Land Use Plan-1976

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VASHINGTON
LAND USE PLAN
AS
MANDATED BY
STATE -GUIDELINES FOR.LOCAL-
PLANNING-IN THE -COASTAL AREA
UNDER THE COASTAL AREA
MANAGEMENT ACT OF 1974
MAY 21, 1976

WASHINGTON CAMA LAND USE PLAN
Washington, North Carolina.
March 21, 1976
'
Prepared By
WASHINGTON PLANNING BOARD
James P. Blanton, Chairman
Blake C. Lewis, Jr., Vice Chairman
William Roach
Leon Randolph, Jr,
William Lurvey
Thomas E. Umphlett
Thomas M. Singleton, Jr,
Henry C. Humphreys
Judy Hayes
George C. Bailey
A
For
THE CITIZENS OF WASHINGTON
40
To Be Implemented By
WASHINGTON CITY COUNCIL
Richard Tripp, Mayor
Louis T. Randolph, Mayor Pro Tem
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A. N. Sawyer
Carlotta Mordecai
Joe Hickman
PROJECT STAFF
George L, Nichols, Project Planner
Marian Alligood, Secretary
Debra Ingalls, Secretary
Patricia:Sheppard, Secretary
Danny Smith, Draftsman

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
I. Introduction 1
Purpose of the plan, history of CAMA planning effort, etc. 3
II. Description',of Present'Conditions
17
A.
Population and Economy (brief analysis)
18
B.
Existing Land Use
1. Legible map of existing land uses
33
2. Analysis
34
a. significant..compatibility problems
41
b. problems from unplanned development with implica-
tions for future land use
41
c. areas experiencing..or likely to experience major
land use . change
43
C.
Current Plans, Policies, and Regulations
47
1. Plans and Policies
48
a. transportation.plans
48
b. community facilities plans
52
c. utilities extension policies
52
d. open space policies
53
e. recreation policies
53
f. prior land use plans
53
g. prior land use policies
55
2. Local Regulations
55
a.. zoning ordinances
5S
b. subdivision regulations
55
c. floodway ordinances
57
d. building codes
59
e. spetic tank regulations
60
f. historic districts regulations
60
g. nuisance regulations
60
h.. dune protection .ordinances
61
i.. sedimentation codes
61
j. environmental impact statement ordinances
61
3. Federal and State Regulations
62
III. Public Participation,Activities
66
A.
Identification and -analysis of major .land use issues
67
1. The impact,of population.and economic trends
75
2. The provision-.of.adequate housing and other services
76
3. The conservation of productive natural.resources
76
4. The protection.of:important natural environments
76
5.-, The protection of._cultural.and historic resources
77
B.
Alternatives consideredlin the development of the
objectives, policies,.and standards
78
C.
Land use objectives, policies, and standards for dealing
with each identified major issue
68-74
D.
A brief description of the process used to determine
objectives, policies, and standards, emphasizing
public participation
79

Page
E. A detailed -statement outlining the methods employed in
securing public participation, and the degree of
participation achieved and the results obtained
80
IV. Constraints
82
A. Land Potential
83
1. Physical Limitations
83
a. hazard areas
83
b. soil limitations
88
c. water supply areas
98
d. steep slopes
98
2.. Fragile. Areas
98
a. coastal.wetlands
98
b. outer banks sand dunes
98
c. ocean.beaches and shorelines
98
d. estuarine waters
98
e. public trust waters
101
f. complex natural areas
101
g. areas sustaining :remnant species
101
i
h. areas.containing unique geologic formations
103
i. registered_ natural landmarks
103
j. archeologic.and.historic sites
103
3. Areas with Resource Potential
103
a. productive agricultural..lands
103
b.. potentially valuable mineral, sites
103
c.- publicly -owned lands and other non -intensive
outdoor recreation lands
104
d. privately -owned wildlife sanctuaries
104
B. Capacity of Community Facilities
105
1. Identification of existing water and sewer service
.
areas
105
2. Design capacity of existing water treatment plant,
sewer treatment plant, schools, and primary roads
107
3. The percent utilizationofwater and sewer plants,
schools, and primary roads
108
V. Estimated Demand
122
A. Population and Economy
123
1. Population
123
a. ten-year population projection
123
b. considerations taken into account in preparing
ten-year projection (seasonal populations,
local objectives, social and economic changes)
123
'
c. 5, 10, 25, and 50-year projections
124
d. relationship of long-term projections to
desires of the -people
124
e.. relationship of the capabilities of the land
135
f. examination of seasonal population and economic
impacts
124
2. Economy
128
Identification of major trends and factors in economy

B. Future Land Needs
Use of the ten-year population projection to determine
.land demand for land classification
C. Community Facilities Demand
1. Ten-year population projection used to determine
facilities demand
a 2.. Consideration of the type and cost of services
needed -to accommodate projected population
3. Consideration of the -ability of the.local economy
to finance service expansion
VI. Plan Description
A. Description of the Land -Classification System
B. Projected population growth allocation to Transition,
Community, and Rural Land classes, based upon local
objectives
C. Gross population densities used to allocate Transition
and Community classifications
D. A legible Land Classification Map which is consistent
with local objectives, policies, and standards
VII. Areas of Environmental Concern
VIII. Summary
A. Discussion of the manner of data assembly, analysis,
and a statement of major conclusions
B. Discussion of the application of the data to the plan's
formulation
IX. City -County Plan Relationship Defined
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X. Appendix
A. Stream Classification
Bibliography
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Page
129
131
139
141
144
145
140
147
152
153
160
162
164-A
165-A
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Table Number
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
14
15.
16
17
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LIST OF TABLES
Description
Page
POPULATION TRENDS, BEAUFORT COUNTY, 1900-1970
20
POPULATION TRENDS, CITY OF WASHINGTON, 1900-1970
21
POPULATION CHANGE BY AGE GROUP AND RACE, CITY OF
WASHINGTON, 1960-1970
22
POPULATION CHANGE BY AGE GROUPS, SEX AND RACE:
1950-1960, CITY OF WASHINGTON
23
POPULATION CHANGE BY AGE GROUPS, SEX AND RACE:
CITY OF WASHINGTON, 1960-1970
24
YEARS OF SCHOOL COMPLETED, CITY OF WASHINGTON,
1960 and 1970
25
CHANGE IN OCCUPATIONAL CATEGORIES, CITY OF
WASHINGTON, 1970
26
INDUSTRIAL COMPOSITION, CITY OF WASHINGTON, 1960
28
INDUSTRIAL COMPOSITION, CITY OF WASHINGTON, 1970
29
MALE EMPLOYMENT BY OCCUPATION, CITY OF WASHINGTON,
1960-1970
30
FEMALE EMPLOYMENT BY OCCUPATION, CITY OF WASHINGTON,
1960-1970
31 .
CURRENT PLANS, POLICIES AND REGULATIONS,'CITY OF
WASHINGTON
47
LIMITATIONS OF SOIL ASSOCIATIONS,,.BEAUFORT
COUNTY, 1971
90
WATER AND SEWER PLANTS, CITY OF WASHINGTON
107
PRIMARY ROADS, WASHINGTON PLANNING AREA
109
POPULATION PROJECTIONS, CITY OF WASHINGTON AND
EXTRATERRITORIAL AREA, 1980-2020
125
POPULATION TRENDS, WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
OF WASHINGTON, 1940�':1970
126
POPULATION PROJECTIONS, BEAUFORT COUNTY AND
TOWNSHIPS, 1970-2000
127
REQUIRED FIRE FLOW
134

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LIST OF MAPS
Map Nmber
Description
Page
Map
1
Regional Setting
2
Map
2
Washington Planning Area
4
Map
3
Existing Land Use
33
Map
4
Flood Hazard Area
86
Map
5
Soil Associations
89
Map
6
Water Supply Area
100
Map
7
Stream Classification
102
Map
8
Water and Sewer Service Area
106
Map
9
Land Classification
139
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IVTRODUCTION
PART I
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Greenville
New Bern
MAP 1
REGIONAL SETTIN
0 2

PURPOSE OF PLAN
North Carolina's coastal area is considered one of the most important
regions for food production, sport and commercial fishing, future expansion
of commerce, industry and recreation. Pursuant to the orderly growth and
protection of important natural resources of this area, the 1974 General
Assembly passed the Coastal Area Management Act of 1974 (CAMA).
CAMA is a state law that requires all local governments in Coastal
i North Carolina counties and towns to develop a land use plan for their future
growth. This land use plan will be considered the official guide for the
future development of Washington and its extraterritorial jurisdiction. The
0 plan allocates various land uses to specific areas so as to correct inade-
quacies in past land development patterns and to assure appropriately related
future development.
Goals and objectives are also stated in this plan. To accomplish the
goals and objectives of this plan, the adoption of implementation programs
is a necessity. Legal tools such as zoning ordinances and subdivision
regulations will adhere to the plan. In addition, capital improvement pro-
grams as well as short -and long-range financial plans should serve to carry
out plan objectives.
Utilization of this plan will result in more cost effective use of public
funds and a higher quality of life for Washingtonians.
GENERAL APPROACH
This plan assesses present land use patterns and problems within the
Planning Area and sets forth recommendations for alleviating those problems.
It analyzes possible future land development problems and needs, and recommends
procedures for avoiding such problems. More importantly, this document
3

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PLANNING AR
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provides a policy guide for use by the Planning Board, the City Manager, and the
# City Council for making day-to-day decisions bearing on.land development and
services.
STUDY AREA, DEFINED
Reference will be made to the Study Area or the Washington Planning
Area. This Study Area consists of the City of Washington and its extra-
territorial zoning and planning jurisdiction which extends one and one-half
(1z) miles in all directions. The Washington City Council has legal
authority to guide future growth and development through the administration
of zoning and subdivision regulations, as well as through extension of
municipal services. Thus, this land use plan considers the land area
contiguous to Washington, since most new development is project to occur
there due to its undeveloped character. Map 2 depicts the Washington
Planning Area.
AUTHORITY TO PLAN
North Carolina CODE, Part 1 of Article 19, provides the enabling
legislation for the cities and towns within the state to create or designate
one or more planning agencies. In part, Section 160A-361 of Article 19
states:
"Any city may by ordinance create or designate one or
more agencies to perform the following duties:
(1) Make studies of the area within its jurisdiction
and surrounding areas;
(2) Determine objectives to be sought in the develop-
ment of the study area;
(3) Prepare and adopt plans for achieving these
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objectives;
(4) Develop and recommend policies, ordinances,
administrative procedures, and other means
for carrying out plans in a coordinated and
efficient manner;
(S) Advise the council concerning the use and
amendment of means for carrying out plans;
(6) Exercise any functions in the administration
and enforcement of various means for
carrying out plans that the council may
direct; 40
(7) Perform any other related duties that the
council may direct..."
Article 19 further provides that the planning agency may prepare a 0
zoning plan, including both text and maps,showing the various zoning
districts. Pursuant to Section 160A-383 of that same article, those zoning
regulations are to be made in accordance with a comprehensive plan and de- •
signed to lessen street congestion, to secure safety from fire, panic, and
other dangers; to promote health and general welfare; to provide adequate
light and air; to prevent the overcrowding of land; to avoid undue concentra-
tions of population; and to facilitate the adequate provision of transporta-
tion, water, sewerage, schools, parks and other public requirements.
17,
PLAN FORMAT!/ ?
This land use plan is divided into ten major parts. PART I, the
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1/ As mandated by Subchapter 70 - "Generally Applicable Standards of
Review for Land Use Plans and Synopsis."
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Introduction, is designed to provide the reader with a brief plan coverage,
I and a general historic and geographic description of the Washington Planning
Area. PART II is a description of present conditions in the area. It con-
tains background data on the physical, urban and built-up characteristics of
I the environment. PART III consists of public participation activities.
These activities are discussed in the context of citizen -identified major
land use issues and problems. PART IV discusses land use development con-
straints. PART V addresses estimated population and economic demands. Future
land needs and community facilities demands are included. PART VI is the land
use plan description. It discusses the land classification system. Areas of
environmental concern are addressed in PART VII. PART VIII is designed to
summarize the content of the plan with statements of major conclusions. The
final part, PART IX, defines the city -county plan relationship.
1
HISTORIC SETTING
"THE CITY AND THE RIVER"V
On March 24, 1663, Charles II of England gave eight Englishmen a
Proprietary Charter granting to them all territory lying between 31 and 36
degrees North latitude, extending westward to the South Seas (Pacific Ocean).
Charles II gave them this enormous grant of land to repay them for helping to
restore him to his throne after the civil wars following the fall of Charles
I.
The land that is now Washington was granted by these Lord Proprietors on
July 30, 1726,to Christopher Dudley. This grant contained the area from
Jack's Creek to Union Alley, north to Fifteenth Street and to where Twelfth
Street and Charlotte Street would intersect if Charlotte Street were extended.
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Z./Unpublished project paper by Glenn Woolard (May 3, 1975), pp. 2-13.
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On October 16, 1729, Thomas Bonner purchased this 337 acres of land. His son
James eventually received all this land.
Washington was actually founded in the fall of 1775 when James Bonner
held a lottery to dispose of lots in his proposed town. It is referred to here
as a proposed town because it was not approved by either the General Assembly 1
or the Provincial Congress due to the confusion of the approaching Revolu-
tionary War. The town was first known as the "Town at the Forks of the Tar
River." It consisted of 30 acres of Bonner's farm divided into 60 lots, 1
six streets and an alley, the streets being Water, Main, Second, Third, Market,
and Bonner. Union Alley marked the western boundary and was the axis around
which future expansion occurred: 'Thomas Respess later laid Dut additional 1
lots to the west of Union Alley which doubled the size of the town.
The first record of the town being named Washington did not appear until
1776. Therefore, the year 1776 is accepted as the year that Washington was 4
founded. It was also the first town in the United States to be named Washington
and is the basis of the town's present motto of "The Original Washington
Since 1776."
The Pamlico River has played a major role in the town's development.
Even before it became a town, the river enabled Washington to become a center
of commerce. In 1758 James Bonner sold lot number one of his future town to !
Aquila Sugg, a merchant from Edgecombe County. The lot consisted of 105 feet
of frontage on the river and back 210 feet from the river. Sugg purchased
some more lots and erected a wharf, warehouse, and other buildings. From
these facilities he shipped naval stores and other produce brought down the
Tar River on flat -bottom barges. Vessels bringing goods upstream preferred to
come to Sugg's wharf instead of Bath, because Washington was 20 miles further •
inland. The merchants of Bath probably encouraged Bonner to start his town
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without the Assembly's approval. Thus, this advantageous location for water
commerce and transportation was a key factor in the town's being established.
Before the Revolutionary War, Washington's early merchants established
a profitable business by exporting naval stores to Great Britain. These
4 exports gave Washington a thriving initial economy, because Great Britain
badly needed naval stores to maintain its navy. When the First Continental
Congress cut off trade with Great Britain, Washington's thriving economic
0 base was lost temporarily. The merchants faced bankruptcy. Merchandise piled
up on the wharves and in the warehouses. The growth of the infant town was
threatened.
1.0 The merchants, however, adjusted to these new circumstances and the new
town again flourished. Two major factors made this revitalization of the
economy possible. First, the Continental Army's and the Militia's urgent
0 need for food and supplies provided a new market for the plantations which
used Washington as a port. Second, the shallow inlets and shifting channels
of Pamlico Sound were no longer a handicap to shipping. Small vessels carrying
0 supplies to and from New England and the non -British West Indies could slip
through the inlets and escape from the larger British men-of-war. With a
growing demand for sailing schooners and brigs, ship builders in Washington
0 also prospered. As other ports were either captured or blockaded, Washington's
importance increased.
After the Revolutionary War, Washington continued to grow and prosper as a
0 port. In 1782, Thomas Respess began to sell the lots to the west of Union
Alley. In less than six months, he had ,sold 35 of his 52 lots. This area
was known as Respess Town. Respess sold the remainder of his land to John
• Gladden. Gladden developed this area to the north of Respess-Town as Gladden
Town. This expansion again doubled the size of the town.
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In 1785, Washington became the county seat of Beaufort County and has
remained the county seat throughout its history. The county seat was trans- 4
ferred from Bath to Washington, because Washington was becoming the commercial
center for the county, and it could better accommodate the people partici-
pating in the courts. This gave the town's citizens more prestige and also
resulted in more people traveling to Washington from various places in
Beaufort County.
With a sound economic base, the town's physical boundaries continued to 0
expand. Hadrianus Van Norden laid out Van Norden Town on the land extending
from Respess Town to present Washington Street and north to Sixth Street.
James Bonner added land from his farm as far north as Sixth Street. This was 4
called Bonner's New Part as distinguished from the original town (60 lots)
known as Bonner's Old Part. Land east of Bonner Street known as Pungo Town
was later opened for development.
Although the town was thriving, it faced two major crises in the mid
1800's --the first in the loss of human lives and the second in the near
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destruction of the whole town. Mosquitoes carrying yellow fever were brought
in on a vessel from the West Indies. The epidemic of yellow fever was the
worst in Washington's history. The future and present labor force of the
town paid its toll with as many as seven deaths in a single day. 0
The second crisis occurred during the Civil War when the Yankees burned
half of the town including most of its churches. A second fire resulted when
a "Washingtonian" family,. upon hearing rumors that the Yankees were returning,
piled their valuable papers outside and set fire to them so the Yankees could
not get them. The fire went out of control and burned the second half of the
town. Reed vividly describes the conditions of the town after the Civil War
in the following quotation:
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Those who had .belt the gay, prospeAows, and thxi.ving town o4 Wa,6hington,
with a poputati.on o6 over 1,600, came home to a shete-tLi.ddted, bunned-
out skeeeion ob a town, peopled by Jew mote than 500 hand -eyed, g,%im-
v.usaged men and women, and a scattai.ng of hottow-eyed, hungrey children.
They a zo came home to gt inding povWy and back -breaking .labor that Jew,
i4 any, in Beau4oA t County had dreamed ob be4ore the wan.
Having survived these hardships and others, the town's growth and
I economy was again bolstered by its location on the Pamlico River. The town's
growth in the remainder of the nineteenth century was typical of most cities
of its size. Influenced by a changing technology and culture, paved streets,
0 electric lights, a gas plant, telephone lines, better schools and more churches
were gradually added to the town. By 1889,it had reached its peak as a port.
More than one-half of the state's commerce was passing through the Washington
port, and the city rated only second to Wilmington in shipping. The water-
front was covered with numerous warehouses, wharves, industrial buildings and
shipyards. The thriving commercial activity along the waterfront was the core
0 of the town's economy.
At the turn of the century, this relation between the town and the river
was drastically changed due to several technological factors. With the
• building of railroads and hard -surface overland roads, the advent of modern
trucking lines and the industrial development taking place inside the United
States, Washington's shipping industry began to decline. Washington gradually
• diminished in importance as a business and distribution center. An economic
downturn followed.
During this period the waterfront was gradually becoming a blighted scar
• of the past in the central business district. The wharf was still in use about
40 years ago. There was some loading and unloading at nights. The noise
• 11

disturbed the patients in the Riverview Hospital and some of the doctors who
were on the city board wanted to do away with the wharf. Several years
later the wharf began to be done away with a little bit at the time. In 1950,
one steamboat line was still carrying freight out of the nearly deserted port
(waterfront area). By 1951, there were only a few barges, tug boats and
sailboats coming up the Pamlico River to Washington. The former commercial
waterfront was now only a harbor for old wharf rats as big as small puppies.
The accumulation of rats along the deserted waterfront was a definite
environmental problem. These rats spread into various portions of town
especially in the lower income areas. Everyone burned wood except those in
the high income class who burned coal. There were usually rats around the
wood piles. At this time people not living on Main Street still raised
chickens. They had to build coops raised up off the ground to keep the rats
from killing their chickens and eating the eggs. The rats also accumulated
around the poorer -kept open drainage ditches.
Little growth occurred in Washington until the end of World War II. At
this time, the citizen leaders began to work for new economic development. A 4
shirt factory was the first industry acquired, and the community was so excited
that it constructed a plant for the industry. A truck body manufacturer and a
garment manufacturer were home developed industries. A synthetic yarn plant
was also acquired. This industrial development continued at a steady pace with
an electrical appliance industry, a textile dyeing operation,and a filter -making
industry coming to Washington. The most recent ones acquired are a boat
manufacturer and a valve manufacturer.
Four public housing projects and four urban renewal projects have made the
greatest change in Washington's landscape in the past decade. In 1961, the
City Council recognized a need for these programs. The Council appointed a
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Citizens Committee to investigate the possibility of establishing such pro-
grams in Washington. The Committee toured other cities to view existing
programs and made inquiries throughout the state. After a positive recommen-
dation from the Committee, the City Council appointed Boards of Commissioners
for a Washington Housing Authority and for a Redevelopment Commission.
Of these projects, the Downtown -Waterfront Urban Renewal Project has re-
sulted in a dramatic change of the waterfront in the central business district.
The political process behind the plan being approved will be briefly outlined.
The plan was first approved by the Commissioners of the Redevelopment Commission.
A public hearing was held and there were no objections to the plan. The plan
was then approved by the City Planning Commission and finally by the City
Council.
From a list of eight objectives there were two over-riding objectives.
One was to redevelop the waterfront so the city and commercial center would
again relate to the river, and the river would enhance the setting of the
city and the Central Business District. Another objective was to rehabilitate
I and revive the Central Business District as the commercial center of the city.
The project area consisted of 45 acres and 169 structures. Seventy-five
percent of the buildings were found to have deficiencies. In addition, there
were some very important environmental deficiencies: 1) Detrimental and in-
compatible land uses-- the old run down buildings along the waterfront formerly
used in water commerce -related activities no longer had such a relation to the
0 town or the river. There were unsightly and depressed land values in the
Central Business District. 2) Obsolete building types-- some buildings, 50
years or older, had been adapted many times for changing needs but were not
0 designed for their present uses. 3)-Overcrowding --the waterfront had been
developed in a time with few zoning and building codes, resulting in a
13

haphazard arrangement of structures. There was also poor vehicular circu-
lation, inadequate open space for recreational uses,and inadequate storm
drainage facilities.
In executing the project the entire Downtown waterfront area was cleared
of abandoned warehouses, rotting pier pilings, deadend streets, and dilapidated
buildings. A 1900-foot steel bulkhead was constructed and backfilled with sand
pumped from the river. This created about five acres of land on which Stewart
Parkway was constructed. On the strip of land between the bulkhead and the
parkway are a line of Japanese Cherry trees and other shrubbery and several
benches. This provides a park -like area for the public and also an attractive
visual approach for people entering Washington on U.S. Highway 17. The bulk-
head has free water and metered electricity to accommodate overnight docking.
On the cleared land, 350 free offstreet parking spaces were built. Some of
the cleared land was also sold for the Fass Brothers Restaurant and the Page
office building.
During this same time period, a peripheral shopping center, Washington
Square, was developed. Since 1963,the city had substantially increased its
corporate limits to the north. Therefore, it was felt that the Central
Business District could no longer effectively serve the entire planning area.
Washington Square was opened in 1972. It was meant to relievea little of
the past saturation in the Central Business District; however, the shopping
center's competition for the shoppers' dollar became a threat to the economic
status of the Central Business District.
During late 1973, Main Street and Market Street were also renovated in an
effort to create a semi -mall atmosphere in the downtown area. Sidewalks were
•
widened, and some on -street parking was removed and replaced with planters 0
and benches. Improved street lighting was installed. The once shoddy -looking
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dark alleys leading from the streets to the parking lots were paved, lighted,
and decorated.
The D6Wntown-Waterfront urban renewal project has successfully accented
the natural scenic advantages of the Pamlico River and also created a semi -mall
atmosphere. Some of the downtown merchants also took it upon themselves to
renovate the fronts of their stores to give them a more modern appearance.
All these physical changes are serving to provide the downtown area with a
more pleasant water -oriented shopping area.
Thus, from the founding of Washington to the present, the relation
between the town and the river has undergone a drastic change. From the
town's infancy and on through the 18001s, the town had a definite economic
relationship with the river as a thriving port. With the turn of the century,
the waterfront began to deteriorate primarily due to the advent of modern
I transportation. It was not until the late 1960's that the blighting scar of
the once thriving waterfront was removed. The town is now trying to establish
a new relationship with the river to again revive the downtown economic
status. The river will continue to play an important role in the development
of Washington, but it is doubtful if the downtown waterfront area will ever
be as an important marketing center as it was in the 18001s. The emphasis
4 now being placed on the river is for recreation, a scenic ride down the
Pamlico, to lure industrial prospects to Washington.
GEOGRAPHICAL SETTING
Beaufort County is located in the central coastal section of North
Carolina and lies entirely within the Atlantic Coastal Plain physiographic
• province. Its approximately 831 square -mile land area is bound on the North
by Martin and Washington Counties, and on the east by Hyde County and Pamlico

Sound, on the south by Pamlico and Craven counties, and on the west by Pitt
County. The county is divided almost in half by the Pamlico River which runs
east and west through the county.
Washington, the county seat, is located in the extreme western portion
of Beaufort County and along the north bank of the Pamlico River at its con-
fluence with the Tar River. Approximately 105 miles west is the City of
Raleigh, the state capital; and 135 miles north is the City of Norfolk,
Virginia, and the Ports of Hampton Roads.3/
Beaufort is the eighth largest county in North Carolina and has a total
land area of 831 square miles, or 531,840 acres. At its widest points, the
county extends approximately 35 miles north to south. The county is divided
almost equally into northern and southern sections by the Pamlico River.
Although Beaufort County's surface is low and generally level,- there are
undulating and gently rolling areas near the streams in the western and
southern parts of the county. The highest point in the county is along its
southern border and is 67 feet above sea level. Elevations along the extreme
eastern part of the county, in the vicinity of Belhaven and Leechville, range
from 2 to 5 feet above sea level.4/
In the City of Washington and its planning area the elevations run from
about three feet above sea level at Kennedy's Creek to 46 feet above in 0
Enumeration District 31. The downtown area varies from approximately 5 to 10
feet above sea level in elevation. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has
designated all land below 10 feet as part of the Washington flood plain zone. 41
3/City of Washington and Beaufort County: An Economic Study, Virginia
Electric and Power Company (May, 1964), p. 1.
4/Ibid., p. 3.
16

