Land Development Plan-1980

LAND DEVELOPMENT PLAN
Washington, North Carolina
1980
PROPERTY OF
DIVISION OF COASTAL MANAGEMENT
PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE

WASHINGTON CITY COUNCIL,
Richard W. Tripp, Mayor
Robert S. Hackney, Mayor Pro Tem
A. N. Sawyer
Carlotta Mordecai
Joyce Cuttler
D. R'. Jones
v
WASHINGTON PLANNING BOARD
J. Whit Blackstone, Chairman
Rusty Walker, Vice Chairman
George C. Bailey
Tony Christiano
Chester Bright
Ralph Baker
Richard Westbrook
Richard Walker
Sam Grimes
Jack H. Webb, City Manager
Marvin W. Davis, Director of Community Development
The preperation of this report was financed in part through a grant from
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminstration, United States Department
of Commerce.
Consultant assistance provided by
Robert M. Leary and Associates, Ltd,
Raleigh, North Carolina;
Diane G. Lea, Principal Associate in Charge
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
I. HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
II. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
III. GOAL AND POLICIES DISCUSSION
IV. LAND CLASSIFICATION
V. INTERGOVERNMENTAL COOPERATION
VI. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION
VII. RECOMMENDATIONS
Page
1
2
15
16
60
73
90
91
93

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Introduction
The Coastal Area Management Act of 1974 establishes a program
of coastal management between local governments and the state.
The 1980 Land Development Plan for the City of Washington, prepared
under the guidelines of the Coastal Resources Commission, in
accordance with the mandate of the 1974 Act, is a tool to provide
local, regional, state and federal authorities with the information
necessary to make decisions regarding land use planning in Washington
and its environs. In conjunction with the plans of the neighboring
coastal counties in North Carolina, the Land Development Plan forms
the basis for "a comprehensive plan for the protection, preservation,
orderly development and management of the coastal area of North
Carolina," which is the purpose of the 1974 Act.
The Washington plan, a revision of. the 1976 Land Development
Plan, contains .four major elements: (a) a summary of data collection
and analysis, (b) an existing land use map, (c) policy discussion,
and (d) a land classification map. Information contained in the
1976 plan which is still accurate and relevant is not included in
the 1980 report. However, page references are given where necessary.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Washington is an active community in which planning
is not divorced from implementation. The progress made by Washington
since the CAMA Plan was written in 1976 is clearly indicated in the
1980 CAMA update process which produced: (a) new statistical informa-
tion on the character of the Washington Planning Area population and
the efforts underway to meet that population's needs; (b) a revised
goals and policy statement and implementation strategies to effect
the goals (many of which build upon similar objectives identified
during the 1976 CAMA Plan); (c) a revised zoning ordinance developed
in concert with the Executive Committee of the Planning Board and a
special citizen group known as the Committee of 75; (d) revised Land
Classification and Land Use maps; and (e) an expanded and revised
Local Development Plan. These materials also provide a look at the
direction in which Washington is moving in the present ten-year
planning period and the continuum with the 1976 Plan that is repre-
sented by this movement.
Because the 1980 CAMA Plan is part of a body of knowledge used
daily by citizens and officials involved in determining the future
of the Washington Planning Area, it forms part of a looseleaf-style
Local Development Plan. Including the CAMA Plan with the other
documents of the Local Development Plan guarantees that it will be
considered in concert with the other policy -guiding data in all
administrative decisions.
The contents of this Executive Summary are divided into four
sections: Section I provides an historical overview of the programs
underway since the 1976 CAMA Plan was written; Section II surveys
the recently initiated programs and their relationship to the 1976
and 1980 CAMA Plans; Section III contains the goals and policies
(referred to in Washington as objectives) designed during the 1980
CAMA update in concert with the 1976 goal statements and discusses
the implementation strategies to be used to effect them; Section IV
is a brief discussion of the new land classification system developed
during the 1980 CAMA update; and Section VI presents a brief list of
the most important future programs under consideration by the citizens
and officials of the Washington Planning Area.
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I. Programs Underway Since 1976
J.,
As a result of the effort of both private and public groups
in Washington to devise community -wide goals and appropriate
implementation strategies for them (consistent with the wording
of the 1976 Plan, these implementation strategies are called
objectives in Washington), many of the goals cited in the 1976
CAMA Plan have either been achieved or are well on their way to
being accomplished. (See pages 68-71 for original goals and
objectives, 1976 Plan.) Among those projects which have
been implemented by Washington to date, in roughly chronological
order, are the following, all of which directly address land use
issues cited in the 1976 Plan and are still relevant today._
1. The completion of Stewart Parkway, an early Urban Renewal
project designed to improve the Washington waterfront and aid the
flow of traffic in the downtown area.
2. The continuation of several slum clearance and rehabilita-
tion programs begun under the aegis of Urban Renewal and continued with three major Community Development grants.
3. The efforts by the City to improve and expand its sewage y
treatment plant have been underway since 1976, and final approval
for a comprehensive 201 Plan was received in April, 1980.
4. The creation of both a National Register District and a
local historic zoning district which corresponds to the National
District in 1977-78. The recognition by the city and the public
of the historical and architectural value of Washington's buildings,
both in the downtown area and in the adjacent residential neighbor-
hoods, as a result of this designation, was a major catalyst for
moves to upgrade these areas. Chief among these moves are establish-
ment of a local Historic District Commission and the retention of a
consulting team to develop a Downtown Plan.
5. The development of the Downtown Plan, a three-phase study
to guide the revitalization of downtown Washington and support its
traditional, commercial and social importance. The first phase of
the Plan is complete and funds have been obtained to assure the
subsequent phases.
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6. The cooperation between the public and private sector in
the renovation and adaptive reuse of four major downtown structures,
the Railroad Depot, the E. Peterson Building, the Sloan Insurance
Building, and Havens Warehouse. The restoration of these structures
represents a dramatic improvement in the appearance and the commercial
attractiveness of downtown Washington. However, each building makes
a unique individual contribution to long-range plans formulated by
the community in the past five years and continued into the present
planning period.
Of particular note is Havens Warehouse, which offers a prime
opportunity to improve river access for tourism and residents' use.
A commercial mixed use adaptation of an old building, Havens Warehouse,
promises to provide display space for artifacts from the historic
Civil War ship "Pickett" (the remains of which reputedly lie off
Washington in the Pamlico River), a marina complex attractive to
river traffic, a restaurant and office space. The warehouse complex
is being developed by a private Washington -based corporation which
obtained the building from the Historic Preservation Fund of North
Carolina who, in turn, had received the building as a gift from long-
time resident John Havens Moss. The tax incentives available under
the 1976 Tax Reform Act are being used to reconstruct and add to the
original warehouse. The warehouse represents a particularly successful
blend of public and private support to achieve new community -wide goals
for marina access to Washington, the strengthening of the downtown area,
and the enhancement of Washington as a potential growth center..
7. The use by the City of older historic buildings, particularly
the Old Federal Building which is being renovated for City offices, to
provide an example for other users of land and to distribute the
government's financial resources to support community goals of strength-
ening the downtown area and preserving the historic and architectural
heritage of Washington.
8. The completion of the 1979 Thoroughfare Plan by the City of
Washington in conjunction with the State Department of Transportation.
9. The.purchase of new equipment by both the Police and Fire
Departments to meet the concerns stated in the 1976 CAMA"Plan and to
meet problems of new kinds generated since the original CAMA Plan was
developed.
10. Considerable progress has been made in developing adequate
housing for the low and moderate income groups in Washington in the
past 4 years. (Included in this category are the elderly who comprise
20% of the Washington households and generally have incomes of less
than $6,000.) This is due in large part to the availability of Urban
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Renewal projects and Community Development funds. As of January,
1980, Washington had 432 publicly financed low income housing units,
40 units for the elderly under bid solicitation and plans for 50 more �.
publicly assisted low income units in the near future. In addition,
that part of the available building stock which is beyond rehabilita-
tion is being systematically demolished when it becomes vacant. To 4
date, 25 building lots have been made available from concentrated
areas with 30 more expected in 1980.
11. Information from the Washington Chamber of Commerce
(Feb. 1980) shows 23 major employers in Beaufort County. The
Washington Chamber of Commerce estimates that the annual payrolls
of the firms are in the $40-45 million range. All of these firms
are located in or near the Washington Planning Area with one
exception. Between 1976 - 1980, three major new industries located
in the Washington Planning Area: Gregory Poole, a heavy equipment
retail firm; Lowe's, a large retail outlet for lumber and residen-
tial construction materials; and Stanadyne, Inc., which manufactures,
automobile components.
II. Recently Initiated Programs
As mentioned in Section I, a mechanism for incorporating citizen
input into the planning process has been in place in Washington for
some time. This system of special focus groups has been supplemented
in the 1980 CAMA update process with the addition of the Committee of
75, the Management Review Team and the Executive Committee of the
Planning Board, which have served to advise the consultants through-
out the project. In formulating the new goals and objectives for 1980
and the upcoming ten-year planning period, the wealth of recent citizen
participation material developed in conjunction with the Downtown Plan,
the Community Development program, various neighborhood associations,
the Historic District Commission, the Downtown Association, the Chamber
of Commerce, and the twelve specialized councils that function under
its aegis, was reviewed. Much new information affecting major land
use decisions within the City of Washington was taken into account in
formulating the 1980 goals and objectives statement. Section II
describes the implementation strategies for the 1980 goals and objec-
tives which are already being effected.
1. The involvement of diverse groups of citizens representing a
cross-section of interests and backgrounds in the Committee of 75 to
review each step of the CAMA update process in cooperation with the
Executive Committee of the Planning Board, the Planning Board, the
Board of Adjustment, Historic District Commission, and the senior
administrative staff of the City known as the Management Review Team.
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2. The recent revision of the City's extraterritorial juris-
diction policy to conform to State and Charter provisions governing
the extension of zoning and other powers into the unincorporated
M
territory. The implications of this decision are far reaching and
are described in Section V of this summary.
.s Some ramifications of this policy decision include (a) the
negotiations of a boundary agreement between Washington and Washington
Park regarding the location of their respective extraterritorial
jurisdictions; (b) the reduction of the number of areas proposed for
annexation by the City; (c) the limitation of the scope of the area
to be serviced by the proposed 201 Plan.
3. The undertaking of a project to revise the City Zoning
Ordinance and Local Development Plan to reflect the reality of
Washington's situation, both physically and philosophically.
At present, the new ordinance is complete. It has been reviewed
by the various groups responsible for advising during the update
process. Of special importance to the espoused goal of controlled
and planned growth for the City are the provisions made in the new
ordinance for development standards, planned unit development controls,
administrative flexibility, and more specific wording in the state-
ments of intent and definitions sections.
4. The expansion of the City's administrative base to meet the
increasing demand for community services. The Director of Community
., Development, a position formed since the 1976 CAMA Plan approval, has
been responsible for over $4,000,000 in Community Development and
related funds. The City is now hiring an Assistant Director of
Community Development.
5. The coordination with the county and other agencies of plans
for a county -wide rescue service. The Fire Department has received
the recommendations of a citizen task force on this issue which has
been under construction since the 1975 Plan.
III. Goals and Policies Statements - 1980
The following is a revision of Technical Memorandum No. 12,
prepared by the consultants responsible for the update of the 1980
CAMA Plan. For consistency with other Washington goals statements,
' the term "objectives" will be substituted for "policies". The major
goal statement will appear at the top of the page and the implementing
objectives will be listed beneath the goal in no particular priority.
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GOAL I - GROWTH
To insure orderly growth in the Washington Study Area.
This goal was c.Losen by the officials and public in the
1976 CAMA Plan and has been consistently endorsed by each
successive group associated with special topic task forces
as the 1980 CAMA Plan update.
Objectives (means to achieve the goal):
1. Engage in a continuing program of annexation of residential,
commercial and industrial lands qualified under state law.
2. Undertake a continuing program of scheduling capital improve-
ment investment.
3. Extend sewerage, water lines and other municipal services in
accord with.the 201 Facilities Plan and the Capital Improve-
ments Plan.
4. Work with the industrial recruiters of the N. C. Department
of Commerce and the Greater Washington Chamber of Commerce
to solicit expansion of economic activity, especially new
industry and tourism.
S. Solidify and expand the economic and residential activity
underway in the downtown area by implementing the Downtown
Plan.
6. Work to strengthen Washington as a commercial base for the
surrounding area.
7. Attempt to solidify the business district by reducing highway
strip development and outward expansion by means of better
zoning and more precise land use standards.
8. Adopt a Land Development Plan by which development proposals
may be reviewed for consistency therewith.
9. Conform to the State's Balanced Growth Policy as it evolves
in the next five years.
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GOAL II - ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
To protect and enhance the natural and manmade environment of the
Washington Study Area.
This concern though originating in the 1976 Plan has found
a more realistic implementation in the recent rewriting of the
development controls represented by the zoning ordinance.
Objectives (means to achieve the goal):
1. Develop and implement an effective program for the management
of surface water drainage based on the findings of a recently
completed engineering analysis and identified in the Capital
Improvements Program.
2. Administer the designated historic zoning district to preserve
the area's architectural and historical significance.
3. Revise the subdivision regulations and adopt and enforce erosion
and sedimentation controls to reduce drainage and erosion related
problems.
4. Encourage enforcement of the laws and regulations controlling the
location and operation of on -site sewerage disposal systems.
S. Enforce the regulations protecting the areas of environmental
concern.
6. Study the annexation of areas that.are adjacent to the Pamlico
River that lack sewerage systems to ensure that septic tank
infiltration does not downgrade further the quality of the river.
7. Undertake a program to enhance the visual quality of Washington
and its environs by adoption of design standards proposed in the
revised Zoning Ordinance and implementation of the published
Dnwntnwn Plan_
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GOAL III - HOUSING
Provide adequate and safe housing for present and future residents
of the Washington Study Area.
The process of upgrading present housing and building housing
for the low-income groups and the elderly in Washington is ongoing.
However, private efforts are now being added to the programs financed
by Community Develo-anent funds.
L
Objectives (means to achieve the goal):
1. Continue the program of demolishing all dilapidated housing units
and providing relocation assistance after assessing the historic
and architectural significance of these houses and rehabilitating
where possible those found to be important.
2. Continue to upgrade all substandard housing to meet minimum
housing codes or have them demolished.
3. Create a local rehabilitation loan program with private and/or
public funds, including rehabilitation loans to historic buildings,
which will promote the renovation of existing structures.
4. Continue and expand the code enforcement efforts in the extra-
territorial zoning area.
5. Continue to use federal funds for loans and grants for new or
upgraded low-income housing or housing for the elderly.
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6. Continue to provide more building lots within the city limits
by extension of water and sewer lines within the corporate limits
and by applying for Community Development Block Grants.
7. Continue to encourage, by seminars and public relation efforts,
private development, especially for the construction of moderate
income rental units.
8. Encourage the stabilization and enhancement of neighborhoods by
means of revised zoning ordinance, the continuation of the
Historic District Commission, and other assistance which is
appropriate.
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GOAL IV - RECREATION
~ Provide recreation facilities and programs for all present and
future residents of the Washington Study Area.
a
This goal is being met in part by local private development
such as Havens Warehouse; however, the proposed Capital Improvements
Program would insure consistent upgrading for city -sponsored
recreational activities.
Objectives (means to achieve the goal):
1. Plan for the acquisition of open space to serve the future
population needs of the area, especially those parts slated
to be high density residential areas, through a Capital
Improvements Program.
2. Designate in a capital improvements program items which would
provide additional facilities to meet the needs of the 30-45
age group.
3. Coordinate the activities of the city -owned railroad station
cultural center with the Recreation Department programs to
avoid duplication of programs and other expenditures.
Investigate ways to achieve the maximum use of the building.
• 4. Encourage citizen awareness of surrounding marshland and
other natural areas (most of which are in private ownership)
and to anticipate possible public uses of these areas as parks
and/or environmental resource centers by distribution of the
CAMA Plan.
5. Continue to upgrade the waterfront area of Washington to
accommodate tourist and recreational activities, specifically
boating, in concert with the preservation of the natural and
manmade environment.
6. Investigate the possibility of building a swimming pool for use
by all the citizens of the Washington Study Area.
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GOAL V - TRANSPORTATION
b.
Implement the adopted Thoroughfare Plan for the Washington Study
Area.
The support for the adopted Thoroughfare Plan is acknowledged
by citizens and officials both.
Objectives (means to achieve the goal):
1. Integrate the implementation of the adopted Thoroughfare
Plan into the newly -formed Capital Improvements Program.
2. Make provision in the Capital Improvements Program for the
orderly paving of unpaved streets, including curbing and
guttering.
3. Make provision for a continuing program to increase the
efficiency of the street system, i.e., improved signs,
synchronized signals and minor improvements to increase
capacity.
.
4. Implement the development plan for Warren Field as funds
become available.
5. Study the possibility of developing a public transportation
system by 1985. This should be undertaken in coordination
with the incipient Beaufort County Transportation Plan.
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GOAL VI - PUBLIC SAFETY
Continue to improve public safety equipment for the Washington
Study Area.
The acquisition of modern safety equipment has occurred
during the past five years, and a continuing program to replace
the equipment and respond to new needs is possible with a
Capital Improvements Program.
Objectives (means to achieve the goal):
1. Establish a Capital Improvements Program to ensure an
ongoing budget for upgrading equipment and buildings
for public safety, specifically the new fire equipment
that will be required to serve newly -annexed areas.
2. Initiate funding to provide facilities for a full-time
county rescue squad by Fiscal Year 1985-86.
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GOAL VII - PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Achieve. an effective program of public participation in local
decision -making.
Because of its success, there should be no significant
change in the present methods employed by Washington to provide
citizen participation in public policy -making.
Objectives (means to achieve the goal):
1. Revise mechanisms to receive community input on all the
above topics which represent important long-range planning
projects with impact on the quality of life in the area.
This can be achieved by continuing the public participation
process of designating special interest groups to respond
to specific issues.
2. Encourage local neighborhood initiatives that will address
joint problems of city and neighborhood.
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The revisions reflected in this final Goals and Objectives
Statement are based on information provided by (a) the Executive
Committee of the Planning Board which is serving as an Advisory
Committee to the CAMA update process, (b) the Management Review
Team, comprised of senior staff from the City of Washington,
(c) interviews with officials in the town government and those
representing private, civic and business organizations, (d) a
careful summary of documents produced by approximately over three
years of public forums and other public participation activities
which have been held in Washington and (e) recent goals and objec-
tives set by both the City officials and local business organizations.
With the development of the 1976 CAMA Land Use Plan, Washington
expanded its ongoing public participation program with the creation
of special citizen task groups to focus on specific growth -related
issues or problems, many of which were identified during the formula-
tion of the first CAMA Plan. In conSunction with the requirements
by HUD for citizen participation, the City organized a Citizens Task
Force in 1976 with IPA funds. The group continues to function today.
In concert with these citizen groups, the Planning Board, the Board
of Adjustment, the Historic District Commission, and the Administra-
tive Departments of the local government also study and comment on
special issues in addition to the routine planning required of them.
Because of the successful collaboration between public groups and
city government in reviewing goals and objectives for planned growth,
the consultants working on the 1980 update of the original CAMA Plan
found current goal statements from these various groups to be a major
resource in dealing with land use issues which will affect the community
during the upcoming ten-year planning period. Because many alternative
strategies had already been dismissed by the groups who formulated the
goals,and objectives used to compile the following statement, a brief
discussion item will follow each statement to outline the origin of
the goal and its implementation strategy.
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I. HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
Washington is an historic community which traces its founding
to 1776. The Pamlico River played a major role in Washington's
development as a waterfront commercial center which reached its
peak in the late 1880's. With the turn of the century, new
technology in the form of the railroad and hard surface overland
roads contributed to the demise of Washington's shipping industry.
Gradually Washington lost its importance as a business and
distribution center and its once bustling waterfront became
derelict. Little growth occurred in the city until the end of
World War II when community leaders began to recruit new economic
development.
During the 1960's, Washington undertook four public housing
projects and four urban renewal programs which effected great
changes in the city's landscape. Most remarkable, perhaps, was
the Downtown -Waterfront Urban Renewal Project which began the
process of revitalizing Washington's derelict waterfront and
making it a prime asset to the Central Business District.
Emphasis was once again placed on the river, this time as a
recreational resource and an enhancement of the CBD and adjoining
neighborhoods (pp. 7-14, 1976 Land Development Plan).
The goals formulated by the City's officials and citizen
groups during the 1976 Land Development Plan process specifically
called for the conservation of Washington's historical resources,
most of which were located in the CBD, the adjacent residential
neighborhoods and in the river itself in the form of archeological
remains. These goals have been implemented and the next phase of
development has begun in this important area. (Discussion of
specific accomplishments appear in Section III.) Though many
aspects of Washington are discussed in the 1980 Land Development
Plan, the continuing goals to revitalize the traditional business
district and to increase the recreational potential of the
Washington waterfront provide a link with Washington's earliest
days and one of its most attractive components.
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II. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Section II is based on a review of the data contained in
the 1976 Land Development Plan with revised information on
(a) the Washington Study Area, (b) population statistics,
(c) seasonal population changes, (d) housing, (e) recreation,
(f) fire protection, (g) police protection, (h) rescue squad
facilities, (i) schools, (j) medical resources and other
community elements.
In addition, existing land use is considered in Section II
residential land use, commercial land use, industrial land use,
agricultural land and other categories of use such as governmental
and institutional are covered. A detailed list of constraints to
development due to both land suitability and the capacity of
community facilities is also covered.
As part of the review of the data available on the Washington
Study area, a list of current plans, policies and regulations is
included in Section II.
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Washington Stuff Area Defined
For the purposes of updating the 1976 Land Development Plan
for Washington in 1a80, the boundaries of the Study Area remained
the same, that is extending one and one-half miles from the City
limits in all directions.
The boundaries for the Study Area were selected in part to
allow some control through zoning and subdivision regulations
over land that may eventually be annexed into the Washington
City Limits.
At the present time, the need for expansion of the extra-
territorial boundaries of the City of Washington and the area
covered by the 1976 CAMA Plan for the City of Washington does
not appear strong. It seems unlikely that the City of Washington's
population will exceed 10,000 during the 1980 census, thus limiting
its broad extraterritorial jurisdiction to approximately one mile
from the present city limits. Additionally, the rate of growth of
the City of Washington and its suburbs averaging approximately one
new dwelling unit every 3.5 weeks does not justify major expansion
of its area of planning enforcement jurisdiction.
Expansion of the City Limits through annexation is also
legally uncertain because of the continued pendancy of litigation
before the N. C. Supreme Court dealing with the 1977 bond election
to fund services to areas proposed for annexation. Until there is
a final resolution of that issue, the City of Washington is in no
position to consider expansion of its territorial limits through
annexation.
During the conduct of the study, the consultants discovered
that the City of Washington appeared not to be in conformity either
with the enabling legislation contained in Chaper 160A or the
Washington City Charter regarding the exercise of its extraterritorial
jurisdiction within this one and one-half mile area. As a result
of this discovery and extensive discussions with the City Attorney,
the Management Review Team and recommendations by the Director of
Community Development, the City Council decided to exercise one -mile
extraterritorial jurisdiction and to enforce all powers authorized
by Article 19 of Chapter 160A. This will mean a reduction from
approximately one and a half miles where the City has been exercising
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Washington Study Area Defined (cont'd)
jurisdiction over zoning and subdivision of land. However, within
that one mile jurisdiction, the City is prepared to exercise not
only zoning and subdivision control, but building code enforcement,
housing code enforcement, and has the option of Historic District
Commission and Historic Properties Commission activities and the
acquisition of open space. While the area of coverage has been
reduced, the depth of the regulatory thrust of the City of Washington
has been increased.
For ease of administration, the City Council decided to leave
the 1980 Land Development Plan boundary lines identical with those
which were established for the 1976 Plan.
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Population
The 1976 Land Development Plan reported a 9.8% decline in
population in Washington during the decade of the 60's based on
the 1970 census figures. This was due in part to a migration
out of the City because of the displacement of families by Urban
Renewal projects and was compounded by generally poor housing
conditions in Washington. The largest out migration occurred
in the below 14.age group and in the 24-25 age group. The over
55 categories, on the other hand, showed major gains (pp. 18, 20-24,
1976 Land Development Plan). As a result of this information, the
1976 plan predicted a greater need for the delivery of service to
the elderly in the areas of housing, health care and recreation.
Population estimates available from the State demographers
in 1977 project a population of 38,900 for Beaufort County in
1980, an 8.1 gain from 1970. The projected population for
Washington in 1980 is 9,700 people, if it maintains its 1970
share of the county's population. (See Market Analysis for
Farmer's Home Administration Section 515: Rental Housing in
Washington, N. C. by Stephens Associates, P. 0. Box 10761, Raleigh,
N. C. 27605, August, 1977.)
The 1976 Land Development Plan data which emphasized the
aging population of Washington is still considered accurate
(until new information is available from the 1980 Census). How-
ever, an analysis of the Washington City Schools attendance records
revealed a marked increase of 186 pupils in grades K-4 over the
period between years 1974-75 and 1978-79. (See Table A). The --total
increase in students in the school system was 67; up from an enroll-
men-vf- 3,903 in 1974-75 to 3,790 in 1978-79. The surprising
growth in the lower elementary school years is atypical in a
community such as Washington where elementary school population has
tended to remain static or shrink as the median age of the population
has increased. This trend should be monitored to determine if an
increase in growing young families may be occurring in Washington.
(See Table A.)
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TABLE A
The following table
indicates
the recent ninth
month
membership figures
for the
Washington
City School
District:
GRADE
1974-75
1975-76
1976-77
1977-78 1978-79
K
279
328
313
312
276
1
291
286
321
326
324
2
278
285
291
340
330
3
272
264
275
308
340
4
274
264
259
292
310
5
327
264
266
268
293
6
323
329
266
272
258
7
247
318
323
280
271
8
301
342
311
341
277
9
333
298
347
324
337
10
293
320
291
348
315
11
269
273
271
296
321
12
252
240
246
258
275
Excep.
64
55
67
55
43
Totals:
3903
3866
3847
4020
3970
a
Source: Washington School District
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Seasonal Population Changes
1
Washington experiences little in the way of a seasonal
population change due to tourism except along the U.S. 17 artery.
Interviews with local motel owners along this route substantiate
the findings in the 1976 Plan that show an increase in motel
visitors during the months of June, July and August.
Washington's location along the recently designated
Historic Albemarle Highway (U.S. 264) may increase its
attractiveness to tourists, as will its increasing renown as
a city doing creative things in the field of historic preserva-
tion and downtown revitalization.
As Washington increases its opportunities for tourism by
developing more marina facilities and by publicizing its
historic buildings, perhaps more seasonal population change
will result.
The Goose Creek Park recreation area located within ten
miles of Washington on U.S. 264 will also continue to draw
campers and other vacationers to Washington as its visitor
population increases.
r
-21-

