Land Development Plan-1976

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I, H.E. Russell, City Clerk certify that this a true copy
of the New Bern Land Use Plan and Synopsis adopted by the
City of New Bern Board of Alderman on May 20, 1976 in ful-
fillment of the requirements of.the North Carolina Coastal
Area Management Act of 1974.
Title
Seal
Coastal Area Management Act
Land Use Plan
May, 1976
CITY OF NEW BERN
Founded 1710
P.O. Box 1129
New Been, NC 28560
Prepared with the assistance of
Dexter G. Moore, Moore and Associates
Urban Planners - Project Designers
New Bern, North Carolina
If

M
•
City of New'Bern- Board of Aldermen
Charles H. Kimbrell, Mayor
Mrs. Ella J. Bengel
Tom I. Davis
Ben B. Hurst
S. Gray Ingram
Tim A. Montgomery
City of New Bern Planning and Zoning Board
Mary B. McCotter, Chairman .
William H. Bell, Jr
Guy Boyd, Jr.
William H: Dove
0. E. Evans
Roland Hill
Mrs. C. J. Houston
Junius P. Johnson
Julius H. Jones
J. Alfred Mayo, Jr.
Mrs. Dale T. Millns
John Pugh, Sr.
Mrs. Mubern Snider
Johnny West
Ledell Williams
J. C. Outlaw, City Manager
A. D. Ward, City Attorney
G
®J

a
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Public Officials
Introduction
Description of Present Conditions
Population
Economy
Housing
Existing Land Use
Current Plans, Policies and Regulations
Transportation Plan
Community Facilities Plans
Utility Extension Policy
Open Space and Recreation Areas
Prior Land Use Plans
Prior Land Use Policies
Local Regulations
Zoning Ordinance
Federal and State Regulations
Public Participation Activities
Major Land Use Issues
Alternatives
Land Use Objectives, Policies and Standards
Public Participation
Constraints
Physical Limitations
PAGE
ii
1
3
4
9
17
27.
32
33
35
37
39
40
41
43
43
49
50
51
54
58
59
64
65

Table of Contents continued
.dw
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K
Is
PAGE
Flood Hazard Area -Coastal Floodplains
(Potential AEC)
66
Soils
69
Water Supply Areas
71
Fragile Areas
71
Coastal Wetlands -Other Coastal Marshlands
(Potential AEC)
71
Estuarine Waters (Potential AEC)
72
Public Trust Water (Potential AEC)
.74
Historic Places (Potential AEC)
74
Areas with Resource Potential
78
Productive Agricultural Land
78
Potentially Valuable Mineral Sites
. 78
Public -Owned Lands
78
Privately -Owned Wildlife Sanctuaries
78
Capacity of Community Facilities
79
Estimated Demand
84
Future Population
85
Future Economy
88
Future Industrial Space Requirements
88
Future Commercial Space Requirements
90
Community Facilities Demand
91
Plan Description
93
The Land Use Plan
94
Summary
100
City -County Plan Relationship
103

TABLE
PAGE
1
Population 1920-1970
4
2
Population New Bern, Craven County,
and Township Eight
6
3
Percent distribution of population 1975
7
4
1970 Median family income
9
` 5
Percent of families earning less than
poverty level and above $15,000 per year
10
6
Industries with 25 or more employees
12
7
Labor force
14
8
Average weekly earnings per worker
15
9
Rate of unemployment
15
10
Retail sales
15
11
Survey of housing conditions
17
12
Survey of housing conditions
18
13
Housing units
20
14
Social Indicators
21
15
General housing conditions
23
15A
Existing land use
28
16
Thoroughfare System
34
17-
Soils
69
18
National Registry of Historic Places
75
19
New Bern City Schools
81
20
Number of classroom trailers in use
82
21
Construction program
82
22
Thoroughfare capacity
83
23
Population projection 1975-2000
85

List of
Tables continued
TABLE
PAGE
.r 24
Population projection based on
construction trends
86
25
Population projection based on OBERS
87
26
Population projection range
87
27
Future industrial acreage needs
90
28
Future residential acreage needs
91
LIST OF CHARTS
CHART
PAGE
1
Employment distribution for New Bern
area - 1940, 1950, 1960 and 1970
11A
2
Peak Flood Elevations
67B
LIST OF MAPS
MAP
PAGE
1
Enumeration districts
19A
lA
Existing Land Use
27A
2
1981 Traffic Volumes
33A
3
Street Design Requirements
33B
4
Thoroughfare
33C
5
Historic District
77A
6
Water and Service Area
79A
7
Land Classification Map
98A

INTRODUCTION

The coastal areas of North Carolina provide a tremen-
. dous natural resource to the citizens of North Carolina.
The area provides both recreational benefits and food
production from our coastal waters. In some areas adjacent
to our coastal waters, there is a danger that pollution
from overdevelopment may significantly damage the food pro-
duction capacity of nearby waters. This potential problem
was the major reason that the Coastal Area Management Act
was ratified by the North Carolina General Assembly in 1974.
The purpose of the Coastal Area Management Act is ".to insure
the orderly balance of use and preservation of our coastal
resources on behalf of the people of North Carolina and the.
nation." The Coastal Resources Commission was created to
insure that the purpose of the new state law is followed.
Land Use Plans have been developed by each local govern-
ment within the twenty coastal counties and will be the ad-
ministrative tool for carrying out the provisions of the law.
These plans cannot survive unless they represent the views
of the local citizens. For this reason, the Coastal Resources
Commission has required that a public participation program
be the foundation of the Land Use Plana The following is the
Coastal Acea Management Act Land Use Plan for the City of
New Bern.

f
DESCRIPTION OF PRESENT'CONDITIONS

POPULATION
The City of New Bern was founded in eastern North Caro-
lina.in 1710 by Swiss and German colonists. Located at the
confluence of the Neuse and Trent Rivers, the city provided
an excellent early harbor for colonial ships bringing commerce
from England and other old world countries. This good loca-
tion is the primary reason New Bern grew to such prominence
during the Colonial Period. It was the first major city in
North Carolina and was the second largest as late as 1860.
Until the turn.of the century, it had more people than most
of North Carolina's present day large cities. Based on 1974
population estimates, New Bern currently ranks twentieth.
From 1900 to 1920, the city had a steady growth. One of its
largest increases was from 1910 to 1920, when it grew from
9,090 people to 12,198 people, an increase of 3,108 people.
A slight decrease occurred between 1920 and 1930 -'217 people -
and the same occurred between 1930 and 1940, a decrease of
166 persons, both of which can be attributed to movement
back to the farms following the crash of 1929 and the depres-
sion which persisted in the New Bern area until the 1940's.
Table 1 CITY OF NEW BERN
Population 1920 - 1970
Year Population
1920 12,198
1930 11,981
.

1940
11,815
1950
15,812*
1960
15,717
1970
14,660**
*Major Annexation
Source: U. S. Census
**This figure in incorrect and has'been challenged by the city
since 1970.
`since 1940, the City of New Bern has experienced the
same trend as most other cities in the United States. The
automobile has made it possible for population growth to take
place over a large area. Much of this growth has taken place
on the fringes of the city. Although some of the growth has
taken place inside the city, most has -occurred just outside
' the corporate limits. The Town of Trent Woods is in existence
4
because of this phenomenon. Trent Woods, a town of approximately
1,200 people, is located less than one mile from New Bern, and
is not the only development adjacent to New Bern. According
to official census information, the population of Township Eight,
adjacent to New Bern, had an increase from 3,140 persons to
6,456 persons between 1950 and 1970. Table 2 shows a comparison
of State, County, Township Eight, and City population.
In July, 1975, the North Carolina Department of Administra-
tion prepared estimates of the composition of New Bern's popula-
tion. Based on that estimate, sixty-four percent of the city`s
people are white, thirty-six percent are nonwhite;
I or

.» ,
a %
Table
2 --
POPULATION BY DECADE
FOR THE CITY OF
NEW BERN, CRAVEN
COUNTY AND TOWNSHIP EIGHT
NORTH
CRAVEN
TOWNSHIP 8
tHE CITY
CAROLINA
COUNTY
(excluding the
OF
City of New Bern)
NEW BERN
1900
1,893,810
24,160
1,634
9,090
Increase
for.Decade
16.5%
5.9%
-11.6%
9.6%
1910
2,206,387
25,594
1,444
9,961
Increase
for
Decade
16.0%
13.5%
7.9%
22.5%
1920
2,559,123
29,048
1,558
12,198
Increase
for
Decade
23.9%
5.6%
31.5%
-1.3%
1930
3,170,276
30,665
2,049
11,981
Increase
for
Decade
12.7%
2.1%
23.1%
-1.4%
1940
3,571,623
31,298
2,522
11,815
Increase
for
Decade
13.7%
56.0%
24.5%
33.8%
1950
4,061,929
48,823
3,140
15,812*
Increase
for
Decade
12.2%
20.4%
58.2%
-0.6%
(1960
.4,556,155
58,773
4,969
15,717*
Increase
for
Decade
11.4%
6.4%
29.9%
-6.7%
1970
5,082,059
62,554
6,456
14,660
APart of
Township 8
was annexed by
the City of New
Bern in.1945; additional parts
of Township
8 were
annexed by the
City of New Bern
between 1950 and
1960.

R
Table 3 PERCENT DISTRIBUTION OF POPULATION
New Bern - 1975 Estimate
White
Nonwhite
Age
Male
Female
Total
Male
Female
Total
Grand Total
0- 4
7.1
5.9
6.4
10.4
8.2
9.2
7.4
5- 9
7.5
6.3
6.8
10.5
7.6
8.9
7.6
10-14
8.0
7.9
7.9
10.3
9.8
10.0
8.7
15-19
9.0
7.9
8.4
11.6
9.1
10.2
9.1
20-24
9,8
8.7
9.2
9.9
9.6
9.7
9.4
25-29
8.5
7.7
8.1
5.2
6.0
5.6
7.2
30-34
6.6
5.5
6.0
3.9
4.8
4.4
5.4
35-39
5.7
5.0
5_3
3.3
4.0
3.7
4.7
40-44
5.1
4.7
4.9
3.9
4.5
4.2
4.6
45-49
6.2
5.7
6.0
4.8
5.8
5.4
5.8
50-54
6.2
6.6
6.4
4.9
5.4
5.2
5.9
55-59
6.0
6.1
6.0
5.4.
4.8
5.0
5.7
60-64
4.1
6.0
5.1
5.0
6.0
5.6
5.3
65-69
4.3
5.3
4.9
3.7
4.6
4.2
4.6
70-74
2.6
3.8
3.2
3.5
4.9
4.3
3.6
75-79
1.5
2.7
2.2
2.2
2.1
2.2
2.2
80-84
1.2
2.3
1.8
1.0
1.7
1.4
1.6
85+ .
0.6
1.7
1.2
0.5
1.2
0.9
1.1
Source: North Carolina Department of Administration

forty-six percent are male, fifty-four percent are female.
The age group having the greatest number of people is 20-24,
with a 9.4 percent of the total population. Forty-two
percent of the city's population are under twenty-five years
of age. Thirteen percent of the city's poeple are over
sixty-four years of age. Twenty percent of the total non-
white persons of the city are within.the age group of 10-19.
Forty-three percent of the nonwhite persons of New Bern are
under twenty -years of age.
The number of people shown in the North Carolina
Department of Administration's estimate is not presented
because it is based on the 1970 Census. That census is
considered erroneous and has been challenged by the city
since 1970. Because of this.problem, a detailed presenta-
tion of the 1970 census data would serve only to mislead
the users of this plan. For this reason, additional popula-
tion data is not presented.
i

ECONOMY
The economic well-being of a community is largely
affected by the income of its people. New Bern has con-
tinued to have a steady increase in median family. income.
In 1949, the median family income.was $2,100, in 1959,.it
was $3,838. By 1970 it had risen to $7,338. The state's
median family income for 1970 was $7,754. $416 or 5.6%
more than the median family income of New Bern.
Although New Bern does not compare favorably to the
state average, the median family income is higher than in
most areas of central -eastern North Carolina. Table 4
illustrates this fact.
Table 4 1970 Median Percent Difference
Family Income from New Bern
New Bern $7,338 --
Craven County $7,046 -4.0%
Jacksonville $8,225 +12.1%
Kinston $6,913 -5.8%
Goldsboro $6,256 -14.7%
Washington $6,563 -10.6%
Morehead City $7,188 -2.0%
Source: U. S. Census
Within the New Bern region, only Jacksonville has a higher
median family income.
t

The number of people living below the poverty level
and above $15,000 per year for New Bern is approximately
average when compared to other cities in central -eastern
North Carolina. The figures are shown on Table 5.
Table 5 PERCENT OF FAMILIES EARNING LESS THAN THE
POVERTY LEVEL AND MORE THAN $15,000 PER YEAR
Poverty or less $15,000 or more
North Carolina
16.3%
11.5%
Craven County
18.7%
10..2%
New Bern
21.4%
10.6%
Jacksonville
11.9%
14.0%
Kinston
25.4%
11.6%
Goldsboro
24.7%
10.1%
Washington
25.1%
10.4%
Morehead City
16.9%
10.1%
Source: U. S. Census
None of these cities, except Jacksonville and Morehead
City, compare favorably to the state average.
During the'1940's, manufacturing and personal ser-
vices were the largest employers. Each of these employed
twenty-four percent of the total labor force. In 1950,
retail trade was the largest employer, employing twenty
one percent of the total workers. Retail trade was still
the leader in 1970 at 20 percent of the labor market. Man
fa: -:curing at sixteen percent and personal service at in

and one-half percent are still strong. These three
employers in 1970 employed over fifty percent of the
total labor force. Other strong employers are public
administration and professional services. Agriculture
employs only four percent of New Bern's total working
population.
The most stable employer in New Bern since 1940
has been retail trade. For retail trade, the percent-
age of labor market did not drop below nineteen percent
for the past thirty year period. Between 1940 and 1970,
personal service employment decreased eight and one-half
percent, and manufacturing employment decreased eight,
percent. For a comparison of each of these employers,
see Chart 1.
According to 1975 data from DNER, the New Bern area
has seventeen industries which employ twenty-five or
more employees. The total number of employees for these
industries is listed at 2,409. Of this total, 1,725 em-
ployees work for industries which have located in the
area since 1960. This fact clearly indicates that the
economy is stable, and industrial growth is taking place
within the New Bern economic area. Table 6 lists each
industry which employs twenty-five or more employees.
During the past ten years only 310 employees have been
affected by permanent plant closings within the New Bern
area.

