1998 Land Use Plan-2000

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Division of Coastal Management
TOWN `OF, ATK1Nso
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NORTH, -CAROL NA
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1998 LAND USE PLAN
Adopted by.the AtkinsonBoard of Aldermen: February 3, 2000
Certified by the Coastal Resources Commission: March 24, 2000
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Prepared By.
Holland Consulting Planners, Inc..'
Wilmington, North Carolina ,
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The preparation of this document was financed in part through a grant provided by the
North Carolina Coastal Management Program, through funds provided by the Coastal
Zone Management Act.of 1972, as'amended, which is administered by the Office of
Ocean '.and Coastal. Resource Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration.
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TOWN OF ATKINSON
NORTH CAROLINA
1998 LAND USE PLAN
Adopted by the Atkinson Board of Aldermen: February 3, 2000
Certified by the Coastal Resources Commission: March 24, 2000
Prepared By:
Holland Consulting Planners, Inc.
Wilmington, North Carolina
' I The preparation of this document was financed in part through a grant provided by the
North Carolina Coastal Management Program, through funds provided by the Coastal
Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended, which is administered by the Office of
I Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
TOWN OF ATKINSON
1998 LAND USE PLAN UPDATE
PAGE
PREFACE........................................................... 1
SECTION I: ANALYSIS OF EXISTING CONDITIONS
A.
INTRODUCTION ............................................... I-1
B.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES .........................................
I-3
C.
POPULATION AND HOUSING CONDITIONS ...........................
I-4
1.
Permanent Population ........................................
I-4
a. Regional and County ...................................
I-4
b. Town of Atkinson .....................................
I-5
2.
Housing Characteristics .......................................
I-8
3.
Summary ...............................................
I-10
D.
ECONOMY ...................................................
I-10
1.
Regional Economy .........................................
I-10
2.
Local Economy ...........................................
I-14
3.
Summary ...............................................
I-18
E.
EXISTING LAND USE ............................................
I-18
1.
General Land Use Patterns ....................................
I-18
2.
Land Use Incompatibility Issues and Problems from Unplanned Development ...
I-19
3.
Development Potential .......................................
I-21
4.
Areas Experiencing or Likely to Experience Major Land Use Changes .......
I-22
5.
Existing Ordinances and Land Use Controls .........................
I-22
6.
Effectiveness of the 1992 Land Use Plan and Policies ..................
I-23
7.
Basinwide Water Quality Management ............................
I-25
F.
DEVELOPMENT CONSTRAINTS: LAND SUITABILITY ...................
I-27
1.
Topography/Geology.......................................
I-27
2.
Flood Hazard Areas ........................................
I-28
3.
Soils...................................................I-28
4.
Manmade Hazards/Restrictions.................................
I-31
5.
Fragile Areas .............................................
I-31
a. 404 Wetlands .......................................
I-31
b. Slopes in Excess of 12%................................
I-32
C. Excessive Erosion Areas ................................
I-32
d. Historic and Archaeological Sites ..........................
I-33
e. Natural Resource Fragile Areas ...........................
I-33
6.
Areas of Resource Potential ...................................
I-33
a. Agricultural and Forestlands .............................
I-33
b. Regionally Significant Public Parks .........................
I-34
Table
of Contents
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G. DEVELOPMENT CONSTRAINTS: PUBLIC FACILITIES AND SERVICES ....... I-34 '
1.
Water Supply .............................................
I-34
2.
3.
Sewage Disposal ..........................................
Drainage ................................................
I-34
I-34
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4.
Schools ................................................
I-34
5.
6.
Solid Waste Disposal ........................................
Administration ............................................
I-35
I-36
7.
Police .................................................
I-36
8.
9.
Fire ...................................................
Transportation ............................................
I-36
I-37
10.
Electrical Distribution and Energy Generating Facilities .................
I-37
11.
Emergency Rescue .........................................
I-37
12.
Recreational Facilities .......................................
I-37
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13.
Health Services ...........................................
I-38
SECTION H: PROJECTED LAND DEVELOPMENT ANALYSIS '
A.
PROJECTED DEMAND FOR DEVELOPMENT ...........................H-1
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1. Permanent Population ........................................
H-1
a. Regional and County ...................................
11-1
b. Town of Atkinson .....................................
11-4
2. Land Use................................................II-4
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B.
PROJECTED PUBLIC FACILITIES AND SERVICES NEEDS/AVAILABILITY ......
II-5
C.
REDEVELOPMENT ISSUES........................................II-5
II-5
D.
INTERGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION AND IMPLEMENTATION .........
SECTION III: LAND CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM ............................. III-1 A
SECTION IV: ATKINSON POLICY STATEMENTS
A.
INTRODUCTION TO POLICY STATEMENTS ..........................
IV-1
B.
VISION STATEMENT...........................................IV-1
C.
RESOURCE PROTECTION POLICIES ................................
IV-1
D.
RESOURCE PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT POLICY STATEMENTS ......
IV-5
E.
ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT POLICIES ...............
IV-7
,
F.
CONTINUING PUBLIC PARTICIPATION POLICIES .....................
IV-11
G.
STORM HAZARD MITIGATION, POST -DISASTER RECOVERY,
AND EVACUATION PLANS ...................................... IV-12 I
SECTION V: RELATIONSHIP OF ATKINSON POLICIES AND LAND CLASSIFICATIONS
A. DEVELOPED CLASS ............................................ V-1
B. RURAL CLASS ................................................ V-1 '
C. CONSERVATION CLASS ......................................... V-1
Table of Contents 2 1 '

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TABLES
Table 1
Total Population and Percent Change for CAMA Counties and State,
1980, 1990, and 1996 ..................................
Table 2
Pender County
Summary of Year -Round Population Growth, 1990-1996 ...........
Table 3
Town of Atkinson and Pender County
1990 Population by Age and Sex ..........................
Table 4
Town of Atkinson
1990 Households by Race ...............................
Table 5
Town of Atkinson and Pender County
1990 Educational Attainment .............................
Table 6
Town of Atkinson
Housing Summary, 1980 and 1990 .........................
Table 7
Town of Atkinson and Pender County
1990 Value Owner -Occupied Dwelling Units ..................
Table 8
CAMA Counties One, Five, and Ten -Year Composite Rankings of
Economic Development ................................
Table 9
Town of Atkinson, Pender County, and North Carolina
1989 Average Household Income ..........................
Table 10
Town of Atkinson and Pender County
Household Incomes, 1989 ...............................
Table 11
Town of Atkinson and Pender County
1990 Poverty Status by Age and Race .......................
Table 12
Town of Atkinson and Pender County
1990 Employment Status ................................
Table 13
Town of Atkinson and Pender County
1990 Employment by Industry for Persons 16+ Years ............
Table 14
Town of Atkinson
Existing Land Use, June, 1998 ............................
Table 15
Town of Atkinson
Soils Characteristics ...................................
Table 16
Town of Atkinson
1990 Tier II Reporters: Emergency and Hazardous Chemical Inventory
Table 17
School Capacity for Pender County Schools Serving the
Town of Atkinson, 1997-98 ..............................
Table 18
Town of Atkinson
Quick Waste Stream Analysis .............................
Table 19
Total Population and Percent Change for CAMA Counties and State,
1996-2010.........................................
PAGE
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I-5
I-6
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I-14
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I-19
I-30
I-31
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Table 20
Pender County
Summary of Population Characteristics Forecasts, 2000-2010 ........
II-2
Table 21
Pender County
Forecasted Year -Round Population Growth, 1996-2010 ............
II-3
MAPS
Map 1
Town of Atkinson Regional Location Map ....................
3
Map 2
Town of Atkinson CDBG Project Area ......................
I-11
Map 3
Town of Atkinson Land Use and Watershed Map ................
I-20
Map 4
Town of Atkinson Soils Map .............................
I-29
Map 5
Town of Atkinson Land Classification Map ....................
III-3
APPENDICES
Appendix I Town of Atkinson 1992 Policy Statements
Appendix II Town of Atkinson Policies Considered But Not Adopted
Appendix III Town of Atkinson Citizen Participation Plan
Table of Contents 4 1

PREFACE
This update is being undertaken to respond to the North Carolina Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA)
which requires the update of CAMA land use plans every five years. While this update is mandated by
legislation, there are broader and more important reasons to engage in the planning process. Basically,
planning begins with understanding your community and its people and learning how to care for them.
Municipal plans and planning affect people's lives. Tough choices must be made about the natural,
manmade, and financial resources in the community. The municipal budget should be compared to the
municipal plan to ensure that public money will be spent in accordance with the community's goals and
objectives.
The planning process also serves to educate us about ourselves, our attitudes towards others, and our
willingness to share a sense of community. Planning is often promoted as a means of community decision -
making through public participation. But planning also may involve conflict and friction because it may
divide us into opposing groups. Some conflict in the planning process is good. It stimulates us to think
and reminds us of the need to understand and tolerate, and even support, the opinions of others.
A community should not undertake the preparation of a land use plan without understanding that a plan
should be:
1. Comprehensive in setting goals and objectives for all aspects of the
community.
2. Part of a continuous planning process that is timely and responsive to the
needs and desires of the community.
3. The legal basis for land use regulations and a guide for a capital
improvements plan for municipal budgeting.
There are commonly accepted reasons both to plan and not to plan. These should be understood, and are
summarized as follows:
Reasons Not To Plan
— Do not expect a plan to produce immediate changes.
— Do not plan because you believe it will be a solution to
businesslindustrial recruitment.
— Do not plan simply because it is the popular thing to do.
— Do not adopt a plan to accomplish limited or single purpose
goals.
— Do not plan to reform government. Planning is not a solution to
bad politics.
Preface 1 ,

Reasons to Plan
To promote common sense and intelligent community thought.
For sound community management (i.e., to manage development
and public infrastructure).
To protect property values.
To encourage citizen participation.
— To coordinate commercial/industrial development to other
public/private development activities.
To direct the physical appearance of the municipality.
To promote regional intergovernmental cooperation.
To promote a community pride.
Once the plan is prepared, the community must realize that the plan is not the end of the process. A
community must continuously work at accomplishing plan implementation and establishing an effective
planning program. The Town of Atkinson must view the preparation of this document as the first step in
a continually evolving process.
Preface 2

TWENTY CAMA COUNTIES
HYDE
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HANOVER \ \
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REGIONAL LOCATION MAP
MAP 1
The phepwefimi of " map was Munoad in Pert
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try the Coastal Zone Managemem Act of ig72, m
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Oran and Coastal ResmwA Management, Nallonal
Ooevac and AtrnospMnc Adminbtralbn.
PENDEK WUNTY ,'
Preface 3

' SECTION I: ANALYSIS OF EXISTING CONDITIONS
A. INTRODUCTION
The existing Town of Atkinson CAMA Land Use Plan was prepared from November, 1991, to November,
1992, and certified by the Coastal Resources Commission on January 29, 1993. That plan was prepared
in conformance with 15A NCAC 7B CAMA planning guidelines.
During 1995 and 1996, the 15A NCAC 7B CAMA planning guidelines were further revised. The revised
guidelines included new requirements for the development of policy statements. These changes included
the following policy statement additions:
— A general vision policy statement describing the type of community that the local
government would like to become within the next ten years.
' - A basic statement of the community attitude toward resource protection.
A policy addressing the protection of wetlands identified as being of the highest functional
significance on maps supplied by the Division of Coastal Management, where available.
— A policy addressing moorings and mooring fields.
— A policy addressing water quality problems and management measures designed to reduce
or eliminate local sources of surface water quality problems.
' — A statement of the community attitude toward resource production and management.
' — A policy addressing commitment to state and federal programs, including housing
rehabilitation, community development block grants, housing for low and moderate
income level citizens, water and sewer installation, and rural water systems.
— A policy addressing assistance in interstate waterways.
' This land use plan update has been prepared in compliance with the revised guidelines dated March 5,
1996.
' The 7B guidelines define the following intent of land use plans:
"Local governments, through the land use planning process, address issues and adopt
policies that guide the development of their community. Many decisions affecting
development are made by other levels of government, and local policies must consider and
be consistent with established state and federal policies. Most development -related
decisions, however, are primarily of local concern. Policies which address the type of
' development to be encouraged, the density and patterns of development, and the methods
of providing public access to beaches and waterfronts are examples of these local policy
Section I: Analysis of Existing Conditions I-1

decisions. When such development issues are carefully and explicitly addressed in the
local Land Use Plan, other levels of government will follow local policies in their actions
that affect these issues. State and federal agencies will use the local Land Use Plans and ,
policies in making project consistency, funding, and permit decisions."
"The land use plan shall contain the following basic elements: ,
1) a summary of data collection and analysis;
2) an existing land use map; '
3) a policy discussion;
4) a land classification map."
In addition to these basic elements, the 7B guidelines require that the following issues be addressed in the
plan:
1) Resource Protection '
2) Resource Production and Management
3) Economic and Community Development '
4) Continuing Public Participation
5) Storm Hazard Mitigation, Post -Disaster Recovery and Evacuation Plans
This land use plan provides a guide for development of the Town of Atkinson by addressing issues and
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adopting policies that are relevant to the town. Specifically, this land use plan includes the following
eleven elements which are mandated by the 7B guidelines:
1) Executive Summary
2) Introduction
3) Goals and Objectives
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4) Data Collection and Analysis
5) Present Conditions
6) Constraints
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7) Estimated Demands
8) Policy Statements
9) Land Classification
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10) Intergovernmental Coordination and Implementation
11) Public Participation
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These eleven elements represent a minimum level of planning necessary to fulfill the objectives of the
Coastal Area Management Act. Atkinson will use these minimum guidelines as a foundation from which
to establish a more comprehensive planning and management process. The town's Land Use Plan should
be written as clearly as possible. The format and organization of the plan will follow the format prescribed
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by 15A NCAC 7B.
It should be noted that the policy section of the plan is the most important part of the document. State and
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federal agencies will use the local land use policies in making project consistency, funding, and permit
decisions.
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Section I: Analysis of Existing Conditions I-2 ' ,
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The 1992 Town of Atkinson Land Use Plan included policy statements which addressed the five policy
areas. However, there are no state -defined Areas of Environmental Concern (AEC) located within
Atkinson's planning jurisdiction. Those areas as defined by 15A NCAC 7H include: coastal wetlands,
estuarine waters, public trust areas, estuarine shorelines, ocean hazard areas, public water supplies, and
natural and cultural resource areas. The effectiveness of the 1992 Land Use Plan is discussed on page I-24
of this plan.
Listed below are some of the sources and documents utilized during preparation of this Land Use Plan:
— Pender County Land Use Plan Update
Town of Atkinson 1992 Land Use Plan Update
— USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Pender County
-- NCDOT, Planning and Policies Section
— Town of Atkinson Staff
— Pender County Schools
— North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management
— North Carolina Office of State Planning
— North Carolina Division of Archives and History
-- Town of Atkinson Zoning Ordinance
— Town of Atkinson Subdivision Ordinance
- North Carolina Division of Community Assistance
— North Carolina Division of Coastal Management
- North Carolina Department of Commerce
Town of Atkinson Municipal Code
These sources were supplemented by "windshield" surveys conducted in June, 1998, to obtain data on
existing land use patterns and housing conditions.
B. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The following provides a list of the objectives/goals identified for this land use plan update:
— An updated land use plan based on an effective citizen participation process.
— Assessment of storm drainage needs/issues.
— Assessment of development impacts on 404 wetlands.
— Assessment of need for protection of single-family residential areas.
— Assessment of continuing water and wastewater disposal needs.
— Development of new policies required to respond to the revised 15A NCAC 7B planning
requirements.
ISection I:
of Existing Conditions
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C. POPULATION AND HOUSING CONDITIONS
1. Permanent Population
a. Regional and County
Sixteen of the twenty North Carolina counties affected by the Coastal Area Management
Act (CAMA) experienced a net permanent.population growth from 1990 to 1996. The
four counties that experienced negative population growth were Hertford, Hyde, Tyrrell,
and Washington. Between 1990-1996, Pender County's population grew faster than any
other CAMA county. In addition, in 1996, Pender County was the seventh largest CAMA
county. Table 1 provides a summary of year-round population growth for CAMA
counties between 1990-1996.
Table 1
Total Population and Percent Change for
CAMA Counties and State, 1980, 1990, and 1996
Percent Change
County
1980
1990
1996
'90-'96
Beaufort
40,355
42,283
43,210
2.2%
Bettie
21,024
20,388
20,532
0.7%
Brunswick
35,777
50,985
62,856
23.3%
Camden
5,829
5,904
6,356
7.7%
Carteret
41,092
52,553
58,341
11.0%
Chowan
12,558
13,506
14,152
4.8%
Craven
71,043
81,613
87,174
6.8%
Currituck
11,089
13,736
16,372
19.2%
Dare
13,377
22,746
26,542
16.7%
Gates
8,875
9,305
9,864
6.0%
Hertford
23,368
22,523
22,214
-1.4%
Hyde
5,873
5,411
5,191
4.1%
New Hanover
103,471
120,294
143,430
19.2%
Onslow
112,784
149,838
150,216
0.3%
Pamlico
10,398
11,368
12,010
5.6%
Pasquotank
28,462
31,298
33,848
8.1%
Pender
22,262
28,855
35,978
24.7%
Perquimans
9,486
10,447
10,756
3.0%
Tyrrell
3,975
3,856
3,671
-4.8%
Washington
14,801
13,997
13,504
-35%
Total CAMA Counties
595,899
710,896
776,217
9.2%
State of North Carolina
5,880,095
6,632,448
7,323,085
10.4%
Source: Office of State Planning.
Section I: Analysis of Existing Conditions I-4 1

