A Planning Guide-1992

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A Planning Guide
summarization of Planning Reports
since 1986

Contents
Engineering
Master Drainage Improvements and
StormwaterManagement Plan.........................................................1
Parks and Recreation
MasterPlan..........................................................................................3
Office of Planning
Dawson/Wooster Thoroughfare Land Use Plan ...........................6
Wrightsville Avenue Land Use Plan...............................................7
Police
Manpower Allocation Study of the
Wilmington Police Department.....................................................8
Public Utilities
Wastewater Sludge Master Plan Study.........................................11
Table 1 Implementation Program.............................................................13
James A. Loughlin Wastewater Treatment Plant
ExpansionEvaluation......................................................................14
Figure 1 Wilmington Northside Schematic of Expansion .....................16
Figure 2 Recommended Upgrade/Expansion Alternative ...................17
Review of City Water System Master Plan Recommendations .18
Table 2 Future Water Requirements........................................................19
Transportation Engineering
CollectorStreet Plan.........................................................................20
Appendix
Wilmington Regulatory Ordinances
and Regulating Land Use Plans.....................................................23

Introduction
The purpose of the "Planning Guide" document is to provide an
overview of the planning reports completed by the City of
Wilmington since 1986. Included are reports completed by or
commissioned by six city departments, Engineering, Parks and
Recreation, Office of Planning, Police, Public Utilities, and Trans-
portation Engineering. These reports have served as the impetus
for the enactment of ordinances and regulations governing growth
in the City of Wilmington, and have served as the supporting data
forcapital improvement projects thatwill shape the developmentof
the City of Wilmington throughout the remainder of this century
and into the next.
As with all aspects of city government, the planning process is an
ongoing activity. Currently three planning reports are in the
developmental stages at the time of this writing. These include the
Carolina Beach Road Corridor Study, the City Master Plan and the
Greenways Master Plan. These reports are at varying stages in the
review process currently. They provide evidence of the continuing
O commitment of the City of Wilmington to sound planning for the
present and future citizens of the community. Copies of the
referenced plans are available for review at the noted departments.
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Engineering
Master Drainage Improvements and
Stormwater Management Plan
McKim & Creed Engineers, P.A.
February,1990
The following is a summarization of the Master Drainage Improvements and Stormwater
Management Plan. The objective of this study is to provide the standards and design
procedures as well as the financial strategy for the operation and maintenance of the
stormwater drainage system. For more detailed information please contact the Engineering
Department for a copy of the original document.
Existing Facilities/System:
n The City of Wilmington is divided into 8 major drainage basins:
•
Burnt Mill Creek Basin
•
Smith Creek Basin
O
Hewlett's Creek Basin
•
Bradley Creek Basin
•
Greenfield Lake Basin
Barnard's Creek Basin
0 •
Lower Cape Fear River Basin
•
Upper Cape Fear River Basin
The largest of these basins is the Burnt Mill Creek Watershed which serves approximately
4320 acres in the central portion of the city. The Smith Creek Watershed serves the northern
portion of the city adjacent to Smith Creek. The Hewletts Creek Watershed and the Bradley
Creek Watershed are located in the eastern most portion of the city and flow through the
county to the Intracoastal Waterway. The remaining basins (Upper Cape Fear River
Watershed, Lower Cape Fear Watershed, Greenfield Lake Watershed, and Barnards Creek
Watershed) drain directly into the Cape Fear River along the western boundaryo f Wilmington.
The drainage systems in these watersheds include underground collector lines, open
surface ditches, and detention systems in some of the more recently developed areas. The
drainage systems, both piped and unpiped, are generally at minimum slopes due to the flat
topography of the area. The majority of the watershed outlets discharge into natural water
courses and estuaries.
Maintenance of the City's drainage system is performed by the Department of Public
Services. These activities include periodic dredging of some larger drainage ways, bank
stabilization, clearing and mowing of channels, maintenance of pipe systems, and minor
improvement projects. The Engineering Department provides support, both technical and
0 administrative, in improvement and maintenance aspects.

