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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAMA Land Use Plan Update-1997Belhaven CAMA Land Use Plan Update 1997 DCM COPY " '' RY-A ` DCM COPY lease do not remove!!!!! Locally Adopted: March 2, 1998 CRC Certified: March 27, 1998 el A Executive Summary Town of Belhaven 1997 CAMA Land Use Plan Update Every five years coastal counties and towns under the auspices of the N. C. Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA) have the opportunity to update their Land Use Plan. Belhaven produced its first plan in 1974 and has continued to respond to updates as called for by the Coastal Resources Commission (CRC). The CRC develops guidelines to give direction to these updates and again in 1997 Belhaven exercised its option and produced its fifth planning effort. Plan Updates help communities address issues the CRC believes are important for the whole coastal region as well as those of local significance. Updates typically help a community to be proactive on issues important to its growth and development and on natural resource issues as well. The CRC's current planning guidelines (Sec.0202) call for an Executive Summary be prepared as part of a land use plan update. "The summary shall contain a summary of the land use issues affecting the community, policies which were chosen to address those issues and a land classification map." The summary shall be suitable for distribution throughout the planning area. Since the 1992 plan several observations about conditions affecting the Town's growth and development have been made and are included in the 1997 plan: • While Belhaven's future population is not expected to increase according to recent trends, the Town is hopeful retirees coming to coastal North Carolina will chose Belhaven as a place to live. • The majority of the Towns work force is involved in manufacturing, retail trade or education and about 12% are involved in health services, primarily at Pungo District Hospital. Employment in agriculture, forestry, fishing and mining are also important to the Town's economy. While the median family income in 1990 was below that of the state, increases were noted from the 1980 to 1990 census. • Housing in Town has improved recently through several Community Development Block Grant funds; owner occupied housing value increased 154% from 1980 to 1990 but still lags behind the rest of Beaufort County. • Public Services and facilities such as water, roads, solid waste collection and disposal, fire and police services, and public administration are expected to be adequate to meet Town needs during the 10 year planning period. Sewer system improvements underway should correct present deficiencies. • Most existing land use in 1997 is very similar to that in 1992. The predominate land use within Town limits is still residential with a small node of commercial and industrial uses clustered in the downtown area. Some conflicts between long established patterns of commercial, industrial and residential land uses in this area still exist. • Non residential land uses are noted along the US 264 bypass with some new development since the 1992 plan. • Little vacant land available for development exists within Town limits, but much of the ET7 area is suitable for most development purposes. • Wetlands, shorelines, surface waters, Areas of Environmental Concern (AECs) and other natural areas add greatly to the environment in the planning area. Local, county, state and federal regulations will continue to manage those areas for their natural resources value. • The Town suffered heavy property loss during both hurricanes in 1996. - While Bertha did some damage, Fran re -soaked those areas previously inundated by Bertha and virtually the whole Town was affected. The Town has received disaster assistance, much earmarked to elevate structures and the Town will continue addressing floodproofing needs through local zoning and building codes. • An assessment of the Town's 45 policies from its 1992 plan showed most were either achieved or the Town attempted to achieve them. Unfortunately, ten policies dealing with storm hazard mitigation, reconstruction and evacuation were shown not to be particularly effective during Bertha and Fran. Policies are goals for the future and as such differ from regulations which usually set measurable standards. Each CAMA Land Use Plan Update must address policies in several categories that are established by the CRC for each update cycle. Policies established by the Town for the 1997 update include: A. Resource Protection Issue general statement on community attitude toward resource protection Policy the Town has same local initiatives that are set forward in its zoning and other policies that follow, otherwise the Town will rely on county, state, and federal agency regulations to deal with various resource protection issues; please note the following policies on specific issues Issue discuss AECs Policy same as below on local issues relative to AECs; not repeated here Issue soil limitation, septic tank suitability, floodprone areas Policy support and enforce federal, state, local regulations on septic tank placement, building in floodprone areas Issue local issues relative to AECs Policy support current federal, state, local regulations for AECs Issue protection of wetlands Policy see above, local issues relative to AECs, not repeated here Issue _other hazardous or fragile lands, wetlands, Outstanding Resource Waters (ORWs), shellfish waters, cultural, historic areas Poli conserve fragile/hazardous areas; support state, federal restrictions in swamps, marshes, 404 wetlands, manmade hazards controlled through local zoning; water supply access to be protected; the old town hall is on the natural register of historic places and other structures are eligible for inclusion; the Town supports volunteer historic preservations effects Issue protection of potable water supply Policy protect potable water supply from negative land use impacts, the Town recently established a wellhead protection ordinance that should help in protecting its water supply Issue use of package treatment plants Policy discourage use in favor of extending municipal service as long as excess capacity exists Issue stormwater runoff impacts Policy continue existing procedures until a need is shown based on negative impacts, support state regulations for retention devices, etc. Issue marina, floating homes, dry stack facilities, moorings Policy desire protection from random marinas, but supports as appropriate in concert with local zoning;` support CAMA regs on marinas, dry stack facilities regulated by local zoning, acceptable under certain circumstances; floating homes considered on case by case basis, the Town's zoning ordinance prohibits permanent moorings and limits temporary moorings to seven days; Town policy on moorings is fizrther reflected in local zoning which should be consulted for additional information. Issue industrial impacts on fragile areas Por lice control through local zoning, support of state and federal requirements Issue development susceptible to sea level rise Policy the Town and much of the ETI is at a very low elevation and at serious threat from sea level rise (also tropical storms as witnessed by Bertha and Fran). The Town complies with and supports FEMA guidance and local regulations on elevating structures as the only realistic way to deal with sea level rise. More discussion on storm hazard mitigation follows in that policy category. Issue upland excavation for marinas Policy general support for CAMA regulations Issue marsh damage by bulkheads Policy support state and federal standards, no more restrictive local regulations Issue development of islands Policy moot; no policy necessary Issue management measures designed to reduce local sources of water quality problems Policy local zoning and subdivision regulations include design standards that can be said to address this issue; the Town's wellhead protection ordinance, when adopted, will protect its water supply; Town policy is to rely on local initiatives and state and federal regulations (such as sedimentation and erosion control regulations) to address this issue B. Resource Production and Management Issue basis statement on community attitude toward resource protection and management Policy The Town does not have many resource production and management issues as other towns and counties may have. There is no significant agriculture, forestry and no mining in the area. Town policy on commercial and recreational fishing follows later in this category. Issue productive agricultural lands Policy rely on local zoning which permits many uses in the RA zone Issue commercial forest lands Policy moot; no policy necessary Issue existing and potential mineral resource areas Policy carefully consider proposal for mining, although no conventional commercial mining operations have been noted ( a few isolated, low scale operations have occurred for individual site improvements) Issue commercial and recreational fisheries, nursery habitat areas, ORWs, trawling in estuarine waters Policy encourage commercial/recreational fishing and support state regulations with regard to commercial operations, no ORWs exist, no trawling exists within Town jurisdiction Issue off -road vehicles Policv moot, no policy necessary Issue development impacts on resources Policv recognizing any development has impacts and recognizing water is Town's greatest resource needing protection for commercial, recreational and other uses, Town will regularly review/update local ordinances to keep effective and will also rely on state and federal agencies regulations Issue peat or phosphate mining impacts Policv moot; no policy necessary C. Economic and Community Development Issue basic statement on community attitude toward growth Policy the Town encourages and supports economic development if done in accordance with resource protection policies of this Plan. The Town will provide local initiatives and also support regional, state and federal effects to recruit and attract appropriate economic activities. Issue types/locations of desired industries Policy encourage/support a wide variety of industrial development to insure economy, support efforts of chamber of commerce, support state, federal regulations for safety, etc. (consider local zoning/rezoning for industrial uses carefully and critically) Issue local commitment to provision of services Policy first priority to provide to Developed areas on land class map; consider extension requests on case by case basis for services (water and sewer); continue to apply for CDBG/other economic development projects involving extension; recent improvement to wastewater treatment system now gives the Town excess capacity for additional service Issue types of urban growth patterns desired Polia rely on local zoning to guide growth into Developed and Urban Transition land classification areas Issue residential development desires, assessment of services Policy Town policy on this issue is the same as local commitment to provision of services above Issue redevelopment of developed areas including erosion threatened relocation Policy as all of Town is subject to storm damage, only viable course is to support prudent redevelopment in accordance with zoning requirements; continue support of historic redevelopment, downtown redevelopment, continue support for CDBG program Issue commitment to state/federal programs Policy limited commitment to state/federal programs; support those beneficial to the Town (such as DOT road bridges, erosion control/BMPs, forest incentive for reforestation, vegetation buffer, previous materials, 404 wetlands program, oppose Military Operating Airspace, support CDBG, Small Business Administration programs) Issue assistance to channel maintenance/beach nourishment Policy rely on state/federal agencies to determine additional need unless local navigation problems noted, recent improvements to breakwater supported by the Town Issue energy facility siting/development PolLcy consider on case by case basis Issue tourism Policy continue present levels of support through cooperation with local, state agencies, businesses promoting area Issue public water access Policy maintain existing access, pursue additional site(s) if need arises/local available, Town supported/sponsored recent agreement to improve boat launching facility at Wynn's Gut D. Public Participation 1. The Planning Board is responsible for the update and will recommend a preliminary and final Plan to Town Council. 2. News articles will be published in both the Beaufort -Hyde News and the Washington Daily News concerning Plan update matters. 