Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutWaterfront Access Plan-2000WATERFRONT ACCESS PLAN TOWN OF BEAUFORT, NORTH CAROLINA -7-, J DCM.COPY DCM COPY 2 r lease do not remove!!!!! Coastal Management } Division of eN:fCHM,A�RK CORPi7RATE� Local Govemment Services Plennkw, Community Dwmkwment and MUM?? errant ASHEM.F. NC I KANNAPrOL IS. NO PONSTCN, NC COLUM13K aC 2000 ' Waterfront Access Plan Town of Beaufort, North Carolina ' CAMA Steering Committee: ' Commissioner Nancy Russell Commissioner Dr. Walt Schaw ' Ms. Linda Dark Ms. Pat Kindell Mr. Guy Copes ' Ms. Rosalie Piner Ms. Lorraine Copeland Ms. Barbara Moore ' Mr. Mark Fleckenstein Mr. Math Chaplain Mr. Bennett Moss ' Town of Beaufort: ' Mayor Tom Steepy Commissioner Julian Arrington Commissioner Sam Brake ' Commissioner Faye Nelson Commissioner Nancy Russell Commissioner Dr. Walt Schaw ' Ms. Corrine Geer, Interim Town Manager Mr. John Young, Planning and Inspections Director ' Ms. Peggy Langdale, Secretary Mr. Neil Whitford, Town Attorney ' Technical Assistance: ' Benchmark, Incorporated Local Government Services — Planning, Community Development, and Management Kannapolis, NC — Kinston, NC — Columbia, SC Mr. Robert E. Clark AICP, Planner -In -Charge Mr. Michael D. Harvey, Community Planner ' Mr. Ed Lynch, Community Planner Mr. John McHenry, Mapping Ms. Andrea O'Neal, Administrative Assistant 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 Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. TABLE OF CONTENTS: I Section Page Number Introduction............................................................................................ 1 ' Professional Project Team ......... • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 2 ................................................... . ' Components of the waterfront plan ................................ ............................ Town of Beaufort CAMA Land Use Plan ................................................4 Town of Beaufort Strategic Growth Plan .................................................. 5 ' Public Participation.................................................................................. 5 Goals for increased waterfront access............................................................. 7 Inventory of Existing or Potential Sites........................................................... Public Water Access Definitions............................................................ 9 ' Potential Local Access Sites.................................................................12 Potential Neighborhood Access Sites ...................................................... 15 Potential Community Access Sites......................................................... 16 ' Potential Multi -Regional Access Sites ..................................................... 17 Recommended Improvements Access Sites ....................................................... 18 ' Improvements to Local Access Sites ....................................................... 18 Improvements to Neighborhood Access Sites ......... 19 .................. Improvements to Community Access Sites ................................................ 20 ' Strategies for Implementation....................................................................... 21 ' Types of Facilities Appropriate for Access........................................................ 24 Constraints to Public Access . . 24 CostEstimates......................................................................................... 25 Resources for Plan Implementation................................................................ 27 Potential Local Funding Sources............................................................ 27 Potential State Funding Sources............................................................ 27 Potential Federal Funding Sources......................................................... 28 I Appendices: Appendix A: Maps and Illustrations Waterfront Access Sites Color Renderings Appendix B: The Planning Process Phase One — Project Initiation and Inventory Phase Two — Analysis of Needs, Issues, and Assets ' Phase Three — Establishment of Goals Phase Four — Public Forum Phase Five — Finalizing the Plan ' Appendix C: Town of Beaufort Attorney's report ' Appendix D: Copy Of Public Forum Handout INTRODUCTION: The Town of Beaufort is not under any mandate to expand or contract the existing water access points within the municipal limits or within the extraterritorial jurisdiction. A waterfront access study includes an inventory and analysis of existing and potential waterfront access points. It is by completing this study that the Town can pursue additional grants to develop identified access sites to allow improved public access to local waterways. By identifying these sites the Town can formulate long-range goals for the acquisition and development of property to provide public water access. This plan represents a public plan intended to be the starting block for an analysis of potential waterfront access sites. Any decisions to expand or contract existing or potential waterfront access sites will ultimately be made by the Town of Beaufort's Board of Commissioners. The rationale in applying for a CAMA Waterfront Access Grant was to help local governmental officials consider where public waterfront access sites could be located and to establish the ownership of street ends within the Town of Beaufort. Several citizens expressed concern to the Town Board of Commissioners over the privatization of existing street ends for use by private developers. As early as 1998 local residents were petitioning the Board to initiate a study of existing street ends, specifically Broad and Gordon Street, to determine their ownership and to potentially use all publicly owned street ends for increased public waterfront access sites. As a result of these numerous petitions, and public comments, requesting a study to determine the ownership of the existing local street ends, the Board of Commissioners directed the Town Attorney to begin researching the ownership issue. Also as a result of public comments, and several requests from private citizens, the Town applied for a CAMA grant to develop a comprehensive plan to increase public waterfront access in Beaufort. Benchmark Inc. was selected by the Board of Commissioners to coordinate the study after several local residents made favorable comments on a similar plan developed for Morehead City by the planning consulting firm. In July of 1999 the Town received notification that. the CAMA grant was awarded. In August of 1999, the Board of Commissioners passed a resolution of support for the project and contracted with Benchmark Inc. to coordinate the development of the plan. The guidelines to the Coastal Area Management Act for the State of North Carolina requires that the consideration of a public plan include a variety of techniques for educating and involving the public in the process of the plan's development. The Town is responsible for involving and educating those who reside within the community in the development of an official plan. In order to accomplish this task the Town of Beaufort Board of Commissioners appointed a CAMA Steering Committee at the January 10, 2000 regular meeting. This committee was appointed to coordinate public forums to r I I obtain public input as well as provide Planning staff with invaluable guidance and direction in the formulation of a final plan. The members of this committee are as follows: • Linda Dark • Nancy Russell • Pat Kindell • Dr. Walt Schaw • Guy Copes • Rosalie Piner • Lorraine Copeland • Barbara Moore • Mark Fleckenstein • Math Chaplain • Bennett Moss This committee has been assisting the Project Team in the formulation of goals and objectives, with the collection of data, working to identify potential access sites, assisting with the coordination of public meetings, and eventually guiding staff in the completion of a final recommendation to the Beaufort Board of Commissioners. The study area covered by the Plan included the entire Town limits and the extraterritorial jurisdiction surrounding the Town of Beaufort. PROFESSIONAL PROJECT TEAM MEMBERS: The local Professional Project Team was comprised of the following members: • Mr. John Young. Mr. Young is currently the Public Works Director, Chief Zoning Officer and Building Inspector with seventeen (17) years of service to the Town of Beaufort. Mr. Young is keenly aware of local policies and the availability of potential access sites. Mr. Young will help staff with the collection of information and the analysis of local ordinances for presentation to the committee. • Mr. Bob Clark AICP Senior Planner of Benchmark's Kinston Office. Mr. Clark is a member of the American Institute of Certifies Planners and has more than twenty-five (25) years of municipal, county, and contract planning experience within eastern North Carolina. He has CAMA planning experience as a North Carolina Division of Community Assistance Planner as well as a consulting planner in six (6) coastal communities. Most recently, Mr. Clark was the Senior Planner in charge of a similar study completed in Morehead City outlining and identifying potential waterfront access sites. CAMA has approved Mr. Clark as the certified Planning in charge for this project. Beaufort Waterfront Access Plan 2 ' • Mr. Michael D. Harvey, Planner II with Benchmark and the Beaufort Code Enforcement Officer. Mr. Harvey is the local Benchmark Planner assigned to the Town of Beaufort. Mr. Harvey was previously the zoning administrator with the ' Town of Nags Head where he was also a CAMA Local Permit Officer. During his employee, he was involved in assisting Nags Head planning staff apply for ' CAMA grants to fund public waterfront access sites. ' It should be noted that the preparation of this report including all maps, drawings, and renderings 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 Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 3 ' Beaufort Waterfront Access Plan COMPONENTS OF THE WATERFRONT ACCESS PLAN: This plan includes an inventory and analysis of existing and potential water access sites within the Town of Beaufort and its extraterritorial area. Specific sites are classified as to types of access and use that are most appropriate given their locations, constraints, potential obstacles, permitting requirements, neighborhood and community benefits, ' redevelopment potential, and environmental context. The classification of these sites, and the purposes for which they provide waterfront access opportunities, have materialized from a comprehensive assessment by the Steering Committee, the Project ' Team, and local citizens. ' In completing this study, an analysis of existing plans, policies, or local ordinances was conducted to ascertain the existence of rules or regulations that supported or conflicted with potential expansion or construction of waterfront access sites. In conducting the review, staff discovered the following: The Town of Beaufort CAMA Land Use Plan: In reviewing the Beaufort Land Use Plan, staff identified the following policies and conclusions that support the creation of additional waterfront access sites: • Under Section One: Analysis of Existing Conditions, subsection B Economy, the following existing condition is listed: `The area's extensive shoreline resources make it a primary vacation area for the entire east coast of the country. While the greatest tourist impact on the local economy occurs from May to September, visitation figures maintained for the county by the Carteret County Economic Development Council indicate a substantial year-round economic impact from both day and night visitors.' • This section identifies the importance of the existing shoreline as a vital component in the local economy in attracting visitors to our area and supporting several different facets of a tourist economy, which offers several different water based activities. • With respect to Estuarine Access, the Beaufort Land Use Plan establishes the following policy: `Beaufort supports the state's shoreline access policies as set forth in NCAC Chapter 15A, Subchapter 7M. The Town will conform to CAMA and other state and federal environmental regulations affecting the development of estuarine access areas. The town will support development of a detailed shoreline access plan during the five (5) year planning period.' 4 Beaufort Waterfront Access Plan P F L • This CAMA Waterfront Access Plan is an attempt to meet this previously established goal. • In reviewing the policy statements of the Land Use Plan, there are several references to expanding the tourism base in Beaufort, specifically focusing on the following: 1. Beaufort will support projects that will increase public access to shoreline areas. 