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As indicated in Table 2, the highest rate of growth in Pender County between 1990-1996
occurred in the incorporated portions of the county. However, the population located in
unincorporated areas also experienced significant growth during the six year period. This
trend is most likely partially attributable to annexations which increased the incorporated
population rather than an out -migration of individuals from unincorporated areas. Reasons
for the county's rapid growth include, but are not limited to, the following:
— Proximity to the Wilmington metropolitan area.
' — In -migration of retirement age population.
Rapid growth of the beach communities.
— Location of the I-40 corridor in Pender County.
b. Town of Atkinson
' Table 2 also indicates that from 1990-1996, the Town of Atkinson was the slowest
growing municipality in the county, increasing by only 9.5%. However, Sloop Point
actually experienced a decrease in population during the six year period.
' Table 2
Pender County
' Summary of Year -Round Population Growth, 1990-1996
Year -Round Population Percent Change
Municipality 1990 1996 '90-'96
Atkinson 275* 301 9.5%
Burgaw 2,099 3,519 67.7%
' St. Helena 321 353 10.0%
Sloop Point 27 21 -22.2%
Surf City (part) 653 809 23.9%
' Topsail Beach 346 434 25.4%
Wallace (part) 28 32 14.3%
Watha 154 171 11.0%
Total Municipalities 3,903 5,640 44.5%
Total Unincorporated Areas 24,952 30,338 21.6%
' Total County 28,855 35,978 24.7%
*It should be noted that there is a discrepancy between the town's 1990 population estimate
provided by the North Carolina Office of State Planning and that provided by the United States
Census Bureau. According to the U.S. Census, in 1990, there were 335 residents in Atkinson.
This figure is 22 % higher than the state estimate of 275 persons. Since the Office of State Planning
is the only available source of municipal population forecasts, their population estimate for Atkinson
has been provided here. All subsequent population and economic tables included in Section I of this
plan have been compiled from the U.S. Census data and are based on a 1990 population of 335 for
the town.
Source: N.C. State Office of Planning.
Section I: Analysis of Existing Conditions 1-5 '
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As indicated in Table 3, the majority of Atkinson's 1990 population was 44 years old or
younger, with 36 % of the population in the 5 to 17 and 18 to 24 year old age groups. The
town has a small retirement age population; 17% are 65 years old or older. For
comparison, in 1990, the Town of Burgaw had 25.6% of its population 65 years old or
older.
Table 3
Town of Atkinson and Pender County
1990 Population by Age and Sex
Atkinson
Pender County
By Age:
Number
% of Total
Number
% of Total
Under 5 years
19
6%
1,949
7%
5 to 17 years
61
18%
5,142
18%
18 to 24 years
59
18%
2,435
8%
25 to 34 years
29
9%
4,461
15%
35 to 44 years
49
15%
4,386
15%
45 to 54 years
27
8%
3,250
11 %
55 to 64 years
35
10%
3,120
11 %
65 to 69 years
31
9%
1,615
6%
70 to 74 years
9
3%
1,077
4%
75 years and over
16
5 %
1,420
5 %
Mean Age
37.3
37.3
By Sex:
Male
154
46%
14,099
49%
Female
181
54%
14,756
51%
Source: 1990 U.S. Census.
Table 4 provides an analysis of the town's 1990 household distribution by race. Only 13,
or 10%, of the town's households were black. In comparison with Pender County, 28%
of the county's households were black. In 1990, the town did not have any non -black
minority households.
Section I: Analysis of Existing Conditions I-6 1

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Table 4
Town of Atkinson
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1990 Households by Race
Atkinson
Pender County
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Race Number % of Total
Number % of Total
White 113 90%
7,960 72%
'
Black 13 10% .
AmericanlndiantEskimo/Aleut 0 0%
3,053 -28%
35 0%
Asian/Pacific Islander 0 0%
16- 0%
Other Race 0 0%
34 0%
Hispanic Origin (any race) 0 0%
56 1 %
Total Households 126 100%
11,154 100%
Person In Households 335
28,488
Source: 1990 U.S. Census.
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Table 5 provides a summary of the 1990 educational attainment for both Atkinson's and
Pender County's population 25 years old or older. A total of 27 people, or 14% of
'
Atkinson's population, had attained a college degree. Within Pender County, 18 % of the
1990 population 25 years old or older had secured a college degree. Only 26% of the
town's 25 years old or older population had failed to attain
35 % of Pender County's 25 year old or older population had
a high school diploma while
failed to secure a high school
diploma.
'
Table 5
Town of Atkinson and Pender County
1990 Educational Attainment
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Atkinson
Pender County
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Number % of Total
Number % of Total
Less than 9th grade 17 9%
2,707 14%
'
9th to 12th grade/no diploma 33 17 %
83 42%
4,127 21 %
6,254
High school graduate
32%
Some college, no degree 36 18 %
2,872 15 %
'
Associate degree 15 8%
1,122 6%
Bachelor's degree 12 6%
1,560 8%
Graduate/professional degree 0 0%
687 4%
Persons 25+ years 196 100%
19,329 100%
' Source: 1990 U.S. Census.
Section I: Analysis of Existing Conditions I-7 ,
1

2. Housing Characteristics
The construction of new dwelling units in Atkinson has been slow. From 1980 to 1990, only five
,
dwelling units were constructed, an increase of only 3.7%. Since 1990, two dwelling units have
been constructed.
,
Table 6 provides a summary of the 1980 and 1990 Atkinson housing characteristics. From 1980
to 1990, the percentage of vacant dwelling units rose from 8.1 % to 15.6 %. In 1990, most of the
dwelling units were equipped with facilities. Only 7 % lacked complete bathroom facilities, while
only 3.5 % lacked complete kitchen facilities. Fewer than 2 % lacked complete heating equipment.
,
Because of the lack of new housing construction, the age of the town's housing inventory is
steadily increasing. In 1990, approximately 45 % of the town's housing inventory was 45 years
old or older. In addition, only 3.5 % of the housing inventory was less than 15 years old. Over
'
80 % of the 1990 housing was single-family.
Table 6
'
Town of Atkinson
Housing Summary, 1980 and 1990
'
1980 1990
Number % of Total Number % of Total
TOTAL UNITS 136 100.0% 141 100.0%
,
Tenure and Vacancy
Occupied 125 91.9% 119 84.4%
Owner -occupied 103 75.7 % 98 69.5 %
Renter -occupied 22 16.2% 21 14.9%
Vacant units 11 8.1% 22 15.6%
For rent 0 0.0% 3 2.1%
'
For sale 0 0.0% 5 3.5%
For seasonal/occasional use 0 0.0% 1 0.7%
For migrant workers 0 0.0% 0 0.0%
'
Other vacant 11 8.1% 12 8.5%
Condition and Age
0-9 years old 22 16.2% 5 3.5%
,
10-19 years old 18 13.2% 22 15.6%
20-29 years old 32 23.5% 18 12.8%
30-39 years old 26 19.1 % 32 22.8 %
4049 years old 38 27.9% 26 18.4%
,
50 or more years old 38 26.9%
Lacking complete bathroom facilities 10 7.0%
Lacking complete kitchen facilities 5 3.5%
'
Lacking complete heating equipment 2 1.4%
Section I: Analysis of Existing Conditions I-8 '
I

ITable 6 (continued)
'
1980 1990
Number
% of Total Number % of Total
'
Tvve
Single-family detached
121
89.0% 112 79.4%
Single-family attached
2
1.5% 1 0.7%
Multi -family
2 to 4 units
2
1.5% 1 0.7%
'
5 or more units
4
2.9% 1 0.7%
Mobile home
7
5.1% 23 16.3%
'
Source: 1980 and 1990 U.S. Census.
Table 7 provides a summary of 1990 owner -occupied housing values for Atkinson and Pender
'
County. It should be noted that all values are not provided for all owner -occupied housing. Of
those houses for which values were provided, the majority were valued at less than $45,000. Only
seven dwelling units had values in excess of $75,000.
The median value of the town's surveyed
'
units was $41,600 which is well below
the Pender County median value of $59,200.
Table 7
Town of Atkinson and Pender County
1990 Value Owner -Occupied Dwelling Units
'
Value
Atkinson
Pender County
Less than $15,000
2
379
$15,000 to $19,999
2
193
'
$20,000 to $24,999
6
215
$25,000 to $29,999
2
134
$30,000 to $34,999
9
273
'
$35,000 to $39,999
17
314
$40,000 to $44,999
11
299
$45,000 to $49,999
7
311
'
$50,000 to $59,999
18
505
$60,000 to $74,999
2
650
$75,000 to $99,999
3
795
'
$100,000 to $124,999
4
299
$125,000 to $149,999
0
265
$150,000to $174,999
0
172
'
$175,000 to $199,999
0
142
$200,000 to $249,999
0
119
$250,000 to $299,999
0
47
$300,000 to $399,999
0
48
$400,000 to $499,999
0
0
$500,000 or more
0
6
'
Median Value
$41,600
$59,200
Source: 1990 U.S. Census.
Section I: Analysis of Existing Conditions I-9 ,

The Town of Atkinson received a Fiscal Year 1995 Community Development Block Grant
Scattered Site Grant of $332,200. This grant enabled the town to undertake the rehabilitation of
eleven dwelling units, seven of which are located within the Town of Atkinson. Map 2 provides '
a map of the scattered site project. Implementation of the grant had a significant impact on
reducing Atkinson's substandard housing.
3. Summary
The following provides a summary of significant demographic and housing factors:
'
— Atkinson is located in the fastest growing CAMA county.
Atkinson has the lowest rate of growth of all Pender County municipalities.
'
— The town's 1990 retirement age population was only 17 % of its total population.
'
— In 1990, only 14 % of the town's population 25 years old or older had attained a college
degree.
'
— In 1995, 45 % of the town's total housing inventory was 45 years old or older.
— Eighty percent (80%) of the town's total 1990 housing was single-family.
'
— The percentage of vacant dwelling units increased from 1980 to 1990.
,
— The median housing value for owner -occupied dwelling units in Atkinson is well below
that of the county.
D. ECONOMY
'
1. Emional Economy
Over the past ten years, the state of Pender County's economy may be described as below average
'
when compared to the economies of all of the state's counties. According to the Economic
Development Yearbook for North Carolina, produced by Problem -Solving Research, Inc., Pender
County received a rank of 69th out of 100 North Carolina counties in terms of economic growth
,
and development between the years 1984-1994. The following provides a summary, as stated in
the Economic Development Yearbook, of the methodology used to arrive at the composite
rankings found in Table 8.
,
"The Composite Rankings were created to compare the characteristics of growth between the 100 counties
in North Carolina. Three rankings are provided. The one year ranking provides a short term picture of
growth. It consists of an overview of the present health of the county coupled with the county's 1993-1994
'
economic performance. The five year ranking provides a mid-term view of economic development. Like
the one year ranking, it assesses the present health of the county but couples the assessment with the county's
1989-1994 economic variation. The ten year index provides a long-term view of growth. This final measure
,
assesses the present health of the county with the county's 1984-1994 growth and development.
Section I: Analysis of Existing Conditions I-10 '

LIM of scattered Site Units
Unit
Treatrrent
Address
1
Rehab
115 S. First Avenue
2
Rehab
310 N. Rankin Street
3
Rehab
114 S. Rankin Street
4
Rehab
808 N. Sunset SUM
8
Rehab
808 N. Sunset Street
7
Rehab
308 N. Rankin Street
a
Rehab
220 W. Red Cross Sheet
9
Rehab
414 N. Sunset Stred
10
Rehab
301 Church Strad
15
Rehab
590 N. Sunset Street
20
Rehab
9235 Slocum Trace
r
I
r r✓
t
dY TO IIOUSING NEEDS'
FRAME BUILT DWELLING O
MINORINON NEED Q mm
MODERATELY DETEMORATED(D
SEVERELY DETERIORATED O
DILAPIDATED •
VACANT UNIT y
-E' - CImified for exterior &fcieaeict
-1' - Clessifed for Interior der..*.m L
rY9S CDEG
COMMUNITY REVITALIZATION APPLICATION
ATKINSON. HC
SCATTERED SITE CATEGORY
MAP 2
CS-1: ATXINSON FY95 SCATTERED
SITE REHABILITATION PROJECT
EXISTING HOUSING NEEDS
The preparation M this map was financed In part
g9ough a grant provided by the North Carolina
Coastal Management Program, through funds
provided by the Coastal Zone Management Act of
1972. as amended, which Is administered by Me
Office M Ocean and Coastal Resource ManagernerrL
National Oceanic and ANaspherleAdmbdstration.

' The Composite Ranking of Economic Development is a broadly defined measure of relative economic well-
being. Its construction has two major parts. First, it is composed of four measures that describe the
' economic health of an area at a particular point in time. Each of these components provides a unique gauge
of the county's most recent annual economic health. Second, the ranking is composed of five measures of
economic change. Thus, the Composite Ranking considers the present well-being of the county and how the
' local economy has improved from one point to the next.
The nine components of the Composite Ranking are arranged according to five general areas:
' ABILITY TO CREATE JOBS
• Change in Employment measures the area's ability to create jobs.
' ABILITY TO EARN AN ADEQUATE INCOME
• Per Capita Income measures the level of income from the wages & salaries and other
forms of income generating activity (such as investments and owner profit).
' • Change in Per Capita Income demonstrates the increase in income between two points
in time. Although this measure is correlated with the growth in jobs, a pace of change in
per capita income that lags the pace of job growth implies that the area is adding lower
' paying jobs.
ABILITY TO KEEP THE LOCAL LABOR FORCE EMPLOYED
• Unemployment Rate measures the percentage of the population that is willing to work
' but is unable to obtain employment.
• Change in Unemployment Rate measures the improvement in an individual's ability
'
to find work from one period to the next.
ABILITY TO ATTRACT INCOME FROM OTHER REGIONS
• Per Capita Retail Sales measures the ability of an area to attract persons to a county to
'
shop and play, thereby demonstrating the regional importance of a local area.
• Change in Per Capita Retail Sales measures how the relative attractiveness of an area
for shopping and play has changed over time.
ABILITY TO REDUCE POVERTY
• Per Capita Food Stamp Recipients serves as a proxy for a poverty index. It shows the
'
relative number of persons that are unable to adequately support themselves or their
families.
• Change in Per Capita Food Stamp Recipients shows how the level of poverty has
changed over time.
' The Composite Rankings are created by assigning equal weights to the nine components of development.
First, the measure's nine components are computed for each county in North Carolina. Second, within each
component the counties are ranked from most positive to most negative and assigned a ranking from 1 to 100.
' The average of the nine rankings is tabulated and ranked from top to bottom. The Composite Ranking is this
final result."
The composite rankings for the twenty CAMA counties, as found in the Economic Development
Yearbook, have been included in Table 8.
' Section I: Analysis of Existing Conditions I-12 '
iIJ

Table 8
CAMA Counties
One, Five, and Ten -Year Composite Rankings of Economic Development
Beaufort
Bertie
Brunswick
Camden
Carteret
Chowan
Craven
Currimck
Dare
Gates
Hertford
Hyde
New Hanover
Onslow
Pamlico
Pasquotank
Pender
Perqimans
Tyrrell
Washington
One -Year
1993-1994
State
CAMA
Rank
Rank
90
16
100
20
76
13
82
15
56
7
70
11
62
8
19
2
39
4
95
19
52
6
26
3
17
1
67
9
92
18
71
12
91
17
49
5
68
10
77
14
Five -Year
1989-1994
State
CAMA
Rank
Rank
89
15
96
20
68
8
71
10
35
2
82
14
57
6
43
4
42
3
58
7
91
18
76
11
30
1
69
9
77
12
90
17
92
19
78
13
49
5
88
16
Ten -Year
1984-1994
State
CAMA
Rank
Rank
94
17
100
20
75
9
83
13
58
5
89
15
76
10
47
4
10
1
79
11
99
19
44
3
30
2
91
16
62
6
98
18
69
7
80
12
70
8
85
14
Note: State rank out of 100 total counties and CAMA rank out of 20 total counties.
Source: Economic Development Yearbook for North Carolina. 1995.
Out of the three periods included in Table 8, Pender County received its highest rankings for the
ten-year period 1984-1994. During the period 1993-1994, the county's state ranking was 91st
while its ranking amongst the 20 CAMA counties was 17th.
Section I: Analysis of Existing Conditions I-13 1

' 2. Local Economy
Average household income provides a good indicator of a community's economic strength. In
1989, Atkinson's average household income was below that of both the state and Pender County.
Table 9 provides a summary of the 1989 average household incomes.
' Table 9
Town of Atkinson, Pender County, and North Carolina
t1989 Average Household Income
Town of Atkinson $27,706
' Pender County $29,447
North Carolina $33,242
Source: 1990 U.S. Census.
n
The town and county 1989 household incomes are summarized in Table 10.
Less than $20,000
$20,000 to $34,999
$35,000 to $49,999
$50,000 to $74,999
$75,000 to $99,999
$100,000to $149,999
'
$150,000 or more
Total Households
1J
Table 10
Town of Atkinson and Pender County
Household Incomes, 1989
Atkinson
Number % of Total
56
44%
44
35%
6
5%
12
10%
8
6%
0
0%
0
0%
126
100 %
Source: 1990 U.S. Census.
Pender County
Number
% of Total
4,804
43%
2,909
26%
1,736
16%
1,259
11%
197
2%
109
1 %
84
1 %
11,098
100%
In 1989, 79 % of the town's households had incomes of $34,999 or less. Only 16 % of the town's
households had incomes in excess of $50,000, which is comparable to the county's percentage of
upper level incomes.
Based on the 1990 Census, approximately 41 of the town's total population (13 %) were below the
poverty level. Approximately 37 % of the black population lived in poverty while 9 % of the white
population was in poverty. Table 11 provides the distribution of poverty by age and race.
Section I: Analysis of Existing Conditions I-14 1

