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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLand Use Plan-198100 DCM COPY IDCM COPY Olease do not remove!!!!! Division of Coastal Management HERTFORD COUNTY LAND USE PLAN JANUARY, 1981 C THIS REPORT HAS'BEEN PREPARED FOR THE RESIDENTS OF HERTFORD COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS L. M. Brinkley, -Chairman Randy Britton Howard Hunter, Jr. J. D. Flowers R. G. Whitley J. Wayne Deal, County. Manager PLANNING BOARD Joseph.Morris, Chairman W. T. Bowles W. B. Gillam, Sr. J. P. Harris Horace Brown Technical Assistance Provided By: The Mid -East Commission P. O. Drawer 1787 Washington, NC .27889 PROJECT STAFF John Schofield, Project'Planner Ricky McGhee, Project'Planner Emma S. Payne, Secretary Barbara Dunn, Draftsman The preparation'of this report was financially aided through a federal. grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The grant was made through the North Carolina Department of Natural. Resources and Community Development. M OK It Q TABLE OF CONTENTS Page DATACOLLECTION AND ANALYSIS ........... ....... ................ 1 I.I. Establishment of the Information Base............ 2 1.2. Present Conditions and Economy....... ......... 4 1.3. Existing Land Use Analysis.......... ............ ... 20 1.4. Current Plans, Policies and Regulations................ 26 1.5. Constraints Land.Suitability........ ... .. .. 31 1.6. Constraints Capacity of Community Facilities........... 36 1.7.- Estimated Demand...........................6........... 42 POLICYSTATEMENTS ............................................... 47 2.1. Resource Protection........... .... 48 2.2. Resource Production and Management... ................ 52 2.3. .Economic and Community Development Policies............ 56 2.4. Continuing.Public Participation............. .. 66 2.5. Other Issues ................................ ..... .. 68 2.6. Proposed Work Program........... ............. .. 71 LANDCLASSIFICATION ............................................. 73 3.1. Developed.... ...... ... ....... ........ 74 3.2. Transitional ........................... ....... ..... 75 3.3. Community ............................ ......... .... 77 3.4. Rural......... ...... ..... 77 3.5.. Conservation ..................... ...... ............. 78 RELATIONSHIP OF POLICIES ANDLAND CLASSIFICATION ....................................... 79 4.1. Developed and Transitional.. ... ... ............... 80 4.2. Community ............................... ... .. . 80 4.3. Rural.... ... ...................... ............. 81 4.4. Conservation ........................................... 81 INTERGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATIONAND IMPLEMENTATION ............................... 82 PUBLICPARTICIPATION.............. ........................... 85 ILLUSTRATIONS Page Table 1 Population Growth Rate Composition ................... 4 Table 2 Resident Live Births,Per.1000 Population............. 5 Table 3 1980 Projected Population - Hertford County by Age, Race and Sex - Hertford County ............... 6 Table 4 1985 Projected Population - Hertford County byAge, Race and.Sex................ ........ ...... 7 Table 5 1990 Projected Population - Hertford County .by Age, Race and Sex...* ..................... ......... 8 Table 6 Population by Townships .............................. 9 Table 7 Manufacturing Firms— Hertford County 1980........... 12 Table 8 Average Employment of Persons 16+ by Industry........ 15 Table 9 Comparison of 1970 and 1978 Employment Data.......... 16 Table 10 Hertford County School Facilities .................... 19 Table 11 Residential Growth by Township Since 1976............ 21 Table 12 State -Development Regulations....... ............... 27 Table 13 Federal Development Regulations.... .. ........ 29 Table 14 Map I General Soils Map...... ...................... 33 Table 15 Soil Interpretation Table....... ........ ....... 34 Table 16 Utilization of Primary Roads --Hertford County, 1979.. 41 1 AK SECTION I. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS 1.1. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE INFORMATION BASE This update of the 1976 Hertford.County Land Use Plan represents a significant step in the maturation of comprehensive planning in Hertford County. Although the County had had an active planning board and program for a number of years, this land use plan update is the first systematic review of the important issues identified in 1976. Equally important is the fact that, more than any other previous planning study, this is a policy and implementation plan. The existing conditions and future desires of the County have been -amply described. This plan suggests ways that previously mentioned problems and opportunities can be met and channeled in productive ways. In 1976 the Coastal Area Management Act and ensuing administrative regulations represented an unknown quantity for Hertford County. The County had little physical relationship to the coastal areas, except w for the tidal influence on its rivers. Five years later, CAMA and all that has followed has had a beneficial impact on the land development process in Hertford County. It has brought a'means of awareness of land development potentials and problems. CAMA and the algae blooms on -the Chowan River have played a role in increasing citizen interest and awareness in what the future has in store for Hertford County.. This Land Use Plan Update provides another step to better understanding what that future will actually mean. Since the majority of the base data was collected for the 1976 plan, the efforts of this plan were concentrated on updating sources of information and where possible to secure new sources of relevant infor- mation. This has been done to the greatest extent possible. The format 2 and base data of the 1976 plan was kept where possible, such as in the updated land classification map. New.data was collected to provide a. method of comparison. In other cases, secondary data was collected to expand.the original discussion. In all cases, efforts were made to y use'only relevant and accurate sources of information. The major conclusions of this updating process are as follows: 1) Hertford County's population will remain relatively.stable in.size, but with .important shifts in population groups, racial and age groups; 2) the land development patterns since 1976 still.continue to stress suburban and rural development, with more development occurring along the scenic rivers;, 3) the people of the County still need industrial development efforts to expand their employment base and to upgrade their income potential; 4) the quality and scope of_all County services will have to expand in order to meet the expected demand and needs level; 5) the problems of the Chowan River must be corrected if the County is to offer an attractive location package for future development. 3 r 1.2. PRESENT CONDITIONS AND ECONOMY Population The population growth rate since the beginning of the century has shown a steadily decreasing rate. From 1940 to 1970, the rate dropped .from ll$ to 3.5%- However, based on 1980 projections, this growth rate has leveled off. In previous decades, the change in absolute population from the beginning to the end of the period would have been .over forty percentage points. Between 1970 and the projected 1980 population,.the rate of declining lost is over ten percentage points. TABLE 1 Population Growth Rate Comparisons Year Population 1940. 1950 1960 1970 1980 19,352 21,453 22,718 23,529 24,096 Source: Adopted from 1976 Hertford County Land Use Plan'and.1980 Projected Population - Hertford County, North Carolina - Department of Administration = (April, 1979.). This factor will boar watching for several reasons. One major factor of population decline is.of course migration. The North Carolina Department of Administration projections suggest an increase of 2.1% in the net loss to migration. What is important about this expected loss is.the big jump in white male loss and the smaller gains in non- white losses which may require new efforts in job skill training and industrial recruitment. Another factor in the population decrease is the well documented decrease in family formation rates and average family size. Until the results of the 1980 Census become available, there is no concrete way of estimating this factor., However,.a. quick look at two statistics.- birth rates and marriage may be partially revealing. TABLE 2 Resident Live Births Per 1000 Population Year Number of Births 1960 583 1970 394 1977 395 Source: Hertford County Land Use Plan 1976 and North Carolina State Government Statistical Abstract- 1979. f 9, rn TABLE 3 HERTFORD PROJECTED POPULATION* APRIL to 1980� BY AGE* RACE• AND SEX WHITE NONWHITE AGE TOTAL TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE _ TOTAL 24096 118C0 5484 6316 12296. 5809 6481 0-4 1546 575 301- 274 991 492 499 5-4 2036 82l 402 4l9 1215 613 602 10-l't 1956 713 383 327 1246 619 627 15-19 3001 1503 156 . 747 1498 775 123 2G-24 1912 955 480 +75 957 439 518 25-29 1624 794 359 435 830 395 435 30-34 1598 953 390. 563 645 283 362 35-39 124-7 706 368 338 543 275 268 40-44 1153 656. 288 368 497 23L 266 . 45-49 1142 513 281 292 569 241 328 5C-54 1317 649 295 354 668 302. 366 55-59 1252 592 285 307 660 298- 362 60-64 1249 643 293 350 606 280 326 65-6-7 1164 546 245 351 568 272 296. 70-74 783 *37 167 270 346 L43 203 75-79 518 305 84 216 213 74 139 30-84 321 189 70 119 -132 45 el 85CuP 255 .143 32 111 112 32 80 PERCENT OF COLUMN•TOTAL 1-4 6.50 4.87 5.49 4.34 8.06 8.47 7.69 5-4 8.45 6.96 7.33 6.63 9.88 10.55 9.28 ICI-14 8.12 6.02 6.98 5.18 10.13 10.66 9.67 15-19 L2.45 12.7% 13.79 11.83 12.18 L3.34 11.15 2C-24 7.93 8.09 8.75 1.52 7.78 7.56 -- T.99 25-29 6.74 6.73 6.55 6.89 6.75 6.80 6.71. 30-34 6.63 8.08 7.11 8.91 5.25 4.87: 5.58 35-39 5.18 5.98 6.71 5.35 4.42 4.73 4.13 4C-44 4.79 5.56 5.25 5.83 4.04 3.98 4.10 45-49 4.74 4.86 5.12 4.62 4.63 4.15 5.06 5C-54. 5.41 5.5J 5.38 5.60 5.43 5.20 5.6% 55-59 5.2C 5.02 5.20 4.86 5.37 5.13 5.58 6C-64 5.18 5.45 5.34 5.54 4.93 .4.82 5.03 65-69 4.H3 5.05 4.47 5.56 4.62 4.68 4.56 70-74 3.25 3.70 3.05 4.27 2.81. 2.46" 3.13 15-79 2.15 2.58 1.62 3.42 1.13 1.27 2.14 EC-84 1.33 1.60 1.28 1.86 1.07 0.77 1.34 256uo 1.36 1.21 0.58 1.16 0.91 C.55 1.23 ESTIMATED RATE OF VET MIGRATION 1960-1913 -5.74 16.66 13.52. 19.T3 -19.31 -19.74 -18.91 1910-1933 -1.85 1.3a -1.65 4.19 -15.26 -16.04 -14.54 SOUaCE - N. C. DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION OIVtSION CF STATE BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT PREPARED APRIL 1919 v TABLE 4 HERTFORD PROJECTED POPULATION# JULY 1, 1985s BY AGE• RACE* AND SEX WHITE NONWHITE AGE TOTAL TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL 23663 11707 5343 6364 11956 5593 6363 0-4 1497 496 260 236 1001 .497 504 5-9 1564 591 313 278 9T3 485 488 10-1• 2211 to59 526 533 1152 587 56S 15-19 1604 126 387 339 958 466 492 20-24 2217 1119 545 '57r 1098 563 535 25-29 1764 914 429 485 850 384 466 30-34 1614 BIB 373 445 796 381 415 35-39 1612 962 374 •588 650 285 365 40-44'• L249 696 357 339 553 275 278 45-49 IL4C 653 279 314 r81 228 .254 50-54 1105 553 265 288 552 235 317 55-59 1259 628 276 352 631 274 357 6C-64 1248 592 270 322 656 292 364 65-69 1144 586 253 313 558 249 3C9 70-7-0 -768 51r ld0 328 45r IS? 257 75-79 646 371 132 239 275 tot 1,74 8C-84 419 247 82 165 AM .' 56. t15 . B5LUP 323 t82 36 146 141 38 103 PEPCENT OF COLUON TOTAL J-4 6.33• r.24 4.81 3.71 8.37 8089 7.92 5-9 6.61 5.45 5.86 4.37 8.14 8.67 7.67 1.^-1.$ 9.3r 9.05 9.8r 8.3R 9.64 10050 8.88 15-11 1.12 6023 7.24 5.33 8.�l 8.33 To73 2C-24 9.37 9.56 10.?3 9..'2 9.18 10007 8.r1 25-29 7.45 7.81 8.03 7062 ?*It 6.81 1.32 '30-34 6.82 6.99 6.98 6.49 0.66 6.81 6.52 35-39 6.?1 8.22 7.01 9.24 5.44 Solo 5.74 4C-44 5.29 5.95 6.63 5.33 r.63 r.42 r.37 45-49 i.82 5.58 5.22 5,88 4.01 4oO8 4.07 50-54 4.67 4.T2 4.96 4.53 4.62 4.20 4.98 55-59 5.32 5.36 5.17 5.53 5.28 4.90 5061 6C-64 5.17 5.06 5oJ5 5.00 5049 5.22 5o72 65-69 #.P.3 5.01 #.7r 5.23 4.67 r.45 r.86 7:-74 4.39 4.39 3.49 5.15 3080 3oS2 4.04 75-79 2 9 ? 3 301.7 2.47 3.76 .2.30 1081 2073 eC-84 1.77 2.11 1.53 2.59 1043 1.00 1.81 dSGUp) 1.37 1.55 0.61 2.29 1.18 0.6d' 1.62' SOURCE No C. DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION DIVISION nF STATE BUOOET AND mANA3E4ENT PREPARED APP.IL 1979 /' . IL fp 0 TABLE 5 HERTFORD PROJECTED POPULATIONS APRIL.1. 1990• BY AGE, RACEr AND SEX WHITE NONWHITE AGE TOTAL TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL 23250 11741 5255 6486 11509 5332 611T 0-4 1363. 485. 254 231 878 436 442 5-4 1657 661 324 337 996 503 493 10-ty 1551 599 323. 276 952 475 4T? 15-19 245? 1347 672 615 1110 572 538 20-24 1327 614 360 314 653 300 353 25-29 1527 782 353 429 745 318 367 30-34 1638 885 385 500 753 129 424 35-39 1597 832 384 .448 765 372" 393 40-Y4 1624 981 355 626 643 277 366 45-49 1236 654 345 309 552 275 277 5C-54 1116 6-t7 26L 386 469 219 250 55-59 106? 522 249 273 .545 231 314 6C-64 1218 61? 259 358 6 0% 1 249 352 65-69 1245 .599 256 333 656 289 367 7C-?4 1071 529 213 316 498 213 285. 15-74 763 433 12-0 336 333 120 213 80-84 4a3 295 96 199 198 57 l4l 85EUP 374 212 .42 1?C 162 37 125 CD PERCENT OF COLU4N TOTAL 5.86 4.13 4.83 3.56 7.63 8.18 7.16 5-4 1.13 5.63 6o1? 5.20 8.65 9.43 7.98 10-1.0 6.6T so10 6.15 4.26 8.27 8.91 7.72 15-1.1 loos? 11..1 12. 14 9.6ti 10.13 So ?1 2C-24 5.71 So74 6.45 4.84 5.67 5.63 5.?l 25-?9 6.5? 6.66 6.72 6.61 6.47 7.09 5.9y i 30-34 1.C5 7.54 ?.33 '• 7.71 6.54 6o 1? 6o 96 35-39 6oRT 7.39 ?.It 6.91 6.65 6.98 6.36 �0-ry 6o48 8.36 6.?6 9.65 5.59 5.20 5.93 45-49 5.19 5.51 6.57 4.76 4.8C 5.16 4.48 5C-54 4.9C 5.5t %.9T 5.95 -r.38 4.11 4.J5 55-59 4.59 4.45 4./4 4.21 4.?4 4.33 5.08 60-64, 5.24 5.26 4.93 5.52 5.22 4.67 5.7C 65-6-1 5.35 5o02 4.8T 5.13 .5.1C 5:42 5.94 TC-!4 4.42 4.5t 4.35 4.8? 4633 3.99. 4.61 75-19 3.28 3.66 2.30 4.72 2.ea 2.25 3.45 80-84 2.12 2o51 1.93 3.9? 1.?2 1.07. 2.28 85Eup 1.61 lost Jo9C 2062, 1.•.l 0.69 2.02. ESTIMATEO RATE OF 'JET MIGRATION 191y-19BJ -T.85 1.39 -lobs 4.19 -15.26 -i6.C4 -14.54 1980-1943 -6.Js 0.65 -3.21 4.01 -12.08 -13.55 -10.76 SOURCE - N. C. AFP4RTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION DIVISION OF STATE 8UOGET AND OANAG54ENT PPEPARSO APRIL 1979 With no apparent increase or decrease in the live birth rate.in over seven.years, it seems apparent that the Hertford County growth rate has stabilized and that future rates, unless affected by migration should remain at the current levels of 2 - 3% growth. Family formation rates are below state averages. In 1977, Hertford County had 158 marriages (6.5 per 1000 population) and a divorce rate of 77 or 3.2 per 1000 population. Both.are below the state averages of 7.9% and.4.5% respectively. Tables 3 - 5 provide the anticipated populations for the County for the years 1980, 1985, and 1990. These projections suggest a slight decline to 1970 levels by 1990. Of note also is the rate of net migration suggested for the County. To better understand the real implications of thisset of projections, an analysis was performed on township projections. These often are more. important than aggregate projections because more localized conditions r may have a major impact on trends, such as a new water system,. or a recently R improved school. Township TABLE 6 Years 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 Ahoskie 6,671 8,031 8,535 9,770 10,870 Harrellsville 2,400 1,972 1,669• 1,410 1,180 Maney's Neck 1,703 1,498. 