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�- AU.RORA
Alternative Growth Patterns
Technical',Report Five:
Aurora Land Use Plan
Au* ro**ro u. 1 a .town in North Carolina 2,the..dawn 3 a light in the east
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Alternative Growth Patterns
Technical Report rive: Aurora Land Use Plan
This fifth report of Aurora: Alternative Growth ;
Patterns is the Aurora Land Use Plan prepared. in
compliance with mid under the guidelines of Elie
North Carolina Coastal. Area Management Act of 1974.
The primary purpose of Lhis plan is Elie identifica-
tion. and analysis of major land use issues which
the town will face in Ehe next tcn yoars, the de-
velopment of land use goals, objectives and 'criteria
for dealing, with Lhose issues and alternative
npproanccs to the management of the growth which
is projected to occur in the Aurora area.
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rAURORA
TOWN BOARD:
Grace Bonner, Mayor
Joseph A. Paul
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Joseph Galloway
Joe Lee Hollowell
P. Rowe
rMalcolm
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This report was. published by the School of
Design, North Carolina State University.
Funded by Coastal Plains Regional Commission
Grant lumber T/514/4230-00/41-00/253-01.
Address all inquiries to: Randy llester,
205 Brooks hall., North Carolina State
Univcrsity, Raleigh, NC 27607.
This clata is the result of tax -supported
research and as such is not copyrightable.
It may be freely reprinted wiLli the
customary crediting of the source.
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TAI;LI. OF CONTENTS
SECTION I: STATEMENT OF LOCAL LAND USE ISSUES, GOALS.AND
OBJECTIVES-------------------------'---------------------•------------------•
1.
SECTION II: SUMMARY OF DATA COLLECTION AND'ANALYSiS-=---------------------
1
Present Conditions: ,
----•-=-------^-
Populationand ,Economy---------------------------
1
---
Existing Land Use--=y--------------
6'
Current Plans, Policies and Regulations --------= --------------------
6
Constraints:
LandPotential--------------------------.---------------------------
11
Capacity of Community Facilities --------------------- ------ ----------
19.
Estimated Demand ------------------------------ ----------- =----------- -
22:
SECTION III: EXISTING LAND USE-------------------------------------------
25
SECTION IV: LAND CLASSIFICATION ------------------------------ ---------- --
25
SECTION V: TEXT DESCRIBING AND INDICATING APPROPRIATE DEVELOPMENT
FOR PROPOSED AREAS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN-----------------.--------------
25
Coastal Wetlands------------------------------------------------------
25
to
Estuarine Waters------------------------=----------------------------
26
Fragile, Historic or Natural Resource Areas --Areas that
Sustain Remnant Species-------------------------------------------
28
Public Trust Areas --Public Trust
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A
-Waters -__-=___`_____________________
Natural hazard Areas--Fl.00dways-
•30
Natural hazard Areas --Coastal Floodplains----------------------------
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SECTION VI: CITY -COUNTY RELATIONSHIP DEFINED-----------------------------
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SOURCES-------------=-----------------------------------=------------ -----
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ADVISORS------------------------------------------------------------------
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APPENDICES----------------------------------------------------------------
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Appendix I: "Auror4 Alternative Growth Patterns, Teclinical
Report Three: Goals for Aurora"
Appendix II: "Aurora, Alternative Growth Patterns, Technical
Report Four: Comparison of Locational Alternatives"
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MAP:
Existing Land Use ------------------------------------------=--------
6A
MAP:
Physical Limitations ------------------------------••-------- ---------
11A
MAP:
Piczomctric Surface of the Castle Hayne Aquifer in 1965--..--=--------
16
MAP:
Upper Castle 1layne Unit PiezomeLric Surface July 197O�--------------
20
MAP:
Fragile Areas --------------- ---------------------------------------
20A
MAP:
Resource Potential Areas -------------------------------- ----------`-
2011
CHART:
Population Projections-------------------------------------------
23
MAP:
Land Classification ---------------------------------- =---- =-----------
25A.
MAP:
Potential Areas of Environmental Concern------------ ----------
25B
DIAGRAM: Requirements of Structures in flood Prone Areas-----------------
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'Fill: 1ANU USG PLAN
SECTION I: STATL'i`IENT OF LOCAL 1AND USE ISSUE'S, GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
Local land use issues, goals and objective.s.have been addres.sed..in the'
publication, "Aurora, Alternative Gro%rth Patterns, Technical Re port .3: Goals
for Aurora." Refer to this report, which has been included as Appendix I, for
a full and descriptive explanation of these issues, goals and objectives.
SECTION II: SUIMARY OF DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
1. Present Conditions
A. Population and Economy
(1) General description
• population--671
• location --along the Pamlico River in southeastern Beaufort
County, 28 miles southeast of Washington, the county seat, and
130 miles east of Raleigh.
• climate --temperate with mild winters and Summers and an
average annual rainfall of 52.5".
• topography --relatively flat, ranging from sea level to 15'
above sea level.
• government --mayor and four commissioners.
• taxes --expressed as 100% of appraised value, the town and
county tax rate is $0.62 per $100.
(2) Existing industry
• agriculture --Historically, Beaufort County's most significant
economic activity has been agriculture. In Beaufort County in
-2-
1970, there were approximately 1650' farms. with 158.,95,0*acres
of land under cultivation.
Since 1940 agricultural employment has'd'ecliried,:supporting .
the contention that rapid advance -in farming technology is de-
creasing the farm .labor force..•. New -machinery and methodologies. -
have produced 'a situation in which. thee-sma11. farm can. no longer'
be operated competitively. In.. addition,, -'this 'is- indicative of
a trend toward greater vitality and potential' -for -expanding
rproduction
through the consolidation of farms:' Sufficient
evidence reveals that farming is gradually- becoming.big
business within -the county.
a forestry --A major portion of Beaufort County, including the 'area
around Aurora, is forested. Therefore, forest resources repre-
sent a major user of land which has a significant potential
for future expansion and growth as the demand for this natural
resource increases.` Even though at present, the annual growth
of all timber species exceeds the annual cut, forestry pre-
dictions show that by the year 2000 the demand for wood and
wood products will be more than double the present demand. The
future timber needs will be met only by intensive and -extensive
use of proper forest management practices, which, among other
things, takes into consideration the preservation of wildlife
to these habitats.
habitats and the importance of hardwood species
Of the county's 531,840 acres, 353,865 acres -of land are timber-
land. 52% of this timberland is owned.by private companies with
the dominant forest type being loblolly pine.
manufacturing --Although Beaufort County's economy has tradition-
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:illy holm oriouLed Lowald aJ;rictILLcu'c: ;roil lorest;ry, manufac-
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ttu-iny; lino-. emerged in recent yr.ars as Ole e-ourtty's main source
of new employment. In addition, manufacturing has brought new
money into Lttc County is economy.
Although some manu[acturing industry -la .1.oc,iLed in various '
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places throughouL the county, the majori.t'y of firms and.employ-
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mciiL are located in the Washington area. Other firms located
ill the eastern part of the county are there in orcler Lo be near
their source of raw materials. however, it is cxpccLcd that '
the major porLion of .illy expansion in maonuf•acLuring eanployI all
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will occur in the Washington area.