3. All Planning Board meetings are public and regular meetings are held the third Wednesday of each month at 7:00 pm in the Old Town Hall. 4. The Town Board shall hold a public hearing prior to adoption of the final Plan. Storm hazard mitigation issues include a description of likely conditions such as high winds, wave action and erosion. A composite hazards map and inventory for hazardous areas were not deemed necessary. The Towns feel that by its location and relatively low elevation, the whole Town and majority of the planning area is at risk. One of the highest lots in Town is estimated to around five feet above seal level. No fiuther information was deemed necessary or appropriate. The Town is acutely aware of its situation and is attempting to address those issues it can. Issue: policies to mitigate effects of winds, storm surge, flooding, wave action, etc. Policy: • continue enforcing state building code which deals with wind, storm surge, flooding and wave action • continue administering and pursuing grant funds to elevate structures • continue public education on these issues • continue support for breakwater improvements (some recently completed) Issue: policies to discourage high density/large structures in hazard areas Poli • Town zoning determines building location, size and height • continue support for elevating structures that may help mitigate damage • continue education effects about risks of development in hazard areas Issue: public acquisition of hazardous lands Poli : as essentially the whole Town could be said to be in hazardous lands, it is unrealistic for the Town to consider public acquisition as an option; the Town may consider specific lots on a case by case basis. Issue: evacuation policies -county function but also adequate emergency shelters, participate in regional evacuation plans Policy: The Town will continue to participate in the county and regional evacuation plans — no shelters are located in the area and all residents will continue to be advised to evacuate to higher locations when storm threats are imminent. Five post disaster reconstruction policies are also called for in the current planning guidelines. Issue: consider county emergency management plan — note preparation/response Policy: The Town will continue to participate, as other municipalities do, in providing input into the county plan. Insomuch as the county plan provides helpful direction and information, the Town will use those areas useful to the Town. Issue: policies to direct redevelopment over time Policy: The Town will continue to enforce its zoning, building code and utility provision practices. The Town will also continue to encourage elevating structures, and seek grant and other funds to assist in these matters. Issue: establish "recovery task force" Policy: The Town has a recovery task force including the mayor, town manger, Planning Board members, rescue/fire squad volunteers, medical board and building inspector. During storm season, members will be reminded of their responsibilities. Issue: schedule for permitting repairs including moratoria Egli Town policy is to re-establish essential public services (utilities, including water, electricity, sewer service, etc.) as soon as possible and as resources permit. In the event of massive destruction, the recovery task force will establish a recover schedule that may include a moratoria for redevelopment until a complete evaluation of the extent of damage can be made. Issue: repair -replacement of public infrastructure Policy: For the most part public infrastructure will be replaced on existing sites due to the lack of higher elevated sites for consideration. Elevation of those features will be considered. Flood proofing of facilities such as the wastewater treatment plant is the only option as elevation is unrealistic. Certain facilities, such as the damaged schools, may simply be relocated out of necessity, and this will be determined on a case by case basis. The Town's land classification map helps illustrate where intensities of land use should occur. This classification indicates either a densely developed manmade landscape (the Developed and Urban Transition classes), a rural landscape (the Rural class) where the agrarian uses exist, or a relatively undisturbed natural landscape (the Conservation class). All policies in the plan try to articulate this landscape theme. And local, county, state and federal regulations can be used to help achieve this vision for the Town's future. Local zoning and utility extension practices are very important tools used by the Town in this effort. Town of Belhaven Land Classifications 1997 Land Classifications W E S 1000 0 1000 2000 Feet The preparation of this map was financed in part through a grant provided by the North Carolina Coastal Management Program, through funds provided by the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended, which is administered by the Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. This map represents a compilation of information from multiple sources, and at different scales, which may result in imconsistances among features represented on this map. The MEC assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of the source information. Prepared by Mid East commission Plmming Depment Po Box 17ad87 Washington. Nc 279M (919) M - sm ExecWM Director. Robed Padoceo GISTeddPlanner. Ed Lynch August e. 1997 Town of Belhaven ' CAMA Land Use Plan Update 1997 1 1 prepared by the Planning Board ' John Jones, Chairman Ron Blythe Wilber Logan ' Al Mackenzie — Alternate Charles Keys — ETJ Charles Wilkins ETJ ' Wesley Bowen — Alternate ETJ ' For the Town Board and ' Dr. Charles Boyette, Mayor Tim Johnson, Town Manager Nat Van Nortwick, Clerk to the Planning Board with assistance from Jane Daughtridge, Planner -In -Charge Mid -East Commission (pages 1-21, tables, maps, charts) John Crew, Planner -in -Charge Coastal Consortium, Consulting Planners, Inc. (pages 21-Appendix) ' (Land Classification Map) ' The preparation of this document was funded 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 Coastal Resource Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Belhaven 1997 ' CAMA Land Use Plan Update ' 1 Table of Contents ' I. Data Collection and Analysis A. Introduction — Goals and Objectives B. Establishment of the Data Base - ' II. Present Conditions A. Population ' B. Housing C. Economy ' III. Existing Land Use ^ A. Introduction B. Land Use Summary ' IV. Current Plans, Policies and Regulations A. Introduction B. Plans C. Policies D. Regulations V. Constraints: Land Suitability A. Introduction B. Physical Limitations for Development Hazards ' C. Soils D. Water Supplies E. Excessive Ground Slope Areas F. Fragile Areas G. Areas with Resource Potential ' H. Water Quality VI. Constraints: Capacity of Community Facilities A. Introduction ' B. Water and Sewer Systems/Solid Waste Collection C. Public Administration/Protective Services D. Medical Facilities ' E. Schools F. Roads 1 VII. Estimated Demand A. Population and Economy — Estimates of Land Use Demands ' B. Summary — Statement of Major Conclusions 1 Pa&e 1 1 2 2 3 3 3 6 6 7 8 8 8 9 10 11 11 14 15 16 16 16 17 18 18 19 19 19 20 VIII. Citizen Participation Plan IX. Previous Policy Assessment X. Policy Discussion XI. 1997 Policies A. Resource Protection B. Resource Production and Management C. Economic and Community Development D. Public Participation E. Hurricane and Storm Hazard Mitigation, Reconstruction, Evacuation XII. Intergovernmental Coordination X M. Relationship of Policies and Land Classification XIV. Land Classification XV. Figures Appendix A. Citizen Participation Plan and Documentation h3. Previous Policy Assessment C. Maps 20 20 21 22 22 25 26 27 28 31 31 32 34 42 1 7 ii Executive Summary ' Town of Belhaven 1997 CAMA Land Use Plan Update Every five years coastal counties and towns under the auspices of the N. C. Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA) have the opportunity to update their Land Use Plan. Belhaven produced its first plan in 1974 and has continued to respond to updates as called ' for by the Coastal Resources Commission (CRC). The CRC develops guidelines to give direction to these updates and again in 1997 Belhaven exercised its option and produced its fifth planning effort. ' Plan Updates help communities address issues the CRC believes are important for the whole coastal region as well as those of local significance. Updates typically help a community to be proactive on issues important to its growth and development and on natural resource issues as well. The CRC's current planning guidelines (Sec.0202) call for an Executive Summary be prepared as part of a land use plan update. "The summary shall contain a summary of the land use issues affecting the community, policies which were chosen to address those issues and a land classification map." The summary shall be suitable for distribution throughout the planning area. ' Since the 1992 plan several observations about conditions affecting the Town's growth and development have been made and are included in the 1997 plan: • While Belhaven's future population is not expected to increase according to recent trends, the Town is hopeful retirees coming to coastal North Carolina will chose Belhaven as a place to live. • The majority of the Towns work force is involved in manufacturing, retail trade F or education and about 12% are involved in health services, primarily at Pungo District Hospital. Employment in agriculture, forestry, fishing and mining are also important to the Town's economy. While the median family income in 1990 was below that of the state, increases were noted from the 1980 to 1990 census. • Housing in Town has improved recently through several Community Development Block Grant funds; owner occupied housing value increased 154% from 1980 to 1990 but still lags behind the rest of Beaufort County. • Public Services and facilities such as water, roads, solid waste collection and disposal, fire and police services, and public administration are expected to be adequate to meet Town.needs during the 10 year planning period. Sewer system improvements underway should correct present deficiencies. • Most existing land use in 1997 is very similar to that in 1992. The predominate land use within Town limits is still residential with a small node of commercial and industrial uses clustered in the downtown area. Some conflicts between long established patterns of commercial, industrial and residential land uses in this area still exist. • Non residential land uses are noted along the US 264 bypass with some new development since the 1992 plan. to • Little vacant land available for development exists within Town limits, but much of the ETJ area is suitable for most development purposes. • Wetlands, shorelines, surface waters, Areas of Environmental Concern (AECs) and other natural areas add greatly to the environment in the planning area. Local, county, state and federal regulations will continue to manage those areas for their natural resources value. • The Town suffered heavy property loss during both hurricanes in 1996. While Bertha did some damage, Fran re -soaked those areas previously inundated by Bertha and virtually the whole Town was affected. The Town has received disaster assistance, much earmarked. to elevate structures and the Town will continue addressing floodproofing needs through local zoning and building codes. • An assessment of the Town's 45 policies from its 1992 plan showed most were either achieved or the Town attempted to achieve them. Unfortunately, ten policies dealing with storm hazard'mitigation, reconstruction and evacuation were shown not to be particularly effective during Bertha and Fran: Policies are goals for the future and as such differ from regulations which usually set measurable standards. Each CAMA Land Use Plan Update must address policies in several categories that are established by the CRC for each update cycle. Policies established by the Town for the 1997 update include: A. Resource Protection Issue general statement on community attitude toward resource protection Policy the Town has same local initiatives that are set forward in its zoning and other policies that follow; otherwise the Town will rely on county, state, and federal agency regulations to deal with various resource protection issues; please note the following policies on specific issues Issue discuss AECs Policy same as below on local issues relative to AECs; not repeated here Issue soil limitation, septic tank suitability, floodprone areas Poft support and enforce federal, state, local regulations on septic tank placement, building in floodprone areas Issue local issues relative to AECs Policy support current federal, state, local regulations for AECs ' Issue protection of wetlands Policy see above, local issues relative to AECs, not repeated here ' Issue other hazardous or fragile lands, wetlands, Outstanding Resource Waters (ORWs), shellfish waters, cultural, historic areas Policy conserve fragile/hazardous areas; support state, federal restrictions in swamps, marshes, 404 wetlands, manmade hazards controlled through local zoning; water supply access to be protected; the old town hall is on the natural register iv of historic places and other structures are eligible for inclusion; the Town supports volunteer historic preservations effects Issue protection of potable water supply ' Policy protect potable water supply from negative land use impacts, the Town recently established a wellhead protection ordinance that should help in protecting its water supply Issue use of package treatment plants Policy discourage use in favor of extending municipal service as long as excess ' capacity exists Issue stormwater runoff impacts Policy continue existing procedures until a need is shown based on negative impacts, support state regulations for retention devices, etc. ' Issue marina,floating homes d stack facilities moorings g dry � g Poli desire protection from random marinas, but supports as appropriate in concert with local zoning; support CAMA regs on marinas, dry stack facilities regulated by local zoning, acceptable under certain circumstances; floating homes considered on case by case basis, the Town's zoning ordinance