Land Use Plan Update-1986-1995

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Division of Coastal Management
NEW HMOVER LAND < USE PLAN UPDATE
1986 - 1995
POLICIES I OR GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
Approved by New Hanover County Hoard of Comraissioners.October 20, 1986
Preliminary approval by Wilmington City Council September 23, 1986
Revised: November 1, 1986 (Draft)
Approved by Coastal Resources Commissioner January 23, 1987
For use by New Hanover County
The preparation of this document was financed
in part through a grant provided by the North
Carolina Coastal_ management Program, through
funds provided by the Coastal Zone Management
Act of 1972, as amended, which is
administered by the O4. — of Ocean and.
Coastal Resource management, National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration.
V.

D
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
REFERENCE INDEX
INTRODUCTION
2
Land Use Planning Process
3
a
The Technical Reports
5
D
LAND USE PLANNING ISSUES
Transportation
17
17
Environmental Issues
19
Urban Design
21
a
Density Control and Development Costs
22
Economic Growth
24
POLICIES
25
Q
Resource Protection Policies
26
General
26
Natural Resource Constraints on Development
Protection of CAMA Defined AEC' s
27
28
Potable Water Supply
29
Other Fragile or Hazardous Areas
30
a
Historic and Cultural Resources
31
Resource Production and Management Policies
32
General
32
Agricultural and Forestry Resources
33
Mineral Resources
33
Recreation and Open Space
34
.Fisheries Resources
Off -Road Vehicle
35
35
Energyy Conservation
35
Economic and Community Development Policies
37
General
38
Residential Development
39
Commercial Development
40
Industrial Development _
41
Transportation
43
Capital Facilities and Community Services
44
Urban Design and Other Policies
Public Participation Policies
45
46
Storm Hazard Mitigation, Evacuation,
48
and Recovery Policies
GROWTH MANAGEMENT GUIDE
50
Purpose
50
Land Classes
50
Land Classification Map
56
AMENDING THE PLAN
57
MAPS 1. Land Classification Map
Envelope
P
2. Existing Land Use
on back
3. Potential Hurricane Flood in
New Hanover County
a
i

REFERENCE INDEX
In an effort to interrelate the format of the
1986 Land Use Plan
Li
U
Update with State Land Use -Planning Guidelines established in the N.C.
Administrative Code, Subchapter 7B, this Reference
Index has been
produced. As has been previously stated, the 1986
Wilmington -New
Hanover Land Use Plan Update consists of Technical
Reports, along with
this Policies for Growth and Development document.
The purpose of the
index, therefore, is to facilitate the cross-referencing of State Land
Use Planning Guidelines with 1986 Land Use Plan Update Policies and
Technical Reports.
a
The table below provides an outline of the State.Land
Use
Planning Guidelines issues which are relevant to the
Wilmington -New
Hanover County Planning Area. Beside each issue are
the Technical
Report(s) reference (e.g., T.R. #2) or Policies for
Growth and
Development page number.listing (e.g., 30-36) which.contains a
discussion of that issue. This table should serve
to simplify the use
of this document for both technical'and.non-technical readers.
REFERENCE INDEX
LAND USE PLAN
STATE PLANNING GUIDELINE
REFERENCE
a
A. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
1. Existing Population and _Economy
2. Existing Land Use
T.R. #1, 2
T.R. #3A, 3B
3. Current Plans, Policies
T.R. #5
4. Land Suitability Constraints
T.R. #8
a
5. Capacity of Community Facilities
T.R. #4
6. Population Projections
T.R. #1
7..,._Economic Projections
T.R..#2
8. Future Land Use Needs
T.R. #3A, 3B, 9
a
9. Community Facilities
T.R. #4
B. POLICIES AND IMPLEMENTATION PROCEDURES
1. Resource Protection
26-31
a. Constraints to Development
27
b. Hazardous/Fragile Land Areas
30-32
c. Hurricane/Flood. Evacuation Needs and
Plans 27
d. Potable Water Supply Protection
30
e. Package Treatment Plants
28-29
(')
f . Stormwater Runoff
28-29
U
g. Marina and Floating Home Development
28-29
h. Industrial Impacts on Fragile Lands
30
i. Estuarine System Islands
28-29
:j....:Maritime.For.ests
Preserved under
Conservation
Overlay District
(�
of County Zoning
LJ
Ordinance

2.
Resource Production and Management
32-36
a.
Productive Agricultural Lands
33
b.
Commercial Forest Lands
33
c.
Mineral Production Areas
33
d.
Fisheries
35
e.
Off -Road Vehicles
35
f.
Recreation and Open Space
34
g.
Energy Conservation
35
3.
Economic and Community Development
37-45
a.
Types and Locations of Industries-
b.
Service Provision
44-45
c.
Desired Urban Growth Patterns_
45, 50-56
d.
Redevelopment
40-41
e.
Channel Maintenance and Beach Nourishment
27
f.
Energy Facility Siting and Development
33-34, 42
g.
Tourism and Waterfront Access
34, 41-42
h.
Residential Development
39-40
A.
Continuing.,.Public Participation
46-47
a.
Public Education
46-47
b.
Public Participation
46-47
5.
Storm Hazard Mitigation, T.R. #7 and
Post -Disaster Recovery
48
and Evacuation Plans
a.
Composite Hazards Maps
T.R. #7
b.
Hazard Area Land Use
T.R. #7
c.
Risk Evaluation
T.R. #7
d.
Hazard Mitigation
48
e.
Post -Disaster Reconstruction Plan
48
f.
Evacuation Plan
T.R. #7
Development and Coordination
C. LAND CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
1. Land Classes 50-55
-2. Landz Classification Map 56
D. MAPS
1. Land Classification Map Envelope
2. Existing Land Use on back
3. Potential Hurricane Flood in cover
New Hanover County

a
INTRODUCTION
WILMINGTON-NEW HANOVER LAND USE PLAN
The 1974 Coastal Area,Management Act (LAMA) required the
-establishment of -a cooperative program of coastal land management
between local governments and the State of North Carolina for
preparing, adopting and enforcing local land use plans.
The Wilmington -New Hanover Land Use Plan is an official public
document adopted by the Wilmington City Council and New Hanover County
Commissioners as,a set of long-range, general guidelines for local
decision -making. The Land Use Plan is also officially adopted by the
State and is utilized by regional, State and Federal agencies in the
Dpreparation of coastal area plans and programs.
The Plan is.designed to provide substantial guidance to City and
County officials in the preparation of development plans, programs,;
regulations and incentives. The Plan also communicates local
government policies to interested citizens and organizations.
While the Plan is not law in the sense of an ordinance, it is
adopted, amended and updated by formal action of the City Council, the
County Commissioners, and the N. C. Coastal Resources Commission.
This plan represents the second update to the original
Wilmington -New Hanover CAMA Land Use Plan which was adopted by the
City Council and County Commissioners in 1976. The first update to
this original Plan occurred in 1981, in accordance with the five year
update cycle mandated by State regulations. As with the original Plan
and the previous Update, this Land Use Plan Update consists of two
primary parts (1) Technical Reports; and (2) Policies for Growth and
Development.
a The Technical Reports are eleven separate data inventory and
analysis documents which were produced independently of this Policies
for Growth and Development section. -These reports -contain -the
background information and statistical basis from which the policies
were produced. Much of the information required under State
guidelines for local land use plans is contained in the Technical
Reports. These reports are summarized in the following section of
(� this document, -and are cross-referenced with the State land use
planning guidelines in the Reference..Index (pp. 67 - 68)..
(� This document, Policies for Growth and Development, contains both
u official statements of policy and implementation directives necessary
to carry out the intent of these policy statements. Included with
a these policies and implementation procedures is a Land Classification
Map which provides a graphic statement of development policy for the
Planning Area. Also contained in this document is an analysis of the
major planning issues anticipated in the Planning Area, an inventory.
of the .public participation..measures ,utilized :in .the -formulation of
1..1 .
2

planning issues and policies, and an "implementation scorecard",
contained in a separate Appendix document, which outlines the steps
taken by the City and County which carry out the policies established
in the 1981 Update.
The'City and County, as -rapidly -growing coastal communities
intimately concerned with their future development, recognize both the
advantages and disadvantages of growth. Through adherence to the
policies and implementation procedures established herein, the City
and County can succeed in managing local development, rather than
being managed by that development.
LAND USE PLANNING PROCESS
As Figure 1 indicates, the land -use planning process, which has
occurred over a period of several years, contains several major steps.
The first step is data collection and analysis. The data used in the
development of this Update was obtained from numerous sources;
however, these data sources can be grouped into two general
categories: (1) Technical Reports and (2) Public Input. The
Technical Reports contain information gathered or"produced by the
planning staffs; this information is typically objective planning
information, such as population projections, economic forecasts, and
facility needs analyses. Public.Input, on the other hand, involves
perceptual data - how citizens feel about their community and what the
perceived community needs are. This generally subjective information
was gathered through surveys meetings and the Land Use Issues Week
forum (see Appendix A: Public Participation).
.Utilizing these two important information sources, the planning
staffs produced a preliminary draft Land Use Plan Update. This
preliminary draft received extensive -public scrutiny through public
hearings before the City Planning Commission, County Planning Board,
City Council, County Commissioners and through a series of public
meetings held as part of the Land Use Plan Month forum.
.:Modifications -to .the preliminary draft which .we_re suggested at
these meetings were then incorporated into a final draft Land Use Plan
Update and, after approval by the City Council and County
Commissioners, the draft was then forwarded to the Division of Coastal
Management, staff arm of the Coastal Resources Commission, for
circulation among agencies interested in reviewing the draft Plan.
After State agency reviews, the planning staffs incorporated State
comments into the Update. The final revision was considered and
adopted by the Wilmington City Council, New Hanover Board of County
Commissioners and N. C. Coastal Resources Commission at formal public
hearings,.thus replacing the 1981 Land Use Plan Update as the official
land use -planning guide for the Wilmington -New Hanover Planning Area.
P

CITY OF'WIL:NIINGTON =NEW HANOVERCOUNTY
Q
1986-1995
CAMA LAND USE PLAN UPDATE
PLANNING. PROCESS
PUBLIC
D
I NPUT..
L1
SURVEYS
MEETINGS
D
LAND USE
TECHNICAL
FaC1UTIES
ISSUES WEEK
PLANS
TECHNICAL
REPORTS
LAND USE
QUALITY
REPORTS
OF IFE
D
ECONOMY
ENVIRONMENT
PRELIMINARY DRAFT
FOPULv
LAND...0 SE.. PLAN
NEEDS
D
D
PUBLIC
REVIEW BY
PUBLIC
D
INPUT
LOCAL BOARDS INPUT
D
FI NAL DRA FT
LAND USE PLAN
D
D
STATE AGENCY
REVIEW
nn,
U
D
FINAL LAND USE PLAN
ADOPTED BY LOCAL
D
-.;BOARDS ::..AND-.N.C::COASTAL
RESOURCES COMMISSION
D
FIGURE 1
D
4

To #aoo
THE TECHNICAL REPORTS
a As previously mentioned eleven Technical
Reports were produced
P
as part of the 1986 Land Use Plan Update planning process. These
(� Technical Reports are summarized below; the entire text of each
41 Technical Report maybe obtained from -the City Department of Planning
and Development or the County Planning Department offices; primary
a sources for these texts are listed in parentheses -beneath each report
title. The New Hanover County Public Library has also received copies
of these Technical Reports for inclusion in the main and branch
n libraries'. reference sections.
U
TECHNICAL REPORT NO. 1:
(� POPULATION STUDY OF NEW HANOVER COUNTY
(j (New Hanover County)
This Technical Report analyzes past and expected trends in the
population growth of New Hanover County. Projections of population,
both in total population growth and in selected population
characteristics, are also provided -in the Report.
DA summary of some of this information is provided below.
�. Past Growth Trends
1) New Hanover experienced accelerating growth from 1950 to 1980.
The average annual growth rate increased from 1.3 percent for 1950-60
to 2.2 percent in 1970-80.
2) The 1980 Census indicates that the County's population increased
from 82,996 in 1970 to 103,471 in 1980. The County population in
1984, according to State estimates, was 110,139.
(� 3) Since 1950, the County's average annual growth rate has been
�j higher than the State's and presently is growing at one and a half
times ._the.-.5tate's.rate Consequently,,the.County's share of the total
State population is growing.
5

L�
Population Composition
1) Four major changes in the age structure of the County's
population are expected during the 1980's and 1990's.
A. The percentage of older adults (35 and older) in the
population is expected to increase significantly.
B. In the 1980's there will be a surge in the population of,
children aged 5 and under.
C.- There will be a marked decline of the teenage population as
a percentage of the total.
D. The population over 65 years of age will continue to
increase in the 1980's and 19901s; however, the increase
will be less dramatic than the 19701s. In the 19701s, the
Q number of persons 65 and over increased by 49.9 percent. In
the 1980 %. it is expected to increase by 39.24 percent,and,
... in ,the 1,9901s,, ._by ,21..15 percent. (These, -estimates take into
account migration changes.)
2) The County's average household size, which fell by.approximately
.75 persons over the past two decades, is expected to further decline
flto levels of 2.51-persons in 1990 and.2.38 persons in 2000.
Population Projections .
1) New Hanover County is expected to grow by 17,428 residents during
the 1980's with a projected total population of 120,899 in 1990. In
light of recent increases in employment, however, this projection may
be conservative.
2) Net in -migration will account for 65 to 70 percent of the
County's growth during the 1980's with the remaining growth being
u attributed to natural increases.
(� 3) Projected population growth for the 1980's represents an average
(1 rate of 1.5 percent; for the 1990's,-this growth rate is estimated to
be 1.3 percent.
Subarea Trends
1) New Hanover County's population majority shifted from the City of
Wilmington to the unincorporated area between 1970 and 1980.
2) Revitalization efforts and major annexations during the 1980's
(� should work to reverse Wilmington's decline in population.
3) The beach municipalities experienced slight population increases
during the 19701s. However, in the 1980's and 19901s, growth is
expected.to-accelerate as -the beach -communities will continue to enjoy
a building boom that began in the early 19801s.
M.

a
TECHNICAL REPORT NO. 2:
THE ECONOMY OF NEW HANOVER COUNTY
(New Hanover County)
(-) Technical Report No. 2: The Economy of New Hanover County,
provides-an`overview of'past and forecasted`'economic growth trends
for the Planning Area. A wide variety of economic data is
incorporated in this report, including primarily employment and work
force data for the various.industrial and commercial sectors of the
County.
Analysis of this information reveals the following major trends:
(1) New Hanover County is strengthening its role as the trade and
service center of southeastern North Carolina. Manufacturing
employment, however, is becoming less dominant.
(2) While manufacturing employment in New Hanover County since the
early 1960's has exhibited sporadic growth, non -manufacturing
employment (particularly trade and service industries) has.shown
steady, consistent growth.
(3.) In 1970, the County's non -manufacturing employment was only 69.6
percent of the total labor force compared to 78 percent for the
United States. By 1983, however, the County's non -manufacturing
employment had grown to 80%, nearly equal to 80.2 percent for the
United States.
(4) Total industrial employment (manufacturing and -non -manufacturing)
for the Planning Area has experienced significant growth between
1963 and 1984.
(5) New Hanover County's industries have demonstrated a higher growth
rate compared to growth trends for industries at the national
level, particularly for non -manufacturing industries.
TECHNICAL REPORT NO. 3A:
LAND USE ANALYSIS
(New Hanover County)
This Technical Report provides an inventory of existing land uses
in both unincorporated New Hanover County and the City of Wilmington.
Included with this inventory of existing land uses is a discussion of
the Management and Planning Information System (MAPS) currently under
development by the City and County. MAPS will be utilized in
developing, storing and -retrieving information from a shared,
integrated geographic data base for the Planning Area; its uses
include various mapping and geoprocessing tasks required for planning,
management, and utility projects.
A summary of 1985 land use information contained in this
Technical Report is provided below.
7

LMD
1985 Land
Use Summary
Statistics
for
the City
and Unincorporated County
City of
Unincorporated
---
Wilmington.
County
TOTAL
—Land-Use
.Acres
:%
-Acres %
Acres
%
Residential
5,471
39.9
28,009 62.3
33,480
57.1
Office and
1,417
.10.3
3,710 8.2,
:5 127
8.7
Institutional
r
U
Commercial
1,195
8.7
3,263 7.3
4,458
7.6
Transportation,
2,691
_ 19.6
2,0031 4.5
4,694
8.0
Utilities,
Communication
aIndustrial
1,264
9.2
.7,265 16.2
8,529
14.6
Recreation
-1 691
-12 3
660 -1:5
2 351
4.0
TOTAL
13,729
100.0
44,910 10000
58,639
100.0
DEVELOPMENT
Undeveloped, 6,192 - 51,221 - 57,413
Timber and
Agricultural
Water 511. 18,982 19,493
TOTAL 20,432 115,113 - 135,545 -
u 1Does.not include street and railroad rights -of -way.
A comparison of 1985 land use statistics with 1980 data indicates
that total developed land` -increased from°34 640'acres in 1980 to
58,639 acres in 1985. Although this increase may be overstated due
primarily to methodological differences between the two studies,.it
appears that increased development has occurred in all land use
categories. This increase is especially pronounced in residential, .
LJ commercial and office and institutional land uses.
TECHNICAL REPORT NO. 3B:
LAND USE SURVEY AND ANALYSIS
(City of Wilmington)
This Technical Report inventories existing land uses within the
r1 City of Wilmington and provides,an analysis of growth trends which can
8
D .

be ascertained from a comparison of existing (1985) land uses with
1980.1and uses charted in a similar survey. A general discussion of
the most important findings of this Technical.Report follows.
Annexation Areas A and B
Between 1980 and 198.5, the total area within the Wilmington
corporate limits has increased 31% from 14,068 acres to 20,431 acres.
This occurred primarily because of two significant annexations of
unincorporated, contiguous, urbanized neighborhoods:
Ut A. Southside and Pine Valley
B. Winter Park
These neighborhoods contain large areas of single family housing,
with some commercial, office/institutional, and recreation
development. Southside contains the new N.C. Ports Authority terminal
and several large industrial concerns.
Growth Trends
1. More than 2,000 acres of single family housing have been added
since 1980 due to Annexations A and B, an increase of 66% over 1980
single family acreage. Also, many homes in the Historic District have
(� been returned to single family use from previous use as multi -family
lj dwellings.
2. Over 400 acres of multi -family housing have been built within
Wilmington since 1980, an increase of 77% The growing popularity of
this type of housing primarily results from the increasing costs of
land and construction.
3. Office and institutional acreage has increased by 70% since 1980.
This indicates the growing importance of the service sector in the
(� local economy. However, the proportion of total developed land has
i.1 decreased slightly, due to the large single family acreage added in
Annexation: Areas .A.& B.
4. Commercial and retail uses continue to increase, as well as the
proportion of developed land which they occupy. Commercial recreation
has also substantially grown as a category of land use as golf
courses, a water slide, skating rink and other such establishments
were included in recently annexed areas. The growth of commercial
uses again reflects the increasing importance of the.local service
i1 sector.
5. Wholesale, warehousing and industrial development has doubled
since 1980. This increase is due to the addition of industrial areas
on the Southside near the shipping terminal as well as the growth of
industry and distribution facilities along North 23rd Street, near the
Airport.
6. ..Parks and active recreation declined in percentage due to the
addition of annexation areas which did not contain as large a
j� proportion of public•'park land as within the City.
9
Q