2. Beaufort will preserve its historic district and Taylor's Creek waterfront area. • The Land Use Plan supports additional waterfront access so long as the access is provided in a manner that protects the quality of local water resources while protecting the visual window of the waterfront area. The Beaufort Strategic Growth Plan: The Strategic Growth Plan was developed to act as an extension of the previously approved and adopted 1996 Town of Beaufort Land Use Plan. It was intended that the implementation of all the recommendations of the growth plan be consistent with the Policy Statements and Land Classification System as established in the Land Use Plan. In reviewing this document, the following goals and policies were established with respect to waterfront access: • In order to preserve natural vegetation and scenic views, `no building or houses or structures excepting noncommercial docks or piers will be erected on the south side of Front Street in this R-8 district'. • The plan identifies the need for increased public shoreline access and establishes the requirement that a community service plan be completed proposing increased waterfront access. The only potential limitation of increased waterfront access would be the limitation of allowed construction at waterfront access sites located within the R8 zoning district. This means that there can be no gazebos or other similar structures constructed at such access sites. As we will see, however, the committee is not interested in the construction of such permanent structures at access sites as they could potentially block the visual window and the aesthetic beauty of the local Beaufort waterfront. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: From the onset of this project, both the Beaufort CAMA Steering Committee and local professional staff supported the need for citizen participation in the formulation of this plan. 5 Beaufort Waterfront Access Plan ' A public forum was held at the Beaufort Elementary School on May 11, 2000 at 7:00 p.m. The event introduced citizens to the CAMA Waterfront Access Plan Study ' process, the CAMA Steering Committee, and the professional planning team. Members of both the CAMA Steering Committee and the professional planning team were introduced and participated in the forum. The Planning Team presented an overview of how the Beaufort Waterfront Plan was being developed. An introduction to basic waterfront access types, background ' facts, and other vital information was given. Other information presented included a collection of photographs taken by committee members, colorized renderings detailing ' the potential development of existing and proposed waterfront access sites, preliminary goals and objectives, and colorized maps outlining the location of existing and proposed waterfront access sites throughout Beaufort and the extraterritorial jurisdiction. The Planning Team addressed the attendees and solicited their input and comment on the proposals that had been developed. Participants provided input on the need for increased public waterfront access, explained their concerns with respect to the draft goals and objectives, and made valuable suggestions as to potential development of waterfront access sites and the preliminary goals and objectives. ' The public forum revealed several concerns and interests. Chief among the concerns expressed by participants was the need to protect open vistas where possible to ' preserve the visual window of the Beaufort waterfront. Participants also expressed the need to provide for the connection of these individual waterfront access sites to provide for a continuous path system throughout Beaufort. This path system would form the ' backbone of a comprehensive greenway system allowing universal access for local residents and visitors to the various historic, cultural, and retail opportunities throughout Beaufort. Finally participants discussed the problems associated with providing more ' boat access sites and the need for off street parking. Several participants indicated that the parking situation around existing access sites was already causing some problems. Attendees expressed a desire to encourage non -intensive recreational use of street ends to ' alleviate the potential for parking congestion and misuse of the existing on street public parking. ' Citizens expressed the need to concentrate on providing passive waterfront access sites where people could enjoy sight seeing, fishing, or swimming without the fear of being impeded by others attempting to use the area for boat access. The citizens ' indicated a preference for the completed .waterfront access plan to focus on providing passive recreational opportunities for local residents and visitors rather than providing more intensive waterfront access sites. While the citizens did not suggest that any local ' commercial businesses could not make use of any proposed waterfront access sites, such as small commercial fishing boats, the consensus was that the Town should focus on providing areas where local residents and visitors could enjoy the aesthetic quality of the ' Beaufort waterfront. 6 Beaufort Waterfront Access Plan GOALS FOR INCREASED WATERFRONT ACCESS: The Beaufort CAMA Steering Committee has met frequently in the preparation of ' the Plan. During these meetings local citizens and members of the local press have been present at each of these meetings to observe the committee and staff as they developed the study's goals and discussed the many ideas that evolved throughout the development ' of the Plan. In considering potential sites, the committee made a conscious decision to focus ' on the need to provide more local and neighborhood access to provide local residents with greater pedestrian access to the waterfront. These type of sites place an emphasis on providing passive recreational access while encouraging the preservation of open vistas ' and limiting land disturbance whenever possible ' After holding the public forum and reviewing the public input, the Beaufort Steering Committee drafted the following goals to frame the desired outcomes of the Waterfront Access Plan: ' 1. To develop the Beaufort Waterfront Access Plan with direct community participation and consensus building; 2. To prepare the Beaufort Waterfront Access Plan based on CAMA guidelines for waterfront access types; ' 3. To investigate and prepare a Waterfront Access Plan and Map for the Town of Beaufort's shoreline including the extraterritorial jurisdiction that recognizes the ' need for, and accommodates, appropriate waterfront development in sensitive environmental areas while maintaining the public's health, safety, and general welfare; ' 4. To identify appropriate access within existing neighborhoods while maintaining the integrity of the neighborhood; 5. To provide improved waterfront access in a manner that will protect the visual and aesthetic window of our waterfront. Open vistas shall be preserved whenever ' possible and minimal construction shall be allowed to provide community access. 6. To provide additional sources of passive recreational waterfront access for local ' residents and visitors. Passive recreation includes, but is not limited to, fishing piers, swimming access, pedestrian walkways, nature trails, bird watching areas, bike paths, and observation decks where appropriate. This is not meant to ' preclude use of existing or potential waterfront access sites for commercial uses, i.e. allowing a small fishing boat to make use of a public dock for a short time, but not to focus on providing additional public boat access sites. 7 ' Beaufort Waterfront Access Plan 7. To combine waterfront access with educational and historic information concerning Beaufort wherever appropriate. This information would be placed at various waterfront access sites identifying the historical significance of a particular area or providing educational information on indigenous marine or plant life. This information would be provided in such a manner as not to detract from the area and not take up valuable open space. 8. To connect these various sites in a path or greenway system where appropriate. This will allow residents, and visitors to our area, to have greater access to our waterfront access sites and make the area more pedestrian accessible. 9. To identify security issues associated with waterfront access sites. This includes, ' but is not limited to, lighting, and hours of operation. While there will be no limits placed on the enjoyment of these public access sites, any waterfront access ' site shall be designed to ensure that local residents and visitors are not negatively affected by their use. ' 10. To identify funding sources to make these access sites a reality. This includes identifying grant -funding sources, forming partnerships with other local or state agencies to develop a waterfront access site, and possibly working with other ' governmental entities, such as Carteret County, to jointly sponsor the development of an access site. N. I Beaufort Waterfront Access Plan INVENTORY OF EXISTING OR POTENTIAL SITES: Prior to beginning the inventory process the Town Attorney, on the direction from the Town of Beaufort Board of Commissioners, conducted a study to determine the ownership of the various street ends throughout Beaufort. This report is attached in Appendix C and identifies those street ends that are currently within public ownership. Once this date was obtained, the project team conducted an in-depth analysis of each of the publicly owner street ends adjacent to the waterfront to determine which areas were undeveloped and had potential for waterfront access, either in the form of boat or pedestrian access. It was noted in completing this analysis that there are already five (5) existing waterfront access sites within Beaufort. The first site is the downtown Beaufort waterfront, which is classified as an urban waterfront by CAMA. The second site is the Curtis Perry Park, located at the far eastern end of Front Street and is classified as a regional access site. The third site is also located in the downtown area at Orange Street and is classified as a community access site. The fourth site is the Jaycees Park, which is located across from the US Post Office on Front Street and is classified as a community access site. The final site is located off of West Beaufort road, near the marina, and is classified as a community access site. Initially, there were thirteen (13) waterfront access points identified for the study. Seven (7) of these sites appear to be in private ownership while the others are considered publicly owned. The majority of these sites consist of rights -of -way street ends and public properties owned by the Town of Beaufort. The typical street end is a fifty (50) feet wide area ending at, or continuing beyond, the mean high water mark. Most provide primary or secondary access to adjoining properties. All the sites offer visual connections to the water. All the sites identified in this analysis yield to marsh, concrete rubble, or other stabilizing `rip -rap'. These sites are also subject to noticeable tidal fluctuations. Most of these sites area susceptible to wave erosion and mostly yield to narrow bands of sandy beaches. PUBLIC WATER ACCESS DEFINITIONS: The Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA) guidelines provide five (5) basic classifications of public waterfront accesses. They are as follows: • Local Access Sites • Neighborhood Access Sites • Community Access Sites • Multi -regional Sites • Urban Waterfront Redevelopment Projects After studying the Coastal Resources Commission's definitions of `Basic Public Water Access', the planning team and the local steering committee further defined them 9 ' Beaufort Waterfront Access Plan for application to local conditions and needs. It is the Local and Neighborhood Access classifications, however, that shall be considered as the primary scope of the Beaufort Waterfront Access Plan. These definitions are as follows: Local Access Sites: Characterized By: • Public Access points, generally at street ends. • Minimum or no facilities. • No directional signage leading to the site. • Principal use by pedestrians who reside within a few hundred yards of the site. • No parking areas provided. • Limited use of hours where necessary. • Hand launching only of small boats and watercraft. No ramps provided. • No handicapped access provided. • Shoreline protection (if needed). • Appropriate landscaping and plantings. • Bollards or distinctive markers (spaces eight (8) feet apart), with waterfront access symbol. • Markers to demarcate between private and public land spaces. Neighborhood Access Sites: Characterized By: • Principal use by individuals near the site within the immediate subdivision. • Typically forty (40) to sixty (60) feet in width (street right-of-way). • No directional signage leading to the site. • Limited hours where necessary. • Handicapped access provided. • Five (5) standard parking spaces and one (1) handicapped space. • Appropriate landscaping and plantings. • Four (4) foot wide boardwalk for shore access. • Litter receptacles. • Bike rack. • Limited lighting. • Shoreline protection (if needed). • Bollards or distinctive markers with waterfront access symbol. • Markers to demarcate between private and public land spaces. • Hand launching only of boats and small water craft. No ramps provided. Community Access Sites: Characterized By: • Service of the public throughout the community, including day visitors. 