The land generally rises from the river increasing in elevation to the north.
The sharpest variations occur in the southwestern part of the extraterritorial
jurisdiction in Enumeration District 36 where the land varies in elevation
from 36 to 46 feet.
The climate of Washington, North Carolina,is relatively mild. The mean
temperature for the area is 620 F. The average rainfall for the area is 49.7
inches per year. The average snowfall is less than three inches per year. An
indication of the mildness of the climate can be found in the mean temperature
of the traditionally harshest winter months: December, January, and February,
which is 45.30-F. The average growing season is favorable for most crops. The
average frost -free season extends from April to October, providing the farmers
of the area with a producing season of 214 days.
•
•
17
•

DESCRIPTION OF PRESENT CONDITIONS
PART II
18

POPULATION
The City of Washington experienced substantial growth from 1900 until
1960. During this time the city showed a growth of +48.2% compared to a rate
of +26.7% for Beaufort County. While the city showed a gain from the 1950 Census
to the 1960 Census, the rate of growth during the fifties was the lowest since
the 19101s; Beaufort County,on the other hand,had a net decline in population.
This is evidence of two migration streams: one coming from rural areas to the
city, the second leaving the county entirely when economic opportunities were
not to be found in the City of Washington. However, the 1970 Census showed a
different flow. While the county as a whole experienced another decline of
1 -.9%, the city felt a sharp -9.8% decline. The migration waves during this
decade were (1) out of the county and (2) out of the city, a reflection of its
exceedingly poor housing conditions, and a displacement of families during urban
I renewal. The city's decline is even more pronounced when natural population
increase from 1960 through 1970 is taken into account:
1960 Population . . . . . . . . . 9939
Natural increase (births over deaths) . . . . . 800*
Expected 1970 population . . . . . . . . . . .10739
Actual 1970 population . . . . . . . . . . . . 8961
Net outmigration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1778
Out -migration in the 1960's occurred mainly in the below 14 age group and
40 the 24-45 age group. The over-55 categories showed major gains.
In the future the city will have more demands made on it by the middle
aged and elderly . A significant increase in the elderly population and a major
0 decrease in those under 24 has implications in programming in the recreation
department, and a slackening impact on the school system. Fewer working age
people will be available for industries that might wish to locate here or to
0 expand their operations. There will be a greater need for delivery of service
to the elderly in the areas of housing, health care, and recreation.
*Source: N.C. State Department of Human Resources, Division of Health Services
0 lR

TABLE 1
POPULATION TRENDS
BEAUFORT COUNTY
1900 - 1970
COUNTY NUMBER CHANGE
1900
26,404
1910
30,877
4,473
1920
31,024
147
1930
35,026
4,002
1940
36,431
1,405
1950
37,134
703
1960
36,014
-1,120
1970
35,980
- 34
Source: U.S. Census of Population
PERCENTAGE CHANGE
+ 16.9%
+ .5%
+ 12.9%
+ 4.0%
+ 1.9 %
3.1%
.9% 0
4
4
►■
4
4
•
•
•
9C
•

m
K
C
•
•
TABLE 2
POPULATION TRENDS
CITY OF WASHINGTON
1900 - 1970
YEAR
CITY
NUMBER CHANGE
PERCENTAGE CHANGE
1900
4,842
1910
6,211
1,369
28.3%
1920
6,314
103
1.7%
1930
7,035
721
11.4%
1940
8,569
1,534
21.8%
1950
9,698
1,129
13.2%
1960
9,939
241
2.5%
1970
8,961
- 978
- 9.8%
Source: U.S. Census of Population
•
21

N
N
TABLE 3
AGE GROUP
All
Under 5
5-14
15-24
25-34
35-44
45-54
55-64
65 & over
POPULATION CHANGE BY AGE GROUP AND RACE
CITY OF W SHINGTGN
y-19 6 0-3-9-7-10-
1960
WHITE NONWHITE
566 591
1,166 12028
782
488
753
426
798
424
763
432
521
308
599
294
1970
WHITE NONWHITE
401 335
830
864
844
697
565
272
591
373
659
410
660
401
704
355
Source: U. S. Census of Population
CHANGE 1960-1970 NUMBER
WHITE
NONWHITE
-165
-256
-366
-164
+ 62
+209
-188
-154
-207
- 51
-104
-122
+139
+ 93
+105
+ 61
PERCENTAGE
WHITE
NONWHITE
-29.2
-43.3
-28.8
-15.5
- 7.9
+42.8
-25.0
-36.2
-26.0
-12.0
-13.6
- 5.1
+26.7
+30.2
+17.5
+20.7
0 0 • • � ft AL A

TABLE 4
POPULATION CHANGE
BY AGE GROUPS,
SEX AND
RACE:
19SO-1960
FOR
CITY OF WASHINGTON
WHITE
MALES
CHANGE
WHITE FEMALES
CHANGE
AGE
1950
1960
Number
PERCENTAGE
1950
1960
NumSer
PERCENTAGE
Under 5
360
302
- 58
-16.1
346
264
- 82
-23.7
15-24
474
611
+137
+63.5
388
555
+167
+96.6
25-34
461
347
-114
- 2.4
513
406
-106
-29.8
35-44
411
360
- 51
-12.4
443
438
- 5
- 1.1
4S-54
285
351
+ 66
+23.2
340
412
+ 72
+21.2
5S-64
224
229
+ 5
+ 2.2
251
292
+ 41
+16.3
65 & Over
162
230
+ 68
+42.0
247
369
+122
+49.4
TOTAL
2,746
2,782
+ 36
+ 1.3
3,064
3,166
+102
+ 3.3
NON WHITE
MALES
CHANGE
NON WHITE
FEMALES
CHANGE
AGE
1950
1960
Number
PERCENTAGE
1950
1960
Number
PERCENTAGE
N
W
Under 5
222
297
+ 75
+33.8
237
294
+ 57
+24.1
5-14
401
487
+ 86
+44.0
368
441
+173
+93.8
15-24
329
251
- 78
-50.4
378
237
-141
-74.6
25-34
245
197
- 48
-19.6
311
229
- 82
-26.4
35-44
255
178
- 77
-30.2
287
246
- 41
-14.3
4S-54
166
184
+ 18
+10.8
216
248
+ 32
+14.8
55-64
108
144
+ 36
+33.3
115
164
+ 49
+42.6
65 & Over
ill
123
+ 12
+10.8
139
240
+ 32
+23.0
Total
1,837
1,861
+ 24
+ 1.3
2,051
2,130
+ 79
+ 3.9
SOURCE: U. S. Census of Population

N
-P
TABLE 5
POPULATION CHANGE
BY AGE GROUPS,
SEX AND
RACE: 1960-1970
FOR
CITY OF WASHINGTON
WHITE
MALES
CHANGE
CHANGE
WHITE
FEMALES
CHANGE
CHANGE
AGE
1960
1970
NUMBER
PERCENTAGE
960
1970
NUMBER
PERCENTAGE
Under 5
302
215
- 87
-28.8
264
186
- 78
-29.5
5-14
611
419
-192
-31.3
SSS
411
-144
-25.9
14-24
352
387
+ 3S
+ 9.9
430
457
+ 27
+ 6.3
25-34
347
276
- 71
-20.5
406
289
-117
-28.8
35-44
360
278
- 82
-22.8
438
313
-125
-28.5
45-54
351
285
- 66
-18.8
412
374
- 38
- 9.2
55-64
229
274
45
+19.7
292
386
+ 94
+32.2
65 & Over
230
252
+ 22
+ 9.6
369
452
+ 83
+22.5
TOTAL
2,782
2,386
-396
-14.2
3,166
2,868
-298
- 9.4
NON WHITE
MALES
CHANGE
CHANGE
NON WHITE
FEMALES
CHANGE
CHANGE
AGE
1960
1970
NUMBER
PERCENTAGE
1960
1970
NUMBER
PERCENTAGE
Under 5
297
175
-122
-41.1
294
160
-134
-45.6
5-14
487
441
- 46
- 9.4
441
423
- 18
- 4.1
15-24
251
336
+ 85
+33.9
237
361
+124
+52.3
25-34
197
121
- 76
-38.6
229
151
- 78
-34.1
35-44
178
153
- 25
-14.0
246
220
- 26
-10.6
45-54
184
179
- 5
- 2.7
248
231
- 17
- 6.9
55-64
144
172
+ 28
+19.4
164
229
+ 65
+39.6
65 $ Over
123
161
+ 38
+30.9
240
194
- 46
-19.2
TOTAL
13*861
1,738
-123
- 6.6
2,130
1,969
-161
SOURCE: U. S. Census of Population
• • • 9

0
•
•
EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT
The decade of the sixties witnessed a change in the number of years of
school completed with a substantial drop-off both in the number of people who
had completed no schooling and in the number that had finished only elementary
school through the 8th grade. A greater percentage went on to complete high
school and four years of college.
TABLE 6
YEARS
OF SCHOOL COMPLETED
CITY OF
WASHINGTON
1960
and 1970
TOTAL
'1960
1970 NUMBER CHANGE
Male and Female 25 yrs & over
5,347
4,995
-352
No School years completed
286
128
-158
Elementary: 1 - 4 yrs.
731
639
- 92
5 - 7 yrs.
881
-319
8 yrs.
.1,200
529
484
- 4S
High School: 1 - 3 yrs.
931
1,001
+ 70
4 yrs.
941
1,147
+206
College: 1 - 3 yrs
434
361
- 73
4 or more
295
354
+ 59
Median School years completed
8.9
10.1
+1.2
SOURCE: U.S. Census of Population, 1960, 1970.
PERCENTAGE CHANGE
6.6
- 55.2
- 12.6
- 26.6
- 8.5
+ 7.5
+ 21.9
+ 16.8
+ 20.0
+ 13.5
0
25

ECONOMY
Agricultural employment in Beaufort County has steadily declined since
1940, and by 1960 represented only 27 percent of total employment, 11 percent
in 1970. The primary reason for this decline lies with the continued growth of
mechanization and automation on the county's farms. Although over 1700 males
left agricultural employment between 1950 and 1960, nonagricultural male
employment increased by only 13 persons during the same period within the county.
A concerted cooperation effort on the part of business, civic, and local
governmental leaders to attract an increased industrial base met with success
during the sixties. Four significant plants located in the area: Hamilton
Beach in 1965, a Division of Scovill Manufacturing which manufactures household
appliances; Flanders Filters, Inc. in 1969, a manufacturer of filters for a
variety of industrial uses; Seacrest Marine in 19711 a manufacturer of boats;
and Atwood & Morrill in 1972, a valve manufacturer.
By the 1970 Census,the industrial composition of the City of Washington was
predominately wholesale and retail trade with 26.3 percent of the total number
of persons employed, followed by manufacturing with 21.8 percent of total number
of persons employed (see tables 7 & 8).
Most occupational categories showed significant gains during the sixties as
follows:
TABLE 7 CHANGE IN OCCUPATIONAL CATEGORIES
Male
Growth private household workers
clerical and kindred
service workers
operatives and kindred
professional, technical & kindred
farmers and farm managers
craftsmen, foremen & kindred
No
Change laborers except farm
Decline farm laborers and farm foremen
managers and administrators
sales workers
26
Female
clerical and kindred
operatives
professional, technical &
kindred
managers and administrators
sales workers
private household workers
•
•
•
•

Males and females both felt declines in the number of jobs available in
sales and as managers and administrators. Farm laborer possibilities again
declined for men; and laborers,except farm laborers,showed no change. Private
household employment declined for women, yet increased for men.
27

A
TABLE 8
INDUSTRY
INDUSTRIAL COMPOSITION
1960
Agriculture forestry, and fisheries
Construction
Manufacturing
Durable
Nondurable
Transportation, communications, and other public utilities
Wholesale and retail trade
Finance, insurance, and real estate
Business and repair services
Professional and related services
Public admipistration
Personal services
Entertainment and recreation services
No report
Total employed 16 years and over
SOURCE: U.S. Census of Population
NUMBER EMPLOYED
97
243
232
427
162
945
170
82
399
136
538
21
86
3,538
PERCENT OF TOTAL
2.7
6.9
6.6
12.1
4.6
26.7
4.8
2.3
11.3
3.8
15.2
.06
2.4

TABLE 9
INDUSTRIAL COMPOSITION
1970
INDUSTRY
Construction
Manufacturing
Durable
Undurable
Transportation
Communications, utilities, and sanitary services
Wholesale and retail trade
Finance, insurance, business and repair services
Professional and related services
Public administration
Other industries
Total employed 16 years and over
SOURCE: U.S. Census of Population
NUMBER EMPLOYED
PERCENT OF TOTAL
237
6.7
254
7.2
517
14.6
52
1.5
136
3.8
932
26.3
184
5.2
552
15.6
110
3.1
567
16.0
3,541

TABLE 10
MALE EMPLOYMENT BY OCCUPATION
Occupation
Number as %
Male
1960
1970
Number Change
Percent Change of
Total 1960
Total employed 16 years old and over
2,097
3,541
1,444
68.9
Professional, technical, and kindred
141
325
184
+130.5
6.7
Manager and administratorsl
298
276
- 22
- 7.4
14.2
Sales workers
241
233
- 8
- 3.3
11.5
Clerical and kindred
57
488
+ 431
+756.1
2.7
Craftsmen, foremen, and kindred
354
512
+ 158
+ 44.6
16.9
Operatives and kindred2
480
111300
+ 820
+170.8
22.9
Laborers except farm3
255
255
0
0
12.2
Farmers and farm managers
19
30
11
+ 57.9
.1
Farm laborers and farm foremen
42
6
- 36
- 85.7
2.0
Service workers
129
422
+ 293
+227.1
6.2
Private household workers
16
272
+ 256
+1600
.1
Occupation not reported
65
x
- 65
- 100
3.1
1. 1960 Census titles this category 'managers,
Officers,
and Proprietors
except Farm."
0 2. 1970 Census broke this category into
"Operatives except
Transport" and
"Transport Equipment
Operatives."
3. 1960 Census titles: "Laborers except
Farm and Mine."
SOURCE: U. S. Census of Population, 1960 and 1970.
Number as %
of Total 197C
9.2
7.8
6.6
13.8
14.5
36.7
7.2
.1
.002
11.9
7.7
0
-19ft AN,
- -

TABLE 11
Occupation .
Female
FEMALE EMPLOYMENT BY OCCUPATION
Total employed 16 years old and over
Professional, technical, ani kindred
Managers and administrators
Sales workers
Clerical and kindred
Operatives, including transport
2
Service workers,'except private household
Private household workers
Other occupations3
No report
Number as %
Number as %
1960
1970
NUMBER CHANGE
PERCENT CHANGE
of Total 1960
of Total 1970
1,441
1,574
+133
+ 9.2
x
x
156
157
+ 1
+ .06
10.8
10.0
60
20
- 40
-66.6
4.2
1.3
116
89
- 27
-23.2
8.0
5.7
265
426
+161
+60.7
18.4
27.0
194
300
+106
+54.6
13.5
19.1
251
280
+ 29
+11.5
17.4
17.8
333
256
- 77
-23.1
23.1
16.3
33
46
x
x
2.3
2.9
33
0
x
x
2.3
x
1. 1960 Title: "Managers, Officers, and Proprietors, excluding farm."
2.. 1960 Title: "Operatives and Kindred."
3. 1960 Census listed 8 Craftsmen, Foremen, and Kindred, 13 Farm Laborers and Foremen, and 12 Laborers comprising
2.3% of occupations for women. 1970 Census does not indicate composition of the 'other" category.
SOURCE: U. S. Census of Population, 1960 and 1970.

UNEMPLOYMENT
Unemployment in the City of Washington varies seasonally. In general,
the winter months (December, January and February have the highest rates of
unemployment. In 1973, the insured unemployment high was 5.6% in December,
while January, 1974, had an unemployment rate of 4.6%. February had a rate of
3.9%.
There are several reasons for seasonal variations in employment for this
area. Business for the seafood industry and its subsidiaries is very slow
during the winter months (fishermen, packers, etc.). Several major employers
in the area close for inventory for approximately 2 to 3 weeks during the
winter; style changes or production changes occur,then necessitating plant
shutdowns; and agricultural activity is extremely slow.
The following is a breakdown of unemployment rates from January, 1974,to
October, 1975.
Insured Unemployment
Beaufort County
January
1974
4.6 %
February
1974
3.9%
March
1974
4.5%
April
1974
3.9 %
May
1974
1.4%
June
1974
2.1%
July
1974
1.1%
August
1974
.9%
September
1974
1.1 %
October
1974
1.4%
November
1974
2.3%
December
1974
8.5%
January
1975
13.1 %
February
1975
14.0%
March
1975
14.5% 1
April
1975
12.2%
May
1975
6.9 %
June
1975
5.5 %
July
1975
4.7%
August
1975
4.0%
September
1975
3.7% 1
October
1975
3.7%
SOURCE: N.C. Employment Security Commission
32

•
P,
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
EXISTING LAND USE MAP
(SEE POCKET MAP IN BACK)
33
0

•
•
U
•
•
•
•
EXISTING LAND USE
This section will analyze the existing land use patterns in the Washington
Planning Area as depicted on Map 3. An analysis of existing land use patterns
is a necessary component of any land use plan since decisions regarding future
development cannot be made intelligently without a prior understanding of existing
development. However, before looking at the urban and built-up characteristics of
the Washington Planning Area, let us examine the land's physical characteristics.
Physical Characteristics of Area Land
Beaufort County is underlain by a wedge of Tertiary and Cretaceous sediments
which are 1,000 to 2,000 feet thick. The formations are covered nearly everywhere
by the Pleistocene terrace deposits. These terraces are the outstanding physio-
graphical features of this area and form irregular belts extending in a general
northeast -southwest direction. The underlying rocks dip in a general eastward
direction and consist of alternating layers of surficial sands and clays of
Quaternary age and ranging from 10 to 30 feet in thickness.
Beds of blue clay, marl, shells, and shell limestone that constitute the
Yorktown formation lie beneath these surficial deposits and range from 40 feet
thick in the western part of the county to 200 feet in the county's eastern
extremity. This Yorktown formation is underlain by layers of phosphatic sand that
are separated by one or more indurated shell beds. This unit of phosphatic sand
and indurated shell beds ranges from a few feet to more than 120 feet in thickness.
Individual beds of phosphatic sand are as much as 20 feet thick.
Analyses of recent core samplings indicate that there are more than 10 billion
tons of phosphate ore in the county and that it is economically feasible to mine.:
These deposits are found beneath an area covering approximately 700 square miles.
•
The phosphate deposits in the Aurora area are found between 80'to 100 feet below
the surface and range from 40 to 50 feet in thickness.
34

•
Underlying these deposits are shell limestones and interlayered calcareous
sands of the Castle Hayne limestone of late Eocene Age. This formation is about
60 feet thick near the western border of the county. The Beaufort formation of
Paleocene age,•composed of agrillaceous sand, Glauconitic sand, and marl
underlies the Castle Hayne limestone throughout most of the county. Few data •
are available concerning the thickness of the Beaufort formation. Two miles north
of Washington, the formation is 35 feet thick and, according to limited data, the
formation thickens rapidly and is buried progressively deeper towards the east. •
Underlying the Beaufort formation are glauconitic sands and micaceous clays of
the Peedee formation of late Cretaceous Age. No data regarding the total
thickness of this formation in Beaufort County are available. One mile west of •
Washington, the top of the Peedee was penetrated at a depth of 158 feet below sea
level. In eastern Beaufort County, extrapolated data indicate that the top of the
Peedee formation lies about 700 to 800 feet below sea level. Beneath the Peedee •
formation are older Cretaceous sediments.5
Surface Water
Beaufort County is drained by relatively slow -moving streams that flow into •
the Pamlico and Pungo rivers. These, in turn, empty into Pamlico Sound. Although
the construction of deep drainage ditches has made much swampland available for
agricultural purposes, there still remains much swamp area in the county.. These •
reclaimed swamplands are among the most fertile in the state.
The chemical character of surface waters is influenced in varying degrees
by geochemical processes, rainfall, run-off, winds, tides, and stream pollution. •
Hurricane winds in 1955 forced salt water up the Tar River for a distance of
approximately 10 miles upstream from Washington. Sea water remained at advanced
points on the Tar River during most of 1955 (water year) due to the combination •
5Ibid. , p. 12.
35
0

of prevailing winds and low rainfall in the watershed area.
0 Streams in North Carolina's Coastal Plain physiographical province carry
sediments consisting of sand, clay, and limestone, and marl. The color of the
waters in these streams varies with the season and river discharge. Generally,
0 the higher colors occur during periods of relatively heavy rainfall (late summer
and early fall) when colored water and decaying organic matter are flushed from
the swampy areas.6
0 Pamlico River - The largest body of water"in the Washington Planning Area
is the Tar -Pamlico Estuary. This river flows past Washington, one side forming
the city limits. The Pamlico River is a large coastal river with physical,
0 chemical and biological characteristics usually associated with an estuary.
Except for a gradual increase in salinity gradent increasing to -the east (in the
direction of the Pamlico Sound),there is little variation in chemical and
0 physical characteristics throughout its length. The river is relatively shallow
and contains a spotty distribution of aquatic vegetation. The direction of
water movement is subject to the vagaries of wind.
0 Pantego Creek - is a large brackish water stream. At the point where the
sample was taken,the creek cover has been destroyed and a heavy layer of silt
covers the bottom. This area is now a poor fishing area.
0 Runyon Creek - This is a small turbid stream which appears to have been
dredged. This stream drains a large portion of the eastern part of Washington.
Cherry Run - is a small black water stream of the lower coastal plain. This
stream has been declared a floodway by the Corps of Engineers. Cherry Run drains
a large portion of the western side of town.
6Ibid., p. 12.
36

•
Ground Water
With the exception of the supply for the town of Washington, all public •
and private water supplies in Beaufort County are obtained from wells.
Surficial sands of Quaternary age and near -surface sand and shell beds of the
Yorktown formation furnish water to shallow dug wells and driven wells that
•
extend to a depth of 30 feet. A yield of 2 to 30 gpm can be expected from
shallow wells in this material. Such wells are commonplace throughout the
entire county. In central and eastern Beaufort County, drilled wells obtain
•
water from lenticular sands and shell beds in the Yorktown formation and from
shell limestones and calcareous sands in the underlying Castle Hayne limestone.
These wells range in depth from 100 to 300 feet and yield as much as 300 gpm.
•
The depth of an individual well is largely determined by the area in which it
is drilled, by the quantity and Quality of water desired, and by individual
driller's preference. Several wells in central Beaufort County obtain water
•
from the Beaufort formation. However, this aquifer is seldom utilized in the
eastern and central sections of the county because of the abundance of water
in overlying aquifers. Water below a depth of 30 to 50 feet in this area is
•
under artesian pressure and flowing wells are very common. Much of the land
is only a few feet above sea level and the piezometric surface is generally
within 15 feet of land surface or higher. In western Beaufort County, water
•
is obtained from the Castle Hayne limestone, the Beaufort formation, and less
commonly from the Peedee formation. The relative thinness of the Castle Hayne
limestone in this part of the county limits its value as an aquifer. Where
i
large Quantities of water are desired, wells must tap the Beaufort and Peedee
formations or, if tapping the Castle Hayne limestone, must be of large diameter.
Yields of several hundred gallons per minute may be expected from deep wells in
•
this area.
37
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•
•
•
ti
The chemical quality of groundwater in Beaufort County is not uniform.
Water from the surficial sands contains objectionable iron and is generally
corrosive. Water from the shell beds and impure limestone layers of the
Yorktown formation is moderately hard. Water from the shell limestone -layers
and calcareous sand layers of the Castle Hayne limestone is moderately hard to
very hard and may contain objectionable amounts of hydrogen sulfide, particularly
in the eastern sections of the county. Most of the water from the Beaufort
and Peedee formations is soft, but may be hard if the water is emanating from
calcareous strata. At Washington and Belhaven, several wells yield waters
relatively high in chloride. Available data indicate that the chloride probably
results from a lateral infiltration of brackish surface water into the aquifer as
the wells are pumped. Relocation of supply wells at a greater distance from
brackish surface waters in these areas would result in a lower incidence of
chloride content.
Large supplies of groundwater are available throughout the county from
aquifers of Mesozoic and Cenozoic Age. Present use of groundwater in the county
is only a small amount of the total water available.
7Ibid., pp. 10-11.
38

•
"URBAN AND BUILT-UP LAND CHARACTERISTICS"
Residential Use •
Since 1960 residential development has occurred throughout the area.
Most development has taken place in the northern and eastern portions of the
planning area, particularly in the area of the airport to Fifteenth Street, •
and along U. S. Highway 264 from John Small Extension to the edge of the
Planning Area. Recent subdivision developments indicate that future develop-
ment will continue in this direction. The western portion has experienced •
moderate residential growth while the southern portion has experienced light
residential development. As pointed out in the 1970 Plan, the southern area
is largely floodplain and swampland. ese areas pose severe limitations for •
residential development.
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 develqpment in a compact area since it functions 10
more efficiently in this arrangement.
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. Highway 17.
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 north of the Tar and Pamlico River along Highway 17.
39

f
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.
Industrial Use
•
One concentration of industrial activity in the planning area is in the
western portion of the city along the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad west of
Hackney Avenue. The wholesale development along Hackney Avenue helps to serve
•
as a buffer between the industrial activities and the residential uses to the
east.
A second major concentration of industrial activity is developing in the
eastern portion of the city next to Runyon's Creek along Fifth Street. The
expansion possibilities are limited for this area. Due to the existing inter-
mixture of industrial and residential uses in this area, the major land use
•
planning effort should be devoted to the establishment of well-defined limits
for the expansion of industrial activities,
In addition to the two areas mentioned previously, the Hamilton Beach
•
Corporation has established a manufacturing plant on 39.5 acres of land within
[i.
the planning area. It is located on N.C. Road 1509 just off of U. S. Highway
17 North. The surrounding area should begin to develop in the future due•to
the present plant location and easily accessible transportation facilities.