prohibits permanent moorings and limits temporary moorings to seven days; Town policy on moorings is further -reflected in local zoning which should be consulted for additional information. Issue industrial impacts on fragile areas Policy control through local zoning, support of state and federal requirements Issue development susceptible, to sea level rise Policy the Town and much of the ETJ is at a very low elevation and at serious threat from sea level rise (also tropical storms as witnessed by Bertha and Fran). The Town complies with and supports FEMA guidance and local regulations on elevating structures as the only realistic way to deal with sea level rise. More discussion on storm hazard mitigation follows in that policy category. Issue upland excavation for marinas Policv general support for CAMA regulations ' Issue marsh damage by bulkheads Policy support state and federal standards, no more restrictive local regulations Issue development of islands ' Policy moot; no policy necessary Issue management measures designed to reduce local sources of water quality ' problems Policy local zoning and subdivision regulations include design standards that can be said to address this issue; the Town's wellhead protection ordinance, when adopted, will protect its water supply; Town policy is to rely on local v initiatives and state and federal regulations (such as sedimentation and erosion ' control regulations) to address this issue B. Resource Production and Management ' men on community attitude toward resource protection and Issue basis statement ty ' management Poligy The Town does not have many resource production and management issues as other towns and counties may have. There is no significant agriculture, forestry and no mining in the area. Town policy on commercial and ' recreational fishing follows later in this category. ' Issue productive agricultural lands Policy rely on local zoning which permits many uses in the RA zone ' Issue commercial forest lands Policy moot; no policy necessary Issue existing and potential mineral resource areas Polipy carefully consider proposal for mining, although no conventional commercial mining operations have been noted ( a few isolated, low scale operations have occurred for individual site improvements) Issue commercial and recreational fisheries, nursery habitat areas, ORWs, trawling in ' estuarine waters Policy encourage commercial/recreational fishing and support state regulations with regard to commercial operations, no ORWs exist, no trawling exists within ' Town jurisdiction Issue off -road vehicles Policy moot, no policy necessary Issue development impacts on resources Policy recognizing any development has impacts and recognizing water is Town's greatest resource needing protection for commercial, recreational and other ' uses, Town will regularly review/update local ordinances to keep effective and will also rely on state and federal agencies regulations Issue peat or phosphate mining impacts Policy moot; no policy necessary l C. Economic and Community Development ' Issue basic statement on communityattitude toward growth Policy the Town encourages and supports economic development if done -in ' accordance with resource protection policies of this Plan. The Town will . provide local initiatives and also support regional, state and federal effects to ' recruit and attract appropriate economic activities. Issue types/locations of desired industries ' Policy encouragetsupport a wide variety of industrial development to insure economy, support efforts of chamber of commerce, support state, federal regulations for safety, etc. (consider local zoning/rezoning for industrial uses carefully and critically) ' Issue local commitment to provision of services Policy first priority to provide to Developed areas on land class map; consider extension requests on case by case basis for services (water and sewer); ' continue to apply for CDBG/other economic development projects involving extension; recent improvement to wastewater treatment system now gives the Town excess capacity for additional service ' Issue types of urban growth patterns desired Polio rely on local zoning to guide growth into Developed and Urban Transition ' land classification areas Issue residential development desires, assessment of services ' Policy Town policy on this issue is the same as local commitment to provision of services above ' Issue redevelopment of developed areas including erosion threatened relocation Policy as all of Town is subject to storm damage, only viable course is to support prudent redevelopment in accordance with zoning requirements; continue ' support of historic redevelopment, downtown redevelopment, continue support for CDBG program ' Issue commitment to state/federal programs Policy limited commitment to state/federal programs; support those beneficial to the I Town (such as DOT road bridges, erosion control/BNTs, forest incentive for reforestation, vegetation buffer, previous materials, 404 wetlands program, oppose Military Operating Airspace, support CDBG, Small Business ' Administration programs) Issue assistance to channel maintenance/beach nourishment ' Policy rely on state/federal agencies to determine additional need unless local navigation problems noted, recent improvements to breakwater supported by the Town ' Issue energyfacility siting/development t3' Policy consider on case by case basis Issue tourism Policy continue -present levels of support through cooperation with local, state ' agencies, businesses promoting area vii Issue public water access Policy maintain existing access, pursue additional site(s) if need arises/local available, Town supported/sponsored recent agreement to improve boat launching facility at Wynn's Gut D. Public Participation ' 1. The Planning Board is responsible for the update and will recommend a preliminary and final Plan to Town Council. ' 2. News articles will be published in both the Beaufort -Hyde News and the Washin on Daily News concerning Plan update matters. 3. All Planning Board meetings are public and regular meetings are held the third Wednesday of each month at 7:00 pm in the Old Town Hall. 4. The Town Board shall hold a public hearing prior to adoption of the final Plan. ' Storm hazard mitigation issues include a description of likely conditions such as high winds, wave action and erosion. A composite hazards map and inventory for hazardous areas were not deemed necessary. The Towns feel that by its location and relatively low elevation, the whole Town and majority of the planning area is at risk. One of the highest lots in Town is estimated to around five feet above seal level. No further information was deemed rnecessary or appropriate. The Town is acutely aware of its situation and is attempting to address those issues it can. ' Issue: policies to mitigate effects of winds, storm surge, flooding, wave action, etc. Policy • continue enforcing state building code which deals with wind, storm surge, ' flooding and wave action • continue administering and pursuing grant funds to elevate structures • continue public education on these issues • continue support for breakwater improvements (some recently completed) Issue: policies to discourage high density/large structures in hazard areas Policy • Town zoning determines building location, size and height ' • continue support for elevating structures that may help mitigate damage • continue education effects about risks of development in hazard areas Issue: public acquisition of hazardous lands Policy: as essentially the whole Town could be said to be in hazardous lands, it is unrealistic for the Town to consider public acquisition as an option; the Town may consider specific lots on a case by case basis. Issue: evacuation policies -county function but also adequate emergency shelters, participate in regional evacuation plans Policy: The Town will continue to participate in the county and regional evacuation ' plans — no shelters are located in the area and all residents will continue to be advised to evacuate to higher locations when storm threats are imminent. ' Five post disaster reconstruction policies are also called for in the current planning guidelines. ' Issue: consider county emergency management plan — note prepaiation/response Policy: The Town will continue to participate, as other municipalities do, in providing input into the county plan.. Insomuch as the county plan provides ' helpful direction and information, the Town will use those areas useful to the Town. ' Issue: policies to direct redevelopment over time Policy: The Town will continue to enforce its zoning, building code and utility provision practices. The Town will also continue to encourage elevating ' structures, and seek grant and other funds to assist in these matters. Issue: establish "recovery task force" Poli : The Town has a recovery task force including the mayor, town manger, Planning Board members, rescue/fire squad volunteers, medical board and building inspector. During storm season, members will be reminded of their responsibilities. ' Issue: schedule for permitting repairs including moratoria Policy: Town policy is to re-establish essential public services (utilities, including water, electricity, sewer service, etc.) as soon as possible and as resources ' permit. In the event of massive destruction, the recovery task force will establish a recover schedule that may include a moratoria for redevelopment until a complete evaluation of the extent of damage can be made. ' Issue: repair -replacement of ublic infrastructure P Poli : For the most part public infrastructure will be replaced on existing sites due to the lack of higher elevated sites for consideration.. Elevation of those features will be considered. Flood proofing of facilities such as the wastewater treatment plant is the only option as elevation is unrealistic. ' Certain facilities, such as the damaged schools, may simply be relocated out of necessity, and this will be determined on a case by case basis. ' The Town's land classification map helps illustrate where intensities of land use should occur. This classification indicates either a densely developed manmade landscape ' (the Developed and Urban Transition classes), a rural landscape (the Rural class) where the agrarian uses exist, or a relatively undisturbed natural landscape (the Conservation class). All policies in the plan try to articulate this landscape theme. And local, county, state and ' federal regulations can be used to help achieve this vision for the Town's future. Local zoning and utility extension practices are very important tools used by the Town in this effort. ix I. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS A. Introduction —Goals and.Objectives Land development generally takes place as the result of a series of decisions by private individuals and government. If left entirely to chance, the resulting pattern of development may not be in the best overall interest of the community. To promote this community interest for both present and future generations, a land use plan is developed, adopted and kept current by the local governments in the coastal area. The land use plan is a framework to guide local leaders as they make decisions affecting development. Private individuals and other levels of government will also use the plan to guide their land use decisions. Effective use of the plan by these groups will lead to the more efficient and economical provision of public services, the protection of natural resources, sound economic development, the protection of public health and safety, and enhancement of the community's quality of life. The preparation of this plan represents an effort by the Town to guide development in a way which will maximize public benefits. This plan was financed in part through a grant provided by the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972. These funds are administered by the Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration through the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Division of Coastal Management. The Coastal Area Management Act, GS 113A, established a cooperative state - local program where local governments have the initiative for planning and state governments establishes guidelines for the plans. GS 113A-102 establishing findings and goals for this cooperative effort. Item (b) in 113A 102 list four goals and seven policies, guidelines and standards to achieve this partnership. This plan update mirrors those goals established by the Coastal Area Management Act and provides local application of CAMA goals. B. Establishment of the Data Base ' One purpose of the 1997 Land Use Plan is to update information given in the 1992 Plan and to outline development that has taken place since the completion of that plan. Each plan that has been prepared since the original Land Development ' Plan in 1976 is used as a primary source of information. Various other sources were used to update and expand the database. Socioeconomic data were gathered from a variety of sources. The 1990 North ' Carolina Census of Population provided updated population figures. The North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Division of Coastal Management provided extensive data on population, economy, and permits. Additional statistics were gathered from Beaufort County School Superintendent's office and the Internet. The DENR Divisions of Environmental Management, Cooperative -Extension Service, -and Soil and Water