10 Beaufort Waterfront Access Plan r C u • Where possible, usually has one-half acre open space in addition to all required setback areas for buffering, day use, nature study, or similar purposes. • Twenty-five (25) to eighty (80) parking spaces. • Crossover or path. • Pier. • Four (4) foot wide boardwalk for shore access. • Litter receptacles. • Public access signs. • Shoreline protection (if needed). • Restrooms where feasible. • Foot showers, where feasible. • Small boat launching and hand launching. Multi -Regional Access Sites: Characterized By: • A site larger than community access but smaller than state parks. • Two acres of open space, where possible, in addition to all required setbacks provided for buffering, day use, nature study, or similar purposes. • Eighty (80) to one hundred (100) parking spaces. • Various facilities including pier, boat ramp, etc. • Restrooms. • Indoor showers and changing rooms. • Concession stand(s). Urban Waterfront: Characterized By: • Active commercial, water dependant and non water dependant uses. • Promenade or boardwalk for pedestrians. • Boat slips and bulkheads. • Located in a downtown area. • Non motorized boat rentals. • Commercial boat taxi services. • Floating docks for day and overnight boat dockage. • Off street parking. In utilizing these criteria, nine (9) potential waterfront access sites have been identified for their potential as improved waterfront access points focusing on providing additional local or neighborhood access. Eight (8) of these sites have primary waterfront access with one (1) site being identified as a potential wetland nature trail. All but three (3) sites are in public ownership and there is one (1) existing site, at the western end of Front Street, which is already developed. It should also be noted that two (2) areas within Beaufort Waterfront Access Plan 11 ' Beaufort have been identified for future consideration of a waterfront access site. These sites are identified within this plan for illustrative purposes only. The identified sites are as follows: the western end of Front Street, the end of Gordon Street, the end of Broad Street, two (2) vacant lots with waterfront access on Cedar Street directly adjacent to the draw bridge on either side, the Gayden Paul Draw ' Bridge, the western side of Turner Street, and a vacant lot located at the end of Riverside Drive. The two (2) sites identified for future consideration are proposed to be located off ' of Lennoxville Road and Enforcement Lane. These sites have been identified as being usable to support either local or ' neighborhood access sites. The emphasis on these sites will be the provision of additional waterfront access for passive recreational activities and limited commercial use. The vacant lot on Enforcement Lane has been identified for use as a Community ' Access site with the provision of a small number of parking spaces and a small boat ramp. ' There has been one (1) site identified for a possible interconnected dock system extending from Live Oak Street that will connect to Turner Street and provide additional waterfront access for residents on the eastern side of Beaufort. This site has been ' identified as a wetland access point to allow local residents and visitors to be allowed access to existing wetlands located directly behind the Beaufort Elementary School. This site was also selected for use as an educational site to provide general information of ' local indigenous plant and animal life as well as educational information of wetland preservation and other similar ecological concerns. POTENTIAL LOCAL ACCESS SITES: During the committee's preliminary analysis of potential waterfront access sites, ' and comments made during the public forum, the central goal of the Beaufort Waterfront Access Plan was to provide additional sources of local or neighborhood access. During the public forum, citizens expressed the desire to improve the Town of Beaufort street ' ends by cleaning these sites up and providing a minimum amount of facilities promoting passive recreational access. ' Local access points along Taylor's Creek are mostly found along Front Street. These locations provide the immediate residents with opportunities for strolling, bird watching, informal gatherings, swimming, sunbathing, along with shore or just offshore ' sandbars and portage areas for hand launched skiffs, kayaks, and wind surfing boards. The end of Broad Street is currently blocked off and currently does not lend itself to ' allow any type of access. The Plan identifies two (2) sites that are either being used on some informal basis as a local access site or had the potential for local access type improvements. All sites ' listed below are shown on the Site Map in Appendix A Maps and Illustrations. 12 I Beaufort Waterfront Access Plan ' Two 2 additional sites, on Enforcement Lane and Lennoxville Road, are identified within this section for illustrative purposes only, in order to indicate the ' potential future development of a local waterfront access sites within these areas. In order to assist in the planning process, the CAMA has assigned each potential ' waterfront access site identified in this report a name. The name assigned to each site is preliminary and is only designed to help identify access sites. The committee is not intending for these access sites to have these preliminary names used for official purposes ' once they are developed as that is the decision of the Town Board of Commissioners. All potential access sites are identified and defined in random order. Front Street Way: Front Street Way is the name given to the piece of property located on the western end of Front Street at the cul-de-sac turn around point. The site currently contains three (3) benches and a trash receptacle. While the site does not currently allow for direct water access, it does provide an area for local residents and visitors to enjoy the view of the waterfront and of several historic properties along Front Street. There is potential to expand water access at this street end by developing the area all the way to the existing concrete riprap. This could include the addition of new benches into the area, installation of a sidewalk to connect the site to the rest of the downtown area as well as other waterfront developments to the north. Currently there are no legal on street parking spaces at this end of Front Street and no spaces are proposed to be added. Riverside Park: Riverside Park is the name given to a vacant lot at the end of Riverside Drive. The lot in question is currently in private ownership and in a natural state with several trees and other forms of vegetation and pockets of isolated wetlands. The site currently does not allow any direct water access to local residents. There is potential to provide water access on this site with the construction of a walkway from the lot in question to the water. A small dock could be erected at the end of the walkway to allow for the launching of small day boats or non -motorized watercraft. This area would be developed for use primarily for people who live on Riverside or Copeland Drive. According to local residents there is also an old Civil War graveyard located on site. The committee suggests that the validity of this claim be verified and if the cemetery does indeed exist, it should be refurbished and maintained. Historic or informational plaques could be erected on site to inform visitors about the history of the gravesite as well as provide information about the Civil War and Beaufort's involvement. There is also adjoining cul-de-sac. where local residents an existing private boat dock across from the vacant lot in an The dock was developed to be a local neighborhood access site who helped pay for the docks upkeep, would be granted access 13 Beaufort Waterfront Access Plan rights to the dock. After talking with local residents the dock is used very infrequently and the original members of the group that developed the dock have moved away from the area. This existing dock could provide additional local access to the water once it is repaired. The committee has recommended that the Town begin investigating the current ownership of the dock and look into the possibility of turning it into a local waterfront access point. Enforcement Way: Enforcement way is the name given to an as yet unidentified site on Enforcement Lane for a potential future local waterfront access site. The committee has determined that a need for additional local waterfront access may be necessary within the area and has decided to designate the area as a potential location for a local waterfront access site once a specific site is made available. Lennox Point: As with the potential site on Enforcement Lane, the committee has for illustrative purposes selected a potential local waterfront access site at the end of Lennoxville Road. The area in question is primarily developed as a residential area and is within the Town's ET7 (extraterritorial jurisdiction). The committee has determined that a need may exist in the near future for a local access site within the area and has decided to designate a site as a potential location for a local waterfront access site. Lennox Point and Enforcement Way are identified as potential sites for illustrative purposes only. The committee will pursue development of access sites within these areas only if adequate property is made available and a true need for such a site is determined. If a local access site is developed it will be done so with a minimal amount of amenities to protect the local environment. Based on the definition of appropriate local access, a prototype design was prepared to illustrate the concept. It is recommended that one (1) identified local access site be chosen for initial improvements using only local funds. The committee has also selected an identified neighborhood access site to be developed using local funds as a Prototype for other neighborhood access sites. Once these sites are improved, the Town Board of Commissioners would seek information from nearby property owners, people from larger neighborhoods, and those town officials responsible for the management and maintenance of these sites to determine whether some of all of the remaining identifies Local and Neighborhood Access Sites shall be developed in the same manner. The west end of Front Street and the end of Gordon Street both lend themselves to be the prototype sites to be developed. These sites would require minimal alteration and improvements and would help to establish the concept of providing for more passive waterfront access while preserving the existing open vistas. 14 Beaufort Waterfront Access Plan ' POTENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD ACCESS SITES: The Plan identifies six (6) sites that are either being used informally for hand held ' launched boat or pedestrian access, or have the potential for local or neighborhood improvements. All sites listed below are shown on the Site Map in Appendix A. ' Gordon Street Community Beach: The Gordon Street Community Beach is identified as the property located at the southern end of Gordon Street. This site in question is a street end with approximately one hundred -fifty (150) feet of publicly owned waterfront property that is fronted by an eight (8) foot sidewalk, which parallels Front Street. Utilities are available on the site. It is a vacant tract of land with three (3) existing docks that are currently in public ownership and are privately maintained. The site in question is surrounded predominately by single-family residential development and is located within the R8 zoning district. The site is predominantly sandy with some pockets of marshland with Pampas Grass and other forms of vegetation. The site is currently used as an informal launching point for day boats and kayaks for surrounding residents. Watermark Park: Watermark Park is the preliminary name given to the vacant street end located at the western end of Broad Street. This site is a street end with approximately fifty (50) feet of right-of-way that has two (2) eight (eight) foot sidewalks located on either side of the street end. The street end terminates in the water where there is approximately twenty (20) feet of unpaved area, made up primarily of gravel, dirt, minimal vegetation, and rip - rap that terminates in Taylor's Creek. The site is adjacent to the Gallants Group construction project that is proposing to locate a small dock on its property. The site in question is surrounded by single family residential development and is located within the R8 zoning district. The site is currently blocked off with a `dead end' sign and is not designed to provide any incidental public use or access. Flowers Walk: Flowers Walk is the preliminary name assigned to a vacant piece of property located adjacent to the Graydon Paul Draw Bridge. The lot in question is in private ownership and currently has direct waterfront access. Local residents currently use the area as an informal fishing spot. There are no formal parking spaces or docks currently located on site. Flowers Walk H: Flowers Walk II refers is the preliminary name assigned to a vacant piece of property located across from the Flowers Walk site, to the opposite side of the draw 15 Beaufort Waterfront Access Plan ' bridge. This property is also in private ownership and currently has some small docks on site. The lot is currently listed as being for sale. ' Town Creek Way ' This site is located adjacent to Turner Street, which allows access from Cedar Street to West Beaufort Road. The road has a fifty (50) foot right-of-way that currently terminates in Taylor's Creek on the