Housing
Housing for the population of Washin<;ton has been addressed by
an interview with William Cochran of the Washington Housing
Authority, February, 1980; and by the Stephens Report, 1977. These
w sources tend to corroborate each other and to provide support for
the following tentative conclusions:
(1) The City of Washington is much more attractive to single-
family home owners than is the extraterritorial areas, which during
the years 1974 to 1980 extended 1 1/2 miles beyond the corporate
city limits. This conclusion is derived from building permit
activity during the period 1974-1979, a time with a relatively
constant pace of construction. The comparison figures show 1139
building permits were issued in the city and only 220 in the extra-
territorial area and the adjoining community of Washington Park.
The value of the building permits issued in the city was five
times the value of those issued for the extraterritorial area and
Washington Park: $15,199,486 to $3,384,241. (See Tables B and C).
(2) Considerable progress has been made in developing adequate
housing for the low and moderate income groups in Washington in the past
four years. (Included in this category are the elderly, who comprise
20% of the Washington households and generally have incomes of less
than $6,000.) This is due in large part to the availability of Urban
Renewal projects and Community Development funds. As of January, 1980,
Washington had 432 publicly financed low-income housing units, 40 units
` for the elderly under bid solicitation and plans for 50 more publicly
assisted low-income units in the near future. In addition, that part
of the available building stock which is beyond rehabilitation is
being systematically demolished when it becomes vacant. To date, 25
building lots have been made available through demolition in the Impact
Area with 30 more expected by 1981.
(3) Private development has been able to provide 70 rental units
for moderate income residents with an additional 56 units presently
under construction near the John Cotten Tayloe School. These units
are being funded under Farmers Home Administration, Section 515.
(4) Mobile homes are frequently a first home option for the
younger generation of Washingtonians, but due to local land use
regulations, these are located outside the City Limits. (See Table D).
There is general agreement that Washington is still a single -family -
detached house community with 83% of the existing structures being
one unit in 1977. However, a growing need for rental units at all
income levels and in all age groups is being felt. This need is
expected to grow as new industry is attracted to the Washington
-22-