Recommendations:
Outlined in this study is a Level of Service classification system for the open drainage
systems.
• Class A
Stream is in
a Natural Condition
• Class B
Stream is in
Desirable Condition
• Class C
Stream is in
a Tolerable Condition
• Class D
Stream is in
an Unacceptable Condition
• Class E
Stream is in
a Damaging Condition
Projects are prioritized based on the classification system. Open drainage systems classified
as "D" or "B" are recommended to be improved by either piping or to be improved to a
minimum "C" designation for open drainage ditches.
This study proposes $44.8 million in drainage improvements for the City of Wilmington.
• Proposed improvements to the piped systems which were
identified in the 1977 Master Drainage Study. Eleven of the
twenty -rune projects identified in the 1977 report have
been completed.
• Improvements in the piped systems for the areas
annexed in 1981.
• Burnt Mill Creek Detention Facility. This project is
in the construction phase, scheduled for completion in
December 1991.
• Detention facility in the Hewletts Creek Watershed
north of Pine Valley Subdivision.
Implementation:
The Stormwater Ordinance prepared by the Engineering Department in conjunction with
the standards and design procedures is intended to prevent future substandard drainage
systems in newly developed areas.
The City of Wilmington Capital Investment Plan allocates over $12 million for the proposed
improvements in the next ten-year period.
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Parks and Recreation
Wilmington Parks and Recreation Master Plan
City of Wilmington
1987-1992
The following is a summarization of the Wilmington Parks and Recreation Master Plan,
1987-1992. The purpose of this study is to identify needed park and recreation facilities and
to develop a financial plan to meet these goals. For more detailed information please contact
n the Parks and Recreation Department for a copy of the original document.
Existing Facilities:
For purposes of assessing park and recreational facilities, the city is divided into four
districts. The national standard of three acres per 1000 population of district parks and three
acres per 1000 population of neighborhood parks is used to help determine the improve-
ments or additions of parks and open spaces.
00 Southeast District
The Southeast District serves approximately 12,228 people. Neighborhoods include Olean-
der, Empie, and Annexation Area A. This district has 33 acres of district parkland and four
acres of neighborhood parkland.
Recommendations:
36 acres of district parkland
36 acres of neighborhood parkland.
Make improvements to Empie Park. Develop a new neighborhood park on the Alderman
School site. Purchase parkland and open space. This area has more undeveloped land than
any other area in the city. Build an athletic complex located near Hoggard High School and
Roland Grise School.
Southwest District
Southwest District serves approximately 11,268 people. Neighborhoods include North
Lakeside, Dry Pond, Sunset, South Wilmington, and East Greenfield. It has 45 acres of
district parkland and 18 acres of neighborhood parkland.
Recommendations:
33 acres of district parkland
33 acres of neighborhood parkland
0 Make improvements to Legion Stadium, Greenfield Park, and neighborhood parks. De-
velop a small park on the existing property in the Southgate subdivision. Purchase open
n space and parkland.
3
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Northwest District
Northwest District serves approximately 11,446 people. Neighborhoods include the Bottom,
Brooklyn, North Market, Old Wilmington, and Southside. It has 17 acres of district parkland
and 27A acres of neighborhood parkland.
Recommendations:
33 acres of district parkland
33 acres of neighborhood parkland
Make improvements to existing facilities are emphasized because it would be very difficult
to acquire property in this district. Acquire property at the former Social Services site for
additional parkland. Develop recreation center 'at Dudley School. Develop a softball
complex on existing city property. Establish a tree nursery. Renovate Tileston School as an
Art Center. (Tileston has been acquired and is being renovated by St. Mary's Catholic
Church).
Northeast District
Northeast District serves approximately 16,694 people. Neighborhoods include University,
East Wilmington, Wrightsville Avenue, Chestnut, Forest Hills, and Annexation Area B. It
has 17acres of district parkland and 29.5 acres of neighborhood parkland. In addition, Hugh
MacRae, a county park, and UNCW are located in this district and are available to the
residents.
Recommendations:
48 acres of district parkland
48 acres of neighborhood parkland
Construction of the Downey Branch Retention Lake. Make improvements to Maides Park
and neighborhood parks. Develop neighborhood parks at Winter Park School and Forest
Hills School.
Note: The population figures in this report are based on the 1980 Census of Population and
Housing, Neighborhood Statistics Program, Wilmington, North Carolina.
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Implementation
This report outlines $4,836,000 in improvements to existing park facilities and acquisition
and development of new parkland. These recommendations have been incorporated into
the Capital Investment Plan which will be implemented over a ten year period as funding
allows.
U To assist in this endeavor, the city is seeking grant funding. The recommended improve-
ments for Robert Strange Park located in the Northwest District have been completed via
grant assistance. The Parks and Recreation Department has also sought funding for
improvements in the Northwest District (for the Five Points area).
The recommendations of this master plan have been incorporated into the overall planning
O activities of the city. City efforts include the Redevelopment Plan for Dudley School and
nS. 17th Street Land Use Plan. The S.17th Street Plan makes provisions for recreation
facilities to be integrated into plans for housing and commercial development. In addition,
n citywide beautification efforts and enforcement of the landscaping regulations enhance the
�u! existing open space in the city.
The Parks and Recreation Department proposed amendments to be incorporated into the
Subdivision Ordinance that require the exaction of open space as part of the subdivision
process. These amendments were adopted by City Council July,1991.
5