west side. The area is predominately marsh land with ' some existing concrete rip -rap. The site in question is surrounded by residential uses. The site does not allow for any incidental public access due to the marshy conditions of the area. ' Draw Bridge Landing: Draw Bridge Landing refers to the existing Graydon Paul Draw Bridge that connects Morehead City with Beaufort. There is a proposal to re-route traffic from Morehead City into Beaufort, which would make the existing bridge useless for traffic ' purposes. The committee has suggested that the site could be used for a waterfront access site and encourages the Town to inform the North Carolina Department of Transportation on our interest to retain ownership of the area once the new bridge is constructed. POTENTIAL COMMUNITY ACCESS SITES: ' The Plan identifies one (1) potential community access site: Tressle Park Wav: The site identified for a potential community access site is the area behind the ' Beaufort Elementary School. The area is predominately marsh and wetland with an old railroad trestle spanning the property. The old railroad bridge extends from the Vickers property, which has access from Live Oak Street, and to several residential properties on ' West Beaufort Road. This area lends itself to be developed as a nature trial system, allowing potential access from the elementary school, Live Oak Street, West Beaufort Road, and Turner Street. This proposed trial system would be developed with a raised ' deck system and could allow for a minimal water access area to encourage small boat access. The area as a whole lends itself to development as a nature and educational trail providing local residents and visitors with educational information on local plant and ' animal life and on the importance of wetland preservation. While the majority of the selected sites could be developed into a Community ' Access site, the Beaufort CAMA Steering Committee has determined that they are not interested in encouraging the development of such sites. The committee determined that provision of parking spaces would pose a problem for local residents and would destroy ' the visual and aesthetic window for the area as a whole. The committee determined that 16 ' Beaufort Waterfront Access Plan neighborhood access sites preserve the visual window of the waterfront and the integrity of the surrounding neighborhoods. The committee has determined that these types of access would better serve local residents and visitors. POTENTIAL MULTI -REGIONAL ACCESS SITES: There are no sites being considered for development as a Multi -regional access site within the study area. The Town currently has the Beaufort Waterfront, which supplies several boat slips and dock area to satisfy the Town's need for such an access. There is also the existing regional boat access ramp at the eastern end of Front Street, in Curtis Perry Park and a commercial marina off of West Beaufort Road. The committee and planning staff do not believe there is an additional need for a multi -regional access site in the area. 17 Beaufort Waterfront Access Plan RECOMMENDED IMPROVEMENTS TO ACCESS SITES: During the site inventory review process it was determined that the Town of Beaufort owns a portion of waterfront property that can be improved for local and neighborhood access. It consists mostly of street rights -of -way that end at the waterfront on the western and southern shores of the Town. It shall be necessary to obtain additional properties for community, multi -regional, or urban access through land donation, lease agreements, or land acquisition in order to proceed with a more extensive waterfront access program if the Town of Beaufort desires to develop such access points. IMPROVEMENTS TO LOCAL ACCESS SITES: ' The committee has designated the west end of Front Street, where the existing cul-de-sac is located, and a vacant lot off of Riverside Drive as the primary local access sites. These areas are designated to be improved as indicated below and on the prototype ' site plan drawing as shown in Appendix A. ' Front Street Way: The west end of Front Street has already been extensively developed. There are existing benches and a trash receptacle on site, as well as existing vegetation in the cul- de-sac. The committee proposes to remove the existing concrete benches and place wooden style benches, with high backs, into the area. The sidewalk should also be extended to provide a continuous pedestrian access loop in the area to allow visitors to ' the site to be able to access both sides of Front Street from this site. The committee has also recommended that a small covered bench be placed at the access site. The cul-de- sac should be re -landscaped and the existing anchor removed. The new landscaping should consist of small bushes and indigenous local plants to help accentuate the area. The committee also suggests that preliminary efforts be taken to look into securing the necessary access easements to allow either a sidewalk, or a raised walkway, to be ' constructed near the waterfront to connect existing and proposed waterfront access sites to the north with the Front Street access. This will help facilitate the development of a continuous path/greenway system connecting the waterfront accesses throughout ' Beaufort. tRiverside Park: The vacant lot on Riverside Drive is currently undeveloped and highly vegetated. ' The committee suggests a small portion of the site be cleared to create a path to the water. A small dock is proposed to be placed at the base of the river to allow local residents to use it for a boat or personal water craft launching area. AS previously indicated, there ' may be an existing Civil War cemetery on site. The committee proposes the Town begin working with the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources to verify the claim and develop the appropriate information and historical plaques to advertise the historical ' 18 P ' Beaufort Waterfront Access Plan ' importance of the site. Other potential amenities suggested by the committee include a limited number of high back, wood, benches and possible a bike rack. ' IMPROVEMENTS TO NEIGHBORHOOD ACCESS SITES: The committee has designated the following as the primary neighborhood access ' sites within the Town of Beaufort. As previously indicated, the committee has selected the end of Gordon Street as the prototype development site for all neighborhood access sites. All of these areas are designated to be improves as indicated below and on the ' prototype site plan drawing as shown in Appendix A. Gordon Street Community Beach: The Gordon Street Community Beach currently has three (3) existing docks on site and a large area of vacant land made up predominately of sand and low lying vegetation. Two (2) small floating docks can be added to the end of two (2) of the piers to encourage more boat access. This could include allowing small commercial fishing boats to dock for temporary purposes. More sand can be added to the area to promote the `beech' atmosphere of the site and encourage more passive recreation activities. The committee also suggests that up to three (3) benches be placed on site. These benches should be the same style of bench installed at every waterfront access site. The committee also suggests that a bike rack and a trash receptacle be placed on site as well. Any and all necessary signage shall be kept to a minimum. Watermark Park: The end of Broad Street is a fifty (50) foot right-of-way that is located adjacent to the proposed Gallants Group development site. The committee recommends that the are be cleaned up and the existing vegetation preserved as much as possible. The committee recommends that a dock be extended into the waterway with fixed seating along the edges of the dock. This dock will support the creation of a board walk atmosphere to allow visitors to bird watch, fish, or just enjoy the view. Small boats shall be allowed to dock on site with the provision of a limited number of mooring slips being constructed on site. This will also allow the launching of small day boats, kayak, and other similar non - motorized personal watercraft vehicles. The site will also have two (2) bike racks and an undetermined number of trash receptacles on site to handle waste disposal. Flowers Walk: This is a vacant lot, located adjacent to the Graydon Paul Bridge and currently being used by local residents and visitors as an informal fishing spot. The committee recommends that the lot be secured to allow for it to remain for public use. The committee suggests that a limited number of parking spaces be provided on site to aid in traffic control and make the area safer. A small dock is proposed to be developed to aid in providing a safe location for visitors to fish and enjoy the area. The committee 19 Beaufort Waterfront Access Plan suggests that three (3) benches be located on site as well as two (2) bike racks to encourage more pedestrian use of the area. The committee also recommends that the Town apply for funding to extend a deck under the draw bridge to allow pedestrians to access other waterfront access sites located to the south of the property. This potentially includes Flowers Walk II and Watermark Park. Flowers Walk II: Flowers Walk II is a piece of property to the south of the draw bridge with a ' collection of small privately owned docks. The committee recommends that the area be maintained and a small walk way be constructed to allow for an increased level of public ' access. The existing docks will be allowed to remain and a small number of new docks shall be constructed to allow for more boat access. The site will have to be landscaped and existing vegetation preserved to protect the area from over development. ' Town Creek Way This site is located adjacent to Turner Street, which allows access from Cedar ' Street to West Beaufort Road. The road has a fifty (50) foot right-of-way that currently terminates in Taylor's Creek on the west side. The area is predominately marsh land with ' some existing concrete rip -rap. The committee has recommended that an elevated walkway/boardwalk be constructed adjacent to Turner Street to allow for pedestrian access from the base of Turner Street to the existing CAMA boat access site. The ' boardwalk is proposed to follow the shoreline, going across the new Maritime Museum Site to the north, and terminating at the boat ramp. The committee also recommends that the Town look into extending the boardwalk from Turner Street, following the shoreline, ' and connecting the Flowers Walk site. This will establish a continuous trail system along the waterfront and give residents and visitors the ability to one day access the downtown area from the Maritime Museum and from West Beaufort Road. This is a ling term goal, ' but central to the development of the Turner Street boardwalk. Draw Bridge Landinz Draw Bridge Landing refers to the existing Graydon Paul Draw Bridge that connects Morehead City with Beaufort. As we already know there are plans to re-route ' traffic from the area, which would make the use of the bridge for automobile traffic unnecessary. The committee suggests that the bridge be developed as a boardwalk and park area with benches and picnic tables on site to allow residents and visitors to enjoy the view. This would mean the placement of fixed picnic tables and waste receptacles on site. There is currently no proposed public parking for the site. ' IMPROVEMENTS TO COMMUNITY ACCESS SITES: There is one (1) site proposed for use as a community access. The area behind the ' Beaufort Elementary School is predominantly wetlands and marsh area. The committee 20 ' Beaufort Waterfront Access Plan ' has recommended that a raised walkway be constructed on site to allow for the creation of a permanent walkway system to allow residents to access the waterfront access sites on ' Turner Street, and the Maritime Museum, from the eastern half of Beaufort. The boardwalk should be high enough of the ground to protect the existing ecosystem while allowing for safe pedestrian access to Turner Street. The boardwalk will have several ' staring and ending points with planned access from the Vickers property, the Beaufort Elementary School, from West Beaufort Road, and from Turner Street. The committee recommends that benches be provided on the boardwalk to allow people to sit and enjoy ' the view. The committee also recommends that informational plaques and markers be installed along the boardwalk to provide information on indigenous plant and animal life as well as the importance on wetland conservation. ' This proposed boardwalk can also be used to preserve the existing train trestle system if possible. The boardwalk can also contain educational material on trains and ' any appropriate historic information concerning the use of trains in Beaufort and the historic importance of the railway in the area. C 21 I Beaufort Waterfront Access Plan ' STRATEGIES FOR IMPLEMENTATION: In conjunction with using the prototype local, neighborhood, and community ' access designs in the suggested location, the following strategies are emphasized: ' 1. Designation of a committee to oversee the development and property acquisition associated with the identified waterfront access sites. ' 2. Begin the process to clearly claim and mark public properties and rights -of -way using a simple but distinctive survey marker system. This will help preserve these sites for future use and allow local residents to visually identify the proposed ' future waterfront access sites. This will have the effect of encouraging more citizen participation in the development of these sites and could possible allow for additional lands being made available to expand proposed waterfront access sites. ' 3. Introduce a "adopt a lot" program within the Town of Beaufort to encourage local citizens and businesses to adopt public lots and street ends throughout the Town ' to assistance with their improvement and overall appearance. While the Town would bear the majority of the maintenance cost for a developed access site, this program would not only lower the overall financial commitment, but also ' encourage local participation in waterway access development and beautification. 