Housing (cont'd)
area with more middle income employees who may wish to rent rather
than purchase housing in a tight money market. (For further references
see Stephens Report which shows a very low vacancy rate for all housing
units in Washington with a total in 1977 of 2,711 housing units "
available.)
Additionally, as the over-55 age group grows, as it is expected
to do, and as more and more single person family units emerge,
demand for group housing, as opposed to single-family housing, shall
intensify.
-23-

r
TABLE B
NUMBER OF
BUILDING PERMITS ISSUED
City of
E.T.A. &
Washington
Washington Park
Total
1975
148
44
192
1976
223
51
274
1977
262
52
314
1978
276
39
315
1979
230
34
264
Totals:
1139
220
1359
Source:
City of Washington
TABLE C
VALUE
OF BUILDING PERMITS
City of
Washington
E.T.A.
1975
1,167,153
510,550
1976
2,690,304
878,700
1977
3,776,155
1,132,841
1978
2,757,403
607,050
1979
4,808,471
255,100
Totals:
15,199,486
3,384,241
Source:
City of Washington
-24-
Total
1,677,703
3,569,004
4,908,996
3,364,453
5,063,571
18,583,727

TABLE D
SINGLE FAMILY PERMITS
City of
Washington E.T.A.
1975
Single Family 29 12
Mobile Homes 0 3
1976
Single
Family
37
Mobile
Homes
0
1977
Single
Family
28
Mobile
Homes
0
1978
Single
Family
27
Mobile
Homes
0
1979
Single
Family
25
Mobile
Homes
0
Total:
Single
Family
146
Mobile
Homes
0
Grand Totals:
146
Source: City of Washington
-25-
7
3
8
2
9
7
5
1
41
16
57
Total
41
3
44
3
36
2
36
7
30
1
187
16
203

Rarraatinn
Washington's parks and recreation areas comprise approximately
50 acres. According to national standards, approximately twice this
acreage is needed for a city the size of Washington (pp. 116, 1976
Land Development Plan). The Recreation Department administers
recreat.Lonal activities at the following sites:
1. Seventh Street Park
2. Charlotte Street Center
3. Kugler Field
4. Todd Maxwell Field
5. Stewart Park
6. Oakdale Park
7 Washington Docking Facilities
8. Jack's Creek
9. Bridge Street Center
10. Beebe Park
11. Carver's Landing
12. Haven's Garden
13. Water Tank Property Area (Fragrance and Texture Garden)
14. Airport Park
At the present time, the City of Washington Recreation Department
ti has applied to the State Department of Natural Resources and Community
Development for assistance in formulating a new Recreation Plan. The
City's last plan was written in 1967 and is considerably out of date.
Section III will discuss the recommendation that a Capital Improve-
ments program be instituted in Washington to identify and support the
need for acquisition of new park land and the continued upgrading of
recreational facilities and equipment.
-26-

Fire Protection
The Washington Fire Department is manned by 20 full-time firemen,
5 call company firemen who are compensated on a monthly basis for their
part-time service, and 30 volunteer firemen. The volunteers are
divided into two pumper companies and one ladder company, each having
a captain and an assistant captain.
The volunteer firemen are provided with 40 to 50 hours of training
per year in fire fighting techniques. The full-time firemen train
three hours.per week and also train with the volunteers.
The department has a modern communication system which is linked
with other fire departments throughout the County. The department's
internal communication system has 19 paging units which the firemen
and call company personnel carry attached to their belts, allowing
the men to be called back to the station anytime by signal; 20 phone
alerting systems link volunteer to station, as do 2-way radios on
all trucks.
Records are kept of the condition of the equipment, pumpers,
fire hoses, and fire hydrants. All hoses and every hydrant is tested
every year, the hydrants for water pressure. Each pumper is tested
to see that it will pump its rated capacity.
The service area of the fire department includes the City of
Washington and neighboring residential development outside the City
Limits for which Beaufort County has supplied a truck with 750
gallons of water and a payment to allow the City to hire 3 firemen
to man it. The ability to suppress fires in the County, which lacks
a water system, is virtually impossible from the point of view of a
750 gallon water supply.
Fire protection is offered by contract, renewable annually, to
County industrial and commerical establishments. The City of Washington
Park contracts its fire service needs with the City of Washington at
a nominal fee yet obtains fire service protection equivalent to that
received by the residents of Washington.
The City has a mutual aid agreement with surrounding communities
to render aid in case of a large fire.
-27-

Police Protection
Residents are provided police protection by the Washington
City Police within city limits and the_.Beaufort County Sheriff's
Department in the extraterritorial area. The Law Enforcement
Center 4a located at Third and Respess Streets.
The organizational structure of the Washington Police
Department under the Chief of Police for 1980-1981 includes
one captain, four sergeants, fourteen patrolmen, and one
civilian records clerk for the Uniform Patrol Division; one
captain, one detective sergeant, one,evidence technician, and
two detectives in the Detective Division.
Rescue Squad
The Rescue Squad is composed of twenty-seven volunteers
and paid firemen, all of which are Emergency Medical Technicians.
Rescue work is done on a volunteer basis unless a volunteer or
off -duty fireman cannot be reached. In that case, a paid fire-
man must assist in making the call.
A true financial picture of the Rescue Squad cannot be
determined by looking at the city operational budget. The
Rescue Unit is housed in the Fire Department Building and
is maintained by city firemen.
aw-a

Sanitation
The Sanitation Division of the Public Works Department is
responsible for residential garbage collection, trash and limb
collection, commercial refuse through the dumpster container
system, and the street sweeper.
This division consists of two residential garbage trucks
which collect garbage behind the resident's house twice a week.
There are also two trash and limb trucks working the same
schedule as the garbage trucks. These men only collect refuse
that has been placed near the street.
The front end loader, Dumpmaster type truck, is operated
by one employee working mostly at night with little supervision.
There are a total of 315 dumpster containers throughout the City
which this truck empties twice a week, with the exception of
those of schools and the hospital which are emptied three times
a week.
The dumpster containers are available in four, six, and
eight cubic yard capacities. Businesses that do not generate
enough refuse to justify the use of a four cubic yard container
may share with another business. A business may purchase
containers from the city or rent them.
All trash and garbage is dumped at the Beaufort County
Landfill which started operation in February, 1974. Prior to
this, the City operated a landfill of its own.
-29-

Medical Facilities
Washington's medical needs are served by the Beaufort
County Hospital. This hospital, which was opened in May of
1958, with a major addition in 1969, has a staff of 33 physicians,
68 registered nurses,.60 licensed practical nurses with 181 beds
(only 150 are in use) and 15 bassinets. Beaufort County Hospital,
like other similar institutions throughout the State, receives
contributions from the Duke Endowment Fund which is based on a
formula taking into consideration the number of Medicaid patients
and bad debt losses. This figure amounts to 75G per day for
welfare and nonpaying patients. The hospital operates an
ambulance service for which it receives a contribution from the
county to underwrite loss. Other than these two contributions,
the hospital has been self-supporting since 1959.
In addition to its major function of caring for the sick,
the hospital operates its own two-year training school for X-Ray
Technologists with two students per year. The hospital serves
as a practical training center for the School of Nursing and
School of Laboratory Assistance of Beaufort County Community
College, as well as its association with medical training
facilities at East Carolina University.
-30-

Air Service
Warren Field is operated by the Airport Commission, whose
seven members are appointed.jointly by the City of Washington
and Beaufort County. The air field was built by the United States
Government.during World War II, and subsequently turned over to
the City and County governments.
The air field has three runways. Two are 5,000 feet long
and thus suitable for small jets. One runway is lighted.
There is a radio beacon installed in 1971 that transmits on
a low frequency of 288 megahurts. There is no tower, but pilots
can contact the airport office for informal advice on local
weather conditions. There are 6 closed T hangers and 5 open T
hangers. Charter planes and crop dusting units are based at
the air field.
ISO has begun offering airline commuter service from Warren
Field as of January 14, 1980. This service has four flights
per day connecting by Kinston to the Raleigh -Durham Airport.
The air field averages 1,350 landings per month. The
heaviest users are local industries that have planes based
there, such as National Spinning, Hackney, and Green Oil
Company. Hamilton Beach, Dixie Yarn, Texas Gulf, Bethlehem
Steel, American Synamid, and Weyerhaeuser use the field but
do not have planes based there.
Public Transportation
A Beaufort County Transportation Plan is being undertaken
to investigate the needs for transportation services. During
the planning process, the City of Washington will examine the
need for bus service within the city limits for its population,
especially the elderly.
-31-

Schools
TABLE E
1979 - 80 SCHOOL YEAR
Eastern Elementary
John Cotten Tayloe Elementary
John Small Elementary
P. S. Jones Junior High
Washington High School
Desien Capacity Enrollment
936
893
559
665
650
612
1,050
833
1,072
of Use
94.5%
119
94.1%
79.2%
938 87.5%
The City of Washington has purchased a site for a new high school
near the Slate Stone Hills subdivision. The construction of the
school will be dependent on obtaining the funds necessary for the
project.
At the present time, as the above table shows, one of the
Washington elementary schools is operating beyond its original
.design capacity.
-32-

Industry
Washington's industrial base has shown a gradual but steady
growth in the past three decades. During this same period,
agricultural employment has steadily declined (pp. 26 - 1976 LDP).
This trend has continued and in 1980 there are only four working
farms in the Washington Study Area.
There are now eighteen major employers in the Washington
Study Area. Seven additional employers are located in Aurora,
Belhaven, Chocowhinity, and Pantego; however, these seven also
add to the economy of Washington. The Washington Chamber of
Commerce estimates that these twenty-five firms generate annual
payrolls of forty to forty-five million dollars. (Interview with
William Abeyounis, February 1980.) A list of these industries
with a brief description of their products follows:
TABLE F
INDUSTRIAL ROSTER
WASHINGTON
Atwood & Morrill (valves) - Old 264 Hwy.
Coca-Cola Bottling Co., Inc. - W. 5th St.
Flanders Filters, Inc. (industrial filers)
Gregory Poole, Inc. (heavy equipment - retail sales)
Hackney & Sons, Inc. (truck bodies) - 4th St. & Hackney
Hamilton Beach (electrical appliances)
Lowes, Inc. (retail lumber & residential construction
materials)
Maola Ice Cream - E. Water St.
Mason Lumber Co. - 264 West
Moss Planing Mill (lumber & building supplies)
National Spinning Corp. (textiles) - W. 3rd St.
North Carolina Phosphate Corp. - Page Building
Roberson's Beverages - Bridge & 3rd St.
Samsons Mfg. Corp. (shirts) - E. 5th St.
Stanadyne, Inc. (auto components) - Clarks Neck Rd.
Washington Beverage Co. - W. 5th St.
Washington Garment Co. (dressmaking) = E. 5th St.
Washington Packing Co. (meat processing)
SURROUNDING AREA
Texasgulf, Inc. (phosphate) - Aurora
Blue Channel Corp. (seafood) - Belhaven
Younce & Ralph Lumber Co. - Belhaven
Outer Banks, Inc. (applies of rubber & synthetic linings
for tanks, pipes & fittings) - Chocowinity
Singer Co., Johnson -Carper, Inc. (furniture) - Chocowinity
Tidewater Equipment Co. - Chocowinity
Coastal Lumber Co. - Pantego
-33-

Between 1976-80, three major new employers located in the
Washington Planning Area - Gregory Poole, a heavy equipment retail
firm; Lowe's, a large retail outlet for lumber and residential
construction materials, and Stanadyne, a manufacturer of automotive
components.
The Industrial Council of the Washington Chamber of Commerce
continues actively to seek new industry for the area. It has
selected seven potential industrial sites near Washington to show
to prospective corporate residents. These sites are: (1) the
Dixon site (on Highway 264-West) located near Flanders Filters,
another large manufacturing enterprise; (2) the Nicholls site, in
the same area; (3) the Mason site, also along 264-West; (4) the
Speight site in proximity of Stanadyne, Inc. on Highway 264-West;
(5) the Arnold site, located on U.S. Highway 17 near the Hamilton
Beach Corporation; (6) the Farmer site, on U.S. Highway 17 and N.C.
State Road 1166; and the Earl Mitchell site. All sites are within
the present Washington Planning Area.
Wholesale and Retail Trade
The gradually increasing industrial base in the Washington
area has been matched by an 84% increase in retail sales in the
city between 1970 and 1975. Sales were up from $54,700,000 in
1970 to $100,000,000 in 1975. Between 1975 and 1979, sales tax
revenue in Washington increased 41%, indicating a rise in retail
activity well above the rate of inflation, a healthy situation.
During the same period in all of Beaufort County, the sales tax
revenue increased by 6.5%, at or below the inflation rate
indicating a static business situation. (N. C. Department of
Revenue.)
-34-

Electricity
The City of Washington owns and operates the electrical distribution
system for the City and a sizable area of ,its environs. The system is
regional in scope in that its power lines extend along major highways
in some areas for twenty-five (25) miles. The system serves communities
as distant as Pinetown, Terra Ceia, Bath, Bayview--on the east,end, and
Latham on the west end.
The system is under the supervision of the Director of Electric
Utilities, who is responsible to the City Manager. Electric Utilities
is comprised of a Distribution Department with two (2) line crews, one
(1) underground service crew, and a right-of-way crew, and lastly, a
meter department. Electric Utilities employs thirty-four (34) men
on a full-time basis.
The City purchases 12.5 KV and 34 KV power from Virginia Electric,
and Power Company. The 12.5 KV energy is utilized at the delivery
point. The 34.5 KV energy is transmitted across town and is converted
to 12.5 KV power for distributor.
The maximum capacity of the present bank of VEPCO transformers is
25,000 KVA for the 12.5 KV energy, and 20,000 KVA for the 34.5 KV
energy. The combined cpacity is 45,000 KVA for the entire system,
excluding National Spinning. National Spinning and Hamilton Beach
are being serviced on a separate 40,000 KVA transformer. ,
Under the present agreement with VEPCO, the City's load growth is
to be at 34.5 KV. Provisions also include maintaining the existing
12.5 KV transformers within a maximum load of 25,000 KVA, by December 21,
1980; the City has contracted with VEPCO to receive one voltage at
34.5 KV at which time all conversion to 12.5 KV distribution msut be
accomplished by the City's own transformers. If this agreed upon date
is not complied with, VEPCO will apply an additional monthly facility
charge.
In June 1980, the voters of the City of Washington passed a 6.5
million dollar bond referendum to find a more economical source of
electrical power. There are several alternatives under consideration
which include: a transmission line across the Tar River and "wheeling"
arrangements with various agencies and companies. The specific means
of obtaining a more economical supply of power is unknown at this time.
It appears that an alternative approach will be selected by the
Washington City Council by 1981.
-35-