• phost)hao-te industry-=11ie phosphate industry .is one .of 1JeauforL
Caunty's 11uwasL adcli.Lions to its economy. 'lltc e.xi.ste:nc'e of
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phosphate reserves was reveaLed in the late 1950's and coil'-
se(luenL I 'l'exasgu l l', Iuc . beg, minhip, in 1965 neao-r Aurora .
l'he -;i.zc of Uic reserves indicaLes it is Lhe Lhird largest in
Lho world with all estimated LO billion Lolls of phosphate ore in
Beaufort County.
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Te.xasgulf, Inc. currently employs over 1000 workers and has
plans to expand to 1500 workers by 1980. North. Carolina
PhesphaLc Ccnupauy expects to begin construction in late. 1977
wi.elt initial production projected to begin in .July, 1978. It
be 800
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is estimated LhaL peak construction employment will.
workers. Operation of the mine and plant sltoul.d begin sometime
in la Le 1978 with approximately 468 production employees when
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full capacity is reached.
IMP
• fishing --Fishing is a more significanL economic acLivity for
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I lw [Io lhovell :inn Aurora .lrvos than for 1 0ior parts of IieanLorL
County. Seafood indlatiLI:iL—, predominantly prclviile only scasonal
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employment for Lhe area's unskilled female labor. Soine
economists think fishing will always'plily a ritgnificanL role
i.11 Beaufort County':: economy ae it has ill the p.IsL.- 'llie soa-
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food illdl1tiLry is expecLcd to expand ill Lim. future Lo meet the
demand placed upon it. They predict *that with proper I;uidancc
and LUC11110logy, ccxnnlercial fishing could resid.L ill a nlilltoll
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dollar industry Ill Lite near future..
ClarrenLly, Lhc crab factory in Aurora umploys about 40 workers
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and two seatood packing houses ill SouLh CI'Uek-employ a. Lotal
of about 30 people.
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(3) Conunc:rclal analysis
'ncc existing cmunercia 1 faciliLies in Aurora ran be expecLod to
serve Cho basic daily needs of in -Lawn residenLs. Aurora call per-
hays ;Ilse) be expccLcd to capture ,,cxne adcliLiorial trade frclm the
Lownsllill area Lf its range of hoods and services expands Lo mccL
rudimentary needs of the people. further, the work -day populaLion
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of the township is subsLautia.l.l.y more than the resident population.
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More ouLsiders probably would develop a stronger Lendullcy to visit
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the town and utilize iLs commercial. district if r'ecreaLic)nal
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opportunities were enhanced it Aurora, especially waLcr -re 1 a Led
activities.
Altura opera Los lilldur two Illcajor forces, ill terill:9 of Us trade area.
a First, t111: population is shall (eVC.11 if1L grows to 1200 people);
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therefore, t:hc range (if ;crviccs it call provide is limited.
Second, Aurora is commercially isolated bcc.luse no major competition
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for commercial trade exists within thirty miles. Ilowever,
Aurora presently supports several businesses beyond. what is.
generally assumed to be the maximum capacity fur a town its
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size, including a furniture store, six beauty shops;. an auto .
parts store, five gas stations, tliree hardware store s,'two :
Thus,'Aurora*, ill some
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grocery stores, and three clothing stores.
respects, functions beyond the commercial capacity; which would be "
considered appropriate for small towns of a similar ,size. On the
other hand, Aurora lacks some basic stores, notably a drugstore,'
a barber shop, and a repair shop. Minimizing initial and .long-
Cerm cost to the community should always; be an important -factor
in the locational decision of any commercial venture.. Therefore,
any new commercial activity should first consider locating in the
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existing downtown -commercial area to determine if the necessary
amount of land and facilities are available. Ample vacant store-
fronts exist to house new commercial activity, increasing; viability
of many businesses by reducing necessary initial investment. Over-
all, the projected population picture makes some ccemiercial growth
appear possible for Aurora. At the very least, existing; merchants
should consider expanding their stock and diversifying the range
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of goods they offer to serve the non -mobile sectors' of the
population as completely as possible. The -addition of needed
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goods or services should increase demand and result in healthier
rbusinesses.
Finally, some leisure -oriented coimnerce might develop in Aurora:
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boat sales or rentals, lodgings, a tavern or another restaurant,
a drive -win or a small theater. Some of these would orient primarily
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Lu outside, Louri,,LH-type Lradd coming fro►il Lhe feery across.
the Pamlico River, from mine tours, or froUl second -hone owners.
OLlier ventures would help fill.local recreation7L.needs and could
expect regular community patronage. ad well as occapiona1 outside
usage. ,
11. Existing Land Use
• Refer to the enclosed Existing Land Use: Map.
• Refer to Appendix I for'an evaluation of land us-e compatibility
problems and problems resulting from unplanned development..
C. Current Plans, Policies, and Regulations
(1) Plans and *policies
• transportation plans --(From the Land De'velopmenL Plan, 1968)
For the future development of Aurora an extens.iye' Thoroughfare
Plan is not advocated. Existing and expected traffic volumes
do not warrant any elaborate circulation system, and the pre.;
sent primary facilities, namely N.C. 33, Main. Street, and Watson
Road should continue to satisfy the major - transportation
needs.
Recommendations in the 1968 Lind DevelopmenL Plan include paviiig
and other necessary improvements 'to existing streets and adding
local and minor residential streets and access roads. At the
present time the State has no transportation plans for this
area.
• CUUIIl1l1tifty facilities plans
--A recreation, snack bar, and rest room facility which is part
--I --I .I •
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-!rercia:—!-vdustri,3;
watlarcs
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Fo-es_eci
EXISTING LAND" -USE
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oC as rocrti.nLioil uaaasLvr plan, has just bauan cunapluLt-d.
--Ali $800,000 addition Lo Llac existing lai.l;l school is under
cunsLrucLion.
--A Resource Censvrvation and UevelopmenL clike. is proposed for
Aurora .
--Ali ongoing residential strect paving prol;raua ul.i.l izing re-
ventiv sharing funds is carrit:tl out as' funds puarml.L.
--A marina and pier development plan propoS.ed-ror Lhu cad of
Main Street is in Lho preliminary clesign stale.
--1'hc "Conuuuraity F.aeill.Lies Ilan and Pul)Lic. lnalarovemrnts Pro-
. gram for. Aurora, N.C." was ccaupluLed in Jaaivary or 1968.
--A $420,000 IIUU grant has just been iwajrclvd Auri to consLrucL.
a communiLy cenLer, cxLcud waLo.r and sewer, pave t a:isLing
:.L•rac tsa and rehabilitaLe 30 sub-Stand,ard tomes.