1,385 1,200 1,060 Murfreesboro 4,399 5,181 6,201 6,740 7,510 St. John's 3,440 3,217 3,116 2,730 2,460 Winton 2,840 2,819 2,623 2,460. 2,320 Total 21,453 22,718 .23,529 24,310 25,400 Source: Hertford County Land Use Plan, 1976 and Mid -East Regional Water Resources Plan, 1975.. 9 4 These data suggest that the trends identified in -the 1976 Hertford County Plan will continue, mainly the increasing urbanization of the P population in two main population centers - Ahoskie and Murfreesboro. The variance between the two projections for 1990 for the Department of Administration and the Mid -East Commission .is about 9%. The main difference is apparently in the growth rate assigned to the Ahoskie and Murfreesboro townships. While this 1980 plan does not include Ahoskie, the Hertford County Planning Board should periodically review the Ahoskie and Murfreesboro growth rates, and especially the development patterns in the extraterritorial areas, to see how well they fall into the patterns of the projections. A review of the DOA projections suggest that several factors relating to the population segments of the County will occur: 1) During the ten years 1980 to 1990, the population over 60 years of age will increase by over 4% (from 17.8% to 22.0%), 2) the younger age groups (0-•10 years) will significantly decrease by over five percentage points, and 3) by 1990.the number of whites will be larger than the number of blacks, due to heavier out -migration patterns for the latter. These trends may have an important impact on the future development of the County. An older population may have difficulty in adjusting to new skill requirements of potential industrial prospects. However, an older population may not have the ability to pay an equitable share for needed services due to limited and fixed incomes. There may also be some reluctance. to approve.large capital expenditures for improvements, such as schools and water and sewer systems, that have little relation- ship to the direct needs of the elderly. While larger expenditures for social and health services will become increasingly necessary. Advanced 10 planning and citizen involvement will be necessary to resolve these conflicting demands. A five percent loss in the 0-19 population significantly reduces the potential employment pool, both for Hertford County and for its labor market area. While these losses result from a reduced birth and . previous out -migrations, there are certain things that can be done to reduce future out -migrations. Attracting industry is one method but it usually takes a number of,years.to successfully provide many new jobs'. Encouragement of small business and industry formation isanother means of opening new job opportunities. The County and the Roanoke Chowan Technical Institute could jointly develop the means of matching the aspirations of the -young people to the economic realities of Hertford County. Without efforts such as these, out -migration will continue with serious repercussions to education and future industrial develop- r, ment. Currently, seasonal population does not play a major role in Hertford County. It is anticipated that the amount of seasonal population will increase slightly in the future, due to visitors being drawn to the amenities offered here. The major impacts this will have locally are: 1). an increase in service related activities and 2) in— creased demands made on selected local governmental services such as solid waste disposal. Economy The suburban and community settlement pattern suggested by the 1976 plan holds -true to -lay. While the.growth in the County has been limited to two:townships, there is growth..in the fringe and rural non -farm areas of the County, even though almost one-half of the population lives within municipal boundaries. Thiscan be partially explained by a 33% increase 11 TABLE 7 MANUFACTURING FIRMS HERTFORD COUNTY, 1980 ` EMPLOYMENT FIRMS LOCATION PRODUCT RANGE* 'Bennett Box and Pallett Company, Incorporated Ahoskie Lumber, wood pallets, logs 150 Blue Bell, Inc. Ahoskie Ladies jeans, piece goods, mostly denium 140 CF Industries, Inc. Tunis Chemicals 130 Cates Pickles, Co. Ahoskie Peanuts- 10-19 Columbian Peanut Co. Ahoskie Peanuts 20-49 FCX Incorporated Ahoskie Fertilizers- 10-19 ` Franklin Concrete Products Corp. Ahoskie Cement, Sand, Gravel 5-9 Georgia Pacific Corporation Ahoskie Lumber Pine, Pine Chips, Pine Logs 50-99 H. T. Jones Lumber Co. Ahoskie Mouldings, ladder stacks, siding flooring 20-49 Lucas Machine and Welding Co. Ahoskie Custom built equip, general machine and welding 10-19 Parker Brothers, Incorporated Ahoskie Newspapers, commercial printing '147 Perdue Incorporated Ahoskie Grain processing 10-19 1 12 EMPLOYMENT FIRMS LOCATION- PRODUCT RANGE* Pierce. Printing Company, Inc. Ahoskie Commercial printing 10-19 Ramsey Lumber Company, Inc. Ahoskie Lumber pine Hardwood 40 West Point Pepperell Ahoskie Single knit fabrics, yarn, machine parts 350 Wilkins Roger Incorporated Como Corn meal., corn 5-9 Harrellsville Metal Works Harrellsville Machine shop, truck bodies 15 Facet Enterprise, Incorporated Murfreesboro Auto parts assembly wire, packaging materials 45 Georgia Pacific Corporation Murfreesboro Lumber wirebound crates, plastics, paper 240 Howell Metal Corporation Murfreesboro Industrial pipe, machine items, alumium 10-19 Machine Shop of Murfreesboro Murfreesboro General Machine Shop N/A Perdue Farms Murfreesboro Poultry 50-99 Revelle Agricultural. PmductS'. Murfreesboro Feeds, yellow corn, soybeans 35 Revelle Builder Murfreesboro Prefabricated building 17 Rollie, Incorporated Murfreesboro Childrens playwear, piece gopds 235 'A. 1 13 di 1 Lowes Building Supply Murfreesboro Building Supplies 15 Easco Corp. Carolina Aluminum Winton Aluminum materials 468 HAOCO Harrellsville Aonraisals 81 NOTE: *Single number indicate actual number employed as*of December, 1979. 14 in the number of people employed in the County. The Bureau of Employment Security Research of the Employment Security Commission reported that between 1976 and 1980 Hertford.County had two new manufacturing firms (Ahoskie Casket Company (1978) and Lady Wrangler Division of Blue Bell (1976) and one expanding firm (Carolina Aluminum Company in Winton in 1978.) Table •7 provides an update list of the major manufacturing employers in the. County. The Bureau of Employment Security Research also provided the latest available estimates of the Hertford County labor force. Tables 8 and 9 contain this information..' TABLE 8 Average Employment of Persons 16+ By Industry (1978) r Number of of Industry Type Employees Total Manufacturing Apparel 440 '5.2 Lumber and'Wood 741 8.8 Non -electric machinery 95 1.1 . . Other manufacturing 1,323 15.7 Non -Manufacturing Construction 400 4.8 Transportation, Communications 216 2.6 Utilities Trade 1,783• 21.2 Finance Insurance. 1,531 1.8 Real Estate Service 1,626 19.3 Government 1,611 19.1 Other 20 --�- 15 TABLE 9 Comparison of 1970 and 1978 Employment Data 1970 1978 Agriculture, forestry et�al 703 8.9 Not Available Construction 632 8.0 400 . 4.8 Transportation, communication utilities 357 4.5 216 2.6 Finance, Insurance, real estate 243 3.1 153 1.8 Service 648 8.2 _1,626 19.3 Legal, professional 79 11.0 Not Available Government 1,448 18.3 1,611 19.1 Other Not Available 20 ---- Source: 1976 Hertford County Land Use Plan and North Carolina Labor Force Estimates by County - Bureau of Employment Security Research. ESC. Since 1976 there were some surprising and important shifts in employ- - ment patterns. Perhaps the most noticeable is the 15% increase in manufacturing jobs. This helped to raise manufacturing by three points in the relative position -of employment types. The service sector has the largest gain with over a 150% increase. The largest losses were in the construction trades; finance, insurance, real estate and transportation. Each dropped about a third. .Unemployment averaged 5% in 1978. In only two years in the period 1970 - 1978 was the.Hertford County unemployment lower than'the State and Region Q averages. l Per capita income has also risen proportionately in the period 1970- 1977. The state income level rose from $3,200 in 1970 to $5,916 in 1977 (an increase of 85%.) By comparison the Region Q counties increased from_ 16 an average of $2,543 to an average -of $5,022 or 94%. Hertford County alone increased from $2,369 in 1970 to $4,850 in 1977 or 104%.. While the County is still 22% below the State per capita income average, the gains in raising the per capita income average have been significant since 1970 when the County was 35% below the State average. Another indicator of sound economic growth is retail sales. While a certain amount of increase is due to inflation, it represents a good indicator of how Hertford County residents spend their money. If satisfied with local selection and price, county residents will confine their purchase selections to the County. In the year 1978 - 1979. there were gross retail sales of over $108,695,000. This represents another 100% increase in the six year period since it was last measured. This sales volume returned.over $2,269,000 in sales and use taxes. Agriculture Agricultural production remains economically important to Hertford County. Information obtained from the 1976 Land Utilization Survey of the Farm Census Summary - USDA, shows that land utilized for farms has remained steady from 1974 levels after a period a decline. Idle cropland and pasture.utilization was reduced by half. Harvested crop- lands and forests utilization remained relatively unchanged. The major crops are, in order of acreage planted: corn (23,690), peanuts (15,340), soybeans. (7,915) and tobacco (3,066). Corn acreage, -grew the most, since the previous reporting period while soybean production was ' significantly reduced. In May, 1977, the Soil Conservation Service produced a map entitled "Prime Farmland of North Carolina." The Soil Conservation Service defines "Prime Farmland" as land_"best.suited for producing food, feed, fiber, forage and oilseed crops. It has soil of good qualities (free of stones and gravel, lacks wetness or other limiting features), { growing season, and moisture supply needed to produce high yields year after year." Between 1/3 and 1/2 of Hertford County is labeled as prime farmland. These include the areas around Cofield and Harrellsville along the Chowan River between US 258 and the Northampton County border between Murfreesboro and Hertford County. Education The State Department of Public Instruction has projected a steady decrease in public school enrollment from a high in 1977-78 of 5,300 to a 1982-83 estimate of 4,600. As mentioned earlier, this is as much a result of declining birth rates and family formations as it is out -migration. The "Statistical Profile" of the State Board of Education provides the following information that pertains to the Hertford County school system: 1) Per pupil expenditure rose from $744 in 1972 to $1,333 in 1978, 2) the teacher -pupil ratio is 20.4 in elementary schools and 16.8 in the secondary schools; 3) the estimated drop out rate is 8%; 4) 1978 competency test scores indicate that 13% failed the reading portion of the test and 21%'fail the math section; and 5) over 60% of the 1978 graduates indicated that they would like to attend an institution of higher learning. 18 TABLE 10 HERTFORD COUNTY, NC PUBLIC SCHOOL FACILITIES 1979-80 SCHOOL YEAR STUDENT PUBLIC YEAR CAPACITY TEACHER TEACHER GRADE ERECTED, SCHOOL RANGE ENROLLMENT ALLOTMENT RATIO TAUGHT ADDITION Ahoskie Graded School 700-800 807 41 .19.6 K-3 1956, 159, 177 Ahoskie Middle School 836-950 .726 42 17.1 6-8 1916, 29, 40, 46, 49, 50, 59, 66 Ahoskie High School 1,102-1,150 1,023 53.5 19:1 9-12 1977 C. S. Brown 770-875 269 13 20.6 ,K-S 1910, 26, 41, 47, 48 51, 54, 59 Murfreesboro Middle School 594-675 420 30 14.0 6-8 1936, 40, 42, 51, 56 59 Murfreesboro High School 858-975 631 38 16.6 9-12 1977 R. L. Vann 968-1,100 '436 25 17.4 4-5 1956, 59, 77 River View 638-725 621 37 16.7 K-5 1949, 52, 56, 59 Source: Assistant Superintendent, Hertford County Schools, 1980. But what.do these population and economic changes mean? Hertford County has no seasonal population changes to contend with. -The population in Hertford County now appears to be stable and, depending on the projections used, either maintaining a slow but steady growth rate or slightly declining. Incomes and employment opportunities have risen. However with a high -number of high school students expecting to continue their education, the County needs-to.encourage expansion of industries which use employees to bring these graduates back to the County. In all, while things have either changed or begun to change, the assumptions of the 1976 Hertford County Land.Use Plan are still valid today. Development outside of existing service areas will continue to increase and to bring the problems associated with this -type of growth such as increased septic tank use and traffic. Efforts are now needed to pull together a coordinated plan of action to monitor -and implement.the strategies needed to meet assumptions of -the 1976 Land Use Plan and this update The recommendations of this w plan should be considered as the start of this -process. 1.3. EXISTING LAND USE ANALYSIS The land use patterns discussed in the 1976 Land Use Plan have not changed since that time. -(See Existing Land Use Map) Residential development, outside of the municipalities, is still occurring along the major roads. 'If this pattern continues, the need for urban -type services will increase, especially in water and sewer services. The soil conditions of the County are such that on -site sewerage disposal systems U. e. septic tanks) will begin to encroach on the potable groundwater supplies as development intensities in any specific area. 20 The cost of l.rovid.ing water and sewer services for these linear development-. forms is much more expensive than with a more compact development. Traffic congestion becomes more of a problem with linear development due to mixing through and turning traffic and increased curb cuts and entrance and egress points. These types of development problems can be controlled through the Subdivision Regulations. TABLE 11 Residential"Growth by Township Since 1976 (Issued Building Permits), Township Maney's Year *Ahoskie Murfreesboro St. John's Harrellsville Neck Winton. Total 1976 19 19 12 5 6 15 76 1977 18 31 7 .6 4 4 71 1978 14 26 10 5. 6 14 -75 1979 8 23 9 5 6 13 64 1980 5 5 2 1 1 3 17 (Jan. -Apr.) Total 64 104 40 22 23 50 303 t 21 34 13 7 8 17 Source: Hertford County -Building Inspector, 1980. Note: *Excludes territorial areas of Ahoskie's building inspection program. The building data shown in Table 11 above confirm the earlier population data showing over 52% of the County's building permits issued in the two, townships of Ahoskie and Murfreesboro, which will shift some public service demands toward these townships. 