Conservation were very helpful in providing information. Various other sources were consulted, including the town staff and local residents. Information on land use within the Town's jurisdiction was acquired from a ' variety of sources. United States Geological Survey 7 1/2 minute quadrangles, the •1 Beaufort County Soil Survey, zoning maps, building permit records and on -site ' inspections were used to assess the development that has occurred since the 1992 plan. The accuracy of this Plan was checked throughout its development period. The Planning Board, Town Manager and Town Board proofread the text to ensure ' its accuracy and direction. These combined sources served to provide the most concise possible picture of development trends within the community. H. PRESENT CONDITIONS ' A. Po ulation ' The Town of Belhaven is situated in eastern Beaufort County at the confluence of the Pungo River and Pantego Creek, part of the Pamlico estuarine system. Belhaven is a town, which was formed mostly as a port for a nearby ' logging business. Today, it is primarily farming, fishing and logging community. It lies on the Intracoastal Waterway, a major north -south route for the shipping industry and recreational activity. ' Belhaven is one of seven incorporated areas in Beaufort County. The county itself occupies 827 square miles of eastern coastal North Carolina and is the eighth largest county in the state, with the second largest population in Region Q. ' The population has fluctuated up and down since the 1960 Census. Until 1970 there was a steady decline in population, then the trend changed. During the ' seventy's the economy of the town changed from the traditional rural industries, like fishing and logging, to manufacturing. Several manufacturing firms located in Belhaven during this time. The town developed residential areas as well as service ' industries to accommodate the growth brought on by the new industry. Since 1985, estimates and census' show that the population has been slowly declining. In 1985 the population was estimated at 2,496, in 1995 it was estimated at 2,212, a decline ' of 11.4% over 10 years. The median age of the Town of Belhaven was 32.9 in the 1990 census, an increase of 13.8% from the 1980 census (28.9). The state data center projects the median age of the county's population to increase into the next century. The racial breakdown of Belhaven's population is 37% white and 63% non -whites, as of the 1990 Census. Belhaven is the only incorporated area in Beaufort County where the population consists of a black population greater than ' the white population. B. Housing The 1990 population was housed among 980 dwelling units, an increase of 2% from 1980 when there were 961 dwelling units. The number of persons per household decreased from 2.86 to 2.68, between 1980 and 1990. The percentage of owner occupied also decreased from 61% in 1980 to 59% in 1990. Between 1980 and 1990 there was -an increase in the medianvalue of owner occupied units in the town, from $12,600 in 1980 to $32,100 in 1990, which is an increase of 154%. Compared to the county's 10 year increase of 65.7%, Belhaven is behind the rest of the county is the rise of residential values. Mobile homes and trailers make up 28% of the Housing units in Belhaven. Ten percent of all the housing units in Belhaven as of the 1990 census were considered substandard, which is 5 percent higher than 2 the rest of the county. However, the Town has systematically been improving these ' conditions through Community Development block Grants for residential rehabilitation and community revitalization. In 1990 the town only had 20 seasonal ' units. A seasonal population flux does not play a significant role in the public demands placed on town facilities. ' C. Economy The economy of Belhaven relies mostly on manufacturing, although it is also effected by agriculture, forestry, fishing and mining. More than 50% of the work force is involved with some sort of manufacturing, retail trade or education fields. Approximately 12% of the towns labor force is employed by the health services ' industry. One of the largest employers in the town is the Pungo District Hospital, which employs approximately 190 people. Agriculture and natural resources play an important role in the economy of ' Belhaven. Agriculture, forestry, fishing, and mining employs more than four percent of the towns labor force. Agricultural land uses approximately 30 percent of the land within the Towns one -mile jurisdiction. In this business there are seasonal ' peaks during times of harvest. Migrant workers from Mexico are employed for agriculture and at the crab plants. There are four seafood plants in the town, which makes Belhaven the top producer of seafood in the county. Beaufort County is ' ranked fifth in the state for poundage of seafood landed and a commercial dockside worth $2.5 million. Of all the blue crab landings in the state, Beaufort County ' landings account for 15%. Because of the influence of the fishing industry on the economy of Belhaven, it is important to have good quality of water in the surrounding rivers and creeks. ' Between the 1980 and 1990 census, income has risen throughout the town. The town's per capita income has risen 53%, from $4,560 in 1980 to $6,982 in 1990. When this income is adjusted for inflation, however, there has actually been a ' 10% loss in buying power over that period. The median family income increased from $11,291 in 1980 to $17,610 in 1990. During this time the percentage of people in poverty increased from 33.18% to 36.5%. III. EXISTING LAND USE A. Introduction ' Sound decisions on directing future land use in a community are made based on an inventory of the present land uses. This inventory should take note of the ' types of land uses, their amount and their distribution. The following section details the existing land uses within the Belhaven planning area. ' B. Land Use Summary The Town of Belhaven's planning jurisdiction includes all area within the ' town limits and all land outside those limits to a distance of approximately one -mile. Belhaven's planning jurisdiction bounds more than eight square miles, although the . 3 ' town limits includes only thirty percent of the planning area. Most of the area within the town limits is used for urban purposes, though twenty percent of the town's planning jurisdiction is for urban use. The undeveloped land is made up of forest, agriculture, wetlands, or surface water. ' There has been little change in the layout of the land since the 1992 plan. The last annexation that took place was in 1990. The existing land use map shows ' that most land uses within the Town limits are residential. Residential development ' is concentrated in the eastern section of Town near Tooley's Creek, west of Hwy 99 north of the bridge, and in the blocks surrounding Belhaven Elementary School. ' Between 1986 and 1989, residential building permits averaged only one per year for new single family units. An upgrade of the wastewater treatment facility was completed in 1988, lifting the moratorium on development. As a result, in 1990, forty housing unit building permits were granted Ongo Village). New commercial permits increased slightly in 1990. Single-family unit dominance has been the trend for new residential growth in the past. The 1990 units were part of a multi -family housing complex. Existing housing stock in Belhaven is still dominated by single- family units. About 59% of all units are owner occupied. Mobile home permits ' comprise the greatest number of building permit applications within the past five years. The Town regulates mobile homes through its zoning ordinance. Commercial land uses are those which support retail or personal services. ' Within the planning area, several concentrations of commercial uses exist. Recently some commercial development has occurred in the Food Lion shopping center, where an Advanced Auto Parts store and an ABC store has been constructed. ' Some downtown redevelopment is occurring through the help of a CDBG grant where a three story building is being built, along with a mini park, parking lot, artisans craft guild, senior center, and some waterfront improvements. Other ' commercial uses are located along both the business and by-pass routes of US 264 and in small pockets located in the eastern section of Town. It is expected that future commercial, institutional and office space needs will be met in these existing ' zoned areas. Expanding strip development along major traffic arteries is also expected, but the Town is pleased with the trend toward downtown redevelopment. As before mentioned, the industrial area of Belhaven is primarily situated along the ' waterfront. Currently, most operations are water -related (seafood processors), but Cargill, a grain dealer, has also located here. The area was designated industrial due to its proximity to the river, highway and railroad tracks. Currently only a limited ' amount of land remains available to accommodate industrial expansion; however the Town does wish to accommodate new industrial development on the remaining available land. ' At the same time, local officials recognize that non -water related uses are better located at non -shoreline locations. Thus, the Town intends to encourage most new industrial projects to locate in commercial areas along the U. S. Highway ' 264 Bypass or other industrial areas, reserving the waterfront for water -related uses such as tourist enterprises and. seafood processing operations. Forested areas constitute about 25 percent of the land -in the -extraterritorial ' limits. No forested areas exist within the Town limits, but are concentrated along the eastern portion of Hwy. 99 south of the bridge to the edge of the planning area and in a band running from northwest to southeast near Lower Dowry Creek. Presently, there are no serious land use compatibility problems with these forested 4 ' lands. However, should these areas be logged or cleared for agricultural use, short-term aesthetic problems might result unless wise harvestingtreforestation practices are used. ' Much of the land within the extraterritorial limits has been cleared for agricultural uses. Most agricultural land lies north of Town in a band extending across the extraterritorial limits. It is currently under production, but this land may be "squeezed" into other uses as the demand for developable land in the planning ' area increases and the availability of suitable land decreases. Growth is likely to occur at the expense of this farmland. Within the Town's planning jurisdiction, agricultural land has had an impact on other resources as well. Agricultural drainage and runoff from fields and ditches have become a nutrient source for algae blooms in the nutrient sensitive Pungo River. Dams and dikes, originally constructed to ' mitigate the impact of floodwater in cropland, have helped to minimize the impact of agricultural runoff in the adjacent waters. A large portion of the planning area is in wetlands which extend along the ' north and south banks of Pantego Creek west of the bridge. Other wetlands can be found on the peninsulas near Tooley's Creek and along the shoreline of the Pungo River. A potential land use compatibility problem exists with wetlands and the ' Town's expressed interest new development. Wetland function is recognized and protected by both the State and Federal governments. Careful design of ' development projects can sometimes mitigate the effects of land use incompatibilities in these areas. As the demand for industrial land increases, it may be necessary to transfer some of the least productive agricultural lands into industrial uses. Also, as the need ' for residential and commercial uses increases, the cleared agricultural land may need to be developed. Several cropland areas with prime farmland soils could be at risk. There is a very limited amount of open space available for development ' within the Town limits. The area on the north side of Town near the intersection of Hwy 264 By -Pass and Business 264 is one of the only areas left for expansion. The Town may need to acquire more land through annexation to accommodate future development. In summary, there are no significant land use compatibility problems that currently exist in the planning district. The negative aspects of industry should ' not directly affect the land use patterns in Town because its location will be confined to the waterfront area and other areas zoned for industry. The Town recognizes the negative environmental impact of industry adjacent to the rivers. Sites in the ' extraterritorial area should be investigated for industrial development. The wetland areas in Town will grow only in compliance with government restrictions. Should any further commercial strip development occur along the major traffic arteries, a ' compatibility problem may arise between the commercial and residential uses located there. There are no major problems that have resulted from unplanned development, nor any which will have a bearing on future land use. ' The areas most likely to experience change in the planning area -can be pinpointed to several locations. Within the Town limits, additional residential development is expected in the existing residential subdivisions in -the northern ' section of Town. Outside the Town limits, additional construction along transportation routes is possible. Encroaching development may impact the ' agricultural areas north of Town. Belhaven does not use designation of prime farm soils as a limiting factor for development within their jurisdiction since their goal is ' expansion of urban services and development. ' IV. CURRENT PLANS, POLICIES AND REGULATIONS A. Introduction Before policy can be formulated to guide future development decisions, it is useful to know what tools are already available to enforce each policy chosen. The following is a description of the plans, policies and regulations the Town currently has in place to support its 1997 policy statements. B. Plans ' Belhaven has several planning documents that directly impact land development in the area. In addition, numerous other documents at the county and regional levels address development issues. The following is a list and description of ' the plans related to Belhaveds growth. Community Development Block Grant Plans - The Town of Belhaven currently has two CDBG Projects underway. The Entreprenal- Empowerment grant ' which totals $999,994, includes the construction of several projects. A three story building downtown is being built to house apartments on the top two floors and commercial use on the bottom floor, a mini park, parking lot, artisans craft guild, ' senior center, and waterfront improvements are all included on this grant. The Community Revitalization grant, which totals $850,000, is in the Mills street area. Some of the projects include housing revitalization, improvements to the water ' system, fire protection, paving, and demolition. Land Use Plans - Since the passing of the Coastal Area Management Act ' (CAMA) in 1974, four land use plans have been completed. The land classification maps that accompanied each plan have been used as a reference for land use decisions in the planning area. The policy statements included in each plan have ' been a reference for planning decisions. 