Office of Planning
Dawson/Wooster Thoroughfare Land Use Plan
City of Wilmington
January 3,1989
The purpose of the Dawson/Wooster Thoroughfare Land Use Plan was to establish an
"ultimate" development pattern for the Dawson -Wooster corridor area that would consider
the residential and commercial uses of the area and define the correct balance between
conflicting land uses. The secondary purpose of the plan was to address issues of aesthetics
by concentrating on the impact of this corridoras a major entryway to the downtown portion
of the City of Wilmington.
The boundaries of the study area were from Front Street to the west, Ninth Street to the east,
Queen Street to the north, and Wright Street to the south.
Goals:
The stated goals of the plan were to:
• Control strip commercial development.
• Preserve residential neighborhood character.
• Promote affordable housing.
• Recognize commercial suitability.
• Establish an "ultimate" development pattern.
• Beautify one of the City's important entryways.
Recommendations:
The recommendations of the plan included the following.
• Rezoning of selected properties along the corridor to
mitigate the impacts of residential and commercial
zoning conflicts.
• Enhancement of existing buffering standards along
the corridor to minimize land use conflicts.
• Reduction in the number of land uses permitted in the
existing commercial designations along the corridor as
a secondary means of minimizing conflicts between
residential and commercial land uses.
• Implementation of limitations on access to lots within the
corridor area.
• Implementation of a uniform planting scheme for street
frontage landscaping required under the City's landscaping
regulations.
6

RE
The recommendations of the plan were implemented as the Dawson -Wooster Corridor
Regulations contained within the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Wilmington. Additional
buffering requirements, lighting standards, and use limitations were imposed under the
provisions of a Dawson -Wooster Corridor Overlay area. Additional provisions regarding
access limitations and streetyard landscaping were also included as provisions of the
Dawson -Wooster Corridor Regulations.
Wrightsville Avenue Land Use Plan
City of Wilmington
February 20,1990
O The purpose of the Wrightsville Avenue Land Use Plan was to propose a course of action
through which Wrightsville Avenue can retain its important, character defining features.
The stated goals of the plan were to promote compatible urban design, improve the
transition between residential and nonresidential areas, and address traffic problems in the
Wrightsville Avenue corridor.
The plan boundaries were from Seventeenth Street on the west, to the eastern city limit line
at Cape Fear Memorial Hospital.
The plan was divided into five main sections: the Existing Conditions section, Land
Development Standards, Alternative Land Use Scenarios, Recommended Land Use Sce-
narios and Implementation Procedures, and Appendices.
The recommendations of the plan included limited rezoning initiatives and the establish-
ment of a Wrightsville Avenue Corridor Overlay with specific development standards and
use restrictions.
yThe approved implementation of the Land Use Plan consisted of limited changes in zoning
Lj along the corridor at selected locations, and the approval of the Wrightsville Avenue
Corridor Regulations as part of the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Wilmington. These
regulations consisted of the establishment of a Wrightsville Avenue Corridor Overlay with
U specific design standards addressing the following issues:
• Building Scale.
• Exterior Building Materials.
^ • Roof Pitch.
(`) Facade Orientation.
7

• Location of Off -Street Parking.
• Front Setback of Proposed New Construction.
• Building Height.
• Site Lighting.
• Signage.
• Streetscape Architectural Components.
• Provisions for conversions or additions to e)dsting structures for
nonresidential or multiple family uses.
• Access limitations for corner or double frontage lots.
• Use limitations for each of the nonresidential zoning classifications
represented along the corridor.
Police
Manpower Allocation Study of the
Wilmington Police Department
Institute for Law and Justice
March,1991
The following is a summarization of the Manpower Allocation Study of the Wilmington
Police Department. The primary objective of this study is to review the operational
procedures, work load, and response times for the patrol and investigative divisions and
make recommendations for improvements. For more detailed information please contact
the Police Department.
Services/Operations:
As of December 1990, the Wilmington Police Department had 176 authorized positions;139
sworn and 37 civilian. Some of these positions are vacant. The sworn positions include the
following:
1 Chief,1 Deputy Chief,1 Major, 2 Captains, 7 Lieutenant, 21 Sergeants,106 Patrol Officers
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Patrol Division
The Patrol Division is the largest of the three divisions in field operations. It accounts for 58
a percent of all sworn personnel in the department. This division is authorized 1 civilian and
79 sworn position:) captain, 6 lieutenants,12 sergeants, and 60 patrol officers. The Police
Department has divided the city into eight geographic districts. Officers are assigned to
patrol the districts when not responding to.calls for service. Based on this report the patrol
division utilizes 10% of its time for self -initiated calls,15% administrative, 35A% preventive
patrol, and 39.6% citizen calls.
Recommendations:
To reduce the average officer time on citizen calls for service to 35% of total time. To
increase the average officer time available for preventive patrol and community policing
to 40% of available time. This can be accomplished by hiring eight new officers and
placing them on the busiest shifts or by reorganizing the department to free up sworn
(� O positions that can be used for patrol. Staffing - eliminate the deputy chief position.
�J Equipment - purchase and implement a computer -assisted dispatch (CAD) system and
new records management information system (MIS).
Special Operations Divi' i on
The Special Operations Division consists of three sections: directed patrol, problem area
tactical team, and parking enforcement. Authorized staffing includes one lieutenant, two
sergeants, 21 patrol officers, and three civilian parking officers.
Recommendations:
The Special Operations Division should be abolished and all the officers should be
reassigned under the patrol division. Undertake comprehensive planning for the
transition to department wide community policing. Staffing - reduce the number of
canine and mounted officers. For a city the size of Wilmington, the police department
only needs two canine officers and one horse mounted officer.
Criminal Investigation Division
The Criminal Investigations Division is subdivided into two sections: general investigations
and special investigations. In addition, personnel are assigned to several task forces and
special assignments including city -county vice narcotics task force (CCVN); Drug Enforce-
ment Administration (DEA) task force; Organized Crime Task Force, and district attorney's
office special investigator. The division has 25 authorized position:) captain, 3 sergeants,
19 officers,1 youth program coordinator (part-time), and 1 secretary.
Recommendations:
Carefully review the case assignment priority system to ensure that minor cases withlow
solvability are not being worked. Enter into an updated formal Memorandum of