21 a Commercial land use is also primarily confined to Ahoskie and Murfreesboro. Secondary or convenient shopping areas are clustered. around existing residential areas and at major crossroads. As reported earlier, the only industrial growth to occur since the, 1976 Land Use Plan was in Ahoskie.and Winton. Since the 1976 Plan,. the Hertford County Industrial Development Commission has completed a major study of its industrial potential.. Two sites, a light industrial park of 86 acres at U. S. 158 and U. S. 13 near Winton and a heavy industrial park of 133 acres across from CFI near Cofield-have been identified and site.piAns developed. Acquisition and development of —these parcels will further enhance the industrial potential of the County. Little change has occurred in the public and semi-public land use category. Although conflicts in land use exist, land use compatibility is not a serious problem. As alluded to earlier, high water tables and/or poor soil associations will retard growth and determine where growth will occur.. The increased use of septic tanks in unsuitable areas will eventually lead to major problems.. While the passage of a bond issue in 1976 for a countywide water system was a step in the direction of removing these incompatibilities, the implementation of the proposal is the only way of actually removing these problems. _Participation in the Federal Flood Insurance.Program will, in time, play a major role in providing flood proofing of flood prone areas. It will also have A side advantage of maintaining the aesthetic quality of the County's natural waterways. 22 Recently, Hertford County has been the victim of a land com- patibility problem caused by up-stream'out-of-state land uses., Agricultural runoff and other pollution, in the form of high nutrient loads, has caused algae blooms in the Chowan River. These blooms have caused severe problems to the people of Hertford County and surrounding areas who ' use the river for commercial and recreational purposes.. This lack of care and understanding of -the role between land development and the... environment in special areas, such as those areas included in the Coastal Area Management Act, must be addressed if appropriate patterns of land development,are to occur. Some people may not consider that a rural county with lots of open space can have problems with the development of land. It is important to note that as the use of land changes from one.category to another the relationship between the previous and current use also ' changes: While a hog operation is a perfectly acceptable agricultural -operation, its.location next to or near a new residential development will cause innumerable problems to the farmer, the land developer, the homeowners and public officials. Although the above example may not seem as a serious land compatibility problem, it is illustrative of the types of decisions that must be made to prepare a.well thought out plan for the provision of a quality living environment. The very fact that Hertford County has had a long and active planning program is a testament. to the concern for the future that exists within the County. As with most rural counties in the east, Hertford County has a number of problems that are often long term and intertwined -with other problems. Without any direction or guidance from a land use plan, the resolution of problems often becomes reactionary and opportunities are missed to correct the root causes of these problems. 23 The 1980 Land Use Plan, while recognizing the past contributions that planning has made to the County, provides a new level of emphasis. This emphasis considers the relationship of public policy to specific problem resolution. With this plan update, the County is being asked to look at its policy on various aspects of land development and to develop positive strategies to meet the contigencies suggested by these policies. These strategies form the basis for positive action in meeting the problems of the County. The 1980s will be important to Hertford County. The action plan, developed under CAMA regulations, recognizes the need to move.in positive and deliberate steps. These steps will help the .people of Hertford County control their future. After reviewing the growth and the type of growth experienced by Hertford County since 1976,-it does not appear that any major change in the predominant land use categories will occur. The patterns identified in 1976, are, in fact, those.that exist today and those that will likely to exist in 1990. Since the.1976 Plan, new areas•of concern have been added to all coastal.areas. Consideration of interim areas of environmental concern (AEC).was a major element in the 1976 Plan, yet at that time the Coastal Resources Commission had not yet designated them officially. It was felt especially sensitive areas made. the Coastal Area unique and were responsible for its economic, scenic, and recreational values. The final. AEC's designated for Hertford County in 1976 were, estuarine waters, public trust waters and estuarine shorelines. Estuarine waters act as the birthplace or nursery areas for many valuable marine fishes. However, these highly productive areas are especially sensitive to environmental change. Within Hertford County, the Chowan and Meherrin rivers -are considered to be estuarine waters and are therefore subject to development 24 regulation to provide the extra level of protection warranted by their sensitive and valuable nature. Public trust waters are those whose benefits belong to the public, whether for commercial or recreational enjoyment. Any land use that infringes upon this public nature must be controlled. These activities that might "block or impair existing navigational i channels, increase beach or -shoreline erosion, deposit soils below mean high tide, cause adverse water circulation patterns, violate water quality standards, or cause degradation of shellfish waters are generally considered incompatible with the management of public trust waters." The concept of public trust waters has taken on new.meaning with algae blpoms in Chowan River. -The final area of environmental concern are estuarines shorelines which are located along the Meherrin and Chowan rivers. This area extends from the mean high water level or normal water level along the county's estuarine waters for a distance of 75 feet landward. Within the three (3) previously mentioned AEC the County has been issuing special CAMA permits. While the enforcement of CAMA permits in these areas of environmental concern have caused some problems, the local enforcement efforts have been able to effectively control development in these areas. The County is aware that locally nominated areas of•environmental concern can .be suggested to the'Coastal.Resources Commission, however, the County does not feel additional areas of the County require AEC designation at this time. The value of CAMA permits in sensitive areas is accepted in Hertford County with the nutrient pollution problems on the Chowan River. While the restoration of the river is a major local and state goal, the future protection and enhancement of the County's rivers, through such means as . land development controls, will remain a high priority. The areas of environmental concern help provide the means to provide this protection. 25 g7 R G I N I A S OU TH A M F T 0 N 0 U N T Y 8 E R T I, E HERTFORD COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA vA M KZ SCAM I - 2 3 46166 SCAU KW VIMAWDA06S N EXISTING LAN D USE MAP 1980 LEGEND, RESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATION, COMMUNICATION, a UTILITIES 36-23' GOVERNMENT Ek INSTITUTIONAL .3 CULTURAL$ ENTERTAINMENT, ON a RECREATION AGRICULTURE a FORESTLAND W YYY C 0 U N T Y f 1.4. CURRENT PLANS, POLICIES.AND REGULATIONS Since 1976, Hertford County has added to its list of planning document`s. In 1978, - a Master -Plan -for. Industrial Site Development was completed by the County's.Industrial Development Commission. In the same year, a Preliminary Thoroughfare Plan was prepared by NC -DOT. This document analyzed existing traffic patterns and suggested a plan for highway and street improvement* A new and revised edition of the County's•Zoning Ordinance was adopted in 1979 which provides the County with one of the very few county zoning ordinances in Eastern North Carolina. As the preceding statements imply, Hertford County has had an active planning and code enforcement program. The County's .building inspector provides building code inspection, zoning enforcement, subdivision enforcement, mobile enforcement and CAMA permit inspections. Turning from -local regulations we turn to those state and federal regulations that affect land use in the county. Tables 12 and 13 are listings of such regulations. *As of this writing, the County's Thoroughfare Plan has yet to be adopted by -the County or the State. TABLE 12 STATE DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS Agency Licenses and Permits Department of Natural Resources - Permits to discharge to surface waters and Community Development or operate wastewater treatment plants or.oil discharge permits; NPDES Permits, (G. S. 143-215) Division of•Environmental - Permits for septic tanks with a Management capacity over 3;000 gallons/day (G. S. 143-215.3). Permits for withdrawal of surface or ground waters in capacity use areas (G. S. 143-215.15). Permits for air pollution abatement facilities and sources (G. S. 143-215.108). Permits for construction of complex sources; e. g. parking lots, subdivisions, stadiums, etc. (G. S..143-215.109). Permits for construction of a well over 100,000 gallons/day (G. S. 87- 88) . Department of Natural Resources and - Permits to dredge and/or fill in Community Development estuarine waters, tidelands, etc. Office of Coastal Management (G. S. 113-229). Permits to undertake development in Areas of Environmental Concern (G. S. 113A-118) . NOTE: Minor development permits are issued by the local government. 27 TABLE 12 CONTINUED Department of Natural Resources - Permits to alter or construct a and Community Development dam (G. S. 143-215.66). Division of Earth Resources - Permits to mine (G.-S. 74-51). - Permits to drill an explanatory oil or gas well (G. S. 113-381). - Permits.to conduct geographical exploration (G. S. 113-391). - Sedimentation erosion control plans for any land disturbing activity of over one continguous acre (G. S. 113A-54). Department of Natural Resources and Community Development - Permits to construct an oil refinery Secretary of NRCD Department of Administration - Easements to fill where lands are proposed to be raised above the normal high water mark of navigable waters by filling (G. S. 146.6) (c) . Department of Human Resources - Approval to operate a solid waste disposal site or facility (G. S. 130-166.16).. - Approval for construction of any public.water supply facility that furnishes water to ten or more residences (G. S 130-160.1). - permits for septic tank systems of 3000 gallons/day or.less capacity (G. S. 130-160)• 28 TABLE 13 FEDERAL DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS M Agency Licenses and Permits Army Corps of Engineers (Department of Defense) Permits required under Section 9 and 10 of the Rivers .and Harbors of 1899; permits to construct in navigable waters. Permits required under Section 103 of the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act of-1972. Permits required under Section 404 of the Federal Water Pollution Control.Act of 1972; permits to undertake dredging and/or filling activities Coast Guard - - Permits for bridges, causeways, (Department of Transportation) pipelines over navigable waters; required under the General Bridge Act of-1946 and the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899. Deep water port permits. Geological Survey. - Permits required for off -shore Bureau of Land Management drilling. (Department of'Interior) Approvals of OCS pipeline corridor rights -of -way. Nuclear Regulatory Commission - Licenses for siting, construction and operation of nuclear power plants; required under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 and Title II of the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974. 29 TABLE 13 CONTINUED Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. - Permits for construction, operation and maintenance of interstate pipe- lines facilities required under the Natural Gas Act of 1938. 'Orders of interconnection of electric transmission facilities under Section 202 (b) of the Federal Power Act. Permission required for abandon- ment of natural,gas pipeline and associated facilities under Section 7C (b) of the Natural Gas Act of 1938. 1.5. CONSTRAINTS - LAND SUITABILITY' As in 1976, the Coastal Resources Commission is concerned that the.County understand the existing -physical limitations to development. These :limitations become very important.in not only guiding land use ` decisions but are also important in protecting the public health, safety and welfare. As stated earlier in this update, the 1976 CAMA Plan would be used as a reference and data source when conditions have not changed and when no new information is available or necessary. In reviewing the 1979 CAMA land use planning guidelines, changes and additions were noted from the 1976 Plan. The following is a summation of the 1976 CAMA Land Use Constraints for the County, which includes the changes that were made from the 1979 land use planning guidelines: (1) Physical Limitations - Natural hazard areas include the floodplains of the Chowan and Meherrin Rivers and several small streams Man-made hazards include the storage of flammable liquids and two airports. The former are associated with relatively small retail enterprises (home heating supplier, not true "tank farms"). Tri-County Airport is located on NC 561 in the southwestern part of the county. The other is"a privately -owned sod field south of Ahoskie near the Bertie County line. Both airports are in open country, not in the immediate path of urbanization. However, appropriate height controls found in an Airport Zoning Ordinance are needed to reduce future conflict.