I
Table 11
Town of Atkinson and Fender County
1990 Poverty Status by Age and Race
Atkinson
Pender County
White
9.1%
9.8%
Under 6 years
0.0%
13.2%
6 to 11 years
0.0%
16.2%
12 to 17 years
17.1 %
10.2 %
18 to 64 years
4.9%
7.9%
65 years and over
23.5%
13.0%
Black
36.8%
33.3%
Under 6 years
100.0%
51.7%
6 to 11 years
30.0%
40.3%
12 to 17 years
0.0%
35.3%
18 to 64 years
33.3%
25.0%
65 years and over
0.0%
47.1 %
Source: 1990 U.S. Census.
The Atkinson and Pender County employment status for persons 16 years old and older is
provided in Table 12. Approximately 61 % of the 16 years old or older population participates in
the civilian labor force. The town's 1990 unemployment rate was only 4.1 % as compared to 5.8 %
for the county. The majority of those employed (157) are white with only six black persons
employed. The total of those employed is almost evenly divided between males (131 total) and
females (146 total).
Table 12
Town of Atkinson and Fender County
1990 Employment Status
Persons 16+ years
By Employment Status:
In Armed Forces
Civilian labor force
Civilian participation rate
Employed
White
Black
Amer. Indian/Eskimo/Aleut
Asian/Pacific Islander
Other race
Hispanic origin (any race)
Atkinson
Number % of Total
277 100%
1
1
Pender County
Number % of Total t
22,614 100%
0
0%
74
0%
170
61%
13,666
60%
61.4%
60.6%
163
59%
12,868
57%
157
57%
9,523
42%
6
2%
3,188
14%
0
0%
66
0%
0
0%
34
0%
0
0%
57
0%
0
0%
95
0%
I
Section I: Analysis of Existing Conditions I-15 1 1

1
1
1
Table 12 (continued)
Unemployed
White
Black
Amer. Indian/Eskimo/Aleut
Asian/Pacific Islander
Other Race
Hispanic origin (any race)
Unemployment rate
By Employment Status and Sex:
Male
In Armed Forces
Civilian Participation Rate
Employed
Unemployed
Unemployment rate
Female
In Armed Forces
Civilian Participation Rate
Employed
Unemployed
Unemployment rate
Source: 1990 U.S. Census.
Atkinson
Number
% of Total
7
3%
7
3%
0
0%
0
0%
0
0%
0
0%
0
0%
4.1%
Pender County
Number
% of Total
798
4 %
409
2%
371
2%
9
0%
0
0%
9
0%
21
0%
5.8%
131
47%
10,808
48%
0
0%
74
0%
68.7 %
68.0 %
85
31%
6,867
30%
5
2%
427
2%
5.6%
5.9%
146
53%
11,806
52%
0
0%
0
0%
54.8 %
54.0 %
78
28%
6,001
27%
2
1%
371
2%
2.5%
5.8%
The town's 1990 employment was widely distributed through a wide range of industries. The
largest number, 32 or 20%, were employed in retail trade. This was closely followed by
employment in nondurable manufacturing with 30, or 18%, included in this category. The third
largest number, 26 or 16%, were employed in professional and related services. Thus, the
majority (54%) of the town's employed persons 16 years old or older were employed in one of
three industry categories. Table 13 provides the town and county 1990 employment industry for
persons 16 years old or older.
Table 13
Town of Atkinson and Pender County
1990 Employment by Industry for Persons 16+ Years
Industry
Agriculture/forestry/fisheries
Mining
Construction
Section I:
of Existing Conditions
Atkinson
Number % of Total
5 3%
0 0%
10 6%
Pender County
Number % of Total
661 5 %
29 0%
1,412 11%
I-16

Table 13 (continued)
Industry
Manufacturing, nondurable
Manufacturing, durable goods
Transportation
Communications and other
public utilities
Wholesale trade
Retail trade
Finance, insurance, real estate
Business and repair services
Personal services
Entertainment/recreation serv.
Professional & rel. services
Health services
Educational services
Other prof. & rel. services
Public administration
Employed persons 16+ years
Source: 1990 U.S. Census.
Atkinson
Number
% of Total
30
18%
7
4%
10
6%
0
0%
13
8%
32
20%
12
7%
12
7%
1
1%
0
0%
26
16%
10
6%
10
6%
6
4%
5
3%
163
100%
Pender County
Number % of Total
1,852 14%
1,090 8%
468 4%
248 2%
689
5%
1,961
15%
457
4%
562
4%
438
3%
103
1 %
2,361
18%
953
7%
796
6%
612
5%
537
4%
12,868
100%
All persons employed in manufacturing are employed outside of Atkinson. There are no
manufacturing facilities in Atkinson. Thus, all people employed in this industry must commute
to work.
Based on a land use survey completed in June, 1998, there are 19 active commercial businesses
with privilege licenses located in Atkinson. This is the same number which existed in 1992. _The
Black River Health Center, First Citizens Bank, and the Post Office are not required to have
privilege licenses. This is a significant amount of commercial activity for a town with a total
population of 301 and reflects the service/support role which the town fills for the surrounding
area.
Although the Town of Atkinson is not a significant tourist destination, the town does experience
an indirect economic impact from vacationers traveling to nearby beach communities. These
vacationers help provide for the success of Pender County's retail trade industry which benefits
all of the residents of Pender County.
Section I: Analysis of Existing Conditions 1-17 1

' It is conceivable that tourism may begin playing an increased role in the town's economy during
the planning period. Pender County and the Pender United Tourism Committee are currently
' working with the North Carolina Division of Travel and Tourism to promote heritage tourism in
the county. The Pender United Tourism Committee has applied for $25,000 in disaster relief
funds to conduct a county -wide inventory of potential heritage sites. Once heritage sites have been
' identified, links can be made between the sites, a tour established, and marketing strategies
developed. In the event that heritage sites are identified in and around Atkinson during the
inventory, it is likely that they would be included as part of a county -wide heritage tour. This
' could result in some tourist activity within Atkinson.
3. Summary
' The following provides a summary of significant economic data for Atkinson:
t — Atkinson's average household income is below that of both Pender County and North
Carolina.
' — Seventy-nine percent (79%) of the town's households have incomes of $34,999 or less.
— Approximately 13 % of the town's 1990 population was below the poverty level.
' — In 1990, the town's unemployment rate was only 4.1 %
' — The majority of the town's employed persons 16 years old or older work in nondurable
manufacturing, retail trade, or professional and related services industries.
— For a small community, Atkinson has a large number of commercial establishments.
1
E. EXISTING LAND USE
' 1. General Land Use Patterns
' Land use patterns in Atkinson have remained unchanged since the town's land use plan was last
updated in 1992. The only new construction which has occurred since 1992 includes two
residential dwellings which have not had an effect on the general pattern of residential
development. Developed land uses include single-family residential, commercial, office/
institutional, and parks and recreation. Almost all commercial and office/institutional development
is located along NC 53 which splits the town along a west to east axis into two approximately
t equally sized portions. Residential development is concentrated within a 1/4 mile radius of the
Church Street and First Avenue intersection with isolated units extending out to the town limit line
along NC 53 (Church Street), Rankin Street, and First Avenue. Many of these more isolated
residential units are located adjacent to productive agricultural land. No town -maintained streets
or state highways extend from the northern to southern town limits. The town does not have an
extraterritorial jurisdiction.
Section I: Analysis of Existing Conditions I-18 1

Institutional uses in Atkinson include the old Atkinson Middle School property (located north of
Henry Street), the town hall, post office, ABC store, four churches, a Boy Scout meeting hall, a
Masonic lodge, and the Region P Head Start center. '
There is no manufacturing, wholesale distribution, or other industry located within or adjacent to
the Town of Atkinson. Approximately 461 acres within the town limits is open space consisting '
of idle or productive farmland (primarily located east of First Avenue) and woodland (primarily
located west of First Avenue). This open space occupies virtually the entire periphery of the
town, with the entire southern 40% of the town remaining basically undeveloped except for areas '
of productive familand.
Table 14 provides a summary of land uses within Atkinson. Acreage figures are estimates only '
and have been provided to give a general indication of the distribution of land uses. This
information was obtained via a "windshield" survey conducted in June, 1998. Map 3 illustrates
existing land use. '
Table 14
Town of Atkinson '
Existing Land Use, June, 1998
Use
Acres
% of Total
'
Developed:
Single -Family Residential Frame Built
88.0
13.9%
Single -Family Residential Mobile Home
6.5
1.0%
'
Commercial
10.0
1.6 %
Office/Institutional
20.0
3.2%
,
Parks and Recreation
1.5
0.2%
Street and Rail Right-of-way
46.0
7.3%
Subtotal
172.0
27.2%
'
Undeveloped:
Vacant/Agricultural
461.0
72.8%
'
Subtotal
461 n
71 Rol
Total
633.0
100.0%
,
Source: Holland Consulting Planners, Inc.
2. Land Use Incompatibility Issues and Problems from Unplanned Development
Due to the town's existing ordinances and land use controls (see pages I-22/I-24), lack of heavy '
industry, absence of defined fragile areas, small population, and the rural, residential character
of the town, there are few significant land use incompatibility issues or problems from unplanned
development facing the town. '
Section I: Analysis of Existing Conditions I-19 '

• MAP 3
Town of AtIldnson
03030006130303 Land Use
03030006120020 Watershed Map
li ill lit
June 30,1998
MI
6j�:.?i•y.,.•�''e,:tll`:;j it l'. �:,!:�,l:�'iiiilljiili;lli!i;�!!;�;I;IiiIL �!,y,y, �i 1, �!fii„Iilill�Ri
11lj �••. :P:it
'a 'r' ,: !:i i'iA lii!i ,"ia gib! kt; !hl t
• '::! ill i �: � 4„G� � "�iijij' ji �' tl I ! 11 '�:� �!,Milli
`'ll �i ll'i il:..:. 'V i;y'�11N.� '::iy'��::7:!fA 1 :i!�ili i!:<i=' !,!r'.•!
iYii;y!71K;ili •::. ' ,.;• '!i,� :!!!: litil!� Approximate Scale in Miles
• Ili;IlijllP,ij11!L!Iii�(iljlll'u1. �.df(1.,V .:�:t !'� !ii, 'I?S+
0
L
Pit
r:4:!p;.:,;.
• !lilliiliijiilq�i' anS' i'� � ,��`�!"'. I
Vifir ilkG;'INN *MVIIIIII %':�+�4�' . ���-!•
a'
i�ii� �-4'��U�' a '• i � .y,.4� i'i!i7iiii!iili;lltiiii:�`q-4=F=4• -6 Legend
'!! h.:e I• .}' l i ! i'r' !!: j'!; ! r. e !li?III /' 4:+'.I.
• ''!4: � I p 1 ; i� 'd.;i?iUf'.:, .,yyll!. ;I• g :.jl,i ,�:j,!IN!+. ii!i{li '!�,!. �b aiy;z:{'j u:,!bc::! �•d--4
Commercial
Mobile Home
OfficelInstitutional
Parks and Recreation
Single Family Residential
Vacant/Agricultural
Town Limit Line
The preparation of this map was financed In part
through a ant provided by the Nord, Carolina --------• Watershed Boundary
CcestalManagement program, through funds provided
by dte Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as
amended, which is administered by the Office of
Ocean and Coastal Resource Management National
Oceanic and Atmosphedc Admnis"bon. I-20

The majority of the commercial buildings in town are located along a two -block section of NC 53
that is free from residential development. The remainder of the NC 53 corridor contains single-
family residences interspersed with commercial and institutional structures in isolated locations.
This mix of land uses does not evoke the "strip" label attached to the main street in many small
towns in eastern North Carolina. Although there are a few instances where existing commercial
establishments are located adjacent to residential development, adverse impacts appear to be
minimal. The town's zoning ordinance will prevent future residential/commercial land use
incompatibility problems.
' Most of the land west of First Avenue in Atkinson is open woodland, some of which is owned by
Boise Cascade Corporation. The possibility of commercial forestry operation starting up in
' Atkinson remains a source of concern to town residents. This is due primarily to the truck traffic,
noise, and nuisance value associated with a logging operation. Logging is perceived by the town
as completely incompatible with the preservation of the town's quiet residential character. The
town should consider revising its zoning ordinance to buffer itself from the potential impacts of
logging operations.
' The only other potentially significant land use incompatibility issue is the encroachment of
residential or commercial development on productive farmland. The town has stated this as
undesirable due to its impact upon resource potential and preservation of the town's agrarian
' character. The town's zoning ordinance has mandated low density residential development in
established productive agricultural areas as well as in open space areas suitable for agriculture.
1 An issue that is more of a zoning and building code issue than a land use incompatibility issue is
the potential for increased mobile home development. The town has attempted to address this
issue through standards for mobile home size, construction, and placement in its zoning ordinance.
However, the ordinance does not specifically prohibit mobile homes in any of the established
residential zones.
3. Development Potential
There are numerous vacant lots in the central, more developed area of Atkinson still available for
commercial or residential development. This will positively impact Atkinson's desire to remain
a commercial center for the surrounding rural areas, as well as a bedroom community for salary
workers who are employed elsewhere. Additionally, many peripheral areas of the town zoned
rural agricultural are available for lower density residential and institutional or recreational use.
There is also abundant undeveloped open space, both wooded and cleared, available for additional
farming and agriculture -related commercial activity. Table 14 indicated that there are currently
approximately 461 vacant/agricultural acres within the town that may be suitable for development.
Although the economic development potential of Atkinson is somewhat limited by the lack of a
town sewer system, it does not appear to be a significant limitation to the low -density rural
residential type of development desired and currently taking place in the town.
I
11
Section I: Analysis of Existing Conditions I-21 '
1

1-
4. Areas Experiencing or Likely to Experience Major Land Use Changes 1
At the present time, there are no known areas where significant changes in land use patterns may
occur during the planning period. There are no significant changes in the town's existing
infrastructure expected to take place nor is there a significant population increase anticipated. The
town is proud of and enjoys its small town atmosphere and will continue to work to preserve it. '
5. Existing Ordinances and Land Use Controls
In 1989, the Town of Atkinson adopted a town ordinance, zoning ordinance, subdivision '
regulations, and a CAMA-funded recreation and open space plan. In addition, in 1987 and 1992,
the town prepared and adopted updates of the original 1976 land use plan. All of these documents '
have been effective in allowing the town to implement and enforce the land use policies included
in the town's 1992 land use plan. Copies of these documents are available at the town hall for
public review. The following provides a summary of existing ordinances and land use controls:
1992 Town of Atkinson Land Use Plan
Through its participation in the Coastal Area Management Act planning program, the town '
maintains a current land use plan. The 1992 plan was prepared in conformance with the 15A
NCAC 7B planning guidelines which were in effect at the time. The plan addressed existing land ,
use, demographic data, and economic conditions. Forecasts through a ten-year planning period
were made. Policy statements are included which address the following subject areas: resource
protection, resource production and management, economic and community development, public
participation, and storm hazard mitigation planning. A complete copy of the plan's policies is
included as Appendix I.
1989 Town of Atkinson Zoning Ordinance
The Town of Atkinson zoning ordinance was adopted for the following reasons: "Pursuant to the
authority conferred by Part 3, Article 19, Chapter 160A of the General Statutes of North Carolina,
and for the purposes of lessening congestion in the streets; to secure safety from fire, panic, and
other dangers; to promote health and the general welfare; to provide adequate light and air; to
prevent the overcrowding of land; to avoid undue concentration of population; and to facilitate the ,
adequate provisions of transportation, water, sewerage, schools, parks, and other public
requirements, in accordance with a comprehensive plan..."
The ordinance established the following zoning districts: R-15 Single -Family Residential, RM-15
Multi -Family Residential, C-1 Office and Related Commercial, C-2 General Commercial, and RA
Rural/Agricultural. Atkinson prepared the ordinance with the assistance of a CAMA grant. The
ordinance is enforced by the Atkinson Planning Board and Board of Aldermen.
1989 Town of Atkinson Subdivision Regulations I
The Town of Atkinson subdivision ordinance was adopted to accomplish the following purpose:
"... to establish procedures and standards for the development and subdivision of land within the '
territorial jurisdiction of the Town of Atkinson. It is further designed to provide for the orderly
Section I: Analysis of Existing Conditions I-22 '

growth and development of the Town of Atkinson; for the coordination of streets and highways
within proposed subdivisions with existing or planned streets and highways and with other public
facilities such as water, sewer, and drainage lines; for the dedication or reservation of recreation
areas serving residents of the immediate neighborhood within the subdivision and of rights -of -way
or easements for street and utility purposes; and for the distribution of population and traffic in
a manner that will avoid congestion and overcrowding and will create conditions essential to public
health, safety, and the general welfare. This ordinance is designed to further facilitate adequate
provision for water, sewerage, parks, schools, and playgrounds, and also facilitate the further
resubdivision of larger tracts into smaller parcels of land."
The ordinance is enforced by the Atkinson Planning Board and Board of Aldermen. A CAMA
grant provided funding to prepare the ordinance.
1989 Town of Atkinson Recreation and Open Space Plan
Based on the recommendations of the 1987 CAMA Land Use Plan, the Town of Atkinson applied
for and received a CAMA grant to prepare a comprehensive recreation and open space plan. The
plan surveyed existing facilities, established recreation standards, recommended improvements to
existing facilities, and recommended historic preservation activities. The Board of Aldermen is
responsible for implementing the plan.
1989 Town of Atkinson Town Ordinance
With funding provided by a CAMA grant, the Town of Atkinson adopted a Code of General
Ordinances in June, 1989. The code includes all town rules and regulations governing the
following areas: legislative; ordinances; officers and employees; budget and fiscal control;
elections; police; obstructing streets and sidewalks; use and cleanliness; parks and utilities; traffic
regulations; health protection and disease protection; storage, collection, transportation and
disposal of refuse; privies - septic tanks; business and trade; disorderly conduct and public
nuisances; animals; building codes; mobile homes; and yard regulations.
In October, 1995, the town's Board of Aldermen passed an amendment to the Ordinance which
added additional policies for the operation of the town's Police Department. This was the only
amendment that has taken place since the inception of the Town Ordinance.
Minimum Housing Code
In January, 1995, the Town of Atkinson adopted a minimum housing code. The code sets
minimum standards to which residential structures must be maintained. The Pender County
Building Inspections Department enforces the code.
6. Effectiveness of the 1992 Land Use Plan and Policies
CAMA planning guidelines require that the existing (1992) policy statements be summarized in
this document. Appendix I provides a complete copy of the 1992 policy statements.
Section I: Analysis of Existing Conditions I-23 1