Understanding with the Sheriffs Department to address the operation and manage-
ment of the City -County Vice Narcotics Task Force. Staffing - formalize the selection
process fordetectives and provide specialized training. Formulate a clear written policy
that sets guidelines for rotation into the division, and all other specialized positions.
Equipment - purchase enough pagers to provide one to all criminal investigation
detectives and supervisors required to be on call. Acquire an automated case manage-
ment system to provide detailed reporting of case information. Improved data
collection will provide the necessary information for this division to more effectively
manage caseload and overtime.
Implementations:
At the time this report was prepared the Police Department was operating without a Chief.
Therefore the adoption and implementation of the reported recommendations was post-
poned. In the interim period, the department has budgeted (FY1991-92) for seven new
officers and is reassigning three officers to community policing (neighborhood foot patrols).
The department also plans to purchase a case management system during the next fiscal
year.
Police Department
Organizational Chart
FIELD OPERATIONS
Patrol
Criminal Investigation
Specid Operatims -
ADMINISTRATION
Office of the Chief
Professional Standards
I
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I �
SUPPORT SERVICES
Budget and Persaonel
Planning, Training & QIP
Records
r�
ID
Logistics
C nununicaticas
j
Community Rdatims
t1.1t
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Public Utilities
Wastewater Sludge Master Plan Study
Camp Dresser & McKee
February,1991
The following is a summarization of the Wastewater Sludge Master Plan Study. For more
detailed information please contact the Public Utilities Department for a copy of the original
document.
Existing Facilities/System:
The existing wastewater collection system for the City of Wilmington is a large sewer
network, with over 30 pumping stations that transport all municipal and industrial sewage
to two wastewater treatment plants for processing and final disposal. Between 300,000 and
500,000 gallons of waste sludge are withdrawn from each plant monthly and disposed on
land application sites in Brunswick County. Disposing this waste currently costs almost
R $500,000 per year. The City is seeking alternatives to this method because of increased
j� Jj O environmental regulation, reduced availability of land, and cost and labor factors. This
study will enable the city to plan for both short-term and long-term processing and disposal
of sludge.
The James A. Loughlin (Northside) Wastewater Treatment Plant is located on a 21 acre site
on North 23rd Street near the New Hanover County Airport. The Northside plant has a
capacity for 8 million gallons per day (mgd). The present average daily flows to the plant are
4.5 or 5.0 mgd. However, flow rates have peaked at 12 to 14 mgd during rainstorms and high
groundwater conditions.
The M'Kean Maffitt (Southside) WWTP is located on a 36 acre site on River Road near the
U State Port Authority adjacent to the Cape Fear River. Its capacity is 12 mgd; with average
flows greater than 7 mgd.
The Sweeney Water Treatment Plant is located in the northwest section of the city on the
eastern bank of the Northeast Cape Fear River. It is a conventional surface water treatment
plant with a capacity of 15 mgd.
In addition to the wastewater sludge disposal problems, the city is currently operating under
a Special Order of Consent to treat and dispose of the alum sludge from the Sweeney Water
Treatment Plant. The Wastewater Sludge Master Plan Study evaluates the potential for
using the same sludge treatment and disposal facilities for both water and wastewater
sludges. Consideration is given to mixing the two sludges before processing and ultimate
n disposal.