Chart 1
A6Ri`uLrtIRE
COR✓,yMMMON
AMN11 A,MIRIA/6
A'U6,L/C
NAOL ES'AL E rRAOE ----
REi'A/L TRADE
N AWMANCE INSURANCE
REAL ESiAT&
RERSOAAW L SER //CO,
R11E4/4C APMAV/SrRAT/ON —
OrNEAI
. 5% /07 /57 207,, C qx
EmPL ®ywEAIT 0/s TRI surlON FoR rme Ivow SERA! AREA
/9CO3 /9S®, 1960 oAf® /9 70 soa�rcE : U.S. GCNS!/

r
Table 6
NEW B. ..4 AREA
INlUVSTRIES
WITH 25 OR MORE EMPLOYEES
Year
Name of Company
Product
Est'ab`lish d '
Employees.
Texfi, Inc,
Polyester Yarn
1972
758
Weyerhaeuscc, Inc,
Wood Products
1969
379
Stevenson Brick & Block-
Brick, Concrete Block
1946
25
Hatteras.Yacht
Fiberglass Yachts
1968
221
Stanley Power Tools
Electric Hand Tools
1965
265
Barbour Boat Works
Shipbuilding, Rapairs
1933
60
Jay Apparel Company
Women's Clothing
1954
75
Martin -Marietta
Crushed Stone
--
37
N'
Owen G. Dunn
Printing
1903
28
Coca Cola Bottling Co.
Beverages
1929
75
Scott Lumber Company
Dimensional Lumber
1943
52
Horner Veneer
Plywood
1954
58
Maola Milk
Dairy Products
1936
149
New Bern Oil, Fertilizer
Fertilizer, Fuel Oil
1897
60
Peps. -Cola Bottling Co.
Beverages
197
65
Clark Zoat Coiapany
Fiberglass Sailboats
1970
49
New Bern Garment Co.
Sewing Operation
1974
33
Total
29409
Source: N. C, Dtpark nit of Natural and Economic Resources, January 31, 1975

Because New Bern and Craven County have a common
economic area, it is beneficial to look at the Craven
County economic conditions. Within the county, non -
manufacturing is the largest employer with 8,200 jobs .
listed. This totals forty percent of the total jobs in
the county. The next largest_ employer is public adminis-.
tration. It accounts for 7,360 jobs- or thirty-six percent.
These two categories have led in employment since the early
1960's. See Table 7.
New Bern and Craven County workers average weekly earn-
ings have increased more since 1963 than the average weekly
earnings of workers in adjacent counties. There has been
an eighty-nine percent increase in average weekly earnings
since that time, from $63.34 per week to $119.23 per week.
See Table 8.
The rate of unemployment for Craven County is also
less than that of adjacent counties. The 1973 average was
2.6 percent. The 1975 average rate of unemployment was 7.2%.
Table 9 shows the unemployment rate since 1963.
The per capita income for Craven County is also higher
than that of adjacent counties. Craven County's per capita
income is seven percent below the state average.
New Bern has long been recognized as a regional shopping
area for Pamlico, Jones, and Craven Counties. Since the
early 1960's, total retail sales have made large increases.
�1_lf

Table 7
EMPLOYMENT -
LABOR FORCE
Total
Non-
Public
Rate of
Employment
Manufacturing
Manufacturing
Administration
Agricultural
Other
Unemployment
1963
17,900
2,080
5,100
5,230
3,280
2,210
5.1%
1964
18,290
2,210
5,400
5,270
2,990
2,420
4.6%
1965
19,390
2,370
6,470
5,430
2,550
2,570
4.5%
1966
20,140
2,480
6,920
5,760
2,440
2,540
3.5%
1967
19,880
2,520
5,940
6,760
2,260
2,400
4.1X
1968
20,680
2,440
6,210
7,550
2,040
2,440
3.7%
1969
21,500
2,780
6,690
7,560
1,970
2,500
4.1%
1970
18,800
2,800
7,300
7,160
1,900
2,460
5.0%
1971
18,570
2,780
7,470
6,680
1,870
2,420
.5.5%
1972
19,950
3,440
7,420
7,640
1,810
2,580
3.9%
197;3
20,480
3,380
8,200
7,360
N/A
N/A
2.6%
source: Profile N. C. Counties, March, 1975

Table
8
AVERAGE WEEKLY
EARNINGS PER WORKER
Year
Craven
Carteret Pamlico
Pitt
Jones
Beaufort
Lenoir
N.C.
1963
$.63.34
.$55.69 $35.10
$ 67.01
$52.98
$ 55.98.
$ 82.94
$ 76.361,
1967
80.35
64.28 47..91
79.17
67.34
81.04
97.67
92.77
1971
108.19
89.80 58.46
104.56
80.86
105.88
117.74
120.36
1973
119.23
97.55 79.20
119.16
88.25
114.27
.28.87
134.49
Source: Profile
N. C. Counties, March
1975, N.
C. Department
of
Administration, Office of
State Budget
and Management,
Research and Development Section.
Table 9
RATE OF UNEMPLOYMENT
Year
Beaufort
Carteret
Craven
Jones
Lenoir
Pamlico
Pitt
N.C.
1963
6.0
10.5
5.1
6.2
6.8
8.0
6.4
5.2
1967
4.3
6.6
4.1
3.5
4.8
7.3
5.1
3.4
1971
3.8
5.3
5.5
6.1
4.5
5.2
5.1
4.8
1973
3.2
4.3
2.6
5.9
4.2
6.8
4.1
3.5
Source: Profile North Carolina Counties
Table 10
RETAIL SALES
1963-64
1969-70
Craven County
1,657,250
2,850,855
Percent Increase
--
72%
North Carolina
161,049,132
273,161,758
Percent Increase
--
70Z
1973-74
4,071,850
43%
420,987,113
54%
6

L
While inflation must be considered when comparing retail
sales from one period to another, it does not account totally-
for'an increase of almost three times as many sales from 1963
.1964.to•1973-1974.- The percentage of increase is about identical
to the percentage -of increase state wide. See Table 10 on the
p'receeding page.
Economic statistics for the area indicate.that New Bern
and Craven County's economy.is sound. Economic growth is
occurring and is expected to continue growing in the foresee-
able future.
,a7

HOUSING
According to a.survey by city personnel in April of 1975,
there are a total of 5,420 housing units within the City of.
New Bern. Of this total, 87.60 percent are in standard con-
dition. Six hundred and seventy-two of these units, 12.40
percent, are in substandard condition. Of these substandard
units, 249 units, or 4.59 percent of New Bern's total housing
stock, need replacement. Rehabilitation can bring the remain-
ing 423 units up to standard condition. See Table 11.
Table 11 SURVEY OF HOUSING CONDITIONS
April, 1975 City of.New Bern
Total Percent
Housing Units in City 5,420 100.00
Units in Standard Condition 4,748 87.60
Units in Substandard Condition 672 12.40
Units suitable for rehabilitation 423 ---
Units needing replacement 240 ---
Source: Holdharmless Application -Community Development
Revenue Sharing; New Bern,.N.C.
In settling a priority for a rehabilitation program,
attention should first be given to substandard occupied
units. -In April, 1975, there were 257 occupied units in
substandard condition. At that same period, forty-six
5

f
standard units were vacant. The enforcement of a housing
code would have helped fill these forty-six standard units
while reducing ••the .total occupancy of . •substandard
units. Table l.2 gives a more detailed look at the figures..
Table 12 SURVEY OF HOUSING CONDITIONS
April, 1975
Occupancy Status and
Condition of Housing Units Total
Occupied units: Total 4,969
Substandard 257
Standard 4,758
Vacant units: Total 461
Substandard 415
Standard 46
Total occupied and vacant units 5,420
Source: Holdharmless Application -Community Development.
New Bern, N. C. t
In the April, 1975 survey, a card was prepared for
each -housing unit within the city. Each.substandard unit
is marked on the card and recorded by street address. To
date, these units have not been mapped.
Because these substandard units have not yet been
mapped,•attention is directed to the 1970 census data for
a closer look at the location within the city which needs
improvements in housing.
r

There were nineteen enumeration districts within the*
city for.the 1970 census. Boundaries of these districts
are shown on Map 1. The total number of units in 1970
was.listed at 4'958, a slight difference between the 1975
survey by the City of New Bern. The total number of
housing units in each enumeration district.is shown on
Table 13.
The districts which have the greatest percentage of -
overcrowding are 21, 15, 24 and 14. The percents of
units which are overcrowded are 24.6, 13.7, 12.3, and
11.8 respectively.. An overcrowded unit -is defined as a
unit with more than 1.01 persons per room. The districts
with the least overcrowding are 20, 23, 30, and 18. Each
of these have an overcrowding percent of 1.3, 2.4, 3.1,
and 3.5 respectively. See.Table 14.
In order to compare the housing conditions within
the city by enumeration districts, a system for comparison
was devised. There are nineteen enumeration districts
within the city. For this comparison, enumeration dis-
trict 25 was eliminated because it does not have any
housing. District 16B was eliminated because of incomplete
data ;the boundary for 16B was not shown on the enumera-
tion district map. Each of the remaining seventeen dis-
tricts was compared, based on a ranking system. For each
social indicator shown in Table 14, the score one was
assigned to the enumeration district which has the least
~30

JUL ~
LIU
46
+, ca•
Cl, r
nc tern �• � ! / �0
it
F. am
Wo
Liu T
QAR � � r� �'�♦, �.� "` � , .«. •. �^tea• '+� •..� .�� •`•� •! ::+j i�"- =YJ
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s t i s
RY • �
sf
1 .+'/ Its• i ,'
1 �
•r ..
ENUMERATION DISTRICTS MAP
1970 CENSUS
-- 1
Tom. i+ _ ii \�J . `--•. 1 luta 4L i -

Table 13
CITY OF NEW
BERN
Housing Units
1970
Enumeration
Total Owner
Total Renter
-'-- District
Occupied Units
Occupied Units
13
240
125
14
156
166
15
110
95
16
246
46
16B
75
11
17
322
128
18
180
22
19
151
132
20
127
33
21
2
356
22
196
138
23
144
110
24
52
265
25
0
0
26
95
134
27
170
195
28
55
221
29
69
165
30
110
1.16
Total
2,500
2,458
Source:
J
U. S. Census
Total L•nits
365
4�_,
292
86
450
283
160
358
34
254
0
229
365
276
234
226
4,958

Table 14
SOCIAL
INDICATORS
- NEW BERM NC
ENUMERATION DISTRICT
13
14
15
16
16B
17
18
'19
'20.
21
Overcrowding Iridea
4.109
11.801
13.658
5.136
---
.4.000
3.465
4.593
1.250
24.581
Incomplete Plumbing
3.561
24.534
33.170.
1.027
---
----
.990
.353
.625
.837
Average Monthly Rent
$68
$51
$50
$93
$88
$88
$122
$120
$72
$45
Average Rent/Room
$12
$10
$8
$17
$17
$17
$21
$29
$15
$10
Average Value
$12,667
$8,318
$10,757
$19,632
$18t325
$15,299
$21j467
$151518
$161607
---
iU,i Owner-OccupoLney Rate
65.753
48.447
53.658
84.246
87.209
71.555
89.108
53.356
79.375
.558
Vacancy Rate
8.0.60
5.847
10.480
7.006
15.686
4.255.
2.884
1.736
9.604.
1.104
Average Unit Size
5.838
4.950
5.113
5.512
5.176
5.276
5.451
4.746
5.802
4.234
Long Vacancy
37.500
5.000
62.500
4.545
100.000
15.000..
.16.666
---
11.764r
---

Table 14 Continued
SOCIAL INDICATORS - NEW BEES, DC
ENUMERATION DISTRICT
22
23
24
25 26
'27
28
29
30
Overcrowding Index
9.580
2.362
12.302
-- 7.860
6.027
6.159
6.410
3.097
Incomplete Plumbing
18.263
1.101
36.277
-- 44.104
13.972
7.971
11.965
8.849
Average Ibnthly Rant
$51
$84
$44
-- $41
$gr
$48
$48
$64
Average Rant/Roca
$10
$18
$9
-- $9.
$10
$21
$11
$13
Average Value 0109461
$19,867
$99079
-- $61656"
$136296.
0181418
$12j431
$239083
-� Omer -Occupancy Tit@
58.682
56.692
16.403
-- 41.484
46.575
19.927
29.487
48.672
Vacancy Rats
6.442
7.971
12.912
- 16.894
12.679
17.857
13.970
8.870
Long,Vacancy •
13.043
4.545
6.382
-- 46.6at
35.849
21.666
2.631
18.101
Average Unit Sire
3.182
5.728
4.673
.... 4.840
5.576
4.386
4.886
5.520

housing defect. Tho score of seventeen was assigned to the
district which has the grest:est defeat. All districts in
between these two were scored in their respective order..
This system allows the tabulation of the total social
indicators. Based on this system, thrs- following enumera-.
tion district scores were.obtained. (Table*15).. Thd
lower the tabulated score, the better the overall housing
conditions are for that district. The system rates the
general conditions and should not be used for a detailed
comparison of one district with another.
Table 15 GENERAL HOUSING CONDITIONS
By Enumeration Districts
Enumeration District Comparative Score
18 17
17 31
19 31
16 34
23 36
20 37
30 50
13 55
22 73
21 74
27 78
14 80
28 80
29 87
15 93 ,
26 103
24 110
The above comparative system is based on data from the 1970
U. S. Census.
31-

The City of New Bern will receive funds totaling $1,892,000.
under the Community Development Revenue Sharing Program for
construction of facilities within the City of New Bern.
These funds total $473,000 for FY 1975-1976. The major
focus of this program is to improve the quality of housing
in the city.
The Long -Term Objectives of this.program are as follows:
The elimination of dilapidated housing units through urban renewal
and code enforcement. Those units which are now vacant may be re-
moved at -little cost through basic code enforcement. A portion of
the dilapidated units must be removed through urban renewal, meaning
acquisition,,relocution and demolition.. The New Bern Housing Author-
ity is prepared to reserve spaces in public housing for those people
displaced through these activities.
The rehabilitation or elimination of substgndard housing units through-
out the city through the enforcement of minimum housing codes, private
compliance with assistance from local, state, and federal agencies in
the financing of rehabilitation projects and outright loans or grants
from the city for a project of that_nature. Urban Renewal will in
some cases also be used as a tool to upgrade the quality of those,
housing units found to be substandard.
The elimination of all inadequate streets within the City of New
Bern and providing paved streets with adequate rights -of -way.
Curbing and gutters to provide sufficient drainage. Priority
will be given to those areas of low and middle income families,
especially where urban renewal or strict code enforcement activities
are taking place. _
The elimination of all inadequate sewer and water lines.presently
serving -citizens of New Bern and the provision for adequate sewer
and water lines to insure that every citizen of the city receives this.
service. Priority will be given to those areas of low and middle in-
come families, especially where urban renewal activities of strict
code enforcement are taking place.
The elimination of inadequately lighted areas of the city which would
benefit from improved lighting by adding street lights where neces-
sary to aid in the prevention of accidents and general public safety.
Priority will be given to those areas of low and middle income families,
especially where urban renewal or strict code enforcement is taking
place.