5
There has been an ''__-- -�--- �. of land uses within the industrial
districts in the Washington Planning Area in the past. Although this inter- •
mixture still exists, there has been an effort made toward the prevention of
incompatible land uses within the City of Washington through enforcement of
the city's land use controls such as zoning regulations, - •
Agricultural
Essentially; little agricultural activity is conducted within Washington's
city limits. The majority is conducted in the.northern portion of the one and •
one-half mile area. All agricultural lands are either currently devoted to
crop production or have crop production as their primary function,
L'..w -- 4-1 --A
The most extensive areas of forestland are located in the southern
portion of Washington's one and one-half mile area, These lands lie
adjacent to the Pamlico and Tar rivers.
Floo ain
The susceptibility of areas.to frequent flooding during periods of heavy
or prolonged precipitation is an important factor in determining the location
of future development in the Washington.Planning Area. The construction of
private and public.structures in floodplains presents the potential loss of
lives and property, Map 4 delineates Washington's flood hazard areas.
Compatibility Problems and Future Implications
Several land use compatibility problems have resulted in the Washington •
Planning Area. Some of these problems have since been addressed by strict
code enforcement, Nevertheless, the following are the most frequently
cited land compatibility problems in the area.
•
41

11
1. A large amount of residential development has been allowed on small
lots with inadequate frontage.
2. Many existing vacant lots set aside for residential development are
too small for pleasant living conditions.
3. Substandard housing conditions were created because of poor planning
practices, the intermixing of incompatible uses with housing and inadequate
building and housing code enforcement.
4. Many public facilities have been developed on sites too small for
expansion.
S. In the past, not enough land has been allocated for recreational
purposes.
Strip and spot commercial uses have not been effectively regulated
in the past; consequently, inefficient land use patterns have been created,
the traffic -carrying capacity of major streets has been decreased, and in some
cases, property values have decreased.
7. Residential and manufacturing uses, not appropriate for a downtown
location, located in the Central Business District.
8. Land set aside for industrial use in the past has not been suitable
for industrial development.
9. Some potential industrial sites have been eliminated in the past by
spotty development and the subdivision of large tracts of land into smaller,
haphazardly arranged tracts.
As stated in problem #6 above, spot and strip commercial uses have
resulted in inefficient land use patterns which have created traffic problems.
As future development occurs, caution should be taken to protect the Washington
community from strip development. Usually, strip development places
42

7
additional demands on city service facilities; and by the nature of the uses
located in the stripped area, ultimate abandonment and deterioration of •
structures occurs.
Strict enforcement of land use controls will alleviate many present
problems from developing in the future.
AREAS EXPERIENCING OR LIKELY TO EXPERIENCE
MAJOR LAND USE CHANGE
•
Washington's urban renewal area is experiencing and will continue to
experience major land use changes during this planning period. Urban renewal
began in Washington, North Carolina, in 1961 with the formulation by the City
Council of a Citizens' Committee to investigate the possibility of establishing
an urban renewal program in the city.
It was widely accepted at that time that about 50 percent of all the
houses in the city limits were substandard and needed substantial repairs or
•
demolition. After an extensive study by the Citizens' Committee, the City •
Council formulated the Redevelopment Commission charging it with the respon-
sibility of moving forward with an urban renewal program.
The Redevelopment Commission, in conjunction with the city, drew up a •
master plan of the city outlining the areas that needed treatment. It was
agreed that this plan of attack would begin in the eastern part of the city
and progress westwardly to the areas which contained the worst housing condi- •
tions. There were several reasons for this plan, including gaining urban
renewal experience before proceeding to the worst sections of town, taking
advantage of rehabilitation aide to prevent the eastern part of the city from •
becoming a slum, and taking advantage of non -cash credits which accrued to the
city as a result of work already done in the eastern section.
•
43

•
In December, 1962, the East End Urban Renewal Plan was formally launched.
This 425-acre area combined slum clearance with rehabilitation. At the time,
the project area comprised approximately one-third of the corporate city- limits.
The project met with considerable success, About 20 acres of slums were leveled,
and cleared land devoted to parks, recreation, and private development. Families
were located in the new public housing area built to serve this relocation need.
Many streets and sidewalks --were paved, new utility lines were installed, and
much work, including two new bridges, was done to the Jack's Creek storm
drainage basin. Many houses were upgraded through the -rehabilitation program.
Urban Renewal Project No, 2 was the Washington Heights Area, which was
situated along the easternmost border of the city, This 45-acre area was
totally cleared of deplorable housing, some of which had no.electricity or
inside toilet facilities. It was devoted to a 30-acre elementary school site,
a 10-acre park, and 5 acres for a portion of a public housing projecti in this.
area. It is now one'of the most attractive sections in town. It has a school
campus excelled by none in this part of the state.
40
The third project, the Downtown -Waterfront Area, was undertaken at a
time when the city was contemplating cleaning up a run -dowry, dilapidated water-
front containing many abandoned warehouses, dead end streets, decrepid wharfs,
A
rotting pilings, and other run-down buildings. The intent of this plan, is
so far as possibie,•was to create a shopping center out of the downtown area
by constructing new parking lots,.to rehabilitate stores, and to better the
automobile access to the downtown area.
This project is now drawing to completion, The waterfront area in
Washington. is a spot for .visitors. One can travel along Stewart. L
Parkway and view the Pamlico River. The parkway is lined with cherry trees
and other shrubs and landscaping. The latter development induced the City
0
4.4

Council to remove all off-street parking meters in the CBD. Many stores'
have been renovated to include rear entrances to the parking lots. The
'area is often frequented by passing yachtsmen who tie up temporarily
along the bulkhead area. The Main and'Market street areas have been converted
into a semi -mall with landscaping, more and better lights, and improved access
by way of numerous alleys from business districts to off-street parking. This
project -has .resulted in an -out-of-state seafood restaurant being built in the
project area, as. well as a new office building and a wholesale seafood estab-
lishment. Open space has been preserved -along the waterfront for the
benefit of -the public for the years -to come.
With -the final completion of the East End and- Washington Heights projects,
and with the virtual completion of the Downtown project, the Redevelopment
Commission and the city turned their attention to the West End area which
contained -the worst slums in the city. A master plan of the 170-acre project
was developed. This was a General Neighborhood Renewal Plan study. The area
was carved into three logical projects.- West End 13, 2, and 3. West End 1
got underway early in 1970. This.40-acre project cleared the substandard
houses and left the homes that could be rehabilitated through the urban renewal
program. Tt_is interesting to know that all the homeowners in the area who
were'displaced continued to be homeowners after they were relocated. Other w
families were moved to available housing units.
Streets have been paved in the project area, and the bulk of the land
was devoted to a new 82-unit low-;;-en-4 housing project. However, some lots
are being made available for private residential development. West End 1
was completed by early 1975.
Some areas are experiencing commercial growth, One such area is
developing along Highway 17 South across the Pamlico River. Limited
45
0

L�
•
r�
•
•
L�
•
•
commercial activity is expected to continue in this area. However, any
commercial development not presently zoned in this area should be cautioned
in order to safeguard the area from excessive strip development.
The eastern portion of the Planning Area is expected to develop
residentially with supporting commercial and institutional services, As a
matter of fact, a substantial portion of this area is under study for
annexation. Continued development of these areas is encouraged,
46

R ni 1^.. r-- „ter-, DIA" Tr.::r(�T.I(
Date Completed
1)
Population and Economy
1963
2)
Community Facilities Plan
1963
3)
Land Use Plan
1963
•
4)
Public Improvements Program
1965
5)
Zoning Ordinance
1971 1.
6)
Subdivision Regulations
1965
7)
Flood Plain Information on Pamlico River at
•
Washington, N— C,
1965
8)
Park and Recreation Study
1967
9)
Neighborhood Analysis
1967
10)
Capital Improvements Budget
_1969
11)
Minimum Housing Element
1969
12)
Updating of Land Development Plan
1970
13)
Initial Housing Element
1970
14)
Updating and Revision of Zoning Ordinance
1971
15)
Annexation -Report
1971
•
16)
Comprehensive Water and Sewer Study
1971
17)
Community Facilities Update
..1972
18)
Housing Element Update
1972
19).
Proposed Water and Sewer Extension
1972
20)
City of Washington Reconnaissance Study
1972.
21)
Zoning Revised -.June 1973
1973
22)
Capital Improvements Budget.
1974
23)
Annexation. Study
1974
•
24)
Washington Thoroughfare Plan
1962
25)
Washington Thoroughfare Plan Update
1970
r�.E C e "ashir_c-ton pity Fall
"7 •

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•
•
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CURRENT PLANS, POLICIES AND REGMAATIONS
Plans and Policies
a) "Transportation Plans"
The following transportation description is taken from the Washington
Land Development Plan dated 1970.
A thoroughfare plan was,completed and presented to the city in August,
1962, by the Advanced Planning Department of the North Carolina State Highway
Commission. The system of major thoroughfares supplemented by a nunber of
minor thoroughfares will remain practically the same as those proposed in the
1.962 Land Development Plan.
In August, 1970, a revised thoroughfare plan was presented to the City
of Washington and subsequently adopted by resolution. The major differences
between the 1970 plan and the 1962 plan are as follows.
Proposed Highway 264 Relocation
U. S. Highway 264 has been proposed to be rerouted from Greenville to
Washington by redesignation of N. C. 33 as U. S. 264. It is further proposed
that U. S. 264 by-pass the City of Washington -to the north. This by-pass
will be a limited access road with interchanges at three intersections;
U. S. 17, Market Street Extension, and SR 1507.
Brick Kiln Road
This thoroughfare is recommended to be extended from River Road north,
to the intersection of SR 1501 and SR 1507. This road would then provide
direct access to proposed U, S. 264 from the River Road and Washington Park.
Right-of-way acquisition should begin about the time right-of-way acquisition
for proposed U. S. 264 by -pass -is complete..
48

•
West Third Street
It is now felt that West Third Street should not be extended as.a minor
•
thoroughfare to SR.1403. Therefore, it is recommended that Third Street extend
only to Plymouth Street. Consequently, Plymouth Street to West Fifth Street
will become a part of the Thoroughfare Plan as a connector street from Third
•
to the main thoroughfare at Fifth Street. No right-of-way acquisition is
thereby needed and the moving of traffic in this area is still accomplished.
Washington Street
•
Washington Street will remain a minor thoroughfare from Bridge Street to
15th Street, However, a minor thoroughfare along the boundaries of the air-
port might hamper future airport development and create a possible indirect
safety hazard. Therefore, it is recommended that Washington Street not be
extended to Market Street Extension from 15th•Street,
Reed Drive
•
Reed Drive is proposed as a minor thoroughfare in the Smallwood area.of
Washington. The right-of-way has been -.acquired, and this area is being
developed at this time,
The outer loop system will begin at River Road and the Brick Kiln Road
and proceed along.the Brick Kiln Road and proposed Brick Kiln Road to the
intersection of SR 1501 and SR 1507. As proposed, the loop from this.point
•
will consist of SR 1501 and SR 1506 following a proposed route to SR 1509.
State Road 1509 will be utilized as part�of the outer loop and it is proposed
that its continue across U.S. 17 to, at present, an unspecified point.where.it
•
will fork, with the western fork connecting to N. C. 33 and the eastern fork
tying in with SR 1403.
This proposal deviates'somewhat from the 1962 Thoroughfare Plan and at
!.
this time no effort has been made to acquire right-of-way at any point along
this route.
49
•

•
• The 1962 Thoroughfare.Plan.proposed-approximately three and one-half
miles of new. right-of-way. This mileage --was. broken down into the following:
1. An extension of 31d.Street west to Clark's Neck Road.
Approximately .8 mile.
•
2. An :.extension of 15th Street. uest- to the Whispering Pines
Road. Approximately .6 mile.
3. An extension -.of Washington Street north -to Market Street
Extended. Approximately .9 mile.
•
4. An extension of Awn Avenue west to`Market'Street Extended.
Approximately .8 mile.
•
5. An extension of.Hudnell;Street to Twelfth -Street. Approximately
.4 mile.
Since 1962 only the extension of Hudnell Street for a distance of approx-
imately .4 mile to Twelfth Street has been completed. This extension con-
nects Pennsylvania Avenue, U. S. 264 and Highland Drive.
•
The small amount of inplementation over the past eight years. is more a
result of a change of city policy and needs rather than general apathy by the
city administration or physical construction which may have interfered with the
•
•
•
•
50
•

•
implementation of the 1962 plan. The City of Washington has an extensive
program to upgrade existing streets to make them more functional and to provide •
better traffic circulation. New .streets and parking areas, not mentioned in
the 1962 Plan, have been constructed and are in constant use (e,g.... Stewart
Parkway and the waterfront parking areas).
Development just west of the city has not been as great as was expected
•
in 1962, and it is not now anticipated that this area will develop during the
planning period to the extent that a new roadconnecting Third Street and ` •
Clark Neck's Road will be justified. This proposed.road, if constructed, would
not only be costly because of"topography and drainage conditions, but would
also duplicate the functions of the Old Pactolus Road. -Therefore, this •
proposed road -is not felt to be needed during the planning period and is
eliminated in the 1970 Proposed Thoroughfare Plan,
The 1962 proposal, extending 15th Street to Whispering Pines Road; is •
still needed to handle the expected traffic when the commercial development
along 15th Street is completed, This extension would eliminate some of the
traffic congestion expected along Hackney Avenue and Bridge Street. Much of •
this traffic congestion will be created by the Washington Square Shopping
Center. It is recommended that the city acquire the right-of-way for this
extension within the next two years, •
Because of the potential of the larren Airport and its fixture value to
the city, it is recommended that the 1962 proposah:of extending Washington
Street to Market Street Extended be eliminated in the 1970 Plan, It is felt •
that the completion�i.this street would open the airport area to urban -type
development and create.gossible safety hazards. It is the desire of; the city,
to keep the Warren Airport area as unencumbered and as free of -development as
possible.
• 51 .. •

•
No action has been taken on the proposed extension of Avon Street to
Market Street Extended because this area remains in agricultural use. The city
should be able to implement this segment of the Thoroughfare Plan as this area
is developed. When this area does begin to develop, the plans for this area
. should be presented to the Washington Planning Board for•their study and approval.
•
By means of land use controls, now in effect for -=_the city, the planning board
will be able to.guide this development to coincide with the objectives of the
Thoroughfare Plan. At this time, there is no need for this proposed street.
However, as the city continues to grow in that direction, there will be a need
and,therefore, it shall remain as part of the 1970 plan.
It is also recommended that the city begin to take steps to acquire
right-of-way connecting Brick Kiln Road with the Slate Stone Road. Although
this acquisition is not felt to be immediate, action should be taken during
the early portion of the planning period, (This link will provide easy
access to proposed new U. S. 264.)•
b) Community Facilities Plans
Washington adopted a Community Facilities Plan in 1963. This plan
inventoried and studied existing public facilities and services in Washington
for the purpose of determining the adequacy or inadequacy of the present
40
activities in meeting present and future needs before the demands became
acute and the cost unreasonable. The Community Facilities Plan was updated.
in 1970.
c) Utilities Extension Policies
The City of Washington owns and operates the electrical distribution
system for the city and a sizeable area.of its environs. Service connections
are provided free to area residents, Others must guarantee revenue equal to
capital investment within a four-year. period.,
• 52

C
d) Open Space Policies
Washington has no stated policy for preservation of open space. •
e) Recreation Policy
Washington has a full-time Recreation Director.' The current policy of the
•
Recreation Department is to enforce its Comprehensive Park and Recreation Plan.
f) Previous Land Use Studies
The City of Washington has had prepared two major land use plans: the first •
plan in 1963 by the Division of Community Planning of the Department of Conser-
vation and Development, the second plan by the Department of Local Affairs of
the Division'of Community Planning in 1970..
The 1963 plan was deeply concerned with two major land use problems. The
•
first problem was the Central Business District and the need to keep it as the
location of the primary retail and civic activity. The 1963 plan,in fact,stated •
that this was the "key element of the land use plan." The plan envisioned that,
all property within the CBD would be used for commercial purposes. This,
however, has not been achieved;and at the present.time there is still residen- •
•tial usage within the CBD. The plan also stated need for Washington to take
advantage of its unique water front CBD and make it into an "exciting" shopping
area. Theplanwent on to state that there would be no need for a major
shopping center in Washington during.the planning period because the CBD would
be able to provide all of the necessary retail outlets, The plan did call for,
however, the development of "planned neighborhood convenience centers" at the •
intersection of major streets: The plan suggested that these areas should
have common off-street parking and limited access,along with buffers to protect
the surrounding residential areas. •
Another aspect of the 1963 plan was its suggestion that industry be
concentrated along Hackney Avenue and south of N. C. 33. The reason for this
•
53

•
•
•
suggestion was that in this area there was plenty of transportational
facilities,and a majority of the industry in Washington was already located
here.
Light industry, on the other hand, was proposed for the area east of
Hudnell Street, The major purpose in this was to give definite boundaries to
an area that already had developed into a light industrial zone.
The 1963 plan went into more detail suggesting development plans for
residential, commercial, thoroughfare plans and many other areas,
The 1970 plan built upon the basis of the 1963 plan and suggested improve-
ments in areas that were found to be lacking in the 1963 plan. For example,
the 1963 plan stated that 'Inc large scale shopping center will be required
•
during the planning period because the location of the CBD enables it to
U
serve the entire planning area," This proved to be a miscalculation because
the city substantially increased its corporate limits to the north. It was a
result of this increase that the 1970 plan stated "that a shopping center will
a
be required during the planning period'." The 1970 report went on to suggest A
that the "center should develop on the site of the present Washington Square
Shopping Center."
While the 1963 plan called for the elimination of all non-commercial uses
within.the CBD, the 1970 plan was more realistic by recognizing that this
would be a long, slow process.
While the 1963 plan called for neighborhood convenience shopping centers
with control over their development,the 1970 plan suggested even tighter
•
control of these areas through the use of adequate common off-street parking
areas and by limiting access into these areas consistent with traffic volumes
on streets where they are located.
0 54

The proposed concentrations of industrial usage around the area west of
Hackney Avenue and south of NC 33 in the 1963 plan was reiterated in the 1970 0
plan. The 1970 plan suggested that the individual lots in this area should be
assembled into large tracts and made available to prospective industrialists.
0
g) -Prior Land Use Policies
Prior to the adoption of the 1971 Zoning Ordinance,there are no known
land use policies governing the Washington Planning Area,
•
LOCAL REGULATIONS
a) Zoning Ordinances
' Washington adopted its first zoning ordinance in 1971. This document a
regulates structure and land use in Washington and the extraterritorial area,
A completely revised zoning ordinance was adopted in June, 1973.
b) Subdivision Regulations
The purpose of the City of Washington's subdivision regulations is "to
establish procedures and standards for the development and subdivision of land
9
within the corporate limits and extraterritorial jurisdiction of the city,in
order to promote the public health, safety and general welfare of the community."
These regulations, in part, are designed to secure safety from fire, panic,
•
and other dangers; to provide adequate light and air; to prevent the over-
crowding of land and avoid undue concentration of population; to facilitate
adequate transportation, water, sewage, schools, parks, playgrounds, and other
public requirements;and to help conserve and protect the physical and economic
resources of the city and its environs.
The city ordinance regulates lot sizes, block sizes, street widths,
•
easements, sanitary conditions, and the process and data required for plat
approval. The minimum lot size required by the city is regulated by the
55 0

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zoning ordinance according to the zone the lots will be located in; however,
the subdivision ordinance places restrictions on areas that do not or will
not have city water and sewer. The ordinance requires that where city water
and sewer are not available and individual water supplies or sewage systems are
planned, then the subdivider have the area investigated by the County Health
Department.to determine if the area is suitable for this type of use. The
ordinance requires the areas tested by the Health Department have their lot
size increased as the result of the percolation test and subsoil investigations
dictate; however, no lot with individual systems is allowed to be less than,
15,000 square feet. When only individual sewage systems are planned, the
ordinance requires that the minimum lot size he 10,000 square feet.
The subdivision regulations also require that corner lots "shall have an
extra width of 15 feet to*permit adequate building setback from side.streets."
Along with.this,every lot is required to front or abut on a public street.
The size of blocks is. also regulated by the ordinance. The requirements
are that the blocks shall "not exceed 1,200 feet or be less than 400 feet and
shall have sufficient width to provide for two tiers of lots of appropriate
depth." Pedestrian ways or crosswalks.-arerequired by the ordinance where
the -Planning Board deems them necessary.
The city also regulates street width and location under its subdivision
regulations, The streets are required to conform to the arrangement, width,
and location indicated on any official plans or maps for the city. In areas
for which such plans have not been completed, the ordinance requires "that
the streets shall be designed and ,located in proper relation to existing and
proposed streets, to the topography, to the natural features, and to the.
proposed use of the land." The streets must.provide for the continuation or
appropriate projection of principal streets in surrounding areas to provide
for reasonable means of ingress and egress for surrounding tracts. The street
56

•
grades are not to be steeper than 5% nor less than 1/4 of one percent on any
street without special permission from the Planning Board. 0
c) Floodway Ordinances (Flood Zoning Ordinance)
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 floods 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 individuals 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.
57 0

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The city Building Inspector is charged with the responsibility of adminis-
tering and enforcing the code, Any violation of the ordinance constitutes a
misdemeanor. The Building Inspector is required to give any person, firm, or
corporation a."reasonable opportunity not to exceed 30 days" to correct
violations before pursuing other legal remedies,
A Certificate of Compliance shall be issued by the Building Inspector as
required by the city's zoning ordinance prior to the use of any building,
structure, or land and prior to the change or extension of a non -conforming use.
•
To obtain a Certificate of Compliance, application must be made to the Building
Inspector with the following information:.., plans drawn to scale showing the
nature, location, dimensions, and any existing or proposed elevations of a lot,
•
structures, fill, storage of materials and the location of the foregoing in
relation to the channel, the floodway zone, floodway fringe zone, high hazard
district and the flood protection elevation, Any existing or proposed
*
elevations must be tied to the City of Washington Datum or the-Uliited States
Geological Survey Benchmark, The builder may be required to submit certifi-
cation by a registered engineer or architect showing that the finished fill
and building flood elevations, flood -proofing and the flood protection
measures were compiled within the framework of the ordinance.
Special exceptions may be granted within the floodway, floodway fringe
zone and high -hazard district by the Board of Adjustment as long as sufficient
evidence is presented that the structure will be protected by flood -proofing
or other means of flood protection elevation, An application for special
*
exceptions shall be made to the Planning Board. The -Planning Board will then
forward the application along with a recommendation to the Board of Adjustment.. -
The Planning Board and. Board of Adjustment must base their decisions on
Article 3, Section 5 of the ordinance which is entitled 'Matters
58
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to be Considered in Passing Upon Application" (for special exceptions). The
basic considerations that the boards must take into account are (1) the
probability of materials being swept onto other lands or downstream to the
injury of others, (2) the proposed water supply system and sanitation systems
and the ability of these systems to prevent disease, contamination and
unsanitary conditions,(3) the susceptibility of the proposed facility to
flood damage and the effect of such damage on the individual owner, (4) the
importance of the service to the community,(5) the availability of alternate
areas, (6) the compatibility of the proposed use with existing development'
anticipated in the reasonable future, (7) the relationship of the proposed
use to the comprehensive plan and floodplain management program for the area, •
(8) the safety of access to the property in times of flood for ordinary
and emergency vehicles, (9) the expected heights, velocity, duration, rate of
rise and sediment transport of the flood waters expected at the site, and
(10)such other factors which are relevant to the purpose of the ordinance.
The city's ordinance is a detailed document covering all aspects of
floodplain zoning.' The city has taken appropriate measures to control future •
development in the flood zone and has no -.desire to see any duplicate enforce-
ment mechanisms set up -by the State of North Carolina under the provisions
of the Coastal Area Management Act. •
d) Building Codes
The City of Washington enforces North Carolina State Building Codes in
addition to'city building regulations. These codes set forth conditions.and
identify dwellings which are unfit for human habitation due to dilapidation;
defects increasing the hazards of fire, accidents and other calamities; lack
of ventilation, light and sanitary facilities; and other conditions
rendering such dwellings unsafe or unsanitary, and dangerous and detrimental
59 •

0
to the health, safety and otherwise inimical to the welfare of Washington
40 residents.
e) Septic Tank Regulations
The City of Washington provides municipal water and sewer to its
• residents. Septic tank regulations are more applicable to the extraterritorial
area. These regulations are enforced by the Beaufort County Health Department.
f) Historic Districts Regulations
• The City of Washington does not have historic district regulations.
g) Nuisance Regulations
The City of Washington has adopted a nuisance ordinance which defines a
i
nuisance and directs the steps to be taken if a nuisance occurs. A vacant
lot or a parcel of land is declared a nuisance when any one of the following
conditions exist:
A
1)
11uncontrolled growth of noxious weeds or grass in excess -of 18
inches or threatening to cause a hazard detrimental to public
health or safety"
2)
"any accumulation of animal or vegetable matter: that is offensive
by virtue of odors or vapors or by the inhabitance therein of
rats, mice; snakes or vermin of any kind which is or may be
dangerous or prejudicial to the public health."
3)
"any accumulation of rubbish, trash, or junk causing or threaten-
ing to cause a fire hazard or causing or threatening to cause the
*
accumulation of stagnant water or causing or threatening to cause
the inhabitation therein of rats, mice, snakes, or vermin of any
kind which is dangerous or may be dangerous or prejudicial to the
public health."
4)
"any,condition detrimental to the public which violates the rules
*►
and regulations of the county health department."
The ordinance places upon the City Manager, after he receives notification
from any person that such conditions exist, the responsibility of ordering an
• investigation by the appropriate city official. Once the investigation is
made and it is determined that there is a nuisance,the City Manager is then
0 60