Alternatives:
The primary alternatives are:
• Land Application
• Composting
• Pelletization
• Chemical Stabilization
The Master Plan Study investigates variations of each of the four options as well as
combinations of options which could be incorporated into a long range sludge management
plan. Consideration is given to using sludge for cover material at the New Hanover County
sanitary landfill. Also the study assesses the impact of existing and future regulations. A
detailed cost-effectiveness evaluation is conducted for each alternative. (See Section 5.0 of
this study for detailed evaluation analysis.)
Recommendations:
In the letter dated February 7,1991, Camp Dresser & McKee conclude that "the most cost-
effective sludge management alternative for the City of Wilmington is belt filter press
dewatering followed by a chemical stabilization option, with ultimate disposal at local
landfills as top or daily cover material and/orby land application on private and/or public
lands."
Implementation Schedule:
The implementation is divided into two phases, the interim phase and the long term phase.
The interim phase covers a period from February 1991 until the EPA 503 Regulationsbecome
law. The long term phase covers the period after the outcome of the 503 Regulations. During
the interim period the City's current liquid land application process will be maintained. The
dewatering facility design work and preliminary design and permitting efforts for the
stabilization facility will be conducted during the interim phase. Contingent upon the
outcome of the interim phase, the long term phase will include the design and permitting of
the stabilization facility. (See Table 1 for Implementation Schedule). -
12

Table 1
Interim Phase Activites Schedule
Submittal of Sludge Master Plan (Draft)
Oct 90
Approval of Sludge Master Plan (Final)
Mar 91
Secure More Land for Land Application
Jan 91-jul 91
Evaluate City Site for Beneficial Reuse
Jan 91-Jan 92
Review of all Chemical Stabilization Processes
Jul 91-Feb 92
Conduct facility visits
Nov 90 - Jan 92
Initiate Pilot Testing/Demonstration Program
Jul 91- Dec 91
Negotiate with New Hanover County on
Landfill Cover Material
Mar 91 jul 92
Complete Design and Construction of
Noi thside Dewatering Facility
Jun 90-Aug 92
Complete Design and Construction of
Southside Dewatering Facility
Jul 92 jul 94
Make Digester Improvements
Jul 92-Jul 94
Initiate Conceptual Design
(Processing Facilities)
Mar 92
Permitting Efforts
Jul 91-jul 92
Product Market Development
Jul 91 jul 92
Promulgation of 503 Regulations
Jan 92
Final Approval of Sludge Master Plan
CD
Jul 92
yl
`Long Term Phase Activites
Complete Design and Construction of
Long Term Processing Facilities Jul 92 jul 94
Complete Permitting Jul 94
Reevaluate Process, Siting & Operations Jan 2002
Source: Wastewater Sludge Master Plan Study, Table 64, p. 6-9.
13

James A. Loughlin Wastewater Treatment Plant
Upgrade/Expansion Evaluation
Black & Veatch Inc.
July,1988
The following is a summarization of the James A. Loughlin (WWlP) Upgrade/Expansion
Evaluation. For more detailed information please contact the Public Utilities Department for
a copy of the original document.
Existing Facility:
The James A. Loughlin (Northside) WWTP was constructed in 1970 and designed to treat 8
million gallons per day (mgd). Operational records indicate that the Northside plant can
effectively treat only 4.8 mgd in the winter and 6.4 mgd in the summer. At the time of this
study the average annual flow was 535 mgd. Black & Veatch projected a needed treatment
capacity of 8 mgd by the year 2008. In addition, theNew Hanover County sewer project may
require 12 mgd treatment capacity for a total flow of approximately 20 mgd.
Alternatives:
The objective of the Northside Wastewater Treatment Plant study was to evaluate alterna-
tives to upgrade the wastewater treatment plant to handle the Cityof Wilmington'sprojected
demands and to expand the plant's treatment capacity to provide treatment for the New
Hanover County projected flows to the Northside treatment facility. The four design
conditions considered are outlined below:
• Condition 1: Upgrade to 8 mgd.
No nitrification capabilities.
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) - 200 mg/l.
•Condition 2: Upgrade to 8 mgd
Nitrification required.
BOD - 200 mg/l.
*Condition 3: Upgrade to 8 mgd.
Nitrification required.
BOD - 250 mg/l.
•Expand Conditions 1 and 2 to 20 mgd.
Nitrification required.
BOD - 250 mg/l.
it
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Black & Veatch developed 15 alternative scenarios for Condition 1; seven alternatives for
Condition 2; two alternatives for Condition 3; and 16 alternatives for Condition 4. An
economic analysis was conducted to determine the most cost effective alternatives. In
addition, a weighted evaluation was conducted for the upgrade of the treatment plant and
the future expansion of the facility. The upgrade evaluation examined the three most 1
14

