection, municipal recreation facilities, and
police and fire protection. While centralized water
' and sewer are not currently available to the vast
majority of residences and businesses in the
community, the City continues to explore the
' provision of such services, including a potential tie-
in to the Countywide water system.
B. TRANSMON: The purpose of the transition class
is to provide for future intensive urban
development within the ensuing 10 years on lands
that are most suitable and will be scheduled for
provision of necessary public utilities and services.
According to CAMA guidelines, Transition areas
should not include "areas with severe physical
limitations which would make the provision of
' urban services difficult or impossible, lands which
meet the definition of conservation, lands of
special value (unless no other alternative exists)
such as productive and unique agricultural lands,
forest lands, potentially valuable mineral deposits,
water supply watersheds, scenic and tourist
resources including archaeological sites, habitat for
important wildlife species, areas subject to frequent
flooding, areas important for environmental or
scientific values, lands where urban development
might destroy or damage natural systems or
processes of more than local concern, or lands
where intense development might result in undue
risk to life and property from natural or existing
manmade hazards."
For Boiling Spring Lakes, Transition lands have
been identified for certain relatively high ground
areas immediately adjacent to existing Developed
areas in the City. No Transition areas have been
designated for land areas adjacent to the existing
rail line (which may be considered a potential
manmade hazard) or for lands falling within
Carolina Bays (which may be considered
environmentally sensitive). Upon the
establishment of centralized water and sewer
facilities in the community, it is the intent of the
City to provide services to Transition areas as well
as Developed areas.
Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan - Section 3, Page 3

C. RURAL: The purpose of the rural class is to
provide for agriculture, forest management,
mineral extraction, and other low intensity uses.
Residences may be located within "rural areas"
where urban services are not required and where
natural resources will not be permanently
impaired.
For Boiling Spring Lakes, Rural lands encompass
most of the outlying areas of the City. Rural areas
typically have wet soils and are relatively
inaccessible via paved roads. Residential
development densities are very low, if present at
all. These are the land areas of the community in
which the City does not envision an urban level of
development occurring in the next five to ten years.
Upon establishment of centralized water and sewer
in Boiling Spring Lakes, Rural areas would not
likely receive such services due to the economic
inefficiency of such service extensions.
Appropriate uses of land in Developed, Transition,
and Rural areas are identified in the City's land use
control ordinances (zoning, subdivision
regulations, and mobile home ordinance).
Generally, a variety of commercial, institutional,
and recreational uses are permitted.
D. CONSERVATION: The purpose of the
Conservation class is to provide for effective long-
term management of significantly, limited or
irreplaceable areas. This management may be
needed because of the natural, cultural, recreational,
productive or scenic values of these areas. 'the
Conservation class should be applied to lands that
contain: major wetlands, essentially undeveloped
shorelands that are unique, fragile, or hazardous for
development, necessary wildlife habitat or areas
that have a high probability for providing necessary
habitat conditions; publicly owned water supply,
watersheds and aquifers; and forest lands that are
undeveloped and will remain undeveloped for
commercial purposes.
For Boiling Spring Lakes, Conservation lands are
the lakes and connecting wetlands of the
community. Also included by general reference,
but not necessarily mapped, are isolated pockets of
wetlands. There may be instances, for example,
Page 4, Section 3 - Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates I

where an onsite inspection would reveal the need
for a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' wetland permit
(404) which would be beyond the jurisdiction of the
City. Since these areas are site specific, they are not
mapped as Conservation. Appropriate
development standards of the U.S. Corp of
Engineers would be applicable.
Interpreting the Land As noted previously, the Land Classification Map
Classification Map contained in this document provides a general
description of the location of each of the land classes
established in this section. This Land Classification Map
should not be utilized for site specific interpretive
purposes; its scale precludes such detailed use. Site
specific questions concerning properties described on the
Land Classification Map should be directed to the
Boiling Spring Lakes Planning Board.
IEdward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan - Section 3, Page 5

LEGEND
Developed
F/77/1 Transition
16fA11.1�rcrrr�M MOMS Wn On wave,
00m,
W
"Nal
8i M Aim
a
Conservation
Rural
BOILING SPRING
LAKES
NORTH CAROLINA
LAND CLASSIFICATION MAP 1987
LAND USE PLAN UPDATE 1987
Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associati?s
Planners and Landscape Architects
� ,is . -11. 11.14 (911), j4j 1515
The preparation of this map was financed in part through a grant provided by the North a .25 .5 1.
Carolina C6astal Management Program, through funds provided by the Coastal Zone SCALE IN MILES
Management Act of 1972, as amended, which is administered by the Office of Ocean and
Coastal Resource Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
NORTH

Section 4.0
Intergovernmental
Coordination and
Irnplernentation
Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates

4.1 Intergovernmental The Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan, including the
Coordination and Policies for Growth and Development and the Land Classifi-
Implementation cation Map, will serve as the basic tools for coordinating
' numerous policies, standards, regulations, and other gov-
ernmental activities at the local, State and Federal levels.
Such coordination is achieved in three ways:
' 1. State and Federal government agencies are required to
review local land use plans when considering any actions
or activities under their jurisdiction. Their actions are to
be consistent, whenever possible, with the intent of the
' local Land Use Plan.
2. The policies and land classification system described in
the Land Use Plan provide a basis for planning and
' budgeting for the provision of public facilities and
services such as water and sewer systems.
3. The City's Land Use Plan can serve as a coordinating
' instrument in helping to bring together the various
regulatory policies and decisions of the local government
into one document.
The preparation of the Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan
and Policies has proceeded in a manner which recognizes the
planning activities of other government jurisdictions. In
preparing the plan, for example, the most recent copy of the
' Brunswick County Land Use Plan was obtained and re-
viewed, as well as documents on the City's sinkhole problem
and the Federal Flood Insurance Maps for Brunswick County
Iin the vicinity of Boiling Spring Lakes.
Members of the Brunswick County Planning Staff were
contacted and consulted to determine how any area -wide
planning might impact upon the future of the City. Included
in the discussion were the most recent thoroughfare plan for
' Brunswick County, and plans for the countywide water
supply system.
Also contacted were environmental specialists at the
Wilmington regional office of the Department of Natural
Resources and Community Development, the County Emer-
gency Management Coordinator, the County Superinten-
dent of Schools, the State Department of Cultural Resources,
' as well as periodic progress reports with the CAMA Coastal
Planner for the State.
Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan - Section 4, Page 1

Section 5.0
Public
Participation
Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates

�I
I
5.1 Public Participation Since its inception, North Carolina's Coastal Area Manage-
ment Act Program has placed a high level of emphasis on
public participation in the development of local land use
plans and policies. The intent is to insure that the resulting
plan and policies reflect, as closely as possible, the will of the
people in the community. Much of the public participation
strategy employed for the development of the Boiling Spring
Lakes Land Use Plan is generally discussed in Section 2.4 of
this document. However, the following summary of pro-
gram phases/key meetings for the 1987 Land Use Plan
Update and their respective accomplishments is presented
here for the sake of completeness.
Public Participation: 1. Strategy Development -The first priority in developing
Program Phases/Key a public participation strategy for the Boiling Spring
Meetings Lakes Land Use Plan was to get key officials in the City
to agree' upon an overall strategy for citizen
involvement. For the initial kickoff meeting to establish
the strategy, the City Clerk and the Chairman of the
Planning Board met with the Planning Consultant to
identify appropriate boards and commissions in the
City, their regular meeting dates, and customs and
protocol. It was decided that the key elected and
appointed boards in the community which specifically
related to the development of the Land Use Plan were
the City's Board of Commissioners, the Planning Board,
the Board of Adjustment, and the Community
Appearance Commission. It was further decided, that
in accordance with the intent of State planning enabling
legislation, that the City's Planning Board would have
primary responsibility for development of the Land Use
Plan, but with considerable involvement of the Board of
Commissioners, as well as lesser involvement by the
Board of Adjustment and the Appearance Commission.
Public meetings for the Land Use Plan would be
scheduled to coincide with the regular meeting dates of
the Planning Board and/or Board of Commissioners
when possible, but that special meetings could also be
held as necessary to allow for a fuller level of citizen
input. The decision was then made to hold an issue
identification meeting to coincide with a previously
scheduled meeting of the four boards and commissions
mentioned above. The purpose and intent of that
meeting is more fully described under Phase 2 which
follows.
Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan - Section 5, Page 1

2. Issue Identification - On Thursday, January 22,1987 at
7:30 p.m., a joint work session was held on the Land Use
Plan involving several City boards and commissions.
Elected and appointed officials in attendance
represented the City Board of Commissioners, the
Planning Board, the Zoning Board of Adjustment, and
the Community Appearance Commission. In total,
there were 17 residents of the City of Boiling Spring
Lakes in attendance, a number considered to be
substantial relative to most meetings held in the
community.
The group was led in discussion by two representatives
of the consulting firm of Edward D. Stone, Jr. and
Associates. Issue identification was facilitated through
the use of a modified nominal group technique. Some 32
growth and development issues were identified and
then ranked as a priority number 1, 2 or 3 problem by a
show of hands. A complete summary of all 32 issues is
presented at the end of this section. These issues then
provided the basis for identifying priorities in policy
development.
3. Policy Development - On Wednesday, February 18 at
7:30 p.m. in the VFW Post, a joint meeting was held by
the four major boards and commissions mentioned
above. Fifteen residents of the City were in attendance,
a number again determined to be substantial in light of
the normal turnout for public meetings in the City. The
meeting was designed as a policy development
workshop, and to facilitate the process, a summary of
the City's existing policies for growth and development
as contained in the 1983 Land Use Plan was distributed
for review and discussion. Also distributed were copies
of the 32 growth issues identified at the previous
meeting. Discussion then focused on the adequacy of
existing policies in light of recent developments in the
community, as well as any new requirements of the
Coastal Area Management Act Coastal Land Use
Planning Guidelines. Each existing policy was
evaluated by the group on this basis, and changes were
suggested where the group felt it was necessary. In some
instances, the group simply provided the consultant
with comment, direction, and intent, with the
expectation that the consultant would return to the
group an appropriate policy statement for further
consideration. Upon completion of the review of the
Page 2, Section 5 - Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates

existing policy statements, the last item on the agenda
was to evaluate the adequacy of the City's existing Land
Classification Map. To aid in this discussion, a color
coded existing Land Use Map of the 1987 development
pattern in the City was presented. Discussion focused
primarily on whether the identified Conservation areas
were appropriate, and whether the Developed and
Transition categories adequately reflected current
development trends in the community. This meeting
and discussion provided the basis for the preparation of
a draft Land Use Plan, including revised policies for
growth and development and a revised Land
Classification Map.
4. Draft Plan Review - On Wednesday, June 17, 1987 at
7:30 p.m. in the City Hall, a joint meeting was held by the
CityBoard of Commissioners and the Planning Board to
review the completed draft of the land use plan and
policies. The meeting was advertised in the local
newspaper, but no one other than board members, the
City Clerk, and the planning consultant were in
attendance.
The purpose of the meeting was to review in full the
draft land use plan. While the entire document was
reviewed from front to back, particular attention was
focused on the Policies and Implementation Section of
the Plan, as well as the Land Classification Map. At the
conclusion of the meeting, board members voted to
authorize the preliminary draft, with corrections as
noted, be submitted to the State for review and
comment.
5. Public Hearing and Adoption - On Thursday,
November 19,1987, the City held a public hearing on the
Land Use Plan Update to receive public comments. On
Monday, November 23,1987, the City Commissioners
met to review all comments and moved for adoption of
the plan, with changes as noted, for submission to the
North Carolina Coastal Resources Commission for
certification.
Edward D. Stone, Jr. and Associates Boiling Spring Lakes Land Use Plan - Section 5, Page 3

Identification of Growth and Development Issues
Joint Meeting of All City Boards
January 22,1987
City of Boiling Spring Lakes
' As a joint work session of all City boards involved in directing the growth of
the City of Boiling Spring Lakes, the following development issues were
identified for consideration in the 1987 CAMA Land Use Plan Update. Issues
were ranked preliminarily according to their relative priority, 1 being most
important, 2 being next important, and 3 being least important.
'
(1)
1.
Water and Sewer System, including treatment.
(1)
2.
Growth on State Road 87 needs more control.
(3)
3.
Maintaining use of the lakes for all without stepping on the toes
of others.
(1)
4.
Rezoning to upgrade some areas and require larger lot sizes.
(3)
(1)
5.
6.
Consider some control over Army access.
Need restricted area for double wide mobile homes.
(1)
7.
Preserve as many trees on both single family and multi -family
'
(1)
8.
housing sites as possible.
Encourage development of condos or apartments, especially for
singles.
(1)
9.
Adequate drainage for all lots and streets.
'
(3)
10.
More public access to the Lakes.
(1)
11.
Accelerate the street improvement program.
(1)
12.
Explore the impact of increased railroad activity.
(1)
13.
Potential effect of massive sale of Reeves land on Boiling Spring
Lakes.
(2)
14.
Develop park -like areas, City buildings, service areas, etc.
(2)
15.
Upgrading support to rescue and fire services.
(1)
16.
Boat dock specifications, restrictions (i.e. length, etc.).
'
(1)
17.
Look at rezoning all of Boiling Spring Lakes.
(1)
18.
Expansion of City Hall.
(1)
19.
Better enforcement of city ordinances and codes.
'
(1)
20.
A system of review of plans, specifications, etc. prior to the
issuance of a building permit, especially related to commercial
but in reality to all development.
'
(2)
21.
Community building needed.
(2)
22.
Playground area in the mobile home area.
(2)
23.
A post office with their own zip code.
'
(N/A)
24.
What will costs be to implement this particular plan?
(3)
25.
How can Boiling Spring Lakes attract a doctor?
(1)
26.
Forestall the practice of combining waste water, i.e. storm water
or gray water and actual sewage.
(1)
27.
Develop better communication between the citizens and the
City.

(1) 28. Business establishments should conform to architectural style
and design criteria established by Boiling Spring Lakes, especially
traffic control and general site beautification.
(1) 29. Develop an expeditious method for dealing with code violators.
(3) 30. Consolidate City -owned and operated facilities into campus -like
setting.
(1) 31. How can the town get some support from Brunswick County for
police protection and for the Brunswick County schools within
the City of Boiling Spring Lakes?
(N/A) 32. Should City services be expanded?