In general, the Town of Atkinson has been effective in implementing the policies contained in the
1992 Land Use Plan. The town has been successful in preserving its quiet, residential character
and its outlying agricultural and woodland resources. However, there were a few objectives stated
in the plan's policies that have not been addressed due largely to financial constraints and the need
to address other items of higher priority. The following provides a summary of general policies
that the town was particularly successful implementing and other policies that were not as
successfully implemented.
It is the town's opinion that it has been especially successful with the implementation of the
following policies:
-- Mitigating stormwater runoff and maintaining roadside drainage ditches.
— Improvement of existing recreational facilities and implementing the 1989 Recreation and
Open Space Plan.
— Maintenance of the town's rural agricultural zoning districts and preservation of
productive agricultural land.
-- Enforcement of the town's zoning ordinance to ensure land use compatibility and the
promotion of low density residential and commercial development.
Preservation of the town's quiet residential character.
— Maintenance of the town's street system through repaving activities.
-- Attempting to secure funds to increase law enforcement capacity.
— Rehabilitation of the town's existing housing stock and older commercial buildings and
demolition of abandoned structures.
— Adoption of a minimum housing code.
The Town of Atkinson has not been particularly successful with the implementation of the
following 1992 policies:
Amendment of the town's zoning ordinance to include the prohibition of underground
storage tanks for commercial and residential usage; prohibition of forestry -related
industrial uses in RA zones; establishment of minimum landscaping requirements in RA
zones; and more restrictive regulations for the location of individual mobile homes.
— Establishment of an extraterritorial jurisdiction.
Preparation of a sewer system funding feasibility study for review by the town's governing
body.
— Adoption of an abandoned structures ordinance.
Section I: Analysis of Existing Conditions I-24 1

Basinwide Water Oualitv Management
The Water Quality Division of the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural
Resources (NCDENR) has initiated a basinwide approach to state water quality management. The
overall goal of basinwide management is to develop consistent and effective long range water
quality management strategies that protect the quality and intended uses of North Carolina's
surface waters while accommodating population increases and economic growth.
Basinwide management is not a new regulatory program. Rather, it is a watershed -based
management approach which features basinwide permitting of discharges, integration of existing
point and nonpoint source regulatory programs, and preparation of basinwide water quality
management plans for each of the state's 17 river basins by 1998. Plans will be updated at five
year intervals.
The purpose of the basinwide management plan is to communicate to policy makers, the regulated
community, and the general public, the state's rationale, approaches, and long-term strategies for
each basin. In general, this process involves the following five major phases of development:
— Collecting pertinent water quality and related information,
— Analyzing the information and targeting problem areas,
— Developing management strategies,
— Circulating a draft plan for public review and comment, and
— Finalizing the plan.
Eight of North Carolina's major river basins cross the coastal area. These include the Lumber,
Cape Fear, White Oak, Neuse, Tar -Pamlico, Roanoke, Chowan, and Pasquotank river basins. The
Division of Water Quality has further subdivided these basins into smaller "sub -basins," which
are currently used as the foundation for their basinwide water quality plans. Even smaller
watersheds were recently delineated for the entire state by the USDA Natural Resources
Conservation Service. These watersheds are referred to as "14-digit hydrologic units" (because
of the unique 14-digit code assigned to each watershed) or simply "small watersheds." These
small watersheds generally range in size from 5,000 to 50,000 acres.
The Town of Atkinson is located in the Cape Fear River basin. The Cape Fear basinwide
management plan was completed in October, 1996.
The long-range basinwide management goal is to provide a means of addressing the complex
problem of planning for reasonable economic growth while protecting and/or restoring the quality
and intended uses of the Cape Fear Basin's surface waters.
In striving towards the long-range goal stated above, the Division of Water Quality's highest
priority near -tent goals will be the following:
Identify and restore the most seriously impaired waters in the basin;
— Protect those waters known to be of the highest quality or supporting biological
communities of special importance;
Section I: Analysis of Existing Conditions I.25 1

Manage problem pollutants, particularly nutrients, biological oxygen demand,
sediment, and fecal coliform, in order to correct existing water quality problems
and to ensure protection of those waters currently supporting their uses.
The North Carolina Division of Water Quality has identified 16 sub -basins, each including
numerous watersheds within the Cape Fear Basin. Each sub -basin and watershed have been
assigned a numerical code for the purpose of identification.
The Town of Atkinson is located within the Natural Resources Conservation Service small
watersheds 03030006120020 and 03030006130030 which are located within the Division of Water
Quality sub -basin 03-06-20 (see Map 3). The following provides a summary of water quality
concerns, relevant to sub -basin 03-06-20, as found in the Cape Fear River Basinwide Water
Quality Management Plan:
Great Coharie Creek and Six Runs Creek merge to form the Black River which passes
through Bladen County just west of Atkinson. Land adjacent to the Black River is
primarily undisturbed forest and swamp and Clinton is the largest town in the watershed.
The Black River from its source to the Cape Fear River, and Six Runs Creek below
Cuwhiffle Swamp, were reclassified as Outstanding Resource Waters (ORW) in 1994. The
Black River from NC 411 to the South River had previously been designated High Quality
Waters (HQW). These reclassifications were based on Excellent biological and
physical/chemical data, as well as the river's recreational and ecological significance. An
ambient site on the Black River (near Tomahawk) has consistently received an Excellent
bioclassification, though high nutrient values have been found. Some small streams in this
area have been affected by wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), including Stewart's
Creek below the Warsaw W WTP. Most of the streams sampled in the watershed (Black
River, Six Runs Creek, Great Coharie Creek, and upstream sections of Little Coharie
Creek) have received ratings of Excellent or Good. A downstream site on Little Coharie
Creek declined from Good in 1989 to Good -Fair in 1993. The fish communities sampled
ranged from Poor -Fair in ecological health ratings at the downstream Little Coharie site
to Fair and Fair -Good on Great Coharie Creek. Other tributaries to the Black River have
not been sampled because of their still, swamp -like nature. Singletary Lake, in Bladen
County, is used for swimming, boating, and fishing, and fully supports its designated uses.
Low dissolved oxygen levels during summer months are the only consistent water quality
violation detected at the ambient monitoring station on the Black River near Huggins.
Low dissolved oxygen during the summer is not unusual in a slow moving system such as
this one. Though the Black River does continue to flow throughout the year, other large
tributaries such as Colly Creek and Moores Creek have periods of no flow. Fish tissue
samples from the Black River in 1986 did indicate elevated mercury levels in some pickerel
and bowfin.
Section I: Analysis of Existing Conditions I-26

F. DEVELOPMENT CONSTRAINTS: LAND SUITABILITY
1. T000grWhv/Geology
Pender County is on the lower Coastal Plain and ranges in elevation from sea level to 110 feet.
The soils in the county generally ate nearly level and have short slopes along the main
drainageways. The Cape Fear River, which is in the southwest part of Fender County, drains
most of the county. However, the Black and Northeast Cape Fear Rivers are tributaries of the
Cape Fear River and also drain portions of the county. A few short streams in the southeast part
of the county drain into the Intracoastal Waterway. The flow of water in streams throughout the
county is slow, and small tributaries flow only after heavy rains.
The Cape Fear, Northeast Cape Fear, and Black Rivers are affected by tides. The few short
streams in the southeast part of the county are wide and shallow near sea level and become narrow
' inland. Most of the floodplains along these streams are inundated each day at high tide.
Generally, the Town of Atkinson has a flat topography with no significant slopes exceeding six
percent. The steepest slopes ' tend to occur in the Norfolk loamy fine sand (NoB) (2-6% slope). Map 4 on page I-29 provides a delineation of soil types within the town's planning jurisdiction.
The average elevation within Atkinson is approximately 60 feet above sea level.
Within Pender County, groundwater provides the sole source of water supply for both public and
private systems. Subsurface water of good quantity and quality is found throughout the county.
The entire area is underlain by a large aquifer system from which potable water can be drawn at
various depths.
Four geologic strata comprise the aquifer system. Pleistocene and recent surficial sands cover
most of Pender County and provide the principal water source for individual wells and rural
domestic supplies. In the surficial sands, water normally occurs under watertable conditions
within 15 feet of the land surface. Productivity of this aquifer is limited only by its thickness, it
is recharged directly by rainfall and is easily subject to contamination. The surficial sands are the
only potable water supply between the Cape Fear and Black Rivers, where the underlying strata
contain brackish water.
Yorktown clays, shell beds, and marls occur on a limited basis east of the Northeast Cape Fear
River. This formation is absent in the central and western sections of the county which includes
the Atkinson area. The Castle Hayne aquifer is not extensively utilized for water supply in -the
county, However, it may be valuable as a large, long-term water supply. The Peedee Cretaceous
sands, limestones, and marine clays occur throughout Pender County. West of the Cape Fear
River, the Peedee immediately underlies the surficial sands. In the eastern part of the county, it
occurs beneath and has hydraulic connection to the Castle Hayne aquifer. In both areas, the
Peedee is recharged directly by rainfall. The Peedee furnishes water to many wells drilled west
of the Northeast Cape Fear River. Wells relying on the Peedee vary from 50-200 feet deep and
yield up to 300 gallons per minute.
*At or immediately below ground surface.
Section I: Analysis of Existing Conditions I-27

Due to the lack of underlying limestone confining layers, primarily located in the eastern portion
of Pender County, the surficial sands provide the only practical groundwater resource for
residential, agricultural, and commercial use in and around Atkinson. This shallow aquifer, from
which potable water can be drawn at various depths, is recharged directly by rainfall and is easily
contaminated by point sources of pollution such as substandard septic tanks where it occurs within
15-20 feet of the surface. This potential for shallow -level aquifer contamination, not groundwater
supply, is the primary limitation to development posed by water resources in Atkinson.
There are no significant surface waters within Atkinson's planning jurisdiction. The closest body
of water is the Black River which is located approximately four miles southwest of Atkinson.
2. Flood Hazard Areas
The entire town is located outside the nearest 100-year floodplain, adjacent to the Black River.
There are no identified flood hazard areas in Atkinson.
3. Soils
According to the Soil Survey of Pender County, North Carolina, completed in April, 1990, by the
Natural Resources Conservation Service, there are four soil series located in Atkinson's planning
jurisdiction. The locations of these soil series are delineated on Map 4. Table 15 provides a
summary of soil characteristics including a delineation of prime farmland soils.
Three of the four total soil series found in Atkinson's planning jurisdiction are considered prime
farmland and one may be considered prime farmland when drained. The location of prime
farmland soils is indicative of productive agricultural lands which have primarily been developed.
All of the soils located within Atkinson's planning jurisdiction pose some limitations for septic
tank usage. A hydric soil is one which is saturated, flooded, or ponded long enough during the
growing season to develop anaerobic conditions in the upper part. "Anaerobic" is defined as a
condition in which molecular oxygen is absent from the environment. Hydric soils also have a
high probability of meeting the criteria for 404 wetlands. The areas of non -drained Rains soils
are potentially hydric soils. However, confirmation of 404 wetland areas must be made by the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington District.
Section I: Analysis of Existing Conditions I-28 1

F
m
GoA
m
NoA
J voA Ra
NoA
N0A
GoA
NoB
Ra Ra
SaB
The preparation of this map was financed In part
through a grant provided by the North Carolina
Coastal Management Program, through funds provided
by the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as
amended, which is administered by the Office of
Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
BaB
GoA*
NoA*
NoB*
Ra*
*
Town of Atkinson
Soils Map
June 30, 1998
MAP 4
N
Approximate Scale in Miles
0 .1 .2
Legend
Baymeade fine sand,
1 to 4 percent slopes
Goldsboro fine sandy loam,
0 to 2 percent slopes
Norfolk loamy fine sand,
0 to 2 percent slopes
Norfolk loamy fine sand,
2 to 6 percent slopes
Rains fine sandy loam
Prime agricultural soils
Soil Type Boundary
Town Limit Line
I-29

Table 15
Town of Atkinson
Soil Characteristics
Map Soil Series Slope Depth to Seasonal Flooding Dwellings Streets and Septic Tanks Prime
Symbol M High Water Table Frequency Without Roads Farmland
(ft.) (Surface) Basements
HYDRIC SOILS
GoA Goldsboro fine sandy 0-2 2.0-3.0 None Moderate: Moderate: Severe: Yes
loam
NoA Norfolk loamy fine 0-2 4.0-6.0 None
sand
NoB Norfolk loamy fine 2-6 4.0-6.0 None
sand
RA Rains fine sandy loam 0 0-1.0 None
Source: Natural Resource Conservation Service.
i
i
wetness
low strength,
wetness
wetness
Moderate:
Slight
Moderate:
Yes
wetness
wetness
Moderate:
Slight
Moderate:
Yes
cut banks
wetness
cave, wetness
Severe:
Severe:
Severe:
Yes (where
wetness
wetness
wetness
drained)
Section I. Analysis of Existing Conditions I-30 1

4. Manmade Hazards/Restrictions
There are no significant manmade hazards located within the Town of Atkinson. The greatest
concentrations of hazardous materials are below ground fuel storage tanks scattered throughout
the town. In addition, there are several areas where chemicals and pesticides are stored in
Atkinson. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires that facilities report certain
chemical substances located on site. Specifically, under these regulatory requirements, facilities
with chemicals on the EPA's list of Extremely Hazardous Substances present in a quantity equal
to or in excess of their established Threshold Planning Quantity or a 500 pound threshold
(whichever number is less), as well as any hazardous chemical present on site in a quantity equal
to or greater than 10,000 pounds, must be included on an annual report called the Tier II. This
report must be submitted by March 1st of each year to the North Carolina Emergency Response
Commission, the Local Emergency Planning Committee, and the local fire department with
jurisdiction over the reporting facility. Table 16 provides a list of facilities located in Atkinson
that submitted Tier II reports in 1998.
Table 16
Town of Atkinson
1998 Tier II Reporters: Emergency and Hazardous Chemical Inventory
Facility Address Chemicals on Site
Bell South Telecommunication
Lewis Grocery
R.K. Moore Grocery
Scotchman #16
Highway 53 Sulfuric Acid
West Pender Road Gasoline/Kerosene
New Town Road
Highway 53
Source: North Carolina Division of Coastal Management.
5. Fraeile Areas
Gasoline
Gasoline/Kerosene
Subchapter 7H of Chapter 15A of the North Carolina Administrative Code (15A NCAC 7H)
provides the state's definition of areas of environmental concern (AECs). Those areas include
coastal wetlands, ocean hazard areas, estuarine shorelines, inlet hazard areas, public trust waters,
coastal complex natural areas, coastal areas sustaining remnant species, significant coastal
archaeological resources, and significant coastal historic architectural resources. There are no
AECs located within Atkinson. Therefore, the CAMA minor and major permit requirements do
not apply.
However, there are significant non -AEC fragile areas which must be identified and their impacts
on Atkinson discussed. Those are summarized in the following sections, 5.a. through 5.e.
a. 404 Wetlands
The most significant fragile areas in Atkinson are the 404 wetland areas. 404 wetlands
are lands that are wet at least part of the year because their soils are either saturated or
Section I: Analysis of Existing Conditions I-31 1

covered with a shallow layer of water. Wetlands include a variety of natural systems,
such as marshes, swamps, bottomland hardwoods, pocosins, and wet flats. While each
wetland type looks and functions differently, all wetlands share certain properties,
including characteristic wetland vegetation, hydric soils, and hydrologic features. Usually
wetlands are covered by plants, ranging from marsh grasses to trees. All wetland plants
must tolerate living in saturated soil without oxygen during parts of the growing season.
Many wetland plants are called "hydrophytes" because they can live with their roots in
water. Soils that have developed in wetlands are known as "hydric" soils because they
have formed under water-logged conditions. They have distinctive color, texture, and
sometimes odor. The presence of hydric soil means an area was once a wetland; however,
it does not by itself mean that the area functions as a wetland today.
The soils which are potentially hydric are located on Map 4 and include the Rains soil
series. The Rains soils located on the east side of Atkinson primarily include bottomland
hardwood or riverine swamp forest wetlands. The Rains soils on the west and northwest
side of Atkinson include primarily managed pineland. The reader is cautioned that precise
determinations of 404 wetland areas must be made through "in -field" site analysis by a
representative of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington District. Because of the
extensive areas of hydric soils in Atkinson, public and private development should only
be undertaken after an on -site investigation for 404 wetland areas has been conducted by
the Wilmington Office of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Different types of wetlands perform various natural functions, many of which are
important to coastal North Carolina. The role of wetlands as a valuable wildlife habitat
has long been recognized. More recently their critical roles in protecting water quality,
preventing floods and erosion, and maintaining fish populations have become evident.
In addition, numerous economically important products and activities depend on wetlands..
Fish, shellfish, blue crabs and shrimp - vital to commercial and sport fisheries - use
coastal saltmarshes for habitat and food. Inland freshwater wetlands also affect estuarine
water quality and productivity; thus, they too influence fisheries.
The many functions and values of wetlands interrelate to provide a natural resource that
is important to protecting and maintaining the productivity and environmental quality of
the coastal area.
b. Slopes in Excess of 12%
There are no slopes located within the Town of Atkinson which are in excess of 12%.
C. Excessive Erosion Areas
There are no excessive erosion areas located within the Town of Atkinson.
Section I: Analysis of Existing Conditions I-32