201 Facilities Plan -- The Town of Belhaven was funded for the first stages of a 201 Facilities Plan to upgrade the system during the planning period. The ' improvements project consisted of developing a series of pump stations in the sewage collection system and a flow equalization basin that retain peak flows until a time of lower demand and intensity. The Town's treatment system was back in ' compliance with Federal regulations in 1989, but changing regulation standards makes consistent compliance difficult. Additional sewer line improvements to repair leaks were completed with the remaining 201 money on a section of Main Street in early 1992. The Town is currently updating the 201 Facilities plan to more than double the sewer capacity that the Town currently has. ' Capital Improvements Plan -- In 1979, the Mid -East Commission prepared a 20 year list of capital improvements needed for the Town. Some of the improvements that the Town has made since 1992 include a firetruck, ambulance, 10 ' new vehicles, a sewer rodding for cleaning the sewer lines, a backhoe, and a limb clipper. One of the upcoming improvements is a new water plant. 6 Thoroughfare Plan - In March of 1992, the Town adopted an update of its 1987 transportation thoroughfare plan. The NC Department of Transportation prepared the update. Wellhead Protection Plan - In 1996, the Town began a Wellhead Protection study and planning process, which was interrupted by Hurricanes Bertha, Fran and Josephine. A draft of the report is still in process but no extensive action has been proposed nor formal adoption taken place as of this writing. C. Policies Policies are defined as statements of intent and courses of action, which are followed to reach a desired goal. In Belhaven, many policies are unwritten, but have been carried out for several years. The Town is in the process of having its ordinances codified at this time. The following lists all the policies associated with development that Belhaven currently has in place. Utilities Extension Policies - Both in -town and out of town residents are eligible for water and sewer services. Nearly 93 percent of all residents are tied into the water system and approximately 95 percent of the Towns residents are tied into the wastewater treatment system. The 1976 Land Development Plan discusses the Town's policy on utility extensions. In brief, an applicant must submit a request application to the Town Manager who then determines if the application meets compliance requirements. The Town Council examines each request individually based upon the cost and subsequent availability of funds for each application. In Town, those applicants requesting the extension must advance 75 percent of the costs to -the Town prior to construction. Out-of-town applicants must provide 100 percent of the funds for the extension. Possible extensions to proposed developments or subdivisions are described more fully in Appendix A, which is Article V of the Town Ordinance. The capacity of these community facilities is discussed in the section "Constraints: Capacity of Community Facilities". The Town purchases wholesale electricity from North Carolina Eastern Municipal Power Agency (NCEMPA) and sells it to area residents. As the North Carolina Utility Commission requires electrical companies to provide service only within designated districts, Belhaven does not have a formal policy on the extension of electrical facilities. Electrical lines have already been installed in a large portion of the extraterritorial area. A potential "Peaking Program" for electricity is being investigated as of this writing. Open Space and Recreation Policy - Although Belhaven has no compre- hensive recreation plan or open space policy, there is an extremely active year around recreation program consisting of such activities as softball leagues, volleyball leagues, little league football and baseball, youth dances, swimming and tennis lessons. Belhaven has two publicly -owned parks, an active Recreation Center administered by the Recreation Department, plus a public boat. ramp which provides access to Pantego Creek. Four private marinas also provide access to the river. The Town has had no need for a policy on recreation facilities or the acquisition -of - open space. 7 D. Re lagu tions TheTown of Belhaven enforces several regulations which have an im act on gu p development. The Building Inspector is responsible for their enforcement. ' Regulations currently in place are: Zoning Ordinance Building and Housing Regulations Subdivision Ordinance ' Flood Prevention Ordinance Septic Tank Regulations Nuisance Ordinance ' Fire Protection Regulations (Safety Inspections) CAMA Permitting ' The Beaufort County Division of Environmental Health governs the permitting system for septic tank and well placements.. The Flood Prevention ordinance, adopted by the Town Board in early January, 1986, is very complex. It divides the ' Town into two flood prone areas. In one area, the ordinance requires that all development must be situated at least nine feet above sea level and in the other flood area, structures must be situated at least eight feet above sea level. The Town is ' working to make all new structures conform to this ordinance. Other aspects of this regulation involve bulkheading of certain waterfront areas in Town. According to Chapter 113A Article 1 of the General Statutes, the North ' Carolina Environmental Policy Act, the Town can request developers to submit detailed statements outlining the potential impacts of major developments. Belhaven ' has no additional requirements. Dune protection ordinances are not applicable as there are no dunes within the planning area. Sedimentation regulations are determined at the state level in accordance with the NC Sediment Pollution Control Act. ' V. CONSTRAINTS: LAND SUITABILITY A. Introduction ' The fundamental premise of land use planning is that distinctions exist between land masses which make them suitable for various uses. Planning is ' required because not all lands are suitable for the same types of development. For example, the physical characteristics of the soil may permit subsidence, making development unsuitable. The following section identifies and discusses areas with ' development constraints to guide future land use decisions. ' B. Physical Limitations for Development Hazards Two types of hazards may impede growth: man-made and natural hazards. ' There are four types of man made hazard zones in the planning area where development should be discouraged. Buffer zones should be established around these sites to mitigate their inherent dangers. These hazard zones include a sawdust pile in the waterfront industrial complex and the various fuel storage sites located in Town. During the 1940s, a lumber yard was located in the vicinity of Cargill, Inc. on the waterfront area upstream from downtown. A massive sawdust pile is a relic of this industry. In 1984, gases from the sawdust ignited and caused an underground fire that burned for several weeks. Since the fire burned below the ground surface, it produced hollow pockets unnoticeable from the ground level. This region is hazardous because of the inherent fire hazard plus the instability of the ground surface. Development should be avoided here until this hazard is removed or mitigated in some other way. Flammable substances, such as fuel oil, natural gas, and farm chemicals are stored in several different locations. Future development around these sites should be limited to low density land uses that would not be affected by a possible leak or explosion. Future tank farms should be situated away from existing development, possibly in areas designated as rural according to the land classification map. Nuclear power plants do not impact planning decisions because none are located in the Belhaven area: The military has historically been an important asset to the economy and quality of life in eastern North Carolina. Debate over the expansion of the Military Operating Airspace (MOA) over Eastern North Carolina has been on -going for the past several years. Land use patterns should reflect this hazard. The flood prone area is a natural hazard zone where development should be carefully monitored. The entire Town is located in the 100 year floodplain. Nearly all Beaufort County residents are familiar with the frequent flooding that occurs in downtown Belhaven after a normally heavy rain. Hurricane -level wind and rains would cause a greater hazard to the planning area. The United States Army Corps of Engineers SLOSH (Sea, Lake and Overland Surge from Hurricanes) model maps show that all of the land in the planning area is located in the Category 1 and 2 hurricane zone. This means that inundation may occur during a hurricane with winds between 75 and 94 miles per hour. Flood levels would depend on the relative elevation of a site. The Town acknowledges the dangers inherent to the flood plain and certain building restrictions, in accordance with the Flood Prevention Program sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, exist in these areas. Details on the floodway prevention ordinance are given in the section above entitled "Plans, Policies and Regulations". C. Soils Soils in the planning area were mapped in 1982 by the Soil Conservation Service for the Beaufort County Soil Survey. The Soil Survey was used to determine which soils present development limitations due to wetness or high potential for shrinking and swelling. Approximately 13 different soil associations can be found in the planning area. All -soils have a high organic content. Many local soils are considered mucks because of the persistently high water table, but some sandy loam series are available, as well. The entire planning area is covered by soils that are poorly drained and have severe limitations for the placement of septic tanks. 9 Most problems associated with these soils are their slow permeability, poor filtering ' ability and wetness. Subsidence is typically a problem in the planning area. Because the soils are ' usually wet, they are likely to become compacted under stress. This would present a problem for foundation stability. Soil fill, used in many instances to raise the relative elevation of a particular site, may mitigate subsidence problems in the planning area. ' Soil shallowness is typically not a problem in Belhaven. In summary, all of the soils found in the area have limitations for the efficient placement of septic tanks and stability of building foundations. Shallow soils are not ' a widespread problem. The implications for development translate into higher overall costs per unit in order to overcome these constraints. Generally, large scale development, such as industry, should be targeted to areas where the soil is not ' suited for residential development. Areas with "better soils should be preserved for residential developments or projects which would require soils with fewer constraints. ' D. Water Supplies ' The extensive groundwater reservoirs of the Coastal Plain were considered a relatively unlimited source of water supply until recent years. Development in this region and adjacent states has had an effect on the reservoir capacities and recharge rates are limited. The DENR, Division of Environmental Management (DEM) Groundwater Section has been collecting data and monitoring water levels in the Belhaven area to determine groundwater conditions and evaluate the effects of large ' withdrawals. The following is a brief synopsis of DEM's research findings. The Town of Belhaven presently operates two deep wells which utilize ' subsurface water. All of this groundwater is obtained from the Yorktown formation aquifer. Since the onset of phosphate mining operations across the river from Belhaven near Aurora, groundwater levels have been lowered drastically. Belhaven ' was included in a program called the "Capacity Use Area" which includes several counties in eastern North Carolina. Groundwater usage in the Capacity Use Area has been carefully monitored since 1967 when excessive drawdowns were occurring ' as a result of the phosphate mining. Since the 1986 update, no changes have occurred in groundwater levels or quality in Belhaven. The chemical and physical quality of groundwater in the this aquifer varies ' areally and vertically. The water is generally low in mineral content and suitable for any purpose. Recharge of this aquifer is principally from precipitation in the region. DEM officials have stated that the groundwater level has reached a state of ' equilibrium; that is, as much water is being extracted from subsurface sources as is being added through recharge. Obviously, this critical balance must be maintained in order to assure an adequate water supply for the future. Expanded phosphate ' mining operations or any other additional heavy water uses may upset this balance. The Capacity Use Area groundwater management program was developed to protect the greater supply of water. Over the next ten years, there is no immediate ' danger of a limited supply of groundwater, but water use should still be considered in determining what types of industry locate in the region. 