Water and Sewer Service
The City of Washington operates a water and waste water
treatment plant under the Department of Public Works.
The major water supply comes from Tranter's Creek. This
creek is located six miles northwest of the city. At this point,
the creek has a minimum daily flow of eight million gallons per
day. The substation has two pumps: one 1600 gpm, and one 1900
gpm. This assures that maximum capacity of the cast iron pipe
line to the substation can be utilized during peak periods or
whenever necessary (2100 gpm at 100 lbs. pressure is peak capacity.)
The secondary source of water is at Clark's Neck, where the
city has a 1600 gpm pump. This water is not always usable, however,
due to the high salt content of the water.
The water plant was constructed in 1955 and has a capacity of
2.2 million gallons per day. The average daily demand on the
plant is only 1.3 mgd which allows a safety margin of approximately
25%.
The water is pumped from the reservoir by two electric pumps;
one is a 1000 gpm pump and the other is a 2000 gpm pump. The water
flows through a 12" main to a distributing system and elevated tank
simultaneously. One elevated tank has a capacity of 300,000 gallons
and was built in 1939. A second elevated tank located at Hamilton
Beach has a capacity of 500,000 gallons which was constructed in 1966.
An additional 500,000 gallon elevated tank and a 500 gallon per
minute well was constructed in 1975 at Slatestone Hills. There is
a small water treatment plant there also having a 500 gallon per
minute capacity which will serve primarily to remove the iron and
hardness content of the water. This new construction has given the
City more down time to allow for needed maintenance at the other
plant.
In 1979, the City completed a 201 Facilities Study which was
approved by the State in the Spring of 1980. Implementation of the
plan which calls for the construction of a new waste water treatment
plant depends on the availability of funds in the next five-year
planning period.
-36-

Existing Land Use
The 1980 Land Development updates the existing land use informa-
tion for the Washington Study Area. Changes were noted in residential,
commercial and industrial land use patterns, with patternsofuse in
agricultural land, forestland and the floodplain remaining essentially
the same as describ-d in the 1976 Land Development Plan (p. 41-42).
Of special note are the changes in commercial land use which is being
stimulated by the new Downtown Plan and the development of Havens
Warehouse. The proposed revised zoning ordinance will aid in curbing
the problems of commercial strip development and incompatible industrial
and residential uses in close proximity.
The problems of land use compatibility are identical to those
mentioned in the 1976 Land Development Plan (p. 42).. It is antici-
pated, however, that the adoption of a new zoning ordinance and the
reduction of the extraterritorial planning area to the one mile limit
with the increased administrative control possible within that
boundary will result in better land use compatibility. .
The areas likely to experience a change of predominant land use
include the "Impact Area" bounded by Third Street, Hackney Avenue,
Seventh and Market Streets, which was upgraded with Entitlement Funds
until 1979 when the program was discontinued; the West Sixth Street
neighborhood which received a $500,000 Discretionary Grant for
improvement activities in 1977; and two areas near the Impact Area
slated for removal and rehabilitation under a $2.1 million, three-year
Small Cities. Community Development Block Grant.
Additionally, emphasis is being.placed on public and private
water access and marina development in Washington, though the City
is looking to private developers to take the lead in this area. A
discussion of the Havens Warehouse project, which promises to expand
the waterfront facilities in the Pamlico River, is contained in the
pages describing commercial land use.
Constraints to development caused by land suitability and by the
capacity of existing community facilities have remained essentially
as stated in the 1976 Land Development Plan (pp. 83-121).
Areas of environmental concern are identified in Section III,
Goals and Policies for Future Growth. These include coastal wetlands,
estuarine shorelines, and public trust waters. Cultural, historical
and archeological resources are also discussed in Section III.
A revised list of plans, policies and regulations pertinent to
the Washington Study area appears as the last item of Section II.
-37-

Residential Use
The residential development pattern in the Washington Study
Area between 1976 and 1980 continued the trends observed earlier --
that is, relatively scattered development interspersed with
commercial and industrial along the major highways, such as U.S. 264
and 17, the in -filling of available lots and platted subdivisions
such as Smallwood and macswoods . and the further development of
suburban subdivisions such as Slatestone and Forest Heights.
There are no new major subdivisions in the planning stage within
the Washington Study Area, so that major changes in the availability
of platted land is not anticipated.
The Whichard Beach area continues to develop with a combination
of recreation and second homes development, as well as substantial
mobile home development and modular installations for permanent
year-round residence. All of these residences are served by individual
wells and septic tanks.
-38-

Commercial Use
The primary retail development in.the CBD is located within
a relatively compact area extending westward along West Main Street
for approximately two and one-half blocks from the Main Street
Market Street Intersection. Effort should be made to keep this
development in a compact area since it functions more efficiently
in this arrangement.
New activity is presently occurring in the downtown business
district of Washington which is helping to retain the identity
and compactness of this area. A Downtown Plan has been developed
which includes the following items: (1) suggested facade improve-
ments for the storefronts; (2) new marketing and advertising
techniques for the merchants which are intended to increase the
downtown's attractiveness as a regional commercial center; (3)
suggested changes in street landscaping, lighting and furniture;
and (4) the possibility of creating a locally financed loan pool
to implement the plan.
As a result of the 1976 architectural and historical inventory
of Washington, a large National Register of Historic Places District
was designated by the U. S. Department of the Interior. The district
encompassed the entire downtown and two adjoining residential
neighborhoods. Because of the new awareness of the architectural
importance of the downtown and as a result of the tax advantages
available to owners seeking to renovate commercial property under
the 1976 Tax Reform Act, a strong interest in the revitalization of
the downtown was created. Prior to the National Register designation
of the area, a local historic zoning district which closely followed
the boundaries of the National Register district, but was slightly
larger in area, was established. Several downtown property owners
moved to refurbish their buildings.
The E. Peterson Building on Market Street was renovated and
expanded using the tax incentives available to owners in the National
Register district. The structure will provide 15,000 square feet of
office space with the potential for a restaurant or similar commercial
establishment on the first floor. The Sloan Insurance Building, also
on Market Street, has been renovated following the guidelines suggested
by the Facade Handbook which accompanies the Downtown Plan. One of
the most unique enterprises underway in the downtown area is the
adaptive reuse of Havens Warehouse, a historic storage warehouse
along the Pamlico River which is now being converted to a restaurant -
marina complex with spaces for offices and display. The project is
expected to provide a major focal point for the downtown area in terms
of shopping, tourism, and river recreation.
-39-

Commercial Use (cont'd)
The City of Washington is also supporting the downtown
revitalization effort by reusing several key buildings in the
downtown area for offices and administrative quarters. The Old
Federal Building, which is now occupied by the U. S. Postal Service
will become the City Hall when the post office moves to a new
building in the district.
The experience of other cities, such as nearby New Bern and
Wilmington, is that the revitalization of older historic buildings,
which Washington has in abundance, is good business. The efforts
by local merchants and the city government to support the downtown
area will keep # intact, The results -. of the _first stage of the
project are promising.
Of all the outlying commercial areas in the planning area,
only one can be described as a "planned neighborhood shopping
center." The Washington Square Shopping Center is a small shopping
center located on Fifteenth Street between Washington Street and
U. S. 17. Additional commercial development is now appearing
there centered around a K-Mart store.
There are several highway business areas located in the
Washington Planning Area. The most easily recognized highway
business area is located along U. S. Highway 17 between Ninth
Street and Fifteenth. This is also the fastest developing strip
commercial area in the city. Another area which is easily
recognized is located south of the Tar and Pamlico River along
Highway 17. Probably the poorest example of a highway business
area is located on Highway 17 from Main`Street to the Fifth Street
intersection because of inadequate parking, incompatible mixture
of uses and dilapidation of some structures.
Other major commercial districts are located along West Fifth
Street from Hackney Avenue to Wilson Street and along John Small
Avenue from Eighth Street to Highway 264 intersection. These areas
have developed with relatively low traffic generating secondary
retail uses. Yet, caution should be taken as future development
occurs to protect surrounding residential areas from excessive
strip development.
The trend toward strip commercial development along the major
transportation arteries of Washington, particularly along U.S.
Highway 17 and 264-West, has continued unabated in the past four
-40-

Commercial Use Gcont'dj
years. The Revised Land Use Map, which accompanies the 1980
Land Development Plan, shows in detail the progress,of this
"ribbon" development which has spread in every direction.,
Commercial uses Cre now found in the following areas: north
along Market Street Extended; west on Pactolus Road; east on
Highland Drive, where especially inappropriately mixed uses
detract from the scenic character of the residential areas;
and south on U. S. 17, where highway oriented transient and
marginal uses have exacerbated the rather poor situation that
existed in 1576.
Major commercial activity has continued on west Fifteenth
Street between Market Street and U. S. 17 as an outward
expansion of the Washington Square Mall. Another secondary,
business district has developed around Beaufort County Hospital.
where considerable residential land has been converted to
commercial and institutional uses.
-41

Industrial Use
` As noted in the 1976 Land Development Plan (p. 41), an
intermixture of land uses within the industrial districts in
Washington has created a number of incompatible neighbors.
Washington City officials have attempted to alleviate this
situation by means of the zoning regulations and other controls.
The new 1980 revision of the zoning ordinance should contribute
to the success of their efforts in this area.
Some new industrial uses are appearing in the Washington
Study Area. (See Revised Land Use Map). The Hackney Avenue
area has experienced an intensification of industrial uses, as
has the intersection of U.S. Highway 17 and N. C. Road 1509
where Gregory Poole, Inc. is now located.
-42-

Areas Experiencing Changes in Land Use
In 1974, with the establishment of the Community Development
law, the City, along with advisory groups, established an "Impact
Area" which would receive. the predominant use of Community Develop-
ment funds. The Impact Area is generally bounded by Third Street,
Hackney Avenue, Seventh Street, and Market Street. It contains
39 blocks encompassing 157 acres,'divided into 262 parcels. The
environmental conditions of the area were poor. The streets were
predominantly dirt, street lighting was insufficient, and the
area was subject to localized flooding three to four times each
year.
The City received Entitlement Funds from 1974 until 1975 until
this program was discontinued. The bulk of the $1,143,075 apportion-
ment in Entitlement Grant Funds received was used for public works
and site improvements in the Impact Area.
In 1977, the City was awarded a $500,000 Discretionary Grant
for concentrated improvement activities. This improvement area
was located on West Sixth Street between Washington Street and
Hackney Avenue, containing about 6 acres. Dilapidated structures
were purchased and removed, persons were relocated and single-
family houses were constructed by private enterprise in the area.
In 1978, Washington was one of ten cities in North Carolina
awarded a $2.1 million multi -year (three-year) comprehensive
Small Cities Community Development Block Grant. This grant is _
being used for acquisition and removal of structures in a five -
block area and rehabilitation of a three -block area with supporting
public works improvements. The five -block removal areas are
bounded by Third Street to Fifth Street, Washington to Fleming
Streets, and Fifth Street, Van Norden, Gladden Street and Sixth
Street. Rehabilitation will be in three blocks to the north of
West Sixth Street, bounded by Gladden and Van Norden Streets.
The City will continue to improve substandard housing
conditions throughout Washington by means of the Community
Development Block Grant Programs.
-43-

Current Plans. Policies and Regulations
The 1976 Land Development Plan contains a comprehensive
list of plans, policies and regulations for the Washington
Study Area (pp. 48-66). Since the completion of the 1976
Plan, the following material has been compiled for use by
City officials:
1976 - Nomination to the National Register of Historic
Places of the Washington CBD and two adjoining
residential neighborhoods.
1977 - Report designating a Local Historic Zoning
District. The boundaries of this district
are almost identical to those of the National
Register Nomination.
1979-80 - Revised Zoning Ordinance written with special
emphasis on flexible planned unit development
provisions to aid in the containment of
unsightly strip development.
1979-80 - Downtown Plan, a three-phase program outlined
in two handbooks; the Downtown Plan and the
Facade Handbook, designed to revitalize the CBD.
1979-80 - 201 Facilities Plan, the result of a study begun
in 1976 to assess the current water and sewer
service and provide a format for expansion of it.
1979 - Warren Field Commission Report, a five-year plan
of improvements proposed subject to financial
support from the City.
1979 - Thoroughfare Plan, a combined State and local
effort to accommodate to the needs of the
Washington Planning Area in terms of both
internal and arterial roadways.
In addition to the above, the Department of Natural Resources
and Community Development has compiled a list of state and
federal regulations pertaining to the Washington Study Area. This
list is available for inspection in the Department's Field Office
in Washington, N. C.
-44-

Of special interest in Washington because of its considerable
historic and archeological resources is the list of federal and
state regulations governing these two areas which has been made
available by the N. C. Division of Archives and History. This list,
in two parts, appears below:
FEDERAL
National Historic Preservation Act of 1966.
The Archeological and Historic Preservation Act of 1975, Public
Law 93-291.
Executive Order 11593, Protection and Enhancement of the
Cultural Environment, 16 U.S.C. 470 (Supp. 1, 1971).
National Environmental Policy Act, Public Law 91-190, 42 U.S.C.
4321 Et. Seq. (1970).
Community Development Act of 1974, Public Law 93-383: Environ-
mental Review Procedures for the Community Development Block
Grant Program (40 CFR Part 58).
Procedures for. the Protection of Historicand Cultural Properties
(36 CFR Part 800).
Comprehensive Planning Assistance Program (701) as Amended by
Public Law 93-393.
The Department of Transportation Act of 1966, Public Law 89-670.
Identification and Administration of Cultural Resources:
Procedures of Individual Federal Agencies.
STATE
G. S. 121-12 (a) Protection of Properties in the National Register.
State Environmental Policy Act, Article 1 of Chapter 113A of the
General Statutes
Executive Order XVI
Indian Anquities, G.S. 70.1-4
Salvage of Abandoned Shipwrecks and Other Underwater Archeological
Sites: G.S. 121-22, 23; 143E-62(1) g. (3)
Archeological Salvage in Highway Construction, G.S. 136-42.1
Provisions for Cultural Resources in Dredging and Filling
Operations, G.S. 113-229. -
-45-