TECHNICAL REPORT NO. 4:
COMMUNITY FACILITIES STUDY
(City of Wilmington and New Hanover County)
The purpose of Technical Report No. 4: Community Facilities
-Study is to provide'a"bref-description of "the `key facilities and .
services.available in the City of Wilmington and New Hanover County.
Emphasis is placed on types of service, service area, existing and
proposed facilities available, labor involved, inventory of capital
equipment, and recent changes within each facility. Facilities
include City and County operations, and, in some instances, State
facilities. An overall assessment of these facilities and their
function will be helpful to community officials, planners and citizens
in the period of rapid growth and change which is underway in the
local area.
The following facilities are surveyed in this Technical Report.
- Fire and Emergency Protective Services
- Law Enforcement
- Sanitary Sewerage Systems
- Stormwater Drainage Systems
- Water Systems
- Refuse Collection and Disposal
(� - Streets and Roads
Lj - Street Lighting
- School System and Educational Institutions
Q - Transportation
- Health and Social Services
- Parks and Recreation'
- Library System and Cultural Facilities
Research Methods
Each applicable department or agency was contacted regarding each
facility listed above. Data was gathered through interviews with
„officials responsible for._.operation ,of that...particular-facility, .
reports and brochures prepared by the department or agency, maps of
appropriate locations and operations, and, in some instances, news
accounts of.that department or agency's operation.
a
TECHNICAL REPORT NO. 5A:
PLANS, POLICIES AND REGULATIONS
(City of Wilmington)
11
CAMA requires as part of the Land Use Plan Update the inclusion
of a report on local land use plans, policies and regulations. This
Technical Report summarizes plans, policies and regulations which the
City of Wilmington has adopted and utilizes to guide the physical
.. _..development.. and. ,redevelopment -of the City.
The following documents are summarized in this Technical Report:
10

1) Capital Improvement Program - The Capital Improvement
Program is an annual summary of the City's priority capital
projects needs and the work program, including expenditures,
necessary to meet these needs over the next five years.
2) Floodplain Management Regulations - Development within the
:` City' s'floodprone 'areas' is regulated by this document
adopted in 1978.
3) Historic District Regulations -.These regulations adopted in
1983 establish standards for construction and alteration of
structures within the City's Historic District in order to
preserve the character of the area.
4) Land Use Plan: 1981 Update - The 1981 Wilmington -New
Hanover Land Use Plan Update is an official public document
adopted by the City Council and County Commissioners,to
guide the long-range development of the City and. County.
5) Master Annexation Plan - This plan updated in 1982, examines`
the feasibility of annexing several developed areas in the
vicinity of the City.
6) Master Plan: Parks, Recreation and Open Space - This 1976
plan provides guidelines for the acquisition of open space.
'lands and'for'the"construction of recreational facilities
within the City and New Hanover County. The City is
currently updating their plan.
7). Minimum Housing Code - This set of regulations, adopted in
1981, provides the standards necessary to insure safe,
sanitary and decent housing for the citizens of the City.
8) Riverwalk Improvement Plan - This 1984 plan outlines a
program of improvements to achieve a continuous walkway
along the Cape Fear River in the City's downtown area.
9) Riverfront Plan - This plan, adopted in 1982, recommends a
program of redevelopment and full utilization of the City's
waterfront.
10) Short -Range Transit Plan - This 1983 Wilmington Transit Plan
outlines a five year public transportation program for the
City.
11) Subdivision Regulations - This 1979 ordinance regulates the
subdivision of Land ,.within . the .City.
12) Thoroughfare Plan - This 1972 plan, currently being updated,
provides guidelines for the development of local
transportation improvements.
13) Water and Sewer Line Extension Policies - These policies,
adopted in 1981, establish standards and financing
requirements for water and sewer extensions inside and
outside the City limits.
14) Zoning Regulations - The City's zoning regulations,
substantially updated in 1984, provide standards for land
use patterns with the City in order to insure the most
appropriate use of land.
This Technical Report does not contain the entire text of the
plans, policies and regulations listed but provides the reader with an
..out line -that -sets, forth.._the , title, , .statement of purpose, statement of
summary and date of.official adoption. For those needing more
detailed information, an appendix at the end of the report provides a
list of City offices where the entire text of each document may be
found.
11

TECHNICAL REPORT NO. SB:
A SUMMARY OF PLANS, POLICIES, AND REGULATIONS
IN NEW HANOVER COUNTY
(New Hanover County)
The purpose of this Technical Report is to provide summaries
describing_ County plans, policies and regulations that have some
effect on the land use planning process utilized by the County. Each
summary gives the purpose, principal features, and availability of the.
document.
The following plans, policies, and regulations are summarized in
this report:
(1) Capital Improvement Program (CIP) - The CIP determines when,
where, and how the County will spend funds for capital
projects involving public buildings and schools, utilities,
transportation and recreation.
(2) Floodplain Management..Regulations of.New Hanover County -
These regulations govern development within floodplains.
(3)
. Wilmington -New Hanover County Land Use Plan -.This Plan
establishes general policies for growth and development in
the County.
(4)
Master Plan: Parks, Recreation and Open Space - This Plan
j�
analyzes park requirements for the County.
(5)
Thoroughfare Classification Plan - This document inventories
and classifies major roads in the unincorporated County
based on their design and traffic counts.
(6)
Wilmington Area Thoroughfare Transportation Plan - This plan
establishes regional priorities for future road expansions
and improvements for the greater Wilmington area.
(7)
New Hanover County Sewer Plan and Extension Policies - These
(.j
plans and policies set forth the phasing of and requirements_
for construction of the County sewer system.
(8)
New Hanover County Zoning Ordinance - The Zoning Ordinance
regulates density and types of land uses in th
unincorporated County.
(9)
New Hanover County Subdivision Regulations - These
regulations specify the requirements for the subdivision of
j�
land and the construction of roads.
(10)
New _Hanover County Mobile Home and Travel Trailer Park
Ordinance - This ordinance lists the improvements needed to
deve]:op a mobile home or trailer, -park.
(11).
New Hanover County Sedimentation and Erosion Control
U12

L
Ordinance - Any development disturbing more than one acre of
ground must comply with these grading and drainage
requirements.
TECHNICAL REPORT NO. 6:
HOW WILMINGTON STACKS UP
(City of Wilmington)
Using.Rand McNally's Places Rated Almanac, the Wilmington
Metropolitan Area (defined as New Hanover County) was compared with
five other urban areas in North Carolina which compete with it for
business firms, workers, educators,.and tourist clientele: Asheville,`
Charlotte -Gastonia -Rock Hill, Fayetteville, Greensboro -Winston
Salem -High Point.., and Raleigh -Durham. In addition, comparisons were
made with four urban areas along the southeastern coast of the United
States which also compete with Wilmington: Charleston, SC;
LJ Jacksonville, FL; Norfolk -Virginia Beach -Newport News, VA.and
Savannah, GA. These comparisons are valuable in helping the City .and
County recognize community strengths. and -weaknesses:
Some aspects of these comparisons are summarized below.
P P
(� Population
Wilmington's 1970-80 growth rate of 25% was second only to
Raleigh -Durham area within the State. Among the surveyed coastal
areas only Charleston had a higher rate.
n Housing
In 1980, nearly three quarters of Wilmington's housing stock were
single family homes; other coastal metropolitan areas had a higher
percentage of apartments than did Wilmington. Within cities
considered in North Carolina, only the Raleigh -Durham area had a
..signif.icantly...lower percentage of..single-.familyhomes.. Among.surveyed
coastal urban areas, only Savannah had a higher percentage of homes
built before 1940_than Wilmington.
Housing Costs
Wilmington and Savannah had the lowest rent among the surveyed
coastal cities. Within North Carolina, Wilmington.has rents equal to
those in the Greensboro area and slightly higher than those in
Asheville.
The average price of a single family home in Wilmington ranks in.
the middle, compared with both surveyed coastal and North Carolina
metropolitan areas. Wilmington's property taxes are the lowest among
the coastal cities; within the State, Fayetteville and Asheville both
have,slightly.lower-taxes.
13

Economics
.Income and the number of jobs available in Wilmington, about
average for metropolitan areas within the State, was somewhat lower
than the other coastal areas
Percentage of Wilmington family income consumed by income and
sales taxes, about average when compared with other surveyed State
cities, was the largest among the surveyed coastal cities because
average family incomes are smaller.
Total housing costs in Wilmington are 82% of the national
average, less than any of the surveyed coastal cities except
Jacksonville, Florida (79%). Within the State, Wilmington ranked just
higher than Asheville (81%) and Fayetteville (75%).
Other living costs in IWilmington (such as health care) are 98% of
the national average, less than the other coastal cities considered,
but higher than any surveyed North Carolina city except
Greensboro -Winston Salem.
Education
Wilmington has the lowest percentage of its elementary and
secondary students attending private schools (7%), and the highest
pupil/teacher ratio in the public schools (14.9) of any of the coastal
communities studied; dollars expended per pupil ranks second only to
Jacksonville, FL Among State cities, Wil.mington's spending in these
areas is about average.
A greater proportion of Wilmington's population is enrolled in
its 3 schools of higher education than in any of the surveyed
metropolitan areas except Raleigh -Durham.
rE
This Technical Report was produced and is presented in two parts:
Phase One - An Analvsis of Evacuation Capability and Vulnerabilitv to
and Phase Two - Hurr
Mitigation and Post -Disaster Reconstruction Plan. Phase One consists
of the Planning Area's Hurricane Evacuation Plan. Primary components
of this Plan include: (1) A hazard area map delineating the location
of various hurricane hazard areas, such as shorefront and low-lying
areas subject to flooding; (2) An analysis and assessment of the
vehicle handling capacity of the expected hurricane evacuation routes
and emergency shelter centers, given assumptions regarding forecasted
storm events; (3) Proposed alternatives and/or mitigation policies if
...the .evacuation . routes ...and_,shelter ..sites .,prove .to - be inadequate; ( 4 ) An
update of the operational elements of the existing Hurricane
Evacuation Plan prepared by the New Hanover County Civil Preparedness
.Agency; and (5) Promulgation of various evacuation instructions to the
public.
14

Phase Two consists of two main sections: (1) Storm Hazard
Mitigation Plan; and (2) Post -Disaster Reconstruction Plan.
Components of each of these two sections are summarized below.
Storm Hazard Mitigation Plan
a. Inventory and analysis of existing land uses and structures in
the hazard areas.
b. Economic risk assessment.
C. Hazard mitigation policies.
Post -Disaster Reconstruction Plan
a. Guidelines for.post-disaster reconstruction including the phasing
of damage assessment, temporary moratoria, and post -disaster
development. standards.
b.. Establishment of damage assessment teams and standards.
mL+nrrrTn*r nL+r�nnm wTn o.
• V .
ONSTRAINTS IN
NEW HANOVER COUNTY
(New Hanover County)
This Technical Report describes and discusses the environmental
resources and constraints that shape the.direction, type and rate of
growth in the County. Five major,topics of concern are covered in the
report: (1) Water resources; (2) Fragile areas; (3) Hazard areas; (4)
Soils; and (5) Resource potential areas.
Water resources in the Planning Area include both surface and
ground waters. This Technical Report outlines the various factors
which promote these water sources as important resources for the City
and County; the Report also identifies potential sources of pollution
for these water resources.
Fragile areas include a wide variety of wetland, estuarine and
unique habitat areas. These areas, their vulnerability, and their
importance to the Planning Area are identified and discussed in the
Report. Hazard areas are those portions of the County in which_
development would pose a danger to persons and property. This
Technical Report identified several types of hazard areas and
describes measures which have been or should be taken to protect the
public.
The Technical Report discussion on soils makes reference to the
Soil Conservation Service Classification system and its utility as a
development -siting tool. Discussion of resource potential areas
centers on inventory and protection of prime farmland, mineral sites
and public lands available for passive recreation.
15

NEW HANOVER CC
County)
. This Technical Report estimates the future land use needs of the
City of Wilmington and unincorporated New Hanover County for
industrial, commercial and residential land use types. Industrial and
regional trade growth, as measured by growth in employment, serves as
the basis for projecting future industrial and commercial land use
needs. Growth in population is used to forecast residential land use
requirements.
General trends charted in this Report for residential land
development indicate that: (1) Multi -family housing will provide an
increasingly larger share of new housing construction; (2) Mobile
homes will.continue to comprise.a significant share of the housing
market; (3) Infill and rehabilitation will account for important
additions to the City's housing stock; and (4) Anticipated locations
of new construction include the South 17th Street Extension Area, the
northeastern quadrant of the,City, and the Shipyard, Boulevard corridor
east of Carolina Beach Road.
For industrial and commercial development, this Report indicates
the following general.trends: (1) Commercial development will tend to
locate at major roadway intersections and along major roadways in a
"stripping" fashion, particularly along Market Street, College Road,
the I-40 interchanges, Eastwood Road, Oleander Drive and Carolina
Beach Road; and (2),Industrial development will be concentrated in the
northern and western areas of.the County, particularly at the N.C.
State Port, New Hanover County Airport, North 23rd Street, along the
Cape Fear River, US 421 corridor, and Landmark Industrial Park.

d 1\10 UfS
n LAND USE PLANNING ISSUES
INTRODUCTION --
j The most elementary step in the land use planning process is the
UU identification of the primary issues facing the Planning Area over the
time period to be covered by the plan. Through the identification of
major planning issues, a community determines its desired future. Due
to anticipated rapid growth, the primary issues facing the Planning
Area appear to involve some form of growth management. Growth
management takes a comprehensive approach to development control by
using public resources, such as the location of sewer facilities, to
direct growth. Utilization of growth management techniques allows the
community to provide a positive direction to development as it occurs,
(� rather than being forced into a position of reacting to such
( development after it occurs.
The primary sources of.information used in the issues
identification process for the 1986 Land Use Plan Update were the
Technical Reports and the public comments received through numerous
public meetings,'surveys and public hearings. Figure l-indicates how
each of these information sources were used in developing the Plan.
MAJOR LAND USE PLANNING ISSUES
Evaluation of professional and public concerns has resulted in
the identification of five issues of primary concern. Several of
these major issues were also major issues in the 1981 Land Use Plan
Update; however, certain aspects of these issues merit increased
examination in this Update. For instance, while concerns relating
strip commercial development and incompatible land use encroachment
U dominated the urban design discussion in the 1981 Update, such
discussion in this document has been broadened to include signage,
landscaping and other aesthetic issues, due to increased public
concern with these issues,
The :five primary .land .use...planning issues identified for this
1986 Update are:
- Transportation
Environmental Issues
Urban Design
Density Control and Development Costs.
Economic Growth
LL These issues are discussed in greater detail below.
to
Transportation
A land use planning issue which has substantially increased in
importance since the 1981 Land Use Plan Update is transportation. The
.rapid growth --which ..has .occur.red .in the-2.1anning Area has --resulted in
increased traffic congestion. The increased traffic load, and the
growth which caused it, have created the following problems. These
D problems will be compounded by the completion of I-40, an interstate
highway currently under construction, -which will link the Planning
Area with heavily -populated east -central North Carolina.
U
17

0
- Increased Congestion Planning Area roadways have e become-
morcongested; this higher level of use leads to traffic
delays and hazards.
- Through Traffic on Neighborhood Streets - As the main roads"
become more difficult to drive on due to increased traffic
volumes, drivers tend to seek short-cuts through existing
residential neighborhoods, increasing the traffic load on
neighborhood streets.
New Development and Driveway Hazards New development along
area roadways has resulted both in additional traffic and in
additional driveway intersections. These have further
r increased congestion and hazards.
�-' The ultimate solution to these problems is a comprehensive
program of transportation improvements requiring coordination between
local, State and Federal agencies. Because such programs generally
require large capital expenditures, right-of-way acquisitions,
detailed design studies and public hearings, major relief of area
traffic problems over the short-term is not anticipated these are
a long-range solutions requiring substantial time periods to accomplish.
Short-range solutions which can be more easily effected involve
various relatively minor improvements to existing streets, including
improved signalization and parking, a better permit system for
driveway intersections, and minor street widening efforts.
Regulations which would insure an improved link between permitted land
uses and traffic facility improvements are also a major component of
these improvement efforts.
Improvements can also be made to the public transportation
,services and facilities available in the Planning Area in order to
provide short.and long range solutions to the transportation problems.
These improvements can reduce reliance on the single occupant
automobile as the area's dominant transportation mode, thereby serving
to reduce congestion on area roadways. Public roadway transportation
in the --study area -includes fixed schedule.bus-:service, van and" car
pools, scheduled and demand responsive services for special groups and
the general public, such as taxicabs.
Long-range solutions generally involve major road construction
projects. The Transportation Advisory Committee, which serves as the.
primary transportation planning body for the.Planning Area, has
adopted the following major roadway improvements, listed in order of.
priority.
(1). Smith Creek Parkway/Downtown Spur - This new four -lane .
expressway, which would link US 421 on the west with US 17
on the east, would significantly reduce through traffic
pressure on Market Street, the major east -west thoroughfare
in the Planning Area.
(2) NC 132.Widening - Four-laning this existing two lane
facility between Shipyard Boulevard and*US 421 will provide
a four lane north -south roadway link between I-40 and
rapidly -growing southern New Hanover County.
18

0
it
0
(3) Improvements to South Front Street between the Cape Fear
Memorial Bridge and Burnett Boulevard - Improvements to the
major street in this area will improve the existing truck
route between the State Ports Authority and highways
carrying truck traffic to other parts of the State and
nation.
(4) Outer Loop - This project, designed to be developed in two
major phases, is intended to improve traffic conditions in
the rapidly -growing periphery areas of the City of
Wilmington and the Town of Wrightsville Beach.
Environmental Issues
a Environmental issues can be categorized as dealing with water,
land, or air resources. There have been few changes in the main
issues regarding these environmental categories since the 1981 Land
n Use Plan Update.
(1) Water resource issues - Water resource issues can be further
broken down into e-surface.water 'issues `and 'groundwater issues.
a. Surface water - The most visible environmental issue
facing the County and City is the protection of surface
water quality. The County's waters have been
responsible for providing recreation opportunities and
an attractive living environment for residents,
supporting the tourism industry, and providing a
valuable source of shellfish and finfish. Growth in.
the County, however, has impacted the use of these
waters in the following ways:
1. Non -point pollution - Non -point pollution results,
from developed areas, where stormwater runoff from
impervious surfaces washes wastes,.sediments,
oils, and other pollutants into the estuarine
waters. __In;,addition,,._runoff of. freshwater from
developed areas decreases salinity levels in the
estuaries and decreases finfish and shellfish
reproduction. These issues have generated
considerable controversy at the State level in
recent years. Although the N. C. Environmental
Management Commission has recently adopted runoff
regulations, this issue will likely rise again.
2. Malfunctioning septic tanks - Poorly designed and
overloaded septic tanks have contributed
significantly to the pollution of the estuarine
system, requiring the closing of productive
shellfish beds. The recent creation of a
County -wide sewer system, however, should
.,eliminate . this . source -of :pollution.
3. Point -source discharges - The control of point
source discharges (e.g., package treatment plants
for subdivisions) has recently emerged as a local
19

issue. Questions have also arisen the adequacy of
the State's permitting and water classification
system that helps determine where discharges may
be permitted.
Package treatment plants are generally small
versions of large municipal plants that provide
primary, secondary, and tertiary sewage treatment.
Package treatment plants, however, have several
disadvantages. one, they are often unattended or
operated by inadequately trained personnel which
means that a malfunction may result in significant
pollution before it can be corrected. Two, proper
disposal of sludge from package plants may be a
problem. Three, it is difficult for public
agencies to effectively monitor numerous and
dispersed package plants. Four, the knowledge
that package plants may discharge at numerous
locations can create negative psychological
impacts on recreational and other users of the
estuarine waters. It is important to note that
the City of Wilmington sewage treatment plants for
the Planning Area are rated by the State as Class
IV, which is the highest level in the State
classification system. These plants are
continuously monitored by trained personnel, are
designed for sufficient capacity, and discharge at
only two central locations.
4. Public water access - T
County has created a gr
access to the Countv's
waters. This growth, h
out traditional public
made public acquisition
he increased growth in the
eater demand for public
estuarine system and ocean
owever, has tended to crowd
water access points and has
s of waterfront property
for access very expensive.
b. Ground water - The public has voiced considerable
concern over the potential for pollution of groundwater
in New Hanover County. Presently, nearly all residents
in the unincorporated County are served by individual
or community groundwater wells. With the exception of
groundwater pollution in Flemington, no widespread
incidents of pollution have occurred. Although several
instances of industrial pollution have occurred, they
have been adequately contained and present no
significant threat to residences. Very few incidents
of well closure from the intrusion of septic wastes
have occurred.
The potential for pollution
Presently, the County has no
handling of toxic wastes or
relying on State and Federal
the problem of contamination
does exist, however.
regulations governing the
toxic materials, instead
regulations. In addition,
from underground fuel
a20