economical alternatives for Condition land the upgrade portions of the three most economi-
cal alternatives for Condition 4. The expansion evaluation examined the three most
economical alternatives for Condition 4 and the expansion alternative based on the most
L 1 economical alternative for Condition 1.
Recommendations:
For the upgrade of the wastewater treatment plant the most effective alternative is to
Q construct an aerationbasin to provide short-term aeration following the trickling filters. This
alternative is also the most effective for expanding the plant to 20mgd. During the expansion
the trickling filters will be abandoned and the aeration basin and equipment will be
expanded to provide an activated sludge plant with nitrification capabilities.
00 The selected alternative, (C1Al2), for plant upgrade is to construct a short-term aeration
basin and new 90-ft diameter final clarifiers. The existing final clarifiers are to be abandoned.
The aeration basin has a proposed volume of approximately 111,000 cu. ft. and utilizes a
diffused aeration system. The flow from the existing recirculation pump station will enter
the aeration basin then flow to the new clarifiers. The final clarifier effluent will flow to the
existing flash mixer and be discharged from the plant. The selected alternative, (C4A13), for plant expansion is based on the new short- term
aeration basin, C1Al2, alternative. It includes the addition of new primary clarifiers and
expanding the aeration basin from 111,000 cu. ft. to 1.115 million cu. ft. The trickling filters
in C1Al2 will beabandoned. To treat the additional 12 mgd flow, two new final clarifiers are
added.
Implementation Schedule:
Theexpansionof theNorthside treatmentfacility to 20 mgd will be constructed in two phases
after the completion of the upgrading to 8 mgd. The first phase would be required
approximately 5 years after the upgrade and will be a 6 mgd expansion to increase the plant
treatment capacity to 14 mgd. The second expansion is estimated to be required 10 years after
J the first expansion. This expansion (6 mgd) will increase the total plant to a 20 mgd treatment
facility. After completion of the upgrade and prior to an expansion, a revised County flow
projection should be conducted to determine the expansion size and total expansion that may
be required in the future. Included with the recommended upgrade and expansion
^ recommendations are estimated project costs for each phase.
(� Note: The upgrade of the Northside treatment plant to 8 mgd was completed in March,1991.
15

Figure 1 Wilmington Northside WWTP (OAl2)
Existing .
❑ Proposed
Grit Removal
Distribution Box
Primary
Clarifiers
Aeration
Trickling
Basin
Filters
0 O
Final
Flash Mixer
Clarifiers
Chlorine Contact
Pumping Station
Source: James A. Loughlin WWTP Upgrade /Expansion Evaluation, Figure 9, p. vi-14.
16

Figure 2 Recommended Upgrade/Expansion Alternative
1
New Preliminary Treatment
11
Primary Clarifier
2
New Splitter Box
12
Trickling Filters
3
New Primary Clarifier
13
Sludge Pump Station
4
New Screwlift Pump Station
14
Flash Mix
5
New Aeration Basin
15
Final Clarifier
6
New Blower Building
16
Sludge Pump Station
7
New Splitter Box and Sludge
17
Cl2 Contact Basin
Pump Station
18
Operations
8
New Final Clarifier
19
Digester Building
9
Preliminary Treatment
20
Anaerobic Digester
10
Splitter Box
21
New Primary Digester
LIM
US_Ueif 14 is p
O OQ o
O
❑ V
to
K
u a
E 1313 t e
-� NoHA
Source: James A. Loughlin WWTP Upgrade /Expansion Evaluation, Figure 15, p. xiii-5.
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17