• uL.i IILit! s OxLeusion policLt!:;--The sewer hook-up policy applies
to a1l1. dtsanesLi.c sewer Service cusLc4ners and Lo all. c•cmuucrcial
and induSLrlal sewer service cu'sLomers wiLl) a watee output ccan-
patraab.le Lo domes Lie sewal;e ouLpuL. CnSLomers with W.I.-',Le re-
quirinl; special LrcaaL'tncnL will be billed in accordance with Lha
Lowaa's cost for addiLional. Lrea i.mcilL. Iaadi.vidcaal sewer :service
mains will be provided and maintained by Lhc Lown Lo customers'
properLy lints. Sewer Servicc will be provided to clomcSLic
custt-anr.rs with privaLe water wells for a period not Lo exceed
onto year. Sewer Service will be provfclecl to cummerc•ial aand i.n-
duSLrial custcuers will privaLe wells only as indiviclual.l.y
approved by the Huard of Conunissioncrti al•Lcr deLerminaLion is
made of Lbe volume and sLrcnj;Lh Of waste to be discharged iilLo
Llc system.
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The water hook-up policy applAcs to .111. doutvtttic•, c•onu1101'4al and
i.ndusLrlal water setvlcu cttsLonters. l;ach :;ing;l.0 loudly dwc:ll-
Ing; or residence and each busl.ness es Lilt) ll.slinient or i.ndusLrial
facility shall be on a separate meLur. WuLgr.sgrvire will be
made available to Lhn' property'littc only... McLors vhall be.,
located along the property lin.0 and alga ll' be readily accessible
Lo the muter readers ut all tittles.
All water untl sewur services located outside of .Lhe town limits
wi.l.1 be billed at double the standard role, and all tapping; roes
wi 1 l be doubled.
i often apace and recreation policies --'The Lown owns it small piece.
of land at Litt: east end of Main Street which contains it pier and
a concrete boat ramp. 'There are at luasL two vacant lots it1
Lown Which arc heing; maintained by the town as public opuu
~graces even thoug,lt Lhey are prlvalely owned. A 25-acre Lract
of land I)t:LWel:n Snowden Elementary School and Lhu Aurora Ilig;h
School, owned by 'Cexasg;ulf, has been developed as it recruation
raci gi.Ly and leased Lo Lhe Board of EducaLion. IL iiic.ludus Lwo
li};hLud, paved tutulis courLs, ;t 11.111itud fooLbal.l field and
stadium, a running; track, and Lighted baseball field, and other
open play areas. A 12 acre public park developed by Texasgul.f
is located at the west end of Main,Strcct where it inLersects
N.C. 33.
• Prior land list: plans and polici.er;--ln 1967 a major planning; study,
and Imbsequent plans ..Intl programs, was conducted through the
DeparLment of Conservation and Development: --Division of Com-
muniLy'Planning. The. "Land DcveloptncnL Plan" was published
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in November of 1967 and the •"Community FacUiLies Plan and
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Publi.c Improvements Program,"•was published .in January -of 1968.'
(2) Local Regulations
• An ordinance providing; for the zoniuj; of the town of Aurora,
NurLh Carolina. The••Building.Inspector is authorized and assumes
the duty of enforcing the provisions.of this ordinanco.•. Appeals .
may be made* to the Board of Adjustment. •A.new zoning ordinance
based on this land use plan, and which will, iticlude the mic-
mile extraLurritorial area, will be• drafted.
• Supplementary reg;ulaLion of mobile home and• travel. trailer narks_
rand
related facilities for Aurora, North► Carolina. This ordin-
ance regulates lot sizes, site placement, and other requirements•
inctunbenL upon mobile homes and travel trailers and related•
facilities. It is enforced by the Building Inspector.
• Street improvemenL policy. This policy provides for the improve-
'Town
ment of streets and sidewalks in Aurora. The Commissioners
are authorized to make street Improvements.and assess cost to
property owners.
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• Code of General ordinances, Chapter G, Article I, Section I --
Property Kept Clem. This antic Le requires all property owners
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to keep their property in a sanitary condition and owners of un-
occupied buildings to keep such buildings in a sanitary con-
is
dition and fastened against unlawful entry. This article
renforced
through written notice to the owner by the Police: Chief
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or '1'owi.t Clerk.
• Chapter G, Article II, Section I. Garbage Required to be
Promptly Removed. This article is enforced through the mayor
and carried out. by the Police Chief.
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• ChapLor tt, Art.ic Iv 'ill., SoCL'iort 'l.. Pri.vkia Rugitli! (!. t. T1II In
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atrt.icle prohiblLs Lilt! Ioc-ILion of privies wlt..Iti.n fifty 1't!cL of
any public struet or sidewalk in Aurora. Enforcr_mvilL is through
the Mayor and in carried out by the Police Chii!f.
•. Chapter (,, Article IV, SeCtion'I. liog Yens. 'cilia arLic le
sLipulaLes the number of hogs allowed pur' sclunre fci!L and Lite
diytnnces such lots must be placed from ticcupied dwellings.
This ordinance is enforced by the. Mayor and -carried out by the
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Police Chief.
• Chapter J, Article I, SCCLiun II. 1uilding Purm1L Reduirud.
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This article requires Lhat t,l.l sLructurus Lo be builL inside
the corporate limits be curLified by Lho liui.l.ding lnspueLor as
to plans, purpose of structure, cost and location before 1t per-
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mJA can be issued. This ordinance is unforced by the Building
l.rtypecL0I' who poysuyyus a1.1 the powc!ra; c•unfurred and performs
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all. duties presc•ribad by C.S. 160-11.7 and other applicable
La Lit Les .
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• Chapter J, Article I, Suction IV. NaLional. imn)Lutl-
'Phis article adopLs the North Carolina Scale Building COEIC, 1.958
edi.Lion, and Lilt! "lrniform Itusi.(lentia! liltf [d !.III, Code" as Liu:
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official building code of the Town of Aurora. It is enforced
by the Building InspecLor..
which
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• S�lc Lantk rugulaLions. The County c!nforc•es regulaLiony
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parallel the sL'aLu rei;ulations regarding the ills tnl.laLion of
septic tanks acid minimum lot size requirement~.
(3) Federal. and StaLe Regulations
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(Refer to Federal and StnLe Land Use regul.aLions provided by the:
Uuparhuent of Natural. and Gconanic Resources.)
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2. Con:;Lr-lLiiLs
!1 A. Land PoLetiLia ].
(1) physical limitations (Refer to physical Limitations Map •for hitzard
areas, areas with soil limitations., and the 100-year..flo.od prone
area. No steep slopes exist in this planning area an�fare there-
1 fore not mapped.)
• Sources of water supply --The study area of R*cliland Township
lies within the Coastal Plain of North Carolina where•Lhc terrain.
r" is generally flat to 'rolling, with in overall slope to the south
east. The drainage pattern in the area is essentially dcudritic
• with most tributaries originating in Lhe large swampy •are.ls .
The interstream areas, though topographically high. relative to
the adjacent drainages, show poor circulation gf,waLer. As 'tile
water table reservoir remains near the surface and nearly full,
during periods of heavy rainfall these areas are largely flooded.