The elimination of surface drainage problem wherever possible by
cleaning and maintaining open drainage ditches and by tiling those
drainage ditches where possible. Improved drainage would also aid
in eliminating flood control problems.
The provision of adequate and accessible recreational facilities and
services to all the citizens of New Bern through the expanding and
equipping of errieting facilities as~well.as the provision of,Additional
areas for recreational activities, p-imarily for the low and*
middle income families and the senior citizens.
The elimination of artificial barriard to those citizens of the City
of New Bern who are handicapped in some wAy through the establishment
of A policy to prevent the construction of barriers in the future and
the elimination (where possible) of barriers which are now existing.
Priority will be given to those public facilities or areas which are
found to be*the greatest barriers or frequented most by handicapped
persons.
The preservation of Histor$c Sites, areas and features in the City of
New Bern through cooperation with the Historical Society of New Bern
and the North Carolina Department of Cultrual Resourcea. The city,
wherever possible, will be responsive to the use of publiq And private
funds for the restoration and maintenance of the Fostoria Sites, areas
and features which are so much a part of New Bern.
The funds will be used in the following ways:
CURRENT
SUBSEQUENT
ENUMERATION
PROGRAM
PROGRAM
PROTECT & ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION
_DISTRICT..
YEAR
YEARS
1. Acquisition, relocation & demolition
of blighted area south of New South
Front Street
•.a. Property acquisition
ED
24
$64,000
$128,000
b. Relocation
ED
24
7,500
13,500
c. Demolition
ED
24
6,000
7,000
2. Rehabilitation of substandard dwelling
north of*New South Front Street
through grants and/or loans
a. 100 houses C $3,450
ED
24
---
340,500
3. Paving, curb'and gutier, sewer &
other improvements north of New
South Front Street
a. Engineering & Planning
ED
24
87,450
147,050

..
Elimination barriers to the handicapped
`
a. Install elevator in City Hall
ED 30
86,490
-0-
5.
Improve city services
a. Expand street lighting ED's 21, 22,
23,
24, 28, 30
10,000•
36,480
6.
Expand & equip recreation center
a. Expansion
b. Equipment
ED 22
64,600
-0-
7.
Historic preservation
a. Renovate Attmore-Oliver House
ED 28
20,000
101,280
b. Move James Davis House
ED 28
7,000
-0-
c. Parking lot.
ED 28
3,500
-0-
8.
Senior Citizens Center
a. Purchase, renovate, & equip
ED 27
39,160
549440
9.
Planning & Administration
-----
47,300
142,200
This is a five-year program. It will
do. much to
improve
housing
quality in the City of -New Bern.
The city, also has a public housing
program which is
not a part
of
the Community Development Program.
The housing authority
has
units within two sites, all are
occupied.
o
9

1
EXISTING -LAND USE
Prior.to the 1940's, the city was a compact unit with
the central business district as a focus. Few residents
lived beyond walking distance.of the central business dis-
tract. The water front of both the Neuse and Trent Rivers
provided harbors for the movement of goods. Commercial,
industrial and warehousing were the dominant land uses
adjacent to the water front areas. Since that time, the
automobile has allowed the New Bern growth area to spread
in all directions.
There is a total of 2,752 acres of land area within
the City of New Bern. In the city.'s extraterritorial
jurisdictional area, there are an additional 3,810 acres.
This gives a total of 6,562 acres of land within the city's
planning jurisdiction. Seventy-eight percent of the land
within the city is developed while only forty-nine percent
of the land in the extraterritorial area is developed.
See Table 15.
The largest existing land use classification within the
city is Residential. Fourteen hundred and forty-nine acres
are used for this purpose. The average density for this
area is 9.61 people per acre. The average number of dwelling
units per acre is 3.74. Within the extraterritorial juris-
dictional area, 642 acres are used for residential purposes.
Housing units for this area total 1,.075. The -average density
is 1.67 dwelling units per Residential acre. The average
35

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•. t
Table 15
Residential
Recreational
Institutional
1 Commercial
Industrial
Transportation,
Communication, and
EXISTING LAND USE
MEW BERN
PLANNING AREA
Inside City
9xtraterritorial Area
Total
Acres
Percent
Acres
Pere_cent
'cres' percent
L449'
53
642
X7
2091
32
51
2
10
0.4
61
1
255
9
21
0.6
276'
4
268
10
118
3
386
6
90
3
255
7
345
5
Utilities ---
Undeveloped 639
Sub Total 2752
Water Surface 416
Total 3168
--- 63 1 63 1
'23 22701 71 3340 51
100% 3810 100% 6562 100%
416
6978

number of people per residential acre is 5.01.
Commercial development presents the major land use-
problem.for the City of New Bern. Ten percent, 268
acres, id devoted to commercial activity. More than
five percent of the total land area of a.city used for
commercial development is considered high.
Only 29'acres of the commercial development is within
the central business district. Most of the remaining 239
acres are developed as strip commercial and are located along
major traffic routes. With the exception of two and one-
half blocks, the entire length of U. S. Highway #70 through.
New Bern is zoned for strip commercial. A similar develo-
ment pattern is emerging along U. S. Highway #17. Develop-
ment of this type chokes the carrying capacity of major thru-
streets and creates hazardous traffic situations.
Once strip commercial becomes established upon a'street,
it becomes very difficult to contain. The major problem in
containing strip commercial is that vested interest in the
development by usually influential people within a neighbor-
hood. One possible way of containing strip commercial is
buffering the area with transition zoning, such as institu«
tional or multi -family from the adjacent single family areas.
Another technique is to extend the strip commercial area to a
good natural boundary and to refuse the approval of rezoning
requests past that boundary.

Only ninety acres within -the city are devoted to indus-
trial activity. Within the extraterritorial area,-255 acres
are devoted to industrial uses.. The four largest industries
within the New Bern economic area are located outside the
city's planning jurisdiction.
Land devoted to Recreational uses for the city totals
fifty-one acres, or two percent of the city's total land
area. Within the extraterritorial area there are an
additional ten acres. The need for additional recrea-
tional areas and facilities was a leading issue in the
city's public participation program.
Within the city, there are 639 acres of undeveloped
land. Two hundred and.forty-five acres of this total
are wetlands and cannot be developed. Forty-one acres
of the total undeveloped land are below the 100-year
flood level. Development can -take place within this
area provided construction techniques are used which
minimize possible flood damage. The remaining 598 acres
can be developed if consistent with. standard building.prac.=
tices that are applicable for soil.conditions typical
of the New Bern area.
For the sake of convenience, the acreage devoted to
streets and roads was not tabulated. Land use for commu-
nication and utilities made up the major portion of the
sixty-three acres identified in this classification.
r�3

i
Although not inctuded in the land use calculations, the
New Bern City limit does include'a portion of the Neuse and
Trent Rivers. Total acreage of water surface coverage is
416 acres. This raises the total planning area acreage for
New Bern to 6,978 acres.
The area within the cityisplanning area most likely to
experience major -land use change is the undeveloped area east
of and along Race Track Road. Within the next ten years, this
area is likely to be developed with a combination of residential
and commercial uses. The area west of Race Track Road will
likely be developed as a combination of residential and indus-
trial'uses.
There are approximately 2,000 vacant lots within the city
planning area.
44

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Transportation Plan
A key consideration in any Land Use Plan is the Trans-
portation System. The City of. New Bern had a Transportation
Plan prepared in 1964. Currently the Department of Trans-
portation is updating the 1964 Plan.
The city's Plan is based on a minor and major thorough-
fare concept. Minor thoroughfares are the more important
streets in the city's system and perform the function of
collecting traffic from residential, commercial, or indus-
trial streets. These minor thoroughfares carry traffic to
major thoroughfares. The major thoroughfares are the heavy
traffic movers and carry traffic both within the city and
through the city. Although these streets do serve abutting
property, their main function is to carry traffic.
The Thoroughfare Plan for the city developed in 1964
is currently being updated. The Plan lists the following
streets as major thoroughfares:
1. U. S. Highway 1.7
2. U. S. Highway 70
3. Tryon Palace Drive -Pembroke Road
4. Oaks Road -National Avenue -Howard Street, Metcalf Street
5. Simmons Street
6. Glenburnie Road
7. First Street
Although all of the streets listed above are not currently
major thoroughfares, future construction and alignments will
connect these streets in a logical fashion.
�w
q 0

•ti
_ ...� ,ter. ✓ �t
Q I
yLEGEND
w:. IDDD ADT
20000 IOODD
1981
TRAFFIC VOLUMES ON
PROPOSED THOROUGHFARE SYSTEM'
law
DEPARTMENT
•.•
ADVANCE ►AIMINN
,•'1
N.C. STATE NIGMAY COMMISSION
AM $
t
.'�
1964
CITY
,'`
'
-,l
ti
•ti
I 00 3
SCALE IN rm
Map 2

Or
LEGEND
MAJOR r0W=)W9%An
4 LAf=
7 2 LANSIP. RQVI 4 LAMM
TRANWION. 2 — 4 'AN
vu 2 LAIWII
THORcumoun
LAWS. PptL(atvwL 4 LAB
DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
MW WM - EMDGr=
ADVANCE MANXIN DIPARTMAT
N.C. STATE HIGHWAY COMMISSION
1964
MIS
CITY SCALE IN Fats

♦♦
LEGEND EXISTING NEW LONG
•� ALIGNMENT ALIGNMENT- RANGE
MAJOR THOROUGHFARES t® ■��Y�1 �QIRN
MUM THOROUGHWES ® -----.
INTERCHANGE
GRADE SEPARATION,
�} 1 40 ACCESS O
♦° j
T
d
�ru ss��'�y .a� ec• sr f r
Xr Foe
} {��.•- �''., = sue- -
'Few -Opp
ENO®
t
AOOPTEO M CM W "N.. :XRM ON APFtL IT- 196{
•t AOO►TED N 11 OP ON rAT R9. MN
to x RECOMMENDED APOti0OL VY' ADVAME PL , p�(Jit'f/NSN
• �• O, : Dam"UENT OR A" 9. 116.6 r(/
AOWTT" tr NORTN WALINA STATE 11I�DR►
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Imp Km-=HKIW% mc.
mr A 299 to"
Oft wo bw
' �� WrKOIYONRttI

Based on 1974 average annual 24-hour traffic flow data
from the Norht Carolina Department of Transportation, only
two of the city's thoroughfares are carrying traffic above
their design capacity. These two are Neuse Boulevard and
Oaks Road. Neuse Boulevard is over its design capacity
by 8,200 vehicles per day. Oaks Road is only 2,100 over
its design capacity per day. The capacity and vehicle
loads of each of the city's thoroughfares•are shown below.
THOROUGHFARE SYSTEM
Thoroughfare Design Capacity .1974 Vehicle Load*
East Front Street 36,000 16,390
Tryon Palace Drive -
Pembroke Road 5,000 1,900
Trent Boulevard 7,500 4,000
U. S. 17 South -
Simmons Street 22,300 9,000
Broad Street-Neuse
Boulevard (U.S. 70)-
First Street 16,300 24,500
Oaks Road -National
Avenue-Glenburnie Road 3,370 5,500
U. S. 17 North 18,200 9,500
*Annual average 24-hour traffic flow
A new U. S. Highway 70 is being constructed from Dover to -
James City. When this new road is opened for traffic it is
expected to reduce traffic considerably on Neuse Boulevard.
At that time, the daily vehicle load on Neuse Boulevard is
expected to be well within the streets' design capacity.
V.