4. Adopt appropriate plans and policies that disperse the limited waterfront access ' usage among all identified access projects in order to guarantee the best overall benefit for Beaufort residents. ' 5. Initiate a pilot development project of a local waterfront access site to encourage community involvement and support of the overall plan. The west end of Front Street has been identified as a pilot waterfront access development project. ' 6. Install standardized logos and appropriate markers, specific to each type of access, to help in the detailing to potential users of the site the permitted and ' acceptable uses, and assist local staff with the enforcement of local ordinances. 7. Install aesthetically pleasing and passive signage to identify each public access ' site. 8. Install appropriate vegetation to accentuate the waterfront access sites and assist ' in shielding adjacent property owners from potential negative secondary effects associated with waterfront access sites. ' 9. Consider eliminating placement at local street ends beyond existing driveways that serve adjoining properties where parking problems exist. This, along with the use of bollards, will help to discourage undesired parking. 22 ' Beaufort Waterfront Access Plan 10. Allow the hand launching of small boats at certain local access points provided that trailer parking will not be permitted. This would include kayaks, small sailboats, and small fishing boats. 11. Apply for all applicable State or Federal funding that supports the policies and goals adopted in this Plan. This would include applying for CAMA Waterfront grants and NCDOT TIP grants that are designed to assist in the development of waterfront access sites and nature trails. 12. When appropriate, continue to coordinate efforts with Carteret County to implement countywide recreation and waterfront access projects that will connect local access sites with other County recreational and water front sites. 23 Beaufort Waterfront Access Plan TYPES OF FACILITIES APPROPRIATE FOR ACCESS: ' The site inventory process revealed that although Beaufort has extensive property along the waterfront primarily adjacent to Turner's Creek, much of it is in private ownership. During the public forum, citizens, committee members, and local officials ' expressed the desire to improve Town owned street ends by `cleaning then up' and providing a minimum amount of facilities in keeping with the `Local' or the `Neighborhood' access concept. With only one (1) exception, the sites selected for development as waterfront access sites have been classified as either a Local or ' Neighborhood Access Site. ' Public street ends at the waters' edge, within existing residential neighborhoods, are to be left accessible to the public through informal usage, encouraging the use of existing on street parking and primary access by existing sidewalks. Distinctive markers ' near the entrance to these sites are recommended to clearly show where public and private ownership rights are established. ' A `low key' approach to waterfront access site design shall be taken where distinctive planting, limited lighting, letter receptacles, and marine type marker bollards will be provided. ' CONSTRAINTS TO PUBLIC ACCESS: ' In an effort to determine if there were any major constraints to providing access to the waterfront, the Planning Team considered several factors. One of the primary constraints to providing public access to the waterfront is the legal status of each ' individual street end. While the sites selected for waterfront access development are within public ownership there is evidence that this may be in dispute in a few instances and the total amount of land available is in question. ' In order to connect these individual sites, as the committee has suggested, through a path or sidewalk system access sites may require lease agreements and easements, or ' the purchase of adjacent properties, may be required in order to provide improved public access to the waterfront. ' Another issue will be the security of the users of these sites, specifically the proposed trail system behind the Beaufort Elementary School. Appropriate lighting will have to be provided to guarantee pedestrian safety while not causing a nuisance for ' adjacent property owners. Hours of operation may also have to clearly be defined and enforced to guarantee the safety and welfare of adjacent property owners. 24 ' Beaufort Waterfront Access Plan COST ESTIMATES: The following table shows the cost estimates for recommended local, ' neighborhood, and community access site improvements. ITEM: UNIT COST: DESCRIPTION: 1. Demolition and Site $15 to $20 per cubic yard Removal of existing Preparation pavement, vegetation, or other elements no conforming to the proposed site develo ment. 2. Improvements: a. Street Furniture 1. Trash containers $800 each Based on cost of existing trash receptacles currently in downtown Beaufort 2. Bollards Between $170 and $350 To match those existing on each the downtown waterfront. 3. Street lights $450 to $1,000 each at Additional reflectors to (Optional) approximately $20 a month direct light toward ground and cutoff toward residences. 4. Bike Racks $200 to $350 Match existing, if in place 5. Bench $500 to $1,000 New benches with high wood backs. b. Site Improvements 1. Paving $5 per square foot Minor repairs, patch existing asphalt where needed. 2. Curb Stops $20 each Utilize where there is already no curb in place c. Plantings 1. Trees $900 to $1,000 each Species tolerant to coastal conditions. Cost will vary based on size ands ecies. 2. Shrubs $35 to $50 each Species tolerant to coastal conditions planted to screen access site from adjacent ro erties. 3. Lawn $1 to $5 per square foot Where needed d. Docks/Decks 1. Pier $1,500 to $3,000 Length will vary based on site and water conditions 2. Boardwalk $15 to $20 per square foot Salt treated wood. LenEh 25 I Beaufort Waterfront Access Plan will vary depending on project. Based on ten (10) feet in width. 3. Boat Ramp $20 per square foot Length varies based on unique site/waterfront conditions. 4. Picnic Shelter $3,000 to $6,000 each Standard design. 5. Gazebo $5,000 to $10,000 Dependant on design and size. e. Other 1. Si s $5 00 to $2,000 per site Depending on need. 26 I Beaufort Waterfront Access Plan RESOURCES FOR PLAN IMPLEMENTATION: A main function of the Beaufort Waterfront Access Plan is to help the Town of ' Beaufort proceed from the prepared site inventory, analysis, and selection to site development. Adequate funding will be necessary to create, or improve existing, water access sites. The Planning Team suggests the Town apply for the following public and ' private funds to carry out the improvements recommended in the Waterfront Access Plan. ' The public and private funding of improvements to neighborhood or above access points using locally approved designs, use policies, maintenance, and security may be used in lieu of CAMA or other outside funding sources if such funding requires ' placement of directional signs beyond the improved sites. The Town should seek State and Federal funds to implement neighborhood, community, regional, and urban waterfront level access projects. In addition to requesting outside funding, the Town will need to allocate local financial resources in the annual budget to provide for any necessary local grant match dollar requirement and for any future improvements and maintenance of public facilities. POTENTIAL LOCAL FUNDING SOURCES: The Town of Beaufort will bear the greatest burden with regard to providing public access on a local scale. The Town will have to install improvements without grant assistance, as well as supply the resources for the daily and long term maintenance of the access facility improvements proposed within this Plan. Some of the potential funding sources available to the Town include general fund revenues, general obligation bond revenues, impact fees, occupancy tax revenues, subdivision regulation dedication requirements, parking fees, and volunteer efforts. POTENTIAL STATE AND FEDERAL FUNDING SOURCES: Potential State and Federal funding sources for the improvement of waterfront access includes the following options: STATE: • Public Beach and Coastal Waterfront Access Funds • Small Cities Community Development Block Grants (CDGB) • Clean Water Management Trust Fund • Water Resources Project Funds through the North Carolina Department of Water Quality • The North Carolina `Adopt a Trail' Program • North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund 27 Beaufort Waterfront Access Plan ' FEDERAL: • Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) ' . Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Maintaining local control and limiting directional signs to improved local and t neighborhood waterfront access sites will take precedence over gaining State of Federal funding is such funding includes requirements that are contrary to the recommendations in this Plan. Some of the above funding sources would not be easy to compete for if the public beneficiaries of the proposed public improvements are very limited (i.e. primarily ' to immediate area residents). Typically it is easier to compete for grant funds when it can be demonstrated that at least an entire neighborhood, or specific population, will be benefited. 28 I Beaufort Waterfront Access Plan � APPENDIX A: 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 MAPS AND ILLUSTRATIONS - ENCHMARK S NCOR PORATED Local Government Services Planning, Community Developrncnt and Management ASHEVILLE. NC/KANNAPOLIS, NC/KINSTON. NC COLUMBIA, SC 1-800-650-3925 N 0 2000 Feet R'�ersde a o Michael J. Smith fi Field O �' West Beaufort Road Maritime -- Museum Site , Highway 70 1�,w y�,4t ✓ C` egdr S4� AZ �1` ®tr101 11 O �4 L�J Beaufort `Elementary rjy Ann . Freedom Park town Limit X ennoxvifle Road / TaYIor's Creek Front Street M cb 1 ft �Ivl Beaufort Waterfront Access Plan May 11, 2000 Proposed Bike / Pedestrian Path -Designates the proposed locations for waterfront access sites or Greenway trail system including: • A trail system behind the elementary school (1) connecting the future maritime museum and a proposed waterfront access site on Turner Street (2). The Maritime Museum is also shown on the map, highlighted in gold. • A proposed water front access site at Broad Street as well as an access site located adjacent to the bridge (3). Once the new bridge is completed, the existing bridge could also be used for a waterfront access site. • Expand on the existing use of the circle at the end of Front Street (4). Currently there are some benches in the area. A path system could be developed to connect the Board Street access site as well as the new Gallants Channel development. • A proposed waterfront access site at the end of Gordon Street (5). • Various neighborhood waterfront access projects in the Lennox Point Area (6). �5 Designates existing waterfront access sites or recreational sites including: • Freedom Park. • The existing regional boat access ramp on Front Street (8). • The existing access site on Orange Street (9). • The public boat docks located on the waterfront in downtown Beaufort (7). Any and all proposed waterfront access sites shall be characterized by the following: • Pedestrian access emphasized. • No additional boat access sites provided. • Encouragement of linked waterfront access systems through a path system. • Preservation of open space and the visual window of the waterfront area. 