Tile rainfall, averaging 45-50 inches in one year, is then mostly
rejected as overland run-off to the streams. Stream flows are
substantial and during periods of low or sLrong.winds,, arc
affected by tides. The quality of surface water is poor. In
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addition, the Coastal Plain of.North Carolina is underlain by
a '%,,edge'.' of stratified sedimentary rocks which,' from a thin
veneer along the western boundary of the area, thicken seaward
i to about 1.0,000 feet at Cape Hatteras. These sedimentary rocks
r have been divided into geologic formations or stratigraphic units
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which range in age from recent to early cretaceous or possibly
older. In general, the units have a NE strike and dip south-
eastward at a gradient of about 20 ft/mile. They gradually change
Op
J"'Th
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Very poorly drained soils
Somewhat draineo soi's
poorly
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Moderately well drained soils
PHYSICAL: LIMITATIONS
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In IIt.it, iogle charac•ter, WiLll the hydraulic concltic Li.vILy (lu-
creasing Irian was Lu Cat,L. All Lila satliment:s I)CL Cen Lill:
crysLalinc basultlullL rocks and Lhe water tablt:: are saLurnteO
WWI WaLur, are illLercounected, and forum oile.continuous ground
WaL•Cr reservoir.
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A brief doscription of Lila hydrologie charaeLer inf the various
fornmat:Lons follows:
Waler 'fable Aquifer,' collsisLing of po.14-Miocene dr.poaiLs,
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covers Lila unLire area. In iL, Lila l;round water tiectlrs under
imeonfinod contILLions WILh Lila water level ranging, frtnn land
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sul-f.:lca ill Lila swautps Lo a tlapLll of more Ulan 15 fueL along,
Lila sandy ridges bordering the Pamlico and Ncuse Rivers . AL
an average depLIl of 20 fueL, the base of this aqui.fur is in
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most cases a clay layer which is disc onLinuous in Lila western
part• leaving; Lilt! Mitlil't:l' in direct conLact: wish Lila lieauf ort.
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ur Castle Mayne furnul Lions . Yields ol: Lila We l 1 s Lapping Lhu
aqul.fur are less; than 1.0 gpnl; iLs waLer is ruplenished by- ill-
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fi I.Lr.aLlon from rainfall.
-=l'hu Yorlcttnn formation is separaLed frtan Lite waLar L•able aquil"er
by relatively impermeable layers of silt: and clay, Lhe water
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occurring; under confined or semi -confined conditions. Wells
Lapping it: may yield up to 250 gpm (gallons per minuLt:).
--The Pungo I:iver formation conLains inter -bedded phosphaLic and
monLmorilloniLe clays. This formation clues not crop ouL at:
Lila surface ant[ has pour water bearing properLies. BtlL, while
primarily an aquiLard, wells yielding; adequate quant.iLies of
waLcr for domestic supplies call be developed from permeable
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zolles M. many IocaMies . 'rile formation ccmtains' l!llosphoriLes
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ill an area of ahouL 1000 lulle8.
--rile Castle llayne formation eXLends along; nearly the entire.
coast of North Carolina, thickening -and deepening; eastward at
the rate of 10 feet/mile. In 'the western part, the confining; .
rbeds
are disc onLinuous. 'file C118Lle ilayne can be divided into
two zones, the upper being the more permeable and the most
important aquifer -of tile area. The CasLle.11ayne formation is
absent of wells 'ill tic extreme western part of BeauforL County,
yeL yields from 8 inch wells Lapping; it Olsewhere range up to
300 gpm, and 1.000 gpm or more call be developed in favorable
1.oe1L•iOnS. The lower horizon grades into a confining 91,lUcolliLU
silly clay and water at depths greaLer than 300 EL. below file -ill
sea level are generally brackish or saline.
--The lieauforL forurlLion lies no known ouLerop urea. While Lhe
w
formation has relatively good porosity and permeability, the
least permeable part is generally the upper.. In the western
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and central part of Lhe area, the fortuaLioll is a fresh water
poll
icluiXer, while a sample of water 470 feet below mean se,irl level
at the Lee Creek mine site had a chloride content of 3000 [)[)Ill.
r(U.S.
Public Health standards for drinking water limit a
maximum of 250 ppm. chloride without treatment.)
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--,rile Peedcc JJlacic Creek and Tuscaloose forma Lions are Lapped
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by wells west of Beaufort County. AILliough these forma Lions
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may not be important for Lhe formation of: fresh ground water
supplies, Lheir hydrologic character can be important ill the
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sLuddy of upward leakage into Lhe overlying sLrata.
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Water use in Richland Township is largely restricted•to'ground _
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water sources. Tile Upper Castle Ilayne Aquifer. is .the principle
source of water supply in the area because of" the productivity
rof
the aquifer, the quality of the'water, and, tile• sim.plici,ty
of well construction. At certain loca.litie;s, however, even the
relatively the Castle.liayne have
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pure waters of objectionable
amounts of iron, hydrogen sulfide or hardness -causing minerals.
A complete census of all wells in the area has not been made.
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However, the estimated total withdrawal from the aquifer system'
in 1970 for all purposes except irrigation was about 55 mgd.
(million gallons per day). Texasgulf and N.C. Phosphate were
recently granted permits by the Environmental Management Can-'
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mission to pump out a, total of 102 mgd from the'gquifer system
(35 mgd for N.C. Phosphate Corp. and 67 m9d for Texasgulf, Inc.).
The full potential of existing irrigation wells is about 20 mgd,
though the use of water for irrigation varies from year to year,
in some years none being necessary. Most of the wells in the
r
area arc domestic wells that generally penetrate only the upper
r
few feet of the aquifer system. The municipal well for the
'
town of Aurora extends to a depth of 340'.into the Beaufort
iformation.
tine exception of the water table aquifer and those uncon-,
rWith
formations, in the
f
fined western areas of the underlying water
r-
various units exists under artesian pressure. While the water
r,
levels in water table wells respond rapidly to variable recharge
rates caused by tine infiltration of precipitation, those in
r"
artesian wells show less fluctuation under similar conditions.
r
Prior Lo Lhe Start of I>umping at Lhe Lee Creek mine, Lhu'..
piezometric surfaces (Llie level 'to which water will rise•
nnLurally in a well) of all the hydrogeologic' units in Beaufort
County were probably everywhere above'sen level.. however,
actual data concerning water levels •bafnre •Llle beginning of
I pumping is quite limited. The pumping of the Lipper Castle
Bayne at the Lee Creek Mine, in an effort to keep LIM pit dry,
has created a cone of depression not only i.n the Upper Castle
hayne, but also in the overlying YorkLown and 11ung;o River form-
ations and the underlying Lower Castle Ilayne and Beaufort form-
a L ions proving; the existence of hydraulic connection between
all these units. This cone of depression is asymcLrical, the
short axis westward and the long axis eastward....Tile water
levels are not stabilized and a pseudo -steady state was reached
a.CLur about 15 months of pumping;. While- in May 1966, the virtual
radius of the co►ic was 28.0 miles, it has lowered the water level
in the Upper Castle hayne to some degree for up to 40 mines from
1 tile mine, resulting; in :.1 piezcxnetric surface below sea. level in
r an area of about 100 miles. (See Lhu enclosed maps: PiezO-
t, metric Surface of the Castle Rayne Aquifer in 1965 and Upper
Castle hayne knit Piezometric Surface July,1970.) At Lhu.periphery
of the mine site, the piczcgnetric surface is about 1.20 feet- below
`r
I mean sca level where, at the start of pumping;, it was 7 feet
r- above. Except for a small area in the upper end of the P:Imlico
r-
estuary, ground water is moving; toward Lee Creek from all
directions with a resultant increased rate of flow from the
west and reversed direction of movement in the cast. Also re
M
-1G-
A1.BEMARI.>: .