` 31 Hertford County contains several types of soil which present limitations for building foundation and septic tank usage: These are the Roanoke -Cape Fear'and Donovan -Dare -Johnson which are commonly found along streams and rivers. See Table 14 and the accompanying soil map for more information on these associations. (Also see the recently completed interim soils report from the USDA Soil Conservation Service.) Water supply for the most part come from ground water sources. There is generally not a supply problem in_the county. There are no significant areas of Hertford County which have ground slopes of more than_12 percent. Those which exist are found in very narrow strips along streams banks. (2) Fragile Areas - The following areas are considered fragile in Hertford County: Estuarine Waters: The Chowan River and Meherrin Rivers are Y estuarine. Estuarine Shorelines: The'shorelines of the Chowan and Meherrin River. Public Trust.Waters: Virtually all surface water in Hertford County'is "Public Trust Water." Complex Natural Areas: Hertford County contains several wooded swamps which should be considered complex natural areas. They are mainly located along the Chowan River shoreline. Areas That Sustain Remnant Species: The red -cockaded woodpecker is thought to be the only endangered specie which occur in the county. A small bear population exists along the Chowan River near Harrellsville. The county contains numerous other small game species and an abundant deer herd. 32 TABLE 14 SOIL INTERPREATATION CENF.R". SOIL HAP HERTFOKO COUNIf, NORTH CAROLINA• gs with LIMITATIONS FOR SUITABILITY FOR Dweliin 1 of Solt % in Sewerage Recreation , Septic Tank Light Roads and General Coun enera Associations Aasoe Stems a Campsite$ Picnic Areas Intensive Woods Pas h 11 Filter Fields — - I Play Area lndastrial Streets Agriculture 61 1. NORFOLK-COLDSBORO- LYNCHBURC' LF,)rfolk 501 S1! ht I SIleht Slight I S11FI't S11Sht SIiy�ht SII nt Good Good Good G" ynchboro 25% Ho t!%d_perc. Hal: Traf, 5ltght Sli ht ?.d_wt. Had, TSC Cood Good I Cood coot L nchbur 15: Sev.W[,Fi, Sev, Rt. Fl, Sev.Traf.Fl, Sev,Traf.F1. Sev,Traf,Fl. Sev, F1. Sev, Fl. ICoo I Good Good Coot 351 2. CRAVEN-DUPLIN-M.iRLEORO Craven 50% Mod.Sh-Sw Wt. Sew.Perc,Wt, S1! ht to K-A_ S1! ht to mod. Nod.To Sew. :lod.Sh-Sw Co t--- L-•---- fi r. Mo,TSC.Er. Fair Cood Cood Fait Duplln 201 Mod, W[, Yo,Wt.Pert, Hod, Tra!_ �`1ad: Traf, Mod, Traf. Alert, Wt. Cora Mod, TSC Good I Coo I Goo i Coot Marlboro 107 Slight _ rat. Pere, Slight —_-- 51lSAt Sllaht S_!tl•nt 17od. TSC Er. CoodTGoo Good i GooC 48% 3. LENOIR-COXVILLE-CRAVEN Y Lenoir 40% Sew. Fl. Sev,P1.Wt.Pere Sev T Sn-Sw II( I raf _F1, Sew. Traf. Fl. Sev.Traf.Fl. Scv-FI,WC.Cor. Sew. TSC Fr. Fs Cood f Goo Coo Cravelle 15% Sev�Wt, F1, tev.Wt.F1,Pere, SevL Tra ,._F:a�.Se_v. Traf. F1. Sev.Traf.Fl_ _S�•v_pl_W[iCor_ §ev`F_1.1it_TSC Poor Coo Coo Coal Craven 1 Z Hod,Sh-Sw Wt. S.v.Pere,Wt Sl�ht t�._"nd�iSligtt to Ikd_ .yo4 To Sew un__S1:-Sv Cor Mod. TSC Er 1Fair Goo Good F 1L 21 4. KALAQA-WACRIH i W Kalmla 50% -Slight ' ht SI! ht I Slight Slight SlfSht S1! ht ICoo Co _ WaS.rau --*— B __ t_. - - o Coo Coo 30� Slight Slight S11 ht _ Slight Sl! ht SlfEht Slight ICood Goo Good I Fair 1% S. CAPE FEAR-ROANOKE Cape Fear 40% Sev. Wt. Fl. Sev.Wt.Fl. Sev.Fl.Wt. Sev, Wt. Fl. Sev.71.Wt. Sev.Wt.Fl. Sev.P1,Wt. Poor Poor Coo Goo Roanoke 25% Sev Wt P1' Sev.Wt F1 Sev Wt F1 Sev. Sev,F ,Wt. 1ev,iiC.FL. Sev,F1.Wt. Pooz Fair Good Good 8% 6. DOROVAN-DmE-JOHNSTON Dorovan 301 Sev, Fl. Sew. Fl Sew, P1. Sew. Fl. Sew. Fl, Seyz Fl Sew. Fl Poor Poor Fa! Pooi JDerr JOZ Sev, F1. Sevev+Fl, Sev. F1, Sev, Fl.' Sew. Fl. e� _F1, Sev. F1, Poor Poor Fair Poor ohnstuo 201 Sev, F1. Scv_ Fl, Sew, Fl. Sev_LFl, Sev. Fl, S__ F1 Sev, F1. Poor Poor FBSz Pno Abbreviations for Limiting Factors: Slopes >10% Slopes >10% Slopes > VX Slopes >10% Slopes >61 Slopes >10""& Slopes >25% F1 - Flood hazard Impose limi- Impose limi- impose limi- lmpoae lima- impose limi- impose Bev. impose sev. Wt - Water table. tations; 10- cations; 10- tations; 6- tations; 10- tations; 6- ..liultstlons limitations Traf - Trafficability 25% - Hod.; 15% - Pod.; 10% - mod.; 251 - Mod.; 1OZ - Mod.: Sh-Sw - Shrink -swell potential 251+ - Sew. 151+ - Sew. 107.+ - Svv. 251+ - Sew.' 101+ - Sew.' R - Rock Pere - Percolation rate TSC - Traffic supporting c+pacity Abbreviations for degree of limitations; Cor Corrosion potential Prod - Productivity, 1/ subsoil. whose footings are in Er - Inherent ero ib111ty ANC - Available water es ac! subsoil. P ty Slt. - Slight; Hod, - Moderate; Sew. - Severe 2/ --Refers to roads and streets that have subsoil,for.base. / Peanuts, tobacco. B ar.u.m a .oncu.�u«q .a, oe«u ar..q« Bt.v¢t. a•uw, ron« 4a01.«. ,�/' Coro, soybeans and small grain. e�z7•�-R-]S7 tw DI►Y r1t•T o/-L/Ia%,LTtru V 1 / 6 -�••. N .1 A..._ -----__-_-- .-- - bull,Lu.♦Il►•-IIM N►..Cl•h••L I//•, 114► - - A►►EHE �I LEGEND —� NORFOLK•GOLDSBORO VolC D RG s t Er - L N U + sons Ion• `�•;—.� 1, / _ .3 ` •• � � .. Z•r — — 2 � Merl/ 1.-1 1• (o.11r •I•►,n (, w111 r••w•►• •,M•. •1 •II r•11 Y- •; I— — •M ••M wtul Mrll No.Mo I•.1• Ih•1 N•• 1.1•►1• I•MI tl _. y• y::I` \ 1 _ C „ Ir►•401141: N hl(MI Ill -I .►I•Ma• I 1- V ? 6 r ` CRAVEN•DUPLIN•MARLBORO association: -�.~ `• ' Iv \ � �, �. Gwll/ uN•nI a U•Ln(, w•11 u•mN aN •wr•fI II w•111 { L 3 • •t - ••.0 .rlh N.•el• 1. O•.I fow ••MI cl•I r Uq w••ru: r j 3. � �/ /I � 4.n( Y►uMI. �1 li, t i-' j D tEN01R•COXVILLE•CkAVEN association: 4 MOTE: This Gw►1 &..I Pup I• .-to.l• IV WY• r+.•/lr —Ir 1••H,-.rl•.•ulI w•II trw•wwu prll •n1 p •`\ a _�1.� \ �` �% /I•Mu( M►H•t Mli. fr r• ••u11N ., �• -1 .^ ti: I Q t 1 ►1•MM(M 1-d.ONJI Yot1I 0 t-A. Ir MI 4 ..n•1 o•.II w,Ih IYA a ••.I 1,.w, ••MI tl•, w tl•I I..•I 11 11.��'�Y `� 1•M .Io, h I•toll•I t•,1 •V ••I I• M•IN. ~I KALWA•WAGRAM a;sociation: ��� • h••tll I•••I 1• (•nil/ •10►,n (, wtll /. •.n•o I•.1• w1Y1 N.•►M �•'I.• ../ ` I . _ �, .4•f•1a— / tl•I Iw,w •.,e••,1•. rt 1•.I Ot •t •w• is. ."s w►4Mt. ROANOKE•CAPE FEAR association: . ♦ ) — �`\ - �:� O rwialll 1•••1, Mrlr •M ••./ p ,, M•.M► I►III w.1h I... It _ =� • r ' � • / w ; ' � _ < jlflj I r. •M I•MI tl•I 10••1 L.OL •.It, M MIIM 1•ML M W y►r II 1 ! /, • �• t 1•\. ti of IIY wYlr I4••wt• 'Z 2©DOROVAN DARE•JOHNSTON association: _ - .� ' i" ♦ 3 -� .. ,.__.� �, l _� 1 L•.•1..•rr nou ir. o.•,.,•. rl•n�a u�u Yut r• Iw.MUI( th +_2 6 3 •� •.1 rou d Ino r•r:.n blluw 1•.YL •1•nl IM n•Ir u.••wt ��• rl_ \ TENTATIVE: SUBJECT TO CHANGE 12 GENERAL SOIL MAP. N7 sD 31 HERTFORD COUNT 3 _ 1�Y NORTH CAROLINA 3 3 J 6 • .r.na ,n IC.I I • • 11, >r 1 •. f 3 1 I 1 hl.<.w.t L.,a,l.w t- r•L..I l w►.77o u• 7 N L.I w • •1 t 4 w b ( •\(/ 1•rMwM. •1 1:1 N,a00 (1.O 7.I M�1.11 la M•••rw 1•t Yil.l� r Iz 7j 7 (J7j� , `( ` l •V L'•f"r bu.•Y�h.•-4•"•nl n.Iry M1•. It)I b•n,•w. iI • I� r` ^a <y ��� ..,w c.. . t.,.. t+w. PM..N N4C. \r•.. ►••nJ •1 . Il/l .. l N'•Y•wI.1 .I op►iltlaiyL pit M Registered Natural Landmarks: There.Are no registered natural landmarks in Hertford County. Archeological and Historic Sites: Hertford County contains the following (NR) National Register and Study List (SL) sites. Hertford County NR William Mitchell House NR Riddick House NR Hare Plantation NR Murfreesboro Historic District NR Goodman -Jenkins House. SL Vernon Place (Cowper House) SL Hunting Wild (Bynum Place) SL Captain Langley Taylor House' SL Mulberry Grove Location Ahoskie Vicinity Como Vicinity -Como Vicinity - Murfreesboro Murfreesboro • Como Como Vicinity Frazier's Crossroads Minton's Store Vicinity (3) Areas With Resource Potential - The following areas are areas of resource potential: Productive and Unique Agricultural Lands: The use of land for agriculture was discussed as part of the "Population and Economy" section. Soil factors of importance to Agriculture are noted in this."Constraints" section. Research conducted in the preparation of this plan revealed no !'unique" agricultural practices or potentials in the county. Mineral Sites: Research conducted in the preparation of this plan revealed no evidence of potentially valuable mineral deposits in the county. Publicly - Owned Forests, Parks, etc.: Hertford County contains no publicly owned forests,. parks (other than municipal), fish and gamelands,. or other non -intensive recreation lands. 35 Since the 1976 Plan, a major land use related problem has impacted Hertford County. The algae blooms in the Chowan River have caused a number of problems for the people of -the County. While the blooms have diminished recreational and commercial. use of the river, they have also served to weaken property values along the river. Available information from the Chowan River Restoration'Project (CHORE), indicates that the algae blooms do not pose land use problems similar to those imposed by high water tables, but that the use of land has a major impact on the algae blooms. For this reason, information on the problems of the Chowan River will appear in other places in this report. 1.6. CONSTRAINTS CAPACITY OF COMMUNITY FACILITIES Existing Water Service Areas The water and sewer service areas have not changed significantly since they were described with the 1976 Plan. According to the 1975.Water Resource Management Plan, prepared for the Mid -East Commission, the 1980 population (projected) served by a water system was 10,761 or about 40% of the Couh ty's population. These various systems are still providing adequate service to their customers. The following is a description of each system. Murfreesboro - Murfreesboro's water facilities consist of two wells, a 75,000 gallon elevated storage tank and 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10-inch water mains. The total design capacity of the system is 2 million gallons -per day (gpd). Combined -usage is estimated at 475,000 gpd (24% of capacity), which is projected to increase to 720,000 gpd average daily.demand by .the year 2000. The maximum daily demand is projected at twice the average 36 daily "demand or 940,000 gpd in 1975.increasing to' 1,440,000 gpd by the year 2000.. Areas to the west and southwest -of the town should be considered for extensions to alleviate substandard health conditions. All water demands for the Town of Murfreesboro can be met without difficulty from the ground water resources of the area. Future - wells should be designed and pumped to meet the maximum daily demand over a pumping period of 12-hours per day. Storage requirements recommended by the National Association of Fire Underwriters to provide fire flows were 960,000 gallons for 1975 and increasing 1,440,000 gpd by the year 2000. Current storage is not presently meeting standards byeapproximately 900,000 gallons. The town has recently passed a bond issue to make necessary improvements in both the water and sewer systems in the town. Winton - Winton's water facilities.include three wells, additional new storage tank; new mains, 200,000 gallon elevated storage tank and 6 inch mains. The three wells produce a combined yield of 800 gpm, however, one well has a problem pumping sand and must be replaced. Water usage was estimated at 940,000 gpd in 1975, increasing to. 1,000,000 gpd by the year 2000. The average daily demand is projected to be 100,400 gpd by the year 1990. The present rate is estimated at 11%. Elevated storage requirements as recommended by the National Association Fire Underwriters -is 240,000 gallons. Harrellsville - Harrellsville's water facilities include two wells, a - 20,000 gallon hydro -pneumatic type storage tank, and 6-inch water mains. Water usage for the Town of Harrellsville is an estimated 171,000 gallons per day. Projections indicate that this.rate will remain stable 37 over the projection period. Water storage is inadequate to meet firefighting standards. It is expected that the Town of Harrellsville will continue to provide needed water supply to its service area with ground water deep wells. The present use rate is estimated at 59%. The service area has recently been extended to -serve areas outside the town limits south along SR 1002 and west along NC 45 and,NC 561. Cofield - Cofield's water facilities include two wells,'a 15,000 gallon hydro -pneumatic tank, and a distribution system consisting of 2 and 4- inch mains. Total pumping capacity is 288,000 gpd. The population of Cofield requires about 23,500 gallons of water per day. It is expected that per capita usage will.increase slightly to 105 gpd by year 2000. The average daily demand should reach 901000 gpd. Wells within the Cofield area will provide system demands without difficulty. The present use rate is estimated at 8%. It is expected that Cofield will continue to provide area water needs to areas within and adjacent to the corporate limits. Como The Town of Como does not have a closed water system and depends on ground water sources.- According to the Mid -East Regional Water Resource Study, the town should construct its own well, pressure tank system. Bryantsville.Community Water Association Located three miles north of Murfreesboro on us 258. The system contains two wells, a hydro -pneumatic tank and 1, 3, and 4 inch lines. 38 Approximately 80 customers are served by this system. The average daily demand is estimated at 25,000 gpd which should double by the end of the projection period. Fire protection can not•be presently provided without major renovations to the system. Union Utilities Corporation Water Svstem Serving the area around the Roanoke-Chowan Technical College, the privately owned water system consists.of two wells,.a'storage tank and 2, 4 and 6-inch water mains. Storage capacity is about 50,000 gallons in the.elevated tank. Currently the system uses about 30,000 gallons per day which is projected to increase to about 100,000 gpd. Millennium Community Water Association Located in the southwestern section of Hertford County, this water system consists of one well and a small tank with an estimated current yield of about 100,000 gallons per day. The distribution system has two and four inch mains. Existing Sewer Service Areas The Ahoskie sewer service area will not be discussed in this report but will appear in the Ahoskie Land Use Plan Update, which is being prepared separately.' Winton and Murfreesboro have the only, other wastewater treatment facilities in Hertford'County. •, 39 Winton - The present system has a design capacity of 0.60 million gallons per day (mgd) and a current use rate of 0.19 (mgd)(average daily flow). While the capacity is more than adequate for current and projected needs, the treatment facilities are in need of upgrading. Murfreesboro - Operating a 500,000 gpd lagoon, the system is at capacity. Plans include upgrading the system by building a .476 mgd discharging plant and to add aerated tubes to the lagoon. This plan has been certified. School System The data in Table 10 shows the existing conditions of the Hertford County school system. Utilizatiori'rates and pupil -teacher ratios- suggest that the system, as a whole, and individual schools are meeting the existing demand. Data from the Department of Public Instruction suggests a very stable system in terms of financial support and employee longevity. There has been some previous discussions'about a county -wide school consolidation, but at this time it does not appear to be beyond the discussion stage. This issue will probably become more visible during this planning period. 40 TABLE 15 UTILIZATION OF PRIMARY ROADS HERTFORD COUNTY,.1979 Primary Percent Road Design of Number Capacity ADT Utilization US 13 - NC 11 10,920 7,500 68 US.-158 7,200 2,500. 