Scenic and High Points
The main scenic aspect of the Washington Study Area is
the Pamlico River. This resource is being enhanced by the
efforts to revitalize the CBD and by the implementation of a
Historic Zoning District which includes the Pamlico River
within the Washington extraterritorial area. There are no
high points in the Washington Study Area.
Complex Natural Areas
There are no complex natural areas that have been identified
in the Washington Study Area at the present time.
Fragile Areas
There are no other apparent fragile areas within the
Washington Study Area with the exception of the archeological
sites to be discussed under that subcategory.
Areas Sustaining Remnant Species
There are no known remnant plant and/or animal species in
the Study Area.
Registered National Landmarks
There are no registered national landmarks in the Study Area.
Unique Geological Formations
There are no unique geological formations in the planning
area.
Archeological and Historic Sites
The boundaries of the existing Washington Historic Zoning
District contain all manmade artifacts of note presently identified.
The inclusion of the Pamlico River in the local historic district
insures the protection of all archeological remnants from the
historic wreck of the Civil War ship "Pickett" which lies in the
river as does the existing state and federal regulations listed
on page 32 of this report. A discussion of the historic and
archeological resources of the Washington Study area is contained
in Section III, Goals and Policies.
-46-

COMMITMENT TO STATE AND FEDERAL PROGRAMS
Erosion Control
The City of Washington will examine the possibility of
enacting and enforcing erosion and sedimentation control regulations
at the local level, replacing the present efforts by the State of
North Carolina which are hampered by lack of personnel.
Dredging
The City would support an expanded program of dredging to main-
tain access to the mooring facilities along Stewart Parkway.
Other
There are no military facilities or other important facilities
planned for the Washington Area.
Channel Maintenance
The City of Washington supports the Corps of Engineers.program
to maintain and improve waters under its jurisdiction as an avenue
for expansion of commercial and recreational traffic.
Energy Facilities Siting
There are no energy production installations indicated in or
planned for the Washington area. However, the City of Washington
has taken steps to terminate its agreement with the Virginia Electric
Power Company as the major supplier of wholesale electric energy for
distribution by the Municipal Utilities Department. The City of
Washington is taking steps to secure an alternate source after voter
approval of this action.
-47-

Local Regulations
Pages 55-65 of the original 1976 CAMA Plan are still largely
valid.
A completely revised zoning ordinance has been proposed in
conjunction with the 1980 CAMA Plan update and is intended to
assist in the implementation of some of the goals, policies and
plans of this document.
As part of this revised zoning ordinance is a completely
updated Historic District Commission article which brings the
Historic District into conformity with State law.
Since the adoption of the new Minimum Housing Code in 1972
the City has demolished 68 homes and is in the process of having
19 more destroyed. During the same period, 260 houses were
repaired because of the enforcement authority granted in the Code.
-48-

CONSTRAINTS: CAPACITY OF EXISTING COMMUNITY FACILITIES
Water and Sewer Service Areas
There have been no major extensions of Washington's water and
sewer service areas in the past five years due in part to the law
suit centering around Washington's proposed bond issue to finance
the cost of an extensive annexation program proposed by the City.
This case is being resolved in the State and Federal courts at the
present time. In the interim, the policy of the City has been to
extend service to industrial, commercial and residential areas that
request it, if service can be provided without unusual difficulty.
Design Capacities
It was anticipated that the design capacity of the present
water and sewer plants was not adequate to provide the level and
quality of service needed within a ten-year planning period.
Consequently, the City embarked on a 201 Facilities Study in 1976
to determine the most efficient means to upgrade the water and
sewer facilities. This plan received State approval in the Spring
of 1980. Final approval from the Environmental Protection Agency
is expected at any time.
Unfortunately, due to the lengthy process in obtaining approval
for the plan, all figures for the cost of new and upgraded facilities
are now out of date. When final approval is obtained, a revision
of the costs of improvements projected in the 201 Plan will be made,
and a new ten-year population projection will be made to determine
water and sewer demand.
The 1976 Plan estimates on the design capacities of the City
water and sewer plants offer some basis of comparison to the needs
of the present day (pp. 107-108). The present system has a design
capacity of 2.2 million gallons per day and is operating at an
average 75% of capacity. During periods of heavy rainfall, the
system operates at over 100% of its capacity while during "normal"
periods, it operates at around 75% of its capacity. The recommenda-
tions of the 201 study will be the basis of Washington's future
expansion of its sewer system.
-49-

Government and Institutional Uses
These have not changed substantially since the 1976 Land
Development Plan was written. Though government and institutional
use were.not covered specifically in the plan, they were delineated
on the 1976 Land Use Map.
Since 1976, the greatest changes in this category in the City
of Washington Study Area have been the construction of the Mental
Health Center next to the Beaufort County Hospital on Old Bath
Highway, north of U.S. 264; the completion of Stewart Parkway on
the Washington waterfront, and the acquisition of a new high
school site near the Slatestone subdivision.
Agricultural Uses
There are no agricultural uses within the Washington City
limits. At the present time, there are only four farms located
primarily in the northern portion of the Washington Study Area.
Fnrestland
Forestland in the Washington Planning Area has remained
the same as that described in the 1976 Land Development Plan
(p. 41). This includes low-lying land adjacent to Tranter's
and Kennedy Creeks; a small area in the southwest portion of
the Washington Study Area; land lying north of Whichard's
Beach Road and east of U.S. 17 South; and land on both sides
of Bear Creek Road west of State Road 1170.
-50

Water
The City of Washington has recently completed a new well and
water treatment plan. A new elevated tank capable of s�oring
500,000 gallons has recently been completed. The well will have
a capacity of about 500 gpm and the treatment plan will have the
same capacity. Before completion of this project, the city had
a system capable of producing 2.2 million gallons per day. With
the addition of the well and treatment plan, the city will be
able to process 360,000 additional gallons per day.
Storm Drainage
The City of Washington lies in a very flat area and has few
natural drainage outlets, making the problem of providing adequate
storm drainage extremely difficult. Jack's Creek, which drains
approximately 75% of the town, would need more equipment than it
presently has to handle the runoff of future developed areas that
drain into it. There would be a need to install additional pumps
with approximately 50% more capability on the dike at Jack's Creek.
The area between Brown Street and the pumps was dredged in 1978 to
allow for more retention room. The city at present can handle the
equivalent of 4 inches of rain per hour for a 20-minute period.
-51-

CONSTRAINTS: LAND SUITABILITY
The catalogue of constraints compiled in the 1976 Land
Development Plan (pp. 83-122) has remained constant to the present
day. The exceptions to this statement include new information
pertinent to the floodplain, the water supply areas and a consid-
erable section reviewing the historic and archeological sites now
being developed in Washington. In order to provide a complete
review of the land suitability constraints, a short annotated
list of the same is presented here with the expanded information
available on specific topics.
Hazard Areas
The Washington Study area contains both manmade and natural
hazard areas. The manmade hazards consist of tank farms, Warren
Airfield and fertilizer storage facilities which are discussed in
the 1976 LDP (pp. 83-85). The only addition to this information
is the Five -Year Improvement Plan proposed by the Warren Field
Commission in 1979. The improvements include installing equipment
to accommodate IFR instrument assisted landings, a significant
safety factor. The implementation of those improvements depends
on the availability of federal and local funds.
Soils Limitations
Areas with soils limitations for urban development were
described in the 1976 plan (pp. 88-98). No better soil information
has become available since then. Briefly the 1976 plan notes that
much of the Washington Study Area and the surrounding county contains
soils with moderate to severe limitations for septic tanks and land-
fills.
Flood Plain
The delineation of the Washington Study Area flood plain appears
in the 1976 plan (p. 86). Steps to reduce the flood hazard for this
large area which includes a major portion of the City limits have
been taken by the City officials.
Jack's Creek drains about 65% of the city. A combination
strut, dike, and pump system has been constructed at the mouth
of the creek. The dike was designed to protect the area from flood
tides up to 6.5 feet in height. Four 13,000 gallon per minute pumps
operate automatically when the waters behind the dike rise to sea
level, and shut off when the water level drops below mean sea level.
-52-

Flood Plain (cont'd)
Major floods in the area are caused predominantly by storm
tides. Though any type of storm may cause the water level of the
Tar -Pamlico to rise, only a tropical storm will cause a sufficient
increase for serious flooding to occur.
A rainfall of such intensity that the pumps are not capable
of removing it, will cause minor flooding in low areas of the
basin.
The Army Corps of Engineers has determined that the one
hundred year flood level for Washington is ten feet. Any area
which is below this elevation has been designated as a flood
zone. Approximately 90% of the city lies in the flood zone.
Washington has a flood zone, floodways, and a coastal high
hazard zone. The floodways consist of Runyon Creek, Cherry Run,
Lawson's Creek, and Jack's Creek. The designation of Floodway
means that these streams will be required to provide for passage
of the base flood without significantly increasing the water
surface level above that of the pre-floodway condition.
Coastal high hazard areas are those areas where critical wave
action is probable. The boundaries of these areas are set where
the effective water depth will no longer sustain a critical wave
(a wave three feet or above in height) or where the critical wave
will be dissipated by impact with natural or manmade barriers. -
Sources of Water Supply'Areas
The provision of water and sewer services and facilities serves
two functions in the development of an area. They are: (1) meeting
needs of existing development; and (2) influencing future growth.
Meeting needs of existing development usually receives primary
consideration in planning. However, the major importance of water
and sewer systems in comprehensive planning is their use as a tool
for influencing growth patterns. An examination of existing water
and sewer service areas will identify potential growth areas.
The City of Washington supplies water to residents within its
city limits, and to four industries, a sub -division, 2 mobile home
parks, and numerous residents within the extra -territorial area.
Washington's major water supply comes from two locations on
Tranter's Creek.
-53-

Sources of Water Supply Areas (cont'd)
One raw water pump is at Clark's Neck, and one .is at Latham's
Station. A second water treatment plant and well are located on
Slatestone Road. Since most of the watershed lies beyond the City's
planning area, county -city cooperation is imperative. Caution
should be taken by preventing high density residential growth and
septic tank uses in these areas.
The CRC requested comment on water quality within the Pamlico
River. The City of Washington has'been trying since 1975 to improve
and expand its sewage treatment plant, but has been prevented from
doing so by failure of the Federal authorities to approve its
201 Facilities Plan.
The City of Washington is examining the question of adopting
and enforcing erosion and sediment control regulations within its
jurisdiction.
Steep Slopes
The Washington Planning Area does not have slopes that exceed
twelve percent.
-54-

Fragile Areas
Coastal Wetlands:
There are two major locations of coastal wetlands in the -
Washington Study Area: numerous pockets of marsh grass are found
on the south side of the Pamlico and Tar Rivers, especially
around Rodman's Creek; and a small triangular patch of .grass near '
the public boat dock at the mouth)of Jack's Creek within the
Washington City limits.
Estuarine (Commercial) Waters:
This category of water is constituted by the part of the
Pamlico -Tar River from the Norfolk -Southern Railroad bridge down-
stream within the jurisdiction of Washington's extraterritorial
area. Both Runyon's Creek to River Road and the mouth of Jack's
Creek are also considered estuarine waters.
Public Trust Areas:
All inland waters above the Norfolk and Southern Railroad bridge
are considered public trust areas, specifically Runyon's Creek up-
stream of River Road.
Estuarine Shoreline: -
The shoreline is a seventy-five foot border strip that runs
along both sides of all estuarine waters. Therefore, the Washington _
Study Area has estuarine shoreline along both sides of the Pamlico -
Tar River downstream of the Norfolk -Southern Railroad bridge and
a small amount at the mouth of Runyon's Creek ending at River Road.
Outerbanks and Sand Dunes:
There are no outerbanks or sand dunes in the Washington Study
Area.
Wildlife Habitat
The coastal wetlands and estuarine waters provide habitat for
waterbirds, reptiles, amphibians, and small mammals. These areas
also serve as fish nurseries and nourish shellfish of various species.
-55-

Resource Production and Management
The 1976 Land Development Plan discusses the economic base
of the Washington Study Area in terms of commercial enterprise,
industrial production and retain and wholesale sales. There is
relatively little emphasis on productive agricultural land or
commercial forestland, and none at all on mineral production
areas or commercial and recreational fisheries. This analysis
of the resources of the Washington Study Area is still true today.
Major portions of the City of Washington and its extra-
territorial area (which is within one mile of the city limits)
are now devoted to urban uses, therefore no discussion of resource
production and management policies for the Washington Planning.
Area is possible.
-56

Estimated Demand
There has been greater population growth in the Washington
Study area within the past five years than was predicted in the .
1976 Plan. Washington was projected to increase from its 1976
population of 8,860 to 9,738 by 1985. From preliminary census
data available, the 9,738 figure has already been reached in 1980
(p. 123 - 1976 LDP).
Assuming that the percentage of Beaufort County population
represented by the residents of Washington remains the same over
the next ten-year period, the expected population of the City
for the year 1990 would be between 11,025 and 11,575.
Ample suitable land is available in the Washington Study Area
to accommodate the expected population growth of the next five
years. Though building lots within the City Limits are scarce,
there is available land for expansion of all the surrounding
suburbs with the possible exception of Smallwood and'Vacswood$ '
subdivisions. At.the present time, only one new subdivision is
under development and that is located near Clarks Neck Road on
land that has been platted for several years.
The commercial expansion of Washington is seen to be in
those areas already devoted to that use, particularly Washington
Square Mall, which is presently undergoing expansion with the
addition of a new K-Mart Store and the CBD. Through the implementa-
tion of the Downtown Plan for the CBD, it is anticipated that better
use will be made of the existing commercial area; therefore, no
expansion will be necessary. It is anticipated that the revised
zoning ordinance when it is adopted will provide better opportunities
for clustering new commercial development and will be a more efficient
way to use the ample land available for commercial growth.
More than 150 acres of developed land in the Washington Study
Area is devoted to industrial use. The most noticeable industrial
area lies on the edge of the Study Area west of the city between
the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad and U.S. 264. Other developed
industrial areas are located north of U.S. Highway 17 and west of
Warren Field. Light industrial activity has developed in these
areas. Both locations have ample room for expansion and have
been pinpointed for future industrial growth by the Industrial
Council of the Chamber of Commerce.
-57-

Estimated Demand (cont'd)
The transportation facilities of Washington are adequate to
handle the city's expected growth in the next planning period. The
1976 Plan contains an overview of bus, truck, rail and air service
which is essentially correct today (pp. 108-109 - 1976 LDP).
Th- most significant proposals for the Washington Study Area
are the extension of 15th Street and U.S. 264 Bypass.
WIM a