SOUND
Stale � . . � � •�' � � .�, • ..
0 5 10 miles
+10 '
Xtr
L
Olutde.
8tlhc►vtn i
r a
ie ;p
ie a
ie
Lee R1VER
Cre
4•+30 uror Q
•,•Principle.•
Recharge•Area• +15
for; the:�Caa}It; �•��� _
' New B � r ,-► � '
r A t5
a
• Usf R'V
"j,
PIEZOMI.TRIC SURFACE OF THE CASTLE RAYNE AQUIFER IN 1965
(N.C. Department of Water and Air Resources)
UPPER CASTLE HAYNE UNIT PIEZOMETRIC SURFACE JULY, 1970
(N.C. Dept. -Of Water and Air Resources)
-18-
. ift
r
i
versed is the greater leakage upward, out Of the Cnstic 110y110
into overlying aquifers and estuaries, to the present day
greater leakage downward. While; leakage is usually helpful
in improving the performance of wells, .it may result in the con-
tamination of the pumped aquifer by intercapLion of surface and'
ground water having undesirable qualities. While J ormerly many
of the farmers in the area enjoyed the. convenience of flowing
wells in pastures or pumping their wells with suction ptunps,
the impact of the cone has made necessary the conversion of
960 domestic and 45 irrigation wells to deep well units.
There is wide disagreement.among experts concerning the magnitude
of: recharge to the Castle llayne aquifer with estimates of -below,'
65 mgd to as much as 280 mgd. The arguments are mainly con-
cerned with the areal extent of the recharge area, with
estimates from below 170 square miles to as much as 500 square
miles. Presently there is insufficient data and much dis-
agreement involved in the issue of possible salt water intrusion
and contamination of the fresh water supplies. That the valuable
phosphate deposits overlying the Castle Bayne aquifer should be
mined is an idea readily acceptable to all concerned. however,
the idea that in the process of mining or other activities. the
quality of the aquifer system must be preserved is equally
accepted as being very important. With the advent- of additional
mining companies in the area concern over the aquifer is
heightened, and contradictory predictions as to their probable
effect on the aquifer system have been made. UndersLatidal) ly,
the protection of the future quality and source of their water
-19-
suppj.y is also a major concern for the citizens 'of Aurora.
tinder the direction of the N.C. -Board of Water Resources,, .
studies are continuing to be conducted"iri an -'effort to better'
understand the make-up of the aquifer system -and, thus, to be
able to manage its use more e-ffectively,. (See enc.lbsed map:.
Ground Water Recharge Areas.)
(2) Fragile areas (Refer to Fragile Areas Map for•infgrmation 'on wet-
lands, prime wildlife Habitats, estuarine waters; and public tr.us.t
waters.)
(3) Areas with resource potential (Refer to Resouree•Potential Areas
map for information on productive.and unique agr.iculturai.la-nd.s,
potentially valuable mineral sites, outdoor.recreatian lands., and
areas well -suited for woodland management.)
B. Capacity of Community Facilities
(1) Existing waLe.r and sewer service areas
• Water--A11 residential streets within the Aurora town limits
are serviced by water lines. Grace Drive and the southern
portion of 7th Street are being served by.P.V.C. lines as is
the portion of Main Street Lhat.is east of 1st Street.
• Sewage --Most of the residential streets north of N.C. 33 are
fairly well served by sewage lines. The exception is the
extreme northern portion of the town. Residences along N.C.
33 and south of that highway use septic tanks.
(2) Design capacity of existing facilities
e Water treatment facility --Aurora has one deep well to a depth
of 340 feet with an average flow of 500 gpm and a treatment
capacity of .H 8 mgd. The peak load to date is .082 mgd. The
-20-
. ••t%
•. .......... ,
..i. '
to ' hl.n9ton,
X.
Ja4kso1':•:'
Castle Hayne Outcrop
„•. certain recharge area
Yorktown Outcrop
disputed additional re-
charge area
GROUND WATER RECHARGE AREAS
Estuarine and public trust waters
Wetlands
Prime wildlife habitats
rL .Endangered species
►REAS
0 1000 feet
0 1000 feet
OR
Potentially' valuable mineral sites ,
Unique agricultural land
Prime agricultural land
Areas well -suited for woodland management
0 Public7outdoor recreational land.
.POTENT.DAL :AREAS
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-2 1-
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town has one water tower for' stor.ing.100 mg' pf treated `water.
am
The present system can serve 1200:people.
• waste water facility--Aurora-has a 4-a.cre .stabi.lization lagoon
and- a 1-acre polishing ' lagoon.:. The present .capac:ity -is .120
mgd and the average daily load, to date- is.:050 'mgd..:' Tlie pre.-
rsent
system can serve 1200 people.:
• schools --The Aurora High School is situated-on.a.10.4 acre site and
contains grades eight through twelve. The current enrollment
r!
(May 1976) is 472 pupils. There are 18 small classrooms and
'�- an inadequate library. The school contains.an auditorium,:a
lunchroom, a less -than -satisfactory gymnasium, and an. out-pf-
date shop. An $800,000 addition to .the high school is currently -
under construction. The Snowden Elementary School is located.
r
just outside the corporate limits on a 13.9-acre 'site. It
houses grades kindergarten through seven. The current enroll-.
ment (May 1976) is 569 pupils. There are 25 small classrooms .
with an inadequate library, one gymnasium,*one.. lunchroom, and
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a shop shared with .the high school.
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• roads --Highway 33 from the township line east to Aurora averages
1633 vehicle trips per 24 hours. Prom Aurora east to the county
line it averages 570 vehicle trips per 24"hours.. The design
standard for two lane primary roads is 21,600.vehicle trips
per 24 hours.
1^
(3) Percent utilization of existing community facilities
n
• The water treatment facility is being utilized at 28% of capacity.
• The waste water facility is being utilized at 41.6% of capacity.
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• The high school is being utilized at 89.3% of capacity.
n
a
-22 -
• The elementary school is being, utilized •at.937; of capacity.'
a North Carolina Highway 33 is being' utilized at 7•.5%. of -capacity'
at its point of greatest usage.
*
C. Estimated Demand
(1) Population and economic projections
• Historic population (1950-1970)', estimated 'population-.(1973-1975)•
and population projections (19.80-2000) for Aurora North Carolina-
The population projections' for' the town - of Aurora are :based on
r"
an analysis of two base line -projections: Population and Pro- .
jections 1970-2000 by the North' Carolina .Department of Adminis.-
tration, Office of State Planning, 1;974 and.the OBE Base -Line .