35 US 258 7,200 4,200 58 NC 258 7,200 3,300 46 Source: North Carolina Department of Transportation. Transportation The description of the existing transportation system has not changed since 1976, with the exception of the new .US 13-11 Bypass around Ahoskie and the CADA public transportation system. An analysis of the County's average daily traffic counts shows a slow but steady increase in volume on the major roads (US 13, 158, 258). North Carolina 11 is also a major traffic artery, especially between Ahoskie and Murfreesboro. The North Carolina Department of Transportation expects this increase in traffic .volume to continue. The Choanoke Area Development Agency (CADA) operates a national rural public transportation demonstration program in Hertford and other counties. It is estimated that Hertford County generates 350 passenger trips per day, primarily -for senior citizens and the mental health agency. 41 Service is currently available to Como, Murfreesboro, Harrellsville, Winton, Union and Ahoskie. Shortly a regular fixed route system will be initiated offering three day per week service. 1.7. ESTIMATED DEMAND Utilizing the 1990 population projections presented in.Section 1.2., Hertford County could expect between 23,250 people (DOA pro- jections) and 25,400 people (OBERS). This range of about 9%-suggests that the County will not be faced with the problems of either rapidly declining or increasing populations. There will of course, be marked `changes in the proportions of various age groups, as well as a major shift in racial proportions. .The schools will see a decrease in enrollments of about 7%. As mentioned earlier, by 1990 the only townships that will experience growth will be the urban townships of- Ahoskie and'Murfreesboro. The pressures of growth will therefore be selective and.will.present new opportunities for the towns and the County"to provide more cost effective services. .The population projections suggest a net change of between a loss of 313 families (2.7 persons per.family) and an increase of 483 families. Should the former projection occur the future demand for both services and land would of course decrease. The latter projection suggests a net increase in residential acreage requirements of between 160 and 240 acres (depending on where they locate and based on to � acres per _ single family household units.) As suggested earlier, the growth will occur within the two urban townships. Both Murfreesboro, Ahoskie and the respective townships should be able to accommodate the land and service needs for the latter projection. On a countywide basis this only 42 increases the density figure from 69 persons per square mile in 1977 to 72,persons per square mile in 1990: While on the surface this discussion suggests that the population projection range will not cause the County any significant service problems, there are several factors that need to.be high priority items..for the County. These factors will in all likelihood be dominant in any discussions. in the next decade on how to improve services to the..people.of Hertford County. The nutrient pollution of the Chowan River will -be the -most significant land related issue to affect Hertford County during the 80s.- The periodic algae blooms and fish kills and the outbreak of red sore disease all point to long term and difficult problems to address.. While the scope and nature of theproblem have been documented (See Chowan River Restoration Project- Action Plan - 1979 - Division of Environmental Management, North Carolina Department of Natural Resoruces and Community Development), there are other areas that will begin to. directly impact on land development. As part of an overall solution to reduce the nutrient pollution in the Chowan River,' several related steps have been taken that have a bearing on this plan. In 1979, the Nutrient Sensitive Water Classification was enacted into law to provide the Division of Environmental Management with the authority to.limit nutrient inputs into surface waters. The Chowan River has designated a Nutrient Sensitive stream which allows the .D. E. M. to place additional controls on point source discharges.In Hertford County, some of these point source dischargers are the towns of Winton,.Murfreesboro, and Ahoskie (about 40% of the.1980 projected population.) Two control options exist:. 1) a NPDES permit, upon reissurance, could contain specific nutrient limitations and/or 2) under 43 the 201 planning process additional emphasis could be required for , land application of nutrients or for other means of treatment and removal. The impact of this new control feature -is discussed in the CHORE Action Plan which contains a section on the role of municipalities in helping to reduce nutrient pollution on the Chowan River. During part of 1979, all 201 planning was halted in the Chowan River Basin until such time as the river could be declared a nutrient sensitive river. Within this period of time; the municipalities affected by the new classification met with the State's Ad Hoc - Alternative Sewage Committee of CHORE. The CHORE Action Plan reports: "The'Ad Hoc Alternative Sewage Disposal Task Force agreed to work with the towns in the Chowan Basin to develop a comprehensive plan for effective and efficient sewage disposal, and the communities agreed to work toward a cooperative regional approach which would serve as a demonstration model for land application, • septic tank management and other alternatives to conventional sewage disposal." This agreement is significant not only because of the local government commitment to help clean up the Chowan River but also because of the poor physical conditions that limit the.use of septic tanks and other on -site disposal methods. It would appear that the accomplishment of. this task will certainly be a major challenge affecting all of Hertford County. Indeed, the concept has been endorsed by the North Carolina Rural Development Coordinating Committee and the Rural Water and Sewage. Committee of the President's Rural Development Initiatives. Throughout this process, the 201 Plans for the various municipalities in the Basin were held in abeyance. The following is a brief presentation of what these 201 plans were suggesting in 1979: Ahoskie - a 0.8 mgd discharging treatment plant to upgrade the existing -trickling filter plant with sludge and tertiary filters 44 Harrellsville - to construct a .02 mgd three cell stabilization lagoon (however there was a negative declaration on this project in 1978) Murfreesboro - to.build a 0.47 mgd discharging treatment plant with revisions to the existing lagoons _ Winton to replace the existing plant with a 0.23 mgd discharging plant. In each case, the costs between the above construction alternatives and the cost of land application are significant (between $45,000. and $680,000.) Aside from the recreational and commercial impadt on the County, the Chowan River problems -are beginning to have a major impact,on the development of the County. Solutions to these dischargers problems could provide a major breakthrough inpollution abatement technology. However, the Nutrient Sensitive Classification will be a major factor in land development activities during the 1980s. The transportation network seems able to handle the existing and proposed traffic. However the County's Thoroughfare Plan indicates that by the year 2000, the following roads will have a capacity deficiency: US 258 between Murfreesboro and Como US 13 between Winton and Ahoskie US 13 south•of Ahoskie NC 561 west of Ahoskie to Rich Square The current Transportation Improvement Program shows that. the new Ahoskie bypass.will do much to alleviate these capacity needs until the year 2000. Other improvements being made or contemplated: the US 258 Murfreesboro bypass, the Winton to Littleton US 158'improvements; and the replacement of the NC 561 bridge over Chinquapin Creek near Harrellsville. 45 All in all, the County appears to be in adequate position to•maintain current services for its population. Law enforcement.and fire and rescue services were deemed adequate by County residents and officials. Improvements in solid waste such as larger boxes and better pickup services, are being investigated to provide a higher level of service. SECTION II. POLICY STATEMENTS 47 2.0. POLICY STATEMENTS The development of local policy statements to guide implementation activities is the major element of this land use plan update. Specifically, • the Coastal Resources Commission (CRC) expects Hertford County to address land use issues impacting resource protection, resource production and management, economic and.community development and continuing public participation. These policy statements come from the 1976 plan recom- mendations, local input and planning board experience in Hertford County needs.. These statements define the particular problem or opportunity, possible alternatives for action, the selected alternatives and the means to implement those alternatives. 2.1. ISSUE - RESOURCE PROTECTION There are several areas of interest in the topic of resource protection. Areas of environmental concern require State and locally issued developed I ermits to protect the sensitive environmental conditions in the area.. In Hertford County, these areas of environment concern deal with estuarine waters, and shorelines and public trust waters. The former defined as those waters which are subject to tide and salt water intrusion and their I djoining shoreline. The latter concerns all navigable waters. Estuarine waters serve as the breeding ground for many important marine animals. Public trust waters provide a variety of uses for all citizens, such as fishing, swimming and boating. While the CAMA permit procedures provide certain safeguards against inappropriate development, the County has begun to exert. Additional controls through its Zoning Ordinance and.Subdivision Regulations. 48 The value of these estuarine and public trust waters to the County has become more apparent with the nutrient pollution problems of the Chowan` River. Other areas of concern, -but outside the official areas of environmental concern, -include such sensitive areas as freshwater swamps, flood plains, pocosins, and cultural/historical resources. The value of these areas to the County are locally determined and protective measures come from the local area. Hertford County has a history of utilizing these resources to the best example. Historic Murfreesboro has increased the awareness of the area.!s._past and other nominations to the -National Register for Historic Places will follow the Rea and Wheeler houses. The freshwater swamps, pocosins and floodplains are not only important wildlife habitats, but also provide -areas of.economic importance to the County. These areas, located primarily along the Chowan,.Meherrin and Viccacon Rivers and their tributaries, will require some protection as development pressures from agriculture and forestry increase. Specific sites could be nominated forinclusion as areas of environmental concern and fall under the regulatory control of CAMA or local protective devices could be provided. Additional areas of concern are also important in this topic of resource protection. Soils can impose limitations on development. The problems of poor soil conditions for development, and especially residential development, will be coupled with the issue of prime agricultural lands. These two issues will require a better understanding of how to, use soil information in the planning process...Other areas of concern in- clude special hazardous areas, especially man-made hazards, caused by hurricanes, floods and other disasters. 49 Policy Alternatives 1) The.protection.of the County's natural resources could remain confined to the CAMA permits and -only these permitted use as consistent with-15 NCAC 7H, 7J,.7K, and 7M be allowed. 2) A new flood plain protection district, conforming to state and federal law, could be instituted. 3) The soon -to -be completed.regional historical inventory could be utilized to direct appropriate local action to preserve,. restore or enhance the County's historical and cultural resources. 4) To reduce the off -site hazards of hazardous land uses, such as airports, by coordinating development controls for • surrounding property and land uses. 5)- To reduce the current efforts of providing public information about disasters and emergencies. 6) The County could develop a coordinated local land development; regulatory system, utilizing zoning, subdivision regulation, septic tank review, Soil Conservation Service review of proposed building sites and CAMA permit review. Policy Choices 1) The County will utilize existing state and federal law and regulation to amend its current flood plain zoning district to allow.a more comprehensive protection program. 2) The County will allow only those permitted uses consistent with 15 NCAC 7H, 7J, 7K, and 7M in its designated AECs. 50 3) The County Manager and departmental heads will utilize the soon -to -be completed Mid-East'Commission historical inventory to support local and state historical preservation efforts. 4) The County Manager or his designee will become actively involved in restoring the water quality of the Chowan River through participation in CHORE. 5) Locally defined sensitive environmental areas, such as freshwater swamps, as well as the designated Areas of Environmental Concern, will be protected through local development controls. 6) The current public information program concerning evacuation procedures and survival methods for natural disasters and emergencies will be continued. i 7) Man-made hazards and hazardous uses will be buffered, to the ` ..greatest extent possible, from other more sensitive uses. Implementation Procedures 1) Upon approval of a CAMA grant to update Hertford County's Zoning Ordinance, a new flood plain protection ordinance, consistent with state and-fedcral regulations, will be prepared. This district will also provide protection to designated AEC's and locally determined sensitive areas. 2) .The Historical Inventory will become a part of the tools utilized by.the Planning Board and Building Inspector in approving development proposals by 1981. No proposal will be allowed to diminish the'quality or.value of a historically or culturally significant structure. 51 3) The County Commissioners will begin .coordinating physical data in land use decisions -by having the Planning Board request Soil Conservation Service advice and -recommendations on special development proposals by 1981. • 4) The County Planning Board will develop an -Airport Zoning Ordinance to regulate.height requirements around the airport by 1981. 5) The County Manager or his designee will seek assistance from the State, Coastal.Resources Commission and/or Sea Grant to review the adequacy of the County's emergency preparedness .plans and public information programs by 1982. 6) The County -Planning Board will investigate developing programs for protecting locally important sensitive areas, such as pocosins and swamps, through the use of scenic easements, acquisition and/or donation by 1982. 