1 1 10 E. Excessive Ground Slope Areas slo es are defined as areas where the predominant slope exceeds Excessive p p p 12 percent, i.e. where the change in elevation is 12 feet or more per one hundred ' feet of horizontal run. Most of the land in and around Belhaven is very low with little relief. There are no sites which have a slope of 12 percent or more (Beaufort County Soil Survey). Shoreline areas with high erosion potential where bulkheads ' may be constructed in the future is an issue that has little applicability to Belhaven and therefore is not discussed. F. Fragile Areas ' Fragile areas are the water and land environments whose physical and biological nature make them especially vulnerable to damage or construction resulting.from inappropriate or poorly planned development. Federal regulations, ' like the Section 404 Dredge and Fill Act, have been enacted to preserve sensitive wetland areas. State regulations, such as those promulgated under the Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA), protect valuable coastal resources and are of particular ' importance for. land use planning in Belhaven. The Coastal Resources Commission (CRC) established by CAMA, was directed by Section 113 of the Act to identify and designate "areas of environmental concern". Those areas, known as AECs, contain ' resources - natural and/or cultural which are of statewide concern. Unregulated development in AECs has a high probability of causing irreversible damage to public ' health, property, and the natural environment. Therefore the CRC has issued guidelines for development proposals in AECs. Most projects in AECs require a CAMA permit. "Minor" development permits (generally projects which occupy a ' land or water area in excess of 20 acres or involving structures in excess of 60,000 square feet) are issued by a local permit officer. "Major" development permits are issued by the Division of Coastal Management. Four categories of AECs have been ' developed: the estuarine system, the ocean hazard system, public water supplies and natural and cultural resource areas. A good portion of land and water areas in Belhaven are part of the Estuarine System AEC. Estuarine AECs have been defined as having four components: public trust areas, estuarine waters, estuarine shorelines, and coastal wetlands. It should be noted however, that AECs can only be depicted for planning purposes. ' The influence of tides and wind makes the coastal estuarine system dynamic. Since coastal areas are subject to change, maps are used for reference only; actual . permitting decisions are determined on a case -by -case basis through field inspection. ' A discussion of specific areas of environmental concern in Belhaven follows. Public trust areas are those waters to which the public has a right of access. They include all natural bodies of water and lands thereunder to the mean high water ' mark (if applicable) and all areas to which the public has rights of navigation, access and recreation. All surface waters in the area, including tributaries of the Pungo River and Pantego Creek, are in the public trust. The tributaries include Battalina ' Creek, Tooley's Creek, Wynn's Gut and Shoemaker Creek. Public trust areas are significant because they support valuable commercial ' and sports fisheries, have aesthetic value and are important resources for economic development. These areas should be managed so as to protect the public's rights for ' 11 navigation, recreation and a livelihood. Acceptable uses should be consistent with the management objectives listed above. The NCAC prohibits any uses that would ' negatively impact the public trust area. These include projects that would directly or indirectly block or impair existing navigation channels, increase shoreline erosion, ' deposit spoils below mean high tide, cause adverse water circulation patterns, violate water quality standards or cause degradation of shellfish waters. The estuarine water AEC occupies all surface waters in the Pungo River. ' Estuarine waters are defined as "all the water of the Atlantic Ocean within the boundary of North Carolina and all the waters of the bays, sounds, rivers and tributaries thereto seaward of the dividing line between coastal fishing waters and ' inland fishing waters, as set forth in an agreement adopted by the Wildlife Resources Commission and the Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources filed with the Secretary of State" (NCAC). Tooley's and Battalina Creeks are testuarine waters. Estuaries are among the most productive natural environments of North Carolina. They support the valuable commercial and sports fisheries of the coastal ' area. Several species must spend all or some part of their life cycle in the estuarine waters to mature and reproduce. Of the ten leading species in the commercial. catch, only one is not dependent upon the estuary. The estuarine circulation system is also ' responsible for the high productivity levels.. The circulation of estuarine waters transports nutrients, propels plankton, spreads seed and flushes wastes from animal and plant life. It also mixes the water to create a multitude of habitats. ' The management objective for this AEC is to safeguard and perpetuate its biological, socioeconomic and aesthetic values. Suitable land/water uses shall be consistent with the state guidelines. The estuarine shoreline is another AEC type found in the planning area. Although the estuarine shoreline is characterized by dry land, it is included as a ' component of the estuarine system because of the close association with adjacent estuarine waters. Estuarine waters are the non -ocean shorelines which are especially vulnerable to erosion, flooding or other adverse effects of wind and water and are ' intimately connected to the estuary. This area extends from the mean high water level or normal water level along the estuary for a distance of 75 feet landward. All the property adjacent to the Pungo River as far west as the breakwater is included in this AEC. Present land uses within the Town limits along the estuarine shoreline include dispersed residences and a marina at the mouth of Battalina Creek. Outside the Town limits, the estuarine shoreline is virtually undeveloped. ' Because of the well-defined link between the shoreline and the estuarine water, development within the estuarine shoreline has a direct influence on the quality of estuarine life. This AEC is also subject to the damaging processes of ' shore front erosion and flooding. The management objective for this AEC is to ensure that shoreline development is compatible with both the high damage potential from storms and the values of the estuarine system. The NC Administrative Code (NCAC) states that, in terms of land use, the ' estuarine shoreline is the least restrictive of all AECs. No allowable development in the AEC should have a significant adverse impact on estuarine resources. The 1986 policy set by Belhaven regarding estuarine shoreline development is to allow the ' types of development described in the NCAC guidelines. This includes most forms 12 of structures. All building applications in this 75 foot jurisdictional zone must be submitted to the ENR Division of Coastal Management. Coastal wetlands, another defined AEC, are found along the northern bank of Pantego Creek from the western edge of the planning area to the Haslin Street extension, and along the Pungo River on the two peninsulas surrounding Tooley's Creek and the estuarine shoreline area along Lower Dowry Creek. Wetlands are defined as "any salt marsh or other marsh subject to regular or occasional flooding by tides, including wind tides". The tide waters can reach the marshlands through natural or artificial water courses. The NCAC sets forth a list of indicator plants for the designation of a wetland. The wetland environment is one of the most productive in the estuarine system. Detritus (decayed plant material) and nutrients exported from the marshlands support the estuary's food chain. The roots, rhizomes, stems and seeds in coastal wetlands act as the nursery area and food source. for many fish and shellfish species. In addition, wetlands act as the first line of defense in retarding estuarine shoreline erosion. Marshlands also act as nutrient and sediment traps by slowing the water which flows over them and causing suspended organic and inorganic particles to settle out. Pollutants and excessive nutrients are absorbed by the marsh plants, thus providing an inexpensive water treatment service.. The NCAC states that the management objective for this AEC is to give highest priority to its protection and management so as to perpetuate its biological, socioeconomic and aesthetic values. It also recommends utilizing wetlands as a natural resource essential to the functioning of the entire estuarine system. In terms of land use, coastal wetlands are the most restrictive of all AECs. As with other AECs, all applications for development must be permitted with the ENR Division of Coastal Management. The NCAC prohibits alteration of the marshes and other wetlands; fill material cannot be placed on the wetland to raise its elevation and artificial drainage of the wetland is not allowed. Any activity which may disturb the functioning of the wetland will not be permitted. The management objective of the NCAC is to protect the overall functioning of the wetland. Acceptable uses would be utility easements, fishing piers and docks. Several other natural areas in the Belhaven planning area are significant, but are not protected by any State or Federal regulations. The DENR Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF), through many years of research, has developed a list of water bodies in coastal North Carolina which are known spawning areas for juvenile fish species. These waters are called primary nursery areas (PNAs). They are now considered AECs. According to DMF technicians, Tooley's Creek and Battalina Creek are PNAs. Pantego Creek is inland waters. Major estuarine species found in these creeks are spot, croaker, menhaden, Southern flounder, blue crabs and brown shrimp (during periods of high salinity). Fresh water species found in these creeks are catfish, bullheads, white perch and pumpkinseed. Pantego Creek is not recognized by the DMF because of a jurisdictional discrepancy between DMF and the Wildlife Resources Commission, and was not recommended for inclusion in the inland PNA agreement. Nursery areas should be protected as potential resource areas because of their unique biological significance. Land uses adjacent to these nursery areas will directly impact the quality of the habitat for the fish species. Although not a natural system, the historical integrity of the Town also deserves special attention. A number of structures have been recognized for their 13 historical value by the State Department of Cultural Resources, Division of Archives ' and History (see Tables and Maps). The Belhaven Town Hall, the only structure in Town listed on the National Register, has been fully restored by the Town during the update period. During the Town's dealing with storm drainage from Hurricanes Fran and Bertha, the Division of Archives and History noted that boundaries of eligible ' historic districts were formalized while reviewing a FEMA funded project to elevate structures. The area, identified as an "eligible historic district" was pointed out. The Town may consider local action in the future to more formalize this area and ' may consider further local action, if deemed locally appropriate. To preserve the historical integrity of these structures, new development adjacent to these sites should be in the same theme as the historic properties. No special Historic District ' has been created by ordinance. The area is also rich in archaeological heritage, dating from both prehistoric and recent times. The ancient Town of Aquasogoc is shown on the historical record ' as being located at the headwaters of the Pungo River. This location could either be Belhaven or present-day Scranton, but thus far, little evidence confirms either location as being the site of Aquasogoc.