•
required to notify the owner, occupant, or person in possession of the
property in writing. and "shall order the prompt abatement thereof within 10
days from the owner's receipt of such written notice." If the order is not
complied with,the City Manager "shall cause such condition to be removed or
otherwise remedied" by use of city personnel or an independent contractor. •
A written notice to the'owner, occupant, or person in possession of the
property shall be considered sufficient notice. The ordinance then requires
that the Tax Collector prepare a statement of charges (the actual cost •
incurred plus a ten dollar administration fee) which is to be mailed to the
owner, occupant, or person in possession of the property with instructions
that the charges be paid within.30 days. The ordinance then states that if •
the bill is not paid within this time period that a lien for the amount shall
be put. on the land.
In actuality, liens are not being attached to the property for the 0
collection -of weed control -bills, due to the involved legal procedures
required. such as running legal advertisements, calling for a public hearing,
and the holding of a public hearing.
•
h) Dune Protection Ordinances
Not applicable to the Washington Plaming Area.
•
i) Sedimentation Codes
The city does not presently enforce sedimentation control. The State of
North Carolina is currently enforcing sedimentation control within Beaufort
County.
j) Environmental Impact Statement Ordinances
While the city has no EIS ordinance, an EIS provision is included in •
various land use control ordinances.
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E
FEDERAL AND STATE REGULATIONS
• The state guidelines for preparation of these plans tequire that state and
federal regulations be listed and discussed. The N. C. Department of Natural
and Economic'Resources was to prepare such a listing and discussion for
• inclusion in the.Coastal Area Management Act plans. However, these regulations
•
have not been presented to'date. When available,these regulations will be
presented for inclusion in the Washington Land Use Plan.
FnfnrrPmanf-
ENFORCEMENT AND INSPECTIONS
The Washington City Inspector coordinates enforcement of plans;
a
ordinances, and policies. The City Inspector Office is well organized and
•
A
capable of continuing to provide effective enforcement of land use controls.
The enforcement procedure concerning the city's subdivision regulations
is tied directly to the approval or rejection of the subdivision plat. The
ordinance requires that a preliminary plat be submitted to the City Manager
at least two weeks before consideration of the plat by the Planning Board.
The City Manager will make a recommendation to the board after he has checked
to make sure the plat conforms to all city subdivision regulations. The
Planning Board may accept or reject the plat but the ordinance requires that
its reasons be -.stated in the minutes and recommendations "made on the basis
of which the proposed subdivision could be approved." Once the plat is
approved -or the necessary changes have been made,the subdivider is required
to present the final plat within three months after the approval of the pre-
liminary plat. The City Council is empowered by the ordinance to either
accept (totally or conditionally) or reject the final plat. If approval is
•
given, the subdivision will.have it recorded with the County Register of
62
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Deeds. If the plat is denied, the City Council must state its reasons and
make recommendations concerning the needed changes. Unless a plat is •
approved by the City Council,no building permits will be issued and the plat
shall be considered null and void.
Inspections
The City of Washington has adopted ordinances regulating housing, zoning,
installation of electrical equipment, building practices, plumbing, and cooling
and heating systems. Many of these regulations have been adopted by the City
of Washington from state and national codes. The building code, plumbing
code (with a few exceptions), and the heating and cooling system code were
S
adopted from state codes while the electrical code was adopted from a national
code. These codes are detailed and form a rather extensive body of law.
The city ordinances provide for a building inspector and assistants as
he has need for them. The-city'presently employs two full-time inspectors ---
one building inspector and one housing inspector. The building inspector is
responsible for determining violations of the zoning regulations, the building
code, the electrical code, the plumbing code, and the heating and cooling
code. The housing inspector -is mainly responsible for minimum housing inspect-
ions and'assisis the building inspector with his duties.
The building inspector is charged with the responsibility of enforcing
all state and local laws governing installations of electrical and. cooling
w
systems under the electric code. In enforcing the building code, the e
inspector is required to "perform all the duties prescribed by the General
Statutes -of North Carolina and all other applicable statutes." The city
plumbing code gives him general charge and supervision over all plumbing
done in the city and requires him to make certain all plumbing conforms with.
the code. The Building Inspector is charged with the responsibility of
63
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administering and enforcing the zoning regulations adopted June 11, 1973.
All the ordinances enforced by the Building Inspector follow the same
mechanics for enforcement and appeal with the exception of the zoning
ordinance. There are three-basic.steps in enforcement and appeal:
1. A written notice to the property owner or his agent
notifying him of the corrections that need to be made.
2. In the event the owner or his agent disagrees with the
inspector's interpretation of the code, appeal may be
made within 48 hours by filing a written appeal with the
+ City Manager stating his objections.
3. The City Manager's decision is final except for appeal to
the Superior Court of the County by a writ of certiorari..
The procedure followed in enforcing the zoning ordinance differs from
a the enforcement of other ordinances in that any appeal from the Building
Inspector's decision may be taken to the Board of Adjustment, the decision
of which is final within the city government structure. However, one may
0 appeal to the -Superior Court of the county through'a writ of certiorari. In
all matters of appeal after a decision has been rendered at the highest
level provided by the ordinances, the matter is turned over to -the city's
attorney to force compliance.
The Housing Inspector receives his authority from the building inspector
who is allowed by ordinance to delegate the necessary authority to his
assistants. The city, in response to HUD guidelines, adopted the Minimum
Housing Code which recognizes that within the city there exist dwellings
that are not fit for human habitation.
The Housing Inspector's procedure for enforcement begins with -the
receiving of at least five complaints against a structure or his spotting a
structure that does not meet standards. After a minimum housing inspection
of a dwelling is made and it is found to be substandard, the inspector
prepares a complaint and notice of hearing along with a check.sheet specifying
64

•
the deficiencies. At the hearing,the owner and/or his agent and interested
parties present evidence to the housing inspector relating to the dwelling
being discussed. After the hearing is held, the inspector makes a decision
as to whether the dwelling is dilapidated or deteriorated. If he decides
that the structure is deteriorated,he prepares a written report stating his
reasons and issues an order for the owner to bring such dwelling into
compliance with the code. If the structure is dilapidated,he follows the
same .procedure and issues an order for the dwelling to be brought up to `
standards or be demolished. The owner may appeal through the Housing Board
of Appeals by filing a notice of appeal with the housing inspector and the
Housing Board of Appeals within 10 days from the rendering of the order. 0
The appeal must state the objections of the owner and his grounds for appeal.
The Housing Board.of Appeals has the final decision unless the owner and/or
his agent desires to appeal to the Superior Court of the county by a writ of •
certiorari.
The Bureau of Inspections and Community Development's inspection policy
is greatly influenced by state and federal guidelines. These guidelines place •
the burden on the City of Washington for finding suitable lodging for anyone
who is living in a structure the city wishes to condemn or institute major
repairs on. As a direct result of the great expense involved in such an •
operation and the shortage of adequate housing, the city makes a policy of not
starting procedures against any occupied dwelling. Since the adoption of the
new Minimum Housing Code in 1972,the city has demolished 68 houses 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.
r,
u
65 0

•
•
•
• PUBLIC PARTICIPATION ACTIVITIES
•
•
PART III
•
•
66
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•
IDENTIFICATION AND ANALYSIS OF MAJOR
LAND USE ISSUES
•
The City of Washington undertook an intensive citizen involvement program
in the spring of 1974, The purpose of this program was to solicit local input
• in (1) identifying area land use problems and issues, (2) help formulate goals
and objectives to address identified issues and problems and (3) to establish
an on -going communication process between officials and the public. Over the
• past year Washington's Citizen Involvement Program has included: a citizen
attitude questionnaire, ward meetings, public forums, civil group engagements,
and establishment of a citizen "Hot -Line".
! Following are results of these efforts, Problems and issues are identified,
followed by goals and objectives. These long-range goals are mixed with
short -and long-range objectives because area problems are varied. The object-
ives represent different problem -solving solutions local citizens have
proposed. They address their most pressing problems: Growth, Environment,
Housing, Public Safety, Streets and Transportation.' This plan revolves
around these concerns because local citizens have identified them as problems
which need solutions. It is their identification of these goals, standards,
and objectives which make. them important enough to pursue.
4
67

..J
GROWTH
•
The City of Washington has experienced a rapid population decline in the
past 15 years, from 9,939 in 1960 to 8,860 (est.) in 1975. An urban fringe has
developed lacking municipal services. Additional land is needed for development,
•
particularly for residential areas for low and middle -income families.
GOAL: To Promote Orderly Growth in the Washington Planning Area.
Objective: To annex surrounding residential areas.
•
0 jective: To make provisions to extend municipal services to these areas,
such as water and sewer lines, fire and police protection,
garbage and trash collection. �-
Objective: To seek a detailed soils map for the City of Washington and
Beaufort County to provide information on soils limitations •
on development.
LOCAL GOVERMENT RESPONSIVENESS
The City of Washington has attempted to build a communications process in •
which the citizen can express his views and opinions of the city's needs and
priorities, and the city in turn can communicate progress on these ideas back
to the citizens. A responsive local government is essential to a viable •
democracy.
GOAL: To Maintain Effective Communication Between the Citizens and
Elected City Officials.
n
Objective: To bring.about more citizen involvement through the Human
Relations Council.
Objective: To establish closer ties with the news media.
Objective: To continue the city's public speaking panel for civic groups, •
business groups, and the various other citizen involvement
groups,
Objective: To continue to publicize the "hotline" telephone number which
encourages citizens to give their suggestions on improving
living conditions in the city. •
68 0

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•
ENVIRONMENTAL
Washingtonians strongly feel that plans for development must be balanced
with an appreciation of those unspoiled natural areas which contribute to the
"livability"_of
our city. These areas should be respected in our future
•
development.
GOAL: To Discourage Development of Land Which is Unsuitable for Urban
Uses.
�ective:
To enforce strictly the flood zoning ordinance to insure that
•
new development within the flood zone is either flood -proofed
and/or elevated above the flood plain.
Objective:
To..zone an historic district within the central business
district to preserve structures of historic significance
and to insure that new'development will be aesthetically
•
compatible with existing structures.
Objective:
To zone the land adjacent to the Tranter's Creek watershed
to prevent damaging changes in water run-off patterns and
to prohibit septic tank infiltration of surface water and
`
underground water supplies.
` Objective:.
To zone the marshland on the south side of the river to
prohibit any types of use that will change the character
of the land.
Objective:
To annex areas that are adjacent to the river and that lack
•
sewerage systems to ensure that septic tank infiltration
does not downgrade the quality of the Pamlico River.
HOUSING
• An aging, deteriorating housing stock is one of Washington's greatest
problems, as identified through public meetings, a citizens' survey, and a
survey of physical conditions. Standard housing for members of all economic
0 groups is the first requirement for decent living.
GOAL: To Provide an Environment in Which Residents May Have the
,Opportunity to Secure Adequate and Safe Housing.
• Objective: To demolish all dilapidated housing units.
M.
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t
7
•
r`
Objective: To upgrade all substandard housing to meet minimum housing
codes or else have the structures demolished. •
Objective: To create a local rehabilitation loan program with the
cooperation of savings and loan institutions and banks,
making use of Community Development Revenue Sharing funds.
RECREATION AND PARKS
The 1974 Citizen Survey revealed that 50 percent of respondents never
used park and recreation facilities. The non -users were primarily elderly
LA
and middle-aged. Also, in a number of public meetings, you pointed out that •
the city and county do not fully exploit water -based recreational potential.
GOAL:. To Provide a Variety of Recreational Opportunities for All Groups.
•
Objective: To plan for the renovation of the old Armory into a
recreation center.
Objective: To demolish Charlotte Street Recreation Center and replace
it with the renovated facilities of the old Armory.
Objective: To complete the Jack's Creek park project.
Objective: To provide more "free play" time at recreation centers and
to allow activities to develop without structuring them into
organizations.
•
•
Objective: To make better use of the Pamlico and Tar rivers, for
recreational purposes by increasing city -owned waterfront
property to insure areas for public access, and by pro-
viding for additional free city boat ramps and docking
facilities.
•
Objective: To encourage more elderly and middle-aged participation in
recreational programs.
Objective: To develop neighborhood play areas within easy walking
distance of all Washingtonians.
Objective: To study possibilities of developing a system of bike paths. •
Objective: To encourage commercial recreation such as bowling,
putt -putt golf, and skating rinks.
•
70 0

•
•
Objective: To coordinate city -county activitles,to'eliminate needless
duplication of personnel, facilities, and programs.
PUBLIC SAFETY
A high degree of concern in public safety was expressed in the 1974
• Citizen Survey. It was felt that additional public safety measures are
needed that address dog control, loitering, visual barriers, and increased
police car patrol.
GOAL: To Provide the Most Effective and Efficient Means of Public Safety.
Objective: To concentrate patrolling in areas that report the greatest
incidence of serious crime.
Objective: To improve street lighting to promote a greater sense of
• security at night.
Objective: To empower the police to control loitering on public property
- through enactment of a local ordinance.
Objective: To enact a 24-hour leash law to prevent dogs from running
• at large.
•
Objective.: To consolidate city -county rescue squad efforts.
Objective: To remove visual barriers from street intersections to
lessen the possibility of traffic accidents.
STREETS AND TRANSPORTATION
Washington has numerous unpaved streets and paved streets that lack curb
,• and guttering. Movement of traffic and water run-off patterns will be improved
through increased attention to street paving and maintenance programs.
GOAL: To.Provide a Highly Functional Internal Street System.
• Objective: To pave, curb, and gutter the remaining dirt streets.
Objective: To curb and gutter ribbon streets.
Objective: To allow traffic to flow evenly through synchronization of
street lights.
•
71
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•
STANDARDS
The development of.land within Washington should be undertaken in accordance
with sound resource management principles in order to make the most economic use
of public funds invested in services and to enhance private investment -in the
long-term future of Washington, The following standards will guide the location
of development in appropriate areas and identify certain measures necessary to
insure safety and convenience for residents of and visitors to Washington.
A.' General Standards
1) Development should be located on stable, well -drain& soils with a
relatively low water table.
•
2) Structures should be located on the development site'to avoid, the •
destruction of natural vegetation wherever possible.
3) Structures should be located on site to avoid the alteration of natural
land form and drainage where possible. •
4) Development should be located to minimize interference with established
patterns of surrounding land use and to prevent conflict between
incompatible uses of land,
S) Development should be located to avoid the destruction or irretrievable -
alteration -of fragile or valuable natural or cultural resources,
6) Development should not occur in areas where there is a deihonstrated` •
danger of the loss of life or property due to natural or man-made
processes.
7) Development in' areas subject to flooding should be designed and located •
to minimize the damage caused by such flooding,
8) Development should be located and timed to make the most efficient and
economical use of existing or proposed public services including water,
sewer, solid waste disposal, public safety, schools, libraries and social.
services.
72 0

•
B. Residential Standards
1) Permanent neighborhoods should.be located in sheltered areas protected
from encroachment by major transportation routes -and incompatible
commercial development.
2) Permanent neighborhoods should maintain low density levels and large
amounts of useable open space to preserve privacy and aesthetic
appeal-.
3) Residential development which requires septic tanks for sewage disposal
should follow current health requirements as to soil type, height of
water table and area to prevent pollution of ground water supply, -
aquifer recharge areas or estuarine waters.
4) Development which results in residential densities over 3 families per
acre should be served by public or community sewage disposal systems..
• C. Commercial Standards
1) General commercial activities and business require locations adjacent
to major thoroughfares. The uncontrolled development.of commercial
• sites -at scattered locations along highways does not promote good
business, is inconvenient for shoppers, promotes inefficient use of
valuable developable land, creates dangerous traffic conflicts at each
• driveway entrance, and seriously impairs the capacity and function;of
• the highway, Therefore, coinIInercial development should be concentrated
in groups of complementary uses where possible.
• 2) Small commercial enterprises of less than one acre are encouraged to
locate where suitable sites exist among existing commercial uses in
order to take advantage of combined drawing power and to increase,
customer convenience.
• 73

3)
Large scale commercial developments involving one acre or more are
encouraged to concentrate complementary uses oA sites large enough to
provide ample parking, controlled access to highways, and suitable
buffering for adjacent.residential use,
4)
Convenience retail facilities designed and limited to serve neighbor-
hood.level trade areas only may be appropriate adjacent to some
residential neighborhoods if properly buffered to minimize impact on
adjacent residences.
5)
Water -related commercial activity such as marinas and piers should be
located in naturally protected areas as near deep water as possible
where the least amount of alteration of vital marsh and estuarine
bottom is required,
D. Industrial Standards
1)
Industries should be encouraged to locate in the Industrial District
in the Planning Area.
2)
Industries locating in the Washington Planning Area should be required
to provide an assessment of the impact of primary and secondary develop-
ment caused by industry and should use the best available technology
to avoid pollution of the water and air during construction and in
•
production.
•
74 0

•
IMPACT CP POPULATION AND ECONOMIC TRENDS
An examination of area population characteristics found in Part II of
this plan will reveal that the most significant population changes have
occurred in the elderly population and. the under 5 age group. The 55 and
over age group has steadily increased while the under 5 has decreased.
Changes in both age groups are apparently of a national trend reflecting
better medical care and health facilities, and no longer a need nor a
desire for large families.
What are the implications of these population changes? An increasingly
older population will require specialized demands on health care and other
community services. A decreasing under-5 population represents possible
future under -utilization of school facilities and school personnel. When the
under-5 population reaches school age,.unless significant in -migration of
school age children replenishes the losses which have already occurred,
alternatives in anticipated school needs will be required, Personnel shifts
and facility re -organization may necessitate efficient school operations.
Economically, an increasing old population represents a larger percent-
age of residents on a fixed. income, This means that persons on fixed
incomes will more immediately reflect fluctuations in the national economy.
In the past,agricultural-related activities accounted for most of
Washington's economy, However, today,manufacturing, wholesale and retail
trade account for Washington's major economic activity. As of 1969,
the per capita income of persons living in Washington was $2,168.
The area's economic outlook is encouraging. Several phosphate operations
are expected to expand in the county. However, since these-}lans are not
final, the exact impact upon Washington economy cannot be made. Continued
economic and industrial development is needed to meet future employment needs,
75

PROVISION OF ADEQUATE HOUSING
Washington continues to have areas of substandard housing, In 1974.a
housing survey was conducted by -the city. A total of 2,722 houses were
surveyed. Housing conditions were as follows: (a) S.S.percent standard,
(b) 42 percent substandard and (c) 3 percent dilapidated, The worst housing
_conditions are found in.the western section of..the city, This section is
mostly populated with black residents.
Today Washington has an average household population'of 3.26. As popula
tion estimates are realized, overcrowding will increase. It is essential that
implementation of the existing housing -plan continues. Added housing stock
and other housing improvement will remain high among Washington's priorities,
CONSERVATION OF PRODUCTIVE NATURAL RESOURCES
The Pamlico River and its waters are considered the most productive
natural resources the Washington Planning Area has to offer area citizens,
Washingtonians have varied strong feelings concerning the.protection of
their natural areas -as evident in their environmental goals and objectives.
PROTECTION OF IMPORTANT NATURAL ENVIRONMENTS
Washington citizens seek to encourage wise evelopment of their land and
water environment in such a matter that would attract people to the area and
not .destroy its natural state.
Their objectives "to zone the marshland on the south side of the river
to prohibit any types of use that will change the character of the land,
and to annex areas that are adjacent to the river and that lack sewerage
systems to ensure that septic tank infiltration does not downgrade the quality -
of the Pamlico River." are -some of the ways area residents feel would better
conserve and protect their environment,
76 40

PROTECTION OF CULTURAL AND HISTORIC RESOURCES
The "Original Washington" has played an important part in the development
of Beaufort -County and the surrounding areas. The preservation of the old
Beaufort County Courthouse and the Bank of Washington is evidence of the
city's past cultural contribution to the area. These two buildings are
listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Delineation of an
historic district is under study; also. These cultural and historic
resources are a significant asset to the city and should be protected from
unplanned and uncontrolled growth.
•
•
•
•
•
•
0
77

•
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
•
Citizen participation meetings were held with the intention of en-
couraging the maximum amount of citizen dialogue on municipal problems,
including specific issues concerning land use planning. The principal land
•
use questions raised were the desirable future population growth, the rate
of growth, the .impact of future growth on commumity facilities, needed improve-
ments in municipal service delivery, and protection of the environment and
J
of historic sites.
Washingtonians tend to be proud of their historic heritage, their city's
relationship to the river, and feel comfortable in a small town environment.
•
These concerns showed up consistently in their remarks. Washingtonians want
a small-town setting and are highly concerned about maintaining the river for
recreation and fishing uses. Citizens consistently called for protection of
•
their heritage through the creation of an historic zone.
A great deal of effort was devoted to determining needed improvements in
municipal service delivery and in community facilities. A great deal of effort
•
was spent in prioritizing "municipal concerns," and Washington's goals are
arranged approximately in descending order of frequency that a concern was
mentioned. Public libraries, courtesy of city officials, and fire safety
•
were not salient issues to local citizens, and so did not appear in goal
statements. Citizen participation in governmental affairs tended to gather
little support as a matter of greatest, or second greatest, municipal concern.
•
In this case,.however, municipal policy is strongly oriented to city
responsiveness and communication with citizens; and so much attention was
devoted to developing goal statements on this matter.
•
78 41

•
•
DESCRIPTION OF OBJECTIVES, POLICIES, AND STANDARDS
PROCESS
The citizen participation process depended on public meetings, a citizen
survey, and presentations to civic groups as the three principal methods of
encouraging city -citizen dialogue. A conscientious effort was made to record
•
the items brought up at the meetings, and the citizen survey was used as the
primary.tool, in.ordering-municipal-concerns in a priority ranking. Also
considered were the priorities of the city's management staff and the City
•
Council, who had been working together in the Community Development Revenue
Sharing program to define municipal needs and in setting an annual budget.
The.goals,.objectives, and standards were compiled and written up by a
member of the city's staff who had been involved in the citizen participation
process for both CDRS and CAMA. These statements were then circulated to
the City Manager, the City Council, and the Planning Board. The Planning
•
Board, in particular, has worked to refine the goal statements.
!
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79
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STATEMENT OF PUBLIC PARTTCIPATTON METHODS AND RESULTS
•
Since early spring of 1974, the City of Washington has developed a program
to draw citizens into the decision making process. (1) in the preparation of
the budget for both fiscal years 1974-75 and for 1975-76, with the Human
Relations Council,as the "vehicle" for program suggestions;.(2) in the
preparation of the "hold harmless" and the discretionary applications for
Community Development Revenue Sharing; (3) through a series of "Workshops on •
Local Government" on the structure and function of the local government;
(4) through the completion of a random survey of 268 households within the
corporate limits of Washington concerning the needs.created by urban living;
and (5) through meetings with civic groups to explore land use issues in depth.
Although the meetings held on Community Development Revenue Sharing,
the annual city budget, and the Coastal Area Management -Act have slightly
different orientations, they were similar in attempting to involve the citizens
In the local governmental process. The citizens' survey was a direct attempt
to go to the houses of a randomly -selected group of households (100 of all
households within the city limits) to gather the responses of an adult member
of the household to a series of questions on municipal problems (see: Larry
Mazer and Kenneth Andrews, "A Municipality Surveys its Citizens," Popular
Government, Volume 41, Number 1 (Summer 1975), 29.)
The workshops on local government were instructional in nature: a member
of the city staff would present a brief explanation of his area of responsibi-
lity, such as the operation of a division or department of the city. Attendees
were encouraged to ask questions to improve their understanding of the city's
responsibilities and methods of operation.
Other than the state-provided'pamphlets, posters,and public service
announcements over radio and television, the city released at least one news
80 0

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article per month to the local newspaper specifically pertaining to the Coastal
•
Area Management Act. The particular route chosen to encourage public input into
the land use planning process was presentations to civic and church groups.
The slide shows on CAMA were used to acquaint the group with the basics of
•
land use issues with a discussion afterwards on what relationship
Washingtonians desired in the future toward the land and the water,
The city administration has not been entirely satisfied with the level of
response to its participation efforts, While a great deal of time and money
was spent in publicizing the various meetings, the number of participants
was hardly overwhelming at any single meeting, The variety of methods and
the large number of meetings gave citizens a great deal of opportunity to
voice their views and concerns.
It is difficult to estimate what percentage of the adult population
•
participated in the process; perhaps 20% is the most believable figure.
Taking into account that the public participation efforts have been an
on -going process for two years, a 20% response is disappointing.
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0 81