I
.. Community Facilities Plans
The City of New Bern had a Community Facility Report
prepared by the North Carolina Department of Conservation
and Development in the early 1960.'s. That report is out
of date and needs to be updated as a dynamic Community
Facility Plan.
New.Bern-has excellent community facilities and public
services. Since it is the county seat of Craven County,
it has not only almost all of Craven County's
facilities and agencies, but it also has a large number of
joint county.offices and offices of State and Federal
Agencies that serve one or more of the adjacent Redevelopment
Counties.
The Craven County Hospital, a modern 179-bed hospital
located in New Bern, also serves as the principal hospital
facility for Jones and Pamlico County residents since
neither county has a hospital. The Craven County Hospital
is well staffed with approximately 42 medical doctors,
whose specialties cover practically all fields of medicine.
and 56 registered nurses. This hospital provides ambulance
service as a public service to Jones and Pamlico Counties.
A major expansion is under construction. The Neuse Mental
Health Clinic in New Bern serves a four -county area which
includes Carteret, Craven, Jones., and Pamlico Counties.
The Craven Community College, at New Bern, offers its
full curriculum of vocational and post high school courses
fl

to the residents of the adjacent Redevelopment Counties.
Construction has recently been completed on a new million
dollar fac:ili.ty for Craven Community College which will
• enhance its educational and training capabilities across
the board: As -the student body grows, additional expan-
sions are planned.
The New Bern City School System consists of nine
elementary schools and two high schools,.all fully accredited.
A recently constructed junior high school building, which.
needs a gymnasium to be fully accredited, has a capacity
of 1,040 students.
The New Bern -Craven County Public Library is a Regional
Library serving draven, Pamlico, and Carteret Counties.
The New Bern Fire Department responds to requests for
assistance from any of the adjacent counties under a mutual
agreement provided by North Carolina statutes. This Depart-
ment -has three fire stations, twenty-four full-time firemen,
eighty active volunteer firemen, six pumpers, and one aerial
truck. It provides fire protection throughout the City of
New Bern and extends this service to a limited number of
subscribers in the city environs outside the city limits.
New Bern has a Fire Insurance Rating of 5.
The City of New Bern has excellent water and sewage
systems. Both have much greater design capacity than is
now being used to permit extension of these services as
1

nt-:!f-.ded for u, kyre growth.. Wq._i .V- se-rvice -has been extended
!;pIfr ,x t V.;. .,j5. t r-- of the clty limits ; water
. a 0 d Y�c- w;{ •e :-er :Ace h o %,.t hner= e:%c:e,toed approximately two males
wear along Highway U. fi. 70,
The parks and rt--reat .on program for the City of New
Betn provide recreation services co all residents of the
city. Two new Recreac�on Cen ers are now under construction.
The Neuse and Trent Rivers also provide recreational activities
for tlie. people or New Berm.:
Utx l i ty Expansion Policies
The c _ty will exten�d utilities outside the city limits
f
at the: expense of those desiring services. City policies
rel �tive to providiitb water -i d sewer service, and fire pro-
tecrt.on, within a Treasonable area outside of the city, have
contributed t:o ' its • gi cwth, and as the growth has occurred,
the ci.ry has annexed ubs~Ha_ntial. areas. The last major
annexation tac-curred, it 1,969. The city is now considering
further annexation: of areas which have become substantially
urbanized.
Under the gold,.,:: es to which reference is made above, -
the city has extended w ter and sewer 111.nes outside its
corpoxat.e at. the expense of the developer or the
person: Lr firm tc bp; The location of these lines
has had a major impac-, . on patterns. More stringent
regulations n the ir._%tall.ation of septi.tanks havemade
these 1'_nGt; viore . i.:ripor: ,,nr_ thrn ever and, of course, will
S��

result in increased demand on the city to provide these
services.
Installation of these outside lines, at the expense
of the recipient of the service,.has enabled the city to
encourage more rapid development of the property oii the
perimeter of the municipality than would otherwise have
been possible.
In the late 1950's, the city stopped providing free
fire protection beyond the city limits, except for govern-
ment buildings and certain other specified premises. There
was substituted a contractual arrangement, whereby commercial
firms and homeowners might contract with the city for fire
protection on an annual fee basis.
The contract fire protection has now been supplemented
by numerous rural fire departments, supported largely by
special tax levies through the county, so that better fire
protection is now available to all areas outside of the
city.
City policy with reference to utilities and fire pro-
tection has been a major factor in the location of major
industries and large commercial firms within the extra-
territorial jurisdiction of the city.
The city plans to institute an annexation program,
within the near future, enabling it to bring into the city
much of the area which its policies have been responsible for
developing.
s4

Open Space and Recreation Areas
The city is dedicated to the principle of providing
open space. The result of this policy can be found in
its recreational facilities. Existing parks are:
Glenburnie Park
Fort Totten
Pierce Park
Kafer Park
Tryon Village Playground
Trent Court Playground
Craven Terrace Playground
Jaycee Park
In addition to these parks, the city has four recreation
centers. These are'.
West New Bern Recreation Center
D.E. Henderson Recreation Center
George Street Recreation Center
Cedar Street Recreation Center
Consideration is being given to converting the George Street
Recreation Center into a senior citizens facility.
The city plans to increase.its open space by adding
Lawson Creek Park, an area of 160 acres. Boat ramps
have already been installed at the.p;roposed park. Currently
the city is reserving funds for the parks development.
1

Prior Land Use Plans
In 1962, the North Carolina Department of Conservation
and Development prepared a Land Development Plan for the city
under a "701" grant. That plan indicated that the city was
growing steadily. It projected a population of 15,908 per-
sons by the year 1980.. In 1975, the North Carolina Department
of Administration estimated the population to be 16,710.
Growth has occurred slightly faster than expected in the
1962 Plan.
In 1962, forty-one percent of the city was developed
as residential. Today fifty-three percent of the city is
developed as residential. That Plan indicated that a high
percentage of the city was commercial. Today the percentage
of commercial land is still high, with a great deal of the
commercial acreage being strip commercial.
Future space requirements were also projected in the
1962 Plan. By 1980, the city would need 152 acres for
industrial development. Today in the planning area, 345
acres are used for industrial purposes. The 1980 commer-
cial space needs were projected to be 128 acres. Today
386 acres are used for commercial purposes within the
planning area. A future Land Use Map was also presented
in the 1962 Plan. The 1975 Existing Land Use map agrees
with the 1980 projection within the 1962 Land Development
Plan.
1
-5-`

Prior Land Use Policies
Within the 1962 Plan, seven basic long-range planning
objectives were formulated to help guide New Bern's develop-
ment. The following 1962 Community Planning Objectives were
general enough to permit flexibility, yet specific.*enough
for the purpose of giving direction to New Bern's Land Use
Planning program.
1. The integration of compatible land uses and the
separation of incompatible uses in order to promote the most
appropriate utilization of the land.
2. Economic development through the provision of adequate_
space for industrial sites in proper locations with good accessi-
bility, adequate utilities, -room for expansion, and proper
controls to allow for protection from any detrimental effects
of other land uses.
3. Development of outlying commercial areas primarily
for convenience goods and highway services, with'the central
business district continuing to serve the regional trade area.
4. Provision of well -designed residential neighborhoods,
free of scattered commercial and industrial uses, with good
residential -area design of lots and streets, convenient shop-
ping areas,.ample local parks.and playgrounds, and appropriate
community facilities.
5. An improved system of major streets and highways,
connecting the various land uses in such a way that both

people and goods can be moved rapidly and efficiently through-
out the urban area.
6. Encouragement of a concentric growth pattern away
from the city center in order to prevent "Leap Frog" develop-
ment which results in replanning and added costs for municipal
services.
7. Provision of adequate water system, sewerage system,
fire protection, police protection, refuse collection, et-
cetera, so that the urban area can teceive the highest level
of municipal services with'economy and efficiency.
In addition to the plans discussed in this section, a
Population and Economy study, a Neighborhood Analysis, a
Recreation plan, a Public Improvements program, and a Develop-
ment plan was prepared for New Bern by the State in the early
1960's.
r j

LOCAL REGULATIONS
Zoning Ordinance
The City
of New Bern began enforcing zoning on June 2,
1953. On March
5, 1968, the city adopted a new zoning ordi-
nance. With
the exception of a few minor revisions, the
1968 ordinance
is currently being enforced. The ordinance
is codified under the Code of General Ordinances of the
City of New Bern
as Article II, Chapter I. The city is
divided into
thirteen (13) districts with designations as
listed:
RA-15
Residential District
RA-10
Residential District
RA-10A
Residential District
RA-8
Residential District
RA-6
Residential District
0'& I
Office and Institutional District
B-1
Central Business District
B-2
Central Business District
B-3
Commercial District
B-4
Neighborhood -Business District
B-4A
Neighborhood Shopping Center District
I-1
Industrial District
I-2
Industrial District
5� 7

With the ex-ception'of some "overlap," each district
is mutually exclusive. The R-15 Residential district is
the least dense residential zone. It is restricted to
single family units and only requires 15,000 square feet
in each residential lot with.a minimum lot width of 100
feet. The renting of one room is allowed in a residential
structure within the district, provided no external evidence
of such rental.is created. The district also has a pro-
vision limiting the total roof area to not more than
thirty percent (30%) of the total lot area. The pro-
visions of this area appear reasonable and do not adversely
affect the existing development pattern for the city.
IAA-10 is similar to the RA-15•except that it allows
two family dwellings on each lot. For each two family
unit, a lot area of 154000 square.feet is required. The
gross density allowed by the district is 3.6 units per
acre for si..ngle family development and 5.0 units per acre
developed for duplex units. Most of the land within this
district has been developed as one family units. In
order to allow a reduction of lot size, thereby trying
to reduce the housing cost, and also to maintain the
high standards of the RA-15 district, consideration
should be given to eliminating the two family unit
from the RA-10 district. If this is done, a person
could purchase a smaller lot which has enforcement of
a single family only through the city codes. The
l

city has an R-10A district which allows two family and
multi -family use.
The RA-10A district is identical to the RA-10 district
except that multi -family dwellings are allowed. The dis-
trict requires 10,000 square feet for the first unit and
5,000 square feet for each additional unit. The gross
density on a ten acre tract is eight and six -tenths units
per acre. The.district only requires one parking space
per dwelling.
Similar to the RA-10A district is the RA-8. It
allows single family and multi -family units. For each
dwelling unit, 8,000 feet is required for the first unit
and an additional 4,000 feet for each additional unit.
Single family development is allowed at a maximum of 4.5
units per acre. Multi -family is allowed at 10.8 units
per acre.
The RA-6 district allows single family, multi -family,
and mobile home parks. Each lot must contain at least
6,000 square feet for the first dwelling unit and 2,000
square feet for each additional unit. The gross density
for a single family is permitted at 7.3 units per acre
and 22.5 units per acre for multi -family.
The 0 & I, Office and Institutional District, was
established to permit residences, offices, and clinics.
It is used as a buffer between residential and commercial
districts.
.5
(21

The B-1 Central Business District was established for
the purpose of accommodating business activity within the
CBD area. Multi -family units are allowed within the CBD.
When comparing the B-2 Central Business District with
the B-1 Central Business District, the purpose of the B-2
seems to overlap. The districts are different -only in that
B-2 allows mobile home parks but does not allow churches,
schools, multi -family, manufacturing, and sewing rooms.
Consideration should be given to whether B-2 is or is
not needed.
The B-3 Commercial District is responsible for most
of the existing land use difficulties within the city's
planning area. Its purpose states' that B-3 is to be
located on the city's major radial highways. If B-3
is used in this manner, primary consideration must be
given to highway safety. Without this consideration,
development within this district.may betray the purpose
of zoning; namely, the health, safety, and welfare of
the City of New Bern.
B-4, Neighborhood Business District, was developed
to serve nearby residential areas. Mobile home parks
are allowed within the district. The uses herein also
overlap with other commercial districts.
Within the B-4A, Neighborhood Shopping Center
District, the uses listed are similar to the other
conniercial districts within the city. A. minimum

shopping center size required by this district is two
acres. In considering a requrest for a B-4 shopping dis-
trict, a plan review is required. The district also
provides that the property will -revert to its former
zoning if construction is not begun within one year.
The I-1, Industrial District, is defined as a
light industrial district within the Ordinance; how-
ever, many of the permitted uses are heavy. An example
of these heavy uses are manufacturing of boats, grain
elevators, lumber yards, machine and welding shops.
Mobile homes, parks, and retail businesses are allowed
in the I-1 district.
The I-2, Industrial District, is identical to the
I-1 district except that there are additional heavy
industrial uses allowed.
In summary, the residential districts seem reason-
able except for a few minor provisions'. The commercial
districts seem to overlap because there is very little
difference between each district.
Subdivision Regulation
The City's Subdivision Ordinance was adopted on
January 1, 1962. The ordinance jurisdiciton includes
both the city and the extraterritorial area. The city
is currently setting up the mechanism for the extra-
territorial enforcement.
G3

Several amendments should be made to the subdivision
ordinance. These include:
1. Section 2 Jurisdiction. The section should be
revised to refer to the extraterritorial area
adopted by the city. It is not simply a one -
mile radius described in this section.
2. Section 8-A. Compliance with the official plans.
G. S. 160A-372 allows cities to require.dedica-
tion of recreation areas serving residents of
the immediate neighborhood. School boards may
reserve school sites eighteen months rather than
twelve months as listed in the section.
3. Section 10-A (2) Definitions. The five acre
exemption plan regulation needs to be changed
to a ten acre exemption regulation.
4. Section 12-A. Design Standards. The regulation
requires that the street design of a proposed
subdivision should conform to the official plans
or maps for New Bern. The ordinance should
specify exactly which plans new subdivisions
should comply with.
5. Section 12-B (31). Design Standards., This para-
graph allows a reduction in lot size from 20,000
to 10,000 square feet where water, but not sewerage
is available. In such areas, the County Health
0
&y

Department has jurisdiction. The current regula-
tion does not allow a septic tank on a lot this small.
6. Section 12-B (7). Design Standards. This section
states that the depth and width of properties should
be such that a sufficient amount of off-street parking
be acquired for the development contemplated by the
owner. This section needs to be more specific.
There may be other amendments necessary to the subdivision
regulations not listed above. Most of the provisions of
the subdivision ordinance are reasonable and are to be
administered in a beneficial manner to.the City of New
Bern.
The city has also adopted the'North Carolina State
Building Code. It has not yet adopted a local floodway
ordinance, a septic tank regulation, a historical district
regulation, a dune protection ordinance, a sedimentation
code, or an environmental impact statement ordinance.
FEDERAL AND STATE REGULATIONS
This section has not yet been provided by the North
Carolina Department of Natural and Econimic Resources.
C-�

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION ACTIVITIES
&G

MAJOR LAND USE ISSUES
Under the planning requirements of the State, an identi-
fication and analysis must be made of the following major land
use issues:
1. The impact of the population and economic trends
2. The provision of adequate housing and other services. .
3. The conservation of productive natural resources.
4.
The
protection
of
important natural environments.
5.
The
protection
of
cultural and historic resources.
In addition to these major issues, the citizens, through the
city's public participation program identified the following
major issues.
6. The desire to expand job opportunity.
7. The desire to improve developed recreational facilities.
During the past, growth trends for the New Bern area have
been steady since the early 1700's. This growth has experienced
few growth explosions. The gradual growth trend is expected
to continue into the next quarter century. Because of the
desire for greater job opportunity, efforts are being made
to increase employment. Craven County has established an
industrial recruiting organization. The City of New Bern is
willing to cooperate with the County in providing necessary
services for industrial.development.
Under normal conditions, a growth in population would
likely increase the number of people living in substandard
housing units. The city has taken steps to reverse this
t�
6?

expected trend. Under the Community Development Program,
100 substandard units will be rehabilitated. This will re-
duce the current number of occupied substandard housing units.
The major productive natural resources are the city's
rivers -the Neuse River and the Trent River. These two rivers
provide a tremendous recreational benefit to the area. The
Neuse River is approximately a mile wide at New Bern, and
is classified as "C" waters. Trent River, at New Bern, is
"C" waters. The city's sewage treatment plant discharges
effluent into the Neuse River. The present level of treat-
ment is approximately ninety percent. Based on current
discharge standards, the New Bern sewage treatment plant's
effluent quality is one of the highest in North Carolina.
Through large capital investments in the sewage plant, ,
the present quality of surface water will be maintained.
The plant bas a reserve capacity to serve approximately
10,000 additional persons.
Another productive natural resource within the plan-
ning area is the limestone quarry located west of Glenburnie
Road. Work at the quarry began during the late 1_950's by
Superior Stone Company. That company recently sold the
quarry to the Martin -Marietta Company. Today, the quarry
covers almost 200 acres and is a center for limestone for
a three county area. Because the quarry is located in a
relatively undeveloped area, there has been little conflict

with adjacent property owners. The quarry is not a land use
r planning issue.
The important natural environments within the New Bern
planning area are the Neuse and Trent Rivers and the upland
marsh areas. The protection of the Rivers was discussed in
the above productive natural resource section.. The marsh
areas adjacent to the Neuse and Trent Rivers are being
protected by the State of North Carolina.
69

ALTERNATIVES
The.alternatives for development of New Bern were presented
to the citizens trrough a questionnaire. In determining the
development alternatives, the question was asked as.to what
is liked best about New Bern. Next, as to what is -liked least
about New Bern. Public opinion was also solicited concerning
job opportunity and ideal future size for -the city. Attention
was also directed as to whether the city should encourage the
development of a "Williamsburg -Old Salem' commercial/residential
area. Alternatives for the development of.the Urban Renewal
area were also considered. Choices were also made in the desire
for commercial development. '
• Although the answers to the questionnaire were varied,
trends in answers, in most cases, were clear. When asked what
the citizens of New Bern liked best about New Bern, fourteen
percent liked the closeness to water recreation, and nine
percent liked the historical aspects of the area. Eight per-
cent liked the present size of the city. For the question,
"What is liked least about New Bern?" eleven percent complained
about the lack of recreational facilities, eight percent about
the lack of adequate job opportunities. To the question con-
cerning the needs of New Bern, twenty-two percent of those
responding asked for better recreational facilities, and an
additional eight percent specifically asked for swimming
pools. Eight percent felt that job opportunity
f
`7 0

INSIDE CITY RESIDENTS
413 Responses
Liked most about New Bern
Liked least about New Bern
Most needed at New Bern
Ideal fully developed population
Satisfied with New Bern development
Satisfied with New Bern zoning
Liked most about downtown New Bern
Liked least about downtown New Bern
Best use of downtown Urban Renewal
waterfront property
Adequate shopping in city
Prefer shopping in a major center
rather than scattered as currently
developed
Satisfied with New Bern neighborhood
development
Satisfied with New Bern neighborhood
zoning
Objection to commercial area adjacent
to neighborhood
Objection to apartment project adjacent
to neighborhood
Objection to industrial area adjacent
to neighborhood
Objection to recreational facility
adjacent to neighborhood
% of Total Responses
26% Natural resource recrea-
tion
15% Friendly people
10% Historical aspects
16% Lack of developed -recrea-
tional facilities
11% Lack of jobs
41% Developed recreational
facilities
ll%' Jobs
91% Should grow as necessary
3% Remaip same size as now
6% Not exceed 28,000 (Average)
59% Yes
84% Yes
40% Convenience in shopping
9% Waterfront
33% Lack of parking
,16% Lack of adequate shopping
i
61% Recreation
38% Commercial
50% Yes
73% Yes T '
6.3% Yes
87% Yes
57% No
65% No
61:' Yes
89 No
"I /

xk?':A;'Git}2iz�; l.gL 3E)RISDICTICI; RESIDENTS
111 Respot:se.s
Liked most about New Bern
Li Iced least about New Bern
Most :&Pde-.d at New Bern
Ideal fully developed population
Satisfied with New Berg development
Sati.3tEied wit_:: New Bern zoning
Liked most ab:at*.t downtown New Bern
Liked least aL�out do mtown New Bern
% of Total Responses
36% Natural resource recrea-
tion
10% Friendly people
10% Historical aspects
21% Lack of developed recrea-
tional facilities
16% Lack of jobs
41% Developed recreatiocal .
facilities
21% Jobs
86% Should grow as necessary
6% Remain same size as now
7% Not exceed 24,000 (Average)
63% Yes
85% Yes
31%_ Shopping
16% Bicentennial park
36% Lack of parking
13% Parking meters
Best use ai 4ovrrtto.-n Urban Renewal
waterfront property
49%
Commercial
_
48%
Recreation
Adequate 0,topping in city
51%
No
Prefer shoppi.:l-, in a major center
rather than sr.at:tered as currently
developed
75%
Yes
Satisf?_:_d New Bern neighborhood
development
53%
No
Satisfied wit}, New Bern neighborhood
zoning
87%
Yes
Objection to comm7ercial area adjacent
to neighborhood
53%
No
Objection to apartment p-roject adjacent
to n ighhcrhood
54%
Yes
. Objection to industrial area .zdjace.:t
to nei-huorhood
57%
Yes
Objection to recreational facility
adjacent to neighborhood
89%
No
Based on Lhcse. responses and e-xperience n
dealing with develop-
ment _arr,tb .etas uurin« the paF st_, the
city prepared the following
developman'l • objectives:
i

was the most pressing need. Another seven percent desired
• more industry, and five percent asked for public trans-
portation.
An attempt was also made to determine the citizens'
opinions concerning a future ideal size for the City of
New Bern. Ninety-one percent believed that New Bern
should grow as much as is necessary to meet the needs of
the people who wish to live and work here. Three percent
felt that the city should remain the size it is now, and
six percent felt that it should be allowed to grow, but
within specific limits. Concerning annexation eighty-
four percent of the citizens of the city saw the need for
an annexation plan. Sixty-one percent of the -residents of
the extraterritorial area felt that the city should develop
an annexation plan.
The desire for jobs was also a major issue within the
questionnaire. When asked, "What does New Bern need that
it does not now have?",the second most asked for issue was
more industry and jobs. Seventy-six percent of the respon-
dents within the city felt that the city does not have adequate
job opportunities. Ninety-seven percent stated that New
Bern should encourage quality industries to locate in
Craven County. Seventy-six percent of the respondents were
willing to use public funds to provide utilities for
attracting industry.
Regarding the location of shopping areas, seventy-three
-73

percent of the people responding to the city questionnaire
felt that shopping areas were too spread out over the city.
Although the downtown area was listed as a slightly lower
priority than the Berne Square and Neuse Boulevard areas,
shopping volume listed about even for all three areas. Only
fifty-nine percent of the respondents were satisfied with
the way the city has developed. The positive responses con-
cerning development within each neighborhood was higher.
Sixty-three percent were satisfied with the way their
neighborhood was developed. Eighty-seven percent were
satisfied with the way their neighborhood is zoned.
For a detailed look at the complete questionnaire
tabulation, see the Appendix.
LAND USE OBJECTIVES, POLICIES, AND STANDARDS
Based on the responses to the questionnaire, the Planning
and Zoning Board prepared the following development objectives.
To promote the development of well -planned residential
areas with quick, safe access to schools, work and shopping
7L

areas, free from incompatible commercial uses, indus-
trial uses, excessive noire, excessive thru traffic,
and unpleasant odors.
To encourage the development of commercial land in planned
commercial patterns rather than in hazardous highway strip
commercial development.
To expand the city's economic base by supporting programs
which will assist in the development of quality industry
within Newi.Bern's economic area.
To provide for a coordinated historical scheme for the
development and adaptive restoration of property within
the City's Historical District.
To encourage the development of the Urban Renewal Area in
such a way as to accommodate commercial, recreational,
and cultural activities.
To provide for a vital and dynamic park development program
with consideration given for advanced acquisition of open
space at locations which would have good pedestrian and
vehicular access to residential areas, prior to the -develop-
ment of residential, commercial and industrial areas.
To develop a drainage program with the purpose of eliminating
damage due to flooding within the city's planning area.
To develop a street construction program which will effectively
coordinate future development and street patterns with the
city's thoroughfare plan.
To provide that neo7 development throughout the city's planning
area be connected co the city's services wherever possible.
To work for the renewal of: all deteriorated areas within the
city.
To provide for a system for adapted recreational use of exist-
ing surplus land and buildings currently owned or acquired
by the city in the future.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROGRAM
The process used by the Planning and Zoning Board and
Board of Aldermen to determine the development objectives,
policies and standards was to give a thorough review of the
citizens desires expressed the the public participation
76

program and apply these desires with past experiences to the
development of New Bern. This is the reason the objectives,
policies and standards are expanded slightly beyond the
issues presented by the citizens.
The City's Planning and Zoning Board, consisting of
fifteen member, has the responsibility of directing the city
planning program. Four of these members are women and five
are black. The Planning Board has a woman chairperson.
: Under its director, the Coastal Area Management Act's Pub-
lic Participation program was established. The purpose of
the program has been two -fold. It has served as the key
element in goals and objectives determination, and made
people aware of the overall purpose'of the Coastal Area
Management Act.
Efforts were made to solicit participation from as
many people as possible in the City's Land Use Planning
Process. The people contacted were from all age groups,
all income levels, and all ethnic groups living within the
city's planning area. By participating in the process,
people are more likely to support the implementation of
the plan.
Because of various problems associated with public
hearings, only one such meeting was scheduled. Attendance
at the meeting was not good. The Planning Board decided that
the best approach was to take its planning program directly
to the people.
-76

In March, 1975, the following Civic clubs were written
requesting an invitation to discuss the City's Planning Pro-
gram under the Coastal Area Management Act.
Craven County Bar Association
Kiwanis Club
New Bern Board of Realtors
New Bern Business & Professional Women's Club
New Bern•Civitan Club
New Bern Historical Society
New Bern Jaycees
New Bern Lions Club
New Bern Rotary Club
New Bern Woman's Club
Provisional League of Women Voters
Toast Masters Club
From those contacted, invitations were received
from the following:
Date Name Number
3/25/75 New Bern Business & Professional 25
Women's Club
4/ 1 /75 New Bern Rotary Club 75
4/ 8/75 Kiwanis Club 40
4/ 8 /75 Toast Masters Club 15
4/21/75 New Bern Lions Club 40
4..
/

5/ 1 /75 New Bern Woman's Club 50
5/14/75 New Bern Historical Society 95
The date adjacent to each club is the date on which the
discussion of the city's program was held. The number adja-
cent to each club is the approximate number of members in
attendance at that meeting. The total number of people
attending these meetings was approximately 340. Either
the Mayor, the Planning Board Chairperson, or the city
officials were present at most of these meetings.
The city's questionnaire, developed by the Planning
Board and Board of Aldermen, has received wide spread dis-
tribution. Five thousand copies of the questionnaire were
printed and distributed through the public school system.
Of these 5,000 questionnaires distributed, 486 were returned
from, within the city's jurisdictional area, giving us a
return rate of 9.7 percent. Of the 486 returned questionnaires,
413 are from within the city and 73 are from the extraterri-
torial area. We also received 224 from people living within
the Town of Trent Woods and the county,.beyond the city's
jurisdictional area. An additional 120 completed question-
naires were obtained via interview of New Bern citizens by
students of the sociology classes of Craven Community
College. This gives us a total of 606 completed question-
naires-533 from within the city, 73 from within the extra-
territorial area, excluding those from Trent Woods and
outside the City's Plannin; area. Within the city there

are 4,238 housing units. The city has received returned
questionnaires from 12.6 percent of the homes in New Bern,
or approximately 1,850 people.
To date, at least 8,000 people have been made aware
that a planning program is under way in New Bern as a result
of our public participation efforts under the Coastal Area
Management Act. Each of these people were invited to partici-
pate. These people were contacted in the following way:
Civic Clubs 340
Teachers explaining and distributing
questionnaires 262
Students receiving instructions
concerning questionnaires 5,000
Parents receiving questionnaires- 2,000
Persons answering questionnaires 606
Interviewers from Craven Community
College 95
Total approximate involvement to date 8,303-
This total is 56.8 percent of the total population of the City
of New Bern.
There is a great deal of difference between simply being
told about a program and taking an active part in the development
of said program. If it were not for apathy, the city would
have written responses from most of the people contacted.
Contacts have been made with 56.8 percent of the people of
New Bern. Written responses have been received from 12.7
percent of the households. These facts indicate that the
city has been successful in its Public Participation Program.

PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS
The Coastal Resources Commission has not yet designated
the Areas of Environmental Concern. Because this designation
has not yet taken place, it is.not known what areas within
the city will be designated. Based on description within the
planning guidelines, the following areas within the city are
potential Areas of Environmental Concern.
Coastal Ploodplains
Coastal Wetlands
Estuarine Waters
Letter Code
CF
CW
EW
Public Trust Areas (Waters) PT
Historic Places HP
These areas are not mapped within this plan because the
boundaries are subject to change pending designation by the
Coastal Resources Commission. Each of the above potential
Areas of Environmental Concern are given a detailed descrip-
tion in this section. Appropriate land uses are also listed
for each.
N

Flood Hazard Area -Coastal Floodplains (Potential AEC)
The City of New Bern is located at. the upper end of the
Neuse River estuary system. The city has approximately two
miles of frontage along the Neuse River and.approximately
one mile along the Trent River. Tide -gauge records have been
recorded in the Neuse River estuary at various times since
1895. Since October, 1956, the U, S. Geological Survey has
maintained a recording tide -gauge at New Bern. A review of
these records indicates that tidal effects which occur in
New Bern; are due to winds only. Stream flow$ or normal
gravitational effects of
:the sun and noon have little effect
on the Neuse and Trent Rivers at New Bern. Rainfall creates
some flooding problems within the Jack Smith Creek watershed,
but these are not normally severe unless accompanied by a
wind tide.
The greatest flooding known to have occurred in New Bern
in history occurred on September 19, 1955, when Hurricane
Ione stalled in the area east of New Bern for a number of
hours. Waters In the Neuse and Trent Rivers*in the New Bern
area rose to 10.6 feet above average. Accompanying this flood
were winds of 80 miles per hour and a rainfall of 20.04 inches
during a period of approximately 24 hours, Ione caused
approximately Seven Million Dollars damage in New Bern, most
of this damage within the Historic District. Photographs of
this flood, taken in the vicinity of the intersection of

Middle Street and Tryon Palace Drive -(ttlan South front
Street) appear on the following page.
The next highest wind tide was that which occurred dur-
ing the hurricane which struck during the night of Septem-
ber 15 1933. Local information reflects that the height
above average water in the rivers reached 7 fset 8 inches,
and this also was accompanied by high winds and waves.
Other wind tides which havq caused flooding the the City of
New Bern and surrounding area are shown in Table 16.
Table 16 HIGHEST SEVEN KNOWN TIDE FLOODS IN ORDER OF MAGNITUDE
Maxilnum Maximum
W04 Tide 24-Hour
Order Elev. Rainfall Rainfall
No. Dgte of Flood feet inches (inches)
1
Sept.
19,
1955,
Ionp
10.6
--
20.04
2
Aug.
12,
1955,
Connie
8.6
8.62
12.98
3
Sept.
15/16, 1933
7'8"
(No
record)
4
Sept.
3,
1913
7.7
(No
record)
5
Aug.
17,
1955,
Diane
7.4
4.44
6.82
6
Sept.
12,
1960,
Donna
6.4
4.23
4.51
7
Oct.
15.
1954,
Hazel
6.2
1.76
1.92
The U. S. Army Corpe of Engineers has prepared a study
to determine the Intermediate Regional Flood for the New
Bern area. This flood is locally known as the "100-year
flood." An analysis by the Corps stated that the Inter-
mediate Regional Flood of this type would be about 1.4

RAINFALL FLOODS
TIDE FLOODS
15
STANDARD PROJECT FLOOD
J
14
W
�
13
a
W
H
12
INTERMEDIATE REGIONAL FLOOD
z
" 100 YEAR FLOOD"
a,
W
it
2
SEPT. 1955 TIDE FLOOD (RECORD
W
I
FLOOD SINCE 1900- ESTIMATED
FREQUENCY OF OCCURENCE IS
m STANDARD PROJECT FLOODYEARS.)
ONCE IN 50
a
F-
9
W
a INTERMEDIATE REGIONAL FLOOD
8
z
STD. PROJECT FLOOD REDUCED
0 T BY NEUSE RIVER BARRIER PROD.
f-
j-
6
INT. REGIONAL FLOOD REDUCED
BY NEUSE RIVER BARRIER PROJ.
J
W
5
NOTE: RAINFALL FLOOD HEIGHTS
SEPT. 1955 TIDE FLOOD REDUCED
f- ARE FOR AREAS SOUTH OF
BY NEUSE RIVER BARRIER PROJ.
w ATL. 9 E.C. RAILWAY FILL.
4
ir ASSUMING NO CONCURRENT
i
0 HIGH -TIDE TYPE FLOOD. 3
0
0
0 2
J
` I�E
Mw O - 3 MEAN SEA LEVEL
Chart 2
CORPS OF ENGINEERS, U.S. ARMY
`NILMINGTON.NORTH CAROLINA. DISTRICT
PEAK FLOOD
ELEVATIONS
AT
NEW BERN AND VICINITY, N.C.
MAY, 1969

feet higher than that created by Hurricane "Ione." See
Chart 2. The city disagrees with the conclusion reached
by the Corps of Engineers, for local history and tradition
reflect that the Ione tide was the highest ever experienced
in the New Bern area, and that was created by an aberration
in storm behavior, coupled with the fact that severe rains
during the preceeding four to five weeks created a high water
table and rain -soaked ground before Ione appeared on the scene.
Flooding caused by wind tides usually lasts no more
than ten hours. Hurricane -associated rainfall usually occurs
within a period of twelve hours. Rainfall -type floods within
the Jack Smith Creek watershed are usually of short duration
unless held in the area by wind tides. The time -would vary,
depending upon amount, duration, and intensity of the rainfall.
The Flood Hazard area for New Bern contains approximately
2,086 acres.
A flood -tide barrier project was authorized for construc-
tion by Congress in the Flood Control Act of 1965. This barrier,
to be constructed about eighteen miles below New Bern, would
reduce the "100-year flood" from 12.0 feet to 5.8 feet above
the mean sea level. To date, no funds have been appropriated
by Congress for the barrier construction. Development is
appropriate within this area provided it is consistent with the
requirements of the.Federal Insurance Administration.

SOILS
The soils report for the City of New Bern is currently
being printed by the USDA Soil Conservation Service. It will
be released around May, 1976.. The soils shown in this Plan
were taken from a preliminary USDA soils report.
Table 17 SOILS
NEW BERN
Soil Number
544 (402)
46
860
738B
BE
811
CA
CA
460 (460U)
12
558
DA
11
455 (455U)
1
410 (410U)
Soil Name
Altavista
Augusta
Bayboro
Baymeade
Belhaven
Bibb
Capers
Carteret
Chipley
Corolla
Craven
Dare
Duckston
Exum
Fripp
Goldsboro
Development
Suitability
POOR
POOR
POOR
FAIR
POOR
POOR
POOR
POOR
FAIR
FAIR
POOR
POOR
POOR
FAIR
FAIR
FAIR

877 (458)
Grantham
FOOR
.. BJ
Johnston
POOR
371B
Kenansville
GOOD
704B
Kureb
GOOD
78B
Lakeland
GOOD
818
Leaf
POOR
564
Lenoir
POOR
582
Leon
POOR
417
Lynchburg
POOR
891
Murville
POOR.
7
Newhan
GOOD
352
Norfolk
GOOD
415
Onslow
FAIR'
PA (98)
Pamlico
POOR
836
Pantego
POOR .
PO
Ponzer
POOR
816
Portsmouth
POOR
830
Rains
POOR
89
Roanoke
POOR
452
Seabrook
FAIR
870
Torhunta
POOR
552
Wahee
POOR
722B
Wando
FAIR
8
Wasda
POOR
The distribution
of .these soils is shown on
the following
soil maps.
e-1

Water Supply Areas
Water supply is provided to the City of New Bern from
wells located in Cove City, approximately seventeen miles
west of New Bern. These wells pump an extremely high quality.
water from the Tuscalossa formation. The Tuscalossa formation
underlies the Castle Hayne and Black Creek formations in Craven,
Lenoir, Duplin, and eastern Wayne Counties. New Bern, Kinston,
and La Grange each use water from this formation. From -the
wells in Cove City, water is gravity fed through.a thirty inch
main to the city's pumping station in west New Bern.
Steep Slopes
All of the land within the city',s planning area is flat.
The elevation -ranges from sea level to twenty-five feet above
sea level.
FRAGILE AREAS
Coastal Wetlands -Other Coastal Marshlands (Potential AEC)
This marshland type contributes to the detritus supply
necessary to the highly productive estuarine system essential
to North Carolina's economically valuable commercial and
sports fisheries.
The higher marsh types offer quality wildlife and water-
fowl habitat depending on the biological and physical conditions
of the marsh. The vegetative diversity in the higher marshes

usually supports a greater diversity of wildlife types than
the limited habitat of thF- low tidal marsh. This marshland
type also serves d. n important deterrent to shoreline erosion
specially in those marshes contained'heavilty rooted species.
_ e dense system of rhizomes and roots of Juncus roemerianus
are highly resistant to erosion. In addition, the higher
marshes are effective sediment traps.
The City of New Bern has approximately 245 acres of
Coastal Wetlands. These high tidal marshlands are adjacent
rc the Neuse and Trent Rivers The largest area begins at
Lawson Creek and extends 1.6 miles westward along the north
bank of the Trent River. It has 214 acres. The dominant
plant specie is'Cordgrass (Spartina,alterniflora). The
second wetland area is on the west bank of the'Neuse River,
east of the Woodrow community. It contains thirty-one acres.
The dominant plant specie is Cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora).
The boundaries of the above described areas as shown on the
Land Classification map were taken from photographs dated
August 27, 1975. Both of these wetlands are classified as
Conservation. Appropriate land uses within the Wetlands
include utility easements, fishing piers, docks and other
similar uses not involving excavation or fill.
Estuarine Waters (Potential AEC)
Within the city's jurisdiction there are 416 acres of
estuarine waters area. These waters include a portion of
y
both the Neuse and Trent Rivers. Estuaries are among tae

most productive natural environments of North Carolina. They
not only support valuable commercial and sports fisheries, but
are also utilized for commercial navigation, recreation, and
aesthetic purposes. Species dependent upon estuaries such as
menhaden, shrimp, flounder, oysters and crabs make up over
90 percent of the total value of North Carolina's commercial
catch. These species must spend all or some part of their
life cycle in the estuary. The high level of commercial
and sports fisheries and the aesthetic appeal of coastal
North Carolina is dependent upon the protection and sustained
quality of our estuarine waters. Appropriate uses within the
area are those that preserve the estuarine waters so as to
safeguard and perpetuate -their biological, economic and
aesthetic values. Highest priority shall be allocated to the
conservation of estuarine waters. The development of naviga-
tional channels, the use of bulkheads to prevent erosion, and
the building of piers or wharfs where no other feasible alter-
native exists are examples of uses appropriate within estuarine
waters, provided that such land uses will not be detrimental
to the biological and physical estuarine functions and public
trust rights. Projects which would directly or indirectly
block or impair existing navigation channels, increase shoreline
erosion, deposit spoils below mean high tide, cause adverse
water circulation patterns, violate water quality standards,
or cause degradation of shellfish waters are generally considered
incompatible with the management of estuarine waters.
C(d

Public Trust Waters (Potential AEC)
All waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the lands thereunder
from the mean high water mark to the seaward limit of State
jurisdiciton; all natural bodies of water subject to measurable
lunar tides and lands thereunder to the mean high water mark;
all navigable natural bodies of water and lands thereunder to
the mean high water mark or ordinary high waters mark as the
case may be, except privately owned lakes to which the: public
has no right or access; all waters in artiflcally created
bodies of water in which exists significant public fishing
resources or other public resources, which are accessible to
the public by r_avigaticn IFT-O a bodi e-s of watax in which the
public has rights of navigation; all.waters in artifically
created bodies of water in which the public has acquired rights
by prescription, custom, usage, dedication U:• j ot.har .r. ans.
Included in public trust waters are areas such as vater-
ways and lands under or flowed by tidal waters or navigable
waters, to which the public may have rights of access or ;-ltiblic
trust rights and areas Vnich the State of North Carolina may
be authorized to preserve, conserve, or protect under Article
XIV, Section 5, of. the North Carolina Constitution.
Historic Places (Potential AEC)
Historic places are defined as historic places that are
listed, or have been approved for listing by the North Carolina
Historical Commission, in the National Register of Historic

Places pursuant to the Nationai Historic Preservation Act of
1966; historical, archaeological, and other places and properties
owned, managed, or assisted by the State of North Carolina pursu-
ant to G.S. 121; and properties or areas that are designated by
the Secretary of the Interior as National Historic Landmarks.
Tryon Palace is but one of the historic structures located
within New Bern. Within the Guide to Historic New Bern, North
Carolina, "New Bern/Craven County American Revolution Bicentennial
Commission 1974," there are 139 structures which are architecur-
ally and/or historically significant.
Many of these stru--tures are in Lfte National Register of
Historic Places, February 5, 1.975. The National Register list
is shown in Table 18.
T-;hl_ 1.3
NATIONAL REGISTRY OF HISTORIC PLACES
New Bern, N.C.
February 5, 1975
Attror_e-Oliver House
•513 Broad Street
Baxter Clock
323 Pollock Street
Blades, W.B., House
602 Middle Street
Br an House, and O:cflc
6C.3••6i 5 Pollock Street_
Coon -alas on tk-use
421 CCaven StrFet
First. Bapuist Church
NW corner of Middle
Street and Church Alley
Cedar Grove Cemetery
Bounded by Queen, George,
Cypress, Howard and
Metcalf Streets
Centenary Methodist Church
20 New Streer
a1 c: Pa.rra. ,h House
51-01 Ease i'.-r,t Street
-onic Tern ale and Theater
5:16 Hancock Street
(:�v