Washington Thoroughfare Plan
A report entitled The Washington -Washington Park Transportation
Plan approved by both the North Carolina Department of Transportation
and the City of Washington as the basis for a revised Washington -
Washington Park Thoroughfare Plan was approved in 1979. This plan
identified and made recommendations concerning a tripartite street
system as follows:
a. The radial system designed to carry traffic primarily to
and from the central portion of Washington and comprised
of Bridge Street, U. S. 17, Pactolus Road, U.S. 264,
Market Street, Slatestone Road,"Highland Drive, John
Small Avenue, and River Road.
b. A cross-town system primarily designed to accommodate
east -west traffic and north -south traffic having neither
an origin nor a destination within the central area.
This system consists of Bridge Street, Fifth Street,
Market Street, Third Street.
c. The loop system, only portions of which exist at the
present time and the subject of most of the substantive
recommendations for future activities, consists of the
inner loop. which begins at River Road and terminates
at Pactolus Road. It consists.of Hudnell Street, an
extension of Hudnell Street to U.S. 264, Twelfth Street
Fifteenth Street, an extension of Fifteenth Street to
U.S. 264 at State Route 1403. An outer loop is also
proposed which is largely a new facility to run from
U.S. 264 West to 264 East and would utilize a portion
of the existing Cowhead Springs Road, in the vicinity
of the Scovill Plant, and would then connect up north
of Warren Field ownership with Market Street north
and then continue east to meet Slatestone Road and then
turn south to meet 264 East. This outer loop will
provide a needed bypass facility and circulation system
because of the anticipated inability of Fifteenth Street
to function over long periods of time as an effective
part of the bypass and distribution system.
The third major portion of the loop system is the
proposed U.S. 264 bypass, a very important part of the
improvements of U.S. 264 in eastern North Carolina.
A small part of the bypass is located within the
Washington planning jurisdiction and the City is much
interested in preserving this right-of-way and expediting
the completion of this project.
-59-
.,

III. GOAL AND POLICIES DISCUSSION
The emphasis of the 1980 CAMA review,process which produced
this report is the development of implementation strategies by which
to achieve the planning recommendations. Washington is in an optimum
position to follow such an approach because of its administrative
style. The City has a Council -Manager form of government which is
geared to problem identification and problem solving. This method has
been practiced consistently since the first CAMA Land Use Plan was
written in 1976 and the results have been encouraging.
Section III of the 1980 Land Development Plan contains much of
the substance of this document. This section focuses on the goals
and policies set by the City of Washington during the review process
and the strategies devised for Resource Protection of the AEC, for
Economic and Community Development, and to fulfill the City's commit-
ment to State and Federal programso
The Community of Washington has spent countless hours both in
committee sessions and in public meetings to determine the present
goals and the policies by which to implement them. The Citizen
Participation section of the 1980 plan will be discussed in Section V.
The process paid special attention to the four issues which the
Coastal Resources Commission deemed important to the future develop-
ment of Washington:
(a) the four-laning of U.S. 17
(b) waterfront redevelopment
(c) water access, including private and public
marina development
(d) water quality in the Pamlico River
-60-

Four-Laning U.S. 17
The Coastal Resources requested the City of Washington
comment on the feasability of four-laning U.S. 17 from the viriginia
line southerly -through Washington and beyond. The City of _
Washington supports the construction of this north"south corridor
to connect major population centers which will also bring economic
development to the City of Washington. However, at the same time
the east west corridor of 264 connecting Washington with the Peidmont
should not overloked,as this corridor will tie Washington to a strong`
economic area of North Carolina.
t
-61-

Waterfront Redevelopment
The City of Washington has been, is, and will be committed
to the redevelopment of the waterfront within its jurisdiction.
Major efforts in the past have resulted in the Stewart Parkway,
the adjacent recreation and open space, as well as mooring facili-
ties, along the Pamlico -Tar River. Additionally, the park area
lying immediately adjacent to the confluence of Jack's Creek and
the Pamlico -Tar River has been improved by expanded picnic shelters,
increased landscaping and play equipment. The City of Washington,
the North Carolina Historic Preservation Fund and private interests
are now engaged in a program to convert the former Havens Warehouse
to a combination restaurant, museudn and marina, adaptively reusing
this important architectural and historic site to further the
attractiveness of the waterfront area. Major portions of the
waterfront are in the National Register of Historic Districts
as well as the local historic district so that properties
scheduled for alteration must meet requirements of the local
zoning ordinance dealing with certificates of appropriateness.
• The City will continue to move forward with further improve-
ments, either by itself or in conjunction with other agencies,
both public and private, to further the redevelopment of the
waterfront area.
-62-

Water Access, Public and Private
The City of Washington has engaged and will continue to engage
in activities whicti broaden the opportunity for access to the
Pamlico -Tar River. The completion of the bulkhead and mooring
facilities along Stewart Parkway have provided substantially
improved access for boats and fishermen. The City has improved
the publicly -owned boat ramp at the confluence of Runyon's Creek
and the Pamlico -Tar River. It is also moving forward cooperatively
with other agencies to see that the Havens Marina, a public -private
development, will be completed.
The decision of the City to reduce its extraterritorial planning
jurisdiction will return to the control of Beaufort County most of
the waterfront land lying south of the Pamlico -Tar River. Beaufort
County has no zoning, subdivision control, or related regulations
to deal effectively with this area.
-63-

Water Quality - Pamlico River
• One of the next steps which the City of Washington intends
to examine which will affect this particular topic is consideration
of the adoption of erosion and sedimentation controls within
Washington's jurisdiction. Enactment of such regulations would
replace the presently less than rigorous enforcement by the State
of erosion and sedimentation control within the Washington area.
The City of Washington has had proposals for the improvement
of.its sewerage treatment plan pending for some six years. The
recent approval by Federal authorities of the 201 Facilities Plan
removes a major obstacle to the prosecution of this project.
The City intends to move forward for this program, which should
have a beneficial effect on future water quality in the Pamlico
River.
The City of Washington also would support activities by
superior governments to handle the problem of non -point source
pollution of the Pamlico River through improved use and control
of agricultural chemicals, improved agricultural practices, and
related activities. The quality of water in the Pamlico River
is of substantial interest and concern to the citizens of
Washington, therefore the City supports efforts by other govern-
mental units to improve the practices which will result in higher
water quality.
The City of Washington intends to distribute the revised
CAMA Plan widely within its jurisdiction in the hopes that greater
citizen knowledge will result in more effective individual actions
to reduce the contribution of pollutants that will further degrade
thequality of water in the Pamlico River.
-64-

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The revisions reflected in this final Goals and Objectives
Statement are based on information provided by (a) the Executive
Committee of the Planning Board which is serving as an Advisory
Committee to the CAIA Update process, (b) the Management Review
Team, comprised of senior staff from the City of Washington,
(c) interviews with officials in the town and regional government
and those representing private, civic and business organizations,
(d) a careful summary of documents produced by approximately
three years of public forums and other public participation
activities which have been held in Washington and (e) recent goals
and objectives set by both the City officials and local business
organizations.
With the development of the 1976 CAMA Land.Use Plan, Washington
expanded its ongoing public participation program with the creation
of special citizen task groups to focus on specific growth -related
issues or problems, many of which were identified during the formula-
tion of the.first CAMA Plan. In conjunction with the requirements
by HUD for citizen participation, the City organized a Citizens Task
Force in 1976 with IPA funds. The group continues to function today.
In concert with these citizen groups, the Planning Board, the Board
of Adjustment, the Historic District Commission, and the Administra-
tive Departments of the local government also study and comment on
special issues in addition to the routine planning required of them.
Because of the successful collaboration between public groups and
city government in reviewing goals and objectives for planned growth,
the consultants working on the 1980 update of the original CAMA Plan
found current goal statements from these various groups to be a major
resource in dealing with land use issues which will affect the community
during the upcoming ten year planning period. Because many alternative
strategies had already been dismissed by the groups who formulated the
goals and objectives used. to compile the following statement, a brief
discussion item will follow each statement to outline the origin of
the goal and its implementation strategy.
-65-

GOAL I - GROWTH
To insure orderly growth in the Washington Study Area.
This goal was chosen by the officials and public in the
1976 CAMA Plan and has been consistently endorsed by each
successive group associated with special topic task forces
as the 1980 CAMA Plan update.
Objectives (means to achieve the goal):
1. Engage in a continuing program of annexation of residential,.
commercial and industrial lands Qualified under state law.
2. Undertake a continuing program of scheduling capital improve-
ment investment.
3. Extend sewerage, water lines and other municipal services in
accord with the 201 Facilities Plan and the Capital Improve-
ments Plan.
4. Work with the industrial recruiters of the N. C. Department
of Commerce and the Greater Washington Chamber of Commerce
to solicit expansion of economic activity, especially new
industry and tourism.
5. Solidify and expand the economic and residential activity
underway in the downtown area by implementing the Downtown
Plan.
6. Work to strengthen Washington as a commercial base for the
surrounding area by supporting the Downtown Plan.
7. Attempt to solidify the business district by reducing highway
strip development and outward expansion by means of better
zoning and more precise land use standards.
8. Adopt a Local Development Plan by which development proposals
may be reviewed for consistency therewith.
9. Conform to the State's Balanced Growth Policy as it evolves
in the next five years.
-66-

GOAL II - ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
To protect and enhance the natural and manmade environment of the
Washington Study Area.
This concern though originating in the 1976 Plan has found
a more realistic implementation in the recent rewriting of the
development controls represented by the zoning ordinance.
Objectives (means to achieve the goal):
1. Develop and implement an effective program for the management
of surface water drainage based on the findings of a recently
completed engineering analysis and identified in the Capital
Improvements Program.
2. Administer the designated historic zoning district to preserve
the area's architectural and historical significance.
3. Revise the subdivision regulations and adopt and enforce erosion
and sedimentation controls to reduce drainage and erosion related
problems.
4. Encourage enforcement of the laws and regulations controlling the
location and operation of on -site sewerage disposal systems.
S. Enforce the regulations protecting the areas of environmental
concern.
6. Study the annexation of areas that are adjacent to the Pamlico
River that lack sewerage systems to ensure that septic tank
infiltration does not downgrade further the quality of the river.
7. Undertake a program to enhance the visual quality of Washington
and its environs by adoption of design standards proposed in the
revised Zoning Ordinance and implementation of the published
Downtown Plan.
-67-

GOAL III - HOUSING
Provide adequate and safe housing for present and future residents
of the Washington Study Area.
The process of upgrading present housing and building housing
for the low-income groups and the elderly in Washington is ongoing.
However, private efforts are now being added to the programs financed
by Community Development funds.
Objectives (means to achieve the goal):
1. Continue the program of demolishing all dilapidated housing units
and providing relocation assistance after assessing the historic
and architectural significance of these houses and rehabilitating
where possible those found to be important.
2. Continue to upgrade all substandard housing to meet minimum
housing codes or have them demolished.
3. Create a local rehabilitation loan program with private and/or
public funds, including rehabilitation loans to historic buildings,
which will promote the renovation of existing structures.
4. Continue and expand the code enforcement efforts in the extra-
territorial zoning area.
5. Continue to use federal funds for loans and grants for new or
upgraded low-income housing or housing for the elderly.
6. Continue to provide more building lots within the city limits
by extension of water and sewer lines within the corporate limits
and by applying for Community Development Block Grants.
7. Continue to encourage, by seminars and public relation efforts,
private development, especially for the construction of moderate
income rental units.
8. Encourage the stabilization and enhancement of neighborhoods by
means of revised zoning ordinance, the continuation of the
Historic District Commission, and other assistance which is
appropriate.

GOAL IV - RECREATION
Provide recreation facilities and programs for all present and
future residents of the Washington Study Area.
This goal is being met in part by local private development
such as Havens Warehouse; however, the proposed Capital Improvements
Program would insure consistent upgrading for city -sponsored
recreational activities.
Objectives (means to achieve the goal):
1. Plan for the acquisition of open space to serve the future
population needs of the area, especially those parts slated
to be high density residential areas, through a Capital
Improvements Program.
2. Designate in a Capital Improvements Program items which would
provide additional facilities to meet the needs of the 30-45
age group.
3. Coordinate the activities of the city -owned railroad station
cultural center with the Recreation Department programs to
avoid duplication of programs and other expenditures.
Investigate ways to achieve the maximum use of the building.
4. Encourage citizen awareness of surrounding marshland and
other natural areas (most of which are in private ownership)
and to anticipate possible public uses of these areas as parks
and/or environmental resource centers by distribution of the
CAMA Plan.
5. Continue to upgrade the waterfront area of Washington to
accommodate tourist and recreational activities, specifically
boating, in .concert with the preservation of the natural and
manmade environment.
6. Investigate the possibility of building a swimming pool for use
by all the citizens of. the Washington Study Area.