U
(� tanks may arise as old tanks corrode and begin to leak.
LJ Approximately five instances per year of underground
tank leakage have been detected in the County, although
a no wells have yet been closed, according to the NC
Department ..of Natural...Rescurces ;and Community
Development. It is important to note, as described in
a previous County study, New Hanover County Aquifier--
Management Program, that a portion of the northern part
of the County is particularly susceptible to pollution
due to nearly exposed rock formations.
a(2) Land resource issues - Although many land resource issues,
such as tree -retention, are covered under other issue
discussions, two specific land resources issues of concern
D are drainage and trash dumping.
a. Drainage - Drainage in the County has long been
considered necessary primarily to allow septic tanks to
function properly and to reduce flooding on the drained
land. -Drainage, however, -of one- parcel may -.:cause
(� increased flooding downstream. In addition, drainage
may dry up valuable wetlands and release sediment and
pollutants downstream. The County presently has no
comprehensive drainage regulations.
b. Trash dumping - A number of areas in the County have
been plagued by illegal landfills for construction
debris and by dumping of residential trash along
highways. -A significant contribution to this problem
is likely the absence of a publicly operated or
G franchised mandatory trash pick-up system in the
unincorporated County. Individual homeowners, instead,
are responsible for their own trash disposal.
(3) Air Quality - Air quality in the County is generally good,
compared to many other urban areas. Primarily, traffic has
not`yet'reached the'point where vehicle emissions create a
�. widespread danger. Nuisance odors from industries,
including those outside of County limits, likely will
continue to be a problem.
Urban Design
Like transportation, urban design issues have also increased in
prominence since the 1981 Land Use Plan Update. Primary concerns
expressed in that Update were the provision of adequate setbacks and.
buffers to separate more intense land uses from less intense land
uses, and the creation and adoption of regulations which would serve
to discourage strip commercial development along area roadways and
(� encourage infill development in areas having existing public services.
U This initial concern for functional, aesthetically -pleasing
development has since been broadened to include signage, landscaping,
tree protection, and other issues. This deepening of concern for
aesthetics is common to many prosperous, rapidly -growing areas. Loss
21

of significant amounts of natural vegetation and open space to
development, along with increased population density and corresponding
land use compatibility problems, generally result in a desire to
attempt to retain the "quality of life" the area holds for its
residents.
. The..,.challenge.--.for .planners -therefore involves the development of
regulations and incentives which promote development types that are
sensitively -designed so as to blend well with their natural and
developed surroundings while simultaneously serving to direct more
intense development into locations in which public infrastructure is
readily available. Public infrastructure is a term referring to the
a public services requiring large capital investments in physical
structures, facilities and equipment. Examples of infrastructures
include streets, sewer systems, water systems, drainage, buildings,
n fire trucks and similar items
The following urban design issues received emphasis in the 1986
Land Use Plan Update.
Re-examination of existing signage regulations.
- Development -of improved landscaping -and, ,t-r-ee protection
ordinances
Improving interagency coordination with regard to land use
compatibility.
Development of improved buffering and site design standards
to allow intermingling of marginally compatible land uses.
Multiple and adaptive reuse of historic resources in order
to promote the preservation of such resources.
Discouragement of strip commercial development through
zoning and site design standards.
Development of detailed land use maps and standards which
direct the location of appropriate development types and
intensities in aesthetically -significant areas.,
Density Control and Development Costs
The control of density and the equitable assignment of the costs
-associated with development'are two-separate=but interrelated concerns
which are considered herein as a single planning issue.. The 1981 Land
Use Plan Update examined these concerns in terms of efficient public
service provision to development and the protection of the
environmental quality and natural resources of the Planning Area which
could be threatened by overly dense or inappropriately -located
development. This Plan continues to emphasize these concerns, as
discussed in the Growth Management Guide (see pp. 59 - 65.).
Dense development may have a negative impact on the estuarine
system and other sectors of the coastal environment. As discussed
under environmental issues, development contributes to non -point
pollution runoff if stormwater is not adequately managed. Dense
development may also create the need for package treatment plants
which, if undersized or improperly operated, contribute significantly
to'pollution"of-the area'sIwaters. It should'be noted that 70% of the
registered voters in the Planning Area, based on the IOR survey
22

a
described in Appendix A, agree with the statement that "There are too
amany townhouses and condominiums and other dense development along the
creeks and sounds."
a The efficient and economic provision of urban services, such as
sewers, is hampered if dense -development -is al -lowed -to -occur without
control throughout the Planning Area. The provision of urban services
Q can be viewed as the opposite of rural self-sufficiency. An urban
service can be classified as to whether it requires a great deal of
fixed capital infrastructure, such as a sewer system, or involves
primarily operating costs, such as police services. Urban services
Q may also be classified as being either publicly provided or privately
provided.
D Generally speaking, the need for urban services increases with
increases in density. Dense development, for instance, cannot rely.on
individual septic systems but must instead utilize a central sewer
a system. It becomes critical, therefore, to insure that the density
and timing of development is coordinated with the provision of urban
services. Sewer, police, fire, water, and adequate roads are.some
'major'urban'services that"must`be available for -dense -,development. It
is generally not economically for the public to extend services such
as sewer lines all over the Planning Area to serve scattered.
development.
U In order to insure that urban services are provided economically,
dense development should only be allowed.as provided for in the Growth
` a Management Guide (pp. 59 - 65), Generally, the cost of providing
services for a development in an urban area is lower than it would be
if the same development is allowed to occur in rural areas.
Consequently, density should generally not be allowed to increase in
rural areas except where such density is environmentally acceptable
and the costs of providing urban services are borne by the
beneficiaries of such development. Conversely, density should be
11 encouraged in urban areas where appropriate.
who,; should -.Pay, for, the ,provision ..of urban .services :.:to dense
development? This question -has been answered by more and more
communities in recent years in the following manner: Those who
benefit from the required extensions of or improvements to these
services should foot the bill. It is increasingly regarded as
a inequitable that long-time residents must contribute.to the costs of
growth which do not directly benefit them.
The method utilized by many communities to equitably assign urban
service provision costs to new development is the impact fee. Impact
fees which are designed and managed to accurately reflect true urban
service costs created by new development have been supported by public
opinion and the judicial system. These fees can be utilized to
recover the public costs incurred from the provision of a single urban
n service or from the provision of an entire spectrum of urban services
Uto.new,.development,.,. ngluding,streets,-,.sewers,.drainage improvements,
police and fire protection, schools, and other public services. By
equitably assigning these costs through impact fees, the community
ainsures that new development "pays its own way."
0 23

It is important to note that dense development, if properly
controlled and its costs properly assigned,.is a valuable form of
development. Dense development can allow for efficient provision of
urban services if kept clustered around an existing urban area.
Through.impact.fees, dense development can_be.equitably accommodated
in areas which could previously support only non -urban development,
thus allowing a more efficient utilization of developable land. In
addition, dense development in one area may allow for retention of
open space and for environmental protection in more sensitive areas.
Economic Growth
The economic growth of the Planning Area continues to be a major
planning issue, with the 1986 Land Use Plan Update serving to refine
and advance the programs and -policies established in the 1981 Update.
.Most local indicators of economic growth provide a positive outlook
for the area through the planning horizon.
The completion of I-40 in the early 1990's will provide a
significant boost_ to local industries:_and to, the. _S.tate _Ports
Authority, since transportation of raw materials and finished products
will be improved. Planned expansion of the New Hanover County. Airport
will continue to diversify the area transportation facilities. Recent
and anticipated location of new industries and commercial enterprises
in the area also add to the diversification of the local economic
base, an important means by which the area can.be insulated from
periodic recessions. Efforts to improve tourism in the Planning Area,
ranging from improvements to local shorefront access facilities to
promotion of the local historic resources to major cultural and
recreational festivals, have been increasingly successful in recent
years.
. In order to encourage the continuance of these positive economic
trends, regulations and incentives must be developed to mitigate the
negative and accentuate the positive aspects of economic growth.
There is widespread public desire for industries and commercial
.enterprises ,.which.iare "clean":,.:.provide :higher !paying and. higher
skilled.job opportunities, and which complement the area's natural
resources and existing land uses.
24

D
POLICIES
u INTRODUCTION
DThe -following sections of;the 1986,.sand,Use Plan.Update present
policies and implementation procedures to guide the growth and
development of the County and City for the next five to ten years.
(� These policies are official guidelines set down.for present and future
decision -making. They are broad in scope to allow the degree of
flexibility necessary to adequately accommodate changing conditions in
the rapidly growing planning area. Implementation procedures are
specific directives as to how the policies are to be enacted and
achieved.
The.following groups of policies are established:
(1) Resource Protection Policies
D (2) Resource Production and Management Policies
(3) Economic and.Community Development Policies
(4) Public Participation.Pol.c.ies
D(5) Storm Hazard Mitigation, Evacuation, and Recovery Policies
The discussion on each group of policies is divided into two
sections. The first section examines the policies established in the
1981 Land Use Plan Update and their adequacy to meet present and
future conditions. The second section establishes policies and
implementation.procedures for the 1986 Land Use Plan Update.
U
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D .
25

RESOURCE PROTECTION
INTRODUCTION
The natural; resources "of.the Planning Area have certainly been
key determinants in shaping the pattern of its growth. These
resources have simultaneously stimulated the growth of the.economy and
provided an attractive living and recreational environment while
constraining growth due to various environmental limitations.
PAST POLICIES AND PRESENT ISSUES
The public participation efforts involved in the preparation of
this Land Use Plan Update have re-established several major resource
protection issues that were addressed in the 1981 Land Use.Plan
Update. These include:
Protection of the estuarine Areas.of Environmental Concerns
(AEC's) from pollution and intense development.
Mini mization- of_ .po.tential„ endangerment. --: to, shoreline
development caused by storms and beach erosion.
Analysis of man-made threats, (e.g. hazardous wastes) to the
community's resources, particularly groundwater.
As evidenced by Appendix B: Implementation Scorecard, the City
and County have been effective in establishing measures to implement
the policies of the 1981 Land Use Plan Update. The rapid growth of
.the Planning Area, however, has continued to make these and other
issues highly visible to local residents. Concern over estuarine
pollution and related"shellfish bed closings was a major factor
"leading to the development of a County -wide sewer system to eliminate
septic tank pollution. Package treatment plant discharges into the
County's waters have recently emerged as a major issue. The concern
expressed for these and other issues is considered more fully in
Appendix A: Public Participation.
­RESOURCE•-�•PROTECTIOW POLICIES
a
1.0 GENERAL RESOURCE PROTECTION POLICY.
a1.0(1) PRESERVE, PROTECT, AND AUGMENT THE AREA'S IMPORTANT
NATURAL RESOURCES.
a
1.1 NATURAL RESOURCE CONSTRAINTS ON DEVELOPMENT POLICIES
a1.1(1) DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES IN OCEAN ERODIBLE AREAS, HIGH
HAZARD FLOOD AREAS, AND INLET HAZARD AREAS SHALL BE
CAREFULLY CONTROLLED. IF DEVELOPMENT MUST OCCUR IN THESE
", -AREAS, T THE--.PROPERLOLOCATION AND -DESIGN OF SHORELINE
STRUCTURES AND THE PRESERVATION OF NATURAL PROTECTIVE
FEATURES SHALL BE REQUIRED:
a "
a 26

D
1.1(2)
BARRIER ISLANDS WHICH HAVE THE FOLLOWING FIVE
D
CHARACTERISTICS SHALL BE DEVELOPED ONLY FOR WATER DEPENDENT
USES SUCH AS PLEASURE BOAT DOCKS AND LANDINGS; THEY SHALL
NOT BE DEVELOPED.FOR RESIDENTIAL USE:
a. The land is a barrier island or part of a barrier
island with a density equal to or less than one
residential unit per five acres.
b. The barrier island area has been assigned the most
severe rank with regard to vulnerability to hurricane
forces.
c. The barrier.island area is not connected to the
mainland by a permanent network of roads and bridges
D
that would allow.safe and timely evacuation by land
rather than by boat.
d. The barrier island area does not qualify for the
National Flood Insurance Program as administered by the
Federal Emergency Management Agency.
e. The barrier island area is classified as Conservation
in the Land Use Plan.
D
1.1(3)
DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES WITHIN THE 100 YEAR FLOODPLAIN
SHALL BE CAREFULLY CONTROLLED; IF DEVELOPMENT MUST OCCUR,
LOW -INTENSITY USES SUCH AS OPEN SPACE, RECREATION, AND
AGRICULTURE SHALL BE PREFERRED.
D1.1(4) SHORELINE EROSION CONTROL AND CHANNEL MAINTENANCE
L1 PROJECTS SHALL BE SUPPORTED ONLY WHERE:
n a. No significant adverse impacts will occur on shoreline
U dynamics;
b. Significant economic or recreational benefits will
occur to planning area residents; and
C. Public shoreline will be the primary beneficiary.
1.1(5-) .-DEVELOPMENT.ON-CLASS-IV SOILS AS° -DEFINED IN-THE.1981
(� TECHNICAL REPORT, CLASSIFICATION OF SOILS IN NEW-HANOVER
COUNTY FOR SEPTIC TANK SUITABILITY, SHALL BE DISCOURAGED.
DImplementation Procedures
1. State standards for development in ocean hazard areas shall
Un continue to receive support.
2. The City and County shall continue to support the State's
effort to include Masonboro Island in the Estuarine
Sanctuary Program.
3. The development ordinances of the City and County shall be
updated to reflect strict control of urban development
<�•within• the 100-9year­floodplain.
4. All land areas falling within the 100 year floodplain will
be designated Conservation on the Land Classification Map.
27

S.
The New Hanover County Port, Waterway, and Beach Commission
shall recommend for local funding only those shoreline
erosion control projects meeting the standards set forth in
Policy 1.1(4) above.
(�
U
6.
Planning maps regarding general soils and septic tank
suitability will be maintained for public use at the County
Planning Department.
7.
The City and County staffs shall maintain active working
relationships with the USDA Soil Conservation Service, the
Lower Cape Fear Soil and Water Conservation District, and
the N.C. Department of Natural Resources and Community
Development.
U
8.
The City and County shall examine the need for special
construction requirements in areas containing highly organic
asoils,
1.2 PROTECTION OF*CAMA-DEFINED-'AREAS'OF`°ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN
1.2(1)
COASTAL WETLANDS, ESTUARINE WATERS, ESTUARINE
SHORELINES, AND PUBLIC TRUST WATERS SHALL BE PROHIBITED FROM
USE BY ANY DEVELOPMENT.ACTIVITY WHICH WOULD RESULT IN
Li
SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE OR ALTERATION TO THE NATURAL FUNCTION OF
THESE AREAS.
1.2(2) DEVELOPMENT OF ESTUARINE SYSTEM ISLANDS SHALL BE
PERMITTED ONLY IF PROPER MEASURES ARE TAKEN FOR HURRICANE
EVACUATION, UTILITIES PROVISION, ACCESS ON AND -OFF THE
ISLAND, POLLUTION CONTROL, AND OTHER DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
THAT WILL INSURE COMPATIBILITY OF THE DEVELOPMENT WITH THE
ESTUARINE SYSTEMS.
1.2(3) DRAINAGE FROM DEVELOPMENT, AGRICULTURE, AND FORESTRY
ACTIVITIES SHALL .,BE.OF,A.,QUALITY AND QUANTITY AS ;NEAR TO
n NATURAL CONDITIONS AS POSSIBLE.
1.2(4)
THE PHASED DEVELOPMENT AND EXTENSION OF THE COUNTY
SEWER SYSTEMS SHALL BE CONTINUED AND ENCOURAGED AS THE MEANS
OF ELIMINATING POLLUTION FROM MALFUNCTIONING OR INADEQUATE
SEPTIC SYSTEMS AND PACKAGE TREATMENT PLANTS.
(�
1.2(5)
IN ORDER TO PROTECT ESTUARINE WATER QUALITY, ONLY CLASS
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IV SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANTS SHALL BE ALLOWED TO DISCHARGE
INTO PUBLIC SURFACE WATERS. THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DETERMINES IF A SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT IS CLASS IV, THE
U
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HIGHEST CLASS POSSIBLE.
1.2(6)
THE DEVELOPMENT OF MARINAS SHALL BE SUPPORTED AS A MEANS OF
PROVIDING ,PUBLIC :WATER. ,AgCESS TO,,_THE .EXTENT THAT THEIR
U
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DEVELOPMENT SHALL NOT ADVERSELY IMPACT ESTUARINE RESOUCES OR
PUBLIC TRUST WATER.
O1.2(7)
FLOATING HOME DEVELOPMENT SHALL BE DISCOURAGED.
!
28

0
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Implementation Procedures
1. State standards for development within estuarine systems
shall continue to receive support.
2. Future City and County plans, public works actions and
review procedures relating to drainage shall include
provisions to prohibit increases in the flow of runoff -and
pollutant discharge into receiving waters.
3. The County's septic tank regulations shall continue to be
strictly enforced.
4.
More emphasis shall be placed on drainage control for the
o
protection of those natural resources in the public trust
that are of high economic and ecologic value to the Planning
Area. These resources include finfish and shellfish
aestuarine
habitat and groundwater.
5.
A single comprehensive set of drainage regulations shall be
developed"that specificallystates`objectives=and design
criteria that can be applied equally to all types of
development while requiring adequate maintenance. The
existing County Sedimentation and Erosion Control Ordinance.
(�
would be an excellent ordinance to modify for this purpose.
6.
A technical committee, composed of government and private
interest representatives, should be created to assist in
a
developing the drainage regulations.
7.
A Technical Specifications Manual shall be developed by the
County staff that would provide detailed information on
materials and structure designs.
{�
8.
Plans -for any needed modification to, as well as maintenance
of, the City's or the County's existing drainage system
shall be_developed.
a9.
All.coastal wetlands, estuarine waters, estuarine
shorelines, and public trust waters shall be designated
Conservation on the Land Classification Map.
10.
Appropriate ordinance changes shall be made .to
phase out or eliminate the use of private package treatment
(�
plants that do not meet Class IV Standards.
11.
A study shall be made of the design standards and
ordinance changes necessary for the development of estuarine
system islands.
12.
The N. C. Division of Environmental Management shall be
...-strongly..encouraged.; to .require. the ,connection of existing_
package treatment plans to available public treatment
systems, when discharge permits are issued or renewed.
a13.
State regulations of marina development shall be supported.
Floating home development shall be discouraged through
r-�
continued support of County floating home regulations.

