Land Use Plan-1981

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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.

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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•
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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

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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