Review of City Water System Master Plan Recommendations
Camp Dresser & McKee
October 1989
The following is a summarization of the Review of City Water System Master Plan
Recommendations. This study compares and evaluates two prior studies completed by
Black & Veatch and Talbert, Cox & Associates. For more detailed information please contact
the Public Utilities Department.
Existing Facility/System:
The raw water supply for the City of Wilmington is the Cape Fear River. Water is pumped
approximately 23 miles from U.S. Lock and Dam 1 at Kings Bluff to the Sweeney Water
Treatment Plant. The Sweeney Plant is located in the northwest section of the city on Hilton
Street. The Sweeney Plant began operation with 7 million gallons per day (mgd) capacity in
December 1943. It is a conventional surface water treatment plant with a current capacity of
15 mgd.
The need for expansion is based on the following conditions:
The water system is often at capacity (15 mgd). Short-term peak usage has been accommo-
dated with a supply (16 million gallons) of stored treated water. However, to accommodate
the city's growth and future peak demand situations, the water system requires expansion.
See Table 2 for water demand projections prepared by Black and Veatch.
The city's drinking water meets all federal, state, and local health requirements. However,
federal requirements are becoming tougher in response to the 1986 amendments to the Safe
Drinking Water Act. Improvements to the water system are necessary to comply with these
new standards.
Since September 1988 the Sweeney Plant has been discharging waste under a Special Order
by Consent issued by the Environmental Management Commission. The city is required to
have sludge handling facilities constructed by October 1,1992 and to be in compliance with
final permit limits by January 1,1993.
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Table 2 Future Water Requirements
Average
Maximum
Year
Day Demand
Day Demand
(Millions of gallons per day)
Present
1988
8.9
14.2
Service
1993
11.3
18.0
Area
1998
12.8
20.3
2003
13.8
21.9
2028
16.5
25.7
Build Out
19.7
32.0
Expanded
1998
8.9
14.2
Service
1993
12.9
20A
Area
1998
16A
25.8
2003
19A
30.8
2028
28.1
44.7
Build Out
41.0
69.0
Source: The Water System Master Plan report prepared by Black and Veatch, Inc., March,1989.
Alternatives:
The Black & Veatch master plan evaluated the following alternatives:
• Upgrade/expansion of the Sweeney Water Treatment Plant
• New surface water treatment plant
• Fresh groundwater wells with a lime softening plant
• Saline groundwater wells with a desalination plant
• Wastewater reuse
• Purchase of finished water from Brunswick County
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The Black & Veatch study stated that due to site constraints, the Sweeney Water Treatment
Plant cannot be expanded to 30 mgd capacity and should be phased out. It was concluded
that a new 30 mgd surface water treatment plant located on a new site would be the most cost-
effective alternative. It was recommended that the new plant be constructed in two phases
- 20 mgd new plant with a 10 mgd expansion to be completed in 1998.
The Talbert, Cox & Associates report recommended upgrading the Sweeney Plant to 24 mgd
capacity and in the future constructing a new 6 mgd capacity groundwater treatment plant
on a new site. This option was determined to be more cost-effective than the new surface
water treatment plant recommended by Black and Veatch.
Recommendations:
The Camp Dresser & McKee (CDM) report reviewed the two previous reports and indepen-
dently evaluated their respective options for increased treatment capacity. In evaluating
these options, CDM found. that the Sweeney Plant site has adequate space to accommodate
a new water treatment plant and the associated advanced treatment facilities. In conclusion,
CDM recommended proceeding with a new 15 mgd plant at the Sweeney site and utilizing
the existing plant facilities for a total treatment capacity of 30 mgd.
Implementation:
Can March 19, 1991 the residents of Wilmington approved a $38 million Water Bond
Referendum. The bonds will fund: (1) the upgrade of the existing water plant and a 10 mgd
expansion of the plant, costing $28,300,000; (2) the extension of a 15 mgd raw water line
parallel with U.S. Highway 421 and crossing underneath the Cape Fear River, costing
$7,550,000; and (3) the construction of a cross-town feeder main from the plant to 30th Street,
costing $2,150,000. Construction is scheduled for 1993-95.
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L�
V
[:]Transportation Engineering
Q
Collector Street Plan
City of Wilmington
Fall 1990
O_ The following is a summarization of the Collector Street Plan. For more detailed informa-
tion please contact the Traffic Engineering Division for a copy of the original document.
Existing System:
Lack of sufficient collectors between residential streets and the major highways in the city
roadway system has resulted in some residential streets being used as thoroughfares,
creating traffic congestion within these neighborhoods. In addition to road construction
which is costly, traffic flow can be improved by using the existing street system properly. In
recognition of this fact, the Wilmington City Council approved the Collector Street Plan for
the city in Fall 1990.
noRecommendations:
This plan enhances the Thoroughfare Plan by designating streets to provide access to
thoroughfares. Combined with the Thoroughfare Plan, the Collector Street Plan provides
for a hierarchy of streets. The Thoroughfare Plan identifies all major and minor thorough-
fares which should carry most (65-85%) of city traffic. Collector streets, designed to carry
traffic fromneighborhood streetsto thoroughfares, should carry5-10% of local traffic. Under
this plan, neighborhood streets will carry the remaining 10-30%.
Implementation:
The plan provides criteria for determining collector streets and identifies proposed collector
streets for undeveloped areas of the city. The plan also includes a map of proposed collector
streets.
The collector street concept is reinforced by street standards which are outlined in the