1.3 POTABLE WATER SUPPLY POLICY
1.3(1) SOURCES OF POTABLE SURFACE AND GROUNDWATER FOR THE CITY
AND COUNTY SHALL BE CONSERVED AND -PROTECTED TO THE MAXIMUM
EXTENT POSSIBLE.
Implementation Procedures
D1. The City and County shall jointly prepare a Potable Water
Plan. This Plan will examine the quality and quantity of
present water supplies and examine possible alternatives
0 that may be more efficient and effective, or that may be
used if the present systems were to become inadequate or
polluted. This effort becomes.increasingly important as the
0 County becomes more urbanized and as the City's present
water system nears capacity.
2. Controls shall be developed to minimize significant
artificial land drainage and the amount of impervious
surface which could affect aquifer recharge.
3. The City and County ordinances shall be amended as necessary
to regulate inappropriate industries or commercial
establishments involved with the use, production or handling
a of toxic or hazardous materials and other potential
pollutants in the County's primary or secondary aquifer _
recharge area, as documented in the County report New
Hanover Count Aquifer Management Program.
4. The use of on -site sewage treatment and sludge disposal
methods will continue to be closely examined for their
_ impacts on groundwater.
5. The City and County shall develop regulations, incentives,
(� or other measures which encourage potable water
11 conservation.
1.4 POLICIES IN THE CONSIDERATION OF OTHER FRAGILE OR HAZARDOUS
AREAS.
`j 1.4(1) PLANS FOR THE SAFE TRANSPORTATION OF HAZARDOUS
MATERIALS, FOR THE PREVENTION AND CLEAN-UP OF SPILLS OF
(� TOXIC MATERIALS, AND FOR THE EVACUATION OF AREA RESIDENTS IN
1j RESPONSE TO NATURAL OR MAN-MADE HAZARDOUS EVENTS SHALL
CONTINUE TO BE SUPPORTED
1.4(2) THE SITING OF INDUSTRIES, INCLUDING ENERGY FACILITIES,
SHALL BE CAREFULLY REVIEWED FOR THE PROTECTION OF PLANNING
AREA RESIDENTS AND NATURAL RESOURCES.
D1.4(3) THE COUNTY'S INNOVATIVE INCINERATOR AND LANDFILL
SYSTEM SHALL CONTINUE TO BE SUPPORTED AND IMPROVED.
D 30

THE COUNTY SHALL ENSURE THE COMPATIBILITY OF SURROUNDING
LAND USES WITH THE NEW HANOVER COUNTY AIRPORT.
THE COUNTY SHALL STRIVE TO REDUCE ILLEGAL TRASH DUMPING
AND -;ILLEGAL, LANDFILLS.
Implementation Procedures
U
1.
The County shall support the recently created Department of
Emergency Services in its role of planning for the
transportation and handling of hazardous and toxic
materials.
2.
The large number of vacant acres of industrially zoned land.
in.the City and County will be examined to explore the
possibility of down -zoning portions to residential or
commercial use, particularly in environmentallysensitive
(�
areas or near residential areas.
3.
The_City and County shall_examine the _impact of the present
expansion of the New Hanover County Airport in order to
determine if adjustments are required to zoning maps or
other ordinances; new residential or other noise -sensitive
aproposed
uses shall be restricted in areas -affected by existing or
flight pattern noise contours.
4.
The City and County shall analyze the potential danger of
n
the Sunny Point Military.Ocean Terminal munitions shipping
(�
in the Cape Fear River.
5.
The City and County shall cooperate fully with any efforts
U
on the part of officials of the Brunswick County Nuclear
Generating Facility or of its various regulating agencies
which serve to reduce the potential for or the negative
effects of any accident at the facility.
.6 .
-The County � shall- consider -:,.,both :adopting, a --mandatory
County -wide garbage collection policy -to reduce unauthorized
t..l
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dumping and roadside litter, and developing regulations for
demolition debris landfills.
U
1.5 HISTORIC AND CULTURAL RESOURCE POLICIES
1.5(1)
THE CITY AND COUNTY SHALL STRIVE TO PROTECT'IMPORTANT
HISTORIC AND CULTURAL RESOURCES.
Implementation Procedures
1. The City shall continue to implement its Historic District
and Historic District Overlay zoning and associated regulations.
a­2. - The County,sha-ll .continue �:to< protect its •cultural resources
through the Conservation Overlay District.
O 3. The County.shall complete its inventory of historic architectural
resources and develop means for their protection.
U 31

RESOURCE PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT
INTRODUCTION
Resource production.and management is concerned with the wise use
of the natural resources of the Planning"Area These resources form
the.basis for much of the area's economic potential and quality of
life. Although utilization of these resources is essential to the
continued prosperity of the Planning Area, these resources must be
effectively managed in order to ensure their continued existence and
to minimize any negative impacts.
PAST POLICIES AND PRESENT ISSUES
The most important resource production and management issue
identified in the 1981 Land Use Plan Update involved the loss of
farmlands, forests and other open areas to more intensive development.
The 1981 Update noted that New Hanover County had become the most
urbanized county in North Carolina, and that farming, as a percentage
of the County's total workforce.:and.overall economy, had declined
considerably in recent years...There was an attempt to reverse or slow
these trends through policies and implementation actions designed to
encourage retention of land in rural uses. Despite these efforts,
these trends.have continued throughout the Planning Area since 1981.
As discussed in the Land Use Planning Issues section of this
Update (pp 18 - 28), four of the most important current planning
issues for the New Hanover - Wilmington area are: (1) Urban design;
(2) Economic growth; (3) Density control and development costs; and
(4) Environmental issues. Each of these four primary issues directly
relate to rural resources. Urban design is necessary to insure the
continued compatibility between differing land uses as rural areas are
converted to urban uses. The economic growth of the Planning Area is
highly dependent.on proper management of the area's natural resources.
Density control and development costs relate to responsible conversion
of rural areas to urban uses. Environmental issues include concerns
..about the-.continued,avai ability..of aesthetically -important and
ecologically significant open spaces and other natural resources.
RESOURCE PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT
A EMENT POLICIES AND IMPLEMENTATION
PROCEDURES
2.0 GENERAL RESOURCE PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT POLICIES
2.0(1) SHORT-SIGHTED OR PREMATURE COMMITMENTS OF THE PLANNING
{� AREA'S NATURAL RESOURCES SHALL BE AVOIDED.
u 2.0(2) EFFORTS BY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AND PRIVATE AGENCIES TO
WISELY MANAGE THE NATURAL RESOURCES OF THE AREA AND THE
REGION SHALL BE SUPPORTED.
32

a
M
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G
2.2
Implementation Procedures
1. The City and County shall consider impacts on local and
regional natural resources in all development decisions.
2. Improved cooperation and coordination with the other public
and private agencies in the County and the region shall be
encouraged.
AGRICULTURAL AND FORESTRY RESOURCES POLICY
1) PREMATURE CONVERSION OF THE PLANNING AREA'S REMAINING
FARMLANDS AND COMMERCIAL WOODLANDS INTO MORE INTENSIVE USES
SHALL BE DISCOURAGED
Implementation Procedures
1. The Growth. -Management Guide and other growth management
practices, controls and incentives established in this
document shall be utilized to insure the orderly conversion
of agricultural and forestry,lands into other uses.
2. All available tax incentives which encourage continuance of
existing agricultural and forestry operations shall be
identified and publicized in an effort to discourage
premature conversion of these lands into other uses.
MINERAL RESOURCES POLICY
2.2(1)
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PLANNING AREA'S MINERAL RESOURCES,
INCLUDING OFF -SHORE OIL EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION, SHALL BE
ENCOURAGED SO LONG AS SUCH DEVELOPMENT OCCURS IN A MANNER
WHICH IS COMPATIBLE WITH ENVIRONMENTAL CONSTRAINTS AND OTHER
LAND USES.
Implementation Procedures
I.
Prime mineral resource sites away from urbanizing areas as
identified in Technical Report No. 3, Environmental
Analysis, April 1976 by the Wilmington -New Hanover Planning
Department, will be offered protection in the land
classification map, and in the County zoning map.
'The
2.
County Planning Department Staff will offer, in its
recommendations to the Planning Board, information regarding
(�
the location of prime mineral resource sites in relation'to
�.
proposed developments, whenever appropriate.
3.
The City and County will maintain close coordination with
the N.C. Division of Land Resources and Outer Continental
'
Shelf Task Force, as applicable, with regard to the siting
and operation of new or expanded mineral extraction
facilities.
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33

4. The City and County shall support State of North Carolina
n policy regarding the siting of environmentally responsible
�-! off -shore oil exploration facilities so long as such policy
favors the siting of these facilities eastward of the.200
(� Meter Isobath Region, the most ecologically -productive zone
u of the coastal environment, extending from the shoreline to.
the point at which the Continental Shelf sharply drops.off.
2.3 RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE POLICIES
2.3(1) PRESERVATION OF UNIQUE NATURAL AREAS SHALL BE
ENCOURAGED IN ORDER TO PROVIDE AREA RESIDENTS AND.VISITORS
WITH A WIDE VARIETY OF RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
2.3(2) ADEQUATE PUBLIC RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AND OPEN SPACE.SHALL
BE PROVIDED AND MAINTAINED.IN ACCORDANCE WITH PUBLIC DEMAND
AND EXPECTED POPULATION GROWTH.
2.3(3)
a
n 2.3(4)
a
EXISTING PUBLIC SHOREFRONT ACCESS SHALL BE PRESERVED
AND NEW SHOREFRONT ACCESS AREAS SHALL'BE ACQUIRED AND
DEVELOPED,
OUTSIDE FUNDING SOURCES FOR RECREATIONAL FACILITY
DEVELOPMENT SHALL BE PURSUED.
Implementation Procedures
1. The City and County shall strive to attain and maintain the
recreational standards established by the N.C. Division of
Parks and Recreation, consistent with public need and
.demand.
2. The City and County shall support those'actions which
preserve unique natural areas for the educational and
recreational enjoyment of Planning Area residents and
visitors.
3.
City and County -shorefront access plans and programs,: such
as the Public Water Access Plan for New Hanover County, the
Riverfront Plan, and the Riverwalk Improvement Plan, shall
4. The City and County shall :support those measures which serve
to encourage private provision of both public and private
recreational facilities, particularly neighborhood parks.
The City and County staffs are directed to continue to
prepare for consideration ordinances and resolutions which
will encourage creativity on the part of private developers
and entrepreneurs in providing recreational opportunities;
recreation impact fees..and park dedication requirements
shall be included in such staff efforts.
34

5. Flood hazard areas shall be utilized whenever feasible and
appropriate in the provision of parks and open space.
l.J 2.4 FISHERIES RESOURCES POLICY
a 2.4(1) THE CONTINUED PRODUCTIVITY OF COMMERCIAL AND
RECREATIONAL FISHERIES SHALL BE FOSTERED THROUGH THE
PROTECTION OF THE UNIQUE COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS, INCLUDING
PRIMARY NURSERY AREAS, UPON WHICH THEY DEPEND.
aImplementation Procedures
I
III
j
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1. Studies designed to evaluate and recommend corrective
measures to the shellfish pollution problem and to improve
management and production of all fisheries resources shall
be supported by the City and County.
2. Opportunities to improve commercial and recreational fishing
through the construction of off -shore artificial reefs shall
be supported by the City and the County so long as such
practices are in keeping with sound environmental practices.
2.5 OFF -ROAD VEHICLE POLICY
2.5(1) EFFORTS TO CONTROL OFF -ROAD VEHICLE USE IN THE
ECOLOGICALLY, SENSITIVE OCEAN AND ESTUARINE SHORELINE AREAS
SHALL CONTINUE TO RECEIVE.SUPPORT FROM COUNTY GOVERNMENT.
1. The_New Hanover County Sheriff's Department shall continue to
enforce the County's off -road vehicle regulations and to provide
law enforcement services to the County area between the Carolina
Beach Inlet and the northern corporate limits of the Town of
Carolina Beach and the Fort Fisher area.
2. Off -road vehicle use on Masonboro Island shall be prohibited
until an Estuarine Sanctuary Management Plan for the Island can
be produced by.State agencies.
2.6. ENERGY CONSERVATION POLICY
2.6(1) INNOVATIVE AND EFFECTIVE MEANS OF IMPROVING ENERGY
CONSERVATION TECHNIQUES AND PRACTICES SHALL BE ENCOURAGED.
Implementation Procedures
1. The City and County shall support efforts to encourage
developers to utilize energy conservation measures in site
design and material selection.
I
35

D
2. Every effort will be made to see that sufficient
opportunities are provided for the location of steam users.
proximate to proposed steam generating solid waste
�.
incineration facilities.
.3. New and retrofitted City and County facilities shall be
designed to encourage energy conservation.
D-
4.* The City and County shall explore' opportunities offered by
such agencies as the N.C. Alternative Energy Corporation to
Dconserve
energy and to support the use of renewable energy.
D
U
D
D
D
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D
D
D
-
D
D
a
D
D36

The,,concept.of.economic and community,development encompasses a
wide variety of public and private activities. Generally speaking,
however, economic and community development actions can be regarded as
those actions which serve to promote the economic, cultural, and..
L1 physical development of the community in accordance with an
established set of goals or objectives.
PAST POLICIES AND PRESENT ISSUES
Three primary issues were identified in the Economic and
Community Development section of the 1981 Land Use Plan Update:
The need for continued economic growth through specific
industrial recruitment and diversification efforts.
The need to provide for efficient location of development
, ,.,;relative. to _-existing ,.or. -planned., pubs ic.. services .
The need to avoid encroachment problems due to the location
of incompatible or inadequately buffered land uses.
As evidenced by the Implementation Scorecard (Appendix B), the
City and County enjoyed considerable success during the 1981-1986
planning period in directing work efforts toward these issues.
However, an examination of public perceptions regarding these problems
indicates that economic growth, efficient public.service provision,
and land use incompatibility are still regarded as being issues of
considerable importance.
One major current economic and community development issue which
received relatively little attention in the 1981 Land Use Plan Update
was transportation Rapid growth since 1981 has significantly
increased traffic volumes on many of the planning area roadways,
creating traffic problems ranging from through traffic on neighborhood
..streets :to -•congestion -=on -major -=area_ -highways.
A final current issue which has increased in importance since the
last Land Use Plan Update involves the aesthetic aspects of local
urban design efforts. As the Planning Area grows, there is increased
attention being paid.to primarily aesthetic issues, such as tree
protection, landscaping, and signage. This attention results from the
loss .of existing scenic or otherwise aesthetically important areas to
development and from the successes achieved in protecting historical
and natural resources, particularly the City of Wilmington's Historic
District and the County's Conservation Overlay District preservation
efforts. Increased development pressure combined with increased
community desire for aesthetically -pleasing types of development have
created an emphasis on establishing new urban design standards in the
following policies.
37

ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT POLICIES AND IMPLEMENTATION
PROCEDURES
a3.0 GENERAL ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT POLICIES
3.0(1) EXISTING AND PROGRAMMED PUBLIC SERVICES SHALL BE
COORDINATED WITH FUTURE LAND USE INTENSITIES IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE GROWTH MANAGEMENT GUIDE.
3.0(2) USE OF INNOVATIVE AND FLEXIBLE PLANNING AND ENGINEERING
PRACTICES AND -URBAN DESIGN STANDARDS SHALL BE ENCOURAGED.
3.0(3) A SUFFICIENT VARIETY AND AMOUNT OF FUTURE LAND USE
TYPES SHALL BE PROVIDED IN ORDER TO ACCOMMODATE PUBLIC
DEMAND.
3.0(4) COMPATIBILITY BETWEEN FUTURE AND EXISTING LAND USES
SHALL BE ENCOURAGED.
THE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE AREA'S RAPID GROWTH SHALL
aBE DISTRIBUTED EQUITABLY, TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PRACTICAL.
3.0(6) IMPROVED COORDINATION BETWEEN CITY.AND COUNTY PLANNING
a AND DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS, AND THOSE OF OTHER AREA LOCAL
GOVERNMENTS, SHALL BE ENCOURAGED IN ORDER TO PROMOTE
UNIFORMITY AND CONSISTENCY AND TO REDUCE CONFLICTS.
Implementation Procedures
1. The Growth Management Guide shall be implemented through the
development of appropriate capital improvement programs,
land development regulations, and tax incentives.
(( 2. Land development regulations and policies which encourage
innovative, flexible and/or efficient development practices
shall -:.be supported.
3. The Growth Management Guide, zoning and other regulations
shall be periodically examined to ensure that sufficient
variety and amounts of developable land are available in
Oorder to accommodate public demand.
4. The County and City shall attempt to develop means by which
a the cost of development (e.g., service provision and/or
extension) shall be borne by the developer based upon the
impact each development will have on the type and extent of
existing or planned public infrastructure (e.g. sewer).
U 5. Improved coordination with the development efforts of other
local governments in New Hanover County (Carolina, Kure and
•Wrightsv.ille..Beaches)->_and.in surrounding counties shall be
encouraged.
L..l
38

3.1 RESIDENTIAL
DEVELOPMENT"POLICIES
3.1(1)
( )
NEW DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS AND INCENTIVES SHALL BE
ENCOURAGED TO INSURE THE CONTINUED SUPPLY OF A WIDE RANGE
,W. .,SUFFICIENT SUPPLY. OF AFFORDABLE RESIDENTIAL HOUSING
TYPES.
Q
3.1(2)
HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES SHALL BE IMPROVED FOR THE
FOLLOWING SELECTED GROUPS: THE ELDERLY, THE HANDICAPPED,
LARGE HOUSEHOLDS HEADED BY A SINGLE PARENT, AND THE AREA'S.`
HOMELESS POPULATION.
ENCROACHMENT UPON RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS BY MORE
INTENSE LAND USES SHALL BE AVOIDED.
3.1(4)
RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITY PROPOSALS SHALL BE
ENCOURAGED.
3.1(5)
EFFORTS WILL BE MADE.TO REDUCE THROUGH TRAFFIC IN
RESIDENTIAL._;,AREAS
3.1(6)
RESTORATION OF STRUCTURES AND NEIGHBORHOODS OF -HISTORIC
SIGNIFICANCE SHALL BE ENCOURAGED.
3.1(7)
EFFORTS BY INDIVIDUALS AND NEIGHBORHOODS TO PROMOTE
l�
1..1
"EXCLUSIONARY ZONING" SHALL BE DISCOURAGED.
j�
3.1(8)
NEIGHBORHOOD -LEVEL PLANNING. SHALL BE UTILIZED, WHERE
u
FEASIBLE AND APPROPRIATE, IN THE PRODUCTION OF LAND USE
PLANS, PROGRAMS AND STRATEGIES.
aImplementation
Procedures
1.
The City and County staffs are directed to prepare for.
consideration new residential development standards,
regulations and incentives which increase flexibility in
...residential -design., -.encourage infill...development in
currently -served areas, and increase the variety,
D
affordability and supply of housing opportunities.
2. The City and County recognize a special responsibility with
regard to certain segments of the population which are being
excluded from area housing opportunities. Programs and
actions, including those of other,agencies, which improve
the housing opportunities for the elderly, the handicapped,
the homeless, and large households headed by a.single parent
shall be supported.
3. The County staff is directed to prepare for consideration a
minimum housing code which serves to increase the safety and
aesthetics of deteriorated structures throughout the County
while -_maintaining an --adequate supply of ,affordable housing
opportunities for low income citizens.
39