GOAL V - TRANSPORTATION
Implement the adopted Thoroughfare Plan for the Washington Study
Area.
The support for the adopted Thoroughfare Plan is acknowledged
by citizens and officials both.
Objectives (means to achieve the goal):
1. Integrate the implementation of the adopted Thoroughfare
Plan into the newly -formed Capital Improvements Program.
2. Make provision in the Capital Improvements Program for the
orderly paving of unpaved streets, including curbing and
guttering.
3. Make provision for a continuing program to increase the
' efficiency of the street system, i.e., improved signs,
synchronized signals and minor improvements to increase
capacity.
4. Implement the development plan for Warren Field as funds
become available.
5. Study the possibility of developing a public transportation
system by 1985. This should be undertaken in coordination
with the incipient Beaufort County Transportation Plan.
-70-

GOAL VI - PUBLIC SAFETY
Continue to improve public safety equipment for the Washington
Study Area.
The acquisition of modern safety equipment has occurred
during the past five years, and a continuing program to replace
the equipment and respond to new needs is possible with a
Capital Improvements Program.
Objectives (means to achieve the goal):
1. Establish a Capital Improvements Program to ensure an
ongoing budget for upgrading equipment and buildings
for public safety, specifically the new fire equipment
that will be required to serve newly -annexed areas.
2. Initiate funding to provide facilities for a full-time
county rescue squad by Fiscal Year 1985-86.
.,
-71-

a
GOAL VII - PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Achieve an effective program of public participation in local
decision -making.
Because of its success, there should be no significant
change in the present methods employed by Washington to provide
citizen participation in public policy -making.
Objectives (means to achieve the goal):
1. Revise mechanisms to receive community input on all the
above topics which represent important long-range planning
projects with impact on the quality of life in the area.
This can be achieved by continuing the public participation
process of designating special interest groups to respond
to specific issues.
2. Encourage local neighborhood initiatives that will address
joint problems of city and neighborhood.
-72-

IV. LAND CLASSIFICATION
Land Classification Map
Accompanying this plan, and in accordance with CRC guidelines,
is a Land Classification Map,for the Washington Planning Area.
Four of the five classifications of land contained in the CRC
guidelines have been used by the City of Washington on its map.
It has not used the Community classification.
1. Developed
a. Purpose: The purpose of the Developed class is
to provide for continued intensive development
and redevelopment of existing cities.
b. The land contained within the corporate boundaries
of the City of Washington has been designated as
Developed on the Land Classification Map because
all of this area is serviced by sewer and water
and provided with the usual municipal services
such as recreation, police and fire protection,
etc. It is the intention of the city to continue
its program of development and redevelopment
described elsewhere in this plan within its
boundary lines.
2. Transition
a. Purpose: The purpose of the Transition class is
to provide for future intensive urban development
within the ensuing ten years of lands that are
most suitable and that will be scheduled for
provision of necessary public facilities and
services. The transition land also provides for
additional growth when additional lands in the
Developed class are not available or when they
are severely limited for development.
b. The City of Washington, in accordance with sugges-
tions from both CRC and the office of Coastal Zone
Management, has subdivided the Transition classifica-
tion into four sub -categories as follows:
(1) Transition 1 - These are lands comprising major
portions of the area south of the Pamlico -Tar
River within the Washington Planning Area which
are rapidly being converted from rural non -farm
and rural farm operation to much more intensive
-73-

Land Classification Map (cont'd)
residential, commercial and recreation develop-
ment. The City of Washington is in no position'
to extend municipal services or facilities to
this section and, as a matter of fact, has taken
steps to begin the relinquishing of the planning
jurisdiction over major portions of this land.
(2) Transition 2 - The Transition 2 category is applied
to the land contained within the corporate limits
of the City of Washington Park. Expansion of the
quality and quantity of municipal services within
this area, particularly sewer and water, is the
responsibility of the City of Washington Park.
(3) Transition 3 - The Transition 3 category is used
to designate those lands which are suitable for
annexation and servicing by the City of Washington
within the first half of the ten-year planning
period.
(4). Transition 4 - The Transition 4 category designates
those areas within which the City of Washington may
be able and willing to annex service towards the
end of the ten-year planning period.
3. Rural
a. Purpose: The purpose of the Rural class is to provide
for agriculture, forest management, mineral extraction
and other low -intensity uses. Residences may be located
within "rural" areas where urban services are not
required and where natural resources will not be
permanently impaired.
b. The Rural category has been used to designate major
portions of the northern sector of the planning area.
These are areas within which the City of Washington
has no anticipation for annexation of servicing within
the planning period.
4. Conservation
a. Purpose: The purpose of the Conservation class is to `
provide for effective long-range management of significant,
limited or irreplaceable areas. This management may be
needed because of its natural, cultural, recreational,
productive or scenic values. These areas should not be
identified as Transitional Lands in the future.
-74-

Land Classification Map (cont'd)
b. The major portion of Conservation land lies south
of the Pamlico -Tar River and is comprised of wetlands
and other areas where scenic and ecological importance
have been identified. Additionally, the low-lying
areas lying along Tranter's Creek and between
Tranter's Creek and Kennedy's Creek adjacent to
the Pamlico -Tar River have also been designated
Conservation, as have the five or six islands in
the Tar River, some of which are Castle Island
and Grandpap's Island.
The land designated Conservation lying south of the
Pamlico -Tar River which is now under the extra-
territorial planning jurisdiction now in the City
of Washington will be relinquished back to the
County for control shortly.
-75-

Redevelopment of Currently Developed Areas
The 1976.Land Development Plan covers the history and
accomplishments of various urban renewal projects in Washington
since the early 1960's (pp. 43-46 - 1976 LDP). These efforts
resulted in the East End Urban Renewal Plan to effect slum
clearance and rehabilitation in a 425 acre area; the re -use of
the Washington Heights neighborhood for the site of an elementary
school and a public housing project; the rehabilitation of the
Downtown -Waterfront area which culminated with the completion
of Stewart Parkway; and the General Neighborhood Renewal Plan
for West End I.
In 1974, with the establishment of the Community Development
law, the City, along with advisory groups, established an "Impact
Area" which would receive the predominant use of Community Develop-
ment funds. The Impact Area is generally bounded by Third Street,
Hackney Avenue, Seventh Street, and Market Street. It contains
39 blocks encompaasing 157 acres, divided into 262 parcels. The
environmental conditions of the area were poor. The streets were
predominantly dirt, street lighting was insufficient, and the area
was subject to localized flooding three to four times each year.
The City received Entitlement Funds from 1974 until 1979 until
this program was discontinued. The predominant amount of $1,143,075
in Entitlement Grant Funds received was used for public works and
site improvements in the Impact Area.
The City was awarded a $500,000 Discretionary Grant in 1977
for concentrated improvement activities. This improvement area
was located on West Sixth Street between Washington Street and
Hackney Avenue, containing about 6 acres. Dilapidated structures
were purchased and removed, persons were relocated and single family
houses were constructed by private enterprise in the area.
In 1978 the City was one of ten cities in North Carolina
awarded a $2.1 million multi -year (Three year) comprehensive Small
Cities Community Development Block Grant. This grant will be used
for acquisition and removal of structures in a five -block area and
rehabilitation of a three -block area with supporting public works
improvements. The five -block removal areas are bounded by Third
Street to Fifth Street, Washington to Fleming Streets, and Fifth
Street, Van Norden, Gladden Street and Sixth Street. Rehabilitation
will be in three blocks to the north of West Sixth Street, bounded
by Gladden and Van Norden Streets. The City will continue to
improve substandard housing conditions through Community Development
Block Grant Programs.

Redevelopment of Currently Developed Areas (cont'd)
The other significant redevelopment project planned for
the City of Washington is detailed in the Downtown Plan.
Briefly, this program calls for the adaptive reuse of buildings
in the CBD; the creation of second story housing options; and
the relandscaping of both the downtown streets and the water-
front.
-77-

RESOURCE PROTECTION
Areas of Environmental Concern
Many of the City's goals and objectives assist the purposes
of the 1974 Coastal Area Management Act. However,:more specific
response is needed to the lands and waters designated Areas of
Environmental Concern.
The city of Washington and its Study Area was already highly
developed prior to the enactment of the 1974 legislation and the
creation of the 1976 Plan. It is fortunate that much of the land-
scape now considered to be AEC is still reasonably undeveloped
with plans for it to remain so.
The following subsections deal with the individual classifi-
cations of AEC and the plans for protecting them by means of the
regulations recommended through the 1980 Land Development Plan.
Coastal Wetlands
The 1976 Land Development Plan recommended that the areas
of coastal wetlands (the location of these is described in Section II
of the 1980 LDP) remain undeveloped (p. 99 - 1976 LDP). This
has been the case with the exception of scattered residential
development on the borders of Rodman's Creek on the south side
of the Pamlico River.
The City of Washington has exercised some authority in that
vicinity as part of its one and one-half mile extraterritorial
jurisdiction. However, at no time did that authority include
enforcement of the building code and septic tank regulations.
Because the City of Washington has been in non-conformance with
both the State enabling legislation and the City Charter in
exercising authority in a one and one-half mile extraterritorial
area, the City Council has decided to recind the planning area
to within a one -mile radius of the city limits. This decision
leaves some of the land under discussion as coastal wetland AEC
uprotected except through the enforcement of use standards by
Beaufort County.
On the north side of the Pamlico River, coastal wetlands
appear at the mouth of Jack's Creek near the public boat dock.
The present use is compatible with the standards set forth by
-78-

Coastal Wetlands (cont'd)
the Coastal Area Management Act. That is a "development activity
_ that requires water access and cannot function elsewhere" (p. 6,
15 NAC 7H - State Guidelines for Areas of Environmental Concern).
The consensus in the Washington community regarding any
development of the patches of coastal wetland that exist on the
south side of the Pamlico River is that none would be considered
with the possible exception of non -intrusive marina facilities,
boat docks, or fishing piers. Any access from the Whichard's
Beach Road to such facilities would also be considered undesirable
unless a road bed could be selected that did not intrude on the
coastal wetlands.
The greatest danger to the existing coastal wetlands may be
from septic tank pollution from the residential developments
along Whichard's Beach Road. The recent State regulations
regarding the placement of septic tanks should be closely followed
in this area.
Estuarine (Commercial) Waters
No development contrary to the use standards mandated by
the Coastal Resources Commission is planned for the estuarine
waters in the Washington Planning Area. (See Section II of this
report for locations.)
Washington is seeking to encourage public and/or private
marina development to enhance the recreational value of its
waterfront; however, such activities are in accord with the
second priority of estuarine waters use which includes: "those
types of development activities that require water access and
use which cannot function elsewhere such as simple access
channels; structures to prevent erosion; navigation channels;
boat docks, marinas, piers, wharfs, and mooring pilings" (p. 7,
15 NCAC 7H - State Guidelines for Areas of Environmental Concern).
Because many residences in Washington front on the Pamlico
River, and because fertilizer run-off could adversely affect the
estuarine maters, a program of public education about this
community and regional resource will be continued. Plans to
distribute copies of the 1980 Land Development Plan throughout
segments of the Washington population are being made.
5IM

Public Trust Areas
In the Washington Study. Area, these waters (locations
described in Section II of this plan) are bordered by either. undeveloped
or agricultural land. The exception to this is a large industrial
concentration that abuts on Runyon'.s Creek above River Road to
Pennsylvania Aver.-ue. Those waters presently surrounded by
agricultural land will be protected by means of a buffer of land
on either side of them designated Conservation in the new 1980
Land Classification Map. No development will be allowed in this
area.
The City of Washington is planning to hold public education
programs during the period prior to the adoption of the 1980 Land
Development Plan which will emphasize the damage caused to
estuarine waters by agricultural run-off carried by inland or
public trust waters.
Estuarine Shorelines
Despite the heavy urban concentration along parts of the
estuarine shoreline bordering the Washington Planning Area, there
are still significant locations bordered by undeveloped land (see
Section II of this report for description). The City of ,
Washington's policy in regard to this undeveloped shoreline is
to conform to the use standards set forth in pp. 16-17, 15 NCAC
7H - State Guidelines for Areas of Environmental Concern.
Hazard Areas
The hazard areas discussed in the 1976 Land Development Plan
(pp. 83-85) consist of tank farms in the east end of town near
major thoroughfares and surrounded by residential uses; fertilizer
outlets in the west end of town which store quantities of fertilizer;
and Warren Airfield, which is also bordered by some residential
zones including a mobile home park.
Many of these uses were established prior to the adoption of
the zoning ordinance. Unfortunately, there is no retroactive power
that can be exercised under a revised zoning ordinance, though better
industrial performance standards and more precise locational standards
in the proposed revised zoning ordinance will prevent situations such
as the above from occurring again.
The FAA regulations regarding the height of buildings .in a given
radius of an airfield, and the use of hazard lights insure some
protection for the districts surrounding Warren Field, as does a
local Airport Hazard Ordinance.
ago

Flooding
The 1976 Land Development Plan contains an accurate map of
F the flood plain in the Washington Study Area (see Map 4, p. 86).
In 1979, the City of Washington retained an engineering firm
to study the storm drainage facilities and make recommendations
to improve them. This report is now being reviewed and decisions
will be made regarding the implementation of these recommendations
during the planned Capital Improvements program.
The City of Washington has adopted a flood zoning ordinance
as required by the Federal Flood Insurance Program to qualify for
flood insurance. The ordinance declares that "in the interest of
public health, safety and welfare, the regulations of the floodway
zone, floodway fringe zone, and the high hazard districts are
intended to protect areas of the flood plain subject to and
necessary for flood waters." The ordinance states the specific
intent of these zones is to (1) restrict or prohibit uses which
are dangerous to health, safety, or property in times of flood
or cause excessive increases in flood heights or velocities;
(2) require that uses vulnerable to floods, including public
facilities which serve such uses, be protected against flood
damages at the time of initial construction; (3) protect. individ-
uals from buying lands which are unsuited for intended purposes,
due to flood hazard; (4) meet the needs of the streams to carry
flood waters and protect the creek channels and flood plains from
encroachment so that flood heights and flood damage will not be
appreciably increased. The ordinance is intended to permit only
that development within the floodplain which is appropriate in the
light of the probability of flood damage and presents a reasonable,
social and economic use of the land in relation to the hazards
involved. The ordinance requires that each zone have only that
type of development in it that will not be endangered in the event
of a flood. The regulations on each differ because each zone was
set up to deal with a different type of problem. The floodway
zone was established to preserve the flood carrying capacity of
the streams in the city. The floodway fringe and high hazards
zones were established above the ten foot hazard mark or the flood -
proofing of the structure.
-81-

HISTORIC AND ARCHEOLOGICAL RESOURCES
The 1976 CAMA Land Use Plan called for the conservation of
Washington's historical resources, many of which were located in
the downtown area and adjoining residential neighborhoods. In
1976, the City Council authorized a study by the N. C. Division of
Archives and History to survey the buildings in these locations
and to determine their eligibility as a National Register of
Historic Places District. The study was substantially completed
in August 1978, and the district was approved in February 1979.
However, local interest and support for the project was enthusias-
tic and led to the establishment of a local Historic District
Commission, and a locally designated Historic Zoning District.
The boundaries of the local district followed those set in the
National Register nomination for the most part, but added more
territory along the river front including the river itself.
(The Civil War ship "The Pickett" is thought to rest off shore
from one of the residential areas of the Historic District).
The Commission, working with the City, conducted an intensive
educational campaign to acquaint property owners in the neighbor-
hoods with all aspects of historic district zoning. The response
to the effort showed 70% of the property owners in favor of the
proposed district which includes 125 acres of land and 650 buildings
The paralleling of the designation of the National Register
District with the creation of the local Historic Zoning District
is important for several reasons. Primarily because of the degree
of protection afforded the historic buildings by the regulations
of the Historic Zoning District Ordinance. Though nomination to
the National Register is an honor and designation in the Register
can offer some tax incentives and disincentives for the rehabilitation
of income -producing property, according to the 1976 Tax Reform Act,
the bulk of protective regulations governing the alteration and
demolition of historic properties is found in the ordinance.
The extension of the Historic Zoning Ordinance to the
archeological material in the Pamlico River is evidence of
Washington's concern for the fragility of her archeological
resources which were surveyed in a 1977 report by Larry Babits,
of the State Division of Archives and History.
Comments from the State Historic
Dr. Larry Tise, are included in this
commitment to preserve her heritage,
logical. Dr. Tile's comments were:
Preservation Officer,
report to emphasize Washington's
be it architectural or archeo-
-82-