Q Technical Standards and Specifications Manual. The construction standards apply to street
width, rights -of --way width, provision for on street parking and access. Imposing minimum
street standards aids in maintaining the street hierarchy by providing facilities scaled to the
anticipated level of use. Appropriate use, in turn, extends the life of the roads.
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[:]Appendix
Wilmington Regulatory Ordinances
and Regulating Land Use Plans
The following is an annotated listing of the regulatory ordinances that address the
Q development of land within the corporate limits of the City of Wilmington. In addition,
a section is provided for a land use plan prepared prior to 1986 that regulates the use of
land within a specified sector of the City of Wilmington. Copies of the noted regulatory
ordinances are available in the offices of the City of Wilmington that are responsible for
the ordinance's administration. Copies of the noted land use plan are available in the
Office of Planning, 409 Market Street, Wilmington, NC 28401, (919-341-4626).
�j Regulatory Ordinances
UU I. Sign Ordinance of the City of Wilmington, adopted September 29,1987 and
subsequently amended and modified. This version of the sign ordinance re-
placed the former sign regulations in 1987. The present sign ordinance contains
more stringent regulation of outdoor advertising signage and includes provi-
sions for temporary and special event signage not found in the previous ordi-
nance. The present ordinance also addresses the aesthetics of sign installation
through provisions addressing reduced sign size and height. The Sign Ordi-
nance is administered and amended by the Office of Planning of the City of
j Wilmington. The enforcement of the ordinance is carried out by the Department
u of Housing and Neighborhoods, Division of Code Enforcement. Permitting for
the noted sign, banner and temporary signage permits can be completed through
n the New Hanover County Building Inspections office, City of Wilmington
Jpersonnel or by calling 341-4622 (Department of Housing and Neighborhoods).
II. Subdivision Regulations of the City of Wilmington, adopted June 26,1979 and
subsequently amended and modified. The subdivision regulations are adminis-
tered, amended and enforced by the Engineering Department of the City of
Wilmington in conjunction with the Subdivision Review Board of the City of
Wilmington. The regulations address all areas of subdivision provisions for the
city of Wilmington including a recent amendment requiring dedication of land
for park, recreation, and open space purposes or the assessment of monetary
contributions for open space. This amendment was included in the subdivision
regulations in July 16,1991. For more information on these provisions, the
Engineering Department can be contacted at 341-7807.
a III. Zoning Ordinance of the City of Wilmington, adopted November,1983 and
effective March 27,1984. The Zoning Ordinance is administered and amended
by the Office of Planning of the City of Wilmington and enforced by the Code
Enforcement Division of the Department of Housing and Neighborhoods of the
City of Wilmington. Building permits required under the provisions of the
n ordinance are obtained in the New Hanover County Building Inspections
Department and are administered by Code Enforcement Staff of the City of
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Wilmington. Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance since 1986 include Land-
scaping and Tree Preservation provisions adopted December 21,1987. These
regulations address the planting of streetyards and bufferyards and tree preser-
vation within the Wilmington city limits. These provisions are enforced by the
Code Enforcement Division in conjunction with the Parks and Recreation De-
partment for the City of Wilmington.
IV. The Stormwater Management Ordinance of the City of Wilmington, adopted
August 28,1990 and administered by the Engineering Department. This ordi-
nance was developed to regulate stormwater runoff by requiring permits and
imposing conditions and requirements upon development activities and enacting
provisions for the enforcement of these conditions and requirements. These
regulations state that developed land within the city shall be provided with the
necessary retension facilities and features to contain storm run-off from a ten-
year frequency storm so that the on -site and off -site effects of development are
the same or better than the pre -development state.
V. Minimum Housing Code and Abandoned Structures Ordinance, administered by
the Department of Housing and Neighborhoods, Code Enforcement Division.
These provisions set out the requirements for the maintenance of minimum
housing standards for residential buildings and the provisions for abandoned
non-residential buildings in the City of Wilmington.
V1. Flood Plain Management Regulations of the City of Wilmington, administered
and amended by the Office of Planning and enforced by the Code Enforcement
Division of the Department of Housing and Neighborhoods. These provisions
amended in March 1987, regulate the placement of structures in areas of special
flood hazard lying within the regulatory jurisdiction of the City of Wilmington.
These provisions were adopted on April 4,1978 and subsequently modified in
1987.
Regulating Land Use Plans
South 17th Street Land Use Plan, adopted December 3,1985, the plan is adminis-
tered and amended by the Office of Planning of the City of Wilmington. This
plan was completed as a means of regulating the development of a particular
sector of the city, the area generally located behind the Pine Valley Subdivision
(bordered by Shipyard Boulevard, US Highway 421 and South College Road). It
was developed in anticipation of the opening of tracts of undeveloped property
following the completion of thoroughfares funded by bond issues from the City
of Wilmington. The land use plan provisions have been amended since adoption
in December,1985, but the plan remains a blueprint for the development of the
area and for the consideration of rezoning activity in this sector of the city.
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