4. The City and County shall consider all significant
encroachment effects of development decisions on adjacent or
nearby residential neighborhoods.'
5. 'Residential care facilities shall be supported when
-applicants provide evidence -that the residential integrity
of the affected neighborhood will not be threatened.
6. Improvements to the local transportation system which
minimize through traffic in neighborhoods shall be
supported.
7. Historically significant structures and neighborhoods shall
continue to receiveregulatory protection; new standards,
regulations and incentives which promote the preservation
and maintenance of the area's historic resources shall be
supported so as to preserve this tangible, aesthetically
significant link to the Planning Area's past.
8. The City and County staffs are encouraged to utilize
neighborhood,planning�practices.
3.2 COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT POLICIES 1
n 3.2(1) COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS SHALL BE ENCOURAGED TO
U LOCATE IN AREAS WHICH ALREADY CONTAIN THE PUBLIC SERVICES,
INCLUDING TRANSPORTATION, REQUIRED BY THE PROJECTS, OR IN
AREAS IN WHICH THE NEEDED SERVICES ARE READILY AVAILABLE.
3.2(2) INNER-CITY COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT SHALL BE ENCOURAGED.
3.2(3) UNCONTROLLED STRIP COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT SHALL BE
AVOIDED.
3 2(4) REDEVELOPMENT'OF�DOWNTOW-NWILMINGTON'SHALL BE
a ENCOURAGED.
3.2(5) THE CITY AND COUNTY SHALL PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR THE
CREATION AND ESTABLISHMENT OF,SMALL BUSINESSES.
.Implementation Procedures
1. The City and County staffs are directed to prepare for
consideration development standards, regulations, and
a incentives which encourage the location of commercial
facilities in areas in which needed public services can be
efficiently provided, and which promote the location of
lIncludes Office and Institutional Development
D40

commercial facilities at appropriate roadway intersections
a
and along roadways that can handle the traffic and insure
compatibility with existing land uses. Within the City,
neighborhood commercial facilities should be located on
roadways classified, at minimum, as minor arterials;
community commercial facilities should be located on
roadways classified, at minimum, as major arterials; and
a
regional commercial facilities should be located on roadways
classified, at minimum, as highways.
2.
The City shall produce market analyses, zoning incentives,
site location studies and assessments intended to encourage
the location of commercial development in the inner city.
areas.
3.
The City and County staffs are directed to prepare for
consideration driveway standards, zoning regulations, action.
a
plans, and other measures which discourage the establishment
of strip commercial development.
(�
4.
The City shall promote redevelopment efforts in Downtown
U
Wilmington which reflect the historic and cultural
traditions of the area and which serve to efficiently
Qutilize
existing public services in the area.
5.
The City and County shall continue to support efforts to
promote the establishment of small businesses through the
D
Small Business Incubator Program and other similar
activities.
3.3 INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT POLICIES
aTHE
3.3(1)
THE CITY AND COUNTY SHALL ENCOURAGE DIVERSIFICATION OF
AREA'S ECONOMIC BASE.
3.3(2)
- THE -.CITY AND COUNTY--SHALL-FOCUS ON -ATTRACTING CERTAIN
(�
INDUSTRIES WHICH -CAN BE DEVELOPED IN A MANNER CONSISTENT
�J
WITH THE LOCAL PUBLIC SERVICE SUPPLY, THE LOCAL EMPLOYMENT
BASE, AND THE LOCAL -NATURAL RESOURCES.
a3.3(3).
THE CITY AND COUNTY SHALL PRESERVE, PROTECT, AND
AUGMENT WHEREVER POSSIBLE, THE COMPLEMENTARY RELATIONSHIPS
EXISTING BETWEEN THE AREA'S VARIOUS INDUSTRIES, AND MINIMIZE
POTENTIAL CONFLICTS BETWEEN INDUSTRIES.
3.3(4)
- THE CITY AND COUNTYSHALLENCOURAGE LAND USE
a
V�
COMPATIBILITY BETWEEN THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR AND -THE
RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL SECTORS.
3.3(5)
THE CITY AND COUNTY SHALL PROMOTE AND ATTRACT
.INDUSTRIES„ WKICH °ENCOURAGE° THE -UPWARD MOBILITY eOF LOW AND
MODERATE INCOME PERSONS.
a3.3(6)
BECAUSE OF ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH THE NATURAL AND
41

HISTORIC RESOURCES OF THE AREA, THE TOURIST INDUSTRY SHALL
RECEIVE SPECIAL SUPPORT FROM THE CITY AND COUNTY.
_D
3..3(7)
THE CITY AND COUNTY SHALL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE
VALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE PLANNING AREA'S ECONOMY BY.THE
`STATE PORTS AUTHORITY.
3.3(8)
ON -SHORE REFINERY DEVELOPMENT SHALL BE SUPPORTED ONLY IF
'POTENTIAL IMPACTS TO THE AREA'S ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES ARE
MINIMIZED.
Implementation.Procedures
1.
The City and.County shall implement programs designed to
D
promote and attract new industries which tend to diversify
the Planning Area's economy -and which provide a good match
with the area's public services, employment base and natural
resource potentials and constraints. Substantial
a
cooperation with local industrial recruitment organizations,
such as the Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, is a
consideredessential to the success of this implementation
Dprocedure.
2.
Land use regulations, promotional campaigns, public service
provision and other measures which serve to increase
compatibility between industries in the Planning Area and
between these industries and other land uses shall be
supported.
3.
Decisions regarding the location of industrial lland uses
shall take .into account the cost and extent of the public
services required by such uses..
4. The City and County shall implement industrial recruitment
programs designed to promote and attract new industries
which encourage the upward mobility of low and moderate.
income residents through on-the-job training programs,,
,,,positive salary.. structures,, -and.- transferability :of job
skills.
5. The City and County staffs are directed to make special
efforts in the promotion of the area's tourist industry
through information sharing, technical support, site
location studies and assessments and other means, due to the
public benefits which accrue from tourism activities which
complement the Planning Area's natural, cultural and
historic resources. The City and County shall also continue
to support the New Hanover Convention and Visitors Bureau
through such actions as the commitment of 25% of the room
occupancy tax for the promotion of tourism.
6. The City and County shall continue to support the continued
deuelopment,.of -the <NX State _-Ports -Authority, -including the
Authority's efforts to maintain all aspects of its
international trade status.
42

3.4 TRANSPORTATION POLICIES
3.4(1) LEVEL -OF -SERVICE STANDARDS AND PROGRAMS FOR AREA
ROADWAYS SHALL BE ESTABLISHED.
3.4(2) --TRAFFIC CIRCULATION IMPROVEMENT PRIORITIES SHALL -BE
ESTABLISHED TO PROVIDE FOR THE TIMELY ALLOCATION OF
RESOURCES IN MEETING THE TRANSPORTATION NEEDS OF THE AREA.
u
3.4(3)
THE CITY AND COUNTY SHALL SUPPORT THE EFFORTS OF OTHER
LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL AGENCIES THAT IMPROVE THE FLOW OF
TRAFFIC IN THE CITY AND COUNTY.
3.4(4)
THE CITY AND COUNTY SHALL INSURE THAT THE TYPE AND
D
DESIGN OF THE EXISTING AND FUTURE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM AND
THE PLANNING FOR FUTURE LAND USES RESULT IN AN EFFECTIVE
TRAFFIC CIRCULATION PATTERN.
a3.4(5)
MASS TRANSIT PROGRAMS, BIKEWAYS AND OTHER ALTERNATIVES
TO SINGLE OCCUPANT AUTOMOBILES SHALL BE ENCOURAGED.
D3.4(6)
CONTINUED USE AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE WILMINGTON HARBOR,
ATLANTIC INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY, THE STATE PORTS AUTHORITY
AND THE NEW HANOVER COUNTY AIRPORT SHALL BE ENCOURAGED.
3.4(7)
CONFLICTS BETWEEN TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES, SUCH AS
RAIL SERVICE, AND OTHER LAND USES SHALL BE MINIMIZED.
Implementation'Procedures
1.
The City and County staffs are directed to prepare for
consideration priority local roadway level -of -service goals
and the costs involved in obtaining and maintaining these
goals. The Wilmington Urban Area Thoroughfare Plan, and its
(�
subsequent revisions, is considered to be one element of
�-!
this work process.
�}
2.
Coordinative efforts between other local governments in the
(�
County and the region, along with State and Federal
agencies, shall be initiated and/or maintained in order to
encourage all transportation improvement plans and programs
which directly or indirectly improve the flow of traffic -in
the City and County.
(�
3.
Cost effective methods for transporting people shall be
developed to relieve Planning Area traffic congestion.
Alternatives should include carpools, vanpools, bicycling
and walking. Particular support will be given to the
a
Wilmington Transit Authority in maximizing ridership and
service to key areas.. Emphasis will also be placed on
pursuing bikeway opportunities.
4.
Separate land use and transportation decisions, plans, and
programs shall be designed so as to complement one another.
o
Central to this implementation procedure is the development
of an evaluation system which links proposed development
type and intensity with existing and programmed _
transportation networks. The City and County staffs are
I

also directed to prepare for consideration access control
standards for various roadway functional classifications.
5.
Coordination shall be increased between the City and County
and the Wilmington Harbor, the State Ports Authority, the
Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, the railways and the New
Hanover County Airport in order to encourage the continued
n
development of these transportation networks and to reduce
conflicts between these networks and other transportation
facilities and land uses.
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3.5 CAPITAL FACILITIES AND COMMUNITY SERVICES POLICIES.
`-�
3.5(1)
THE CITY AND COUNTY SHALL PROVIDE TIMELY AND
COST-EFFECTIVE PROVISION OF CAPITAL FACILITIES AND COMMUNITY
aSERVICES
ON THE BASIS OF ANTICIPATED GROWTH AND DEMAND.
3.5(2)
COORDINATION -BETWEEN THE_CITY,_COUNTY AND OTHER
GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES SHALL BE ENCOURAGED IN THE PROVISION
D
OF SERVICES.
3.5(3)
THE CITY.AND COUNTY SHALL CONSIDER THE ADOPTION OF A
SYSTEM OF IMPACT FEES TO INSURE TIMELY AND
ECONOMICALLY -SOUND PROVISION OF PUBLIC SERVICES TO NEW
DEVELOPMENT.
Implementation Procedures
1.
Planning Area capital improvement programs, tied closely to
the Growth Management Guide and the Land Classification Map,
shall serve as the driving force behind the provision of
public infrastructure and services. Continued analysis of
the local taxpayers' willingness -to -pay for service
improvements shall also be an element of these capital
improvement.programs.
2.
The establishment and continuance of capital facilities
maintenance programs shall be implemented by City and County
astaffs.
3.
An interagency coordination.program shall be a key element
of any capital facility or community service extension or
improvement.
4.
The City and County staffs are directed to prepare for
consideration a comprehensive system of equitablyassigned
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impact fees to insure that the additional public costs of
new development are absorbed by that development rather than
by the general taxpayer; special effort shall be made to
-incorporate the :wide.>range,,of,additional -public costs
resulting from new development into this.system, including
expansions of existing capital facilities. Particular
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M
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emphasis shall be placed on those impacts which result from
high density development.
3.6 URBAN DESIGN AND OTHER POLICIES
3.6(1) THE DEVELOPMENT OF MORE DETAILED LAND CLASSIFICATION OR
FUTURE LAND USE MAPS AND PLANS SHALL BE ENCOURAGED.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF A UNIFORM LAND USE EVALUATION SYSTEM
FOR USE BY CITY AND COUNTY OFFICIALS AND STAFFS SHALL BE
ENCOURAGED.
3.6(3) ADEQUATE LANDSCAPING AND TREE PROTECTION.SHALL BE
ENCOURAGED FOR PARKING LOTS, RESIDENTIAL AREAS, AND
COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL PROJECTS.
3.6(4) BUFFERING STANDARDS WHICH PROMOTE COMPATIBILITY BETWEEN
LAND USE*TYPES-SHALL BE SUPPORTED.
THE USE OF SIGNS SHALL BE CONTROLLED IN A MANNER THAT
RECOGNIZES BOTH AESTHETIC AND COMMERCIAL CONCERNS.
3.6(6) MULTIPLE AND ADAPTIVE REUSE OF THE AREA'S HISTORIC
RESOURCES SHALL BE ALLOWED AND ENCOURAGED.
Implementation Procedures
I. Development for consideration of more detailed land
classification maps and a uniform land evaluation system to
aid in growth management in the Planning Area shall be a
priority task for the City and County staffs.
2. Urban design regulations concerned with improving the
aesthetics and_,compatibility of.land..uses, including
landscaping, -buffering and signage, shall continue to be
refined pursuant to the public's increased concern with
these issues.
3. Staff efforts to continue to encourage the preservation and
maintenance of the historic resources of the Planning Area
through innovative multiple and adaptive reuse.techniques
shall be supported.
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a
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
INTRODUCTION
P,ubli,c_participation constitutes a key element in the local
planning process. `By utilizing public participation to identify,
define and otherwise bring into focus planning issues, local officials
can build the consensus of community support necessary to accomplish
broad goals and implement specific projects. The City and County are
therefore committed to utilizing all available local media and
neducational resources to promote improved public participation.
u The City and County further recognize that resource and
development issues are often not fully explained to or examined by
j� persons living in -the affected neighborhoods. Therefore, the City and
County are committed to utilizing neighborhood planning techniques,
whenever feasible, to encourage public involvement in important
n neighborhood issues.
Public„ participation played a_maj.or .role in the development of
the 1986 Land Use Plan Update Appendix A: Public Participation
(� lists the methods used to encourage public participation in the
development of the plan.. These methods included meetings, group
discussions, surveys and public hearings before official planning.and
decision -making boards.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION POLICIES AND IMPNTATION PROCEDURES
In order that public awareness of and,participation in the local
planning process continues after the formal adoption.of this Land Use
Plan Update, the following policies and implementation procedures have
(� been produced.
4.0 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION POLICIES
4-..0.(.1) .THE .,.CITY. --.AND :COUNTY:- _SHALL: CONTINUE .TO -..:CREATIVELY
UTILIZE ALL SECTORS OF THE LOCAL MEDIA, AS WELL AS -THE
LOCAL EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, TO INCREASE PUBLIC
AWARENESS AND INVOLVEMENT IN RESOURCE AND DEVELOPMENT
ISSUES.
a
4.0(2) NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING TECHNIQUES SHALL_ BE UTILIZED
(� TO FURTHER ENCOURAGE PUBLIC AWARENESS AND INVOLVEMENT
u IN ISSUES AFFECTING NEIGHBORHOODS.
Implementation Procedures
1. The City and County shall continue efforts to inform,
(� educate and involve the public in planning -for -the
U community, primarily through the regular and special
meetings of the elected officials and citizen advisory
(� boards.
46
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2.
The City and County shall continue efforts to effectively
(�
utilize the media, including radio and television public
�j
service announcements, newspaper coverage, meeting
notification signs, letters and personal contacts.
3.
The City and County shall encourage continued representation
by a broad cross-section of the Planning Area residents on
all citizen advisory boards.
4.
The City and County shall encourage participation and seek
to cooperate with organized groups such as Neighborhood
Assemblies, business groups, professional organizations,
environmental groups or service clubs.
5.
The City and County shall attempt to utilize neighborhood
planning practices and techniques whenever feasible.
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STORM HAZARD MITIGATION, EVACUATION AND RECOVERY
;The City.and County are vulnerable-to.the dangers and damages
brought by hurricanes. This policy section is concerned with.the
Planning areas storm hazard mitigation, evacuation, and recovery
programs as defined below in accordance with State guidelines:
Mitigation involves activities which reduce the
probability that a disaster will occur and minimize
the damage caused by a disaster. Such activities can
range from the establishment of a nationwide
hurricane tracking system to the adoption of local
land use regulations which discourage residential
construction in floodprone areas. Mitigation
activities are not geared to'a specific disaster;
they result from a long-term concern for avoiding the
damages of future natural disasters
Evacuation -refers to the range of activities involved
in the assignment of evacuation routes and shelter
locations, the determination of when to issue an
evacuation order, the procedures for notifying the
public of both the evacuation routes and the order to
evacuate, and the implementation of the evacuation
during the storm event. Evacuation activities are
related to both specific storm events (e.g., actual
evacuations) and storm events in general (e.g.,
establishment of evacuation routes and shelter
locations; notification of the public of routes and
shelters).
Recovery involves the full range of rehabilitation
and reconstruction activities which seek to return
the community to "normal." These include financial
assistance. -to cover property;damages,.economic
recovery plans, reassessment of the community's land
development policies and the repair, reconstruction,
and relocation of damaged structures and utility
systems. Recovery activities may continue for years
after a particular disaster.
STORM HAZARD MITIGATION, EVACUATION AND RECOVERY POLICIES AND
r� IMPLEMENTATION PROCEDURES
5.0 STORM HAZARD MITIGATION, EVACUATION AND RECOVERY POLICIES
THE CITY AND;. COUNTY ­SHALL -CONTINUE TO --DISCOURAGE
HIGH -INTENSITY USES AND LARGE STRUCTURES FROM BEING.
CONSTRUCTED WITHIN THE 100.YEAR FLOODPLAIN,
I
48

7
EROSION -PRONE AREAS, AND OTHER LOCATIONS SUSCEPTIBLE TO
HURRICANE AND FLOODING HAZARDS.
5.0(2) THE CITY AND COUNTY SHALL CONSIDER PURCHASING PARCELS
LOCATED IN HAZARD AREAS OR RENDERED UNBUILDABLE BY
STORMS. OR OTHER'*EVENTS, 'FOR' THE' PURPOSE OF -PUBLIC -WATER
ACCESS.
5.0(3) THE CITY COUNCIL AND COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS,
AFTER A HURRICANE STRIKES, SHALL BE ESTABLISHED AS THE
RECOVERY TASK FORCES FOR THEIR RESPECTIVE
JURISDICTIONS.
5.0(4) IN THE EVENT OF A HURRICANE, THE CITY COUNCIL AND/OR
BOARD OF -COMMISSIONERS MAY DECLARE A MORATORIUM UP.TO
180 DAYS ON THE ACCEPTANCE OF ANY REQUEST FOR -.REZONING
OTHER THAN FOR REZONING TO A LESS INTENSE USE, UNLESS
THAT REZONING REQUEST IS INITIATED BY THE CITY OR
COUNTY
5.0(5) IN'THE EVENT OF EXTENSIVE HURRICANE'DAMAGE'TO PUBLIC
UTILITIES REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OR RELOCATION OF THESE
UTILITIES, EFFORTS SHALL BE MADE TO LOCATE DAMAGED
UTILITIES AWAY FROM HURRICANE HAZARD AREAS OR TO
STRENGTHEN THEIR CONSTRUCTION.
5.0(6) PRIORITY SHALL BE GIVEN TO THOSE REPAIRS THAT WILL
RESTORE SERVICE:TO AS MANY PERSONS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
5.0(7) THE CITY COUNCIL AND/OR BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MAY
REQUEST THAT A NEW ASSESSMENT OF HAZARD AREAS BE
PERFORMED, DEPENDING ON THE EXTENT OF FLOODING AND THE
CHANGES TO SHORELINE AND INLETS CAUSED BY THE
HURRICANE
5.0(8) THE CITY COUNCIL AND/OR BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MAY
DECLARE .A,.MORATORIUM, _UP .,TO, 180 _DAYS,: ON. THE . PERMITTING
OF ANY NEW CONSTRUCTION, INCLUDING.NEW UTILITY.
HOOK-UPS,OR REDEVELOPMENT CONSTRUCTION THAT WOULD
INCREASE THE INTENSITY OF THE LAND USES EXISTING BEFORE
THE HURRICANE.
Implementation Procedures
1. The City and County shall closely monitor all
construction efforts involving both public and private
utilities, including roads, to provide for less
vulnerable redevelopment after a hurricane.
2. The City and County shall continue to maintain present
plans for evacuation, recovery, and reconstruction.
49