First Church of Christ,
Scientist
406-408 Middle Street
First Presbyterian Church
N side of New Street be-
tween Middle and Hancock
Streets
Gull Harbor
514 East Front Street
Harvey Mansion
219 Tryon Palace Drive
Hawks House
306 Hancock Street
William Hollister House
613 Broad Street
Thomas Jerkins House
305 Johnson Street
Jones -Jarvis House
528 East Front.Street
Benjamin Smith House
210 Hancock Street
Smith -Whitford House
506 Craven Street
Edward R. Stanly Hose
502 Pollock Street
*John Wright Stanley House
307 George Street
New Bern Academy Buildings
311-313 New Street and 517
Hancock Street
New Bern Municipal Building
Pollock Street at Craven
Street
Rhem-Waldrop House
701 Broad Street
St. Paul's Roman Catholic
Church
510 Middle Street
Simpson-Oaksmith-Patterson
House
226 East Front Street
Slover-Bradham House
201 Johnson Street
Eli Smallwood House
524 East Front Street
*Stevenson HOuse
609-611 Pollock Street
Isaac Taylor House
228 Craven Street
Tisdale -Jones House
520 New Street
*Tryon Palace Reconstruction
on South side of Pollock
Street at intersection with
George Street
York -Gordon House
213 Hancock Street
New Bern Historic District
*Owned or managed by the State of North Carolina
Because of the vast number of structures entered in the
National Register of Historic Places, central New Bern has
been designated in the Register as a historical district.
9.3

The Historic District is generally the area of New Bern from
Fleet Street eastward to Neuse River and Queen -Street, south-
ward to Trent River. The area is specifically described as:
Beginning at Union Point, at the confluence of the
Neuse and Trent Rivers; going north then northwest along
the west shore of the Neuse River to and including Queen
Street; going southwest along Queen Street, taking in
land and buildings on the northwest side of the street,
to and including Metcalf Street; going south along Met-
calf Street taking in land and buildings on the west
side of the street, to and including Broad Street; going
west along Broad Street taking in land and buildings on
the north side of the street, to and including Fleet
Street; going south along Fleet Street taking in land
and buildings on the west side of the street to and in-
cluding Pollock Street; going east along Pollock Street,
taking in land and buildings on the south side of the
street to and including Eden Street; south along Eden
Street, taking in land and buildings on the west side
of the street, to the north shore of the Trent River;
east along the Trent River, following the various ir-
regularities of the wharves and docks along the shore-
line, to the point of the beginning.
Map 4 shows the Historic District boundaries.
Appropriate land uses shall be those which will not
result in substantial irreversible damage to the historic
value of the historic area.
Within New.Bern's planning area there are no outer
banks and dunes, ocean beaches and shorelines, complex
natural areas, areas substaining remnant species, areas con-
taining unique geologic formations or registered national
landmarks.

-p --��=r 1/� : ♦ ca � \ sty/ i
, it/' 1!0?: t+wrio — +tea r � fir`— !St0• II`�:r •1\`rrL ✓ ✓,r• `\` ; ! � �
w�: ♦ ,,,.. • r • . /. � oa. y '` I mow. •` .
r �,,.. •� o d i I � ; 1 � a� • i � •.r. „ • j � f` J s � • •; •. f � � ` 't
% ,i r .. sa �•, a.•• /F ✓ ,,• •fib •, • ia• • <` ., ,
• �, : - , �;, , 7 . � • % "L,,, is .a • '"r• �c• .a.. ••,..•.
N� • ` , 't�:aa'�"� ��i '1'Y„ � ; t ~. .a ; o c"fin �..•. ..r��na' , ` �* !�n „' �. •.
i
�� `\`\ •al•' f r i �S � .ser ea• � 70 �v .t. F 0
-Mau Lin 112L
J.
jo
' r;r�� 1�-' �\. y __ .�j -• � --�� � I; it
pA,L ROADTo
li� 129�• 1 •' ,�.�
t
�1 �o•
7.,:L'7T Note: Historical Area from National ,uHISTORICI' Registry of Historip Places. DISTRICT o '
� MAP 5 w

AREAS WITH RESOURCE POTENTIAL
Productive agricultural lands
Agriculture production is not a major land use within
New Bern planning area. No more than 80 acres are used
for this purpose.
Potentially Valuable Mineral Sites
The City does have a valuable mineral site. Limestone
strip mining has been occurring since the middle 1950's.
Work at the quarry began during the late 1950's by Superior
Stone Company. That company recently sold the quarry to
the Martin -Marietta Company. Today, the quarry covers al-
most 200 acres and is a center for limestone for a three
county area. Because the quarry is located in a relatively
undeveloped area, there has been little conflict with ad-
jacent property owners. The quarry is not a land use plann-
ing issue.
Public -Owned Lands and Other Non -Intensive Outdoor Recrea-
tion Lands
Public owned lands within New Bern are the recreational
areas previously described and local cemeteries.
Private 1v -Ouiied Wildlife 5anc :uari_es
The entire City is a wildlife sanctuary; however, to
date there has not been any land specifically designated
for that purpose.
5,(1

CAPACITY OF COMMUNITY FACILITIES
Public water and sewer service is available throughout
the entire City of New Bern. Service is also currently
available for portions of the extraterritorial planning area.
The service area is shown on Map 5. As development occurs
in other parts of the planning area, water and sewer service
will be available in these areas also. The expense of pro-
viding Service to new subdivisions will be the responsibility
of the development company. A combination of state and
federal funds, local taxes and assessments will likely be
used to offset expenses for service to existing neighborhoods
in the extraterritorial jurisdictional area.
The current design capacity of the wells is six million
gallons per day. 'The average daily flow is 3.7 million gal -
ions. Current storage capacity is 2.3 million gallons. One
million is in elevated storage tanks. An additional four
million gallons of ground water ,i-orage is being planned.
The system currently serves over 7,000 commercial, industrial
and residential customers. The customers_ total approximately
16,000 people; 14,000 inside the city, and 2,000 outside the
city. Based on current industrial, commercial and residen-
tial usage, the wells have a reservi capacitv for an addi-
tional 10,000 people.
�17

The city`s sewage treatment facility is located on the
Neuse River approximately one mile west of the city limits.
It has a design capacity of four million gallons per day.
The daily average flow ranges from 2.3 to 2.5 million gal-
lons. Although some minor improvements will be -necessary
in the near future, the plant has a reserve capacity for an
additional 7,000 people. The plant provides secondary treat-
ment and has a valid discharge permit until 1979.
An Environmental Protection Agency 201 Sewer Facility
Plan has been prepared for the New Bern growth area. The
plan indicates that New Bern plant is in excellent condi-
tion and does not need to be expanded to.serve expected
New Bern growth. Expansion will be 'necessary; however, if
other governmental units connect'to the New Bern plant.
The EPA 201 Plan lists eight -.alternatives for providing
sewer service to the New Bern growth area. They are as fol-
lows:
1. Expansion of the New Bern Sewage Treatment Plant
to serve adjacent areas. Cost = $20,320,000+.
New Bern.,local Cost = $250,000+.
2. Construction of a new plant in Bridgeton, Trent
Woods and James City. Cost = $20,230,000+.
New Bern local Cost = $250,000+._
3. Expansion of New Bern Plant to serve Trent Woods
and James City. New plant in Bridgeton. Cost =
$20,300,900+. New Bern local Cost = $250,000+.
4. Expansion of the.New Bern Plant to serve Trent
Woods and Bridgeton. New plant in -James City.
Cost = $20,210,000+. New Bern local Cost =
$250,000+.
711i

5. Expansion of New Bern Plant to serve Bridgeton.
New plant to serve Trent Woods and James City.
Cost = $20,300,000+. New Bern local Cost =
$250,000+. —.
6. Identical to alternative 5, except that new plant
to serve Trent Woods and James City be located in
James City. Cost = $20,350,000+. New Bern local
Cost = $250,000+. _
7. Construction of new plant in Bridgeton and Trent
Woods - James City. Cost = $20,400,000+. New
Bern local Cost = $250,000+.
8. Expansion of New Bern Plant to serve Trent Woods.
New plant to be constructed in Bridgeton and James
City. Cost = $20,180,000+. New Bern local Cost =
$250,000+.
A decision has not yet been made as to the best alterna-
tives.
There are nine schools within the New Bern public
school system.. Because the number of students vary at each
school on an annual basis, classroom trailers are moved from
school to school depending on current needs. Current en-
rollment is as follows:
Table 19 NEW BERN CITY SCHOOLS
1975-1976 Enrollment
Bangert
472
Oaks Road
389
Central
312
MacDonald
1,154
New Bern High
1,469
Trent Park
334
Marshall
201
Danyus
309
Barber
634
Classroom trailers are used at the following schools:

Table 20 NEW BERN CITY SCHOOLS
Number of Classroom Trailers in Use
1975-1976
Bangert 3
Marshall 1
Trent Park 3
New Bern High 6
Oaks Road 8 (to be discontinued at end of current
school year)
MacDonald 2
Many of those classroom trailers will be replaced with
permanent structures in the near future. The city's con-
struction program include the following major improvements.
Table 21 NEW BERN CITY SCHOOLS
Construction Program
PROJECT
12 Classroom Addition to Oaks Road school to
include toilet facilities and expansion of
Media Center
Addition to site at Trent Park School
Addition to site at Bangert School
6—Classroom Addition to Trent Park School
6 Classroom Addition to Bangert School
CONSTRUCTION DATE
1975-76
1975-76
1975-76
1976-77
1976-77
Vocational and Physical Education Building
at MacDonald Junior High School 1977-78
The data received from local school officials indicates
that all schools except Danyus and Barber are operating at
above capacity..
Based on 1974 average annual 24 hour traffic flow data
from the N.C. Department of Transportation, only two of the
city's thoroughfares are carrying traffic above their design
capacity. These two are Neuse Boulevard and Oaks Road.
161

r
ESTIMATED DEMAND

Neuse Boulevard is over its design capacity by 8,200 vehicles
per day. Oaks Road is only 2,100 over its design capacity.
The capacity and vehicles load of each of the city's thorough-
fares is shown below.
Table 22
THOROUGHFARE
East Front Street
Tryon Palace Drive -
Pembroke Road
Trent Boulevard
U.S. 17 South -
Simmons -Street
Broad Street- Neuse
Boulevard (U.S. 70)-
First Street
Oaks Road -National
Avenue-Glenburnie
Road
U.S. 17 North
DESIGN CAPACITY 1974 VEHICLES LOAD*
36,000 16,390
5,000
7,500
22,300
16,300
3,370
18,200
* Average annual 24 hour traffic flow.
1,900
4,000
• �
24,500
5,500
9,500
A new U.S. 70 is being constructed from Dover to James
City. When this new road is opened for traffic, it is ex-
pected to reduce traffic considerably on Neuse Boulevard.
At that time the daily vehicle load on Neuse Boulevard is
expected to.be well within the street's design capacity.
vY

FUTURE POPULATION
The North Carolina Department of Administration pre-
pared the population projections for the City of New Bern.
These projectionswere based on erroneous census data and
shows a population decline .for the city. The projection
does not agree with data compiled by the U.S. Department
of Commerce and local building permit records. For this
reason, the following N. C. Department of Administration
projection is not considered to be correct.
Table 23 Population Projoction 1975-2000
Year Population
1975 13,935
1980 13,175
1990 11,637
2000 9,930
After the projection was made, the Department of Administra
tion published the.Population Note #2, October, 1975. Within
this Note the 1974 population for the City of New Bern was
estimated to be 16,710 persons. Local recordd indicate that
this figure appears to be reasonable.
According to building permit records the average number
of new dwelling units constructed in the city in the past
fifteen years are 45.26 units per year. During the past five
years demolitions have averaged 22.80 .dwelling units per year.

Based on these records, the average net gain in dwelling units,
per future five year periods are estimated to be 114 units
or 22.80 units per year. As a beginning point for a popula-
tion projection, the New Bern Public Works Department counted
4,967 dwelling units in May, 1975. The following projection
is based on the above statistics.
Table 24 Population Projection
Based on 1961 thru 1975 C mstruction Trend
Average Net Gain - 22.46 Housing Units Per Year
Occupied Units Population
1975 4,967* 16,710**
1980 5,081 17,072
1985 5,193 17,448
2000, 5,530 18,581
2025 6,092 20,469
* House count by Public Works, May, 1975.
** Estimate by N.C. Dept. of Administration,.1974.
A comparison was made between the above projection and
the OBER's projection made by the N.C. Department -of Natural
and Economic Resources for Craven County. A percentage was
obtained from the 1974 city population and the 1974 county
projection. The 1974 percentage, plus five percent to allow
for future possible industrial growth, was then multiplied
by each entry in the county projection. This projection is
shown below.