HISTORIC AND ARCHEOLOGICAL RESOURCES (cont'd)
"Historic and architecturally significant buildings can be
adversely affected, both directly and indirectly, by a large
number of activities. All construction projects have the
potential to require the demolition of important, though simple,
structures on a site as well as to alter the use of nearby land
thereby causing secondary impacts to a building of historic or
architectural importance. In addition, new construction is
frequently unnecessary as existing buildings can be renovated
for adaptive reuses; often these are uses quite different from
the use intended at the time of a building's construction.
Rehabilitation is more energy conservative and job intensive
than new construction, and recycles elements of the coastal
historic character into everyday use.
Archaeological resources are fragile and nonrenewable. Such
resources include both historic and prehistoric sites on land.
These sites are found in urban and rural areas, as well as along
the shores. Archeological sites contain vast amounts of informa-
tion about our past; information that, at times, can be found
nowhere else.
' Due to the fragile nature of these resources, many different
types of activities damage or destroy archeological sites. Most
activities that involve ground disturbance, such as construction,
grading, excavation, and even agricultural and timbering activities
damage or destroy these resources. Other types of activities that do
not necessarily involve ground disturbance can also affect
archeological sites. These activities include recreational use,
flooding, erosion and soil compaction.
Underwater cultural resources often hold a wealth of information
due to excellent artifact preservation and their normally undisturbed
condition. Exploration and study of historic waterfronts, abandoned
or wrecked vessels, etc., can shed light on many aspects of maritime
history associated with this planning area which might otherwise be
unknown. Therefore, the understanding and proper management of these
irreplaceable cultural resources is extremely important to prevent
their loss during future development.
Disturbance of submerged bottom lands, particularly during new
channel dredging and extensive waterfront development, should consider
possible effects to underwater cultural resources during the earliest
stages of planning. In areas that have been used historically for
-83-

HISTORIC AND ARCHEOLOGICAL RESOURCES (cont'd)
maritime activities, documentary investigations should be initiated
to determine whether an underwater archaeological survey is +
necessary. Known shipwrecks, many of which are plotted on USGS
maps or Coastal Geodetic Survey charts, should be avoided or
investigated and assessed for historical significance prior to
final planning stages."
The downtown area and the river front are the nuclei of
Washington's historic district and they reflect the vital history
of the City. Therefore, the well-being of that area is of importance
to any effort to preserve Washington's historical resources. Shortly
after the formation of the Historic District Commission, the local
Historic Zoning District and the Nomination to the National Register
of Historic Places, the City applied for and received a matching.
grant from the N. C. Division of Archives and History to begin a
three phase study of the Historic Zoning District, beginning with
the Central Business District. Matching funds were obtained from
Community Development Entitlement Funds, the City of Washington,
the Washington Chamber of Commerce, the Washington Downtown Associa-
tion, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Land and Community
Associates of Charlottesville, Virginia, was hired to prepare a
Downtown Plan. The Downtown Plan and an accompanying manual,
the Facade Handbook, a study of suggested improvements in the
commercial area, were completed in the Fall of 1979. The Plan
includes design suggestions to enhance pedestrian access to the
downtown blocks and waterfront, marketing analysis, and methods
to provide promotional and financial support for the area. The
subsequent phases of the plan should prove equally instructive and
the continued participation in the effort by the local merchants
is evidence of a long-term committment.
Restoration of three downtown properties have been undertaken
since interest in the area was aroused by the National Register
survey. The Peterson Building, Havens Warehouse, and the Sloan
Insurance Building are all highly visible landmarks for the Bridge
Street via Highway 17 entry into the Washington business district.
The Peterson Building now provides office space for the Northeastern
Council of Government, and will soon have additional space for
commercial use. Havens Warehouse is being adaptively restored under
the provisions of,the Tax Reform Act of 1976 as a restaurant -marina
complex. The Sloan Insurance Building has been extensively remodeled
on the front and rear sides according to recommendations of the Facade
Handbook.
-84-

HISTORIC AND ARCHEOLOGICAL RESOURCES (cont'd)
The City of Washington is also directly involved in the effort
toward Downtown revitalization. It is planning to reuse adaptively
the 1913 Federal Building for administrative office space; it has
spearheaded the long-term effort to adapt the railroad depot as a
community cultural center; and it presently maintains headquarters
in two historic buildings on Market Street.
The intensive use of the Washington downtown area and recogni-
tion of it as unique places both visually and historically, are key
components in combating several of the ills the commercial section
had begun to suffer when the 1976 CAMA Plan was written. The
Downtown Plan and the Facade Handbook are good tools for the Downtown
Association and the City to use to guide future efforts to better
utilize the area's potential. The present emphases are: (1) to
continue with the reorganization of walking space which was begun
in the 1960's under various urban renewal projects, through land-
scaping, street lighting and furniture, etc.; (2) to follow a
consistent design philosophy in the renovation of older storefront
and the sides of the buildings facing the river; (3) encourage more
diverse uses in second story spaces; (4) to create a promotional and
financial base that adheres to present marketing recommendations.
-85-

Hurricane and Flood Evacuation Needs
The need for a citizen evacuation plan in the event of
hurricane -induced flooding is always possible in the Washington
Study Area. Fortunately, the areas north of the Pamlico River
have satisfactory access to major highways leading away from the
city and the river.
In the event of a hurricane emergency, the greatest problem
would be in evacuating the residents of Whichard's Beach who are
served by only one primary road. Because this area is subject
to control by Beaufort County and to a lesser degree by the City
of Washington, it is of special importance that the two agencies
continue the cooperative efforts presently underway to formulate
planning in the area of evacuation alternatives.
I
t.

re
Economic and Community Development
The prospects for Washington's economic and community
development are bright. Since the evaluation of community -wide
goals and policies during the 1976 CAMA Land Development Plan
process, Washington has made great strides in the improvement
of the quality of life in the Study Area. Some of the most
important changes in Washington have already been mentioned,
but a review of several achievements is useful here:
(1) the completion of Stewart Parkway and the concommitent
improvement of the waterfront and downtown traffic flow;
(2) the continuation of several slum clearance and rehabili-
tation programs begun under the aegis or Urban Renewal
and continued with three major Community Development
grants;
(3) the completion of the 201 Facilities Plan after four
years, and the present effort to revise it in terms
of new economic realities;
(4) the designation of a local Historic Zoning District to
protect and enhance those properties identified by both
the National Register nomination and the historic district
inventory; and the extension of this protection to the
archeological remains in the Pamlico River;
• (5) the cooperation between the public and private sectors
which enabled the rehabilitation of two major downtown
projects, the E. Peterson Building and Havens Warehouse
under the 1976 Tax Reform Act;
(6) the development of the Downtown Plan and the Facade
Handbook to aid in the revitalization of the CBD.
(7) the adaptive reuse of public buildings for City offices;
(8) the completion of the 1979 Thoroughfare Plan;
(9) the completion of an engineering report on an improved
drainage network in the Study Area;
(10) the purchase of new equipment by both the Police and
Fire Departments;
-87-

Economic and Community Development (cont'd)
(11) the provision of adequate housing for low and moderate
income groups and the elderly through Community Develop
went grants;
(12) the.attraction of three new industries to the Washington
Study Area: Lowe's, Gregory Poole and Stanadyne.
These are really remarkable achievements for a city the size of
Washington and much effort has gone into seeking assistance from
suitable state and federal agencies to finance such major projects.
Perhaps the main accomplishment under the 1980 CAMA Land
Development Plan process has been the decision to expand the
City's emphasis to improve the quality of life in Washington
through better land use regulations and to plan for a future
based on tourism and recreational resources as well as those
offered by selective industrial recruitment.
Provision of Services
The first step in a new direction for Washington has been the •
1980 revision of the zoning ordinance and the shrinking of the
City's extraterritorial area to within one mile of the city limits.
The purpose of the new zoning ordinance is to provide more
satisfactory development options through more precise land use
standards and the use of planned unit developments. Both of
these efforts will benefit the more orderly extension of services
within the Washington Study Area.
The federal approval of Washington's 201 facilities plan and
the annexation of areas qualified under State law, will provide
municipal services which better serve urban areas. The increased
authority within the one mile zoning jurisdiction will mean an
improved standard of development which affect the quality of life
of the area.
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Type and Location of Desired Industry
Washington has always maintained a large amount of land
zoned for industrial uses. In earlier days, this often resulted
in an unfortunate mix of residential and industrial uses, which
was discussed in Section II of this plan.
However, Washington's past and present interest in recruiting
industry of the type they have been able to attract in the past
four years has led the city officials and civic leaders to pre-
select suitable industrial sites. Each of the sites listed on
page 20 of Section II offers a land area with room for reasonable
expansion, adequate access to either rail or major thoroughfare
access, and the opportunity for sewer and water service with
appropriate benefits to the City through tax levies.
Desired Urban Growth Pattern
The goals and policies statements and the corroborating
discussions throughout this report indicate Washington's desire
to encourage more tightly clustered development in residential,
commercial and industrial uses.
Though emphasis has been placed on revitalizing the CBD
through the creation of a special tax district and the implementa-
tion of the Downtown Plan, the overall intention of the City is
that both Washington Square and the CBD be complimentary shopping
areas. This in no way precludes the development of clusters or
nodes of commercial uses to serve outlying residential areas, but
a definite trend away from strip development is the goal of a
majority of citizens and officials participating in the 1980 CAMA
Land Development Plan process.

V. INTERGOVERNMENTAL COOPERATION
The cooperation described in the 1976 CAMA Plan between the
City of, Washington and Beaufort County has continued in the interim.
Cooperative efforts are underway in the planning of rescue squad
' service, transportation planning, disaster planning - both natural
and manmade - and a continuation of the practice of periodic
consultation between the staff of the City and the staff of the
County.
Fortunately, the update of CAMA Plans for both the City and
County started simultaneously. This allowed a close working
relationship to continue between the staff of the Beaufort County
Planning Department and the consultants and staff of the City of
Washington. Technical meetings were held, as well as a joint
meeting of the legislative bodies of the City and County. During
that latter meeting, consultants for the City of Washington, the
City of Belhaven and the County planning staff reviewed the process
of the CAMA Plan update and solicited comments, recommendations
and criticisms from both the legislative bodies and the general
public which was invited to the meetings. The County received
an extension on the delivery of its 1980 update.
+ The decision by the City of Washington to reduce its extra-
territorial planning jurisdiction to one mile leaves to the County
decisions as to the appropriate development of sensitive areas
previously at least partially controlled by the City of Washington.
These areas include major portions of the Whichard's Beach area,
Tanter's Creek watershed, and land along either side of both U.S. 17
North and U.S. 264 East and West.
.m

VI. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION
The emphasis of the 1980 CAMA review process is on the
development of implementation strategies by which to achieve the
planning recommendations. Washington is in an optimum position
to follow such an approach because of its administrative style.
The City has a Council -Manager form of government which is geared
to problem identification and problem solving. This method has
been practiced consistently since the first CAMA Land Use Plan
was written in 1976 and the results, which will be described in
the 1980 Land Development Plan, are heartening.
The well developed process of citizen participation, which
has been followed in Washington for some years, was incorporated
in the CAMA update process. The staff and consultants had benefit
of continuous review of findings and recommendations from (a) The
Executive Committee of the Planning Board which is serving as an
Advisory Committee to the CAMA update process, (b) the Management
Review Team, comprised of senior staff from the City of Washington,
(c) interviews with officials in the town government and those
representing private, civic and business organizations, (d) a
careful summary of documents produced by approximately over three
years of public forums and other public participation activities
which have been held in Washington, and (e) recent goals and
objectives set by both the City officials and local business
organizations.
' Concurrently with the CAMA update, the staff, consultants, \
and the citizen advisors engaged in a complete revision of the
zoning ordinance, one of the chief implementation tools in the
field of land use regulations, and the proposition of a Local
Development Plan incorporating many of the recent significant
studies of the Washington area, including the 201 Facilities Plan,
the Downtown Plan, the 1979 Thoroughfare Plan, and numerous other
efforts.
The Executive Summary of the 1980 Land Development Plan
will be reproduced and distributed by the City of Washington to
the local citizens groups, County and City officials and others
who worked on the plan. The distribution of the Plan
will coincide with the publication of a newspaper insert outlining
the findings of the plan. This insert will appear in the
Washington Daily News. This extensive coverage of the contents
of the plan is designed to prepare the citizenry adequately for
the adoption of the 1980 Land Development Plan by October, 1980.
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CITIZEN PARTICIPATION (cont'd)
Because the method of public participation practiced
in Washington since 1976 has succeeded, there is no reason
to change it. In the past, citizen task forces have been
created to address specific topics. After a review process
is completed, these citizen groups become able advocates for
definite policies adopted on the basis of their review.
This is the direction which will be taken in implementing
the strategies outlined in the 1980 Land Development Plan.
The Committee of 75 is already in place to begin this procedure.
Though the Committee may decide to reform itself into separate
committees to promote individual issues contained in the plan,
the leaders of the Committee will continue to function as a
liason group within the City Planning Board.
t.
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L
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VII. RECOMMENDATIONS
The next logical phase in the implementation of the goals and
policies of the 1980 CAMA Plan can be summarized in the following
major steps, which are recommended for execution during the ten-
year planning period:
1. The formulation and execution of a continuing Capital
Improvements program for the City of Washington. This would entail
the annual review of the six -year future City needs for capital
investment, the projection of costs --operating and capital --as well
as identification of sources of funds to support both the capital
and the operating costs.
2. The further revision of the regulatory system of the City
by updating the Subdivision Regulations and the development of
more clearly defined administrative procedures for review of proposed
plans.
3. The examination of the possibility of enacting and enforcing
erosion and sedimentation control regulations within the City's
jurisdiction.
4. The commencement of implementation of the 201 Facilities
Plan now that it has been approved by the Federal Government. A
necessary prerequisite is the clearing of the law suit currently
before the U. S. Supreme Court.
5. The development and execution of a rational and continuing
program of annexation in order that the provision of urban services
can keep pace with the expansion of urban development.
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