GROWTH MANAGEMENT GUIDE
PURPOSE
The Growth Management Guide consists of a Land
Classification'Map and`relited'text which serves'to establish
where and how growth should occur in the Planning Area over the
next five years. The major emphasis of the Guide (referred to as
the Development Guide in the 1981 Land -Use Plan Update) has been
and will continue to be the determination of where high density
development, defined herein as development. greater than 2.5
residential units per acre, should be allowed. The Guide also
addresses performance standards for industrial and commercial
development.
As in the Urban Services Area concept established for the
Planning Area in the 1981 Land Use Plan Update, the Growth
Management Guide is primarily concerned with the efficient
provision of public services and the protection of the coastal
ecosystem. The Guide differs from the Urban Services Area
concept through its utilization`of service provision performance
standards for dense development, rather than through attempting
to discourage dense development of traditionally rural areas
through the establishment of an Urban Service Boundary line, -as
(� in the 1981 Update.
The Guide embraces the general concept of allowing growth to
occur as real estate market forces dictate, provided that: (15
The public is not inequitably burdened with the costs.of such
development; (2) Environmental impacts are minimized; and (3) The
development is suitably designed to be compatible with existing
(� and proposed surrounding land uses.
LAND CLASSES
The following land classes.are defined and discussed with
__regard_ :, to.; .permitted ,types ...of- ._development.:
Developed
The purpose of the Developed class is to provide for
continued intensive development and redevelopment of existing
urban areas. These lands already are developed at a density
approaching 500 dwelling units per square mile. Public urban
�} services generally are already in place or scheduled within the
u immediate future. All lands within the City of Wilmington are
considered Developed, except for Conservation areas. Density may
exceed 2.5 units per acre within the Developed class, depending
upon local zoning regulations.
Transition
The purpose of the Transition class is to provide for future
urban development on lands that will receive adequate,
economically -provided public services. Transition areas are
54
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located in accordance.with land use planning policies requiring
optimum efficiency in land utilization and public service
delivery.
�1 The location of.the Transition.area in the northern part of
LJ
the County is based primarily on the Smith Creek watershed, which
will serve as a major determinant in the, medium range phasing of
the County's sewer system. The location of the Transition.area
in southern New Hanover County recognizes the extensive
development efforts already occurring in the area, the presence
of an adequate four lane divided highway (US 421) serving the
area, and plans for the future phasing of the County's sewer
.system. The location of the Transition areas along US 421 in the
northwestern section of the County recognizes the intense use of
(� the area as an industrial corridor.
L1 High density development (development that exceeds 2.5
residential units per acre) may occur within the Transition class
-so long as the following conditions are met:
(a) The development shall be adequately served by the
following three services:
1. Sewer. The development shall be
served by a Class IV sewer system
(� as rated by the State of North
Carolina. Although the County is
constructing a County -wide sewer
system in a series of phases
scheduled over the next 10 years,
the City or County may extend a
sewer line to a new development
ahead of the established schedule
provided the following requirements
are met:
- The developer shall pay for
all costs associated with the
::_extension. The.deve3oper will
be reimbursed by the City or
County, however, when new or
existing development pays to
receive service from the
extension.
The extension shall not impact
the planned phasing of the
L - sewer system to other areas.
L� The extension shall -be sized,
designed and constructed in
accordance with City and
' County specifications.
2. Municipal or County water system.
-The ;development <shalk� be -,served- by
a municipal or County water system.
A private water system, however,,
�7 may be utilized provided that.
51

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if
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distribution and fire hydrant
systems are constructed in
accordance with City of Wilmington
standards. The City or County may
extend a .water .line to a new
development, provided financing and
design requirements similar to
those for.sewer line extensions are
met.
3 Direct access to a minor arterial
or larger access road, as
classified under the New Hanover
County Thoroughfare Classification
System. In addition, if the
development utilizes a roadway for
access which is designated for.
improvement under the Wilmington
Urban Area Thoroughfare Plan or if
the .cleyplopment ,abuts .orv.otherwise
lies in the path of a roadway
designated on the Thoroughfare Plan
or if the development will generate
traffic volumes which will exceed
the existing excess capacity of the
roadway for its rated level.of
service, the developer may be
required.to provide or share in the
cost of the provision of the
roadway improvements needed to
adequately serve the proposed
development and the community in
general as a condition for allowing
increased density.
(b) The development is adequately designed to be
.-..compatible.-with -existing,:and.-proposed
surrounding land uses.
Resource Protection
The purpose of the Resource Protection class is to provide for
the preservation and protection of important natural, historic,
scenic. wildlife and recreational resources. The Resource Protection
class has been developed in recognition of the fact that New Hanover
County, the most urbanized county in the State, still contains .
numerous areas of environmental or cultural sensitivity which_ merit.
protection from urban land uses.
The Resource Protection class includes land adjacent to the
estuarine waters which are classified SA by the North Carolina
Division of -Environmental ---Management.- The--class�.!includes land in the
Castle Hayne area where the.protection of -farmland, the rural
lifestyle, and the aquifer system are highly important issues.
Residential densities greater than 2.5 units Der acre shall not be
52

permitted in the Resource Protection class. Residential densities may
be required to be as low as 1.0 units per acre, depending on the
development constraints within a particular area. Compatible
commercial and industrial development may be located within the
.Resource, Protection, class so Long. as .important.r.esources are not
adversely impacted It is important to note that the County sewer
service that will be provided to portions of this area is intended for
,the purpose of eliminating septic system pollution and not for
encouraging increased density of.development.
Rural
The purpose of the Rural class is to provide for an area of low
intensity land uses, such as agriculture, forest -management, mineral
extraction, and low density residential development, in order to
discourage the premature conversion of these lands into urban -type.
uses. Extending urban services into the Rural class is considered an
inefficient use of resources; consequently, residential densities in
excess of 2.5 units per acre shall not -be permitted in the Rural
class. Compatible commercial,,.and.,industrial...uses_..may,be.located.in
the Rural class provided that natural resources are not adversely
impacted.
Community
U The purpose of the Community class is to provide for a
"crossroads" type of land development to help meet housing, shopping,
employment and public service needs within the more rural areas of the
County.
Lands to be classified Community are those areas within the rural
areas of the planning jurisdiction which are characterized by a small
grouping of mixed land uses (residences, general store, church,
school, etc.), and which are suitable for small clusters of
development requiring limited.public services.
Only ,one -rural !'community" .has - been, designated --on:.the :Land
Classification Map: Castle Rayne.
Density shall not exceed 2.5 units per acre in the Community
class
Conservation
The purpose of the Conservation class is to provide for effective
long-term management of significant limited or irreplaceable natural
resources. This management may be needed because of any of a variety
of natural, cultural, recreational, productive or scenic,values.
Lands to be placed in the Conservation class are generally the
least desirable for development because
They are too fragile to withstand development
without losing their natural value; and/or
53

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- They have severe or hazardous limitations to
development; and/or
Though they are not highly fragile or
hazardous, the natural.resources they
(� represent are too valuable to endanger by
u development.
Generally, estuarine Areas of Environmental Concern, as defined
Q by the State of North Carolina, and adjacent lands within the 100-year
floodplain have been classified as Conservation.
Conservation areas should be preserved in their natural state;
woodland, grassland and recreation areas not requiring filling.are the
most appropriate uses. Exceptions to this standard are limited to
water -dependent uses (i.e., uses that cannot function elsewhere),
shared industrial access corridors, and those exceptional development
proposals which are sensitively designed so as to effectively preserve
n the natural functions of the site. The following guidelines clarify
u these Conservation area objectives:
(1) Water dependent uses may include: -utility easements, docks,
wharves, boat ramps, dredging, bridge and bridge approaches,
revetments, bulkheads,.culverts, groins, navigational aids,
moorings, pilings, navigational channels, simple access
(� channels and drainage ditches. In instances where a
�j water -dependent use involves coverage of sizeable land
areas, a reclassification removing the property from the
Conservation class may be required. Consequently,
reclassification may be needed for major warehouse/shipping
operations along the Cape Fear River, where extensive
loading, handling and storage areas consume relatively large
(� land areas and afford limited opportunities to integrate the
use with the site's natural features. By contrast, water
dependent uses which can -be designed to preserve a site's
natural features may not require reclassification.
(2)- Shared_industrial..access,corridors, as -discussed in the U.S
Army Corps' of Engineers' The Wilmington Harbor: Plan for
Improvement,. would provide necessary access to the channel
of the Northeast Cape Fear River for industries located on
high ground while minimizing the adverse environmental
(� impacts of ;such access.
(3) Exceptional developments preserving natural features are
projects which are sensitively designed so as to harmonize
with the site's natural features. Such projects: Minimize
erosion, impervious surfaces, runoff and siltation; Do not
adversely impact estuarine resources; Do not interfere with
access to or use of navigable waters; Do not require
extraordinary public expenditures for maintenance; Insure
that ground adsorption sewage systems, if used, meet
(� ,applicable --s.tandards and ,Do�--,not-:damage- :historic,
architectural or archeological resources.
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D
In no case shall residential density in the.Conservation class be
Dpermitted to exceed 2.5 units per acre, regardless of the existence of
public urban services. Residential densities may be required to be as
low as 1.0 units per acre, depending on the environmental constraints
a :within. a,.particular :area. _It =is important - to note that certain
Conservation areas may be served by public sewer in order to eliminate
septic system pollution, but this should not be construed as an
Dopportunity to facilitate increased development density.
LAND CLASSIFICATION MAP
Included with the text of this document, on the following page,
is a Land Classification Map which provides a general description of
the location of each of the land classes established in this section.
This Land Classification Map should not be utilized for site -specific
D interpretive purposes; its scale precludes such detailed use.
Site -specific questions concerning properties described on the Land
Classification Map should be directed to the City of Wilmington,
Planning and Development Department and/or the New Hanover County
:.P.lanning :;Department, as -.applicable.
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D
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D
D
D
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0
0
0
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The purpose of the Wilmington -New Hanover Land Use Plan is to
provide a local planning guide for future growth and development
during the period covered by the Plan. Accordingly, the Plan's
essential elements - the policies -and the Land Classification Map
should remain substantially unchanged during the Plan's tenure.
Frequent changes of these elements would undermine the Plan's'
effectiveness. Nevertheless, future developments involving
unanticipated conflicts with the Plan may warrant amendment of the
Plan in -some instances. This section -outlines procedures applicable.
to such amendments.
1. Form of Application
Requests for amendment to the Plan (text or map) must be
submitted in writing to the Planning Department office(s) at least 15
working days prior to the next meeting of the appropriate planning
advisory body(ies). Applicants shall specify the reasons.why the
proposed amendment is in the public interest. Applications for map
revisions shall include a'site map (scale not less=than 1" = 1 mile)
which clearly indicates the area in question. Local government shall
be reimbursed by the applicant for all advertising costs.
2. Jurisdiction
The following rules are provided to determine which governmental
unit has jurisdiction regarding proposed Plan amendments. All text
amendments must bereviewedand approved by City and County
government. Requests for map amendments shall be reviewed as follows:
- The City of Wilmington shall review and consider all
changes to areas within the City corporate limits.
- The City of Wilmington and New Hanover County shall
review and consider all modifications to the Transition
area lying outside City limits.
N,ew YHanover. ,County shall ,review .and .consider all other
map changes.
3. Form of Review
In accordance with CAMA guidelines, a 30-day notice of the
hearing date(s).upon which the respective governing body(ies)
considers approval of the amendment shall be required. All
changes will be submitted to the State Division of Coastal
Management.. Proposed amendments may then be subject to review by.
the Coastal Resources Commission, as determined by the State
Division of Coastal Management.,
All proposed amendments shall be reviewed by applicable
planning advisory bodies prior to final governmental action.
Where approval by both governing bodies is required under
paragraph (2) above, such approvals must be in the same form.
57

a� t
APPENDICES
1986 LAND USE PLAN UPDATE
The following two appendices, Appendix A: Public
a Participation and Appendix B: Implementation Scorecards,
provide, respectively,-an'analysis°and-supporting documentation
of the public participation sources utilized in the development
of*the 1986 Land Use Plan Update and a listing of the
a` implementation activities of the City and County which carry out
the policies of the 1981 Land Use Plan Update. Readers of this
document should therefore recognize that it is a companion -piece
a to the Policies for Growth and Development document which
comprises the focus for the 1986 Wilmington -New Hanover Land Use
Plan Update.
a .
a
Q
o
:o
Q.
Q
Q
a
a.
a
a
Q

01 J
it
0
APPENDIX A
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this Appendix is to briefly list the reasons
for public participation; describe the participation process used .
by the County and City in the 1986 Update of the Land Use Plan;
and to discuss the initial results of the participation process
in identifying the major issues.
REASONS FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Public participation is extremely important in the land use
U planning process for the following reasons:
1. Public participation aids in identifying and defining
the issues;
2. The public may.establish an order of priority for those
,issues, -that -it-,believes are -,the -most ..critical. -.and .the
most deserving of public funds;
3. Citizens determine the type of community they wish to
attain, and set the direction of policies by which to
achieve that goal; and
4. The process of public participation helps to create a
sense of community which, in turn, helps to ensure that
the chosen policies are effectively implemented.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROCESS
New Hanover County and the City of Wilmington has
established a multi -component public participation process to aid
in the 1986 Update of the Land Use Plan. The major components
include the following:
A. Telephone Survey of Registered Voters
A telephone survey of 502 registered voters who voted in the
last presidential election was conducted by Independent
Opinion Research, Inc. (IOR), in order to identify priority
issues in the unincorporated County and the City. The
survey was conducted from December 5-11, 1985. The 502
voters were randomly chosen using random digit dialing. Two
hundred fifty six (256) voters were from the City. Of the
246 voters from the unincorporated County, 31 voters were
from Cape Fear Township, 125 voters from Harnett Township,
56 from Masonboro Township and 23 voters from Federal Point
Township. The number of voters chosen from the City and
each tcwnship were based on the proportion of populations in
the City and each township, in order to give representative
coverage of the County. The number of surveys.conducted and
the'survey methodology -provided a confidence level of
approximately 95% that the results of the survey are within
several percent of being representative of the opinion of
all active, registered voters in the unincorporated County
and City.
A-1

B.
Land -Use Issues Week.
The County and City Planning Departments conducted a
Land -Use Issues Week from February 24-27, 1986, in an effort
to solicit further public input in identifying issues of
concern. This week consisted of,five-evening public
meetings held throughout the County and City at local
schools. The meetings were advertised in the Wilmington
Star News and other local papers. Press releases and copies
of the IOR report.were distributed to newspapers, radio and -
television stations, citizen groups, and other interested
parties.
Each meeting, attended by an average of approximately 30
citizens, began with a slide show introducing the planning
process and its relationship to local land use issues.
Small group discussions were then led to solicit comments
and opinions. The citizens then completed a questionnaire
nearly identical to a questionnaire used during the 1981
Land -Use Plan Update process. Presentations have also been
made to various professional groups and civic clubs that
have expressed an interest in the County's policies for
growth.
�y C. Land -Use Plan Week
U The County and City Planning Departments.conducted four
evening public meetings in July, similar to the format
followed during Land -Use Issues Week, in order to solicit
comments concerning the draft Land -Use Plan presented in
(� this report.
LJ D. Public Hearings
Formal public hearings concerning the draft Land -Use Plan
were held before the City Planning Commission, County
Planning Board, City Council,.and County Commissioners,
during July'August, and,September. The City Council gave
preliminary approval to the Plan September 23, 1986, and the
County Commissioners approved it October20-, 1986. The
North Carolina Coastal Resources Commission will give State
approval.
E. Presentation to Citizen Groups
The County and City Planning Departments have informed local
citizen groups that staff would be pleased to make
presentations concerning the Land -Use Plan to the groups.
A-2

0
I
IDENTIFICATION AND RANKING OF THE ISSUES
The principal methods utilized in identifying issues and
ranking them in importance have been the IOR survey and Land Use
Issues Week,fas..,discussed_in._the.-previous section. The results
of the IOR survey are summarized in Table A -I, which simply lists
the percentages of voters who responded in various ways to the..
questions. The results of the Land Use Issues Week are
summarized.in Table A-2, which lists the percentages of
respondents for both the 1981 and 1986 questionnaires, and Table
A-3, which summarizes some.of the comments made by the public.
Generally, the public has expressed concern_ over growth
management issues in response to impacts caused by the moderately
rapid growth of the area in the past decade and the need for
increased infrastructure services. The major issue, without
.question, is the need for new and expanded roads. Sixty-one
percent (61%) of the voters, -according to the IOR, feel that
roads and traffic are the major problems facing the County. In
addition, ° °traffic was the -<most <:frequently -mentioned -issue during
Land Use Issues Week.
Other growth management concerns include the need for more
effective planning and land use regulations to ensure greater
compatibility of land uses. Strip commercial development and the
encroachment of dense,.multi-family housing into single-family
neighborhoods are examples of the concerns mentioned. in
addition, the participants in Land Use Issues Week believe that
lack of enforcement of regulations was a major problem.
Environmental problems have continued to be of major
concern. According to the IOR survey, 72% agree that water
quality is declining in the rivers, creeks, and sounds.
Fifty eight percent (58%) believe that their well water is.
becoming polluted.
Finally, concern has°zbeen expressed-thatdevelopment is
sprawling all over the County and that growth is proceeding too
rapidly. According to the IOR survey, 41% feel the -County is.
growing too fast, compared to only 6% that the County is not
growing fast enough. Forty-eight percent (48%), however, feel
that the County is growing at an acceptable rate.
A-3

Note: All numbers after question 4 are percentages.
New Hanover County Survey-(N=502)
December, 1985
Telephone #
Hello, I'm (write name)
from Independent Opinion Research, the national opinion firm, and
we're conducting a public opinion survey among over 500
registered voter in New Hanover County. This survey is being
done to assist New Hanover County update its land use plan, and
your input, is needed. Your answers are confidential.
1. First of all, are you registered to vote in New Hanover
County?
1 W Yes (continue) 2( ) No/Not Sure (TERMINATE).
2. Did you vote in the 1984 Presidential Election?
1 W Yes 2( ) No/Not Sure (TERMINATE).
3.. Which of the following areas do you live in...
1(256) Wilmington 2( ) Wrightsville Beach 3( ) Carolina
Beach 4( ) Kure Beach 5(256) Unincorporated area outside
city limits of these four municipalities. ATEPIMATE
INTERVIEW IF 2, 3, 4)
4. Where did you vote? (which school or public building).
TOWNSHIPS -CAPE FEAR 31, HARNETT 125, MASONBORO 56, FEDERAL POINT
231 WILMINGTON 256, UNSURE 11
.5 What, ,inyouur_opinion, is.the most important issue facing
New_Hanover County that'the county can-do'something about?
TRAFFIC 23% CONSOLIDATION 7%
ROADS 16% SEWAGE AND WATER 5%
DEVELOPMENT 9% ENVIRONMENT 3%
6. Do you feel the county is growing?
1 (41) too fast 2 (48) at an acceptable rate 3 (6) not
.fast enough 4 (1) other 9 (1) don't know/no opinion
7. What economic activity would you most like to see in New
Hanover County?
.1 (14) heavy manufacturing (like our chemical plants)
2 (31) light "high tech" industry (electrical manufacturing)
3 (15) trade and service business (retail, banking & trade)
A-4

4 (19) tourism/tourist attractions
9 (10) no opinion/not sure
6 (11) all kinds
8.
:Should.-developers.be,required
to. share the.costs
to help
pay
for new public facilities needed because of growth, such
as
new roads, parks and schools?
1 (83) Yes 2 (9) No 3 (2) No
Opinion 4 (4)
Depends 9
(2)
Not sure
9.
If answer 9 is no, then ask, )
Should costs of growth be
entirely covered by the property tax paid by
everyone?
1 (55) Yes 2 (43) No 3 ( )
No opinion 9
(2) Not sure
Please tell me whether or not you agree with the following
statements as they.relate to New Hanover County.
If you have
no
opinion or have never heard of the
issues, please
say so.
.(1) (2)
(3) -
(9)
dis-
no don't
agree agree
opinion know
(Percent)
10.
Water quality is declining
72 7
10
11
in our river, creeks, and
sounds.
11.
I have no problem parking
17 68
10
5
at the.beach when I want to.
12.
Wilmington needs a con-
73 16
6
5
vention center.
13.
Our well water is becoming
58 13
13
16
-polluted,
14.
Billboards are needed along
24 70
6
2
our highways.
15.
Illegal trash dumping is a
48 44
5
3
problem in my part -of the
county.
16.
More public boat access to
58 15
15
12
the river & sounds is needed.
17.
Traffic congestion is a
87 12
1
0
problem for me.
18.
-New -,Hanover, • County -has , enough
38 4 8
7
7
public parks & playgrounds.
A-5