2.2. ISSUE - RESOURCE PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT The utilization of natural resources is a major factor in the economic stability of Hertford County. The Coastal Area Management Act is as equally. concerned with the wise and productive use of these natural resources, as -it is with the protection of sensitive environmental.. areas. Within Hertford County, the major areas of natural resource production are agriculture and forestry. While fishing has been.of some importance to the County in the past, especially in the spring with the herring migration, it has lost much of its promenience. The nutrient pollution of the Chowan River has been accompanied by several outbreaks of red sore disease which has 52 greatly reduced commercial and recreational fishing. It is likely that this disease will continue -to plague the County until the other problem is corrected. The utilization of the County's recreational assets are more of a private, than commercial, nature. The condition of the Chowan and its normally low summer flows preclude the development of major.water recreation facilities within the County. Agriculture is by far the single most productive resource area -.in the County. Fully three fourths of all the land in tracts over ten acres are devoted to some type of productive effort. One-third of this total is directly allocated to harvested cropland. The Soil Conservation Service, in its designation of prime farm lands.in North Carolina, defined prime farmland as: "land best suited for producing food, feed, fiber, forage and oilseed crops. It has soil of good qualities (free of stones and gravel, lacks wetness or other limiting features), growing season, and moisture supply needed to produce highly yields year after year." Their map suggests that Hertford County is at the northeastern end of the line of the most productive agricultural land in North Carolina. The stable growth rate projected for Hertford County over the next decade should present very little threat to this significant amount of prime agricultural land. New methods in converting hardwood to pulp and sawtimber has in- creased the amount of -forest production in Hertford County. The 1976 Land Use Plan suggested that production was exceeding the amount of land being replanted, which is still.true today. Forest products will remain economically important td; the County as long as the. quality and quantity of timbered area exceeds annual harvesting rates. 53 Policy Alternatives 1) The importance of agriculture to Hertford County can not be understated. The prime agricultural lands in the County should be protected from development. 2) The commercial forestry interests.have such along term stake in the replanting and growth of harvested areas that the problem of net annual loss in acreage will take care of itself. Thus, the County could elect to do nothing. 3) Commercial forests have such a long regeneration period that the County needs to be fully informed on the production and replanting rates. Care should also be taken to monitor soil erosion, stream silting and other ill effects of large harvest operations.. Increased forestry activity should also be monitored in the areas of animal habitat and economic impact. 4) Aside from small sand and gravel operations, the County has no mineral production resources. No policy is suggested for this area. .5) The County could continue it efforts in the restoration of the Chowan River to its natural state.which would improve the commercial and recreational fishing opportunities in the County. 6) The County does not have a policy on off -road vehicles because.. the issue does not concern Hertford County. Policy Choices 1) The County will secure additional and detailed information on the prime agricultural land designation to better pinpoint specific areas with prime land by 1982. 54 2) The County will actively encourage private forestry groups and individuals to maintain an adequate supply of.mature timber to meet the economic needs of the County in the years to come. 3) The County will actively participate in the CHORE project to clean-up the Chowan River and restore the importance of commercial and recreational fishing. Implementation Procedures 1) The Industrial Development Board and Planning Board will protect and promote the agricultural sector of Hertford County's economy with the same vigor as they promote and protect industrial property. The County will also seek help from State and Federal agencies,in identifying agricultural land by 1982. 2) Within the next two years, the County, with the help of the local forest ranger and other experts, will conduct an initial investigation into the actual and projected state of forest resources in Hertford County. 3) The County's Tax,Department will place.public service announcements on local radio stations concerning the use value concept near tax listing time each year. 4) The County Manager will continue to be an active participant in the efforts to restore the Chowan River and will actively ' assist the county's municipalities in solving the problems caused by a higher level of wastewater treatment. 55 2.3. ISSUE ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Hertford County appears to be approaching a plateau in its develop- ment cycle. The rapid decline in growth rates over the past few decades • has slowed down. Net out -migration is changing. The two major towns in the County will continue to grow, while the smaller settlements will apparently be able to hold their present levels. Public.services, especially in the area of water and sewer improvements and extensions, are being expanded or upgraded. The professional capabilities of the county government are also expanding to meet these new responsibilities. Industrial development seems to have followed a similarity slow, steady* but encouraging pattern of stability. The County is neither faced with rapid growth nor with rapid decline. The planning, policy and investment • decisions -undertaken within the next 5 to 10 years will indeed play an important part in how Hertford County will grow or will not grow. All the ingredients -are present to undertake a detailed look at the various parts of the local development cycle. Much of the work that needs to be done is already available from state and federal sources or can be obtained without great cost. The long traditions of planning in the County indicate that the spirit and intent is present but that direction in this venture is needed. While this.plan presents a -framework for such direction, local time and effort is needed to respond to particularly local interests. The following is a discussion of the issues under the economic and community development area. • The earlier discussion on population trends and development location in the County since.1976 strongly suggests that outside of Ahoskie and Murfreesboro; growth will be mainly residential and dispersed -in location. Utilizing the land classification system of the earlier plan, it is still 56 suggested that the community classification contain the settlements of Millenium, St. John, Poor Town, US 13 and SR 1419 south of Ahoskie, Union, Menola, California, Oak Villa, Cofield, Harrellsville, Como, Barretts Crossroads, Mapleton, and the areas south and east and west.of Murfreesboro. These areas will continue .to. absorb the development not locating in.Ahoskie and Murfreesboro. The quality of service varies significantly from area to area. However, most ofthese areas -cannot physically support intensivedevelopment without a full range of water and sewer facilities. Except for the proposed countywide water system, this lackof services will continua to limit development in these areas. These community areas are important to the County 's land develop- ment patterns. They provide the nucleus for better service delivery as well as providing important civic, social and economic functions. While much of the growth during the next decade will occur in the area regulated by Ahoskie and Murfreesboro, the County will have.to pay more attention to the development needs of these community areas. The developed and transition classifications appear to be outside of the active concern of the County. The rural classification will not see the growth pressures of the community areas. The main concern with this type of development is to monitor the development impact on potable.water supplies.' In the conservation classification, the County will begin to address the needs of preserving and protecting its agricultural and forestry resources. The biggest development issue is, of course, the problems associated with the pollution of the Chowan River.. This issue will probably dominate much of -the decade, especially as it impacts with the developed and transitional classifications. 57 Industrial development is, of course,'the life blood of the County. The current economic base is fairly diversified and provides a reasonable array of job types for county residences. Although no specific.problems with industrial development were identified during the development of this plan, there were a number of questionnaire comments about the need for more jobs. - To begin to address this need, the County has taken -the big step of preparing its first industrial development plan. The two sites selected for light and heavy industrial use are well located for transportation and employee access. Acquisition and site improvements for these tracts should have a high priority, especially for encouraging the location of small firms which represent much of the current industrial base. The marketing of these sites and.the other advantages of Hertford County will be positive steps in the development of new job opportunities. In terms of type of industries, the county wishes to attract those type industries that will not degrade the environment. The commitment to provide needed services to.Hertford County citizens is present. Through the Subdivision Regulations, the Planning Board and county staff review each development proposal from two perspectives: 1) is the developer conforming to County and State standards in the design of streets, storm water collection ditches and the other public service elements and 2) can the County provide adequate solid waste, law enforcement and other services to the proposed development. A referendum has already been approved to implement a countywide water system. Improvement to the solid waste collection system are being discussed. .These two efforts will require that future development proposals do not inefficiently utilize the provided service and waste county resources. The County's subdivision review process has provided 58 the means to coordinate the two service perspectives into an effective system. New service, commitment will demand an even higher level of scrutiny. With the above facts in mind, the county wishes to foster a clustered type development pattern. This means that the county desires most of its new development (residential, commercial, institutional and industrial) to occur in or within close proximity of its incorporated towns. By advocating such a developmental pattern,, the county seeks to lessen the cost of service provisions and infrastructure extensions. It is.hard to -think of a typical redevelopment policy in a rural county when one usually thinks of the urban type of redevelopment projects. However, one county resource not addressed in this report is housing, which has much to do with the ability of an area to attract and retain people. Two basic policies could be developed in this area.: The first is to add a Minimum Housing Code to the existing set of structural regulations. This code places minimum livability standards on housing units. In order to be lawfully occupied, the owner and occupant bear certain responsibilities for the maintenance and upkeep of the unit. Violations.of these standards could result in administrative orders to repair the violations or assist owners in evicting destructive tenants. The second type of policy is.to begin a systematic replacement or renovation of existing housing units through a rehabilitation program and/or the use of•a Minimum Housing Code to remove unsafe and unsanitary units from the housing stock. Either or both policies should be reviewed in light of the County's need to maintain a varied andaffordable housing mix. A third possibility is to encourage mobile home park development in certain specified areas of dipalidated housing. The advantages and disadvantages of this type of policy should be carefully weighed against actual county costs v. revenues 5ogr service provisions to existing mobile home parks. Regardless of the policy, the County does need to develop some idea of how it should address its housing needs, both as a redevelopment policy and as a growth policy. Hertford County has a long history of utilizing federal and state planning assistance._ For almost twenty years, the County has continued to.develop plans and update them periodically. These plans and planning assistance have helped create an active planning and implem- entation program. The Coastal Area Management Act has provided the County with an opportunity to do more detailed and frecquent planning work and to focus attention on more specific issues. The communities in the County have long utilized federal and state loans and grants.for public service improvements. The recent concern over.the condition of the Chowan River will certainly give • Hertford County an opportunity to work on finding a solution within a federal -state -local partnership. Utilizing federal and state resources is a part of the eventual solution. Hertford County has always sought to improve the opportunities available to its people. Many of the problems facing the County -can only be resolved through a partnership of effort. The County will continue to willingly seek out these partnerships, realizing, of course, that the leadership role must remain with them. The commitment to federal and state programs will continue to remain strong as expressed by local responses to needs identified in this or other plans and reports. Hertford County does not feel that its location or proximity to other population centers provides a potential for the sitting and development of energy facilities. The major questions confronting the county deals with obtaining a reliable source of reasonably priced electrical power. Recreation is important to the County. The rivers and streams have always played a major role in the County. While the recent problems with the Chowan River have overshadowed other concerns with river or water use, the preservation and maintenance of the County's water resources remains a high priority item. However, the County does not wish to increase boat or pedestrian access to its waterways at this time. Policy Alternatives 1) The County could seek to.attract those industries that will cause the least amount of environmental degradation. In terms of location the county could provide the resources to acquire and develop the identified industrial site or they could purchase sites only when specific industries are commited to locating in Hertford County. 2) As the need arises, the County could initiate and implement public service programs, improvements and extensions. 