Table 25 Population Projection
Based on Craven County OBERS Projection
• Craven County Projection by DNER
Craven County New Bern
1974 65,000* 16,710*
1980 71,200 21,858
1985 74,750 22,948
2000 81,000 24,867
2025 N/A 28,064
*Estimate by N.C. Department of Administration, 1974
By combining the projection based on local building
permit records and Craven County OBER's. projections a pro-
jection range can be determined for New Bern.
Table 26 Population Projection
Based on 1961 thru 1975 Construction Trends
and Craven County OBER's Projections
Range
1980 17,072 - 21,858
1985 17,448 - 22,948
2000 18,581--24,867
2025 20,469 - 28,064
This population projection is consistent with the views
expressed by the citizens in the public participation pro-
gram, and is to be considered as the desired future popula-
tion.
Development which is occurring within the city's plan-

ing area is based on city services. The water system has
a reserve capacity for approximately 10.,000 people. The
sewer plant can serve an additional 10,000 persons. Soil
conditions within the undeveloped areas of New Bern's plann-
ing area will not prevent construction. (See the soils sec-
tion of this report). There are no seasonal population in-
creases.
FUTURE ECONOMY
As shown in Chapter One, the economy of New Bern is
growing. New Bern, as other cities,.is experiencing a re-
bound from the national slump of 1974.. Craven County has
employed an industrial developer whose purpose is to re-
cruit industry to the area. With'a reserve capacity of
forty percent in the city's sewage treatment plant and ad-
ditional acreage with water and sewer service available,
the probability of new industry locating within New Bern's
economic area appears good. The economy of New Bern is ex-
pected to continue its current growth rate into the fore-
seeable future.
FUTURE INDUSTRIAL SPACE REQUIREMENTS
Only three percent, ninety acres, of the total land
area of the city is devoted to Industrial activity. With-
in the extraterritorial area, an additional 255 acres are
devoted to this purpose. Industrial development in the
New Bern economic area is less than most other cities of
162

relative size. The State average for emp!Grmert in indus-
try is over thirty percent of the total work force. Within
the New Bern economic area, the employment in industry is
less than fifteen percent of the total employment.
Industrial employment in the planning area is increas-
ing at a greater rate than was predicted in the 1962 report*
That report predicted that 2,028 persons would be employed
in industry by 1980. In January, 1975, industrial employment
was listed at.2,409, 381 employees more than the 1980 pre-
diction. The average increase for 1962 to 1975 has been
21.17 industrial employees per year. Most of this increase
was the result of locations in the area of industries which
depend heavily on the national economy. The -industries lo-
cated in the New Bern economic ared at a time when the
national market allowed a major industrial expansion. Cur-
rently, very little industrial expansion is taking place.
Industrial expansi rn has slowed. This phenomenon makes it
very difficult to project the future land need for indus-
trial growth.
Even though industrial expansion has currently slowed,
it is not likely to become static. Table 27 shows the
future space need for industrial expansion based on a growth
rate of one-half of that during the past eighteen years.
*Land Development Plan, 1962, prepared by the -Division of
Co�mmunity.Service, N.C. Department of Natural and Economic
Resources.
i
16F

in 1962, the number of industrial employees per acre
was 18.8. Currently, there are 7.0 employees for each acre
of industrial land.
Table 27 FUTURE INDUSTRIAL LAND USE
NEW BERN ECONOMIC AREA
Year
Acres
1975
345
1980
353
1985
359
1990
366
1995
373
2000
380
2005
387
2010
394
2015
401
2020
408
2025
415
This shows an increase of only seventy acres for the next
fifty years. One industry locating -in New Bern could
easily use all of the seventy acres predicted to be neces-
sary during the next half -century. This fact indicates
the inherent problems of making specific projections for a
smai.1. area using short-term data.
FUTURE COMMERCIAL SPACE REQUIREMENTS
In the 1962 Plan by the Department of Natural and
Economic Resources, it was pointed out that New Bern had
z high percentage of its land allocated for commercial
use. The 1962 average of Kinston, Wilson and Elizabeth
City of commercial land to total population otherwise have
been located within the city. Local builders have found
good market in that area. The same market forces which are:
operating is the Trent Woods.area exist in the west New
�C�

Bern area also. In recent years, very little undeveloped
land has been released for residential development. Recent -
State regulations regarding septic tanks will make construc-
tion in west New Bern more attractive to local builders.
If present construction trends continue in the New Bern
planning area, there is currently enough land allocated for
residential use for the foreseeable future. The city's
residential area is continuing to grow to the west.
T-ab-1-e 28 FUTURE RESIDENTIAL. ACREAGE NEEDS
Year Population Projection
1980 M` 17,022-21,857
1985
17,448-22,948
2000
18,581-24,867
2025
20,469-28,064
Residential Acres*
2,127-2,732
2,181-2,868
2,322-3,108
2,558-3,508
-'-The above space requirement is based on the current developed
density of eight persons per acre.
COMMUNITY FACILITIES DEMAND
The city has a sufficient reserve capacity within the
water and sewer system to accommodate expected growth during
the next twenty-five years. Within the public participation
program a desire for additional developed recreation facili-
ties was expressed Two new recreational centers are under
construction and a major park is planned at Lawson Creek.
i Interest is also growing the construction of municipal swim-
ming pools. The planned facilities are expected to provide
the additional developed recreational facility needed in
New Bern. The cost for swimming pools and improvements at
Lawson Creek has not yet been determined.
(i. 0

Because New Bern already has a reserve in its water and
sewage treatment capacity, the public cost to accommodate
growth during the next ten years will not be large. The
city has a.sufficient'tax base to accommodate the additional
cost.
( (I

THE LAND USE -PLAN
The Land Use Plan is made up of several important
elements. The elements are.(1) the development objectives
of the City of New Bern, (2) the planning guidelines of
the Coastal Resources Commission, (3) the thoroughfare
plan of the City of New Bern and (4) spatial distributions
of various existing land uses of the city.
The Coastal Area Management Act requires that lands
within the jurisdiction of a local government be classi-
fied as Developed, Transition, Community, Rural or Con-
servation. Within New Bern's planning area, only three of
these classes are present; Developed, Transition and Con-
servation. The definitions of eacli of these three are as
follows:
Conservation --Fragile, hazardous and other lands
necessary to maintain a healthy natural environ-
ment and that are necessary to provide for the
public health, safety, or welfare. The Conservation
class identifies land which should be maintained
essentially in its natural state and where very
limited or no public services are provided. Lands
to be placed,in the Conservation class are the least .
desirable for development because:
1. They are too fragile to withstand develop-
ment without losing their natural value;
and/or
2. They have severe or hazardous limitations
to development; and/or

3. Though they are not highly fragile or
hazardous, the natural resources they
present are too valuable to endanger
by development.
Such lands include:
1. Fragile areas
a. Wetlands
b. Steep slopes and prominent high points
c. Frontal dunes
d. Beaches
e. Surface waters including
-Lakes and ponds
-Rivers and streams
-Tidal waters below mean high water
f. Prime wildlife habitat
g. Unique natural areas and historic and
archaeological sites
2. Hazardous areas
a. Floodways
b. Ocean erosive areas
c Inlet lands
d. Estuarine erosive areas
3. Others
a. Publicly owned forest, park, fish and
game lands and other non -intensive -outdoor
recreation lands
b. Privately owned sanctuaries, etc., which
are dedicated to preservation
c. Publicly owned water supply watershed areas
d. Undeveloped key parts of existing water -
supply watersheds
e. Potential water impoundment sites
I I L{'

Transition --Lands where local government plans to .
accommodate moderate to. high density development
during the following ten year period.and where
necessary.public...services'will be provided .to.
accommodate that -.growth. _-The Transition.class
identifies lands where moderate to .high density
.growth is to be. encouraged and where --any such
growth that.is permitted by local regulation will.
be provided faith the necessary public services.
The.area to be designated as Transition must be no
greater.than.that required to accommodate the esti-
mated county population growth at a minimum gross
density 'of 2,000 people per square mile. For -
ex -ample, if the::populatiori increase for the -following
ten year period -is projected to be- .10*, 000 people, and
it is planned that 8,000-'of them-will'be.accommodated
in the Transition area,::then .no more than four square
miles of .Transition area.should be shown. In.addition,
the minimum.serviees which will -be -required are the
necessary. -:water -and sewer facilities;. educational ser-
vices, and roads. consideration post be.:given.to the
cost.of public services in the Transitiort­.area. Local
government is -encouraged to estimate the_.approximate�
! es

cost of providing public services where.they.do not
already exist.
-Land to be classified Transition should be con
sidered in the following order:
1. First priority is for lands, which presently.
have a gross population density, of-more.than
2,000 people pper square mile; but'do not _qualify
as Developed.because they.lack the necessary
minimum public services. These areas may
not be expected to accommodate additional popu-
lation, but they will :require ' funds • for .ser-. ,
vices.,to avoid public.bealth and safety problems.
2. Second.priority is for lands that have. all the
necessary public services in place. -but which
'lack the minimum gross population density of
2,000 people per square mile needed -to qualify
the area�as Developed. These areas therefore
have*not utilized the capacity.of.the existing
services.
3. Additional lands.necessary to accommodate the
remainder -of the.estimaied Transition growth
for the ten year planning period.
In choosing lands. for the Transition.class,.such,
lands should: not include:
1. 'Areas with severe physical limitations for de
development with public services
2. Lands which meet the definition.of the Conser-
vation class.
3. Lands of special value such as the following.
unless no other reasonable alternative exists:
a. Productive and`unique agricultural lands;
b. Productive forest lands;
c. Potentially valuable mineral deposits
d. Potential aquifers and key parts of water
supply watersheds;
! tL

e. Scenic and tourist resources;
f. Habitat foreconomically valuable wildlife
species;
g. Flood fringe lands;
h. Open coast. flood hazard areas, exdusive
of ocean erosive areas;
i. Estuarine flood hazard .areas, exclusive
of estuarine erosive areas.
Developed --The Developed class identifies developed
lands which are presently provided with essential
public services. Consequently, it is distinguished
from areas where significant growth and/or new ser-
fice requirements will occur. Continued development
and redevelopment should be encouraged to provide for
the orderly growth in the area. -
Developed lands are areas with a minimum gross pop-
ulation density of 2,000 people per square mile. At
a minimum, these lands contain existing public ser-
vices including water and sewer systems, educational
systems, and road systems -- all of which are able to
support the present population and its accompanying
land uses included commercial, industrial, and insti-
tutional.
The extraterritorial planning area has lands in each
of these three classes. Developed areas include property
on both sides of U.S. 70 west from the city.limits to the
extraterritorial limit boundary. Another development area
is the land along Racetrack Road from Craven Community
10

000
�' tJ
TRANSITION • '-�' . �._ -+- -
t t
O'
w
rIONSERVATION .• `
A.
K 'TRANSITION � >> i � •
DEVELOPED
I
TRANSITION • - - -' - - i.I `
•
DEVELOPED • • �„
ii•• O :
_ i•
TRANSITION �+ '•S f - ••,.• :!/
• .•f.. moo,r
z000 5000 o z000 4000 ••••" dj���? ��
INI FGGI' �j O� ' GOB _ �`•
� n
•. r ' i
G�
LAND CLASSIFICATION
CITY OF NEW BERN, N.C.
OCTOBER, 1975 MOORE end ASSCCIATES
- - NLW Es IIm,AIozTwcAmo INA
w

College to H.J.. McDonald Junior High. Conservation areas
are the.wet.lands along the Trent.River southeast of Pembroke
Road (S.R: 1200).and'the lands along the"Neuse River west of
the -Woodrow Community.
In addition to the Land Classification, there are three
other.key parts in New Bern'.s Land'Use.Plan. These are the
Land Use Objectives, Policies.and'S.tandards, the selected
desired fully developed population. and the Thoroughfare Plan.
Each of these elements have been discussed in.previous parts -
of this Plaa.
71;

SUMMARY

The Coastal Area Management Act's land use planning pro-
gram has not created new planning data. All of the data used
in this plan was obtained from existing sources. These
sources include the following:
Coastal Resources Commission
Planning Guide -lines
Regulations dated January 22, 1976
City of New.Bern
Public Participation program
Building permit records
Planning:Board'.and Board of Aldermen minutes
Land Development Policy
Local Codes and Ordinances
EPA 201 plan
Craven County
Planning Department
Neuse River Council of Governments
State of North Carolina
DNER-Division of Community Assistance
Department of Administration
• U.S. Government
U.S.D.A. Soil Conservation Service
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Federal Insurance Administration
Bureau of Census
The manner in which the data was assembled was ao re.-
quired ir. the "General Applicable Standards of Review for
Land Ube Plans and Synopses."
Before a Land Tise Plan c::rk bn prepared, a determination
of existing conditions 101,15t be iracaF. This was the First step
in preparing the New Bern 1. anning s c:andards from the
Coastal. Resources Copp-nissioa were reviewed to derermine the
purpose of the proposed Land Use Plan. The next step was
to organize a public participation program in order to deter-
ifdrie citizens' views concerning .future development within
c

New Bern. While the public participation program. was being
organized by. city 'Officials, technical p-lanning...data.was
colledted.regarding*existing ".devel-opme-nt.- -"Flood hazard
areas, 'wetlands erosion. areas soil - conditi'on"'s .were
mapped. 'Tt e .distribution of' 'the'se areas indicated -which
s n
areas are developable. ana-whic'h: are not'. Local development
code*.s. -and ordinances were also - evaluated-: The -ntimbe'r-'of
vacan t, recorded lots-- w'as'determined-.' 'The :major conclusions
of 'the .New Bern Phan are Ghat -the _:citizens ;desire
..gteater.
job opportunity and additional developed:recreational-fa*
cilities-..:"The citizens also*, 'believedth'at.'New'Berri should
be dl-lowed'to* .gr9 . w as hec*es 9 ary, t . o.- ac.b)nimodate .the _.people
desire to live here .7h ' who e city hcis1 already. I ready. made- the
.,necessary- inve8'tments:for future growth by,.building .,'in re.
serve, capacity within bo.th its water system and sewage treat=
• merit facility.
Th.a planning data cc-IlecLe6. If or iis iit; in-. this plan was.
preso-nted to the" public in- the public pa'rtic-lpation. program
to. the Planning_ Board a'r, *its 'regular meeting., and to the
Board. of Aldermen at irs't-egular meetings_ im, which- the
Land Use Plan was di.scus:ied. Through -a discussion ,of the
planiiing-data, city. officials -were given an insight nsig:yht As, to
tAle effect that- the. AaLa has cin. 'Land Use decisions --arid the
Lr).Ad Use Plan's dE!v'eI..-)I-,i-,ient..
71,

CITt- COUNTY PLAN RELATIONSHIP

wew Bern Lan; Use Plan is part c-1 the Craven County
Land Use Plan. Constant communication has been maintained
t
with the Craven County -Planning Department, the City of
New Bern and the Neuse River Council of Governments in
`order to ensure conformity of the New Bern Plan with the
County Plan. A coordination meeting was also held between
all local governments involved in CAMA Planning within the
County .
All of the land.area.adjacent to New Bern's planning
jurisdiction -is classified as Transition or Rural and is
consistent with the.classification of..lands wifhin'New
B%arn's planning area.