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CONSTRAINTS
SECTION IV
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82
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LAND POTENTIAL
Physical Limitations
The Washington Planning Area has both man-made and natural hazard areas.
Man-made hazard areas consist of tank farms, Warren Airfield, and fertilizer
storage facilities while natural hazard areas consist of floodplain lands.
Man -Made Hazard Areas
Tank Farms - There are four tank farms within the city and three wit1 n
•
its mile and a half jurisdiction, These storage facilities contain approx-
imately 1-1/4 million gallons of fuel oil.
Of the four within the city,two are located in the east end of town, in
•
industrial zones surrounded by residential usage. The remaining two facilities
in the city are in the west end, one in a B-3 zone surrounded by residential
uses, the other in a I-2 zone surrounded by commercial, industrial,and some
•
scattered residential usage.
The tank farms within the city limits are all relatively close to
residential areas. This unfortunate situation came into being prior to the
•
adoption of the zoning ordinance. From the standpoint of safety, the two tank
farms in the east end present the greatest potential of danger, since they are
surrounded by predominantly residential land use. Three farms are adjacent
•
to major thoroughfares (Fifth Street, Park Drive). One tank farm is located on
Runyon Creek near the point it rums into the Pamlico. The location pattern
of the tank farms within the city limits is quite unfortunate due to the
proximity to major thoroughfares, residential areas, and the river.
Outside the city limits, one tank farm on River Road is located in an area
that is mainly commercial with some residential use to the north. The other
•
tank farms are on a major thoroughfare, Highway 17, in close proximity
40 83

•
to the Pamlico River. The surrounding land is commercial and woodland.
There are certain safety procedures required by law for tank farms, such
as retaining walls, check valves, and fire extinguishers. The city should
ascertain whether existing law provides adequate protection to the surrounding
land uses.
Inside City Limits
1) Greene Oil Company, 423 Hackney Avenue
a. five tanks
b. 74,000 gallon capacity
c. Safety features: 18' long,21 high retaining wall that can hold up
to 40,000 gallons
2) H. G. Winfield, 1000 Park Drive
a. five 15,000 gallon tanks, one 30,000 gallon tank
b. 105,000 gallon capacity
c. Safety features: no retaining walls
3) F. Ray Moore Oil Company, 304 New Bern Street
A
•
a. four tanks ;
b. 120,000 gallon capacity
c. Safety features: retaining wall
4) E. P. Rhodes Distributor, 1051 E. 4th Street
a. six 14,500 gallon tanks, two 20,000 gallon tanks
b. 127,000 gallon capacity
5) Waters Oil Company, 810 N. Charlotte Street
a, eleven 16,000 gallon tanks, one 258,000 gallon tank-, one
58,000 gallon tank, one 158,000 gallon tank
b. 640,000 gallon capacity
Outside City Limits
1) Taylor Oil Company, 805 River Road
a, four 20,000 gallon tanks, one 8,000 gallon tank
b. 881000 gallon capacity
c. Safety features: no retaining wall, security pop -off valve
2) J. H. Pinkham EXXON Products, Highway 17 South
a, five tanks
b. 120,000 gallon capacity
c. Safety features: check valves on tanks
84
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Warren Field
Warren Field is a small airport capable of handling planes up to the size
of small jets. The area is classified in I-2 zone with special restrictions
to protect flight lanes.
0 The 1962 thoroughfare plan for the city recommended that Washington
Street be extended to Market Street Extension. The 1970 plan, however,
recommended that this action not be taken to prevent opening the airport
0 vicinity to urban. -development. It now appears that with the location of a
new N.C. State Armory in the immediate vicinity, in conjunction with an
expansion of the airport now underway, urbanizing tendencies are already
underway.
Fertilizer Outlets
Four fertilizer ---outlets are found in the west end of town, namely Royster
Fertilizers, Smith -Douglas Fertilizer, Talley Brothers Warehouse, and W.B.
Gerard and Sons.
Smith -Douglas warehouse stores approximately 19 tons of fertilizers and
w fertilizer materials and 160 tons of farm chemicals. Farms chemicals are
pesticides at field strength stored as liquids in containers ranging from one
quart to 55 gallons, or as dry material in containers of one to fifty pounds.
w Any direct contact with these materials could be hazardous. In the event of
a fire, toxic fumes would be given off.
Talley Brothers generally stores forty pounds of nitrogen soda, forty of
0 ammonia nitrate, and forty of calcium nitrate. Herbicides and insecticides
are not stocked, but are ordered when needed.
The other outlets carry much the same inventory.
•
85
w

lJ
Extra ter w.
.��
►
a
;.
TT
a�
ZJ
.
C
-
Pam.P;i.co River.
.
J
MAP 4
• ��rri to
• ria
WASHINGT
N. C�"•
t:�cs
.
.
FLOOD
HAZARD
A
TAKEN FROM PRELIMINARY
FLOOD HAZARD
BOUNDRY MAP
FOR CITY OF WASHINGTON
!
sb

NATURAL HAZARD AREAS:
I Flood Plain
Washington has been subjected to flooding by hurricane -produced wind
tides of sufficient height to cause appreciable damage at least seven times
during this century including five times since Hurricane Hazel in 1954.
Any type.of storm is likely to xaise the water level. However, to date, the
highest tidal.flooding on record was the tropical storm of September 3, 1913,
• which produced an elevation of ten feet above the normal water level. Based
on studies conducted by the Army Corps of Engineers, a severe storm reasonably
characteristic of the region could produce a storm tide of fourteen feet above
a mean sea level if the hurricane moved in an east -west direction along the
Pamlico River.
Map 4 depi.cts.Washington's flood hazard areas.
i The city, with the help of the state, has tried to take steps to reduce
the flood hazard. A combination street and dike has been constructed across
Jack's Creek which drains 65% of the town. The dike was designed to protect
0 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 1.5 feet below mean
sea level.
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
0 tropical storm will cause a sufficient increase for serious flooding to occur.
These subtropical storms occur mostly in August, September, and October.
The highest recorded tidal flooding occurred in 1913 when a subtropical storm
•
0 87

produced flood.waters'of 10 feet. The most expensive storm that data are
available on was Ione, which in 1956 produced floods of 7.8 feet in elevation
and caused.._$637,000.00 in damages.
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 900 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 re-
wired to provide for passage of the base flood without significantly
a p p g
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 man-made barriers.
General Soil Characteristics
Basic..to a study of long-range planning is a knowledge of the types of
•
structure of the soils within the planning area. Soil should be suitable for
both construction and septic fields. The inability for a soil to handle
septic tank absorption fields can create a severe public health problem.
Some communities have severe sanitary problems because lots are too small and the
•
88 0

crowded conditions cause the septic tanks to function improperly. Load
0 bearing capacity must be considered before a new road is planned or before
an area is designed for an industrial site. Soils are also considered
with regard to suitability for campsites, picnic areas, intensive play areas,
general agriculture, woodland, and pastureland. (See Map 5 and Table 13)
Beaufort County lies within the Coastal Plain Soil Province, and the
soils are derived from unconsolidated sands and clays of sedimentary origin
compose.d...of materials brought down from the Piedmont Plateau and Appalachian
Mountain regions and deposited on the sea flood in ancient times. These
sediments have been more or less modified by drainage, oxidation, erosion,
and the decay of plants, since their elevation is above water. The
percolating rain water has carried much of the finer material down from the
surface; and this, together with the action of the streams and erosion,
IR has resulted in the subsoils having a generally heavier texture than the
surface soils. The red and yellow colors in many of the soils are due
largely to the oxidation of the iron -bearing minerals contained in the soil.
A The dark -gray and black colors are the result of the decay of varying
quantities of organic matter. The mottling in some of the subsoils is due
largely to imperfect drainage conditions, the subsoil being saturated at
A such frequent intervals that the iron -bearing minerals in the soil have been
40
only partly oxidized. The elevation and drainage in different parts of the
county have caused considerable difference in the soils.
88a

'0
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Not,
Sou,
SOIL
LEGEND
CONETOE—WANDO—DRAGSTON association: Somewhat poorly drained, friable soils occurring on
nearly level to gently sloping stream terraces.
LENOI R—CRAVEN— BLADE N association: Moderately weB to poorly drained soils with gray sandy
surfaces and firm to very firm clay subsoils.
BLADEN—BAYBORO—PORTSMOUTH association: Poorly drained to very poorly drained soils with
dark gray to black surfaces and friable to firm subsoils of the lower marine terraces.
® ALTAVISTA—BERTIE—WICKHAM association: Well drained to somewhat poorly drained, friable soils
occurring on nearly level intermediate stream terraces.
LYNCHBURG—RAINS association: Somewhat poorly and poorly drained soils with gray sandy surfaces
and friable subsoils on broad flat landscapes.
NORFOLK—WAGRAM—GOLDSBORO association: Well drained to moderately well drained soils with
© gray sandy surfaces and deep friable subsoils occurring on nearly level to gently sloping old marine
surfaces.
BELHAVEN—PONZER—WASDA association: Very poorly drained soils with organic surfaces under.
lain by friable loamy subsoils occurring on broad, extensive flats or pocosins.
® DOROVAN—JOHNSTON association: Very poorly drained soils with deep to shallow organic surfaces
over stratified sandy subsurfaces. These soils occur along the major drainage systems and are inundated
throughout the year.
TIDAL MARSH association: Very poorly drained estaurine soils with organic or mineral surfaces over
subsurfaces varying from sands to clay. They are flooded daily by lunar and wind tides.
LEON—MURV ILLE—SEAGATE association: Somewhat poorly to very poorly drained soils with gray
1Q to black sandy surfaces over sandy to loamy subsurfaces. They have weak to strong cemented organic
pans lavers at depths of 8 to 48 inches.
]. I JOHNSTON—BIBB association: Poorly to very poorly drained friable soils occurring in the flood plains
J0 of both small and large upland drairlage systems.
TENTATIVE — SOIL NAMES SUBJECT TO CHANGE
GENERAL SOIL MAP
BEAUFORT COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
U 4 8
APPROXIMATE SCALE - MILES
BASE COMPILED FROM NORTH CAROLINA
GENERAL HIGHWAY MAP, POLYCONIC PROJECTION
GRID TICKS BASED ON NORTH CAROLINA STATE
PLANE COORDINATE SYSTEM, EAST ZONE.
8"es" Npvasrua 2Y7e 4W"M

0
SOIL INTERPRETATIONS
GENERAL SOIL MAP
BEAUFORT COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
DWELLINGS
GENERAL AGRICULTURE
W/O BASEMENTS
W/ BASEMENTS
TOBACCO, PEANUTS
CORN, SOYBEANS
SOIL
SEPTIC TANK
LANDFILL
SMALL COMMERCIAL
LOCAL ROADS
FORESTRY
PASTURE
ASSOCIATIONS
FILTER FIELDS
(TRENCH)
BUILDINGS
and STREETS
AND TRUCK
AND SMALL GRAIN
1
CONETOE-WANDO-DRAGSTON
SLIGHT
SEVERE seepage
MODERATE floods
MODERATE floods
MODERATE floods
SLIGHT
GOOD
FAIR TO POOR
FAIR
GOOD
CONETOE
WANDO
SLIGHT
SEVERE
SLIGHT
SLIGHT
SLIGHT
SLIGHT
POOR TO FAIR
POOR
FAIR
FAIR
seepage, sandy
DRAGSTON
SEVERE wetness
SEVERE
SEVERE wetness
SEVERE wetness
SEVERE wetness
SEVERE wetness
FAIR TO GOOD
GOOD
FAIR TO GOOD
FAIR
wetness, seepage
2LENOIR-CRAVEN-BLADEN
LENOIR
SEVERE wetness,
SEVERE wetness
SEVERE
SEVERE wetness
SEVERE wetness
SEVERE low strength
FAIR TO GOOD
FAIR TO GOOD
GOOD
GOOD
peres slowly
wetness, too clayey
CRAVEN
SEVERE wetness,
SEVERE wetness,
SEVERE
SEVERE wetness
SEVERE wetness,
SEVERE too clayey
GOOD
GOOD
FAIR
GOOD
peres slowly
too clayey
wetness, too clayey
too clayey
BLADEN
SEVERE
SEVERE
SEVERE
SEVERE
SEVERE
SEVERE
POOR
FAIR TO GOOD
GOOD
FAIR
wetness, floods
wetness, floods
wetness, floods
wetness, floods
wetness, floods
wetness, floods
3
BLADEN-BAYBORO-PORTSMOUTH
SEVERE
SEVERE
SEVERE
SEVERE
SEVERE
SEVERE
POOR
FAIR TO GOOD
GOOD
FAIR
BLADEN
wetness, floods
wetness, floods
wetness, floods
wetness, floods
wetness, floods
wetness, floods
BAYBORO
SEVERE wetness
SEVERE wetness
SEVERE wetness
SEVERE wetness
SEVERE wetness
SEVERE wetness
POOR
G00D
GOOD
GOOD
PORTSMOUTH
SEVERE wetness
SEVERE
SEVERE wetness
SEVERE wetness
SEVERE wetness
SEVERE wetness
POOR
GOOD
FAIR TO GOOD
FAIR TO GOOD
wetness, seepage
4
ALTAVISTA-BERTIE-WICKHAM
SEVERE TO MODERATE
SEVERE wetness
MODERATE wetness
SEVERE wetness
SEVERE wetness
SEVERE low strength
GOOD
GOOD
GOOD
GOOD
ALTAVISTA
wetness
BERTIE
SEVERE wetness
SEVERE wetness
MODERATE wetness
SEVERE wetness
MODERATE wetness
MODERATE
GOOD
GOOD
FAIR TO G00D
FAIR TO GOOD
wetness, low strength
WICKHAM
SLIGHT
SLIGHT
SLIGHT
SLIGHT
SLIGHT
SLIGHT
GOOD
GOOD
GOOD
GOOD
5
LYNCHBURG-RAINS
LYNCHBURG
SEVERE wetness
SEVERE wetness
SEVERE wetness
SEVERE wetness
SEVERE
MODERATE wetness
GOOD
GOOD
GOOD
GOOD
wetness, corrosive
RAINS
SEVERE
SEVERE
SEVERE
SEVERE
SEVERE wetness,
SEVERE
GOOD
GOOD
GOOD
GOOD
wetness, floods
wetness, floods
wetness, floods
wetness, floods
floods, corrosive
wetness, floods
6
NORFOLK-WAGRAM-GOLDSBORO
SLIGHT
SLIGHT
SLIGHT
GOOD
G00D
FAIR TO GOOD
GOOD
NORFOLK
SLIGHT
SLIGHT
SLIGHT
WAGRAM
SLIGHT
SEVERE
SLIGHT
SLIGHT
SLIGHT
SLIGHT
GOOD
FAIR TO GOOD
FAIR
FAIR TO GOOD
seepage
[—
GOLDSBORO
SEVERE TO MODERATE
SEVERE wetness
SLIGHT
MODERATE wetness
MODERATE wetness
SLIGHT
GOOD
GOOD
GOOD
GOOD
wetness
7
BELHAVEN-PONZER-WASDA
SEVERE
SEVERE
SEVERE wetness,
SEVERE wetness,
SEVERE wetness,
SEVERE wetness,
POOR
GOOD
POOR TO FAIR
GOOD
BELHAVEN
wetness, floods
wetness, floods
floods, organic
floods, organic
floods, organic
floods, organic
PONZER
SEVERE
SEVERE
SEVERE wetness,
SEVERE wetness,
SEVERE wetness,
SEVERE wetness,
POOR
GOOD
FAIR TO GOOD
GOOD
wetness, floods
wetness, floods
floods, low strength
floods, low strength
floods, low strength
floods, low strength
WASDA
SEVERE
SEVERE
SEVERE
SEVERE
SEVERE
SEVERE
POOR
GOOD
GOOD
GOOD
wetness, floods
wetness, floods
wetness, floods
wetness, floods
wetness, floods
wetness, floods
8
DOROVAN-JOHNSTON
DOROVAN
SEVERE wetness,
SEVERE wetness,
SEVERE wetness, organic,
SEVERE wetness, floods,
SEVERE wetness, floods,
SEVERE wetness, floods,
POOR
POOR
POOR
POOR
floods, organic
floods, organic
floods, low strength
organic, low strength
low strength, organic
low strength, organic
JOHNSTON
SEVERE
SEVERE
SEVERE
SEVERE
SEVERE
SEVERE
POOR
POOR TO FAIR
GOOD
FAIR
wetness, floods
wetness, floods
wetness, floods
wetness, floods
wetness, floods
wetness, floods
TIDAL MARSH
SEVERE
SEVERE
SEVERE
SEVERE
SEVERE
SEVERE
POOR
POOR
POOR
POOR
9
wetness, floods
wetness, floods
wetness, floods
wetness, floods
wetness, floods
wetness, floods
10
LEON-MURVILLE-SEAGATE
SEVERE wetness
SEVERE wetness
SEVERE wetness
SEVERE wetness
SEVERE wetness
SEVERE wetness
POOR TO FAIR
POOR
POOR TO FAIR
POOR TO FAIR
LEON
MURVILLE
SEVERE
SEVERE
SEVERE
SEVERE
SEVERE
SEVERE
POOR
POOR
GOOD
POOR
wetness, floods
wetness, floods
wetness, floods
wetness, floods
wetness, floods
wetness, floods
SEAGATE
SEVERE wetness
SEVERE wetness
SEVERE wetness
SEVERE wetness
SEVERE wetness
MODERATE wetness
FAIR TO GOOD
FAIR
FAIR
FAIR
11
JOHNSTON-BIBB
JOHNSTON
SEVERE
SEVERE
SEVERE
SEVERE
SEVERE
SEVERE
POOR
POOR TO FAIR
GOOD
FAIR
wetness, floods
wetness, floods
wetness, floods
wetness, floods
wetness, floods
wetness, floods
BIBB
SEVERE
SEVERE
SEVERE
SEVERE
SEVERE
SEVERE
POOR
FAIR TO GOOD
GOOD
FAIR
7
wetness, floods
wetness, floods
wetness, floods
wetness, floods
wetness, floods
wetness, floods
DEFINITIONS OF SOIL LIMITATIONS
NONE TO SLIGHT - Soils have properties favorable
for the rated use. Limitations
are so minor that they can be
easily overcome. Good perfor-
mance and low maintenance can be
expected from these soils.
MODERATE - Soils have properties moderately
favorable for the rated use.
Limitations can be overcome or
modified with planning, design,
or special maintenance.
SEVERE - Soils have one or more properties
unfavorable for the rated use.
Limitations are difficult and
costly to modify or overcome re-
quiring major soil reclamation,
special design, or intense main-
tenance.
NOTE: In some instances when adequate mechanical
measures have been applied or installed
soils rated as "severe' can be upgraded
to a "moderate" limitation, i.e., Subsurface
drainage applied to Altavista.
4-R-27291-1

•
• All of these factors acting upon the original material have
produced.a number of different soil and varied soil conditions. The
soils are grouped broadly into soil series,_the soils of each series
being similar in origin, color of the surface soil, color and structure
of the.subsoil, and in topography and drainage. The soil series are
divided into soil types on the basis of texture. Seven soil series,
including fourteen soil types, are recognized in Beaufort County. Each
soil series is named for the major soil series within the association.
Five soil series are found within the City of Washington and its
• extraterritorial jurisdiction, and are as follows:
Lakeland-- Chipley: This soil association is excessively to
• somewhat poorlydrained, with sandy soils occurring on nearly level
to gently sloping terrain. This association occupies about 5 percent
of the county. The areas are long and narrow. They are mainly along
• the Pamlico .River; from Bonnerton south along N.C. Highway 306 to the
Pamlico County line; from Acre Station north along N.C. Highway 32 to
the Washington County line; and from Pinetown north along State Road 506.
•
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0 91

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Lakeland soils make up about 45 percent of the association. They are
excessively drained sands more than 60 inches thick, The Lakeland soils occur •
on the higher ridges within the association,
Chipley soils make up about 35 percent of the association, They are some-
what poorly drained sands more than 60 inches thick, The Chipley soils occur •
on the lower ridges within the association,
The rest of this association is made up of Mbxton, Dragston and Osier
soils.
About half of this association is cultivated or pastured, and the remainder
is forested. The soils in this association are fairly well suited for the
•
production of tobacco, peanuts, corn, soybeans, small grain, and pasture, Below
average yields are obtained from corn and soybeans. Coastal Bermuda pasture is
fairly well adapted to the Lakeland. However, Ladino clover and Fescue pastures
are not as well suited on the Lakeland soils, They are easily tilled and respond •
well to lime and fertilizer,
The major hazard in this association is two -fold. The Lakeland soils are
susceptible to wind erosion, are very low in fertility, and are droughty. •
The Chipley soils have a wetness hazard.
The major soils in this association have only moderate limitation for
septic tank. filter fields, foundation footings for large buildings (three •
stories or less), camp sites, and picnic areas, Nearby water supply may be
contaminated in the Lakeland soils. This association is one of the best sources
of sand for the building trade.
LYNCHBURG-GOLDSBORO-DUNBAR: This association consists of moderately well
drained to somewhat poorly drained soils occurring on nearly level to gently
sloping terrain. These soils have a sandy surface and a friable sandy clay
loam to a firm sandy clay subsoil. This association occupies about 7 percent
•
92 0

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•
•
•
•
•
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•
of the county. The area is small and occurs throughout the county. A large
area is in the southwest part of the county along N. C. Highway 102, State
Roads 1152 and 1154, and south along U. S. Highway 17 to the Craven County
line.
Lynchburg soils make up about 35 percent of the association. They are
somewhat poorly drained soils having a friable sandy clay loam textured subsoil
with its clay content varying from 18 to 35 percent. Color of the subsoil is
yellowish brown to brownish yellow, with gray mottlings appearing throughout
the subsoil. Permeability is moderate.
Goldsboro soils make up about 25 percent of the association. They are
moderately well drained soils having a friable sandy clay loam texture subsoil
with its clay content varying from 18 to 35 percent. Color of the subsoil
ranges from yellow to yellowish brown, having gray mottlings appearing 20 to
30 inches from the surface. Permeability is moderate.
Dunbar soils make up about 20 percent of the association. They are somewhat
poorly drained soils having a firm sandy clay textured subsoil with its clay
content varying from 35 to 45 percent. Color of the subsoil varies from brown-
ish yellow to olive yellow, with gray mottlings appearing throughout the sub-
soil. Permeability is moderately slow.
The rest of the association is made up of minor amounts of Duplin, Dragston,
Craven, Lenoir, Coxville, and Rain soils.
Over half of this association is cultivated or pastured, and the remainder
is forested. The moderately well drained soils in this association are well
adapted to growing tobacco, peanuts, corn, soybeans, and pasture. The somewhat
poorly drained soils are not as well adapted to tobacco and peanuts, but are
better for the growing of corn, soybeans, small grain, and pasture. Soils in
this association are easily tilled and respond well -to lime and fertilizer.
The major hazard in this association is wetness.
•
93

•
The major soils in this association have a moderate to severe limitation
for septic tank absorption fields, and slight to moderate limitation for camp
sites, picnic areas, and intensive play areas.
LENOIR-CRAVEN-BLADEN: This association consists of moderately well to
poorly drained soils occurring on nearly level -to strongly sloping ridges
(0-15 percent). These soils have a medium textured surface and a very firm
clayey subsoil. The association occupies about 20 percent of the county.
Three large areas are located in the county, One area is located in the north- 0
west part of the county;
another area is
east
and northeast of Washington; and
the third area starts at
the Pitt County
line
going east along U. S. Highway
264 to Chocowinity and to CW s Cross Roads.
Lenoir soils make up about 40 percent of the association. They are some-
what poorly drained soils having a yellowish very firm clayey subsoil with gray
mottlings throughout the subsoil. Clay content in the subsoil is more than
45 percent. Permeability is slow,
Craven soils make up 35 percent of the association, They are moderately
well drained soils having a yellowish very firm clayey subsoil with gray 9
mottlings appearing 20 to 30 inches from the surface. Clay content is more than
45 percent, Permeability is slow. The Craven soils occur�on the stronger
sloping ridges in the association.
Bladen soils make up about 15 percent of the association, They are poorly
drained soils having a gray,very firm subsoil, Clay content is more than 45
percent. Permeability is slow, Bladen soils occupy the nearly level or
depressed areas in the association.
The rest of the association is made up of minor amounts of Duplin, Dunbar,
Coxville, Othello, and Rains soils.
•
•
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11
A little over half of this association is cultivated or pasture, and the
•
remainder is forested. The soils in this association are suited for the produc-
tion of tobacco, peanuts, corn, soybeans, small grain, and pasture. The somewhat
poorly drained soils are better suited for the growing of corn, soybeans, small
grain, and pasture. The soils in this association are fairly easily tilled and
respond well to lime and fertilizer. The major hazard in this association is -
erosion on the stronger slopes and wetness on the nearly level slopes or
•
depressions.
The major soils in this association have a moderate to severe limitation
for septic tank absorption fields, public sewerage system, camp sites, picnic
•
areas, and intensive play areas.
BLADEN-PORTSMOUTH-BAYBORO: This association consists of poorly to very
• poorly drained soils occuring on nearly level or slight depressions; Surface
texture ranges from fine sandy loam to mucky loam. The subsoils range from
friable sandy clay loam to very firm clay. This association occupies about 50
• percent of the county. There are two large areas located in the county. One
is northeast of Washington in the J $ W Swamp and eastward and then southwardly
to the Pamlico River only to have other small areas of different associations
• cut it by way of ridges and streams. The other large area is located south of
the Pamlico River; east of U. S. Highway 17, eastwardly along the Craven County
line to the Pamlico County line; thence northeasterly to Goose Creek.
• Bladen soils make up about 30 percent of this association. They are poorly
drained soils having a gray very firm clayey subsoil with its clay content more
than 45 percent, Permeability is slow.
• Portsmouth soils make up about 20 percent of this association. They are
poorly drained soils having a black surface and a gray friable sandy clay loam
subsoil. Clay, content varies from 18 to 35 percent. Permeability is moderate.
0 95