Population Projections by the Research Triangle Institute. In
.�
addition, detailed analyses of town water and •sewer hookups,
�"►
government population estimates for revenue sharing, and other
town data were made to supplement these projections. Local.`
population changes due to the phosphate industry construction.
and mining were also taken into consideration.
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i
The figures that follow are a combination of the above data and
r►
represent a continuous rate of growth of 8.2% every five years
1
between 1970-2000. This was the estimated rate from 1970-1975.
If Aurora pursues the.goals to attract second home development
and/or new industries, the rate of growth could be greater;
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.
these additional populations are described under potential pro-
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jected additional summer population and potential projected
additional population due to new industry, but are not included
in the base projections:
r
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i
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o
O
a
a
Y
E
C
.O
a
O
a
.Y
-0 O
m E
o U)
CL
r%o
•Y O;
::moo
N
�a
o_
a
C
..Y •p _O _
:;;o�
O .
'O'er.`"
: .o
aa.Qd_
CL ..
Em
C.
N •.2 O .
}vE
1950
5251
1960
4491
1970
6202
1973
6353
1974
6854
1975
6715
.1980
7266
257
1985
7866
357 .•.,
508
409
1990
8506
437..
•608
1995
9206
497
658
2000
9956
'537
1268
2025
147610
NOTES:
1. Source: U.S: Census Data
2. This 38.1% increase from 1960 to 1970 was due to two major factors: first, the annexation
of South Village and second, the influx of people with jobs related to Texasgulf, I nc.
Source: L.I.S. Census Data
3. Source: U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Revenue Sharing.
4. Source: State of North Carolina, estimate for Revenue Sharing.
5. Source: Town of Aurora, estimate from water hook-ups.
6. This represents a constant 8.2% increase for the five years: This rate is subject to major change
depending upon construction of new phosphate mining facilities, the occupancy of public
housing units and other events. In a town of this size, considering the magnitude of impact
of the phosphate mining, major fluctuations can be expected.
7. National,development experts predict a new wave of second home -resort development in the
Coastal Plains Region inland from the coast, but this additional population is dependent upon
thn town pursuing the goal of developing the second home and tourist potential.
8. Although Aurora has selected industrial sites, a requirement it fulfilled prior to winning the
Gf)v^rnrx's Award in 1975, and has a goal of diversifying its industrial base, these figures are
highly speculative.
9. Aurora will have to absorb most of this additional population.
10. This wpo-esents a constant 8.2% increase for 5-year increments. See note number six for
additional constraints on this estimate.
-2/4 -
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• Economic development of any -region .is critically tied to*tterns'
of land use including changes. -in these ' pa tterns.-over..time .. This
area is now primarily forest'and cropland and,.'in varying.''
A degrees, has historically been..'used as :such.. ,Industi-ial'.e.x'-
pansion and corresponding dec.lines 'in .agricultur.a 1.'land liave ;
f had only a moderate impact in this area.`,Only'2..3% of Beaufort:
County is urban and developed,-..26`/, is An:cropland';. 1:57e .in
pastures;' 64-.4% is -in forests. Most of the. -.development exis.tiritr
in the area is dependent to some extent upon -natural•-re.source"s
of the region, in particular. the agricultural.:_fertil.i•ty of the
soil; the suitability of the area for wood lands .;"'and. increasingly,:
the availability of mineral'resources.— Indus try.has.also-been
Pa attracted to the area by the large supply of unskilled farm-
r+ labor, relatively low wages-, lack of unionization, available
water transport, and nearness to major mid-Atlantic.markets.
In North Carolina the trend has been toward fewer acres devoted
r to farming, a corresponding decrease in the number of farms and
f an increase in the average size .of farm units..
r• (2) Future land needs
I • It is estimated that Aurora will grow from 671 to 871 for a net
f gain of 200 people in the 10 year planning.period. Additionally,
an estimate of 40 new people will be added to the one -mile
extraterritorial planning area in the next 10 years. This gives
a total estimate of 240 people to be allocated to the -developed,
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transition, community and rural land classes. An estimate has
been made that 50% of the projected population will be absorbed
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in the transition classified lands requiring 64 acres, 5% will
J be absorbed as in -fill in the community classified land, 45%
-25-
will be allocated to the developed land class i:fi.cation.-.1 '
r in -fill, and 0% will be allowed.,in the rural classified land,
(refer to Appendix I: Goals -for Aurora , • espe.cia l:ly goal." six,
for the basis of these.decisions)
..
�•► (3) Community facilities demand
0 Community services to adequately .serve •.the 'proje:c'ted .population:
in the transition and in -fill developed •4rea8 -inc'ludc', as a
minimum, roads, educationa-l'facilities and water and.sewdr
services ..
SECTION III: EXISTING LAND USE MAP..
(See enclosed Existing Land Use Map, page 6A)
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SECTION IV: LAND CLASSIFICATION MAP
(See enclosed Land Classification Map)
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SECTION V: MAP AND WRITTEN TEXT DESCRIBING AND INDICATING APPROPRIATE DEVELOP-
IIENT FOR PROPOSED AREAS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN
See enclosed Potential Areas of Environmental Concern Map)
1. Coastal Wetlands --other coastal marshes
• These are defined as any salt marsh or other marsh subject to regular or
occasional flooding by tides, including wind tides (whether or not the
tide waters reach the marshland areas through natural or artificial
�► water courses), provided this shall not include hurricane or. tropical
r storm tides. Salt marshland or other marsh shall be those areas upon
0 . 1000 feet
It
-2G -
which grow some salt marsh and marsh plant. species.' -Coastal wetlands
' /■
1
described as other coastal marshland exist on Uoth.s.ides, of South'
Creek and in large areas along Bailey Creek 'to the north..of Aurora..
They are composed mainly'of black needlerush :Quncus 'r.oeme-ria.rius). ..,and
common cat -tail (Typha-latifolia).
r•
Significance: This marshland type contributes' to the'detritus supply . .
necessary to the highly productive estuarine system essential-to'NorEh.:
Carolina's economically valuable commercial_sports� fisheries. -.The .com-.
r
position of these types of marshes is different from' tidal ma,rslies. snd
each apparently has different relationships with. the-surrounding'waters.
Variations in drainage, length of inundation;: and s1linity•are.thought to
be the major features determining the distribution of plants 'and animals..
This marshland type.also serves as an important deterrent *to shoreline
r
�rosion especially in.those marshes containing Heavily rooted.spccies
such as Juncus roemerianus. The marshland to the north of AYtrora is
respecially
important in absorbing water front storm tides and thereEore
acts as a buffer to the town.
• Appropriate land use: All marshlands in Aurora and the one -mile area
r surrounding Aurora, will be conserved in their present state.. Sufficient
sites already exist for water access without breaching marshlands.
Locating such water -related facilities as boat ramps, piers, docks, and
r, marinas in marshlands may be justified in the future only by changes in
i
land use demands or community development objectives, but in no case
shall the allocation exceed the capacity of the marshland•system to sus-
tain losses without harm to the estuarine eco-system.