- In the early 1990's, the Division of ' Cultural Resources (DCR) investigated the historical significance of submerged shipwrecks in Pantego Creek. Historical documents show that a Civil War era schooner was sunk by the northern gunboat, Delaware, in March of 1862 in Pantego ' Creek. Any CAMA permit requests in the Pantego Creek area may be subject to a survey by the Underwater Branch of DCR The Town acknowledges that these are an irreplaceable resource that should be protected and preserved. According to ' Town staff, in the early 1990's the Town had 1300 underwater pylons and 2 boats removed in an effort to improve navigation along the shoreline. This was done with the approval of DCR ' Areas which sustain remnant species are those places which support endangered species of plants and animals. As of this writing, none of these areas are located within Belhaveds jurisdiction. Should any be designated, the Town will take ' all precautions to ensure the safe reproduction of these species. ' G. Areas With Resource Potential Although much of the land within the planning district is developed, there ' may be certain areas where development should be discouraged because of man-made or physical hazards or because the area contains or effects a developable natural resource. In Belhaven, the most valuable resource areas are the soils which ' produce the highest yield per acre and the surrounding surface waters that are critical for the fishing industry. Several sites covered by prime agricultural soils are found within the tjurisdictional limits (see Tables and Maps). The Division of Soil and Water Conservation and the U.S. Soil Conservation Service assisted in gathering information necessary to map these soils. The existing land use map shows that the ' two easternmost sites are currently under agricultural production. The in -town site is currently developed as a residential area. The Town has weighed the importance ' of productive farmland and has developed policy statements regarding its protection in the "Resource Production and Management Policies" section of this plan. 14 The estuarine system offers several very unique resources which require ' careful management and protection. These include the coastal wetlands, primary and secondary nursery areas and all surface waters. Descriptions of their significance and locations are given in the preceding "Fragile Areas" section. As ' described earlier, the commercial fishing business is very important to the local economy. Preservation of nursery areas and quality of the water is critical for the economic vitality of the Town. Land use decisions should reflect this high priority ' for managing development to protect the estuarine system. Peat and phosphate deposits are located in the Belhaven planning area, but mining these areas, should not become an issue within the next ten years. Peat and phosphate deposits within ' the planning area are not rich enough to justify their being mined in the near term. Potential mining sites in Tyrrell and Washington counties have not been developed ' either. Future peat and phosphate mining in other locations could significantly impact Belhaven's water resources. Policies on mining and siting electrical -genera- ting facilities in the planning area are included in the "Resource Production and ' Management" and "Economic and Community Development" sections of this plan. ' H. Water Ouality . The state has defined 14-digit hydrologic units for each watershed.. These are the smallest sub -basin drainage areas for which the state collects data. Beaufort County is located in all or part of twenty-seven 144git hydrologic units within the Tar Pamlico watershed. The Town of Belhaven is located entirely within hydrologic unit 03020104100010 (Pantego Creek, Pungo River), but the total planning area overlaps to ' a small degree into units 03020104090020 (Lower Dowery Creek, Pungo River), 03020104110020 (Pungo Swamp, Pungo River), and 03020104100020 (Broad Creek). Water quality information provided by the state is predicated on Division of ' Water Quality "Use Support" data, which indicates the classes of uses which are being or should be supported in each water body. There are four categories of Use Support: Full, ' Threatened, Partial, and Non -supporting. The Use Classes for freshwater are: WS, B, C, SW, HQW, NSW, ORW. Class WS waters are designated to support withdrawal for public water supply. Class B waters should support primary recreational uses 1 (swimming on an organized or frequent basis) plus C activities. Class C waters should support secondary recreation (swimming on an unorganized or infrequent basis), aquatic life propagation and survival, agriculture, and other non -water supply or non-food related uses. The supplemental classes of SW (Swamp Waters), HQW (High Quality Waters), NSW (Nutrient Sensitive Waters), and ORW (Outstanding Resource Waters) may apply to open water areas where these descriptions are appropriate. Stormwater . ' Disposal Rules apply to development that requires a CAMA major permit or disturbs more than 1 acre of land along all Class B and C waters in the coastal region. Salt water ' classifications are SA, SB, and SC with supplemental classifications the same as for freshwater environments. The SC classification should support secondary recreation and aquatic life. SB Class should support primary (organized) recreation plus the SC uses. ' SA Class waters must support shellfishing for market purposes, plus the SB and SC uses. At specified sampling stations, water is tested for dissolved oxygen, temperature, ' acidity (pH), turbidity, fecal coliform bacteria, chlorophyll a, ammonia, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, nickel, mercury, zinc, chloride, fluoride and selenium 1 15 To be deemed "Fully supporting" the standard criteria for any one pollutant cannot be ' exceeded in more than 10% of the measurements. "Partially supporting" status applies to those areas in which any one pollutant exceeds standard criteria in 11-25% of the measurements. "Non supporting" status applies to areas in which any one pollutant ' exceeds the criteria in more than 25% of the measurements. The supplemental class of NSW indicates that these streams and their receiving ' waters have a history of algae blooms, contributing to fish kills, anoxia, odor and taste problems. Sources ofthese nutrients are typically attributed to runoff from the drainage area of fertilizers, animal waste, and wastewater treatment outfall. Within the Belhaven planning jurisdiction, SC Class waters prevail in all creeks and tributaries. Class SB is present only in the Pungo River portion of the jurisdiction. Supplemental Class HQW (high quality waters) are located in Tooley's Creek t and Battalina Creek All of the creeks and the Pungo River are classified as NSW (nufrient sensitive waters). Water quality concerns provided by the Division of Coastal Management include ' use class "partially supporting" water quality status in all of the creeks and the Pungo River. No data was presented which links this Use Class status pattern to specific local causes. Most of the land in the northern and western section of the jurisdiction has been ' drained for agricultural and forestry uses. Wastewater treatment discharge is located on Battalina Creek Drinking water discharge facilities discharge to Pantego Creek Crab processing operations also exist along Pantego Creek and Tom's Creek in Belhaven.. ' Marinas and dockage areas are generally at Robb's Marina and River Forest manor on Pantego Creek and River Forest Manor Shipyard on Toms Creek. Pantego Creek constitutes receiving waters for much of the upstream agricultural drainage from Terra ' Ceia and Pinetown areas. ' VI. CONSTRAINTS: CAPACITY OF COMMUNITY FACILITIES ' A Introduction Development is often encouraged because of the increased tax base it brings. ' Eventually, however, the local government must spend some of its tax dollars to upgrade and expand the existing facilities to accommodate such growth. The land use planning process allows Town officials to assess development trends and ' analyze the requirements placed on the community facilities. The following section discusses the existing conditions of the water and wastewater systems, solid waste collection and treatment facilities, schools and roads. ' B. Water and Sewer Systems / Solid Waste Collection ' The Town of Belhaven operates municipal water and wastewater systems for customers within the Town limits. While nearly all residents are tied into the systems, all -new -structures are required to use the systems if available. The water ' system serves about ninety-eight (98) percent of the Town and the wastewater treatment facility serves ninety-seven (97) percent of the area's residents. The water system is designed for a capacity of 500,000 gallons per day ' (gpd). It consists of two (2) wells which began operation in January 1971. Each ' 16 well operates at a rate of 350 gallons per minute (gpm). There are also two (2) ' elevated storage tanks with holding capacities of 200,000 gallons and 75,000 gallons. This system is currently used at about sixty-eight (68) percent of its capacity. ' For purposes of this plan, an estimate of the average usage rate in February 1997 is measured. This is calculated by dividing the total gallons of water used daily ' (342,000 gpd) by the number of people living in the area (2,269). Given these values, theoretically, the current usage rate allocates 151 gpd per person. Based on this hypothetical usage rate, the system would support a total population of about 3,311 persons or an additional 1,042 people. It is reasonable to assume that any peak load brought on by a population surge could be accommodated with the existing facilities. Combinations of additional residential, commercial, and normal ' industrial growth are possible without causing undo stress on the system, providing that no more than 158,000 gallons per day of use are added. Industries which use an abnormally high volume of water, such as a mining operation or chicken ' processing plant, could create supply problems for the Town. - Belhaven plans to upgrade its water system. Plans include a new water plant, a new well, and an additional elevated storage tank. The new water plant will use reverse osmosis and can be upgraded to provide additional gallons as needed. The Town plans to build a new well in about two (2) years. When construction of the new 250,000 gallon elevated storage tank is completed, the Town plans to ' remove the 75,000 gallon tank. At present usage rates, the current storage capacity holds less than a one day supply of drinking water. This could pose significant ' problems in the event of catastrophic storm damage to the water pumping or treatment system or contamination of groundwater from other sources. The Town sewer system is operating at or above its intended capacity. It is designed for a capacity of 500,000 gallons per day (gpd). During dry periods it ' averages 450,000 gpd. However, during the month of February 1997, the system used 660,000 gpd. This figure is 160,000 gallons above the design capacity. The ' State has agreed to allow the Town to exceed the design capacity until a new treatment plant is constructed. Belhaven will upgrade its system to handle 1.2 million gallons within 2.5 years. ' Belhaven contracts with a private sanitation service for garbage collection within the Town limits. Collection takes place twice a week for both residential and commercial customers. Smithton Sanitation Service performs the work and the ' refuse is taken to the Transfer Station in Washington, then to the Bertie County landfill for final disposal. All in town residents pay for service. Customers located on the outer fringes can be served at a higher fee than in -town customers. ' C. Public Administration / Protective Services The Municipal Building has been located on the comer of Main Street and Pamlico Street since 1987, in a building which was donated to the Town by Wachovia Bank: The building houses offices for the Town Manager, Town Clerk, ' Finance, Recreation, Planning, Inspections and Zoning Enforcement, and Utility Collection and Billing. Belhaven currently employs thirty-eight (38) people. ' 17 The Belhaven Police Department and the Volunteer Fire Department and ' Rescue Squad are located in the old Town Hall. The Belhaven Memorial Museum is also located in this building. Police service is provided for all persons located in the planning area. The ' police force consists of one police chief, nine (9) active sworn officers and five (5) reserve officers. There are six squad cars. Twenty-four (24) hour patrolling is limited to in -town locations. ' The Belhaven Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad is manned by approximately thirty (30) volunteers. Ten (10) of the volunteers are certified EMTs. t The department's Fire District area is bounded by the Walter B. Jones Bridge in Hyde County, Smithton, and the Cuckold's Creek bridge near Pantego. The rescue squad service area extends beyond the Fire District area by several miles. Mutual ' Aid Agreements with nearby towns are designed to increase the fire fighting manpower in the event of a major disaster. The department operates a tanker, three (3) pumpers, an equipment van, and two (2) ambulances. They also own a Hurst ' Tool, which is better known as "The Jaws of Life." D. Medical Facilities ' The Town has a full service forty-nine (49) bed hospital, which employs around two hundred (200) people. Pungo District Hospital is served by eight (8) ' physicians, with a commitment from a ninth (9th) physician to begin practice in the summer of 1997. The hospital is not only equipped with emergency room facilities, but also maintains a full regulation emergency heli-stop. There is also a family ' birthing center, and a transport ambulance. Other medical specialists serve the Town on a regular basis, and there are three pharmacies. The hospital plans to begin a six million dollar project for expansion and renovation in the summer of 1997. Pungo District Hospital was built in 1948 and renovated in 1964 and 1975. Expansion will come in the form of a new medical ' center addition. Plans include the expansion of the hospital's current 30,063 square foot facility to 52,563 square feet and will include the addition or renovation of MRI, physical therapy, CAT scan, laboratory, LDRP, critical care, recovery, ' surgical and emergency treatment facilities as well as the expansion and renovation of the hospital's lobby, administration offices, board room, information and admissions area, and nurse's station. Seventy-five (75) percent of the in -patient care ' center will be new. E. Schools ' School facilities are very important in any community.