3) Advance planning could be used to estimate current service needs and demands which would be used to review the adequacy of proposed developments. 4) The County could encourage clustered developmental patterns and encourage new development to occur in and around its incorporated towns. 5) The County could begin to work on small area plans to better understand the individual needs of each area. This would allow a more specific type of development control geared to each area, with more emphasis being placed on those areas with problems or the potential for problems. 6I 6) Redevelopment is not an issue of County concern.due to the Tack of density related problems. However, the County could support redevelopment activities carried on by -the municipalities within its boundaries. 7) The improvement of housing conditions in Hertford County could occur only as result of.owner initiated efforts. The County, however, could'take a leadership role in.publicizing the need. 8) The County could continue its commitment -to Federal and State programs that could benefit the citizens.of the County. 9) The County could develop a policy on.channel haintenance and beach nourishment. 10) The County could develop.a policy on energy facility setting and development. 11) The County could develop a policy on tourism and waterfront access. - Policy Choice 1) The County will maintain and.increase its present efforts to recruit industries that are compatible with the county's desires. The county will also seek to develop those industrial sites found in its Industrial Site Plan. 2) The County will initiate and implement public service programs in a systematic way as to.encourage cluster developmental patterns and to encourage redevelopment in older areas. 62 N 3) The County will encourage.clustered development patterns in and within close proximity of its incorporated towns. 4) The County will support those federal and state programs that .could be of assistance to Hertford County in solving some of its community development problems. 5) The County will support and encourage redevelopment activities carried out by the municipalities within its boundaries. 6) The County will seek to develop developmental plans for each established community in the community and rural classifications. 7) River Channel Maintenance is a matter that the county feels is out of its hand, thus, the county has no policy on the matter. The county also feels that beach nourishment is not a problem affecting the county and thus has no position on, the matter. 8) The County feels that the likelihood of redevelopment of energy generating facilities is slim.in the county. However, the County does feel that if and when such facilities are located in the county, they be allowed in those areas classified as rural under the land classification system. The county realizes that under the rural land use classification, no public expenditures could be used to extend infrastructure improvements. However, the county feels that possible land use compatibility problems may arise if such facilities..are located near population centers.. Thus, the county will restrict such facilities, to the rural classification 9) The County will seek to improve what little tourist activity it may have. Also the County will not develop boat ramps in the county. 63 " Implementation Procedure 1) The Planning Board and Industrial Development Commission will develop a detailed economic base analysis emphasizing the actual role and potential roles played by manufacturing, agriculture, and forestry by 1983.. The county will also seek to employ a fulltime_industrial development director by 1982. 2) The County Manager will develop a Capital Improvement Program to assist the Board -of Commissioners in allocating -budget resources for service provision and infrastructure improve- ment by 1983. Such a program will help effectuate the county's policy on encouraging growth within close proximity of existing municipalities. 3) The County will continue to utilize its subdivision regulation to insure property service provision in developing areas. 4) The County will support those federal and state programs in the county by requesting state and federal agencies'personnel come and speak to the local officials about such programs. This would be done by,1982. 5) The Planning Board will review the status and accuracy of the Hertford County Housing Element and prepare a list of available housing assistance programs for interested owners and renters by 1982. 6) The Planning Board will upon approval from the County Commissioners apply for CAMA grant funds to-do developmental plans for community areas in the county by 1982. 64 7) The County Manager will seek assistance from state and federal agencies in determining what type of .restrictions are needed for the setting of energy generating facilities when the need arises. 8) The County Manager will seek assistance from the appropriate state and local governmental personnel in developing the county's tourist attractions by 1984. 2.4. CONTINUING PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Public participation is an important element of the planning process. Because of its importance, mechanisms must be set up to ensure that it is continuous and effective. From public participation, local goals and objectives are obtained giving the governing body a gauge as to what implementation procedures are needed. Hertford'County has set up a mechanism for continuous public participation through its Planning Board. This board, being an extension of the County Commissioners will keep the public informed of relevant issues. All planning board meetings are open to the general public and provide the opportunity for public involvement. The planning board will also develop a means for gauging citizen responses to issues that may affect the County. Policy Alternatives 1) The only alternative to one of public participation .is one of non -participation by the public. This -alternative is totally against the foundation of our Democratic idealogy. 2) The County could continue and expand public participation mechanisms. This alternative would be the ideal choice. It calls for the development of mechanisms to get more people involved in the planning process. By doing this a broader perspective can be obtained and translated into policy by the governing body. w Policy Choice The Hertford County Planning Board has recommended*to the County Commissioners to implement and improve and expand its public participation efforts in reference to land use issues. Implementation Efforts 1. The Planning Board will develop a, questionnaire that will be administered every five years to gauge citizens opinions about land use issues. 2. The county manager, with assistance from other county residents,will try to develop an organization of mayors of municipalities in the county by 1981. Its purpose would be to, stablish better lines of communication between the -county and municipal governments. The members of. this organization would then be encouraged to speak to various civic organizations on current events in the county.` 3. The clerk to the planning board and County Commissioners will write a news item concerning each planning board meeting and County Commissioners meeting to be,carried in the local papers as a,means of public participation. 4- The Planning Board -will prepare a series of public infor-. mation pamphlets about the land development problems in. Hertford County by.1983. 67 2.5. OTHER SPECIFIED LOCAL ISSUES The Coastal Resources Commission has specified that certain issues. be addressed in the Hertford County Land Use Plan Update. These include (1) Water Quality-Chowan River, (2) Impact of U. S. four-laning on U. S. 13, (3) Impact of U. S. 13 bypass.on old U. S. 13, (4) Sewage Disposal and (5) Public Service Provision Outside of Municipalities. Some of these were addressed in the preceding sections of the document.but will be mentioned again (1) Water Quality-Chowan River: The State of North Carolina has embarked on a project called CHORE (Chowan River Restoration Project.) The purpose of this project is to halt algae blooms and restore the valuable and scenic lower Chowan River. This project is a cooperative effort between Virginia and North Carolina. Both states have committed to develop a "Joint Water Quality Management Plan." Implementation of such a plan is intended to ensure an acceptable water quality over the long-term. Hertford County officials also realize the problems facing the Chowan River Basins. As a result, the county has developed the following policies on water quality problems affecting the Chowan River Basin: (A) The County Planning Board.will work with the Extension Service, ---- - North Carolina Forest Service, ASCS,-Soil Conservation Service, Soil and Water Conservation District, and Hertford County farmers through voluntary programs of cooperation.- These programs will be aimed at reducing the amount of nutrients and sediment entering the river system. 68 (B) The county will cooperate with the state in.their efforts to work with each industrial or private discharger in the river basin to reduce nutrients dischargers to a minimum consistent with good environmental and economic practices. (C) The county will work with the state and.the county's municipal or public point dischargers -in the basin to reduce their nutrient inputs into the river. (2) Impact of U. S..17 Four-Laning on U. S. 13 The County feels that there will.be no impact if and when such events take place. Thus, the County does not feel a position on the matter is necessary. . (3) Impact of U. S. 13 Bypass - N. C. 11 on Old U. S. 13 - N. C. 11 The full impact of the new U. S. bypass - N. C. 11 on old U.. S. 13 has not felt.- However, the -County does feel that the.construction of the bypass has helped facilitate better traffic.circulation in the County. Thus, the County feels the bypass will.eventually bring new growth to the County. Properly controlled through access permits and appropriate zoning districts, this by -sass will continue to provide the growthpotential desired. (4) Sewage -Disposal Sewage disposal could be a major issue facing the County during the next decade. The Chowan River designation as a nutrient sensitive stream'places additional controls on point sources dischargers in: the County. These dischargers in Hertford County's case are the municipalities of: Winton, Murfreesboro, and 69 a Ahoskie (about 40% of the estimated 1980 population.) The previously mentioned municipalities have met with a State Ad Hoc Alternative Sewage Disposal Force to discuss how these towns can solve their Sewage Disposal problem. With these facts in mind the County has taken the following position on sewage disposals (A) The County will utilize_.its recently completedsoil survey as general information when issuing septic tank permits but will rely on the talents of the Soil Conservation Service detailed information. (B) The County will work with State officials in coming up with a solution for sewage disposal problems in the County. (C) The County will work with municipalities in coming up with solutions for the sewage disposal problems. (D) The County's Building Inspector's Department will work more closely beginning in FY 1980-81 with the County Health Department (which issues septic tank -permits) in issuing their, respective permits. (5) .Service Provision Outside of Municipalities The County already provided some service for residents outside of municipalities., These services include solid waste disposal, Health Department Services, Fire Protection Services, Law Enforcement, and Rescue Services. Recently a county -wide water bond issue passed in the County. Its ` purpose was to construct a county -wide water system. As of -this -writing, no bonds have been sold and no action has been taken on the matter. 70 2.6. PROPOSED WORK PROGRAM This policy plan has detailed a number of specific work elements. that the County will perform during :the planning -period. However, a the resources available to perform these tasks are limited. The bounty Manager has little time to spend with the planning program due to the crush of the administrative tasks of running the County. The Building Inspector must enforce and administer the North Carolina. Building Code and otherbuilding related codes, the Hertford County Zoning.Ordinance and the CAMA regulations. There is -little time left for the Building'Inspector to .perform other tasks. While the planning board has a good deal. of experience and interest, in -continuing the planning efforts, they, as citizen volunteers, have other pressing private obligations which reduce the time they can spend on this effort.. Thefollowing work program was developed with these staff time limitations in mind: 198b - 1981 1. Revise the Zoning Ordinance with special emphasis on developing a new flood plain district that will meet the'problems expressed in the resource protection. More attention will also be placed - on the development patterns in the established community areas. This work will -be contracted to a third party consultant. 2. Create a special task force of knowledgeable local citizens and. relevant city, county, regional, state and/or federal agencies to investigate and collect detailed information on the state of agricultural and forestry resources in the County. There will be no cost in this effort and the time 71 involved.in implementing this work element should be about 3-4 months. 1981-1982. 1. Review the accuracy of the County's housing studies and begin to develop a public information program on housing assistance. Assistance can be provided from Region.Q, the DNRCD Field Office, FmHA and HUD at no cost to the County. . 2. Review the adequacy of the Subdivision Regulations in meeting the two points addressed earlier. Assistance can be provided by Region Q and the DNRCD Field office. 1982-1983. 1. Secure funding assistance to prepare detailed development plans for each of the established communities in the community and rural land classifications. This funding assistance would be available from the Coastal Resources Commission. The actual preparation of these documents would be contracted out. 1983-1984. 1. Develop a detailed economic base analysis of the County to be used in formulating its industrial development program. Funding assistance could come from a variety of programs, such as CRC, EDA,.SBA and,HUD. 2. Prepare a Capital Improvements Program for the capital needs of the County's public service programs. 1984-1985 . 