2. Estuarine Waters
• These are defined as all the water of the Atlantic Ocean within the
r
-27-
-r
boundary of North Carolina and all the waters of -the. bays; sounds,:::
.r
rivers, and tributaries thereto seaward.of the divid ng:,line between
coastal fishing waters and inland fishing waters, .as set•forth in 'an,.
agreement adopted by the Wildlife Resources .Commission and- the Depart-.
Pe
.
ment of Conservation and Development filed*.wi.th,the Sec r.eEary;of-.S,tate "...'
^
"Boundary
entitled Lines, North Carolina. Comme-rciaa'Fishing Inland
Fishing Waters, revised March 1, 1965," or as '.it fray.be. subsequently
revised by the.Legislature.
!
• Significance.: Estuaries are among the -most productive natura•1 environ-•..
ments of North Carolina. They not only sup.por.t valua.ble'e'ommercia.l and:
rsports
fisheries, but are also utilized for C,ommer.c ia 1. ndyig,ation,. re-
creation, and aesthetic purposes. Species dependent upon'estuar.ie's such
as menhaden, shrimp, flounder, oysters and. crabs make up over 90 percent
r`
of the total value of North Carolina's commercial catch.' These species.
must spend all or some part of their life cycle in. the estuary. The
high level of commercial and sports fisheries and the aesthetic. appeal
of Coastal North Carolina is dependent upon the protection and.sustainrd
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quality of our estuarine areas. In addition, the estuarine waters
r
f
located within the extraterritorial jurisdiction of Aurora. provide one.
of the best wintering areas in the entire state for.Canvasback Ducks and
rother
water fowl species.
• Appropriate land use: Estuarine waters within the extraterritorial area
r
•
of Aurora will be conserved. Bulkheading to prevent erosion and the
r
building of piers or wharfs where no other feasible alternative exists
t
may be allowed within estuarine waters provided that such land uses will
'
not be detrimental to the biological and physical estuarine functions and
public trust rights. Such proposed projects must include a statement
r
-28-
of impact on existing navigation channels,. A or61ine erogion,potential,:
spoil deposition below mean high tide,. -changes id water circu.lafi.on
. patterns, changes in water quality standards, and efr"ects`on shellfish
r waters. The development of additional navigation.:channel:s should'_.be'
r prohibited because of the existence .of an. adequate system:..:.'.
3. Fragile, Historic or Natural Resource Areas, Areas -that.' Sustain Remnant
Species
• These are areas that sustain remnant.species or' those places that support'
native plants or animals, rare or endangered,'withiri the coastal'.area:
Such places.provide habitat conditions necessa.ry.f.or the survival of
rexisting populations or communities of rare -or endangered'specie'g within..
the county. In the extraterritorial jurisdiction .of Aurora; 'habitat con-.
ditions exist and sightings have been made of several endangered species.
r Two 3•4 foot alligators were sighted in 6-canal inside the town limits
i
in the spring of 1975 and two osprey nests (one to the south of the. town
on South Creek and one to the north on Whitehurst.Creek) have. been
identified by the local wildlife protector. In addition, this area pro
vides habitat for Canvasback Ducks and the ked Cockaded Woodpecker, both
r. of which have been sighted in this area.
• Significance: The continued survival of'certain native plants and animals
in the coastal area that are now rare or endangered cannot be assured un-
less the relatively few well-defined areas providing necessary habitat
? conditions are protected from development or.land uses that might alter
these conditions. These habitats and the species they support provide a
valuable educational and scientific resource.
• .Appropriate Land uses: The absolute preservation of these areas in their
natural state is extremely important in order to protect the habitat con -
Pa .
I ditions responsible for the continued survival of the respective plants
r
r
-2.) -
or animals. All habitats in this area are'acijacent to or'located In .
• r+ marshlands which lends even stronger support'for conserving. the$'e"areas'.:
{ Therefore, all such areas that can be:positively id:entified as areas
supporting rare or endangered species wiil be%preserved.`"
4. Public Trust Areas --Public Trust Waters
• These are defined as ocean and estuarine• waters .plies- coa�.ta•l: streams,
tributaries and lakes in which the public,'may -have rights of :navig.ation.,
access or other public trust rights..
0 Significance: The public has rights in -these wa.ters•including navigation.
r and recreation. In addition, these waters support valuable commercial
and sports fisheries and have aesthetic. value. A large .port.ion ofthe
surface waters within the extraterritorial limits of Aurora provide public
rights for navigation, recreation and sports fisheries..
r • Appropriate land uses:. Any land use which interferes with the public 'right
of navigation, or other public trust rights which the public••may be•found
�+ to have in these waters, shall not be allowed. The building of piers,
wharfs, marinas, or bulkheads to prevent erosion shall. be allowed.in
appropriate locations provided that such uses will not be detrimental
r to the biological and physical functions and public trust righ.ts..• The,
development of navigation channels in these public trust waters are not
t essential because of those already existing and will/therefore be pro-
hibited. Other projects which -would directly or indirectly block or
impair existing navigation channels, increase shoreline erosion, deposit
spoils below mean high tide, cause adverse.water:circulation patterns,
violate water quality standards, or cause degradation of shellfish waters
are generally considered incompatible with the management of public trust
waters .
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-30-
5. Natural Hazard Areas--Floodways
• These are defined as the channel and that .portio►i of .the ,Eloodpla3. .of a'
stream determined to provide passage for the•100- ear..flood without. in---
creasing the elevation of that .flood at any point ;b'y more. than `one foot:
•- Significance: Floodways serve as the main channel for .tile passage of
flood waters. Development within the floodway may. increase the. -.potential, '
of flood damage and unreasonably endanger life.. and property..
• Appropriate land uses: A certain degree`.of•development will be allowed
if land uses conform to the guidelines set forth in Chapter X--Federal
Insurance Administration, Subchapter.B National.Flood..Insurance Program,
Part 1910--Criteria for Land Management and Use, 1910,•3d.' First..priori'ty
for land uses in a floodway will be given to- those non-in.tensive.-re-
creational, rural, and conservation uses listed in G-S:143-215.54 -In
the case of the town of Aurora where_ two -.thirds of the town lies in -a
floodplain, any land use meeting the Federal Insurance Administration
guidelines will be allowed. Much development already exists in the
floodplain and economic and efficient land use criteria can justify a
continuation of this development trend. Therefore, the following zonation
plan will be followed (see diagram --Requirements of Structures in Flood -
Prone Areas):
.r
r�
.I
Standard V .
4' foundafton
'%Sti it hoa5e
i
foundation
? minim%Arh ffe.
•'.
� Con
$ - cjr
-
•
� �� �..r �� �_ i��i��
�`--- --
�rrr��-two"
w�+. �.n �.�
�� �.r �� r. • �.�. �...• �� �.....�. �� �
toD `(�/ i� LOOSE. t-EVEL
--lc Gor►�'our
,
g'contoctr
contocar '
.77777
ZU"F, G,
ZONE Ei
RE CCU RE ME NTS
OF . ST RUST L)RE S .lit. FL�oOb. PRCN PAS
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-32 -
--Zone A --This is the land area from the mean high water level inland'
r to the four foot contour'. The finished' floor a levation• of a 1.1 new
construction in this zone will have to..be'elevated .a' minimum of .seven
(7) feet. At the present, no homes in. Aurora are.in-v oiation of this
restriction.