d. Historic and Archaeological Sites
Based on the Division of Archives and History files, the following structures of historic/
archeological significance are located within Atkinson:
— Atkinson Historic District.
— Atkinson School.
As of January 8, 1998, the historic district and school site were actively on the study list
to determine eligibility for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. A
specific boundary of the historic district will not be identified until eligibility has been
determined.
In 1995, over 40% of the town's dwelling units had been constructed prior to 1940.
Renovations or demolitions of older structures should be coordinated with the Division
of Archives and History to ensure the preservation of historically and/or architecturally
significant structures.
e. Natural Resource Fragile Areas
Natural resource fragile areas are generally recognized to be of educational, scientific, or
cultural value because of the natural features of the particular site. Features in these areas
serve to distinguish them from the vast majority of the landscape.
These areas include complex natural areas, areas that sustain remnant species, pocosins,
wooded swamps, prime wildlife habitats, or registered natural landmarks. In the vicinity
of the Town of Atkinson, there are fragile natural areas located within the hardwood
swamps along the Black River.
While these areas are not recognized as a 15A NCAC 7H AEC, they are important to the
environmental integrity of the Black River. Primary responsibility for protection of the
swamp areas lies in the 404 wetlands regulatory process.
6. Areas of Resource Potential
a. Agricultural and Forestlmuls
Within Atkinson, the following are considered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to
be prime farmland agricultural soils: Goldsboro fine sandy loam, Norfolk loamy fine sand,
and Rains fine sandy loam. It should be noted that the Rains soils are considered prime
farmland only where drained.
In Atkinson, the Norfolk and Rains soils have good potential for coniferous trees. The
Goldsboro soils have good potential for coniferous trees and some hardwoods.
In summary, there are extensive commercially productive agricultural and forestlands
located within Atkinson.
Section I: Analysis of Existing Conditions I-33 1

b. Regionally Significant Public Parks
There are no regionally significant public parks located in Atkinson. However, the town
does maintain two recreational facilities of local significance (see page I-37, Recreational
Facilities).
G. DEVELOPMENT CONSTRAINTS: PUBLIC FACILITIES AND SERVICES
Water Sunniv
There are no central water systems serving the Town of Atkinson. All residents and businesses
rely on individual wells for water supply. Adequate water supply has not been a problem in
Atkinson, and the town does not intend to pursue construction of a central water system during
the planning period. The 1992 Atkinson Land Use Plan included policies which expressed support
for protection of the town's groundwater supply.
2. Sewaee Disposal
All residential, business, and institutional uses in Atkinson rely on septic tanks for the disposal
of sewage. There are no package treatment plants located in Atkinson. The 1992 Land Use Plan
cited problems with faulty septic tanks and included policies supporting the construction of a
central sewer system. The lack of central sewer service continues to be an obstacle to growth and
economic development. Septic tanks will continue to fail and malfunction, primarily because of
poor soil conditions. During implementation of the Fiscal Year 1995 Community Development
Block Grant, five of the 11 dwelling units rehabilitated had failed septic tanks. These 11 houses
were scattered throughout Atkinson.
3. Drainaee
Both the 1987 and 1992 Atkinson Land Use Plans cited inadequate drainage as a major problem.
This problem continues to exist. During heavy rainfall, serious flooding occurs at the intersection
of Church Street and Rankin Street as well as at the intersection of College and Church Streets.
Atkinson needs to undertake preparation of a town -wide drainage study. Because of the lack of
relief (elevation), the natural discharge of stormwater runoff is a problem. Inadequate drainage
of stormwater also increases the problems encountered with failing and malfunctioning septic
tanks.
4. chools
Atkinson's kindergarten through grade 4 students attend Malpass Comer Elementary School. This
school, which is located at Malpass Comer on NC 421, opened in the 1993-94 school year.
Students in grades 5 through 8 attend West Pender Middle School, which is located approximately
three miles from the town limit Be. Students in grades 9 through 12 attend Pender High School,
located approximately ten miles from the town in the direction of Burgaw. Table 17 provides a
summary of capacity and enrollment data for these three schools.
Section I: Analysis of Existing Conditions I-34 1

Table 17
School Capacity for Pender County Schools
Serving the Town of Atkinson, 1997-98
1997-98
1997-98
Capacity
Capacity
Enrollment
Level*
Malpass Comer Elementary
750
838
11.7% over
West Pender Middle School
322
321
0.3% under
Pender High School
1,005
1,218
21.2% over
Source: Pender County Board of Education.
*These figures do not take into consideration 6 wooden framed classrooms and 2 mobile classrooms at
Malpass Comer Elementary; 5 wooden framed classrooms and 2 mobile classrooms at West Pender Middle
School; and 8 wooden framed classrooms and 4 mobile classrooms at Pender High School.
5. Solid Waste Disposal
Atkinson provides its own curbside collection of solid waste. Pickup occurs once per week for
both residential and commercial customers. The waste is transferred to Waste Management of
Central North Carolina.
When the town's land use plan was last updated in 1992, solid waste originating in Atkinson was
transported to the Pender County Landfill. However, this facility reached its capacity in 1995 and
has since been closed. The majority of Pender County's solid waste is hauled to the Sampson
County Landfill. Some material is also transported to a landfill located in New Hanover County.
The Sampson County Landfill is estimated to have a life expectancy of 25 to 50 years.
An analysis of local government solid waste streams is conducted annually by the Division of
Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance (DPPEA). The following table provides a
summary of this analysis for the Town of Atkinson. The information provided is for fiscal year
(July -June) 1996-97.
Table 18
Town of Atkinson
Quick Waste Stream Analysis
Local
Material
Tonnage
Total Paper
82.9
Newsprint
11.92
Cardboard
32.21
Magazines
2.87
Office Paper
8.74
Mixed Paper
27.15
Glass
13.72
Aluminum Cans
1.86
Section I: Analysis of Existing Conditions. I-35

1 Table 18 (continued)
'
Local
Material
Tonnage
Steel Cans
2.34
Total Plastic
$_.58
PETE
1.14
HDPE
1.54
'
Other
5.92
Pallets and Wood Crates
20.30
' Food Wastes
16.19
White Goods
3.62
' Special Wastes
Used Oil (do-it-yourself gallons)
130.66
Used Paint (HHW subset)
0.17
' Note: This analysis seeks to identify the presence of
basic materials in
a community's waste stream. The "local tonnage" column is
based on the state averages for each material.
'
Source: Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental. Assistance.
' The town does not have a recycling program.
6. Administration
' The Town of Atkinson has a Mayor/Board of Aldermen form of government consisting of four
members. The town has no full-time employees. The Town Clerk/Tax Collector works
' approximately 24 hours per week. The town's Planning Board, which also functions as the board
of adjustment, is comprised of three members. The Board of Aldermen is in charge of a street
committee and a committee for parks and recreation.
' 7. E&CA
' Atkinson has two full-time and two part-time police officers. The town owns one patrol car. The
town believes that the police department will be adequate to serve the town's needs.
' 8. Fire
The Town of Atkinson takes great pride in its fire department. The department is comprised of
25 volunteer members. Fire equipment owned by the town consists of four fire engines, one
utility van, and one brush truck. The department has an ISO rating of 9. Town officials feel that
the fire department is currently adequate to serve its needs. Since 1992, the fire department
' building has been renovated to provide equipment storage space.
1 Section I: Analysis of Existing Conditions I-36 ,

9. Transportation
Major thoroughfares through Atkinson include NC Highway 53 (commonly known as Church
Street), Rooks Road, and Rankin Street. The town maintains 4.146 miles of road; 3.486 miles
are surfaced and .661 miles remain unsurfaced. Unless deliveries are being made, no loaded
trucks are permitted on town roads. The increasing truck traffic on NC 53 and the town's desire
to maintain quiet residential streets were addressed in the 1992 land use plan, and both continue
to be local concerns. There is no thoroughfare plan for Atkinson.
Since 1992, both Whitehouse Avenue and College Street have been repaved. In addition, areas
of Fourth Avenue have been "spot" paved, and one block of the street was completely repaved.
Main Street and First Avenue continue to need repaving.
10. Electrical Distribution and Energy Generating Facilities
Electricity is provided to Atkinson from Carolina Power & Light. The town has never
experienced a major electrical shortage. There are no energy generating facilities located within
Atkinson.
11. Emergencv Rescue
Atkinson has seven emergency medical technicians residing in the town. These EMTs are
members of the Pender County Rescue Squad. The town does not own any emergency medical
equipment. All police, fire, and rescue squads are dispatched through Pender County.
12. Recreational Facilities
The Town of Atkinson maintains two recreational facilities. Although the main building of the
old Atkinson Middle School has been sold, the town has acquired the cafeteria, gymnasium, and
outdoor recreational facilities, including a ball field and two basketball goals, for its own use. In
addition, Hoggard Park, a 1.5 acre area located on Rankin Street, offers the following facilities:
picnic shelter, grills, benches, basketball goals, playground equipment, fence, and parking
facilities.
The town rents its gymnasium to the Youth Council which has after school and summer programs
for children. The Youth Council is currently serving approximately 130 children.
In many jurisdictions in eastern North Carolina, off -road vehicles are widely utilized. However,
because Atkinson does not have an extraterritorial jurisdiction (no large vacant areas) the use of
off -road vehicles has not been a problem.
Section I: Analysis of Existing Conditions I-37 1

13. Health Services
Pender Memorial Hospital is the only hospital located in Pender County. This facility, located
'
at 507 E. Fremont Street in Burgaw, has been in operation since 1951 and is governed by an
appointed board. Although its administration has had an abundance of cash flow problems in
recent months, there is a great interest in finding a solution to keep the facility open. Pender
'
Memorial Hospital contains 80 beds and provides the following services to Pender, Duplin, and
Bladen counties.
— Acute care
'
Medical surgical hospital care
— Critical care unit
Skilled nursing facility (SNF)
_ 24-hour emergency department - professional physicians
— Complete radiology laboratory
— Respiratory and physical therapy departments
Rocky Point clinic
— Industrial health care program
Home health care program
'
Out -patient surgery
— Mammography facility
— Out -patient clinics (orthopedic, podiatry, vascular surgery, general surgery)
The Black River Health Center is located in Atkinson and provides family health care to many of
the town's residents. For more specialized medical care, residents travel to nearby Wilmington
'
where the New Hanover Regional Medical Center serves Atkinson's residents with their more
critical health care needs. Health services appear to be adequate to serve the area's needs through
'
the planning period.
LI
1
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Section I: Analysis of Existing Conditions
I-38

SECTION II: PROJECTED LAND DEVELOPMENT ANALYSIS
' A. PROJECTED DEMAND FOR DEVELOPMENT
' 1. Permanent Population
a. Regional and County
' Fourteen of the twenty North Carolina counties affected by the Coastal Area Management
Act (CAMA) are expected to experience a net permanent population growth from 1996
to 2010. As Table 19 indicates,
the five counties expected to experience
negative
population growth are Bertie, Camden, Hertford, Hyde,
and Washington.
Tyrrell
County's population may be expected to fluctuate during the fourteen -year period but
' actually experience no net gain or loss.
Table 19
Total Population and Percent Change for
'
CAMA Counties and State, 1996-2010
% Change
'
County 1996
2000
2005
2010
'96-10
Beaufort 43,210
44,280
44,760
45,175
4.5%
Bertle 20,532
20,154
19,687
19,590
-4.6%
'
Brunswick 62,856
66,497
73,285
79,644
26.7%
Camden 6,356
6,202
6,244
6,303
-0.1%
Carteret 58,341
64,209
69,543
74,280
27.3%
Chowan 14,152
14,666
14,940
15,283
8.0%
Craven 87,174
93,955
100,237
105,252
20.7%
Currituck 16,372
16,867
18,206
19,621
19.8%
Dare 26,542
31,491
36,479
41,495
56.3%
Gates 9,864
10,094
10,381
10,740
8.8%
' Hertford 22,214
22,190
21,927
21,709
-2.3%
Hyde 5,191
5,151
5,017
4,837
-6.8%
New Hanover 143,430
139,332
145,147
150,936
5.2%
' Onslow 150,216
169,659
185,627
198,617
32.2%
Pamlico 12,010
12,354
12,675
13,003
8.3%
Pasquotank 33,848
34,560
35,948
37,411
10.5%
' Pender 35,978
36,374
39,448
42,331
17.7%
Perquimans 10,756
11,226
11,587
12,005
11.6%
Tyrrell 3,671
3,805
3,713
3,671
0.0%
'
Washington 13,504
13,473
11010
12,518
-7.3%
Total CAMA Counties 776,217
816,539
868,041
914,421
17.8%
State of North Carolina 7,323,085
7,444,961
7,762,906
8,070,539
10.2%
Source: Office of State Planning.
Section 11: Projected Land Development Analysis

In the year 2010, Pender County may be expected to be the seventh largest CAMA
county. In addition, Pender County's population is expected to grow at a rate faster than
all but six of the CAMA counties. Table 19 also indicates that during the fourteen year ,
period, the total CAMA counties are expected to grow at a rate (17.8%) faster than that
of the state as a whole (10.2%).
Table 20 provides a summary of population characteristics that have been forecast by the ,
Office of State Planning for Pender County. This county -wide data has been provided
because forecasts of Addnson's population characteristics are not available. '
Table 20
Pender County ,
Summary of Population Characteristics Forecasts, 2000-2010
% Change
Age Group
2000
2005
2010
400-410 .
0-4
2,432
2,497
2,597
6.4%
5-17
6,404
6,705
7,191
12.3%
18-24
2,671
3,128
3,259
'
22.0%
25-34
4,614
4,557
4,770
3.4%
35.44
5,312
5,495
5,424
2.1%
45-54
5,141
5,638
5,999
'
16.7%
55-59
2,169
2,790
2,874
32.5%
60-64
1,994
2,355
2,903
45.6% ,
65+
5,637
6,283
7,324
30.0%
Total
36,374
39,448
42,331
16.4%
Median Age
39.0
40.2
41.5
6.4% '
% Change
Race and Sex
2000
2005
2010
100-110 '
White Male
13,329
14,858
16,197
21.5%
White Female
13,655
15,179
16,703
22.3%
Subtotal
26,984
30,037
32,900
21.9% '
Other Male
4,270
4,253
4,235
-0.8%
Other Female
5,120
5,158
5,196
1.5 %
Subtotal
2 320
2 4 t t
2431
0 4% '
Total
36,374
39,448
42,331
16.4%
Source: Office of State Planning.
As Table 20 indicates, Fender County's median age may be expected to increase from ,
39.0 to 41.5 between the years 2000-2010. In addition, in the year 2010, the age groups
5-17 and 65+ may be expected to comprise the largest portion of the county's total
population occupying 17.0% and 17.3%, respectively. The county's population will '
continue to be dominated by individuals of the white race due to the fact that all other
races combined may be expected to increase by only 0.4% during the ten year period.
Section II: Projected Land Development Analysis II-2 '

J
In conformance with the Coastal Area Management Act planning guidelines, population
projections for the municipalities within Pender County have been prepared through 2010.
However, the reader is cautioned that the CAMA five-year planning period extends
through 2002. The population projections are provided in Table 21. It is emphasized that
the municipal forecasts do not take into consideration annexations which may occur. As
a result, the population of some municipalities may prove to be above the figures which
are forecast.
The overall county population is expected to increase from 35,978 in 1996 to 42,331 in
2010. This increase of 17.7% (an annual average of 1.3%) was applied to all
municipalities within the county.
Table 21 provides an indicator of anticipated municipal growth within Pender County.
In the year 2010, approximately 15.7% of Pender County's total population is expected
to reside within the corporate limits of the county's municipalities.
Table 21
Pender County
Forecasted Year -Round Population Growth, 1996-2010
Municipality
1996
2000
2005
2010
Atkinson
301
304
330
354
Burgaw
3,519
3,558
3,858
4,140
St. Helena
353
357
387
415
Sloop Point
21
21
23
25
Surf City (pan)
809
818
887
952
Topsail Beach
434
439
476
511
Wallace (pan)
32
32
35
38
Watha
171
173
187
201
Total Municipalities
5,640
5,702
6,184
6,636
Total Unincorporated Areas
30,338
30,672
33,264
35,695
Total County
35,978
36,374
39,448
42,331
Source: North Carolina Office of State Planning. Extrapolation of data for unincorporated areas
by Holland Consulting Planners, Inc.
Section II: Projected Land Development Analysis 11-3 1

b. Town of Atkinson 1
Table 21 indicates that Atkinson's population may reach 354 by 2010. Thus, with the
,
exception of Sloop Point and a portion of Wallace, Atkinson will remain the smallest
municipality in Pender County. Because of Atkinson's relatively isolated location in
western Pender County and the lack of central water and sewer utilities, the town may be
expected to continue in a long-term pattern of slow or no population growth. The biggest
'
demographic change which may be expected in Atkinson during the planning period will
be an increase in the age of the town's population.
'
2. Land Use
No major changes in land use are expected to occur in Atkinson during the planning period. The
'
town's zoning and subdivision ordinances will be utilized to regulate development. The following
is a summary of the zoning districts which exist in Atkinson.
,
• RA Rural Agricultural District: This district is established as one in which the principal
use of land is for low density single-family residential purposes. The regulations of this
district encourage farming activities and the preservation of open space. The district is
,
designed to promote ex -urban, low density residential development not requiring urban
services while maintaining prime farm land and a rural life style.
'
• R-15 Residential District: This district is intended as a single-family and two-family
residential area with a low population density. Certain structures and uses of
governmental, educational, religious, and non-commercial recreational natures are either
,
permitted outright or are subject to special conditions intended to preserve and protect the
residential character of this district.
'
• RM-15 Residential: The purpose of this district is to provide for the proper location of
apartments or multi -family housing. This district would be most appropriate between
commercial and office uses and single-family residential areas.
,
• C-1 Office and Related Commercial District: This district is intended to be applied to
areas undergoing transition from residential to commercial uses. It is designed to preserve '
the basic residential character of these areas and to guide transition by permitting
commercial uses of low intensity nature. These uses can be provided for in the form of
either existing or new structures. '
• C-2 General Commercial: This district is intended to include areas along streets carrying
relatively large volumes of traffic where commercial development has displaced residential '
development or has grown up on vacant lands. Regulations are designed to guide future
change, to minimize nimize the formulation of commercial slums, to preserve the carrying
capacity of streets, and to encourage adequate off-street parking and loading space. It is t
not the intent of these regulations to encourage the growth of commercial strips.
The most urgent land use issue is the need to rezone the old Atkinson Middle School property to '
the commercial zoning district.
Section II: Projected Land Development Analysis II-4 '