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 Resources Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. ' COLOR RENDERING OF THE POTENTIAL WATERFRONT ACCESS SITE AT THE WEST END OF FRONT STREET The following two (2) renderings are meant to provide a visual description of the proposed development of a waterfront access site at the west end of Front Street. As already explained within this report, the west end of Front Street has already been ' extensively developed. There are existing benches and a trash receptacle on site, as well as existing vegetation in the cul-de-sac. The committee proposes to remove the existing concrete benches and place wooden style benches, with high backs, into the area. The sidewalk should also be extended to provide a continuous pedestrian access loop in the area to allow visitors to the site to be able to access both sides of Front Street from this site. The committee has also ' recommended that a small covered bench be placed at the access site. The cul-de-sac should be re -landscaped and the existing anchor removed. .The new landscaping should consist of small bushes and indigenous local plants to help accentuate the area. The committee also suggests that ' preliminary efforts be taken to look into securing the necessary access easements to allow either a sidewalk, or a raised walkway, to be constructed near the waterfront to connect existing and proposed waterfront access sites to the north with the Front Street access. This will help ' facilitate the development of a continuous path/greenway system connecting the waterfront accesses throughout Beaufort. ' It should be noted that the development of these renderings were 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 Resources Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. ffii C s �� x R gg� S .ate r Y •A `�' r _ • f yy 4 t r t s- ;i ' COLOR RENDERING OF THE POTENTIAL WATERFRONT ACCESS SITE AT BROAD STREET The following rendering is meant to provide a visual description of the proposed ' development of a waterfront access site at Broad Street. ' As already explained within this report, the end of Broad Street is a fifty (50) foot right- of-way that is located adjacent to the proposed Gallants Group development site. The committee recommends that the are be cleaned up and the existing vegetation preserved as much as ' possible. The committee recommends that a dock be extended into the waterway with fixed seating along the edges of the dock. This dock will support the creation of a board walk atmosphere to allow visitors to bird watch, fish, or just enjoy the view. Small boats shall be ' allowed to dock on site with the provision of a limited number of mooring slips being constructed on site. This will also allow the launching of small day boats, kayak, and other similar non -motorized personal watercraft vehicles. The site will also have two (2) bike racks and an undetermined number of trash receptacles on site to handle waste disposal. It should be noted that the development of these renderings were 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 Resources Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric ' Administration. y 41, � f i 1 . •r ',�ti .t �- - - •�1 -, •yam,+ - COLOR RENDERING OF THE POTENTIAL WATERFRONT ACCESS SITE AT GORDON STREET The following rendering is meant to provide a visual description of the proposed. development of a waterfront access site at Gordon Street. As already explained within this report, the end of Gordon Street is made up of approximately one hundred -fifty (150) feet of publicly owned waterfront property that is fronted by an eight (8) foot sidewalk, which parallels Front Street. There are currently three (3) existing docks on site and a large area of vacant land made up predominately of sand and low lying vegetation. Two (2) small floating docks can be added to the end of two (2) of the piers to encourage more boat access. This could include allowing small commercial fishing boats to dock for temporary purposes. More sand can be added to the area to promote the `beech' atmosphere of the site and encourage more passive recreation activities. The committee also suggests that up to three (3) benches be placed on site. These benches should be the same style of bench installed at every waterfront access site. The committee also suggests that a bike rack and a trash receptacle be placed on site as well. All necessary signage shall be kept to a minimum. It should be noted that the development of these renderings were 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 Resources Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. # m 8 u � APPENDIX 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 B: THE PLANNIPTG PROCESS ' APPENDIX B - PLANNING PROCESS: The preparation of the Town of Beaufort CAMA Waterfront Access Study ' involved five (5) phases of analysis that is broken down as follows: Phase One: Project Initiation • Hold orientation meeting with local steering committee to introduce team members and develop a formal schedule of events. • Conduct a field reconnaissance by land and water of existing and potential water access locations. Staff is recommending that the Steering Committee and other identified local citizens be given disposable cameras to take pictures of sites they believe will make suitable, or unsuitable, waterfront access sites. • Identify and validate existing access sites and usage • Identify any and all local issues or concerns about existing and potential access areas and the vision for future development. • Identify the availability of land and right-of-ways for access. • Develop and release a statement clearly articulating the purpose of the project to the general public. Phase Two: Analyze Needs, Issues, and Assets • Identify potential waterfront access sites • Examine all transportation facilities and services and identify how they could impact access • Examine the local environmental and cultural assets as well as identify any potential negative secondary effects. Phase Three: Public Forum • Conduct a Public Forum to inform local citizens of the purpose and goals on the project, discuss water access issues, goals, and objectives. • Secure input from attendees to assist with the formulation of specific goals and objectives. Phase Four: Draft Plan Preparation • Summarize the findings of the public forum and in a draft report identify the following: 1. Key water access issues. 2. Statement of goals and objectives for future water access strategies. 3. Based on the established goals and objectives, review existing conditions affecting water access opportunities. This will include all the information gathered at the public forum and from all existing local published plans and regulations: • Develop the preliminary map of the Town and the ET7 showing existing and potential classifications of water access places. Phase Five: Finalize Plan ' • The Steering Committee will review and comment on the draft plan and instruct staff on any and all changes. ' • Staff will revise the draft plan as suggested by the committee. • Steering Committee will endorse a final draft of the plan for presentation to the Beaufort Board of Commissioners. ' • The Steering Committee will present the final plan to the Board. PHASE ONE — PROJECT INITIATION AND INVENTORY: The Town of Beaufort Board of Commissioners appointed a local CAMA Steering Committee at their regular January 10, 2000 meeting. The committee was t responsible for overseeing the preparation of the access plan including the identifying the issues surrounding waterfront access throughout the community, developing the goals, and developing the recommendations of the plan. Volunteer members who served on this ' committee include the following: • Linda Dark ' • Commissioner Nancy Russell • Pat Kindell • Commissioner Dr. Walt Schaw ' • Guy Copes • Rosalie Piner • Lorraine Copeland • Barbara Moore • Mark Fleckenstein ' • Math Chaplain • Bennett Moss ' Initially the process involved a meeting with the Town of Beaufort Planning Staff to identify key community issues concerning waterfront access, likes and concerns about existing and potential access areas, and a possible vision of future improvements. The ' project team then met with the local steering committee and through a series of exercises identified all existing waterfront access sites as well as the existing, and potential, problems with respect to waterfront access. At this point the committee worked with ' staff to develop a list of preliminary objectives and goals to assist in developing this proposal. ' Staff and committee members conducted several field reconnaissance trips where existing and potential waterfront access sites were photographed and catalogued as to existing infrastructure, identification of problems or issues, and the overall condition of ' the site. This information was then used, in conjunction with the Town Attorney's report (Appendix C), to select potential waterfront access sites. This helped to further articulate identified community issues and concerns as well as provide a basis from which to draw ' a vision for potential future improvements. PHASE TWO - ANALYSIS OF NEEDS, ISSUES, AND ASSESTS: This phase of the project involved the professional staff and committee members ' finalizing a list of key waterfront access issues, community concerns, and a vision of what future waterfront access sites should look like. Using all available data, potential waterfront access sites were further discussed in terms of the availability of land and rights -of -way for public access. The impact of transportation facilities and services on the waterfront access were also discussed as well as an examination of possible environmental and cultural assets. PHASE THREE — PUBLIC FORUM AND ESTABLISHMENT OF GOALS: Phase three (3) included the preparation and administration of the public forum to receive public comment on waterfront access issues and concerns. Preparation involved ' the organization of photographs provided by the local Steering Committee members, colorized renderings showing potential development at selected waterfront access sites, and finally the identification of the preliminary waterfront access sites selected by the committee. The photographs and renderings, along with a list of the potential access sites and the preliminary goals developed by the committee were displayed for the public's review and comment. The public forum was conducted with the primary focus of further articulating the purpose and goals of the Waterfront Access Plan. The general public was invited to attend the forum in order to discuss water access issues, goals, and the objectives of the preliminary plan while soliciting their input on the need for increased waterfront access and any and all potential concerns related to, expanding the number of public waterfront access sites. The Project Team facilitated a round table discussion where attendees commented ' on the proposed access sites and the preliminary goals established by the steering committee. After general discussion, the Project Team identified a list of revised goals addressing the public's suggestions and comments. The goals are as follows: ' 1. To develop the Beaufort Waterfront Access Plan with direct community participation and consensus building; ' 2. To P re are the Beaufort Waterfront Access Plan based on CAMA guidelines for rep are access types; ' 3. To investigate and prepare a Waterfront Access Plan and Map for the Town of Beaufort's shoreline including the extraterritorial jurisdiction that recognizes the need for, and accommodates, appropriate waterfront development in sensitive environmental areas while maintaining the public's health, safety, and general welfare; 1 ' 4. To identify appropriate access within existing neighborhoods while maintaining the integrity of the neighborhood; ' 5. To provide improved waterfront access in a manner that will protect the visual and aesthetic window of our waterfront. Open vistas shall be preserved whenever possible and minimal construction shall be allowed to provide community access. 6. To provide additional sources of passive recreational waterfront access for local residents and visitors. Passive recreation includes, but is not limited to, fishing ' piers, swimming access, pedestrian walkways, nature trails, bird watching areas, • bike paths, and observation decks where appropriate. ' 7. To combine waterfront access with educational and historic information concerning Beaufort wherever appropriate. This information would be placed at ' various waterfront access sites identifying the historical significance of a particular area or providing educational information on indigenous marine or plant life. This information would be provided in such a manner as not to detract from the area and not take up valuable open space. 8. To connect these various sites in a path or greenway system where appropriate. ' This will allow residents, and visitors to our area, to have greater access to our waterfront access sites and make the area more pedestrian accessible. 9. To identify security issues associated with waterfront access sites. This includes, ' but is not limited to, lighting, and hours of operation. While there will be no limits placed on the enjoyment of these public access sites, any waterfront access ' site shall be designed to ensure that local residents and visitors are not negatively affected by their use. ' 10. To identify funding sources to make these access sites a reality. This includes identifying grant -funding sources, forming partnerships with other local or state agencies to develop a waterfront access site, and possibly .working with other ' governmental entities, such as Carteret County, to jointly sponsor the development of an access site. _ PREPARATION: PHASE FOUR DRAFT PLAN ' Using the information gathered from the public forum, information gathered by the professional team members during the initial phases of the plan's development, and the comments and suggestions made by the CAMA Steering Committee members, a draft ' report was produced for the local steering committee's review and comment. This report included a preliminary set of maps and development plans as well as the necessary implementation plan to begin development of identified waterfront access sites. ' PHASE FIVE — FINALIZING THE PLAN: The final phase involved the consolidation of comments made by all participating ' parties including public forum attendees, local Town staff members, concerned citizens, and the Waterfront Access Steering Committee. The last steps of this phase consisted of the final revisions and finalization of the Plan and the map, as well as the final ' presentation to the local steering committee for their review and endorsement. 