--Zone B--This' is the land area from the. four: foot:ct ntour'.Anland' to the
u. six foot contour. The finished floor-elevationof all-new•construction
in this zone will have to be elevated a•minimum of four. (4) 1,ee't.,
--Zone C=-This is the land area from the six foot contour inI.and:.to.the
boundary of the 100-year. flood prone area.- This' boundary coincides. -
approximately with the eight foot contour:.: The finished floor elevation
of all new construction in'this zone will. have to. be.elevateid..a minimum
of two (2) feet or else be flood -proofed in some acceptable manner.'
r. 6. Natural Hazard Areas --Coastal Floodplain
• These are defined as land areas adjacent to coastal sounds, -estuaries or
the ocean which are prone to flooding from storms with .an annual pro--
bability of one percent or greater (100-year storm) as i.dentified,by the
r State Geologist.
r • Significance: Coastal floodplains are those lands subject. .to :flooding or
wave action during severe storms or hurricanes. They are -lands where
uncontrolled, incompatible, or improperly designed buildings, structures,
facilities, and other development can unreasonably endanger life and
property.
• Appropriate land uses: Any land use that occurs must conform with the
standards of the Federal Insurance Administration for coastal flood
•
hazard areas and safety during the flood surge from a 100-year storm.
r (Code of Federal Regulations, Title 24, Chapter 10, Subchapter B).
t+
-33 -
However, no additional development should.be.'.allowed in the.`coasta:l
floodplain within the extraterritorial. -area.. There is ,no development
trend in these areas, there are .very few access.'.pointg and' the coastal' '
floodplain borders estuarine waters which are -excellent, w ntering:areas
for several species of ducks, including'the ;Canvasback. Con'se4*ueAtly,:
no economic justification for development in thes6.areas,".presently
exists.
Enforcement
t • The town of Aurora has notified the Coastal Resources Commission of it's
intent ,to develop an enforcement program enabling the town to •issue minor.
permits in the areas of environmental concern;
SECTION VI: CITY -COUNTY RELATIONSHIP DEFINED
fi/rw. Beaufort County recognizes and acknowledges Aur.ora'.s right. to establish the
one -mile extraterritorial area and its efforts fto develop a land use plan to
control development within the boundaries of that area. However, some problems
r '
regarding inconsistencies between the two plans have arisen.
The town of Aurora began its planning process to comply with the Coastal
Area Management Act in September of .1974 and completed the substance of the,
plans in August of 1975.. Throughout most of this time -the Beaufort County plan-
ning process was from three to six months behind the Aurora process.
The inconsistencies which exist between the town's.and the county's plan can
l be attributed, at least in part, to this time lag.. However, another and perhaps
l more important reason is that Aurora's plan was developed to a greater detail
than the county plan, especially with respect to the rural classes of land.
* Aurora's planners were able to obtain data which allowed for a more refined
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�M approach% to the identification and classification of rural land in -the .planning
rarea. In addition, the town of Aurora believes there a.re significant.questions
concerning the validity of the county's goal.of daming.the Pamlico River.-. Among.. .
the most significant of these questions is whether •the•.quality of• benefits .de-
rived from the project would reflect the. high cost involved. .•Also,:'there "are.
serious questions regarding environmental damage and••flood .-protdc.t16n- which must
be answered before any project of this type is'undertake•n.
.Regardless of these few conflicts, a .spirit'of cooperation does exist between
Aurora's planners and the Beaufort County planner as 'we.11 'as between Elie: town and
the County Board of Commissioners; Hopefully, this cooperation.will.everitually.
lead to a resolution of the conflicts.
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SOURCES:
"Aurora" --Governor's Award Pamphlet.
"Social and Economic Effects of the Proposed. Phosphate. and Mine..PTant in Beaufort
County, North Carolina," prepared for North-Car-olina.' Phospha`te'Corpora tion
March 1975, by Research Triangle Institute.;
"Examination of Population and Socio-Ec.onomic' Base .in :the. Mid -East• Region," pre-
pared by Mid -East 'Commission..
P! "Community Facilities Plan and Public Improvements Program, ;prep.red.for'.Aurora
by the Department of Conservation and Development•,% Ja�nuary,.1968. ".
r "Land Development Plan," prepared for Aurora by 'the'Department' of Conservation
and Development, November 1967.•
"Aurora Code of Ordinances.
1 Coastal Ecosystems: Ecological Considerations for Management.bf the Coastal
Zone, by John Clark, the Conservation Foundation, March 1974.
"Beaufort County School Facilities Survey,"'conducted by Division .of. School
Planning, North Carolina Department of Public Instruc-tion,. April 197.4..
"Water Resource Management"- Multi -County Regional Water Supply and .Sewage Dis-,
posal Systems Plans prepared by Wm. F. Freeman Associates, Summer 1975."
r ."Outdoor Recreational Development, compiled and published by Beaufort Soil
,. and Water Conservation District, April 1972.
"Beaufort County Agricultural Extension Service Annual -Narrative Report,"! 1974.
"Wildlife and Land Use Planning with Particular Reference to Coastal -Counties,'., '
prepared for North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission by Frank Barick
r and Stuart Critcher, April 1975.
Draft of "Natural Resources for Today and Tomorrow," a'Mid-East Resource Con-
servation and Development Project, 1975.
"The Present and Future Status of Eastern North Carolina Wetlands," by Arthur
Hawley. Prepared for Water Resources Research Institute of.the University
of North Carolina, January 1974.
"North Carolina Wetlands their Distribution and Management," by Kenneth Wilson.
Prepared for North Carolina. Wildlife Resources Commission, April.1962.
"Goals for Raleigh,". Technical Report 2': A Policy for the Future.. 1973.
"Aurora Alternative.Growth Patterns," Technical Report 2:' Background Data, 1975.
P„ "Aurora Alternative Growth Patterns," Technical Report 3: Goals for Aurora,
August 1975.
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"Aurora Alternative Growth Patterns," Technical Report 4: Relocation Options,
August 1975.
"Comprehensive Water and Sewer Study for Beaufort County," 1971.:
"Background Papers,Prepared for the Committee on Public:Works,-U.S. House -of
Representatives," November 1974.
ADVISORS:
Pauline Rowe --Aurora Town Clerk
Frank Bonner --Beaufort County Commissioner
Dan Windley--SCS Field Representative
Ed Karnowski_--SCS Field Director
Jack Donnelly --Wildlife Biologist
John Shore --Beaufort County Planner, DNER
Stanley Gardner --Wildlife Protector
Wilson Spencer--RC&D Coordinator
Justus Tice --Principal, Snowden Elementary School
Paul Comegys--Principal, Aurora High School
Tom Harwell --Rivers & Associates, Consulting Engineers
David Squires --Department of Transportation
Rusty Walker --Environmental Coordinator, N,C. Phosphate Corp.'