19. Uniform regulations for
77 6 10 7
zoning and land use should
be adopted by Wilmington &
New Hanover County (to avoid
multi -family developments in
single family neighborhoods,
for example).
20. There are too many townhouses
70 16 8 6
and condominiums and other
dense development along the
creeks and sounds.
21. Wilmington and New Hanover
35 44 12 9
County should not consolidate.
22. Continued revitalization of
73 18 6 3
downtown Wilmington is
necessary.
Please tell me how important you feel the following issues are to
Wilmington and New Hanover County.
Are they very important,
somewhat important, or not :important, or do you have no opinion
or are not sure of the issues?
. Some
Very What Not Not
Imp. Imp Imp_ N O Sure
(Percent)
23. Lack of fire.hydrants in 61 15 7 8 9
the outlying areas of the.
County.
24.
Use of neighborhood streets
42
for shortcuts by through
traffic.
25.
Lack of public money to
44
help declining neighborhoods.
26.
Beach erosion that results
48
in the destruction of homes
or businesses.
27.
Lack of public transportation
37
(buses) in the county.
28.*
Commercial development
61
intruding into residential
neighborhoods.
-29 ..
• .,Too _many= government __,.34
restrictions on building
construction and land
development.
24 27 4
25 17 8
17 25 5
21
24
13
14
_15
_ 3 2
0
5
3
6
5
10
7
7 12
A-6

30.
Rapid strip commercial 51 22
18 5 4
development along.major
roads, such as College,
Market, and Oleander.
'57 '14
u
31.
Lack of bicycle paths from
16 5 3
downtown Wilmington to
Wrightsville Beach &
Carolina Beach.
32.
Removal of trees due to 58 23
11 4 4
land development.
33.
Lack of compulsory trash 46 21
12.: 11 10
pick up in the unincorpor-
ated area.
_
34.
Closing of shellfish beds. 51 17
9 12 11
35..
Building, -.new roads and 92 5
1 1 1
widening streets to
handle traffic needs.
36.
Now that we have gone through some of the
issues facing New
Hanover County, which one do you consider
the most important
U
U
problem?,
�j
TRAFFIC 41% PLANNING 5%
`ZONING 4%
Lj
ROADS 20. COASTAL DEVELOPMENT 4%
ENVIRONMENT 3%
37.
If spending additional dollars would be required to solve
your problem, would you be willing for the City or County to
do so?
(1{
1(80) yes 2(4) no 3(2) depends 4(8) no
opinion 9(6) N/S
j�
Finally to insure that we have a representative
sample of the
County, I need to ask you a few questions for statistical
purposes only.
D38.
What was the last grade you completed in school?
1 ( ) 8th grade or less
{�
2 ( ) 9th-llth grade
U
3 (45) High School graduate/grade school
4 ( ) some technical training
5 (25) some college/technical training
a
6 (23) college graduate
7 ( 7) post graduate
8 ( ) won't say
9 ( ) -not:; sure
U
A-7

39. What is your occupation?
White collar 43%. Homemaker 17%
Retired/Disabled 16% Blue
Collar 12%
Service Worker 5% Self-employed
3%
Student"'2% Unemployed
2%
40.
What is your age?
1 (14):18-29 2 (27) 30-39
3 (16) 40-49 4 (17) 50-59
5 (10) 60-64 6 (16) 65+ 7
( ) won't say 9 ( ) not .sure
41.
Do you own,or rent your home?
1 (78) own 2 (22) rent 9 (
) not sure
42.
What was your total family income
in 1984?
1 (12) $9,999 and under
6 (21) $30,000-$39,999
2 ( 8) $10,000-$14,999
7 (10) $40,000-$49`,999
3 (13) $15,000=$19,999
8.(12)`$50,000 or -more
4 (10) $20,000-$24,999
9 ( ) N/S
5 (14) $25,000-$29,999
0 ( ) Won't say
43.
And, just to make sure we have
a representative sample, can
you tell me you race?
1 (81) white 2 (19) black 3
( ) oriental` 4 ( ) other
THANK
YOU FOR YOUR TIME
n 44. Sex: 1 (58) female 2 (42) male
A-8

TABLE
A-2
PUBLIC OPINION QUESTIONNAIRE
RESULTS
WILMINGTON-NEW HANOVER COUNTY
LAND USE PLAN,
1981
AND
1986
aThe
following questionnaireresults are presented
as
a percentage
of
the
total number of responses received for
each question.
In
some
cases,
the
across -row response totals do not equal
100%. .This is
due
to rounding.
1.:
1981
1986
Number of Completed; Questionnaires
42
90
(PERCENTS)
Serious
Some
No
No
Concern
Concern
Concern
Response
U A.
URBAN GROWTH
.. .
1981.1986
1981
1986
1981
1986
1981
1986
1.
Sprawling -development patterns
38% 66%
48%
27%
5%
0%
5%
7%
2.
Cost of providing public
57 49
38
41
0
3
5
7
services.
(�
3.
Rapid population growth.
19 62
55
33
17
3
10
2
4.
Other.
0 10
0
0
0
0
100
90
B.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
1.
2.
Substandard housing.
Decline of business in
45 31
50 25
43
40
49
49
7
5
10
10
5
5
11
9
downtown area.
3.
Unemployment.
48 22
45
52
0
15
7
11
4.
Cost of living rising faster
59 42
29
34
2
14
10
10
than family incomes.
5.
Other.
0 1
0
2
0
0
100
97
C.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS
a-
1.
Contamination,of ground
water by"`inappropriate
74 85
19
12
5.
1
2
1
development.
2.
Closing of , shel fish areas.
55 74
36
23
5.
2
2
1
3.j
Loss of wet lands.
50 77
43
19
2
1
5
3
4.
Pollution of surface waters
71 77
19
14
5
3
5
6
by septic tanks.
5.
Pollution of surface waters
59 78
36
19
2
0
5
3
by land runoff.
6.
Solid waste disposal.
79` 71
7
18
2
5
2
6
a8.
7..
Air quality.
--Other-.
43 60 _.
.7
36
.0
29
0
5
1.
6
0
12
100
6
93
.0
,
A-9

Serious
Concern
Some
Concern
No
Concern
No
Response
1981
1986
1981
1986
1981
1986
1981
1986
�I
LAND'USE
1.
Inadequate buffer zone between
43%
43%
40%
.49%
14%
3%
2%
5%
C
industry and residential areas.
2.
Strip commercial development.
40
62
38
28
10
6
10
5
3.
Encroachment of commercial
development into residential
43
62
43
33
10
2
5
3
areas.
4.
Loss of prime mineral resource
17
30
36
35
29
-24
14
12
sites to development.
�J
i�
5.
Residential development on
48
54
40
39
7
4
5
3
.inappropriate
soils.;
6.
Loss of prime farm and wood-
36
55
36
31
17
4
12
10
lands to development.
.7. ..Devel,opment.in.flood
hazard
48
57
29
31
14
4
10
9
areas.
8.
Development too close to the
52
67
21
21
21
3
5
9
beach.
9.
Other.
0
3
0
1
0
0
100
96
u�.
TRANSPORTATION
1.
Lack of an outer loop or ;
38
62
40
29
19
6
2
-5
a
beltway.
2.
Rail service through
19
13
40
39
36
36
7
12
3.
residential areas.
Inadequate: public transit
31
27
50
44
17
23
2
6
service.
4.
Lack of bikeway routes,
36
38
36
40
29
16
10;
6
5.
Loss of existing neighborhoods.
31
43
45
42
14
7
10
8
6.
Other.
0
1
0
0
0
0
100
99
F.
RECREATION
1.
Loss of wildlife and open
43
65
36
26
14
3
10
6
space.
.2.
Lack of planned County -wide
43
61
43
31
10
3
5
6
open space system.
3.
Inadequate recreational
31
37
50
49
14
9
5
6
facilities.
4.
Inadequate public access to
38
51
40
34
17
9
5
7
water.
a5.
Other.
0
1
0
0
0
0
100
99
D
A-10

LOCAL GOVERNMENT
a`
FUNDING
PRIORITIES
High
Medium
Low
No
Priority
Priority
Priority
Response
1981 1986
1981
1986
1981
1986
1981
1986
(�
t�1.
Beach erosion control.
5% 30%
-40%
27%
50%
33%
- 5%
11%
2.
Bikeways.
26 29
46
38
36
27
0
7
Civic -center.
38 15
43
39
19
36
0
11,
i�4.
Old Courthouse renovation
_ NA 17
NA
38-
NA
37 -
NA
9
5.
Downtown revitalization -
38 33.
50
39
10
16
2
12
6.
City drainage
'3646
48
38
14
7
-2
9
�7.
County drainage,
45 50
36
35
14
6
7
10
8.
Area -.wide parks.
24 29
55
47
19
14
2 -
10
9.
Neighborhood parks.
36 36-:
38
42
26
13:
0
9.
0.
-1.
New public schools '
29 26
40
42
31
19
0
12
Renovation of'public schools
50 43.
43
42
-5
4
2
11
12.
Road construction. and- Maintenance.
38 ,69
50
23
10
1
2
7
'�3. :
�4.
Improvement of city sewer system.
26. 42
55
38
12
10
7
11
Construction of.county sewer system.
52 61
36
22
14:
7
0
11
5.
Improvement of city water system.
38 41
48
37
14
11
.0
12
6.
Construction of county water system.
43 40
36
31
21
16
2
14
.7.
Public access to water.
26 39
.24
. 29
21
10
29
23
S.
Other.
0 1
0
0
0
0
100
99
rJ
Residence Location For
Questionnaire
Respondents
1 1 981 986
1981 1986
aCape
Fear Township 12% 20%
Point Township
5%
2%
Harnett Township 26 29
Wilmington,
40
30
Masonboro Township 14 13
.-No.Response
2
3
U
_
'a
a
i.J
a
a
A-11

"
TABLE A-3
SUMMARY OF COMMENTS DURING
nn
U
LAND USE ISSUES.WEEK, 1986 -
"
Economic and Community Development
New Hanover County/Wilmington
Number of
Times Mentioned Issue
25
Traffic:- problems along Wrightsville Avenue,
17th:Street, Market Street and Wilshire
Boulevard, widen Market Street and South
College Road, extend 41st Street.
Insufficient intersection design and no
(?
signal coordination. Traffic problems in
u
Castle,Hayne." Need for protection of
, -transportation -.corridors. Another access for
Middle Sound Road. Outer loop should be kept
�j
out of Wilmington. Need to guard against
single access development.. Create toll -
nroads.
u
23
Aesthetic concerns: control.litter;
eliminate billboards and visual pollution in
city. More attractive shopping centers;
Q
preservation of trees and other vegetation;
improve City entrances.
21
Need tools tocontrolactive development and
provide for orderly controlled growth.
n
Lenient zoning laws need to be strengthened;:
too.easy to change zoning. Present laws
U
should be enforced.. Need for stricter
-.,coordination/.review.---of special=--use-.permits
(�
and rezonings. Need more long range
�j
planning. Strengthen the permitting process.
Change zoning to less intensive uses.. Define
optimal growth. Require uniform zoning
regulations.
12
Strengthen cluster_ commercial policies;.stop
strip development; separate commercial zones.
Business encroachment in.residential areas
should not be allowed. Buffer areas should
be required between uses.
10
More recreational programs and facilities;
park planning; improveinadequate parks..
,More;-open--space=dedication. - - ".-Present
recreational facilities need lights.
l.J
a
A-12

Number of
a
Times Mentioned
Issue
10
Developers should pay for widening roads and
.-for,.,provision of. utilities. Impact fees
should be.responsibility of developer.
Developer should dedicate open space.
L�
5
Safer and more bike paths. Save -rights of
.way for bike paths.
5
Better subdivision design; need easement;'
rights for drainage.
4
Better zoning controls along the waterways
and major roads; special attention to the
boom along the waterways. How will the
(�!
potential increase of density on the.waterway-
�j
be handled? Performance zoning is dangerous
because,: it_,a�,lows dense.: development along the
creeks.,
3
More performance zoning; maintain a mixture
p
of land uses.
3
Preserve existing neighborhoods even to
design standards so that things fit in.
(�
Prevent the destruction of historic homes.
L�?
Support housing.renovation.
3
Better public transit; protect trolley line.
. g
Need for low and moderate income housing.
2
There is no avenue for participating on
airport noise planning and impact of airport
=on -.residential development.
a2
Central sewer and zoning by planning, not
vice versa.
Fire protection, fire marshal and fire
department tax.
�.
2-
Prorate taxes and return them; more federal.
and state money to Castle Hayne.
(j
2
Need parking, particularly.downtown
(�
1
Build civic center out'in County
1
<. Protect trail -.lines
1
Day care_ centers
U
A-13 ..

a�
Number of ,
Times Mentioned
Issue
1
Control traffic induced pollution
1
Require that undeveloped land be taxed at
market value.
better
1
Street.maintenance should be
1
More money for educational -materials at the
D
`
public schools.
1
Sidewalks `where roads ' are being -. resurfaced
1
Encourage development of vacant lots in
Hemenway..
a1
Convenient shopping is needed in.the inner
_city
a2
Consolidation (for)
1
Consolidation (against)
1'
Better police protection
L1
Resource Management
New Hanover County/Wilmington
Number of
,Times Mentioned
Issue
13
Better enforcement and more teeth in
regulations; involve legal department in
-,:'_enforcement; ..more --:enforcement ; personnel -and
enforcement laws.
13
Control drainage through.plans and
regulations; include a comprehensive -drainage.
plan. Regulate farmland, industrial,
impervious surface runoff.
10
Better environmental protection in general
7
Water access to beach and waterways; tie
(�
river access to growth
2
Emphasize protection of river quality
2
Clearing °permits .are. inadequate; stop land
clearing.
U
D
A-14

Number of
Times Mentioned
Issue
1
Improve air quality -permitting
1
,Better local government coordination:w/DOT
a1
1-
There.is over -regulation at present
Make a more festive downtown
1
Make County's waterways more identifiable
1
Better regulation of package treatment.plans
D.
1
Preservation of farmlands
LJ
Resource Protection
New `Hanover--County/Wilmington
Number of
Times Mentioned
Issue
13
Protect the aquifer system and the ground
water system
_D
4
Control beach erosion; let nature take its
course; require bigger setbacks
3
Control pollution from boat usage and marina
L1
discharge -
(�
Z
Preserve air quality around airport and
industry and other areas
2
`Development of marshlands `should�--not be
allowed
Z
Shellfish beds should be protected
L1
2
Control septic tank pollution:
n
1
Need environmental impact study for
(�f
development in environmentally sensitive
areas
a1
Protect Masonboro Island
1
Water should be sampled throughout the County
(�
Protect
U
1
sand fiddler crabs
rl
U
A-15

U
Number of
a
Times Mentioned
Issue
1
CRC members should only be from the eastern
the
-.Part ,of _ .state
1
Increase wildlife preservation
aCitizen
Participation
New Hanover County/Wilmington
8
Better:public relations and public
information i.e., use=cable TV for
notification of planning issues; information
office;.education of youth about planning;
and better newspaper coverage
{�
4
Better signs and notification of rezoning
requests
3
Community clean up - i.e., work force for
clean up; support clean.community and
encourage area pride.
2
Correct apathy;.more effective citizen
U
participation
(�
2
More -public meetings
2
organize neighborhood groups
Q2
Correct the adversary relations between City
administration and the public
o1
Meeting place for council is inadequate and
should be changed to, for example, the
:..judicial- building
1
System in which the minority rule would
affect the decisions of the.majority
Q1
Better notification of utility - work
scheduling
1
More,involvement from schools
1
Politics keep out those willing to serve
(�
and
U
1
Publicize bicycle, safety regulations
rl
1
Inform citizens of what they can do to
u
,preserve, ,•trees ,sand,.,vegetation.
1
What are the benefits of growth? Explain for
public
U
A^26

0
storm Hazard Mitigation
New Hanover County/Wilmington
Number of
Times mentioned
.Issue
4
More direction and control over evacuation;
(�
evacuation of Shell Island would be
L!
difficult; need adequate evacuation plan for
nuclear accidents
2
Guard against single access development;
Middle Sound Road is.a bottleneck for
evacuation - i.e. Bayshore Estates and Figure
Island.
Eight
2
Improve single bridge access to Wrightsville
D
Beach
1
Utilities -go out.during°storms
D1
Flooding of Burnt Mill Creek
D
D
�D
D
_
D
Q
D
D
A-17