1. Revise.the Hertford County Land Development Plan. 72 I. N .SECTION III. LAND CLASSIFICATION 13 -In the context of the Coastal Area Management Act, the land classification system provides a uniform way of looking at how the use of land interacts with sensitive areas of environmental concern and with the needs of a particular area. It does not.provide.a regulatory guide in.the vein of a future land use plan guiding a zoning map. It M represents more of a tool to understand relationship between various land use categories and how these relationships must, frame local policy. It deals more with the relationship of how intensely land is used and the level of services required to support that intensity. The, regulations for the Coastal_Area Management Act suggest that: "The land classification system provides a framework to be used by local government to identify the future use of all lands in each county. The designation of land classes allows the local government to illustrate their policy statements`.as to where and to what density they want growth to occur, and where they want to conserve natural and cultural resources.by.guiding. growth.". (7B.0204) (a) The five land classifications are therefore intended to serve as the visual representation of the policies previously stated.. The map, depicting these classifications must be as flexible as the policies that guide them. (See the Land Classification Map) The five land classifications in Hertford*County are: 3.1. DEVELOPED The developed class of land use provides for continued intensive development and redevelopment<of existing cities. Areas to be classified as "developed" include lands currently developed for urban purposes or ap- proaching a density of 500.dwellings per square mile that are provided with usual municipal or public services including at least public water, sewer recreational facilities, police and fire protection. Areas which exceed the minimum density but which do not have public sewer service may best be divided 74 into a separate class to indicate that although they have a developed character, they will need sewers in the future. Within Hertford County, the major developed areas complying with the above definition include Ahoskie, Murfreesboro, and Winton. The majority of the growth expected by 1990 will locate in the areas surrounding Ahoskie and Murfreesboro. 3.2. TRANSITION Transition land is classified as -those lands providing for.future intensive urban development within the ensuing ten years on land. that are most suitable and that will be scheduled for provision of necessary public utilities and services. They may also provide for additional growth when additional lands in the developed class -are not available or when they are severely limited for development. Lands classified "transition" may include 1) lands currently having urban services, and 2) other lands necessary to accommodate the urban population and economic growth anticipated within the planning jurisdiction over the next ten years. Lands classified for the latter reason must: 1) be served or be readily served by public water, sewer, and other urban services including public streets, And 2) be generally free'of service of severe physical limitations for urban development. In addition the "transition" class should not include: 1) lands of high potential for agriculture, forestry, or mineral extraction, of lane] falling within extensive rural areas being managed commercially for these uses, when other lands are 75 available: •2) lands where urban development might result in major or irreversible damage to important environmental, scientific, or scenic values; or- 3) land where`urban development might result in damage s to natural systems or processes or more than local concern. Lands where development will result in undue risk to life or property from natural hazards or existing land uses should not be classified Transition. The land in Hertford County that will be classified "transitional" are those areas adjacent to the urban or developed areas of Ahoskie and Murfreesboro. The two.industrial sites, once they are purchased and developed,will receive the "transition" classification. The relationship between the "developed" and transitional" -.classification is important in a county like Hertford County. The: first class is meant to define the already intensively developed areas and/or those areas where intensive urban -type development is likely to occur. Transitional Iand are those areas where public investment decision will be required to provide the necessary urban services. These become important areas to closely monitor. The State has further clarified this relationship. The Developed and Transition classes should be the only lands under active consideration by the county or municipality for intensive urban development requiring urban services. The area within these . � . classes is where detailed local land use and public investment planning must occur. State and federal expenditures on projects associated 76 with urban development (water, sewer, urban 'street systems, etc.) will be guided to these areas. .Large amounts of vacant land suitable for. urban development within the Developed class should be taken into i account -when calculating the amount of additional lands needed to accommodate projected growth. The total area shown as Transition should be equal to the land needed for proposed population increases that can not be accommodated in the vacant Developed areas. 3.3. COMMUNITY The "community" classification provides for clustered land uses to meet housing, shopping, employment, and public service needs within the rural areas of the county.. It is usually characterized by a small grouping of mixed land uses which are suitable and appropriate for small clusters of rural development not requiring municipal sewer service. Within the planning jurisdiction of Hertford County these areas will become the most important. These are the areas outside of municipal planning jurisdictions and within the County's regulatory -control. The areas classified as "community";are: the incorporated towns of Harrellsville, Cofield and Como. Other large community areas.are found adjacent to the towns of Ahoskie, Winton and Murfreesboro. (See Land Classification Map.). The "rural" class provides for agriculture, forest, management, mineral mineral extraction and other low intensity uses on large sites including 77 1 residences where urban services are not required and.where natural resources will not be unduly impaired. These area lands identified as appropriate locations for resource management and allied uses are: land with high potential for agriculture, forestry or mineral -extraction; lands with one or'more limitations that would make development costly. and hazardous; and lands containing irreplaceable, limited, or significant natural recreational or scenic resources not otherwise classified. The majority.of land within Hertford County falle within the "rural" classification. This class should not be considered to be a catchall because of the important economic role played by agriculture and.resource production. These uses deserve the attention placed on the other land classifications.- 3.5. CONSERVATION The "conservation" class provides for effective long-term management of significant limited or irreplaceable areas. This management may .be needed because of its natural, cultural, recreational, productive.or scenic values. This class should be limited to lands that contain: major wetlands; essentially undeveloped shorelands that are unique, fragile, or hazardous for development, necessary wildlife habitat or areas that have a high probability for providing necessary habitat conditions; publicly owned water supply watersheds and aquifers; and forest lands that are un- developed and will remain.undeveloped for commercial purposes. In Hertford County, the lands adjacent to the surface waters are listed in this classification. 78 Im AoVol � V I R G I N I A $ O U T H AMP TON . C O U N T Y EM IAK f � \ HERTFORD COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA VA. M K� SCALE 0 e 2 3 41%0 SCALE FOR ENIAAGEALEMS i N LAN® CLASSIFICATION 36n0' _ M A P 198 LEGEND DEVELOPED ® TRANSITION COMMUNITY RURAL r ens_ F S CONSERVATION {INCLUDES c ALL SURFACE WATERS) 0 u e e i a£ t B E R T I E �, O U N T Y .�� c% Z leif 1(\J Nws•+ % � 3,on WIS' r SECTION IV. RELATIONSHIP OF POLICIES AND LAND CLASSIFICATION 79 The Coastal Resources Commission expects each land use plan.to relate the policies section to the land classification map and which- land uses are appropriate in each class. 4.1.• DEVELOPED AND TRANSITION CLASSES As mentioned in the data collection section, most of the County's growth will occur in the two urban townships of Ahoskie and Murfreesboro where a full range of services is available. The developed and transition.classes were specifically designed to accommodate these more intensively developed areas and land uses, including residential, commercial, industrial parks and open space, community facilities and transportation. Hazardous or offensive uses such as land application systems, power plants, airports and storage facilities will be located away from these classes. 4.2. COMMUNITY CLASS Intensive development will not be encouraged in this class due to the lack of urban services and/or physical limitations. The general range of acceptable uses are limited to residences, isolated general and convenience stores and churches andother public facilities. These areas are usually found at crossroads within the "rural" classification. Some of these areas have community water systems but do not require public wastewater facilities. s0 4.3. RURAL CLASS The Rural Class is the broadest of the land classes and is designated to provide for agriculture,.forest management, mineral - extraction and other low intensity uses. Residences may be located within the Rural Class where urban services are not required and where natural resources will not be permanently impaired. Some,large. developments may be encouraged in the Rural Class when there.is an absence of otherwise suitable land within the Developed and Transition Classes and/or when there is a possible threat to the urban populace. Such large developments include airports, power plants, and hazardous materials storage. The County also reserves the privilege of allowing specific types of industrial development in the rural areas if in the opinion of the government there will be no ' harmful effects from such a location. 4.4 CONSERVATION CLASS The Conservation Class is designated to provide for effective long-term management of significant limited or irreplaceable areas which include wetlands, undeveloped shorelines that are unique, fragile, or hazardous for development,_ wildlife habitat areas, publicly owned watersheds and acquifers and undeveloped forest lands and cultural and historical sites. -Development should be restricted to such uses as piers, bulkheads, marinas, etc. Hertford Resource Protection, and Resource Production and Management issues address the County's intentions .under this class. 81 . It V. INTERiGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION AND IMPLEMENTATION 82 5.1. INTERGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION Many of the problems discussed in this plan are also problems with the towns within the County. The commonalty of these problems often requires common solutions and responses.. The Coastal Resources Commissionwants to encourage a broad based intergovernmental coordination role to help these common problems. This coordination may be described in three ways. 1. The policy discussion and the land classification map . encourage coordination and consistency between local land use policies and the state and federal governments. The local land use plan is the principal policy guide for governmental decisions and activities which affect land uses in Hertford County. .2. The local land use plan provides a framework for budgeting, planning and for the provision and expansion of community facilities such as water and sewer systems, schools and roads. 3. The local land use plans will aid in better coordination of regulatory policies and decisions by describing the local land use policies and designating specific areas for certain types of activities. y Specifically, the County intends to foster intergovernmental coordination.by the following means: 1. Hertford County is a member of a local municipal and county administrators organization. (A group set up by the Mid -East 83 Commission to better coordinate activities of local government administrators in.Region Q.) 2. The•County has also expressed a desire to work with the Extension Service, North Carolina Forest Service, ASCS, Soil Conservation Service,.Soil and Water Conservation District, and other federal and state agencies in cooperative agreements to implement specific policies outlined earlier in the agricultural and forestry areas.. 3. To continue alerting and informing the.various local governments within the.County of topics of interest. P. 4. During the revision of the Zoning Ordinance in 1980-1981, the County Planning Board will ensure that its Zoning Map . r conforms.to existing municipal ordinances where they -are adjacent. r 5. The County intends to keep each unit of government fully informed as to the progress and problems associated with CHORE. Utilizing the existing framework set up by the Governor, the County will also be in a position to work with other counties and towns sharing the same problem. 6. As mentioned earlier, the County has developed a five-year work program that will be revised in 1985. The development of such a plan illustrates the County's commitment to implement and coordinate the land development plan. 84 e 7. The County has also expressed a desire for its permit issuing departments (i. e. building and health departments) better coordinate their efforts. 8. The County will seek a closer working relationship with the urban communities of Ahoskie and Murfreesboro to insure coordination in the delivery of public services. 85 4 SECTION VI.- -PUBLIC PARTICIPATION 86 6.1. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Hertford County realizes that public participation is an important component in the planning process. As a result, many means of soliciting public participation were used. The Hertford County Commissioners delegated the responsibility for developing this update and the required citizen input to.the County Planning Board. This is the same group that was delegated the responsibility during the 1976 plan. Thus, the planning board has some understanding as to what was needed to get citizen input. The following is a listing of how citizen input was obtained during the update process: I. A questionnaire sent to the mayors was sent to the t minority leaders in the.county to get their input. II. Civic group leaders were sent the previously mentioned questionnaire for their input. III. Each planning board meeting was open to the general public. IV. Public service spots were placed on the local radio station advising of the upcoming public hearings concerning the update. V. Public education literature was developed and placed in the local paper concerning the planning process. VI. Public notices were placed in the local paper of public meetings. The last four public participation elements will continue to be used by Hertford County officials -to involve and/or inform citizens as to what is happening in the County. 87