B. PROJECTED PUBLIC FACILITIES AND SERVICES NEEDS/AVAILABILITY
' The major public facilities/service need in Atkinson during the planning period will continue to be the
provision of central sewer service. To date, no studies on the feasibility of providing such service have
been undertaken. During the planning period, the town should seek funding for a sewer feasibility study.
' Other facilities/service needs which should be addressed during the planning period include the following:
Preparation of a town -wide drainage study and continued maintenance of drainage ditches.
Repaving of streets in need of repair.
Renovation of the old Atkinson Middle School gymnasium.
' — Amendment of the town's zoning ordinance to include zoning provisions for the old
Atkinson Middle School property.
Maintenance of Hoggard Park.
The town considers the police, fire, rescue, and administrative services adequate to address its needs
during the planning period.
C. REDEVELOPMENT ISSUES
Rehabilitation of the town's aging housing stock continues to be the major redevelopment issue facing the
Town of Atkinson. If no new construction occurred, 45 % of the town's residential structures would be
over 60 years old in 2010. The Fiscal Year 1995 CDBG rehabilitation project eliminated most of the
town's substandard housing.
Additionally, maintenance of commercial structures and outbuildings is a concern which prompted the
town to include condemnation procedures in its building code regulations, adopted in 1989. Many
outbuildings throughout the town, particularly farm outbuildings, are in need of major repair or
demolition. Improvement of commercial structures is necessary to maintain the attractiveness of the
Central Business District and viability of the town's economy.
A final redevelopment issue is the need to utilize and maintain areas of productive farmland in and around
the town. Preservation and continued productive use of farmland is vital to the community spirit and
economy of the town.
D. INTERGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION AND IMPLEMENTATION
This plan was reviewed by the Pender County Planning Department prior to certification by the Coastal
Resources Commission. This review was provided to help ensure consistency of this plan with Pender
County's planning efforts. Intergovernmental coordination and cooperation will continue through the ten-
year planning period. This will be essential to accomplish effective planning for public utilities,
thoroughfare projects, community facilities, housing needs, and environmental protection. The Atkinson
Board of Aldermen and Planning Board will be responsible for ensuring adequate coordination with Pender
County and other government entities as may be required.
Section II: Projected Land Development Analysis II-5

I
1
1
1
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SECTION III: LAND CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
The Coastal Area Management Act regulations require the establishment of a specific land classification
system to support the local government's policy statements. This system should reflect developing land
use patterns within a community. The CAMA 15A NCAC 7B regulations state:
"The land classification system provides a framework to be used by local governments to
identify the future use of all lands. 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."
The 15A NCAC 7B requirements provide for the following land classifications: developed, urban
transition, limited transition, community, rural, rural with services, and conservation. The only three land
classifications that apply in Atkinson are developed, rural, and conservation.
The following land classifications are shown on the Land Classification Map (Map 5), and will apply in
Atkinson:
Developed areas included in the developed land classification are currently urban in character, with
no or minimal undeveloped land remaining. Municipal types of services, with the exception of
central water and sewer service, are in place or are expected to be provided within the next five
to ten years. Land uses include residential, commercial, public/semi-public, and other urban land
uses at the following densities which are prescribed by 15A NCAC 713:
500 dwelling units per square mile, or
three dwelling units per acre, or
where a majority of lots are 15,000 square feet or less.
The developed classification includes lands which are zoned R-15 Residential, RM-15 Residential,
C-1 Office and Related Commercial, and C-2 General Commercial. These zoning districts are
defined by the town's zoning ordinance as follows..
R-15 Residential District: This district is intended as a single-family and two-family
residential area with a low population density. Certain structures and uses of government,
educational, religious, and non-commercial recreational natures are either permitted
outright or are subject to special conditions intended to preserve and protect the residential
character of this district.
RM-15 Residential District: The purpose of this district is to provide for the proper
location of apartments or multi -family housing. This district would be most appropriate
between commercial and office uses and single-family residential areas.
C-1 Office and Related Commercial District: This district is intended to be applied to
areas undergoing transition from residential to commercial uses. It is designed to preserve
the basic residential character of these areas and to guide transition by permitting
commercial uses of low intensity nature. These uses can be provided for in the form of
either existing or new structures.
1
Section III: Land Classification System III-1

C-2 General Commercial District: This district is intended to include areas along streets
carrying relatively large volumes of traffic where commercial development has displaced
residential development or has grown up on vacant lands. Regulations are designed to '
guide future change, to minimize the formulation of commercial slums, to preserve the
carrying capacity of streets, and to encourage adequate off-street parking and loading
space. It is not the intent of these regulations to encourage growth of commercial strips. ,
Ural - As defined by 15A NCAC 7B, these are areas which provide for agriculture, forestry,
mineral extraction, and other allied uses traditionally associated with an agrarian region. Other '
land uses, due to their noxious or hazardous nature and negative impacts on adjacent uses, may
also be appropriate here if sited in a manner that minimizes their negative effect on surrounding
land uses or natural resources. Examples include energy generating plants, refining plants, '
airports, sewage treatment facilities, fuel storage tanks, and other industrial type uses. Very low
density dispersed residential uses on large lots with on -site water and sewer are consistent with
the intent of the rural class. Development in this class should be as compatible as possible with t
resource production.
In Atkinson, all rural classified lands are zoned RA Rural Agricultural. The Atkinson zoning '
ordinance defines this district as follows:
RA Rural Agricultural District: The RA Waal agricultural district is established as a '
district in which the principal use of land is for low density single-family residential
purposes. The regulations of this district encourage rural farming activities and the
preservation of open space. The district is designed to promote exurban, low density '
residential development not requiring urban services while maintaining prime farm land
and a rural life style.
Conservation - This classification includes areas of 404 wetlands which meet the wetlands '
definition contained in Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. Only those uses consistent with the
policy statements section of this plan and the Atkinson zoning ordinance will be allowed. These
areas are generally delineated on the Land Classification Map. Specific locations must be '
determined in the field by representatives of the Wilmington office of the U. S. Army Corps of
Engineers.
[]
Section III: Land Classification System I11-2 ,

I
' SECTION IV: ATKINSON POLICY STATEMENTS
A. INTRODUCTION TO POLICY STATEMENTS
' This section of the plan provides policies which will address growth management and protection of
Atkinson's environment. The policies are based on the objectives of the citizens of Atkinson and satisfy
the objectives of the Coastal Resources Commission.
As a minimum, the Coastal Resources Commission requires the town's and all local governments' policies
to address the following areas of concern:
— Resource Protection
Resource Production and Management
Economic and Community Development
Continuing Public Participation
Storm Hazard Mitigation
It is emphasized that the policy statements are extremely important and have a day-to-day impact on
individual citizens within the Town of Atkinson. Areas in which the statements have an impact include:
— Establishment of local planning policy.
— Review of proposed projects requiring state or federal assistance or approval to determine
consistency with local polices.
There are no areas of environmental concern as defined by 15A NCAC 7H located in the Town of
Atkinson. CAMA minor and major permitting as required by NCGS 113A-118 does not apply to the
town. All policies stated in this plan must be supported by local ordinances and actions in order to ensure
implementation. Policies considered but not adopted are included in Appendix II.
B. VISION STATEMENT
Atkinson desires to continue its role as a low to moderate density rural community. The lack of central
water and sewer services will continue to limit growth opportunities. It is not expected that the majority
of the town's residents will support central water and sewer services. Atkinson will continue to primarily
serve as a "bedroom" community with limited industrial and commercial development. No significant
changes in the town's land use patterns are expected during the planning period.
C. RESOURCE PROTECTION POLICIES
Community Attitude Toward Resource Protection
Atkinson does not contain any state identified areas of environmental concern. The town's main concerns
focus on improving existing development and protecting its residential areas. Because of the reliance on
individual wells for water supply, the protection of groundwater resources is important. The following
concerns should be addressed by Atkinson's resource protection policies:
— Elimination of stormwater drainage problems.
Preservation of the town's historic properties.
Protection of groundwater quality.
Section IV: Atkinson Policy Statements IV-1

I
Physical Limitations: I
Soil (issue discussed page I-28) '
Policy (a): Atkinson will stress low density development in areas with soils suitable for development.
Implementation: '
(a) Atkinson will enforce all current regulations of the N.C. State Building Code and
the Pender County Health Department relating to building, construction, and
septic tank installation/replacement in areas with soil restrictions.
(b) Atkinson will rely on its zoning ordinance and building inspections to enforce
policy (a).
Schedule: Continuing Activity.
Policy (b): The Town of Atkinson will cooperate with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the
regulation/enforcement of the 404 wetlands permit process.
Implementation: Atkinson will rely on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to regulate the
development of 404 wetland areas.
Schedule: Continuing Activity. ,
Flood Hazard Areas (issue discussed page I-28)
Policy: Flood Hazard Maps identified no flood hazard areas within the Town of Atkinson.
However, the town will discourage development in areas susceptible to flooding.
Implementation. The town will rely on its subdivision ordinance to enforce this policy.
Schedule: Continuing Activity.
Groundwater/Protection of Potable Water Supplies (issue discussed page I-34)
Policy (a): Atkinson desires to conserve its surficial groundwater resources.
Implementation: Atkinson will conserve its surficial groundwater resources by enforcing
N.C. Division of Water Quality stormwater runoff regulations, and by coordinating local
development activities involving chemical storage or underground storage tanks with the
North Carolina Division of Water Quality.
Schedule: Continuing activity.
Manmade Hazards (issue discussed page I-31)
Policy (a): Atkinson opposes the temporary or permanent storage or disposal of any toxic wastes, as
defined by the Environmental Protection Agency, within its planning jurisdiction.
1
Section IV: Atkinson Policy Statements IV-2 I

I
Policy (b): Atkinson supports the development of Tier II reporting businesses within its jurisdiction
in areas which do not present a hazard to adjacent land uses, especially land uses such as
1 schools, hospitals, and residential areas.
Implementation: The town will revise its zoning ordinance to incorporate provisions to
implement manmade hazards policies (a) and (b).
Schedule: Revise zoning ordinance FY1999-2000.
iPolicy (c): Atkinson supports regulation of underground storage tanks in order to protect its
groundwater resources.
Implementation: The town will rely on the technical requirements and state program
approval for underground storage tanks (40 CFR, parts 280 and 281), and any subsequent
state regulations concerning underground storage tanks adopted during the planning
period.
' Schedule: Continuing activity.
Stormwater Runoff (issue discussed page I-34)
MPolicy (a): Atkinson recognizes the value of water quality maintenance to the protection of fragile
areas and to the provision of clean water for recreational purposes. The town will support
' state regulation relating to stormwater runoff resulting from development (Stormwater
Disposal Policy 15A NCAC 2H.001-.1003) and local actions to improve stormwater
runoff.
Implementation:
(a) The town will develop a master drainage plan and storm water control ordinance.
Schedule: FY2000-2001.
(b) The town will continue to utilize town, contract labor, and work service program
assistance to maintain roadside drainage ditches throughout the town.
Schedule: Continuing Activity.
Cultural/Historic Resources (issue discussed page I-32)
Policy: The Town of Atkinson supports protection of its historic and cultural resources.
Implementation:
(a) The town will notify the Division of Archives and History of any construction
activity in the vicinity of the Atkinson School and the Atkinson Historic District.
(b) The town will continue to maintain and landscape the abandoned railroad tracks
' located in the center of town.
Schedule: Continuing activity.
Section IV: Atkinson Policy Statements IV-3

Industrial Impacts on Fragile Areas (issue discussed on page I-19)
Policy: The town supports industrial development that is compatible with its small town character.
However, development proposals will be reviewed on a case -by -case basis judging the
need for such development against any potentially adverse environmental impact.
Industries must be developed and operated without damage to groundwater resources,
wetlands, or adjacent productive agricultural lands.
Implementation: Atkinson will rely on its zoning ordinance to implement this policy.
Schedule: Continuing Activity.
Package Treatment Plant Use (issue discussed page I-34)
Policy: The Town of Atkinson recognizes that subdivision, multi -family, or mobile home park
development currently allowed by the town's zoning ordinance may require the
construction of package sewage treatment plants. Not wishing to discourage those types
of development in appropriately zoned areas, the Town of Atkinson will support the
construction of package treatment plants which are approved and permitted by the state
Division of Environmental Management and by the Pender County Health
Department/Division of Health Services. If any package plants are approved, Atkinson
supports requirement of a specific contingency plan specifying how ongoing private
operation and maintenance of the plant will be provided.
Implementation: Atkinson will rely on the Division of Water Quality Management for
implementation of this policy.
Schedule: Continuing Activity.
Sea Level Rise
This is not an issue in Atkinson's planning jurisdiction.
Water Ouality Management (issue discussed page I-25)
Policy: Atkinson supports the North Carolina Division of Water Quality Management's goals for
water quality management contained in the Cape Fear Basinwide Management Plan.
Implementation: The town will review all local ordinances to determine what, if any,
revisions should be made to reduce the potential for impairment of water quality. Such
revisions may include but are not necessarily limited to:
[1
I
I
I
I
I
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-Reduction of the construction of impervious surfaces '
-Provision of vegetative buffers along estuarine shorelines
-Allowing or requiring strip paving
-Requiring retention and/or detention pond facilities
Schedule: FY1999-2001
I
Section IV: Atkinson Policy Statements IV-4 11

' D. RESOURCE PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT POLICY STATEMENTS
Community Attitude Toward Resource Production
There are no CAMA Areas of Environmental Concern within Atkinson's planning jurisdiction. Atkinson
' supports responsible development of its vacant property. The town will remain primarily a residential
community but will encourage responsible commercial and industrial development. Because the town does
not have an extraterritorial jurisdiction, there is no significant productive agricultural or forestland located
within the town.
Recreation Resources (issue discussed page I-37)
' Policy: Atkinson will continue its ongoing efforts to maintain abundant open space within the
town, to improve existing recreational facilities, and to acquire additional open space for
' public recreation facilities when financially feasible.
Implementation: The town will implement its 1989 Recreation and Open Space Plan.
' Schedule: Continuing Activity
Off -Road Vehicles (issue discussed page I-37)
Policy: Atkinson supports regulation of off -road vehicles.
' Implementation: Atkinson will adopt an ordinance to regulate the use of off -road vehicles.
Schedule: FY2000/2001
Productive Agricultural Lands (issue discussed page I-33)
r Policy (a): Atkinson desires to maintain its prime agricultural farmlands.
Implementation: Where agricultural production is occurring within Atkinson, the town
supports and encourages the use of U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Services Best
Management Practices program to protect productive agricultural lands.
Schedule: Continuing Activity.
Policy (b): Atkinson opposes the location of intensive livestock operations within its planning
jurisdiction.
Implementation: The town will rely on its zoning ordinance to implement this policy.
' Schedule: Continuing Activity.
Productive Forestlands (issue discussed page I-33)
A Policy: The Town of Atkinson feels that preservation of woodlands in its outlying RA districts is
important to maintaining community appearance, wildlife habitat, and to attracting quality
' residential, commercial, and industrial development. Additionally, the town believes that
Section IV: Atkinson Policy Statements IV-5

commercial forestry is destructive to its woodlands resources, and generally inconsistent
with the town's agricultural/residential character. Commercial forestry will also create
a general nuisance and potential safety hazards. To maintain its existing woodlands
resources and discourage commercial forestry operations, Atkinson will: '
Implementation: '
(a) Revise its existing zoning ordinance to prohibit construction of sawmills or other
forestry -related industrial uses in RA zoned areas.
Schedule (a): FY2001/2002
(b) Atkinson encourages and supports forestry best management practices as defined ,
in the Forestry Best Management Practices Manual, 1989, North Carolina
Division of Forest Resources.
(c) Based on residential development trends during the planning period, consider '
establishment of minimum landscaping requirements and woodlands protection for
subdivision and commercial development in RA zoned areas.
Schedule (b) - (c): Continuing Activities
(d) The town will investigate its authority and options available to establish an ,
ordinance requiring companies/individuals operating trucks, including logging
trucks, within the town limits to pay for damages caused to town -maintained
streets. Atkinson believes that the company/individual causing the damage should ,
be held accountable for the cost of repair.
Schedule (d): FY2001/2002
Residential. Commercial. and Industrial Development Impacts on Resources (issue discussed pages I-19
and II-4)
Policy (a): Residential, commercial, and industrial development which is consistent with the town's
zoning and subdivision ordinances and the policies contained in this plan will be allowed.
High density development will be discouraged in areas containing hydric soils and in rural
classified areas.
Implementation:
(a) The town will rely on its zoning ordinance to support this policy.
Schedule: Continuing Activity.
(b) The town will amend its zoning ordinance to provide more restrictive regulation
for the location of individual mobile homes. ,
Schedule: FY2001/2002
Section IV: Atkinson Policy Statements IV-6 I

iE. ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT POLICIES
Community Attitude Toward Economic and Community Development
The town has taken great strides in adopting land use controls since 1990. The town has adopted a town
ordinance, zoning ordinance, subdivision regulations, and developed a CAMA-funded recreation plan.
However, the town is concerned that commercial, and in particular, industrial development in areas outside
the town limits might proceed in an unregulated manner. Such development might prove incompatible
1 with the desired pattern of land use in Atkinson, damage fragile groundwater resources or farm and
wooded land, or force unplanned demand for town services.
Types and Location of Planned Development (issue discussed pages I-20 and I-22)
Policy: The Town of Atkinson wants to encourage economic development while preserving its
' quiet, residential character and its outlying agricultural and woodland resources. The
town also wants to maintain the general zoning patterns and development densities
included in the original zoning ordinance adopted in 1989.
' Implementation:
(a) Continue to enforce the town's existing zoning ordinance to ensure land use
compatibility and promote low density residential and commercial development.
1 (b) Discourage industrial and commercial development that is incompatible with
agricultural operations, potentially destructive to the local groundwater resource,
or that would be a possible nuisance and safety hazard to residents of the town.
The Town of Atkinson will not consider rezoning an area for any industrial use
which has the potential to cause one or more of those problems.
(c) Encourage commercial and industrial activity that is compatible with the town's
residential/agricultural character, that will not pose a threat to local groundwater
resource, and will not provide a potential threat to the health and safety of local
residents due to on -site storage of hazardous materials, excessive noise, or
significant increase in traffic volume.
(d) Limit new industrial zoned areas to existing RA zoned or C-2 areas when
amending the existing zoning ordinance to accommodate a new industry. New
industrial activity should be limited to light industry, e.g., printing —and
reproduction, addressing services, distribution of books and printed matter,
cabinet making, warehousing, etc.
Schedule (a) - (d): Continuing Activities.
Policy (b): In order to extend its authority to control growth and regulate development, the Town of
' Atkinson will attempt to establish extraterritorial jurisdiction during the next five years.
Schedule: FY2002/2003
i
Section IV: Atkinson Policy Statements IV-7