APPENDIX B
IMPLEMENTATION SCORECARDS
Since the 1981 Land Use Plan Update, the City. and County
Eive been involved in a number of activities which have served to
nplement-'the"policies-established,in that__Plan.Update. These
implementation actions are listed below as City.and County
scorecards"
City of Wilmington
Implementation Scorecard
0olicy
The 1981 Policies for Growth and Development established statements,intended to guide decisions concerning.the
physical development of the City of Wilmington. The following
L?utline summarizes those policies under specific policy headings
Lad describes actions taken by the City of .Wilmington over.the
past five years to implement the policies.
Economic and Community Development
: I. Economic Development Policies Inherent.to these
policy statements is: the intent thatthe City.of
Wilmington encourage economic expansion by encouraging
growth in industry, tourism, housing and commerce, and
that the City build and maintain transportation systems
to attract and encourage continued growth in the area.
City plans that serve to implement these intentions
are:
A. Riverwalk Improvement Plan and Riverfront Plan -
Both plans recommend projects for improvements and
(� development along the City's riverfront. These
�.( projects enhance the growth of tourism in the
.City. Examples of projects include:
n 1. Development "of ' Recreational,Boat Y Launch
U .2. Water Street Plaza Park Extensions
3. Development of Riverfront Walkway
4. Development of Downtown Area Marina
The plans were adopted in 1984 and 1982,
respectively.
B. Guidelines for Neighborhood Conservation - Outlines
policies to fund the rehabilitation of old houses
and to provide for'new construction when feasible.
The Guidelines were amended in 1984.
C. Ten Year Thoroughfare Plan outlines roads to .be
improved or constructed over the next ten years.
Good,.roads make the area more attractive for
industry, commercial' `activity; --tourism, ,etc.
Examples of roadway construction projects include:
{� 1. Smith Creek Parkway/Downtown Spur
U
B-1

j_
U
2. Northern and southern phases of the Wilmington
Urban Area.Outer Loop
3. NC 132 (Shipyard Boulevard to US 421) -
Four-laning.
This plan is currentlybeing updated and is
(� ,,scheduled-lor•.completion-during 1986.
1� D.. Policy by Wilmington Transit Authority to,hold
mass transportation costs at.a level affordable by
11 city's lower income residents. Bus fare has been
$.50 since 1983.
This policy was adopted on January 12, 1984.
D
E. Action by City Council on January 14, 1986
endorsing the small Business Incubator project:
This project is.designed to promote and encourage
the.start of small businesses throughout the City
of Wilmington by .providing financial.and technical
assistance`.
F. .Three -Year Housing and Community -Development -Plan -
Identifies the housing and community needsoft
City and sets long and short-term objectives for
addressing those needs to.include the development
of viable urban areas by providing decent housing
and expnanding economic opportunities, principally
for persons of low and moderate income. This plan -
was adopted in October, 1985.
II. Economic Efficiency/Energy Conservation Policies are
concerned with the efficient use of urban services and
with energy conservation.
A. The City's Capital Improvement Pro am (CIP.)
addresses the intent of these policies. It
(� outlines improvements to and construction of urban
U services and outlines expenditures..,for.those
-services, -over the -next `five years. Examples of
these improvements and their associated costs are:
I. Streets and drainage $63,013,000
2. Public facilities $8,054,000
.3 Water and sewer rehabilitation $12,400,000
4 Water and. sewer $45,329,000
This program aims to accommodate area demand and
growth The CIP was adopted in.1985.
U B. The Neighborhood Conservation Program Guidelines
set policy governing the allocation of loan funds
for the rehabilitation of older residential
dwellings. Inherent to the rehabilitation process
is the intent that the rehabilitated dwelling be
made energy efficient. One of ,the program
obi ectives-'staies."Energy conservation measures in
rehabilitation work will be encouraged to reduce
E
B-2
j

a
energy cost for the borrowers". These Guidelines.
were amended in 1984.
III. Residential Land Use Policies are intended to govern'
the development, rehabilitation, safety and intensity
--,of- residential .properties.. The City,has implemented
this intent with:
(�
A. Zoning Ordinance - The recently revised Zoning
u
.-Ordinance seeks to encourage the.most`appropriate
use of the land within the City, while preserving
the character of established residential
neighborhoods and protecting their associated
property values. Revisions to the Ordinance were
adopted in.1984.
B. Numerous neighborhood rehabilitation programs have
been approved by City Council and -the Planning
Commission that are intended to.revive declining
neighborhoods and restore many historically
-•-=significant buildings, withine.the City --of
Wilmington. They are:
1. Brooklyn Neighborhood Strategy Area Plan - An
action_ plan for the preservation of a declining
inner city neighborhood. (Adopted July 26,.
1983)
2. Hemenway Neighborhood Plan - A plan of
improvements to preserve and restore an
�}
historic inner-city neighborhood within the
LJ
National Register Area of the City of
Wilmington. (Adopted April 3, 1985)
3. Lake Village and Riverside Apartments - Both
developments were built to house workers during
the Second World War and -had become
dilapidated. Authorization by City_ Council to
apply for financial assistance and to approve
tax-exempt financing made it possible to
rehabilitate t these--units=:and _-retain them as
(�
affordable housing for moderate and" low
L1
income families.` The Lake Village project
was authorized on April 27, 1982, and the
Riverside project was authorized on July 26,
1983.
IV. CommercialLand Use Policies are intended.to regulate
and control commercial development ina manner that
encourages growth in specific areas and discourages
strip development or encroachment into residential
(?
neighborhoods.
The new Zoning Ordinance provides specifically for
r-�
the grouping of commercial development into regional,
`community',and'neighborhood'centers. Commercial uses
are not allowed to encroach into non-commercial areas
and buffering is provided where commercial.uses'adjoin
B-3
LS
_�

residential uses. The Zoning Ordinance was adopted in
a
1984,
V. Industrial Land_ Use Policies are intended to encourage
(�
the clustering..of .industry into industrial parks and on
U
land suited for the activities associated particular -
industrial operations, to discourage any hazard or
nuisance resulting from industrial activity that may
-
negatively impact surrounding uses, and to encourage
public involvement in the siting of industrial plants.
VI. Transportation, Communication and Utilities Land Use
Policies intend that.transportation, communication or
utility facilities be located so as to not pose a.
(�
hazard or threat to'surrounding land uses. These
L�
policies also support bikeway facilities and ride
sharing programs as energy efficient alternatives to
the automobile, and supports improved coordination
between the land, water and air modes.of
..:transportation.
A. On March 23, 1982 the City Council accepted the
Bicycle Facilities Plan and also passed a
resolution establishing the Bicycle Advisory,
j�
Committee to:
Ls
1. Improve bicycle education program
2. Support a state sponsored bicycle enforcement
program for New Hanover County
3. Develop and present ideas, projects and plans
to promote area bicycle safety.
B. On April 12, 1983 the City Council approved a
revised Memorandum of Understanding between the
City of Wilmington, Town of Wrightsville Beach,
Belville, Brunswick County, New Hanover County and
the North Carolina Department of Transportation
which .Provides ..for coordinated _.planning of
transportation facilities through the
Transportation Advisory Committee.
C. On May 15 1985 the Transportation Advisory
Committee adopted the Wilmington Urbanized Area
Transportation Improvement Program for highways,
mass transit, bicycles and the Airport.
VII. Recreation and Open Space Policies direct City of
Wilmington to provide and maintain recreational
facilities and to preserve natural recreational
facilities.
A. The Riverfront Plan (adopted in 1982) recommended
-the development -.-of -a -Recreational Boat Launch,
Water Street Plaza Park, Riverfront Walkway and
Downtown Area Marina. The plan provides for
B-4

recreational facilities around downtown
Wilmington's scenic riverfront.
' B. The Riverwalk Improvement Plan (adopted in 1984)
recommends building a continuous walkway, linking
public -and --private, -development along the downtown
'riverfront area.
j C. Construction of a Municipal Boat Landing facility
` at the intersection of Castle and Water Streets
occurred during 1985 and.early 1986, improving
water access for residents and visitors.
D. The City of Wilmington achieved Certified Local
Government Status under the U.S. Park Service
requirements,on March 18, 19860 This designation `
allows the City a relatively high'degree of local
autonomy in administering State and Federal
4 recreation grants, as well as giving the City a
competitive advantage in obtaining such grants
III. Historic and Archaeological Resource Policies are
intended to provide for the preservation and
(� restoration of Historic Wilmington, allowing for
L� versatility of use as.long as the historic.character of
the area is promoted.
A. The Planning Commission and City Council have
taken numerous actions to promote restoration of
historic structures and neighborhoods. These are:
1. Certification of the Hemenway Neighborhood
Conservation Area (an historic inner-city
neighborhood). This April 3, 1985 plan
recommends physical improvements, service
improvements, neighborhood self help projects,
and housing improvements.
2. Certification of the Downtown; Redevelopment
Area..,, -Establishes -,,a -non-residential
.redevelopment plan for Wilmington',s downtown,
recommending improvements to include the area's
central Business District, Commercial Services
District and Light Manufacturing District.
3. Authorization to apply for a grant to fund an
Architectural Inventory of the Historic
District Area. This action was taken on May
25, 1982.
IX. Public Participation Policies promote the involvement
of the public in the activity of City government by
encouraging attendance at open meetings and by
scheduling special meetings for public education and
participation when necessary. The City. -has implemented
{� these policies through:
B-5
1�

New Hanover County
Implementation Scorecard
The 1981
Policies for Growth and Development established
policy.stateme.nts intended to _guide decisions concerning the
physical development of New Hanover County. The -following
outline summarizes those policies.under specific policy.headings
and describes
actions taken by New Hanover County over the past
five years to
implement.the policies.
Economic and Community Development
I. Economic Development Policies. -.Actions -taken by the
County to -`implement Economic and Community.Development
(�
Policies_-1.1(1).-(9) include the following:
A.
Obtained-CDBG grant of $750,000 to aid in the
siting of Amhoist Company in Wilmington.
B..
---E.stabl shed atrong ;program -in tourism development
including:
1. Adoption of the Room Occupancy Tax to fund
tourism promotion and erosion control efforts.
2. Established New Hanover Convention and
Visitors Bureau.
3. Funded tourism marketing and development
study.
C.
Maintenance of adequate areas of vacant
commercially and industrially suitable land.
D.
Provision of .census and other marketing
information -to industry.
(}
E.
Obtained grant for sewer provision in the Seagate
L�
area.
F.
Prepared grant applications for housing
rehabilitation and sewer provision in Phase One of
the County Sewer Plan.
G.
Provision of.industrial zoning along the rivers.
H.
Provision of support for airport planning.
I.
Provision of commercial and industrial land uses
along the I-40 corridor.
J.
Provision of support for the Wilmington
Thoroughfare Plan through subdivision review and
zoning decisions.
K.
Provision of financial su PP. ort to Cape Fear
P
Technical Institute and its training program.
B-6

New Hanover County
Implementation Scorecard
The 1981
Policies for Growth and Development established
policy statements intended to guide decisions concerning the
physical development of New Hanover"County. The following
outline summarizes those policies under specific policy headings
and describes
actions taken by New Hanover County over -the past
five years to
implement the policies.
Economic and Community Development
I. Economic Policies - Actions taken by the -
Development
County County to implement Economic and Community Development.
Policies 1.1(1)-(9) include the following:
A.
Obtained CDBG grant of$750,000 to aid in the
siting of.Amhoist Company in Wilmington.
B.
Established strong program in tourism development
including:
1. Adoption of the.Room Occupancy Tax to fund
tourism promotion and erosion.control efforts.
2. Established Wilmington/New Hanover Visitors
j�
and Meeting Council.
(,
3. Funded tourism marketing and development
study.
C.
Maintenance of adequate areas of vacant
commercially and industrially suitable land.
(�
D.
Provision of census and other marketing
U
information to industry.
E.
Obtained grant for sewer provision in the Seagate
�j
area.
F.:
Prepared grant applications for housing
rehabilitation and sewer provision in Phase One of
the County Sewer Plana
G.
Provision of industrial zoning along the rivers.
H.
Provision of support for airport planning.
I.
Provision of commercial and industrial land uses
along the I-40 corridor.
J.
Provision of support for the Wilmington
Thoroughfare Plan through subdivision review -and
zoning decisions.
K.
Provision of financial support to Cape Fear
Technical Institute and its training program.
(�
U
-
B-7

Qmeans
L. Provision of support for the Urban Service Area as
of controlling urban sprawl and reducing
living costs.
{
M. Examination of impacts of railway closings.
II. Economic Efficiency/Energy Conservation Policies
�i
Action taken by the County to implement Economic
Efficiency/Energy Conservation Policies 1.2(1)-(10)
include the following:
A. Developed and supported Urban Services Area
concept, including:
1. Determined Urban Services Area boundary based
on planned phasing of urban services.
2. Requirement of 2.5 units/acre maximum
density outside Urban.Services.Area boundary.
3. Provision of density bonuses for Planned
Developments within the Urban Services Area.
B. Give density bonus -for use'of"energy conservation
and alternative energy systems in Planned
Developments.
j�
C1. Created the County's incinerator system for the
�j
sale of energy from the burning of trash.
D. Developed Capital Improvements Program based on
Urban Services Area.
III. Residential Land Use Policies - Actions taken by the
County to implement Residential Land Use Policies
1.31(1)-(4) include the following:
A. Permit multi -family housing by right in . four of
11
five residential districts.
B. Allow manufactured housing by right or by special
use permit.
C. Acquired grant for sewer system in. Seagate area.
D. Application for CDBG housing rehabilitation funds.
E. Maintenance of zoning buffers for office and
U
institutional and neighborhood commercial
districts around residential areas.
F. Permit.only low -density residential development in
most floodplain areas.
G. ._..,Require ._hurricane ;_.evacuation .planning for
vulnerable subdivisions.
u
B-8

fl.archaeological
H. Developed inventory of historical and
sites in County and incorporated
means for their protection into the Zoning
Ordinance.
-'Special'
I. Drafted and presented Use ,-Permit
requirements for hazardous waste facilities.
J. Prepared Hurricane.Hazard Evacuation -Plan
IV. Office and Institutional Land Use Policies - Actions
taken by the County to implement Office and
Institutional Land.Use Policies 1.34(1)-(3) include the
following :
A. Developed the Office and Institutional Zoning
District.
B. Recognition of the important future of office and
institutional uses in the County's economy.
C. Supported the development of free trade zones to
attract foreign business.
(�
V. Commercial Land Use Policies - Actions taken by the
County to implement Commercial Land Use Policies
1.33(1)-(2):
A. Established Shopping Center, Highway. Business,
Neighborhood Business, and Planned Development
zoning districts to accommodate various commercial
uses.
B. Establishment of landscaping and buffer strips
requirements for commercial uses.
!�
C. _ Provision .marketinginformation ,for -businesses
wishing.to expand or to locate in the County.
VI. Industrial Land Use Policies - Actions taken by the
County.to implement Industrial Land Use Policies
1.34(1)-(3) include the following:
A. Maintenance of adequate areas of industrially -zoned
j�
land along the rivers, major highways, and railways.
B. Provision of support for the Committee of 100 and
'other marketing organizations.
C. Established the Airport Industrial Park.
D. >-Ohtained CDBG.,funds ,for-Amhoist.
E. Zoned Castle Hayne area in effort to protect
(�
County's aquifer system. .
u
B-9

VII. Transportation, Communication and Utilities �Land�Use
Policies - Actions taken by the County to implement
Transportation, Communications, and Utilities Land Use
Policies 1.35(1)-(6):
u
A. Maintenance of low density residential zoning
around Airport.
B. Participation in the development and support of
the Wilmington Area Thoroughfare Plana
C. Classified streets in County as means to review
and regulate development.
D.. Required,bike path for. Landfall Planned
Development.
(�
E. Approved Bike Plan.
�j
VIII.:Rec=eation_;andOpen,Space_Policies.- Actions taken by
the County to implement Recreation and Open Space
Policies 1.36(i)-(4) include the following:
A. Acquired several shorefront access grants from the
(�
State and initiated the improvement of public
1S
water access.
B. Prepared park facility impact fee requirement for
new subdivision development.
C. Prepared draft legislation establishing an excise
tax on real property sales, for use for water
access and other uses.
(^)
D. Require waterfront access for subdivisions on
j�
barrier islands.
E. Prepared Public Water Access Plan for New Hanover
County.
F. Established open space requirement for high
density development and for planned -developments.
IX. Estuarine Areas of Environmental Concern Policies - The
County has taken the following actions to implement
Estuarine System Areas of Environmental Concerns (AECs)
Policies 2.3(1)-(4):
A. Established drainage, buffer, and natural area
Preservation requirements for wetlands in the
Conservation Overlay District.
B. Coordination of County Health Department and U.S.
Soil Conservation Service review of subdivisions.
B-10

C. Established regulations for floating homes and
marinas.
D. Adopted County -Wide Sewer Plan and initiated
.construction of Phase One of this sewer system.
E. Established policies and documentation supporting
the development of a County drainage ordinance.
X.
Ocean Hazard Areas of Environmental Concern Policies
The County has taken the following actions to implement
Policies 2.2(1)-(3) concerning Ocean hazard AEC's:
A. Prepared a Hurricane Hazard Mitigation Plan.
L,1
B. Adopted room occupancy tax to aid in the funding
of beach renourishment.
GC.
Provision of supporting for the Estuarine
.Sanctuaries Program ,in„the acquisition of
Masonboro Island.
D. Provision of only low densityresidential
development in the ocean hazards areas.
XI.
Other Natural and Man -Made Hazards/Development
limitations,Policies - The County has taken the
following actions to implement Policies 2.3(1)-(5)
concerning Other Natural and Man-made
Hazards/Development Limitations:
A. Examination of the incidence of Class IV soils and
floodplain:as major determinants in reviewing
subdivisions and establishing allowable density.
1�
B. Established a County Department of Emergency
Services _.to, support...plann .ng_for.,.hazardous waste
transportation and handling.
XII.
Groundwater Policies - The County has taken the
following actions to implement Groundwater Policies
2.4(1)-(2):
A. Established zoning in Castle Hayne area to_help
(�
(�
protect aquifer systems.
B. Published New Hanover County Aquifer Management
n
Program.
XIII.
Historic and Archaeological Resource Policies - The
County has taken the following actions to implement
-Policies -- 2 _5 (1) .- (.6).: _concerning . Historic:: and
Archaeological Resources:
B-11

A.
Developed inventory of historical structures and
a
archaeological sites in the County.
B.
Established Conservation Overlay District as
,a
means to protect important sites.
C.
-Conducted,-tourism development County.
study of
XIV. Resource Production Policies - The County has taken_ the
following actions to implement Resource Production
Policies 3.1-3.4.
(j
A.
Analyzed and -presented farmland preservation
alternatives in workpaper.
B.
Inventoried significant farmland in County.
C.
Provision of industrial zoning for quarry
operation.
D.
performance
Require stringent erformancstandards in
Conservation Overlay District'for'developments
(�
L1
affecting Primary Nursery Areas.
E.
Adoption of an Off -Road Vehicle Ordinance that
restricts vehicles from being operated on dune
areas in certain parts of the County including
Masonboro Island.
XV. Public Participation Policies - The County has taken
the
following actions to implement Policies 4.1(1)-(2)
concerning Public Participation:
A.
Advertised and held public hearings for rezoning
cases.
B.
Utilized direct mailings to interested parties for
controversial issues.
C.
Held evening meetings for public convenience.
D.
-Made presentation to different groups and
aorganizations.
E.
Held Land Use Issues week for the ongoing Land Use
Plan Update.
a
Q
.
B-12

0
�I
I
t1
,t
uX 1
V,1 Q
t
n '
I V
I�
RESIDENTIAL -includes single o I
family, multifamily, and mobile QI
homes �I
OFFICE AND INSTITUTIONAL
COMMERCIAL
® INDUSTRIAL, TRANSPORTATION,
COMMUNICATION, AND UTILITIES
OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION
0 VACANT LAND
® NOT IN PLANNING AREA
I
jr -
gwj
I
t
Detailed Existing Land Use Maps at a scale
of 1-400' are also available for public
Inspection at the Wilmington and New Hanover
County Planning Departments.
The preparation of this document was financed, D
In part, through a Coastal Area Management Act
Grant provided by the North Carolina Coastal
Management Program, through funds provided by
the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as 1 \1;11 I\1h:1
amended, which is administered by the Office
of Coastal Zone Management, National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration.
okGENERALIZED
EXISTING LAND
USE —1986
NEW HANOVER COUNTY
A
s,
i
►® �*.,.wry
'WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH
,
4
4{ c:1euLLA:1 HE1c11 Lvr.r,•r
rr
CAROLINA REACH r `
KURE REACH
MASOAHORO INLET
N
SCALE IN MILES
16 ,P�

POTENTIAL HURRICANE FLOODING IN
R
-TO WHITEVILLE
0
0
NEW HANOVER COUNTY
a
N*w
cck H
3
MASON NLET
BEACH
mrcN
IwLcr
MW AIASONBOR0 INLET
w. AREAS FLOODED BY
o SCALES 1, 2137 41 AND 5
ADDITIONAL AREAS FLOODED
BY SCALES 3,4, AND 5
ADDITIONAL AREAS FLOODED
A21 BY SCALES 4 AND 5
p SAFFIR/SIMPSON HURRICANE DAMAGE
® CAROLINA BEACH INLET
POTENTIAL SCALE
SCALE I -WINDS: 74 TO 95 MILES PER HOUR- POSSIBLE
AROLINA BEACH STORM SURGE OF 41 TO 5 FEET ABOVE
NORMAL- COASTAL ROADS FLOODED
SCALE 2- WINDS: 96 TO 110 MILES PER HOUR- POSSIBLE
STORM SURGE OF 6 TO 8 FEET ABOVE
NORMAL- COASTAL AND LOW LYING ROADS
FLOODED
KURE BEACH SCALE 3- WINDS' III TO 130 MILES PER HOUR -POSSIBLE
STORM SURGE OF 9 TO 12 FEET ABOVE
NORMAL- EXTENSIVE FLOODING IN LOW
LYING AREAS
SCALE 4 -WINDS: 131 TO 155 MILES PER HOUR -POSSIBLE
STORM SURGE OF 13 TO IS FEET ABOVE
NORMAL- SIGNIFICANT EROSION POSSIBLE
SCALE 5- WINDS GREATER THAN 155 MILES PER HOUR--
POSSIBLESTORM SURGE GREATER THAN
18'FEET ABOVE NORMAL- MASSIVE
EVACUATION NEAR COASTLINF PROBABLY
REQUIRED
MEW