1 t 1 APPENDIX C: TOWN ATTORNEY'S REPORT NEIL B. WHITFORD ' CAROLYN B. BRADY' KELLY CROWELL HARRIS MELISSA BERRYMAN KENNETH M. KIRKMAN OF COUNSEL. 'ALSO LICENSED IN GEORGIA TO: FROM: RE: DATE: TCER a Y WHITFORD & BRAD P.A. ATToR,z=s AT Law POST OFFICE BOX 1347 MoREEMAD CITY, 1Vox= CARozmrA 2SS57-1347 TELEPHONE (2521 726-8411 FACSIMILE (252) 726-6974 E-mail: idrkwhitemail.clis.com BEEFU PIi1U1 Beaufort Mayor and Commissioners Neil Whitford Various street ends Apri1.10, 2000 STREET ADDRESS: 710 ARENDELL STREET- SUITE 108 MOREHEAD CITY. NC 28557 Gerald and Hill Street. The county tax maps show that Gerald and Hill Streets extend to the high water mark of Taylor's Creek. While tax maps do not determine ownership of properties, they are useful in at least identifying claims. Thus from the tax maps there are no apparent private claims on these street ends. As indicated below,. we cannot find legal documents that dedicate these street ends to the public,' but, given the tax status, to avoid a "no mans" land, we recommend the town establish a presence on these areas. This needs to start with a survey, to be followed with some municipal use such as planting of flowers or shrubs. On the plat of the Ocean View subdivision recorded in Deed Book 16, Page 553 in February 1915 (see attachment) , neither Hill Street nor Gerald Street are extended south of. Front Street. Thus there was no dedication to the public or to anyone else of these street "ends" to Taylor's Creek. From the current tax maps there is almost no. property between the Front. Street right -of-way and Taylor's Creek. It is thus possible that the high water mark of Taylor's Creek was on or in the Front.Street right of way. If property has accreted along the south side of Front Street, there is an argument that the accreted land belongs to the, Town under littoral rights. [In 1938 the property owners along Taylorl.s Creek conveyed a 60 foot right of way to the Town of Beaufort by deed recorded in Deed Book 87, Page 573. The deed carries a limitation to street and highway use.' Even if there has been accretion, it is arguable that the deed limitation interferes with normal littoral right law or that the accreted property is limited to street use.] Fulford Street. The county tax map and all mapswe have reviewed show Fulford Street extending. to the high water mark of Taylor's Creek, or reserve an unlabeled parcel that appears as an extension of .the street. The tax maps do not reveal a claim of ii private ownership. We thus recommend the town establish a presence in this area. But as with some 'other "street ends," there is a ' dearth of documentation conclusively establishing the town's rights in the tract. On a 1919 map of the Hammocks Subdivision recorded in Deed Book 28, Page 417, Fulford Street is extended to Front ' Street but an unlabeled tract appears to extend the street to the water. On a 1951 map of the Town of Beaufort City limits recorded in Map Book 2, page 174, Fulford Street is shown crossing Front ' Street and running to Taylor's Creek. But, it is interesting to note that Fulford Street was condemned by the Town in January of 1916 with documentation being recorded in Deed Book 27,.page 12. According to that description Fulford Street stopped on the north side of Front Street. Gordon Street. By acts of the General Assembly in the 1800's, the Town of Beaufort was given ownership of the extension of Gordon Street into Taylor's Creek. Pine Street. On the 1816 Jonathan Price plat of the Town of Beaufort, Pine Street extended to the high water mark of Beaufort Channel (now Towne Creek). The current county tax map depicts three small lots across the end of Pine Street in private iownership. We examined the deed references from the tax records for these lots, but in our opinion the deeds do not cover the west end of Pine Street. If the property in question was created through accretion it would belong to the Town under littoral 1 rights As a street right of way, the street, end could not be adversely possessed. But, we cannot simply recommend that the town move in to open the street end. It is likely that private use of the property has existed for years, and, if so, this tradition should be given some consideration. Also, there may be some legal claim of. private ownership we are not currently aware of. We; ' recommend that the town ask the persons shown on the tax maps as owners to documents their interest in their claim. The responses will help formulate a town policy with respect to the west end of ' Pine Street. Seaview Street.- We are not able. to identify an existing "public" interest in the strip of land that would be an extension of Seaview Street into Taylor's Creek. On a plat recorded in Map. ook 1, Page 226, Carteret County Registry, dated February 1945 entitled "Map Showing Property of Beaufort Housing Corporation" ' (see attachment), the subject area is shown as lot 1, block 6. The gyp, lot is labeled 'landing for lot owners." This appears as a dedication to the subdivision home owners but not to the public. ' Therefore, it is our opinion that the Town has no existing interest in this area.. 1 ::j.l ZILt.+ a4�, s �i$=� !J03 .� Ili• .r • • t R' '' `14.1,j 0 . ' NO :. �! N •h xA. 4t0 .� gz44�RmN:z rip'ta ►:. ) W j• MA Sa ,: p,��pyT'�Z N W .j;` o: i ASS, C w f Y nr •fit T. v' �• �• Y •« • i » QI �; /Vor7-H CfiROL/nF/9'� C7Her0(aunye" Cft•Now 4 baii79 dv/y swoYn,d¢pases and Says; %"'hat he •fs.fha Surveyor, { that rnad¢ the Survey of the Land$ jhowr7 on the map oc Pitt hevel-c .that s41!I rnap js a J-Cuc X0.coc4 as made by him •fxom an acfual Survey.trradC of 1 •ti • • rn �p CA n ~ Ocean Yl ,that sard Survey was 1 tirade by the z3 0and.".4+� I t 9% of htoYemhaY, 19t4-: that the �- eed(e %t varia�io�7 of the rnagn2i•ic. n the -V%iAe oar}h¢ Skrvey.�a5.3=4.3i(rt C- Howe, ";i`� e� :.�°�`• V m 'Sworn �a and $ubSertbaej before. M2. - TC. Wade ! u a04VICY ,P::7: + � )-••. -��� ^• �s.'C o^a.',� �1�• ',r: i11=� 1';1 li'•^-. C-"':- ''�.a• :�•.• V' ��i' { i 'i .�L..;.r••.%,�'L'[' ~sf��~'• Q t• r� �"ir��'•, t••' 4l`j�t `f _'t„ j_ •, .♦ •I:.•1'•.4 A. r't' .. i t.:. •'' t �..t ! a...�•. �. •q••. .�.•:Lwu` p.Y `,• F: ;t.'� 'y�' {', rY' �+ +>:.• i• ii,l• �� f. S..ati J'.ri''!' `tf ' r• r r tLt s. a tp L�, + av's-,. .ti + �..: l.' 1:7`rd i Y s d• +I. fir' i • •'' ••J' �t s.,s. - ,s � .Y. .;.'f;.,a..�,. ,•.,,��.�'<tt��s • � • �' '1�; 'fi•' f•6j �"'i' ,:•� '.j'�. �• •w .`. '•4. .' :.;f. ,? «, '•i...yr••, T_ i•ar '• 'a�iig'i'i::.••�F:1..,� 'F' •• 'a' IT Vic[� •'•' M}'. ..• a' :icr t•u.1.•.• •{{ ''tw rr ••?'^ e' - .r.}• :1. 't .,.+. � t�Y'. it. +lij :'. jt'rl. •_;i .;1'•,;t=•j,i �.,,t'• :ii ..v •_IJC%"jFfJl'''1•... '�' `!•iv ,,/Y.NYy's}r-n� `}a!fNr.,,. .•-0j r • �„, '.a: t ,+i {, , ,•S•,: •'�' i.`!•�ti. !ti; ^..�:. ' ' tF �- ;•L !' „3 7• [ <: d� t:' .:t• 'h��.s�.s..it.•;«'Y .1 •.$ ;• ,C..a •: t •'i• i�•"S�•" . ti ri.•, 1 d.t,;c r..s a.. •i �• 'a.:' ��•• ••' .1. ' s,4.:y .,(". ..'i:• : •�f:si .Jn ;.t `; i'�•":+5;•yl, a.•�. ;t'Kt:. e'+r•'4''•�, .i` �{C i�ti� �, 1 ••..'� .�13,i ..! .S fsi. � i'z4•i?+'4s.'.�: ••\!r ••(1f s `it. p1.y. 1•aa i YY k r y �• �,• T �-;K• •r •1 : Yi..• ••<' .} .�;'1'...f :J: �:• .� •.� ... c• �'3.,�A. �j,r. ,r�}'a. ,•, �c. t!� i':. ,.�,y{: .:.��'•i.:i .•!� . i..._ t. K , . s. 1. '.�: K' F . tea. l •1�.� d.�: t. . y }y;�L . j•• t •.''];'• r-r .. :iaa 'k'��, �J1i f{fp eP'r�, ::1•s �`y}.7 .t:i1.i�:�Q.t�?:'l,'.. .aid"= '� •�,.•., `��. r � •(t s r:�: s... n� ?t';:'r' .tiS,r,'f,}y. c�:.•j:,�t.y �.. 'a'�.• .ti ,•+, ,_ .t, :7, •,� •r' ` eta' •;;. py .. A:y •'•r`',i :h'•, .'.� f h.sv ,�:a•:.,„:.j:-.�: r l �v' r•' t ,: i+ '•%'. .�.; 3.:• ' ,' } 'rl•' 9:: �: tK:::s,.34.�. y .ir': •. v.. 'i.1l: �, •• 1.. a:•� �' t'' .. v,'x,.•.t,y�. s,f.� j, ti 1' •.•�. � i,: Y :.,,:�: •�, 1 �,i r�.:.i 1 t.•::ay# ;si' • S• Y a• •+ .•r� i', :t. •: i •!•••+',~• 4'-, •�':ir•:'.i:_•v': r.:�::r..t�'�LS•►[..• 'r3:: "r j',�a::-t:rf:: .r t .r '; I; '+. t 'i' .J •.t ,.;: :{7" .Sit;,:w;:ts,l� :r:y`•••}Rnjr •'3 11��y�JJ •'I •3. y•r�' t. :'Y .� •t `'t. •t.' .ii. ;� ;}�'.t..{ ::t:.ia..ii, �{�a .•`;'' r•^t •i-�'• 'Fl tJ y 1• �v sqy�•+'. •r i•'• .:.i. .. .,'. .a,. �:ss •���0 �91 ,aya r �s :•J %k�}�.. �•,+i°i .s�:?a.4 t•.'( �"/�/\� •40t $1 •,a+ll•.. Jt• ,'1 ••t }• :, .•. {a.: .tS •t'16 1S 7i7�J:ij •C •:�. ir.. a. •a' i' ::�.':i:.': • •�. 006�iii i" '+,�• . as� '...t As. �.S.:Y: •, 4..�'.1. ij: +':. -+y' •, •l N •� q �'' •.r _ a• .. ..�' •"••� .t�ii• i •r 1...' •. � ~a: Ci t:r`.t a: �•it .+�.�..., `�.y .a ,~ — ,�,•� �". yy• •. . ✓• 1. •t•.. . r • 'r :.j J. •'t .a. ••` ' �• • s .r v ::.>..± � :-. r .� . ;,y y� . ;yly,+r ' • " :i. •a 4�' ..a�'"'�i'•.'{,r.A�•�'�}• :.�.•..r:x `t �, :` i//.''.{." ..i.i..l.. c .+ :...it {f•. -1: T• ••.• .1 7.. 'i :=, • `.l�'y, �•:••1 . . . ff:.. .Sj • • •il.•'kt• �•..}:1 .1'. •. t.:•y., .:� t� }:�5�^,^ o•a•- •ep 1_•.CM (( •'t: : w'_: ii - .t ;. .' •' '�� •� ..i .n ; '.: y•i, •i; ; •. � t. . 'y Nj,' ,i { � •ih. •4 k r •. r• .. '.eI ••. � � '•t' t'_:.. +••. .�' .•a .•`i .•aJ'.r �rj.': �• ,•is 31i P. io s SSEAV"'•STR ET- �' • f s' , : r �,�' � •Y. �Z. �• •i, .. ,J � ( •', •.••+• ';L .mil is . 4 y • '" .. t a • 1'a• .. N' • •. �� .. •, 'I •, •rr ..• t n • •• t 1• � J.7 „= a BELLE AIR STRE ? `,: %'•' ma so leg RMgtrGRGO 4 fit. 3`i N spa`:-: p��•" • ' { r�� r leg a. A $', �°• &• q 8 (A fit, 258 lug a ■ Zeeto O m / • COP - �V stOM S92o - / r/ b / • GeT1 tRLri1Q 544 STREET IJt� trt� J d'YOMTIOM J ' s7w SAO • rA7 t . • s ! r a g Sb72 � � 9603 ' 050 t528 &44 45 96 n 7S7t t °' _ 9 !8 3 r T�sT 1 saxt 1�.15 r 34L1 •5369 � � _ � � � H • •33t 434&j co i! 3M 5345 0343 t[]CTmt r S73T3 tSlt r" 4330 Si3t � a , tz� nisi Sus ! ! a mltr two S2G t� -� 32$Z , T303 06 7149 6z;025 g 0133 Gait too9 •ta7' ,o>T so'3t Bois I;m Ta's7 — — Nbe TsOi — IN I -PROPER 0 CARTEREI NORTH C SUBDIVISIO = Wx 71�5 P'6�12�JY• 3 2= ffl, PALL 9S 3M ii t°`?�iz agttMOcac ° STREET M38— - me 3875 ! ; �a w� LEG STAU L316. 'lit8 1 f 4733 6 ,�. O ( ( Ott tac 't0eR9P 1Jt.�.��� L p r va,Wm Les a em= laac T t r v ( aeau. LOT ft If 1 ( WAWA. LOT UK • — — — — 1 •� S !O J fgTmAtt Hooky � � 8i IgrtiT • ILO. STAtt X-M, . THIS PAGE WAS INSERTED BY ONE SOURCE DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENT(S) ARE OF POOR QUALITY l _.^ 1� �: ,..,.f . (t � _ � ,. J' � ,. tk ii.:' :.` 'io ..� , r ,+•F- ' �-� ._ , .:_ fli. i., r .tiu.1 L: }�li;lYwUlie'►�i#�.Y�rG1�iAP�F+1116�Y.f'FISA!'�iCI�fAYC'�5.1r-Aii`+�E°r4°°7etr2:`�iR�Ae. _fwfei •�3,W+e�iYl�i.��F� Rl�il�?��}'�i iM`IIS?�i,�,� _ ,• 2�"�, �'2tg'Yi�•�r �:! .iY.YYi"'�r - �1,?,r ..� .':!IcM~i�i°. -t + W t � � cr, 10 i' K_r k � � `,ri .+�It la.i• , + � ++ .; •�+ ! � lE-,t°{.11 /j r�' �' -ir rc l r� a� �0 r,f. �k.� a� .}1. ,j i r 4 ' s _. A 1<:� ,i ; y � t tl. V ti �i r ¢y�y (_ { 1 ? r •M 1lh F = 1� Y ii - < L Z `f . SI'r .,� '• !1 i {+'•-: jL`li � i rs•,. L..t.3sJL�`� ail .i i��. ,.i tt+f kk:>: (�r rti. s(f + c�.i:. ..: � j lr 1) x. S 1•a� .� it a)+ fr a,, } lr .t„ JF ! 1 t!• h } , + a) {1 ?.. rt -t. 1 H_Pl1+' i Yie 51 yy+F ft>=w r� i`#. ij �..�+ -sp{ r 1+ c, .}5i.� .a.,+.:. lelq ! r 1 .y 1 y y+frr -....( •+ SY .c r. 1�,; 7+ s i ;.J. J tk, 1If r -CaJt i y• ''. Y • '� fT! � +>'4 + JJ 'x'R ��. .�.1 r .. 1y .�'! 7{ �F1`r� .t +� 4 Y � ` �S 1 i � 1! F t.'c T' ,` rt .. -.i' � +� f 1>+�y 0 +P� tE'+ z F z i i.�' � 7 % .+ i1�FF ��iy. 't _ jc A�? y� 3�e�{f� �. try � x-�•�.' �' .�g7 � r.3 �+� rl � Izy s *r I ,! S y � � ref_ `� 4�� +r i ,�, �L �F1,S a is a.! Li.✓,yit.�S. L:._{ ..ri I '' '-f. ! I>r-.1:�• t. .,r fe ,::. S ! ,.ii Ja, 1 V . � L �'� t y l e.F' i •J 7,: XTr a>�. 7•,'� ^�, } . � t r. ^' P � 15 << t ��.:1 i r - v R at .� e• er 1. s ti r. � ri + F♦.�ei i k 7 uJC 1 F+ �, f �1 J i,7 © �;_� f., Ei4 �,;i .. �+ ;_ 4K• :�u�ift L4tr;: �t ': ` {Sio.7 J .