Recreation (issue discussed page I-37)
Policy: The Town of Atkinson will maintain and strive to expand its existing recreational
facilities.
Implementation:
(a) The town will utilize local funds on an annual basis to continue improvements at
Hoggard Park as outlined in the town's Recreation and Open Space Plan.
(b) The town will attempt to preserve open space through its zoning policies and will I
acquire additional space for recreational facilities if affordable land is available
during the planning period.
Schedule (a)- (b): Continuing Activities.
Water Supply (issue discussed pages I-34 and II-5)
Policy: There are no significant constraints to development relating to the town's potable water
supply. The local groundwater resources should continue to provide adequate water
supply throughout the planning period. The town will not seek funding for a town -wide
water system during the planning period, and will preserve groundwater resources through
the implementation of other policies discussed herein.
'
Implementation: See ground water supply on page I-34.
Schedule: Continuing Activity.
Sewer System (issue discussed pages I-34 and II-5)
Policy: Due to anticipated increasing problems with existing individual septic systems, soils
limitations to new development, the need to attract commercial and selected types of
industrial activity, and the need to preserve groundwater resources, the Town of Atkinson
,
strongly supports development of a municipal sewer system.
Implementation: During the ten-year planning period, the town will seriously examine
,
funding alternatives for a town -wide sewer system and prepare a funding feasibility study
for review by the governing body. However, the town recognizes that construction of a
town -wide system may be cost prohibitive.
Schedule: Prepare funding feasibility study FY2001/2002.
Solid Waste Disposal (issue discussed page I-34)
'
Policy (a): Atkinson supports a policy of cooperation with Pender County to develop alternatives for
solid waste disposal that will not endanger groundwater resources or violate federal and
,
state air quality standards.
Implementation: Atkinson supports the disposal of its waste in the Sampson County
landfill.
Schedule: Continuing Activity. I
Section IV: Atkinson Policy Statements IV-8 ,

' Policy (b): Atkinson supports efforts to recycle and reduce waste, including expansion of existing
recycling services.
Implementation: The town will cooperate with any efforts to educate people and businesses
on waste reduction and recycling. Atkinson supports recycling by its residents and
' businesses and supports setting up practical collection methods and education efforts to
achieve a high degree of town -wide recycling.
Schedule: Continuing Activity.
Storm Drainage (issue discussed page I-34)
' Policy: The town will continue to maintain roadside ditches with town funds on an annual basis,
and will support the Division of Environmental Management stormwater runoff retention
' system through its zoning permit system.
Implementation:
' (a) Rely on zoning ordinance to coordinate development with the Division of Water
Quality.
' Schedule: Continuing Activity.
(b) Prepare a town -wide storm drainage study.
Schedule: FY2002/2003
nMes and Location of Commercial and Industrial Development (issue discussed pages I-19 and I-20)
Policy (a): Atkinson will encourage and promote economic development while preserving its cultural
and historic character.
' Policy (b): Atkinson will encourage commercial and industrial activity that is compatible with the
town's surrounding land uses, that will not pose a threat to local groundwater resources,
' and will not provide a potential threat to the health and safety of local residences due to
on -site storage of hazardous materials, excessive noise, or significant increase in traffic
volume.
Implementation: Atkinson will rely on its zoning ordinance to enforce policies (a) and (b).
' Schedule: Continuous Activity.
Tourism (issue discussed page I-18)
' Policy: Atkinson views tourism as a significant contributor to the local economy and supports
continued development of the tourism industry.
Implementation:
(a) Atkinson will support North Carolina Department of Transportation projects to
' improve access to Pender County.
Section IV: Atkinson Policy Statements IV-9

(b) Atkinson will continue to support the activities of the North Carolina Division of
Travel and Tourism; specifically, the monitoring of tourism -related industry and
efforts to promote tourism -related commercial activity. '
(c) Atkinson will continue to support its annual festival, the Atkinson Christmas
Jubilee. '
Schedule (a) - (c): Continuing Activities
Energy Facility Siting and Development (issue discussed page I-56) ,
Policy (a):
Atkinson will review proposals for development or expansion of electric generating plants
within its vicinity on a case -by -case basis, judging the need for the facility against all
'
identified possible adverse impacts. The town reserves the right to comment on the
impacts of any energy facility construction or expansion within Pender County.
,
Implementation: The Town of Atkinson Board of Aldermen will implement this policy.
Schedule: Continuing Activity.
,
Policy (b):
In the event that offshore oil or gas is discovered, Atkinson will not oppose drilling
operations and onshore support facilities in Pender County for which an Environmental
'
Impact Statement has been prepared with a finding of no significant impact on the
environment. Atkinson supports and requests full disclosure of development plans, with
mitigative measures that will be undertaken to prevent adverse impacts on the
environment, the infrastructure, and the social systems of Pender County. Atkinson also
requests full disclosure of any adopted plans. Offshore drilling and development of
onshore support facilities in Pender County may have severe costs for the town and county
as well as advantages. The costs must be bome by the company(ies) with profit(s) from
offshore drilling and onshore support facilities.
'
Implementation: Atkinson will rely on the appropriate state and federal agencies to
implement this policy.
Schedule: Continuing Activity.
Redevelopment
of Developed Areas (issue discussed page II-5)
Policy:
Atkinson supports the elimination of substandard housing. The Town of Atkinson
considers improvement of its existing housing stock and older commercial buildings and
,
demolition of abandoned structures to be a continuing issue.
Implementation: The town will enforce its minimum housing code. '
Schedule: Continuing Activity.
Section IV: Atkinson Policy Statements IV-10 I

I
ITransportation (issue discussed page I-37)
' Policy: The Town of Atkinson supports transportation improvements which will facilitate the safe
movement of traffic.
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
i
I
I
Implementation:
(a) The town will continue to actively maintain its local street system through
repaving activities utilizing Powell Bill funds. However, the town will not
allocate any of its general fund for street improvements unless future development
increases the local tax base.
(b) The town will continue to regulate commercial development and upgrade its traffic
ordinance as necessary to reduce congestion and safety hazards on N.C. 53.
Schedule (a) - (b): Continuing Activities.
Commitment to State and Federal Programs (issue discussed - numerous references to state and federal
programs throughout the plan)
Policy: Atkinson will be receptive to and support all state and federal funding programs which are
beneficial to the town.
Implementation: The Atkinson Board of Aldermen will pursue funding and project
development through the following state and federal programs: N.C. Department of
Archives and History; N.C. Department of Transportation road and bridge improvement
programs; drainage planning and erosion control activities carried out by the Natural
Resources Conservation Service; dredging and channel maintenance by the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers; community development block grants; low -to -moderate income
housing; housing rehabilitation; housing for the elderly; and the N.C. Housing Finance
Agency housing improvement programs.
Schedule: Continuing activity.
Land Use Trends
No major changes in land uses or trends will occur during the planning period. Atkinson will continue
to be a predominantly residential community with very limited commercial or industrial development.
F. CONTINUING PUBLIC PARTICIPATION POLICIES
As required by 15A NCAC 7B, the Town of Atkinson prepared and adopted a "Citizen Participation Plan"
(see Appendix III). The plan outlined the methodology for citizen involvement. The plan stated that public
involvement was to be generated primarily through the Atkinson Board of Aldermen and through "public
information meetings" advertised in local newspapers and open to the general public. The board meetings
also were open to the general public.
A public information meeting, advertised in the Pender Post, was conducted by the Town of Atkinson
Board of Aldermen at the outset of the project on July 9, 1998 at 7:30 p.m., at the Atkinson Town Hall.
I�
Section IV: Atkinson Policy Statements IV-11

I
Subsequently, meetings of the Board of Aldermen, open to the public, were conducted on August 6, 1998;
October 1, 1998; and January 7, 1999. All meetings were advertised in the Pender Post.
The preliminary plan was submitted to the Division of Coastal Management for comment on February 25, ,
1999. Following receipt of DCM comments, the plan was amended, and a formal public hearing on the
final document was conducted on January 6, 2000. The public hearing was advertised in the Pender Post '
on December 1, 1999. The plan was approved by the Town of Atkinson Board of Aldermen on February
3, 2000, and submitted to the Coastal Resources Commission for certification. The plan was certified on
March 24, 2000. The Board of Aldermen believes that this process provided an adequate opportunity for ,
citizen participation.
Continuing citizen input will be solicited, primarily through the Board of Aldermen, with advertised and ,
adequately publicized public meetings held to discuss special land use issues and to keep citizens informed.
G. STORM HAZARD MITIGATION, POST -DISASTER RECOVERY, AND EVACUATION
PLANS
The purpose of this section of the 1998 CAMA Land Use Plan is to assist Atkinson in managing '
development in potentially hazardous areas through establishing storm hazard mitigation policies and to
reduce risks associated with severe storms and hurricanes by developing post -disaster
reconstruction/recovery policies. 1
The following pages will present the storm hazard mitigation and post -disaster recovery policies, along
with appropriate discussions. FIRM maps have not been prepared within Atkinson. ,
1. Storm Hazard Mitigation: Discussion
Hazard mitigation, or actions taken to reduce the probability or impact of a disaster, could involve ,
a number of activities or policy decisions. The starting point, however, is to identify the types
of hazards (including the relative severity and magnitude of risks), and the extent of development
(including residential, commercial, etc.) located in storm hazard areas.
Hurricanes are extremely powerful, often unpredictable forces of nature. The four potential causes
of fatalities and property damage are high winds, flooding, wave action, and erosion. Two of
these, high winds and flooding, apply to Atkinson.
a. High Winds ,
High winds are the major determinants of a hurricane, by definition, i.e., a tropical ,
disturbance with sustained winds of at least 73 miles per hour. Extreme hurricanes can
have winds of up to 165 miles per hour, with gusts up to 200 miles per hour.
These winds circulate around the center or "eye" of the storm. Although the friction or ,
impact of the winds hitting land from the water causes some dissipation of the full force,
there is still a tremendous amount of energy left to cause damage to buildings, overturn
mobile homes, down trees and power lines, and destroy crops. Also, tornadoes are often '
spawned by hurricane wind patterns. Wind stress, therefore, is an important consideration
in some storm hazard mitigation planning.
Section IV: Atkinson Policy Statements IV-12 I

Ll
b. Flooding
' Hurricane related flooding can cause extensive damage in inland areas, since many coastal
areas have low elevations. Approximately 20% of the town's corporate area is susceptible
to localized non-riverine flooding. This is primarily the result of an inadequate drainage
' system (see page I-34). Consideration of potential flood damage is important to
Atkinson's efforts to develop storm mitigation policies.
C. Policy Statements: Storm Hazard Mitigation
In order to minimize the damage potentially caused by the effects of a hurricane or other
major storm, Atkinson will implement the town's disaster preparedness plan and support
the following policies:
High Winds
Atkinson supports enforcement of the North Carolina State Building Code. The town will
' continue to enforce the State Building Code on wind resistance construction with design
standards of 100 mile per hour wind loads.
' Floodin
Atkinson supports its flood ordinance and continued enforcement of the 404 wetlands
' development permit processes in areas potentially susceptible to flooding. When
reviewing development proposals, the town will work to reduce density in areas
susceptible to flooding. Atkinson is subject to hurricane flooding and water -related
damage which normally accompany major storms.
Hurricane force winds could cause significant damage in Atkinson to both structures and overhead
utilities. The town is located in a zone identified by the North Carolina State Building Code as
having a reasonable expectation of receiving 100 mile per hour winds during a major hurricane.
The State Building Code requires that any new structure be designed to withstand 100 mile per
hour winds and that mobile homes be tied down and anchored.
Pender County maintains an up-to-date evacuation plan which identifies hurricane evacuation
routes and shelters, evacuation instructions, and anticipated evacuation times for different
severities of storms. The plan was prepared in cooperation with the Pender County Emergency
Management Office, the North Carolina Department of Crime Control and Public Safety, and the
Division of Emergency Management. The plan has been approved by Pender County and the
county's municipalities, including Atkinson.
Atkinson will continue to implement and support the following storm hazard mitigation, post
' disaster recovery, and evacuation policies which were included in the 1993 land use plan:
Atkinson supports the efforts of the Pender County Emergency Management
' Coordinator to facilitate and encourage the safe evacuation of vulnerable areas of
the county during storm events.
1
Section IV: Atkinson Policy Statements IV-13

Atkinson officials will continue to actively participate in various scheduled
activities of coordination among towns in the county for storm preparedness,
evacuation, and post -disaster recovery.
— Atkinson will continue to support the enforcement of the North Carolina State
Building Code, particularly the provisions which require floodproofing measures.
Because of the limited risk associated with hurricane flooding, the town will
support reconstruction of public facilities at same location.
Atkinson will discourage property owners from rebuilding destroyed structures
without taking mitigative precautions during the construction phase.
Atkinson will support public acquisition of land in those areas susceptible to
repetitive flooding.
In the event of a storm disaster, the town will request the Pender County
Recovery Task Force to oversee the reconstruction process.
Section IV: Atkinson Policy Statements IV-14 ,

H
SECTION V: RELATIONSHIP OF ATKINSON
POLICIES AND LAND CLASSIFICATIONS
The 15A NCAC 7B planning guidelines require that Atkinson must relate the policies section to the land
' classification map and provide an indication as to which land uses are appropriate in each category. The
following sections accomplish this comparison.
A. DEVELOPED CLASS
Atkinson's developed classification includes the following zoning districts as defined by the Atkinson
zoning ordinance: R-15 residential; RM-15 residential, C-1 office and related commercial, and C-2 general
commercial. The general uses allowed in each category are defined in Section III: Atkinson Land
Classification System, and in detail in the Atkinson zoning ordinance. The developed classification is
intended to be consistent with the Atkinson zoning ordinance. As shown on the Land Classification Map
(Map 5), the developed classification includes lands which had been subdivided for moderate to high
density development prior to 1992. This classification should accommodate all growth anticipated to occur
' within Atkinson during the planning period. Growth will occur at low to moderate densities because of
the lack of central water and sewer services. The majority of the town's residential, commercial,
government, utility, service, health care, and industrial uses will be located in the developed classification.
' B. RURAL CLASS
' The rural class provides lands appropriate for agriculture, forestry, and scattered residential development.
However, scattered public facilities, health care facilities, industrial uses, and commercial uses which are
consistent with the town's zoning ordinance will be permitted. Density will continue to be low. The areas
' should retrain in large parcels. The town's RA residential agricultural zoning district will be appropriate
for most of the rural classification. However, other zoning districts may be appropriate and will be
considered by the town on a case -by -case basis.
iC. CONSERVATION CLASS
The conservation class is intended to provide for the effective long-term management of the town's
sensitive or irreplaceable fragile and environmentally sensitive areas. The town does not include any areas
of environmental concern as defined by 15A NCAC 7H. However, the classification does include 404
' wetlands. Development which is permitted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and allowed by the
town's zoning ordinance will be allowed in the 404 wetlands areas.
i
Section V: Relationship of Atkinson Policies And Land Classifications V-1

APPENDIX I
TOWN OF ATKINSON 1992 POLICY STATEMENTS
Policy statements are
extremely important and may have
a day-to-day
'
impact on individual
citizens within the Town of Atkinson.
The
statements will have
an impact in two important areas,
including:
-- Establishment
of local planning policy.
-- Review of proposed projects requiring state or
federal
assistance or
approval to determine consistency
with local
policies.
' The policies contained in this section are based on the objectives
of the citizens of Atkinson and satisfy the objectives of the
Coastal Resources Commission. The Atkinson Board of Commissioners
' closely supervised the development of these policies.
There are not any areas of environmental concern as defined by
15A NCAC 7H located in the Town of Atkinson. CAMA minor and major
' permitting as required by N.C.G.S. 113A-118 does not apply to the
town. All policies stated in this plan must be supported by local
ordinances and actions in order to ensure implementation.
' In order to comply with 15A NCAC 7B planning requirements, all
local governments must specify stated development policies under
each one of five broad topics. These topics include:
° Resource Protection
° Resource Production and Management
° Economic and Community Development
° Continuing Public Participation
° Storm Hazard Mitigation, Post -Disaster Recovery, and
' Evacuation Plans
Based on the analysis of existing conditions and trends and dis-
cussion with the town's Board of Aldermen, the policies outlined in
the following section have been formulated to provide a guide for
advising and regulating development of available land resources in
Atkinson throughout the current planning period, or through 2002.
' A. RESOURCE PROTECTION POLICY STATEMENTS
1. Soils: To mitigate potential problems with septic tank place-
ment and localized ponding and flooding during periods of heavy
rainfall due to poorly -drained soils, Atkinson will:
' (a) enforce all current regulations of the N.C. State Building
Code, the Pender County Health Department, and the town's
subdivision regulations, in all matters relating to septic
' tank installation/replacement in the town's planning
jurisdiction.