•
Bayboro soils make up about 17 percent of this association. They are
very poorly drained soils, having a black surface and a gray very firm clayey
subsoil. Clay content is more than 45 percent, Permeability is slow.
The rest of this association is cultivated or pastured; the remainder is
forested. The soils in this association are suited for the production of corn,
soybeans, small grain, and pasture. They are easily tilled and respond well to
lime and to fertilizer. The major hazard in this association is wetness.
The major soils in this association have a severe limitation for septic
tank absorption fields, public sewerage system, camp sites, picnic areas, and
intensive play areas.
SWAMP -ALLUVIAL -WET: This association consists of poorly drained to very
poorly drained soils on nearly level to slight depressions having a surface
texture range from loamy sand to loam. Texture of the subsurface layers ranges
from loamy sand to clay. This association comprises about 2 percent of the
county. It occurs throughout the county in narrow long strips, mostly along
the major streams and drainage ways,
Swamp soil makes up about 50 percent of the association. They are poorly
to very poorly drained; soil materials are mixed alluvial deposits ranging from
loamy sand to clay. They are under water most of the time,
Alluvial land, wet soils make up about,40 percent of the association, They
are poorly drained; soil materials are mixed alluvial deposits ranging from
loamy sand to clay. They are flooded part of the time, Alluvial land, wet
soils are usually located in the smaller drainage ways or between the swamp
soils and soils of higher elevation.
The remainder of the association is composed of minor amounts of Bladen,
Hyde, Bayboro, Portsmouth, and Marshland soils, 41
96

•
Almost all of this association is forested, mostly hardwood or cypress.
•
Soils in this association are not well suited for cultivation because of the
high water table and flooding hazard. They are principally used for wildlife.
The major soils in this association have a severe limitation for septic tank
•
absorption fields, public sewerage system, camp sites, picnic areas, and in-
tensive play areas.
• Summary
Analytically considering the soils in their natural state in Beaufort
County, only the Lakeland- Chipl ey soil series will give fair support to septic
tank absorption fields. This is a meager 5 percent of the county area. The
Lynchburg -Goldsboro -Dunbar soils series is poorly suited for septic fields,
This soil is but 7 percent of the county area. All other soil series are
• unfit for septic fields unless proper treatment is applied.
Significantly, only the same 12 percent of 'the county is recommended by the
soil characteristics to be presently suitable for urban and light industrial
• development. The problem soils of the county can, of course, be intensively
developed through major earth work, proper drainage, and pile -supported
foundations. A prime example of this renewal of land is the Texas Gulf
• Sulfur -Lee Creek Mining Complex. The complex was developed on the Lenior-Craven-
Bladen soil series and it is, today, the county's most attractive industrial
site.
• It should also be noted that in a particular soil series are found isolated
soil types that can and will support such items as a septic field. A soil always
occurs in its customary location such as ridges, slopes, low areas, etc.
• Therefore, within a particular soil series which, for example, is poorly drained,
there will occur a property of the terrain which is unique to that area, such
97
0

C
as a ridge. On a ridge will occur a completely different soil series
(characteristics) from the soil series that is surrounding it,8 •
It is recommended that the City of Washington contract with the U. S.
Soil Conservation Service for a detailed soil survey, which would provide
valuable information, measurements, and interpretations of such significant
data as: porosity and percolation rates, drainage, ponding, flooding, run-off,
depths to bedrock and water tables, bearing strength, shrinkage, and swelling,
corrosion, frost action, erosion, etc. Without such a study,Washington does •
not have a realistic interpretation of urban land -use suitability. In turn,
improper construction and development in the future could occur causing
unnecessary costs to the city and the public.9 •
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 examina-
tion of existing water and sewer see -price areas will identify potential -growth
C
areas.
The City of Washington supplies water to residents within its city limits
and to three industries within.the extra -territorial area.
•
Washington's major water supply comes from Tranter's Creek,which is located
BComprehensive Water and Sewer Study: Beaufort County, W. C. Rodman Land
Surveying anq CivilEngineering , pp. 51-61,
9Washington Park and Recreation Study, N. C. State Department of Conserva-
tion and Development, Division of Community Planning (Feb. 1967), p. 29.
98 0

•
six miles northwest of the city. The secondary source of water is at Clark's
•
Neck. 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.
•
Map 6 shows Washington's major water supply areas.
Steep Slopes
The Washington Planning Area does not have slopes that exceed twelve
percent.
• FRAGILE AREAS
•
C7
Inappropriate or poorly planned development can easily damage or destroy
fragile environmental areas. These areas are as follows:
Coastal Wetlands
Washington's coastal wetlands lie across the Pamlico River in the
southern portion of the extraterritorial area. This area is essentially
undeveloped and should remain so.
Outer Banks Sand Dunes
Not applicable in the Washington Planning Area.
Ocean Beaches and Shorelines
Not applicable in the Washington Planning Area.
Estuarine Waters
The part of the Pamlico River that flows within Washington's mile and a
half planning jurisdiction is considered an estuary. These estuary waters
can be protected by controlling development along the Public Trust Waters
of the Pamlico.
0 99

t
t
c
0
� Y
t
R
WASHiNsrgN
BEAUFORT COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
MAP 6
WATER SUPPLY AREA
(WATERSHED)
0

Public Trust Waters
The Pamlico and Tar rivers,which flow through the southern portion of
the Washington Planning Area,are identified as public trust waters. These
waters are also classified as "Class C"and"Class SC" waters according to the
N. C. Stream Classification System.
Map' 7 depicts these classes. "Class C" water uses are limited, For
example, these waters may be used for fishing, boating, etc. However,
"Class C" waters are not to be used as a source of water supply for drinking,
culinary or food -processing purposes. These waters are suitable for fish and
wildlife propagation, Similarly, "Class SC" waters are suitable for fishing
and other'usages except bathing or shellfishing for market purposes. These
waters are also suitable for fishing and fish propagation.
Quality standards applicable to Class C and Class SC waters are found
+ in the Appendix.
Complex Natural Areas
The Coastal Resources Commission may determine that there are complex
0 natural areas within the Washington Planning Area. Complex natural areas are
defined as lands that support native plant and animal communities and provide
habitat conditions or characteristics that have remained essentially unchanged
• by human activity. Washington's extraterritorial jurisdiction south of the
river adjacent to the river may possibly meet the requirements of complex
natural area. If so, this area should remain essentially in the same state
it is today,
Areas Sustaining Remnant Species
No areas sustaining remnant species have been identified in the Study
Area.
101

EXtraterritoria lm:ts ......• slow .
I
•
-.r4 \ i
Sol
IL
••��i■■■i
NEW
2.
.. • z s �. �� s
3 {t-- t ;t
A•
e
!
MAP 7 • ``r• t rOrta
WASHIIVGT
IV. C`•
�;i/17
rs
STREAM CLAS I ATIO
!
CLASS C
CLASS SC
102
.

L
Areas Containing Unique Geologic Formations
• Areas containing unique geological formations have not been identified in
the Study Area.
Registered Natural Landmarks
There are no registered natural landmarks located in the Washington
Planning Area.
Archeologic and Historic Sites
Washington has 2 properties listed on the National Register of Historic
Places: the Bank of Washington and the old Beaufort County Courthouse, In
addition, the Division of Archives and History, N, C. State Department of
Cultural Resources, has put in motion a survey of historic property and has
tentatively delineated a historic district which is approximately equivalent
to the downtown section of the city. In order to keep maximum control of the..
A
composition of this area in local hands, the city will propose to create an
historic zone, Any new development within the downtown area will be required to
conform to the "nature" of the existing structures.
•
AREAS WITH RESOURCE POTENTIAL
wProductive .Agricultural..Lands
Lands devoted to agricultural purposes are primarily in Washington's
extraterritorial area, These lands will be encroached upon by future develop-
ment, Urban development should be directed to sites other than these
r productive agricultural lands.
Mineral Sites
There are no known mineral deposits in the Washington Planning Area.
103
•

0
Publicly -Owned Lands and Other Non -Intensive Outdoor Recreation Lands
w
Washington's parks and recreation areas comprise approximately 50 acres.
The
Recreation Department administers recreational activities at the following
sites:
1.
Seventh Street Park
2.
Charlotte Street Center
3.
Kugler Field
R
4.
Todd Maxwell Field
S.
Stewart Park
6,
Oakdale Park
7.
Washington. Docking Facilities
8,
Jack's Creek
9,
Bridge Street Center
10,
Beebe Park
11,
Carvers Landing
12,
Haven's Garden
•
13,
Water Tank Property Area
Privately Owned Wildlife Sanctuaries
There are no privately owned wildlife sanctuaries in the Washington A
Planning Area,
•
104 0

CAPACITY OF CONYNM MITY FACILITIES
r Existing water and sewer service areas are shown on Map 8,
Water and Sewer Service
• The City of Washington operates a water and sewage treatment plant under
the Department of Public Works.
The major water supply comes from Tranter's Creek. This creek is located
0 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
0 iron pipe line to the substation can be utilized during peak periods or
whenever necessary (2100 �V at 100 lbs'; pressure is peak capacity)
The secondary source of water is at Clark's Neck, where the city has a
to 1600 gpm pump, This water is not always useable, 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 pu►tped.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, The
elevated tank has a capacity of 300,000 gallons and was built in 1939,
An additional 500,000-gallon elevated tank and a 500-gallon-per-minute
well was constructed in 1975 at Slatestone Hills. There will be a small water
treatment plant there also,having a 500-gallon-per-minute capacity which will
serve primarily to remove the iron content of the water. This new construc-
tion will give the dity more down time to allow for needed maintenance at the
other plant.
0 105

lJ
•' •ems
Q
i
SEWER TFALL D
r �
M a a
00
• a
PQ/riP.0 Co R, veA l•
•
MAP 8 0-cic � troy
WASHINGT N.
C�j� fit
• • is • .-/ �
SERVICE AR -AS •
WATER
/ \
./ SEWER .
r,;."' BOTH 106

•
The city's plant employs complete primary and secondary treatment of
sewage. Approximately 95% of the area within the city limits is presently
served by the system. The sludge from the sewer is pumped into drying basins
where it decomposes into lumps and is available for use as fertilizer', The
plant itself was constructed in 1959 and the daily flow is approximately 1.1
to 1.3 million gallons. The plant is designed to process 2,2 mgd as a sec-
ondary treatment plant. At present, the plant's B. 0. D. level is around 79%.
Although there is no service to residents outside the city limits, service
has been extended to three industries. The city bills these industries for the
service at the rate of 75% of the water bill.
Normally a system uses gravity for flow; but in Washington, the basically
flat topography requires that sewage be collected at several points and be
pumped to the treatment plant,
w Table 14 shows water and sewer plants capacity figures and percent
utilized.
r TABLE 14
WATER AND SEWER PLANTS
Date Constructed Capacity Operating Level % of Capacity
Water Plant 1955 1,3 mgd 75%
0 Sewer Plant 1959 1,1-1.3 mgd 75%
There is a total of 55 miles of water lines ranging in size from 2" to
16". The 2" lines are totally inadequate and are in the process of being
w ' replaced with 8" asbestos cement pipe. Virtually 100 percent of water usage
is metered.
In summary, the present water and sewer waste treatment facilities need:
•
upgrading in order to provide adequate service for future development and the
ten-year (1985) projected population growth. Plans are underway for these
0 107

n
improvements. A 201 Facilities Study which is being coordinated by the City
•
of Washington will determine the most feasible methods of water and sewer
waste treatment,
Transportation (Primary Roads)
The provision and maintenance of an adequate and efficient transportation
system will be of extreme importance to the future development of the Study
C
Area— a transportation system consisting of not only highways and streets, •
but bus, rail, air, etc, as portions of the system,
Three major highways run through the Washington Planning Area. They are:
U.S, 17, U.S. 264, and Highway 33. U.S. 17 is part of the North Carolina 0
truck highway system which has the function of moving large volumes of inter-
state traffic through local traffic, U.S. 264 is part of the truck feeder
system which carries moderate to high volumes of traffic over shorter •
distances. N.C. 33 is part of the state rural collector system which carries
mainly local traffic.
Table,15 .gives the.design capacity and percent utilization of primary •
roads in the Study Area.
Primary Roads
The design capacity and percent of usage figures were developed from
data supplied by the N. C. Department of Transportation. The design capacity
•
data was derived from charts provided by Mr. T, L, Waters, Manager of Planning •
and Research, Department'of Transportation, Raleigh,
Design capacity is based on land width, location, and the state average
for that type of road, The actual usage figures were compiled from traffic !
counts furnished by the District Engineer of the Department of Transportation
for the Washington area. These figures are shown in Table 15.
108 0

im
•
•
•
•
•
•
[7
•
•
TABLE 15
PRIMARY ROADS
Washington Planning Area
Roads Width Capacity
Bridge (bet. River and 5th) 57 25,000
Carolina 44 15,500
Third 44 -
Hackney (5th & 17) 18 3,500
15th (Market-17) 48 18,000
15th (Market-264) 44 15,500
NC 33 (Hackney to Whispering
Pines Rd.)
NC 33 OVhispering Pines to
Mr EdIs)
Market (3rd-5th)
Market (5th-15th)
5th-Pennsylvania
Highland Drive
Use
13,500
9,500
6,200
52 181000 95,000
68 18,000 6,800
0
54%
61%
34%
50%
37%
34 8,340
5,600
67%
40 141100
9,800
69%
48 8,340
3,500
41%
SOURCE: N. C. Department of Transportation
Other portions of the Washington transportation network include rail,
trucking, bus, and air service.
Railroad service for the City of Washington is provided by the Seaboard
Coastline. From their terminal in Washington, Seaboard can connect with other
railroads servicing all areas of the United States and Canada.
At the present time Washington handles both incoming and outgoing traffic
of about 150-200 cars per month. There is a daily (except Sunday) run of one
freight train. Washington has no passenger service.
109

•
Washington is served by two trucking lines; Barnes Truck Lines and Estes
Express Lines, Incorporated, Barnes Truck Lines has its home base in Wilson,
N.C.,and serves all eastern North Carolina, Estes Express Lines is a
Richmond, Virginia, based firm and services all of Virginia, North Carolina,
and northern South Carolina.
Washington is served by Seashore Transportation Company and Carolina
Trailways Bus systems, Seashore is a local company based in New Bern with
its primary function being to serve the marine installations at Camp Lejeune
and Cherry Point. They also have direct connections at Jacksonville, Raleigh, and
Rocky Mount to Trailways and Greyhound,
The Carolina Trailways Bus Service is a Raleigh, North Carolina,based
company which is associated with Trailways and. has nationwide service,
A charter bus service is also available at the Washington Bus Station.
Warren Field is operated by the Airport Commission whose seven members
are appointed jointly by the City of Washington and Beaufort County, The air
C
•
field was built by the United States Government during World War II, and sub-
- •
sequently turned over to the city and county governments.
The air field has 3 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 megahertz_ There is no tower,
but pilots can contact the airport office for informal advice on local weather
conditions. There are 6 closed T hangars and 5 open T hangars. Charter planes
•
and crop dusting units are based at the air field.
The air field averages about 40 landings a day, 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,
Bethelehem Steel, American Cynamid, and Weyerhaeuser use the field but
110 0

•
do not have planes based there.
•
Washington does not have public transportation plans, Public transportation
is one of the most costly services local government can provide, Although a
public transportation need may exist, the existing population may not be able
to support a municipal transportation service. In summary, implementation
of local transportation plans will require the City Council and other governing
bodies within Washington to work closely with the N. C. State Department of
•
Transportation, and with Washington and Beaufort County planning boards. Only
•
through such coordination will safe, adequate,and efficient transportation
systems be afforded the citizens., businesses, and industries within the area.
Schools
Total enrollment figures demonstrate the strain placed on thb design
• capacity of the existing schools:
1974-75 School Year
Design Capacity Enrollment % of Use
Eastern Elementary 936 759 98,1
John Cotton Tayloe Elementary 559 557 99.6
John Small Elementary 650 641 98.6
P. S. Jones Junior High _4050 1,038 98.9
Washington High 1,072 843 78.6
Obviously,four out of five schools are operating at capacity, although
average daily membership would fall below total enrollment and would,therefore,
• lessen the daily enrollment burden.
In addition to the public system there is a private school, Pamlico
Community School, with an approximate enrollment of 275, which has grades
• K through 12,
NOTE:
Pamlico Community School discontinued operation at end of 1977 school year.

City Hall
The present facility now being utilized as City Hall is a two-story
structure located on Market Street halfway between Main and Second Streets.
The building was originally constructed circa 1884 as a fire station but has
been renovated for use as a City Hall. Additional office space for city
administration is provided in the 'old county jail house" adjacent to present
city hall facility.
Police Protection
Residents are provided police protection by the Washington City Police
within city limits and the Beaufort County Sheriff's Department in the extra-
territorial area. The Law Enforcement Center is located at Third and
Respess Streets.
Washington's Police Department has the following breakdown of personnel
allocations for fiscal year 1975-76: one (1) Chief Police, two (2) Captains,
five (5) Sergeants, one (1) Sergeant -Detective, thirteen (13) Patrolmen, and
one (1) Records Clerk -Dispatcher.
regulations.
Fire and Rescue
A part-time patrolman enforces parking
The Washington Fire Department is manned by 19 full time firemen, 7 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
112 . ' 0

•
communication system has 16 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, fire hoses, and fire
hydrants. All hose and every hydrant is tested every year, the hydrants for
water pressure.
• 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 a three -minute water capacity and a
• payment to allow the city to hire 2 firemen to man it. The ability to suppress
fires -.in the county, which lacks a water system, is virtually impossible from
point of view of a three -minute water supply,
• Fire protection is offered by contract, renewable annually, to county
industrial and commercial establishments. The City of Washington Park contracts
its fire service needs with the City of Washington ata 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.
The rescue squad is composed of those firemen, call company personnel,
volunteers, and hospital staff who have completed the 81 hour Emergency Medical
Technician course, as required by state law, As of summer of 1974, 35 men had
received this training and passed the necessary exam. The training requirements
have placed a considerable burden on the time of those taking the E.M.T. course.
•
None received any compensation for the 81 hours, A fall -off in "volunteerism"
in the community has placed an increasing burden on full-time personnel for
0 113

J
both fine ---and rescue service.' The financial burden of continuing "adequate"
fire and rescue services is considerable, Fortunately the County government •
seems willing to cooperate in sharing these costs. Greater coordination of
hospitals in the county and their ambulance services with the same service
provided by the various cities is a matter of crucial concern ": . ...c`�c'c`,T� •
=_.T ce -__, ZCie 7'.Se e� � �^1.]_C
`, ?_cal Facilit' es
•
r T
S 7e,I -aJ nee -'.a �,,.p_ S�777? ?^.1T a'^,? n?.,,_5: �'.' .. �'r1i,7i v 1 _nS-....'i„..%9l o
1! j Y.�if5:j..,t? `°� T L r; inG /�^n;:••:,0,1 . .:. T far /t 2 nCC
l.� a z Inc ,7 3 �J
��r��o. �;^i rirnZ n.;•e!;. .� .r "nia�:.,r.?� F�`'..C? C�ij'"F?^^ `,�___ I i.1 ^
Cr:..+,..._.,TR..
r_._ re-. - '7 rli j rvT-, l - � �'�?^ einto •
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-..!am.�n,S'r;nI'arn" :T°nJ^-71-
,,..., fin 1 ^n != T• ^� ,'- ,� rn� �,r n �.' Y .-'. �-rn t' Tr, a `0 �_T... ..
e I o ss, Ot r ,1 t pcn s.% L_e `.3ee7a rjn -
.
in 2 'f.R "%�'_o �n . o �.� �::i;:Ce eye, �r err 5r)r sic!-. . e ;".C, w
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7_J4
c-•'�r. tr -^fi.^ �7n7.�^e 7.e T nc1nc nc ,re .`ac l •�� rn�r*z .(S r°ca^.4. �+" r tt�o
aC'n3C? _i. 9J �r c, C...'lt? J� _^i PS,-i_S C. (1 Cry L r
as 9.S i :S asso, ?_at i on wit:. * 7i? 7� �� � t �.�_1^� d fa.i_i l i
114 0

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Libraries
•
There are three libraries which serve the Washington Planning Area:
(1) The Brown Library, (2) The Beaufort -Hyde -Martin Regional Library and (3)
The I. B. Turner Library. The I. B. Turner Library is under the general super-
0
vision of the Beaufort -Hyde -Martin Regional Library and is a part of that system
11
while the Brown Library is for the city residents and is not affiliated with the
regional library system.
Brown Library
The Brown Library is the main library for the City of Washington and is
• located on Van Norden Street between Main and Second Streets. The library was
constructed in 1953 from funds provided by the estate of George H. and Laura
E. Brown. The estate continues to contribute annually to its operation. The
• library operates by receiving funds from the Brown Estate, the city, Beaufort
County, gifts from private individuals, and overdue book fines.
In addition to the customary book service, the library has a large meeting
• room, a career room for the high school students, an interlibrary loan service,
and a movie projector and projection room.
Beaufort -Hyde -Martin Regional Library
•
The Beaufort -Hyde -Martin -Regional Library primarily serves the rural resi-
dents of the counties included in its name. Due to the regional nature of the
system, it is hard to evaluate its effects on Washington residents. The main
•
library of this system is presently located in the old Beaufort County Court-
[-]
house. The library, which serves as base of operation for twelve branch li-
braries, is stocked with 51,000 volumes, 1500 records, and 350'pieces of art.
The primary function of the main library is the operation of bookmobiles and
administration of the tri-county system.
• 115

The I.B. Turner Library, located on W. Ninth Street, was once called the
I.B. Turner Library for Negroes. It is now a branch of the Beaufort -Hyde -
Martin Regional Library and is used extensively by local residents. The City
of Washington contributes approximately 50% of its yearly budget. The library
is mainlyeared to kindergarten through 0
g g g grade school students. There are
story hours, charts, records, and pictures that help introduce students to
learning resources of the library.
•
Recreational Facilities
The City of Washington has three main recreational buildings: Seventh
Street Recreation Center, Bridge Street Recreation Center, and Charlotte Street
Recreation Center. In addition, there is a small building adjoining Oakdale
Cemetery which is used for arts and crafts classes.
Charlotte Street was constructed in 1934 and has received nominal repair
and maintenance since then; the building is structurally unsound and should
be demolished. Charlotte Street property adjoins the current N.C. National
Guard Armory, which the city and county will acquire jointly once the new 0
Armory has been completed. Extensive renovation may be necessary for conver-
sion of the facility to recreational uses.
Seventh Street Recreation Center, completed in 1972, is in the vicinity
of Washington High School and so is conveniently located for students after
school hours. Seventh Street Recreation Center houses the administration of
the Parks and Recreation Department.
Bridge Street Recreation Center was completed in 1962 and is found in
the predominantly black section of town.
The city has approximately 50 acres of parks, which is inadequate
according to NRPA standard; approximately twice this acreage is needed for
a city of Washington's size.
0
116

•
According to the City Recreation Director, Washington's existing
0 recreation plan is currently being implemented. The plan identifies potential
land to be used for recreational purposes and presents proposals for open
space and recreation areas which are substantiated by a more in-depth study
0 than can be entertained in this plan. In November, 1969, a $225,000 recreation
bond issue was passed by the voters of Washington. As a result of the bond's
passage, the city will be provided with a new gym at Bridge Street, renovation
of all present recreation areas, and a new central recreation facility. These
were all recommendations of the Park and Recreation Study. All indications are
that the city will continue to follow the recommendations of this study during
0 the planning period.
It is further recommended that the city obtain control of that area of
land south of the Pamlico River directly across from the downtown waterfront
0 area for open space and recreational purposes. This same area has been
identified as a potential regional park development. This area would provide
an ideal location for a municipal marina, for instance, and relieve the con-
0 gestion at the present municipal boat launching area on Runyon's Creek. Not
only would the city and its citizens benefit from a large recreational area
in the city's backyard, but the aesthetic value -of the river would be main-
0 tained and would complement the aesthetic value of the city after completion
of the downtown waterfront urban renewal project.
The proposed park and recreational development along Jack's Creek is in
0 progress at this time. This development will tie into and complement the pro-
posed new central recreational facility to be located between Fifth and
Seventh Street along Jack's Creek.
•
117

•
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 217
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 city has just recently purchased a new 31 cue yd. Dumpmaster
truck
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.
.l
All trash and garbage is dumped at the Beaufort County Landfill which started
its operation in February, 1974. Prior to this, the city operated a landfill of
its own.
•
The city must comply with state regulations concerning the covering of the
old dump during fiscal year 1975-76. This will require a major expenditure for
dirt, hauling it to the dump site, spreading it to a depth of 6", and planting
•
a grass cover. The dump is leased and will one day revert back to its original
owners. Decomposing organic matter yields methane gas which would seep to the
118 0

•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
surface through the ground cover and form potentially dangerous underground gas
pockets. The future land use of such a site will be quite limited. The most
appropriate use will be open space with few or no buildings.
Storm Drainage
Providing an adequate storm drainage system in Washington is made difficult
by the fact that the topography is very flat with few natural drainage outlets.
In order to compensate for this lack of elevation, Jack's Creek, the major outlet,
has been dammed and its water level maintained at approximately one foot below
sea level. When the water in the creek rises above this level, four-13,000
gallons -per -minute pumps operate automatically to pump the excess water into.the
Pamlico River. If the elevation of the Pamlico River becomes lower than the
elevation of Jack's Creek, water will flow by gravity into the river through
flood gates. This system is capable of handling a 2-inch-per-hour rainfall.
Approximately 75 percent of the town's area is drained by waterways feeding
into Jack's Creek. The remainder of the city drains into Kennedy's Creek,
Runyon's Creek or directly into the Tar and Pamlico rivers, Waterways consist
mainly of open ditches with some storm sewer pipes carying water beneath the
streets.
Telephone and Telegraph
Telephone service in Beaufort County is provided by the Carolina Telephone
and Telegraph Company and the Tri-County Telephone Membership Corporation. The
Carolina Telephone and Telegraph Company maintains exchanges in Aurora, Bath,
Belhaven and Washington. The Tri-County Telephone Membership Corporation has
exchanges at Pike Road, Pinetown, and Sidney Cross Roads. Direct distant
dialing is in use throughout the county. Carolina Telephone and Telegraph
services provide 11,601 telephones, while Tri-County Telephone Membership
Company serves 900 telephones in Beaufort County.
0 119