�}. tY '�� r+: ' APPENDIX D — COPY OF PUBLIC FORUM HANDOUT: The following is the informational handout supplied to public forum attendees. INTRODUCTION: . A waterfront access study includes an inventory and analysis of existing and potential ' waterfront access points. It is by completing this study that the Town can pursue additional grants to develop identified access sites to allow improved public access to local waterways. By identifying these sites the Town can formulate long-range goals for ' the acquisition and development of property to provide public water access. ' The rationale in applying for a CAMA Waterfront Access Grant was to help local governmental officials consider where public waterfront access sites could be located and to establish the ownership of street ends within the Town of Beaufort. The grant was awarded and the Beaufort Board of Commissioners issued a resolution of support at the ' August 9, 1999 meeting. While this is will be a non -binding plan, meaning the Town of Beaufort will not be under any mandate to expand or contract existing water access points, it is never the less a public plan intended to be the starting block for an analysis of potential waterfront access sites. Any decisions to expand or contract existing or potential waterfront access sites will ultimately be made by the Town of Beaufort's Board of Commissioners. ' The guidelines to the Coastal Area Management Act for the State of North Carolina requires that the consideration of a public plan include a variety of techniques for educating and involving the public in the process of the plan's development. The Town is responsible for involving and educating those who reside within the community in the development of an official plan. In order to complete this study a local steering committee was appointed to coordinate public forums to obtain public input as well as provide Planning staff with invaluable guidance and direction in the formulation of a final plan. The members of this committee are as follows: • Linda Dark ' • Nancy Russell • Pat Kindell • Dr. Walt Schaw • Guy Copes • Rosalie Piner • Lorraine Copeland • Barbara Moore • Mark Fleckenstein • Math Chaplain • Bennett Moss This committee has been assisting the Project Team in the formulation of goals and objectives, with the collection of data, working to identify potential access sites, assisting with the coordination of public meetings, and eventually guiding staff in the completion of a final recommendation to the Beaufort Board of Commissioners. ' PROFESSIONAL PROJECT TEAM MEMBERS: The Project Team is comprised of the following members: • Mr. John Young. Mr. Young is currently the Public Works Director, -Chief Zoning Officer and Building Inspector with seventeen (17) years of service to the Town of Beaufort. Mr.. Young is keenly aware of local policies and the availability of potential access sites. Mr. Young will help staff with the collection ' of information and the analysis of local ordinances for presentation to the committee. • Mr. Bob Clark AICP Senior Planner of Benchmark's Kinston Office. Mr. Clark ' is a member of the American Institute of Certifies Planners and has more than twenty-five (25) years of municipal, county, and contract planning experience within eastern North Carolina. He has CAMA planning experience as a North ' Carolina Division of Community Assistance Planner as well as a consulting planner in six (6) coastal communities. Most recently, Mr. Clark was the Senior Planner in charge of a similar study completed in Morehead City outlining and ' identifying potential waterfront access sites. CAMA has approved Mr. Clark as the certified Planning in charge for this project. • Mr. Michael D. Harvey, Planner II with Benchmark and the Beaufort Code Enforcement Officer. Mr. Harvey is the local Benchmark Planner assigned to the Town of Beaufort. Mr. Harvey was previously the zoning administrator with the Town of Nags Head where he was also a CAMA Local Permit Officer. During his employee, he was involved in assisting Nags Head planning staff apply for CAMA grants to fund public waterfront access sites. • Mr. Ed Lynch, Planner II with Benchmark. Mr. Lynch is currently a member of ' the City of Kinston Planning Department where he acts as the zoning administrator and code enforcement officer. Mr. Lynch is familiar with Beaufort, serving as the planner for the past year. Mr. Lynch will primarily act as the GIS ' and mapping technician, providing the necessary maps and graphs for the project. ' COMPONENTS OF A WATERFRONT ACCESS PLAN: This plan will include an inventory and analysis of existing and potential water access sites within the Town of Beaufort and its extraterritorial area. Specific sites will be classified as to types of access and use that are most appropriate given their locations, constraints, potential obstacles, permitting requirements, neighborhood and community r benefits, redevelopment potential, and environmental context. The classification of these sites and the purposes for which they provide waterfront access opportunities will materialize from a comprehensive assessment by the Steering Committee, the Project Team, and local citizens. The study will include an analysis of how the plan complements, or conflicts, with existing plans, policies, or local ordinances including, but not limited to: • The Town of Beaufort CAMA Land Use Plan • The Beaufort Thoroughfare Plan including an analysis of vehicular, bicycle, and pedestrian trails • The Beaufort Zoning Ordinance • The Beaufort Subdivision Ordinance • The Strategic Growth Plan The plan will also identify possible funding sources for the development of waterfront access sites as well as provide information on the types of permitting requirements that will be necessary to develop identified access site. Potential, and existing, waterfront access sites shall also be categorized into specific classifications of access sites. The Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA) guidelines provide five (5) basic classifications of public waterfront accesses. They are local access sites, neighborhood access sites, community access sites, multi -regional access sites, and urban waterfront redevelopment sites. Each access is characterized by the following criteria Local Access Sites: Characterized By: • Public Access points, generally at street ends. • Muumum or no facilities. • No directional signage leading to the site. • Principal use by pedestrians who reside within a few hundred yards of the site. • No parking areas provided. • Limited use of hours where necessary. • Hand launching only of small boats and watercraft. No ramps provided. • No handicapped access provided. • Shoreline protection (if needed). • Appropriate landscaping and plantings. • Bollards or distinctive markers (spaces eight (8) feet apart), with waterfront access symbol. • Markers to demarcate between private and public land spaces. Neighborhood Access Sites: Characterized By: • Principal use by individuals near the site within the immediate subdivision. • Typically forty (40) to sixty (60) feet in width (street right-of-way). ' • No directional signage leading to the site. • Limited hours where necessary. • Handicapped access provided. • Five (5) standard parking spaces and one (1) handicapped space. • Appropriate landscaping and plantings. ' • Four (4) foot wide boardwalk for shore access. • Litter receptacles. • Bike rack. ' • Limited lighting. • Shoreline protection (if needed). • Bollards or distinctive markers with waterfront access symbol. • Markers to demarcate between private and public land spaces. • Hand launching only of boats and small water craft. No ramps provided. ' Community Access Sites: Characterized By: • Service of the public throughout the community, including day visitors. • Where possible, usually has one-half acre open space in addition to all required setback areas for buffering, day use, nature study, or similar purposes. ' • Twenty-five (25) to eighty (80) parking spaces. • Crossover or path. • Pier. • Four (4) foot wide boardwalk for shore access. • Litter receptacles. • Public access signs. • Shoreline protection (if needed). • Restrooms where feasible. • Foot showers, where feasible. ' • Small boat launching and hand launching. ' Multi -Regional Access Sites: Characterized By: • A site larger than community access but smaller than state parks. • Two acres of open space, where possible, in addition to all required setbacks provided for buffering, day use, nature study, or similar purposes. • Eighty (80) to one hundred (100) parking spaces. ' • Various facilities including pier, boat ramp, etc. • Restrooms. • Indoor showers and changing rooms. • Concession stand(s). Urban Waterfront: Characterized By: ' • water dependant and non water dependant uses. Active commercial, p p • Promenade or boardwalk for pedestrians. • Boat slips and bulkheads. • Located in a downtown area. ' • Non motorized boat rentals. • Commercial boat taxi services. ' • Floating docks for day and overnight boat dockage. • Off street parking. In formulating this particular plan it was noted that there are already five (5) existing waterfront access sites within Beaufort. The first site is the downtown Beaufort waterfront, which is classified as an urban waterfront by CAMA. The second site is the Curtis Perry Park, located at the far eastern end of Front Street and is classified as a regional access site. The third site is also located in the downtown area at Orange Street and is classified as a community access site. The fourth site is the Jaycees Park, which is ' located across from the US Post Office on Front Street and is classified as a community access site. The final site is located off of West Beaufort road, near the marina, and is classified as a community access site. ' PRELEVI NARY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES: ' In considering potential sites, the committee made a conscious decision to focus on the need to provide more local and neighborhood access to provide local residents with greater pedestrian access to the waterfront. ' These type of sites place an emphasis on providing passive recreational access while encouraging the preservation of open vistas and limiting land disturbance whenever ' possible. With this in mind the committee has established several preliminary goals and objectives in looking into this issue and selecting potential access sites. These goals are as follows: 1. The committee is dedicated to providing improved waterfront access in a manner that will still protect the visual and aesthetic window of our waterfront. The ' committee does not want to over develop existing, or potential, access sites and destroy the natural beauty of the area. With this in mind the committee has made it a goal to preserve open vistas whenever possible and plan for minimal construction to provide community access. 2. The committee is focusing on providing additional sources of passive recreational waterfront access for local residents. Passive recreation includes, but is not limited to, fishing piers, swimming access, pedestrian walkways, nature trails, bird watching areas, bike paths, and observation decks where appropriate. 3. The committee is interested in combining waterfront access with educational and ' historic information concerning Beaufort. This information would be placed at various waterfront access sites identifying the historical significance of a particular area or providing educational information on indigenous marine or ' plant life. This information would be provided in such a manner as not to detract from the area and not take up valuable open space. ' 4. The committee has also made it a goal to connect these various sites in a path or greenway system where appropriate. This will allow residents, and visitors to our area, to have greater access to our waterfront access sites and make the area more ' pedestrian accessible. 5. The committee has made it a priority to look into security issues associated with waterfront access sites. This includes, but is not limited to, lighting, and hours of ' operation. While the committee does not want to limit the enjoyment of these public access sites, it does want to ensure that local residents are not negatively affected by their use. ' 6. The committee has made it a priority to identify funding sources to make these • access sites a reality. This includes identifying grant -funding sources, forming partnerships with other local or state agencies to develop a waterfront access site, and possibly working with other governmental entities, such as Carteret County, to jointly sponsor the development of an access site. 7. The committee is looking into developing local regulations that would support the ' development of waterfront access sites and other recreational sites within new residential developments. This might include revisions to the Beaufort Subdivision Ordinance requiring a specific amount of recreational space for residents or establishing a fund where local developers help contribute to the purchase and development of waterfront access and recreational sites. 8. The committee is looking into providing more boat access by looking into ' providing a boat ramp near Enforcement Lane. While the committee is primarily concerned with providing more pedestrian access, boat access is also a concern ' for the group and by providing greater access As you can see the CAMA Steering Committee has made great progress in ' developing the preliminary scope of this plan. The one element that is missing is public input. This public forum has been scheduled because the committee wants to hear your suggestions, concerns, and advice on how to best provide for more waterfront access within Beaufort. Tonight's meeting shall be conducted under the following format: ' • Introduction and J ro'ect overview b Mr. Bob Clark, the Senior Planner for P Y the project. ' • Overview of the preliminary goals and objectives. • Discussion of identified potential access sites including possible development and use ideas. • Breakup into separate groups for in-depth discussion and analysis of the issues surrounding increased waterfront access. CAMA Steering Committee members and Project Staff will facilitate these individual group discussions. ' • Discussion of group ideas, concerns, and suggestions. • Modify preliminary goals and project ideas as needed. ' • End the meeting. Any and all comments will be welcome. We thank you in advance for your interest and assistance in helping to finalize the Beaufort CAMA Waterfront Access Plan.