(b) coordinate all development activity with appropriate
county and state regulatory personnel.
(c) continue to stress low density development and development
in areas with suitable soils through enforcement of the
town's zoning ordinance.
2. Stormwater Runoff: To further mitigate ponding and localized
flooding due to flat topography and poorly drained soils, Atkinson
will:
(a) continue to utilize town, contract labor, and work service
program assistance to maintain roadside drainage ditches
throughout the town.
(b) support state regulations relating to stormwater runoff
resulting from development.
3. Wetlands: To prevent potential environmental damage to wetland
resources which may exist within the town's jurisdiction, the town
will cooperate with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the
regulation/enforcement of the 404 wetlands permit process.
4. Groundwater/Protection of Potable Water Supplies: Atkinson
will strive to conserve its surficial groundwater resources by
supporting the N.C. Division of Environmental Management stormwater
runoff regulations, through enforcement of county and state sewage
disposal requirements, and through support of NCAC Subchapters 2L
and 2C, which regulate land uses near groundwater resources.
5. Man-made Hazards:
(a) Atkinson will support the technical requirements and state
program approval for underground storage tanks (Chapter 40
of the Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 280 and 281),
and any subsequent state regulations concerning under-
ground storage tanks adopted during the planning period.
(b) The town will amend its zoning ordinance to prohibit
underground storage tanks for both commercial and
residential usage.
6. Solid Waste Disposal: The town will support only new landfill
sites to serve Pender County and its municipalities which will not
adversely affect valuable groundwater resources. The Board of
Aldermen reserves the right to comment on any site which is
proposed for such purpose. The town is opposed to locating a
landfill near Black River, west of Atkinson.
7. Cultural/Historic Resources: Atkinson will request developers
to coordinate land disturbing activities with the N.C. Division of
Archives and History. The town will also notify the Division of
Archives and History of any construction activity in the vicinity
of the Caswell Presbyterian Church. The town will continue to
maintain and landscape the abandoned railroad tracks located in the
center of town.

8. Industrial Impactsn oFragile Areas: There are no industries
currently located in Atkinson. The town supports industrial devel-
opment that is compatible with the rural, residential character of
the town, provided such development can be developed and operated
without damage to groundwater resources, wetlands, or adjacent
productive agricultural lands.
9. Package Treatment Plant Use: The Town of Atkinson recognizes
that subdivision, multi -family, or mobile home park development
currently allowed by the town's zoning ordinance may require the
' construction of package sewage treatment plants. Not wishing to
discourage those types of development in appropriately zoned areas,
the Town of Atkinson will support the construction of package
' treatment plants which are approved and permitted by the state
Division of Environmental Management and by the Pender County
Health Department/Division of Health Services. If any package
' plants are approved, Atkinson supports requirement of a specific
contingency plan specifying how ongoing private operation and main-
tenance of the plant will be provided.
' S. RESOURCE PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT POLICY STATEMENTS
1. Recreation Resources: Atkinson will continue its ongoing
' effort to maintain abundant open space within the town, to improve
existing recreational facilities, and to acquire additional open
space for public recreation facilities when financially feasible.
The town will continue to support and implement the 1989 Recreation
' and Open Space Plan.
2. Productive Agricultural Lands: Although the importance of
' agriculture to the overall economic stability of the town.has
diminished in recent years, Atkinson desires to maintain its rural
agricultural districts and to emphasize the preservation of
productive agricultural land. To that end, the town will:
(a) Maintain low density development in RA districts as
currently provided in the town zoning ordinance.
(b) Discourage industrial and commercial development in RA
districts when such development may be potentially
' damaging to cropland or generally incompatible with
agricultural land use.
(c) Encourage limited private or commercial clearing of
existing woodlands for agricultural development in RA
districts.
3. Productive Forest Lands: The Town of Atkinson feels that
preservation of woodlands in its outlying RA districts is important
to maintaining community appearance, wildlife habitat, and to
' attracting quality residential, commercial and industrial develop-
ment. Additionally, the town believes that commercial forestry is
destructive to its woodlands resources, and generally inconsistent
with the town's agricultural/residential character. Commercial

forestry will also create a general nuisance and potential safety '
hazards. To maintain its existing woodlands resources and dis-
courage commercial forestry operations, Atkinson will:
(a) revise its existing zoning ordinance to prohibit construc-
tion of sawmills or other forestry -related industrial uses
in RA zoned areas.
(b) Atkinson encourages and supports forestry best management
practices as defined in the Forestry Best Management '
Practices Manual, 1989, North Carolina Division of Forest
Resources.
(c) Based on residential development trends during the plan-
ning period, consider establishment of minimum landscaping
requirements and woodlands protection for subdivision and
commercial development in RA zoned areas. ,
(d) The town will investigate its authority and options
available to establish an ordinance requiring
companies/individuals operating trucks, including logging '
trucks, within the town limits to pay for damages caused
to town -maintained streets. Atkinson believes that the
company/individual causing the damage should be held '
accountable for the cost of repair.
4. Off -Road vehicles: Atkinson does not oppose the responsible
use of off -road vehicles. ,
5. Residential, Commercial and Industrial/Development Impacts on
Resources: ,
(a) Residential, commercial and industrial development will be
allowed which is consistent with the town's zoning and '
subdivision ordinances and the policies contained in this
plan. High density development will be discouraged in
areas containing hydric soils and in rural classified
areas. '
(b) The town will amend its zoning ordinance to provide more
restrictive regulation for the location of individual- '
mobile homes.
l

' C. ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
1. Planning and Regulation of Development: The town has taken
' great strides in adopting land use controls since 1987. The town
has adopted a town ordinance, zoning ordinance, subdivision regu-
lations, and developed a CAMA-funded recreation plan. However, the
' town is concerned that commercial, and in particular, industrial
development in areas outside the town limits might proceed in an
unregulated manner. Such development might prove incompatible with
the desired pattern of land use in Atkinson, damage fragile
' groundwater resources or farm and wooded land, or force unplanned
demand for town services. in order to extend its authority to
control growth and regulate development, the Town of Atkinson will
attempt to establish extraterritorial jurisdiction during the next
five years.
2. Types and Location of Planned Development: The Town of
Atkinson wants to encourage economic development while preserving
its quiet, residential character and its outlying agricultural and
woodland resources. The town also wants to maintain the general
' zoning patterns and development densities included in the original
zoning ordinance adopted in 1989. To achieve these goals, the town
will:
(a) continue to enforce the town's existing zoning ordinance
to ensure land use compatibility and promote low density
residential and commercial development.
' (b) discourage industrial and commercial development that is
incompatible with agricultural operations,,potentially
destructive to the local groundwater resource, or that
would be a possible nuisance and safety hazard to resi-
dents of the town. The Town of Atkinson will not consider
rezoning an area for any industrial use which has the
' potential to cause one or more of those problems.
(c) encourage commercial and industrial activity that is
compatible with the town's residential/ agricultural
character, that will not pose a threat to local
groundwater resource, and will not provide a potential
' threat to the health and safety of local residents due to
on -site storage of hazardous materials, excessive noise,
or significant increase in traffic volume.
' (d) limit new industrial zoned areas to existing RA zoned or
C-2 areas when amending the existing zoning ordinance to
accommodate a new industry. New industrial activity
should be limited to light industry, e.g., printing and
reproduction, addressing services, distribution of books
and printed matter, cabinet making, warehousing, etc.

3. Water Supply: There are no significant constraints to devel-
opment relating to the town's potable water supply. The local
groundwater resource should continue to provide adequate water
supply throughout the planning period. The town will not seek
funding for a town -wide water system during the planning period,
and will preserve groundwater resources through the implementation
of other policies discussed herein.
4. Sewer System: Due to anticipated increasing problems with
existing individual septic systems, soils limitations to new
development, the need to attract commercial and selected types of
industrial activity, and the need to preserve groundwater
resources, the Town of Atkinson strongly supports development of a
municipal sewer system. During the ten-year planning period, the
town will seriously examine funding alternatives for a town -wide
sewer system and prepare a funding feasibility study for review by
the governing body. However, the town recognizes that construction
of a town -wide system may be cost prohibitive.
5. Solid Waste Disposal: Atkinson supports a policy of coop-
eration with Pender County to develop alternatives for solid waste
disposal that will not endanger groundwater resources or violate
federal and state air quality standards. The town plans to take an
active role in any county -wide discussion concerning solid waste
disposal, including recycling, types of new disposal facilities,
and siting of new disposal facilities.
6. Storm Drainage System: The town has addressed its most
pressing storm drainage problems over the past three years. The
town will continue to maintain roadside ditches with town funds on
an annual basis, and will support the Division of Environmental
Management stormwater runoff retention system through its zoning
permit system. The town does not consider preparation of a drain-
age master plan to be a significant planning issue during the
upcoming planning period.
7. Transportation:
(a) The town will continue to actively maintain its local
street system through repaving activities utilizing Powell
Bill funds. However, the town will not allocate any of
its general fund for street improvements unless future
development increases the local tax base.
(b) The town will continue to regulate commercial development
and upgrade its traffic ordinance as necessary to reduce
congestion and safety hazards on N.C. 53.
8. Law Enforcement: To reduce citizen concerns about crime and
safety, the town will attempt to secure funds to increase its one
police officer to full time during the next two years, and to
employ an additional police officer during the next five years.

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' 9. Recreation:
(a) The town will utilize local funds on an annual basis to
continue improvements at Hoggard Park outlined in the
town's Recreation and Open Space Plan.
' (b) The town will attempt to preserve open space through its
zoning policies and will acquire additional space for
recreational facilities if affordable land is available
during the planning period.
10. Tourism: The Town of Atkinson will implement the following
policies to further the development of tourism:
(a) Atkinson will support North Carolina Department of Trans-
portation projects to improve access to Pender County.
' (b) Atkinson will continue to support the activities of the
North Carolina Division of Travel and Tourism; specific-
ally, the monitoring of tourism -related industry and
' efforts to promote tourism -related commercial activity.
(c) Atkinson will continue to support its annual festival, the
' Atkinson Christmas Jubilee.
11. Redevelopment of Developed Areas: The Town of Atkinson con-
siders improvement of its existing housing stock and older commer-
cial buildings and demolition of abandoned structures to be a
significant issue in this land use plan update. To give local
officials greater power to force the improvement of deteriorated
structures, or demolition of dilapidated structures, and to assist
lower income individuals with making improvements to their resi-
dences, during the ten year planning period, the town will:
' (a) adopt a minimum housing code in accordance with N.C.G.S.
160A-441-450.
(b) adopt an abandoned structures ordinance.
(c) perform a detailed town -wide housing needs survey.
(d) apply for a CDBG community revitalization grant to improve
existing housing conditions for low and moderate income
residents of the town.
' 12. Energy Facility Siting and Development: There are no electric
generating or other power generating plants located in or proposed
for location within Atkinson. However, the town will implement the
following energy facility siting policies:
(a) Atkinson will review proposals for development or expansion
of electric generating plants within its vicinity on a
' case -by -case basis, judging the need for the facility
against all identified possible adverse impacts. The town
reserves the right to comment on the impacts of any energy
' facility, construction, or expansion within Pender County.

(b) In the event that offshore oil or gas is discovered,
Atkinson will not oppose drilling operations and onshore
support facilities in Pender County for which an Environ-
mental Impact Statement has been prepared with a finding
of no significant impact on the environment. Atkinson
supports and requests full disclosure of development
plans, with mitigative measures that will be undertaken to
prevent adverse impacts on the environment, the infra-
structure, and the social systems of Pender County.
Atkinson also requests full disclosure of any adopted
plans. Offshore drilling and development of onshore
support facilities in Pender County may have severe costs
for the town and county as well as advantages. The costs
must be borne by the company(ies) with profit(s) from
offshore drilling and onshore support facilities.
13. Land Use Trends: No
occur during the planning
predominantly residential
industrial development.
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major changes in land uses or trends will '
period. Atkinson will continue to be a
community with very limited commercial or
14. Storm Hazard Mitigation, Post -Disaster Recovery, Evacuation
Plans: The Town of Atkinson, located in western Pender County, is
beyond any immediate major storm threats and, therefore, does not
have the problems with evacuation that other coastal communities
would have in the event of a major storm. Atkinson does coordi-
nate, however, with the Pender County Office of Emergency manage-
ment, which has a storm hazard mitigation/post-disaster recovery/
hurricane evacuation plan. In the event that evacuation and
post -disaster recovery become necessary, the town will utilize and
abide by the county policies, as contained in the Pender County
land use plan. In addition, in 1992 the Pender County Office of
Emergency Management assisted the town in developing a specific
evacuation plan.
D: CONTINUING PUBLIC PARTICIPATION POLICIES
As required by 15A NCAC 7B, the Town of Atkinson prepared and
adopted a "Citizen Participation Plan." The plan outlined the
methodology for citizen involvement. The plan stated that public
involvement was to be generated primarily through the Atkinson
Board of Aldermen and through "public information meetings"
advertised in local newspapers and open to the general public. The
board meetings also were open to the general public.
A public information meeting, advertised in the Pender Post and the
Pender Chronicle, was conducted by the Town of Atkinson Board of
Commissioners at the outset of the project on November 7, 1991, at
7:30 p.m., at the Atkinson Town Hall. Subsequently, meetings of
the Board of Commissioners, open to the public, were conducted on
January 7, 1992; January 27, 1992; February 6, 1992; and
February 25, 1992. Another public information meeting, advertised

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in the Pender Post was held on April 21, 1992, to review and
comment on the draft plan before its submittal to the Coastal
Resources Commission.
The preliminary plan was submitted to the Coastal Resources Commis-
sion for comment on April 23, 1992. Following receipt of CRC
comments, the plan was amended, and a formal public hearing on the
final document was conducted on November 19, 1992. The public
hearing was advertised in the Pender Post on October 14, 1992. The
plan was approved by the Town of Atkinson Board of Commissioners on
November 19, 1992, and submitted to the Coastal Resources Commis-
sion for certification. The plan was certified on January 29,
1993.
Continuing Citizen input will be solicited, primarily through the
Board of Commissioners, with advertised and adequately publicized
public meetings held to discuss special land use issues and to keep
citizens informed.
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APPENDIX II
TOWN OF AKTINSON
' POLICIES
' I C. RESOURCE PROTECTION POLICIES
' Physical Limitations:
Soils
BUT NOT ADOPTED
' Policy: Atkinson will encourage/support development in areas with soils suitable for development.
' Industrial Impacts on Fragile Areas
Policy: There are no industries currently located in Atkinson. The town supports industrial
' development that is compatible with the rural, residential character of the town, provided
such development can be developed and operated without damage to groundwater
resources, wetlands, or adjacent productive agricultural lands.
Package Treatment Plant Use
' Policy: Atkinson may support the construction of package treatment plants which are approved
and permitted by the state Division of Environmental Management. If any package plants
are approved, Atkinson supports a requirement for a specific contingency plan specifying
how ongoing private operation and maintenance of the plant will be provided, and
detailing provisions for assumption of the ownership of the plant if initial ownership and
operation should fail.
' D. RESOURCE PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT POLICY STATEMENTS
' Recreation Resources
Policy: Atkinson will continue its ongoing efforts to create and maintain abundant open space
within the town, to improve existing recreational facilities, and to acquire additional open
space for public recreation facilities when financially feasible.
Off -Road Vehicles
Policy: Atkinson does not oppose the responsible use of off -road vehicles.
Implementation: No action required
' Policies Considered But Not Adopted I

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Productive Agricultural Lands '
Policy (a): Although the importance of agriculture to the overall economic stability of the town has '
diminished in recent years, Atkinson desires to maintain its rural agricultural districts and
to emphasize the preservation of productive agricultural land. To that end, the town will:
Implementation: '
(a) Maintain low density development in RA districts as currently provided in the
town zoning ordinance. ,
(b) Discourage industrial and commercial development in RA districts when such
development may be potentially damaging to cropland or generally incompatible '
with agricultural land use.
(c) Encourage limited private or commercial clearing of existing woodlands for
agricultural development in RA districts. '
Schedule (a) - (c): Continuing Activities.
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Policies Considered But Not Adopted 2 1

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APPENDIX III
TOWN OF ATKINSON
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION PLAN
PREPARATION OF LAND USE PLAN
FISCAL YEAR 1998-99
The Town of Atkinson has received a FY98-99 Coastal Area Management Act grant for the update
of its existing Land Use Plan. Adequate citizen participation in the development of the Plan is
essential to the preparation of a document responsive to the needs of the citizens of Atkinson. To
ensure such input, the following citizen participation program will be utilized by the town.
The Board of Aldermen will work with the town's planning consultant to ensure that the final
product will survey existing land use, identify policies, and recommend strategies/actions. The
plan will focus on issues expected to occur during the planning period, including infrastructure
needs, housing needs, and environmental concerns. A completely new land classification map will
be provided. Specifically, the planning consultant and the Board of Aldermen will be responsible
for ensuring accomplishment of the following:
An updated land use plan based on an effective citizen participation process.
-- Development of new policies required to respond to the revised 15A NCAC 7B planning
requirements.
Assessment of storm drainage needs/issues.
-- Assessment of development impacts on 404 wetlands.
-- Assessment of need for protection of single-family residential areas.
-- Assessment of continuing water and sewer needs.
The following schedule will be utilized:
1. July 9, 1998 — The Board of Aldermen will conduct a public information meeting and
' adopt the Citizen Participation Plan. The meeting will be advertised in a local newspaper.
The town will specifically discuss the policy statements contained in the 1993 Town of
Atkinson Land Use Plan. The significance of the policy statements to the CAMA land use
' planning process shall be described. The process by which the Town of Atkinson will
solicit the views of a wide cross-section of citizens in the development of the updated
' policy statements will be explained.
2. August, 1998 / January, 1999 -- Continue preparation of a draft Land Use Plan and
' conduct meetings with the Atkinson Board of Aldermen.
3. February, 1999 -- Present complete draft sections of the plan and preliminary policy
' statements to the Atkinson Board of Aldermen.
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4. April 1, 1999 -- Review draft Land Use Plan with Board of Aldermen and submit draft of
completed Land Use Plan to the Division of Coastal Management staff for review and
comment.
,
5. Following receipt of DCM comments (estimate June, 1999) -- Present proposed Land Use
Plan to Board of Aldermen for adoption, and conduct a formal public hearing.
'
All meetings of the Town of Atkinson Board of Aldermen at which the update of the Land Use
Plan will be discussed will be advertised in a local newspaper in a non -legal ad section. In
addition, public service announcements will be sent to the town for distribution to local radio
stations and a notice will be posted at the Town Hall. All meetings will be open to the public.
The town will encourage and consider all economic, social, ethnic, and cultural view -points. No
major non-English speaking groups are known to exist in Atkinson.
2/5/98
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