•
Western Union provides telegraph service in Washington and Belhaven.
Electricity •
The City of Washington owns and operates the electrical distribution sys-
tem 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 34.5 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 distribution.
•
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 capacity is 45,000 KVA for the entire system, excluding National
•
Spinning. National Spinning is being served on a separate 40,000 KVA trans-
former along with Belhaven.
The system reached a historic peak demand of 37,907 kilowatts with a
monthly average e of 32,000 kw. The demand is e • expected to continue at an
accelerated rate of approximately 15%, subsequently requiring increases in
VEPCO's transformer capacity within the next year.
•
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 trans-
120 0

0
formers within a maximum load of 25,000 KVA. By December 31, 1978, the city
0 has contracted with VEPCO to receive one voltage at 34.5 KV at which time all
conversion to 12.5 KV distribution must be accomplished by the city's own
transformers. If this agreed upon date is not complied with, VEPCO.will apply
0 an additional monthly facility charge.
The conversion from 34.5 KV to-12.5 KV distribution voltage is being
implemented in the following steps:
1) Spider Web 34.5 KV to the substation on Pennsylvania Avenue and
provide capacity of 7,500 KVA,
2) Spider Web 34.5 KV to the substation on Fifth and Respess Streets
with capacity of 10,000 KVA.
-� 3) Increase capacity at the Forest Hills substation,
4) Purchase 34.5 KV/12.5 KV in the power plant substation to complete
conversion for one voltage -delivery from VEPCO at 34.5 KV.
• It is recommended that an increased percentage of electrical revenue be
turned back into the system to increase the transformer capacity of the sub-
stations in addition to rebuilding feeder lines, increasing wire sizes,
• improving voltage regulation, and converting the inadequate 2.4 KV distribution
lines to 12.5 KV distribution.
This system has had a doubling of load within the past five (5) years.
• The deficiencies mentioned require correction for present load conditions
and future load growth.
•
0 1 121

•
11
•
•
•
EaT I MATED- DEMAND
PART V
122

r.
POPULATION
The method employed in computing Washington's extraterritorial area's
•
population projection is similar to the method used to project the city's
population growth; that is, an extraterritorial housing count was multiplied
by the area's average household size. This gave the extraterritorial popula-
•
tion. By dividing the township population by the extraterritorial population,
[7
•
•
the percent of total Planning Area population residing in Washington Township
was determined. This rate was then applied to the township projections through
the year 2020. Again, this method makes the basic assumption that short-term
future population changes will be more similar to short-term past changes.
Table 16 depicts conservative population projections, Annexations,
continued industrial growth, etc. will have a positive impact on future popula-
tion growth. However, due to a lack of knowledge, these variables cannot be
quantified.at present.
Ten -Year Population Projection
As shown in Table 16, Washington's population is projected to increase
• from its present 8,860 to 9,738 by the year 1985, The total Planning Area is
projected to contain a population of 13,441 by 1985.
Considerations Taken Into Account In Preparing Ten -Year Projections
• Seasonal population changes are those which affect the city during certain
months. Examples of seasonal population changes are the influx of migrant farm
workers and the influx of tourist and recreation -oriented people. Traditionally,
• these are the only seasonal population changes that would have any affect on the
city's stable population. These increases are considered to have an impact in
the Washington Planning Area. The major implication to the city of these increases
• is that there will be some level of increased services, such as water and sewer
services required to serve these people, Similarly, as services increase so
does the cost of providing these services.
0 - 123

E
Unfortunately,there is no base data available to make a quantitative
assessment of seasonal population changes. Due to this lack,the only valid •
statement concerning seasonal population changes is that there are increases
and these increases will result in some cost,
u
Relationship of Long -Term Projections to Desires of the People
The long term projections shown in Table 16 reflect local desires
to maintain a steady and orderly growth pattern in the Washington Planning
•
Area. Local residents also feel that these projections are consistent with
their resources to provide supporting services.
5, 10, 25 and 50 Year -Projections •
The City of Washington should experience a population growth of 12,300
by the year 2020,while the total Planning Area should reach 17,220. These
projections are shown in Table 16.
Examination of Seasonal Population and Economic Tmpacts
As the Planning Area increases in population and as society becomes more
leisure -oriented, seasonal populations will play a significant role in the •
Washington Planning Area. This becomes even more apparent when one considers
the abundant water --oriented recreational opportunities in and around the
Washington Planning Area.
Today,touristsand motorists travel along scenic Highway U. S, 17,which��con-
C
tributes to the area's economy. An investigation of several local motels
•
indicated that between June and August,occupancy rates increased. One motel
cited a ninety-five (9S) percent capacity during these months. It is
assumed that these travelers and other vacationers contribute not only to
E
the city's motel businesses but also to gasoline, food, and similar businesses.
However, it is anticipated that this impact will be reduced with the completion
of I-95 within the next five to ten years.
124 0

��
:M
•
TABLE 16
•
POPULATION PROJECTIONS
City of Washington and Extraterritorial Area
1980 -, 2020
1980 1985 1990 2000 2010 2020
• Wash. 9,528 95%738 9,947 10,117 11,125 12,300
Ext.
Area 13,151 13,441 13,730 13,965 155,575 17,220
•
SOURCE: N. C. Department of Natural $ Economic Resources, based on
Department of Administration projections for Beaufort County
• and Washington Township.
•
7
0 125

•
•
TABLE 17 •
POPULATION TRENDS
Washington Township and City of Washington •
1940
1950
1960
1970
•
Washington Township 123,195
13,792
13,906
12,354
City of Washington 8,569
9,698
95,939
8,961
Percent of Total 70.3
70,3
71.5
72.5 •
SOURCE: U. S. Census of Population, 1950 and 1970, •
•
r->
126 0

•
•
C
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
TABLE 18
POPULATION PROJECTIONS
Beaufort County and Townships
1970-2000
19701
1980
1990
2000
Beaufort County
35,980
36,800
38,500
39,400
Bath Township
3,237
2,940
2,810
2.610
Chocowinity Township
4,661
4,780
5,000
5,090
Long Acre Township
6,976
7,560
81840
10,050
Pantego Township
5,126
4,960
4,910
42720
Richland Township
3,626
3,130
2,940
2,680
Washington Township 12,354 13,420 14,010 140250
Change: 1970-2000
Niunber
Percent
3,420
9.5%
- 627
-19.4%
429
9.2%
3,074
44.1%
- 406
- 7.9%
946
-26.1%
1,896
15.3%
iThese are actual U. S. Census of Population figures for the year 1970
rather than a projection.
SOURCE: N. C. Department of Administration, Office of State Planning,
based on OBERS study,
40 127

ECONOMY
Manufacturing, and wholesale and retail trade now comprise the major
segments of Washington's industrial composition. As for future growth
patterns, N.C. Phosphate has announced plans in the next few years to build
a $200,000,000 plant to exploit the county's phosphate deposits used in the
production of fertilizer. This industry will potentially employ six hundred
people. In addition, Texas Gulf is expected to add substantially to its
operations around Aurora and may increase its payroll by 50 percent within 0
four to five years. Capital investment could double within the same period.
F.M.C. (Food Machinery Company) may begin mining on property it owns on
the north.side of the river. No one has yet made any kind of accurate 0
prediction -when this might happen or on the number of people it might employ.
These statements relating to the phosphate industry are closely tied to
the market for fertilizer in the coming decades. Even should these plans 0
materiali.ze,_there is no strong reason to suspect that their growth will
increase the population or industrial base of the city. In fact, substantial
growth in
the_county..may accelerate the
tendency
for people to move out of the
city into
the,couaty--further weakening
the city's
population base.
Wholesale and retail trade -grew substantially in the sixties, but the work
force -actually -declined for both males and females. Therefore, a continuing 0
growth in sales may not necessarily lead to the employment of more people in
that area._
Any effort in the future to attract more industry should concentrate 0
on higher paying industries that require.a skilled work force.
•
128

FUTURE LAND NEEDS
The previous section of this study briefly discussed future projections of
population and economic changes which the city may experience. This section
will evaluate these changes as they may affect the following activities:
residential, commercial, and industrial land uses.
Residential Land Use
The aforementioned projections suggest that population increases are
anticipated in the Washington Planning Area. Vacant lands suitable for
residential purposes are limited within city limits. However, ample suitable
residential lands are found in the extraterritorial area. Furthermore, city
policy will be to annex urbanizing areas around its borders and provide them
with municipal services such as water and sewer lines, police and fire
protection, etc.
Recent residential developments in the extraterritorial areas suggest
there are no problems associated with development in these areas. Generally,
soil conditions in projected growth areas are moderate.
A significant factor regarding new residential activity is the form which
this activity will take: multi -family units, single family units, and/or
mobile home units, It is assumed that most residential activity will be
allocated between the traditional single family house and mobile homes, Recent
developments in the North Market Street Extension area reflect a single family
unit trend,while development in the Whichard Beach area reflects a mobile home
trend. While residential development is occurring in other parts of the
Planning Area, the aforementioned areas reflect a very noticeable trend, In
addition, if present economic conditions remain, it may also be assumed that
the trend toward mobile home development will continue and increase in the future.
129

•
Commercial Land
•
Commercial activity is broken into two categories, the Central Business
District (CBD) and outlying commercial areas.
In the CBD,land presently being used for non-CBD uses will be absorbed by
commercial expansion. Although the CBD area will -continue to expand, it is
expected to be a slow process, There will still be non-CBD uses located in
the CBD area at the end of this planning period. As a result of CBD expansion,
•
additional buildings (those non-CBD uses) with adequate space to accommodate
future commercial development will be made available.
Perhaps the greatest CBD asset is the potential to utilize its waterfront
•
location. As stated in the 1970 Land Development Plan, this location offers
certain unique advantages which, if properly exploited, could make this one of
the most exciting shopping areas of eastern Carolina. Full utilization will
•
require a complementing effort on the part of the downtown merchants to
capitalize on the potentialities the -waterfront affords the downtown shopping
area.
•
As residential areas develop in the future, it is recognized that
shopping areas will develop to serve these residential areas. The exact
location, of course, will be determined by the residential development. •
Since most residential development is projected within the extraterritorial
area,these commercial activities are also projected to occur in these areas,
It is recommended that shopping areas be developed as planned convenience •
shopping centers, Ample suitable land is available for such development in
the extraterritorial area.
Industrial Land ,
•
Washington presently has approximately 1,525 acres of land zoned for
industrial purposes (heavy,.light, and limited). Developed industrial land
130 0

now comprises approximately 150 acres of all developed land in the planning
area. The most noticeable industrial area lies on the edge of the planning
area west of the city between the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad and N.C.
Highway 33. Continued development is recommended in this area because of
the transportation facilities available and suitable topography. Other
developed industrial areas are located north of U.S. Highway 1.7 and west
0 of the airfield. Light industrial activity has developed in these areas.
In summary, the Washington planning area has ample land to accommodate
additional industrial growth during this planning period.
COMMUNITY FACILITIES DOWID
The guidelines for land use planning in the coastal area require that
consideration be given of basic facilities needed to service estimated growth.
0 The future development and demand for community facilities is important to
any municipality due to the capital expendituraes necessary to provide such
services. Since a 201 facilities plan is under study, this section does not use
ten-year population projections to determine sewer and water facilities demand.
However, it is noted that the present waste treatment facility is inadequate
and would not provide needed service demands in the future.
0 Sewer
As previously stated, the Department of Public Works is currently having
a 201 Study done which will provide a detailed analysis of the sewer system
0 and project its needs over a 20-year period. The present system has a design
capacity of 2.2 million gallons per day and is operating at an average of
75 percent of capacity. During periods of heavy rainfall, the system operates
at over 100 percent of its capacity; while during "normal" periods, it operates
at around 80 percent of its capacity. The recommendations of the 201 Study
will be the basis of Washington's future expansion of its sewer system. These
0 recommendations will take into account projected population increases for the
next 20 years and how best to meet the needs of Washington and the surrounding area.
131
0

•
Water
The City of Washington is in the process of completing a new well and water 0
treatment plan. A new elevated tank capable of storing 500,000 gallons has re-
cently been completed. The well will have a capacity of about 600 gpm and the
treatment plant will have the same capacity. Before completion of this project, •
the city had a system capable of producing 2.25 million gallons per day. With
the addition of the well and treatment plant, 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 percent 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 percent more capability on the dike at Jack's Creek.
The area between Brown Street and the pumps should be dredged to allow for more
retention room. The city at present can handle the equivalent of four inches
of rain per hour for a twenty -minute period.
Refuse Collection and Disposal
•
The City of Washington Sanitation Department has had to deal with a large 0
increase in the number of collections due to the opening of the public housing
project on Ninth Street. As a result, the additional population will require
another -crew and packer.
•
Fire Protection
At the present time, the Fire Department has the necessary facilities to
serve the Washington planning area.
132

•
The department operates on response time. Any area that is not within
• adequate range of the station cannot be considered to have the necessary fire
protection no matter how excellent the crew or equipment. To retain a class VI
insurance rating, it is necessary for the Washington Fire Department to have
•
its first pumper on the scene within two minutes. By 1985, Washington will
have grown by approximately 600 acres. A substation in the eastern annexed
areas will cost approximately $100,000. Additional staff and -equipment must
• be taken into account.
The American Insurance Association sets requirements for the adequacy of
water systems. These requirements are based on average conditions found in
•
communities of various sizes. Accordingly, the required fire flow is shown
as follows in Table 19.
Presently, Washington, with a 1975 population of 8,860, has two pumping
•
stations with a combined pumping capacity of 3350 gpm. If population pro-
jections are realized by 1985, Washington will have a population of 9,738,
thus requiring approximately 3000 gpm--meaning Washington's Fire -Department
•
will be provided a more thaTY adequate fire flow capacity.
Police Protection
As the town pursues its annexation objective, an increase in geographic
•
boundaries will occur, necessitating additional patrol cars and personnel.
Today, Washington employes 22 patrolmen. A minimum of 2.0 uniformed officers
per thousand is recommended for police protection. The "2.0 uniformed officers
•
per thousand population" means that two uniformed officers for every thousand
•
residents should always be on duty. Thus, the present level of police
employment should be maintained and possibly increased during this planning
period.
0 133

•
TABLE 19
REQUIRED FIRE FLOW
Required Fire Flow
for Average City
Duration
Population
gpm
mgd
Hours
1,000
1,000
1.44
4
1,500
1,250
1.80
5
•
2,000
1,500
2.16
6
3,000
1,750
2.52
7
4,000
2,000
2.88
8
5,000
2,250
3.24
9
6,000
2,500
3.60
10
s
10,000
3,000
4.32
10
13,000
3,500
5.04
10
17,000
4,000
5.76
10
•
•
SOURCE: Standard Schedule for Cities and Towns of the United States
with Reference to Their Fire Defenses an P ysical Conditions
(New York: American Insurance Association, National Board of
Fire Underwriters, 1956 ed.)
•
134 0

•
CARRYING CAPACITY OF LAND
0 A specific issue regarding future growth and development concerns the
capability of land and water to sustain these changes. The carrying capacity
of an area means the amount of life a stable ecosystem can support. Although
* an ambiguous definition, the issue requires that planning must take into con-
sideration the physical limits at which certain levels of human activity lead
to undesirable alterations in the environment. In the coastal area, these
detrimental effects are caused particularly by sewage and waste water disposal.
The effects are noted in both ground and surface water quality; both then act
as a physical limitation upon development. These physical limitations are
0 fully developed in this land development plan under the topics of "Constraints"
and "Significant Land Use Compatibility Problems —Which Have Implications for
Future Land.Use." The "Estimated Demand" section also notes these limitations.
0 The primary problem is caused by poor soil conditions; which are not
conducive to on -lot disposal techniques. Specifically, the problem is that
the soils in the Washington planning area either do not perk --due to a high
IR water table --or the soils perk too fast, not having an opportunity to remove
toxic wastes. Then these wastes are transmitted to adjacent bodies of water
ultimately causing degradation of water quality. Although the present con-
0 ditions may not be causing serious water quality problems, the implications
are magnified by potential increases in both population and economic activity
in the Washington planning area. The City of Washington is located in a
40 "capacity use area" --an area where ground water and surface water must be
monitored as required by the State of North Carolina. According to records
kept over the past few years, the peak daily usage figure was 1.9 million
•

gallons per day on August 5, 1975. On a per capita basis, this usage amounts
to 214 GPD. (This'figure is inflated since we cannot account for the total
number of visitors in the area at that time. The national average is 150 GPD*.)
The city's population projections are as follows: 1980 - 9,528
1985 - 9,738; 1990 - 9,947; 2010 - 11,125; and 2020 - 12,300. Using the
inflated per capita figure of 214 GPD during the ten-year planning period
(1975-1985), we would be drawing up an additional 188,000 GPD during the
periods of highest consumption. Total draw -down would amount to approximately
2.1 million GPD, well below the allowable 3 million. For the year 2020, the
peak usage figure for a population of 12,300 would amount to 2.6 million GPD.
As previously noted, Washington presently obtains its water supply from 0
the Tranter's Creek watershed. Draw -down from the watershed area is expected
to drop accordingly following the projected opening (April, 1977) of a
500 GPM well east of Washington in the Slatestone area. As a result, the city
is moving from a total reliance on surface water supplies to a partial
reliance on ground supplies.
u
11
•
136 0

•
•
GROWTH AND FACILITIES COSTS
The provision of adequate facilities and services to meet future growth
will" be a major responsibility of city government. Therefore, the cost
implications of growth and development must be fully understood. It has been
determined that the city's present wastewater collection and treatment system
does not provide adequate service. As development and industrial growth occurs,
• service demands will increase -resulting in both capital and personnel needs.
At the minimum,an adequate waste treatment facility would cost approximately
$13,0001000 in local matching funds. In addition, the city can expect an
•
increase in refuse collection and disposal. Additional personnel and capital
needs could amount to approximately $51,000. By 1985,Washington will have
grown by approximately 600 acres. What effect will that have on present fire
•
protection -capability? A fire sub -station in the eastern annexed areas will
be needed to provide efficient fire protection. A sub -station will cost
approximately $100,000. Additional staff and equipment must also be taken into
•
account. These needs and improvements will total over $1,151,000. The City
of Washington will probably not be able to finance all of these improvements,
Therefore, every possible federal, state, and local source should be
•
explored. For example, the city should seek revenue sharing money providing
these funds are available. Participation in the Federal Housing Program and
Community Development Program should continue; Other possible sources could
•
come from a city bond referendum and/or tax increases. A financial commitment
from city government and the city's people will be necessary.
In summary, ---the cost discussion contained herein has been to provide an
•'
insight into the future needs of the Washington Planning Area, The city
should remain cognizant of the need for various community facilities and should
0 137

continue to maintain an up-to-date inventory of the factors which generate
these needs. Specific functional plans, e. g,, capital improvements plans •
and a capital improvements budget should be prepared in order that the
adequate provision of community facilities may be provided.
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138

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PLAN DESCRIPTION
PART VI
•
139

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Ll
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LAND CLASSIFICATION MAP
(SEE POCKET MAP IN BACK)
0 140

DESCRIPTION OF THE LAND CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
The Land Classification System Map is.a general graphic depiction of the
manner in which future development in the Washington planning area is expected
to occur. Previous discussions have attempted to address, in specific details,
future land use demands and constraints.
The Land Classification System, as outlined in the "State Guidelines for
Local Planning in the Coastal Area...." is divided into five areas: Developed,
Transitional, Community, Rural, and Conservation. The following is a general
description of each land classification.
a. Developed --Lands where existing population density is moderate to
0 high and where there are a variety of land uses which have the
•
necessary public services. These lands are delineated in "solid rust"
on the Land Classification Map. All lands within Washington's city
limits are classified as Developed.
FUNCTION AND STANDARDS
Developed lands will provide the service and growth centers for the
planning area. They are intended to accommodate the greater portion of the
necessary and natural expansion of residential, commercial, and industrial
activities. The needs of Washington's permanent population for housing,
•
recreation, commercial activity, and social.and professional services will be
met in these areas. The building intensity in developed areas will allow the
economic feasibility of a high level of public and institutional services.
Continued development and redevelopment is encouraged to provide for the
orderly growth in this area.
•
» 141

b. Transition --Lands where local government plans to accommodate moderate
to high density development during the following ten-year period and
where necessary public services will be provided to accommodate that
growth. These lands are delineated in "hatched rust" on the Land
Classification Map. Washington's transitional lands are located 0
adjacent to developed lands bordering city limits. Included in these
transitional lands,are areas currently under study for annexation.
Secondary transitional lands are shown in the southern portion of the 0
planning area across the Pamlico River. Although commercial and
residential growth is expected in these areas, the city is not making
a commitment to extend municipal water and sewer.
FUNCTION AND STANDARDS
Transition lands will provide for moderate intensity development in
•
areas where development will not significantly harm relatively tolerant natural
resources. These areas are designed to provide for residential expansion and
growth and to accommodate uses related to and compatible with residential uses
•
in the vicinity of developed lands where utilities and community services can
be most economically and readily provided. Development and the required ser-
vices and utilities will be at a generally less intense level than in developed
•
lands.
c. Community --Lands where low density development is grouped in existing
settlements or will occur in such settlements during the following
•
ten-year period and which will not require extensive public services
now or in the future. There are no lands classified as Community
in the Washington planning area. Nevertheless, the following functions
and standards are provided in the event that.areas may develop which
meet the Community classification requirements.
142 «

0
FUNCTION AND.STANDARDS
The Community lands will provide for low intensity development
opportunities at levels that will protect the natural resources of the
planning area and still allow orderly growth and development. These
areas will primarily provide residential.opportunities for permanent
residents. Public services and utilities will not be available in these
areas at as high a level as in the Developed and Transitional areas.
d. Rural --Lands whose highest use is for agriculture, forestry,
mining, water supply, etc., based on their natural resources
potential. Also, lands for future needs not currently
recognized are included. These lands are delineated in "white."
These lands are located primarily in the northern portion of
the planning area.
FUNCTION AND.STANDARDS
Rural lands will provide areas for the long-term management of
productive resources within the planning area. Building construction,
7 residential, and related supporting development should occur only on
large lots in relatively small clusters on carefully selected sites.
Public services and utilities in these areas will be limited to support
only those uses which are compatible with the concept of conservative
resource utilization. The Rural classification will also provide
large areas within the planning area with buffers against incompatible
uses of land to serve future land needs which cannot be anticipated.
•
0 143

�.J
e. Conservation --Fragile, hazard, and other lands necessary to maintain
a healthy, natural environment and necessary to provide for the public
health, safety, or welfare. Conservation lands are depicted in "Dot
Green" on the Land Classification Map. These are land areas within
the Washington planning area where development must be restricted 0
because of fragility or hazardous conditions or because the natural
resources represent a greater value than that of development.
FUNCTION AND.STANDARDS
There is sufficient land suitable for development in the planning area
to accommodate projected and desirable growth without infringing upon areas
•
which are unsuited for development. The classification of Conservation lands •
will direct development away from areas which cannot support intensive
development, where public services are not.and should not be made available,
and direct it instead to more.tolerant areas where services can be supplied 9
more economically. These areas are also designated to identify characteristics
which represent a potential hazard to development such as flood and erosion.
These hazard factors increase the public and private cost required to support •
development.
PROJECTED POPULATION GROWTH ALLOCATIONS
•
Projected population allocation to Transition and Rural land classes
reflect local desires for orderly growth. Area residents feel that the most
desirable residential areas lie within the extraterritorial area. The stated
•
objective "to annex surrounding residential areas" also reflects orderly
growth desires. Most lands within the city are either developed, not for sale, or
144 •

a
unsuitable for development, thus leaving anticipated new residential growth
4 to occur in the extraterritorial area.
GROSS POPULATION DENSITIES
By classifying land and allocating population densities, the local
•
government can more efficiently budget. -and plan community facilities such
11
as water and sewer systems, roads, etc. The planning area's Land Classifi-
cation System depicted by Map 9 is consistent with local desires and reflects
local conditions.
.By 1985, Beaufort County and the City of Washington should reach
populations of 38,460 and 9,738, respectively. Washington, the county seat,
•
is expected -to capture much of this growth.
Assuming these population projections are realized, Washington will
have increased from its present population of 8,860 to 9,738. This
represents an increase of 878 people. The majority of this growth is
expected in the city's Transitional areas.
In conclusion, there are enough lands classified to accommodate
a
Washington's projected ten-year growth.
A
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POTENTIAL AREAS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN
PART V I I
•
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0 146

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• AREAS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERII
The major goal of the Coastal Area Management Act is to create a
• balance between growth and environmental protection. The Washington
Planning Area contains a number of fragile areas that would be destroyed
or seriously altered in nature if unplanned, uncontrolled development
• should occur.
Watershed
• The Tranter's Creek watershed provides the city with its source of
raw water supplies, Most of the watershed lies beyond the city's planning
area. With the help of the county, the city must safeguard its water
• supply by preventing high density residential growth and septic tank use
in these areas.
• Estuarine Waters
The part of the Pamlico River north of the railroad bridge that flows
within Washington's mile and"a half planning jurisdiction is considered an
• estuary. These estuary waters can be protected by controlling development
along the Public Trust Waters of the Pamlico,
Estuarine and River Erodible Areas
•
As applicable to the planning area, these waters are the Pamlico and Tar
rivers. Estuarine and river erodible areas are considered to be that area
extending from the mean water level or the mean high water level along the
•
estuary, sounds,and rivers -a distance of 75 feet landward.
Coastal Resources Commission deleted Tranters Creek Watershed as an AEC
(June 21-22, 1977),
147
•

Complex Natural Areas
The Coastal Resources Commission may determine that there are complex 0
natural areas within the Washington planning area. Complex natural areas
are defined as lands that support native plant and animal communities and
provide habitat conditions or characteristics that have remained essentially 0
unchanged by human activity. Washington's extraterritorial jurisdiction
south of the river, adjacent to the river, may possibly meet the requirements
of a complex natural area. If so, this area should remain essentially in the 0
same state as it is today.
Public Trust Navigable Waters
State guidelines for local planning under CAMA state that areas such as
waterways and lands under or flowed by tidal waters or navigable waters, to
which .the public may have rights of access or public trust rights and areas
which the State of North Carolina may be.authorized to preserve, conserve, or
protect under Article XIV, Section 5, of the North Carolina Constitution.
The Pamlico and Tar rivers are considered public trust navigable waters.
•
Navigable has been defined as follows: capable of being navigated in its
natural condition by the ordinary modes of navigation including modes of
navigation used for recreational purposes. The natural condition of a body of
r-,
water for purposes of determining navigability shall be the condition of the
body of water at mean high water or ordinary high water, as the case may be,
and the condition of the body of water without man-made obstructions and without
•
temporary natural obstructions. Temporary natural conditions such as water
level fluctuation and temporary natural obstructions which do not permanently
or totally prevent navigation do not make an otherwise navigable stream
non -navigable.
0
Some factors considered in identifying public trust navigable waters were:
(1) the use of the body of water by the public and (2) the length of time the public
r
148

•
has used the area. The Pamlico and Tar rivers meet the description of Public Trust
•
Navigable -.Waters and are thus identified as such,
APPROPRIATE LAND USES OF AEC's
•
1. Resource Areas Watersheds
"TAawtmI z CAeek"
•
Policy Objective, To insure the continued maintenance of water quality
and quantity of the surface water supply.
• A^ppropriate Land Uses, Appropriate land uses shall be those consistent
with the above policy objective, i.e., uses with little or no discharge
of pollutants which would endanger ground water.
•
2. Estuarine Waters
•
"Pam.P,ico River."
Policy Objective. To preserve and manage estuarine waters so as to safe-
guard and perpetuate their biological, economic and aesthetic values,
•
Appropriate Land Uses, Appropriate uses shall be those consistent with the
above policy objective. Highest priority shall be allocated to the conservation
of estuarine waters. The development of navigational -,channels, the use of
•
bulkheads to prevent erosion, and the building of piers or wharfs where no
*Coastal Resources Commission deleted Tranters Creek Watershed as an AEC
(June 21-22, 1977).
•
• 149

C
other feasible alternative exists are examples of land'uses-appropriate within
estuarine waters, provided that such land uses will not be detrimental to the •
biological and physical estuarine functionsand public trust rights. Projects
which would directly or indirectly block or impair existing navigation channels,
increase.shoreline erosion, deposit.spoils below mean high tide, cause adverse •
water circulation patterns, violate water quality standards, or cause degrada-
tion of shellfish waters are generally considered incompatible with the manage-
ment of estuarine waters.
4. Complex Natural Area
"PamUco Hood Arr.ea"
P
Policy Objective. To preserve the natural conditions of the site so as to
safeguard its existence as an example of naturally occurring, relatively un-
disturbed plant and animal communities of major scientific or educational
•
value.
Appropriate Land Uses. Appropriate land uses shall be those consistent with
the above policy objective. Lands within the AEC shall not be planned for
•
uses or kinds of development that will unnecessarily jeopardize the natural
or primitive character of the natural area directly or indirectly through
increased accessibility. Additionally, lands adjacent to the complex natural
0
area should not be planned for additional development that would unnecessarily
endanger the recognized value of the AEC. The variability between kinds of
complex natural areas and between land uses adjacent to those natural areas
•
means that the range of permissible uses and intensity of use must be carefully
tailored to the individual area.
S. Public Trust Navigable Waters •
"PamUco and Tare xiveu"
150 0

•
Policy Objective. To protect public rights for navigation and recreation and
• to preserve and manage the public trust waters so as to safeguard and perpetuate
their biological, economic, and aesthetic value.
Appropriate Uses. Appropriate uses shall be those consistent with the above
0 policy objective. Any land use which interferes with the public right of
navigation, or other public trust rights which the public may be found to have
in these waters, shall not be allowed. The development of navigational channels,
• drainage ditches, the use of bulkheads to prevent erosion, and the building of
piers or wharfs are examples of land uses appropriate within public trust
waters, -provided that such land uses will not be detrimental to the biological
• and physical functions and public trust rights. Projects which would directly
or indirectly block or impair existing navigation channels, increase shoreline
erosion, deposit spoils below mean high tide, cause adverse water circulation
• patterns, violate water quality standards, or cause degradation of shellfish
•
waters are generally considered incompatible with the management of public
trust waters.
6. Estuarine and River Erodible Areas
"PamP.ica and Tan ni,velus"
Policy Objective. To insure that development occurring within these areas is
•
compatible with the dynamic nature of the erodible land, thus minimizing the
likelihood of significant loss of property.
Appropriate Land Uses. Appropriate land uses shall be those consistent with
•
the above policy objective. Permanent or substantial residential, commercial,
institutional,.or industrial structures are not appropriate uses in estuarine,
sound, and river erodible areas unless stabilization has been achieved along
•
the affected beach. Recreational, rural and conservation activities represent
appropriate land uses in those erodible areas where shoreline protective con-
struction has not been completed.
9
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SUMMARY
PART VIII
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• 152

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DATA ASSEMBLY, ANALYSIS,:AND-STATBIENT OF MAJOR CONCLUSIONS
,Data used in this plan was obtained from several major sources. These
sources are as follows:
• 1. Previous Studies
2 Field Studies
3, Standard References such -as U. S. Census, N. C. Statistical
Abstract, etc.
• 4. A questionnaire
5. Ward meetings
6. Civic groups
• An analysis of this data was conducted by the Washington City staff and
presented to the Planning Board for consideration. Additional analysis was
performed by the Department of Natural and Economic Resources.
• The analysis results were used as a basis for citizen dialogue at public
meetings, ward meetings, and civic group meetings. After identifying these
major land use issues and problems, alternatives and different courses of
• action to meet Wahingtonts needs were explored. Again, with citizen input,
the.,following --long-range goals were formulated:
GROITM
To promote orderly growth in the Washington Planning Area.
ENVIRONMENTAL
• To discourage development of land which is unsuitable for urban uses.
HOUSING
To provide an environment in which residents may have the opportunity to
secure adequate and safe housing.
41 153

•
"RECREATION 'AND 'PARKS
To provide a variety.of recreational opportunities for all groups.
•
To provide the most effective and efficient means of public safety.
STREETS.'AND'TRANSPORTATION
To provide a highly functional internal street system.
LOCAL-GOVERNWM 'RESPONSIVENESS •
To maintaineffective communication between the citizens and elected city
officials.
Identification of problems and.issues constituted the first phase of
Washington's CAMA Land Use Planning Process; With phase one complete the
actual writing of the plan began. To this extent, analysis findings were
compared with local knowledge and with planning theory, principles -and
practices. The following major conclusions are the results of this.process.
POPULATION •
Washington's population dropped rapidly from 1960 to 1970, and has
continued to-do so. However, by the year,1985 it.should have increased from
today's.8,860 to'9;947. After.1985,the city is expected.to,experience a •
population increase from 9,947 to 12,300 by the year.2020. "
Washingtonians would like for"their city to grow. However; this growth.
must be orderly and must take into consideration (1) the city.ts.aba_lity to •
provide adequate municipal services and (2) the area's -ability to-prdvide
employment opportunities. (See Tables 2 and 16).
ECONOMY •
Manufacturing, -wholesale and retail trade accounted for Washington's
major economic activity. As of 1969, Washingtonians, per* capita income
was $2,168. •
154

The area's economic outlook is encouraging. Several phosphate operations
• are expected to expand in the county. However, since these plans are not
final, the exact impact upon Washington economy cannot be made. Continued
economic and industrial development is needed to meet future employment needs.
HOUSING
In 1974-a housing survey was conducted by the city. A total of 2,722
houses were surveyed. Housing conditions were as follows: (a) 55 percent
• standard, (b) 42 percent substandard and Cc) 3 percent dilapidated. The worst
housing conditions are found in the western section of the city. This section
is mostly populated with black residents.
Today Washington has an average household population of 3.26. As popula-
tion estimates are realized, overcrowding will. -increase. It is essential that
implementation of the existing housing plan continue. Added housing stock and
other housing improvement will remain high among Washington's priorities.
•
FUTURE LAND NEEDS
The Washington Planning Area has approximately 16,471 acres of land and
1,245 acres of water area. The majority of land.within the city is developed,
while most of the one -mile area remains vacant and in agricultural uses.
Undeveloped land located south of the Pamlico and Tar rivers is low-lying and
•
not suitable for development. Nevertheless, Washington's -future land needs can
•
adequately be provided in the town's one -mile area and in urbanizing "annexation"
areas.
COMMUNITY FACILITIES
The future development and demand for community facilities is important
• to any municipality due to the capital expenditures necessary to provide
such services.
49 155

7
SEWER
The Department of Public Works is currently having a 201 Study done which
will provide a detailed analysis of the sewer system and project its needs over
a 20-year period. The present system has a design capacity of 2.2 million
•
gallons per day and is operating -at an average 75% capacity. The recommenda-
tions of the 201 Study will be the basis of Washington's future expansion of
its sewer system. These recommendations will take into account projected
•
population increases for the next 20 years and how best to meet the needs of
Washington and the surrounding area.
WATER
The City of Washington is in the process of completing a new well and
water treatment plant. A new elevated tank capable of storing,500,000 gallons
has recently been completed..'. The well will have a capacity of about 500 gpm
and the treatment plant will have the same capacity. With the addition of the
well and treatment plant,the city will be able to process 360,000 additional
gallons per day, bringing the total capacity to approximately. 2.6 million •
gallons per day.
STORM DRAINAGE
The City of Washington lies in a very flat area and has few natural •
drainage outlets, making the problems of providing adequate storm drainage
extremely difficult and very expensive.. Jack's Creek, which drains approx-
imately 75% of the town, will need more equipment tlan,it presently has to
handle the run-off'of future developed areas. There will 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 should be dredged •
to allow for more retention room. Washington's present wastewater collection
156 •

and treatment system does not provide adequate service. A "Section 201"
• study scheduled for completion later this year will address the most
feasible methods of wastewater treatment.
FUTURE LAND USE
•
The Beaufort County Land Use.Plan recognizes the Washington Planning Area
•
as being the center of existing and future urban growth in the county. This
relationship is depicted in the Washington Land Classification System.
The Coastal Resources Commission adopted a simplified land classification
system for the coastal area. This system consists. of five classes:
a. Developed =•Lands where existing population density is moderate to high
•
and where there are a variety of land uses which have the necessary public
services.
b. Transition - Lands where local government plans to accommodate moderate to
high density development during the following ten-year period and where nec-
essary public services will be provided to accommodate that growth.
c. Community - Lands where low density development is grouped in existing
settlements or will occur in such settlements during the following ten-year
period and which will not require extensive public services now. or .in the
future.
•
d. Rural - Lands whose highest use.is for agriculture,,forestry, mining, water
supply, etc.,based on their natural resources potential. Also, lands for future
needs not currently recognized.
e. Conservation - Fragile, hazard and other lands necessary to provide for the
the public health,'safety or welfare.
•
Map 9 shows.the location and distribution of the Washington Land Classification
System.
0 157

•
Developed
The Beaufort County Land Use Plan shows the area within the corporate limits
of Washington as developed and transitional. In the Washington Lana Use Plan
the area is shown as developed and transition.
w
Transitional lands are shown..in eastern, southern and western portions of
the planning area. These areas are a vital part of Washington. They will
•
receive a full range of urban services and will likely be annexed and .become
legally a part of Washington. These transitional lands should be identified in
the 201 Facilities Study as growth areas. Secondary, transitional.. lands are
•
shown in the southern portion of the Planning Area. These areas will not
receive municipal water and sewer.
RURAL
•
The northern portion of the Washington Planning Area is shown as rural.
Similarly, in -the county plan these lands are classified as rural.
CONSERVATION
The southern portion of the Planning Area is shown as conservation. This
classification includes the Pamlico waters and the surrounding flood lands
which are ill -suited to.urban development. •
POTENTIAL AREAS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN
The major goal of the Coastal Area Management Act is to create a balance •
between growth and environmental protection. The Washington Planning Area
contains a number of.fragile areas that would be destroyed or seriously altered
in nature if unplanned, uncontrolled development should occur. 0
158 •

•
WATERSHED *
• The Tranter's Creek watershed provides the city with its source of raw
water supplies. Washington has both a primary and an auxiliary raw water
intake located on Tranter's Creek.
• Tranter's Creek is the primary stream in the watershed and is fed by
Turkey Swamp, Beargrass Swamp,.Pinelog Branch, Meadow Branch, Great Branch,
Briery Swamp, Haw Branch, Horsepen Swamp, Poley Branch, Pea Branch, Pocosin
• Branch, Aggie Run, Old Ford Swamp, Singleton Swamp, Latham Creek, Gun Swamp,
Snoad Branch, Maple Branch, Mitchell Branch, and Cherry Run. Most of the
watershed lies beyond the city's Planning Area. With the help of the county,
• the city must safeguard its water supply by preventing high density residential
growth and septic tank use in these areas.
ESTUARINE WATERS
• The part of the Pamlico River north of the railroad bridge that flows
within Washington's mile and a half planning jurisdiction is considered an
estuary. These estuary waters can be protected by controlling development
• along the Public Trust Waters of the Pamlico.
COMPLEX NATURAL AREAS
The Coastal Resources Commission may determine that there are complex
natural areas within the Washington Planning Area. Complex -natural areas are
defined as lands that support native plant and animal communities and provide
habitat conditions or characteristics that have remained essentially unchanged
a
by human activity. Washington's extraterritorial jurisdiction south of and
adjacent to the river may possibly meet the requirements of complex natural
• area. If so, this area should remain. essentially in the same state it is
today.
Coastal Resources Commission deleted Tranters Creek Watershed as an AEC
(June 21-22,' 1977) .
159
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•
PUBLIC TRUST WATERS
•
As applicable to the planning area,these waters are the Pamlico and Tar
rivers and their tributaries. These waters are also shown as public trust
navigable waters in the county plan. •
APPLICATION OF DATA TO'PLANIS FORMULATION
Once data was assembled and analyzed, then compared with local area
knowledge, the formulation of this plan began. The Planning Board utilized •
the data by using it as a catalyst to discuss issues and problems. The
result. of this planning process is this document.
ESTUARINE AND RIVER ERODIBLE AREAS
"Estuarine and river erodible areas are considered to be that area extending
from the meah water level or the mean high water level along the estuary, sounds,
and rivers of the 20-county area a distance of 75 feet landward." As applicable •
to the planning area,these waters are the Pamlico and Tar ravers and their
tributaries. In research conducted by the Institute for Coastal and Marine
Resources at East Carolina University,it was found that "estuarine and river •
erodible areas" within the Washington Planning Area have not undergone
significant erosion during the past 25 years.because much of the area has been
stabilized by bulkheading. It was felt that the main thrust of shoreline •
erosion is found further downstream.
•
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160 •

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CITY -COUNTY RELATIONSHIP
PART IX
• 161

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•
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RELATIONSHIP -DEFINED
The Washington and Beaufort County Plan relationship can be defined as
"a coordinated effort through effective land use planning to provide a balanced
growth that offers the best affordable working and living environment for all
Beaufort residents." This relationship has been part of a continuous process
which.has taken two forms: (1) complementing.goals and objectives, and (2) a
compatible -county -city Land Classification System.
Both.county and city plans address similar interests and citizen concerns.
The following are specific examples of county and city goals and objectives
relationship.
COUNTY GOAL.: To ensure that recAeationat development such as travel
trai-er camps, second home devePopments, etc., wiU occur
in a manner that w-itt protect the natu=Z amenities that
attracted such deve.2opment.
CITY GOAL: To discourage deveeo pment o 6 .Band which is uns u ctabte
6or urban uses.
COUNTY GOAL: To guide growth .in Beaufort County so that it occurs .in a
slow, orde Zy manner.
CITY GOAL: To promote order.ey growth .in the Washington planning area.
COUNTY OBJECTIVE: To zone growth "hot spats" such as around Washington to
ensure that butune growth occurs in an ordeAty manner.
CITY OBJECTIVE: To seek a da&Ued soils map Jor the City of Washington and
Beau4ont County to provide .information on so.itz tim.ctations
on development.
COUNTY GOAL: To protect the qua,P.i ty and natural setting ob the Bounty's
waterways .
• CITY OBJECTIVE: To annex areas that are adjacent to the river and that .cask
sewerage to ensure that septic tank -.in6iZtAati.on does not
downgrade the quat ty o6 the Pamti.eo Rive,%.
COUNTY GOAL:., To ensure that reeneationak development such as travel trailer
camps, second home deve2o pments, etc., wilt occur .in a manner
• that wiZZ protect the naturat amenities that attracted such
development.
0 162

•
CITY OBJECTIVE: To coordinate city -county &ecneationat activities to
e iminate needZu s dupt i.cation o 4 pens onnet, 6ae i.U.t i.es , •
and p�ognams.
These are only a few examples of Washington and Beaufort County Plan relation-
ship in terms of complementing goals and objectives. For more specifics, the •
reader is asked to consult the "Goals" and "Objectives" sections of individual
plans. In addition, examination of both the Land Classification maps and the
text will graphically and verbally depict compatibility and relationship of
•
the plan's land classification system.
•
•
•
•
•
163 40

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APPENDIX
164-a

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Name of Stream: Pamlico
Class: C Sw
A. Class SC Waters
1) Best usage of waters: Fishing and any other usage except bathing or
shellfishing for market purposes.
2) Conditions related to best usage: The waters will be suitable for
fishing and fish propagation, Also suitable for other uses requiring
waters of lower quality.
3) Quality standards applicable to class SC waters.
a. Floating solids; settleable solids, sludge deposits: only such
amounts attributable to sewage, industrial wastes, or other wastes,
as will not, after reasonable opportunity for dilution and mixture
of same with the receiving waters, make the waters unsafe or unsuit-
able for fish, shellfish, and wildlife, or impair the waters for
any other best usage established for this class,
• b, pH: Shall be normal for the waters in the area, which generally
shall range between 6.0 and 8.5, except that swamp waters may have
a minimum of 4.3.
c. Dissolved oxygen: Not less than 5.0 mg/l, except that swamp waters
may have a minimum of 4.0 mg/l.
d. Toxic wastes; oils; deleterious substances; colored or other wastes;
Only such amounts, whether alone or in combination with other
substances or wastes as will not render the waters injurious to fish
and shellfish, adversely affect the palatability of same or impair
the waters for any other best usage established for this class.
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e. Organisms of coliform group: Fecal coliforms not to exceed a log
mean of 1,000/100ml (NON or MF count) based upon at least five
consecutive samples examined during any 30-day period; nor exceed
2,000/100ml in more than 200 of the samples examined during such
period. (Not applicable during or immediately following periods of
rainfall.)
f. Temperature: Shall nob be increased above the natural water tempera-
ture by more than 1.5 F. during the months of June, July, and
August nob more than 4.o F., during other months, and in no case to
exceed 90 F., due to the discharge of heated liquids.
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Name of Stream: Tar
Class: C
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B. Class C Waters
1) Best usage of waters: Fishing, boating, wading, and any other usage 1
except for bathing or as a source of water supply for drinking,
culinary or food -processing purposes.
2) Conditions related to best usage: The waters will be suitable for fish
and wildlife propagation, Also suitable for boating, wading, and other
uses requiring waters of lower quality, /
3) Quality standards applicable to class C waters,
a. Floating solids; settleable solids; sludge deposits: Only such
amounts attributable to sewage, industrial wastes or other wastes
as will not, after reasonable opportunity for dilution and mixture •
of same with the receiving waters, make the waters unsafe or un-
suitable for fish and wildlife, or impair the waters for any other
best usage established for this class,
b. pH: Shall be normal for the waters in the area, which generally
shall range between 6.0 and 8.5, except that swamp waters may have
a low of 4.3.
c. Dissolved oxygen: Not less than 6.0 mg/l for natural trout waters;
5.0 mg/l for put -and -take trout waters; not less than a daily
average of 5.0 mg/l with a minimum of not less than 4.0 mg/l for
non -trout waters, except that swamp waters may have lower values if •
caused by natural conditions,
d. Toxic wastes; oils; deleterious substances; colored or other wastes;
Only such amounts, whether alone'or in combination with other
substances or wastes as will not render the waters injurious to fish
and wildlife or adversely affect the palatability of same, or impair •
the waters for any other best usage established for this class.
e. Organisms of coliform group: Fecal coliforms not to exceed a log
mean of 1,000/100 m1 MN or_T count) based upon at least five
consecutive samples examined during any 30-day period; nor exceed
2,000/100 ml in more than 200 of the samples examined during such •
period. (Not applicable during or Iimmediately following periods
of rainfall.)
f, Temperature: Not to exceed 50F. above the natural water temperature,
and in no cass to exceed 840F. for mountain and upper piedmont
waters and 90 F. for lower piedmont and coastal plain waters. The
temperature of natural trout waters shall not be significantly
increased due to the discharge of heated liquids and shall not
exceed 680F.; however, the temperature of put -and -take trout waters
may be in reased.by as much as 3 F. but the maximum may not
exceed 70 F. •
166-a 41

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BIBLIOGRAPHY
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'BIBLIOGRAPHY
Barick, Frank B. and T. Stuart Cri.tcher. Wildlife and Land Use Planning with
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Board of Water and Air Resources.`'Rules;'Regulations, Classification and Water
Quality Standards'A licable to "to Surface Waters of North Carolina -
Raleigh,
f Department of Natural and Economic Resources, 1972.
Bureau of Employment Security Research, N. C. Labor Force Estimates,
Employment Security Commission of N. C., Raleigh, N. C. 1975.
• Coastal Resources Commission. Handbook on Public Participation in the Develop-
ment of Land Use Plans in Me Coastal Areas of North Carolina, Department
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Coastal Resources Commission. "State Guidelines for Local Planning in the
Coastal Area under the Coastal Area Management Act." Raleigh, N.C. 1975,
County Population Trends, North Carolina 1790-1960, Carolina Population Center,
U.N.C. and Statistical Services Center, N. C. Department of Administration,
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Dawson, Amos. "Report on Land and Water Resource Use Problems Related to the
Carrying Capacity of the Coastal Area of North Carolina;" Coastal Resources
Commission, Raleigh, 1976.
Employment Security Commission. North Carolina Commuting Pattern; 1960-1970,
• Employment Security Commission oF Raleig , N. C. 1974.
•
Endangered Species Committee, Department of Natural & Economic Resources,
Preliminary List of Endangered Plant and Animal Species in North Carolina
ources Manajzement
Fish, Frederic F., A Catalogof the Inland Fishing Waters of North Carolina,
Raleigh, N. C. Wildlife Resources Commission, 1969.
Freeman, W. F. Region : Water Resource Management (High Point, North Carolina:
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Goodman, W. I. and Fruend, E. C., eds, Principles and Practices of Urban
Planning (Washington, D. C.: InternationaCityManagers' soc2ation, 1968),
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N. C. Agricultural Extension Service and North Carolina Department of Natural
and Economic Resources, Coastal Area Managements A New Look on the Horizon,
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N. C. Coastal Resources Commission, State Guidelines for Local Planning in the
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N. C. Department of Transportation. Seven Year Highway Plan, N. C...Department
of Transportation, Raleigh, N.C., 1975.
N. C. Soil and Water Conservation and Needs Committee. North Carolina Conserva-
40
Needs Inventory. N. C.-United Stated Department of Agriculture, Soil
Conservation Service, Raleigh, N.C., December, 1971.
N. C, Department of Administration. North Carolina State Government Statistical
Abstract, Second Edition, Raleigh, 1973.
N.C. Department of Administration, Profile of North Carolina Counties, Raleigh
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N. C., March 1975.
N. C. Land Policy Council, A Land Policy for North Carolina, Raleigh, 1976,
N. C. Department of Natural $ Economic Resources, Rules, Regulations, Classifica-
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Dii ion of Environmental Management, Raleigh, 1976,
N. C. Department of Natural & Economic Resources. Washington Park and Recreation
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Rodman, W. C. Comprehensive Water and Sewer Study: Beaufort County, N.C. W, C.
Rodman --Land Surveying and Civil Engineering, Washington, N.C. 1971.
Sharpe, Bill.- A New Geography of North Carolina,' Vol. IV, (Raleigh, N.C.:
Sharpe Publishing Company Inc 1965
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Department of Agriculture, Soil ConservationService, Descriptions of Soil
Associations, Beaufort County (U.S. Government Printing Office, 1971).
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(PC(1)C35NC) General Social and Economic Characteristics . United States
U. S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, 1970 Census of Po ulation
General Population Characteristics. (PC(1)BBSNC , Unite State-s Goverment
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U. S. Water Resources Council. OBERS Projections, Series E, Bureau of the
Census, Washington, D. C., 1972.
VEPCO. City of Washington and Beaufort County, North Carolina: An Economic
Study, Virginia Electric and Power Company of Willzamston, N.C., 1964
0

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Wilkinson, Richard P. and R. Paul Darst. Critical Areas of North Carolina,
N.C. Department of Administration, RaleIgF-,—N—.-c—,lD72,
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Raleigh, N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, 1962.
Woodhouse, W. W., E.D. Seneca and S. W. Broome. Marsh Building with Dredge
Spoils in North Carolina: Coastal Engineering Research Center, et. al.
Raleigh, 1970,
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This report was financed in part by the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration and the State of
North Carolina, and meets the requirements
of the North Carolina Coastal Area
Management Act of 1974.

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V1. C. DEPT. OF NATURAL
PESOURCES & M"A.M. DEV.

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