` Belhaven Elementary School, Beaufort County Elementary School, Belhaven Junior High School, and ' Northside High School serve the area. Only Belhaven Elementary School and Belhaven Junior High School are located in the Town. The Town also has a private school for grades Pre -Kindergarten through 12. Pungo Christian Academy is ' located in the western portion of the Town limits. Belhaven Elementary School, originally constructed in 1937, is operating at about sixty-three (63) percent of its capacity. Beaufort County Elementary School in Pantego is operating at only fifty-five (55) percent of its capacity. The junior high school is operating at fifty-two (52) percent of its capacity. ' 18 Because of past overcrowding, Beaufort County Schools reorganized the ' local elementary, junior high, and high schools. Belhaven Elementary now teaches grades K-5 and Beaufort Elementary handles K-5; Belhaven Junior High (old J.A. Wilkinson High School) facility houses sixth, seventh, and eighth graders. Pantego ' Junior High School was closed. Northside High School was constructed in Yeatesville and opened in 1990 with a capacity of 750 students. In 1997 it is operating at seventy-nine (79) percent of its capacity. ' As a result of flooding which has tainted air quality in the school, both Belhaven Elementary and Belhaven Middle School have been closed. Classes are ' temporarily being accommodated at Northside High School about 6 miles west of town. It is the stated intent of the School Board to relocate these facilities to a location outside Belhaven. This will have a direct economic impact on the Town. F. Roads The road system in Town is currently sufficient for any traffic peaks which may occur. The N. C. Department of Transportation District Engineer estimates that no road in the planning area is used at more than 50 percent of its capacity. ' Any additional growth could easily be accommodated by the present road system. The Town of Belhaven is responsible for improvements to the roads in the incorporated area. There is one major improvement planned for this area according to the NC Department of Transportation Transportation Improvements Program 1997-2003. US Highway 264 is scheduled for widening to multi -lanes between Highway 32 near Washington to Highway 99 at the Pantego Creek bridge in ' Belhaven. The securing of right-of-way is scheduled to begin in the year 2003, with actual completion date not specified. In 1992 Belhaven updated its Thoroughfare Plan to improve city streets and ' to re -align some angular intersections. tVII. ESTIMATED DEMAND ' A. Population and Economy — Estimates of Land Use Demands Population trends in Beaufort County have shown the population increasing at a modest rate since 1970. Historically, this was the trend for Belhaven, and the Town believes increases will develop again in the future, despite the reduction between 1980 and 1990. It is expected that the Town can accommodate any ' reasonable estimate of potential growth. Within the Town limits, growth may be restrained by the limited availability of land. There is currently only a small amount of open space that could be ' converted to residential uses. Given the average 2.67 persons per household calculated by the U.S. Bureau of the Census, an additional 95 dwelling units could be constructed on current sewer capacity. Sites for this many single family dwellings with a minimum lot size of about 5,000 square feet would require 11 acres. It is unlikely that this much useable vacant land currently lies inside the town ' limits, although ample land area is available in the ETJ. Future industrial growth may be constrained by the limited amount of designated industrial land available. The only sites available for industrial ' 19 development would be in existing areas zoned for manufacturing. CAMA permits ' might also prevent industrial expansion in some areas. The Town produced an annexation feasibility study in 1989 which looked at one area west of town along US 264, one area northeast of town off US 264 Business, and one area north of ' town along US 264 By-pass. The By -Pass location was annexed in 1990 and included the Food Lion Shopping Center. Monitoring growth in the other two areas ' should be an on -going activity to determine when they may become ripe for annexation. ' B. Summary — Statement of Major Conclusions The Belhaven population is not technically expected to increase based on ' recent population trends, but the Town hopes to be the beneficiary of retirees moving to the Beaufort County area from northern states. It is also anticipated that as other coastal areas become built -out and as Beaufort County establishes land use ' controls to protect property values development will be spurred locally. The water, school and road systems could adequately accommodate such anticipated growth. Improvements to the sewer system are also expected to be adequate in the future. VIII. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION PLAN ' The RC's planning guidelines call for each local government to_ establish C P g� and adopt a citizen Participation Plan to offer opportunities for -the public to participate in the Plan update process. Local governments are given wide latitude as to what the actual Plan consists of; it need only to reflect the needs of the particular community. The Plan should be adopted early in the update process and made available in a timely fashion so as to offer the public maximum participating opportunities. ' For reasons unknown, the Town Board never received, nor adopted a Citizen participation Plan early in the update process. This only became known following the July Planning Board meeting. Thus a Citizen Participation Plan was ' developed and presented to the Town Board and was adopted September, 1997. The Plan and supporting documentation is included in the Appendix. ' IX. PREVIOUS POLICY ASSESSMENT ' The CRC's planning guidelines call for an assessment as to how each community achieved, or attempted to achieve policies contained in its previous plan. Many methods for evaluation exist, and Belhaven chose a rather simple one. Each ' policy that was achieved or attempted was given a score of "1", each that was not attempted was given a "0". Those policies that were no longer applicable to the Town or were moot were simply not counted. ' In the 1992 Plan, the Town established a total of 45 policies or implementation strategies. The assessment showed that four were moot, leaving 41 that were valid. Of the 41, the Town attempted 31. The 10 policies dealing with storm hazard mitigation, reconstruction and evacuation where shown to be not particularly effective ' during hurricanes Bertha and Fran. Otherwise, the Town score was good. A complete listing of Town policies in the 1992 Plan and how they were rated in 1997 is included in the Appendix. Previous policy assessment is designed to assist the local government in framing policies established during each subsequent plan update and Belhaven found it ' a to be useful exercise. ' X. POLICY DISCUSSION Webster's Third New International Dictionary's definition of policy includes ' "a definite course or method of action selected (as by a government, institute, group or individual) from among alternatives and in light of given- conditions to guide and usually determine present and future decisions." ' Applied to land use plans under the auspices of CAMA, policies provide a framework of adopted statements that are used to guide future development decisions. Policies differ from rules or regulations in that they are guiding principles rather than ' precise, measurable standards. In land use planning, regulations should follow policies and are one tool used to achieve the policy. For example, if the Town's policy for housing is to provide for single family detached units, then the Zoning Ordinance ' would specify standards to meet the goal showing appropriate site location, by requiring lot sizes designed to accommodate single family housing, specific front, side and rear yard setbacks, height limits, etc. ' Policies in CAMA land use plans express a local desire for the future, but are quite unique in planning in North Carolina as they are also supposed to be used by various state and federal agencies in making decisions as to how their operations affect ' a local government. For example, development permits issued by the State's Division of Coastal Management must be consistent with local land use plans, including policies, ' before that permit can be issued, even if otherwise it meets all the state regulatory standards for that development proposal. This gives the local government an important opportunity to be a partnership player in land use decisions that involve state agencies. ' Policies here evolved from an evaluation of policies in the previous plan and a careful review of the current conditions in 1997 in effect now (such as population changes, new housing starts, adequacy of potable water, etc.). Numerous Planning ' Board meetings, open to the public so those wishing to attend were also held. Finally significant guidance was provided by the Planning Board after taking all of these matters into consideration. ' During policy development alternatives were considered in various degrees; from considering letting market forces and the economy drive land use decision making to considering requiring more strict policies for development within AECs than those ' imposed by the state. The Town has chosen the latter on limited issues such as the mooring of vessels. The Town believes policies presented here are a compromise between no control and severely restrictive control on issues that affect the Town's ' character and quality of life. The reader should note that policies contained in the 1992 Plan included an ' exhaustive discussion of the particular issue as a preclude to establishing the specific policy. While that process could be said to have met the then CRCs planning 1 21 . guideline requirements, it was a lengthy and laborious process that may have distracted from policy clarity. In this 1997 Plan update, the Town has attempted to make the policy development process more simple. The Town has tried to comply with current planning guideline requirements which include "The Land Use Plan shall be written as clearly as possible. The format and organization of the Plan will enable users to find needed items quickly and easily. The local government shall ensure that its Land Use Plan meets the substantive requirements of this Section." (Sec..0201(a).) In this regard, the reader will note that policies herein are brief and to the point. In cases were 1992 policies were deemed still appropriate and valid now in 1997, the previous policy was summarized for purposes of brevity before insertion in this update. Policies contained herein will be implemented in a variety of ways. Local government ordinances, regulations and service extension practices will ensure some level of implementation. County, state and federal agencies must be relied upon to carry out many policies as often the authority for that issue lies beyond the Town's ability (septic tank permits, for example, are a county function, and military airspace designation a federal function.) The Town has demonstrated its past ability to implement certain policies within its authority by using local zoning, subdivision regulations, utility extension practices, etc., and it intends to continue implementation into the future. Current planning guidelines also call for a "general vision policy statement describing the type of community that the local government would like to become in the next ten years." Belhaven wants to maintain and improve its housing stock, continue its economic development in ways that maintain environmental conditions in an appropriate fashion, encourage economic activities, tourism, business, industrial and other commerce in ways that improve the Town and its citizens' welfare, and endeavor to provide community facilities that will support these activities. The evaluation of previous policies show the Town has achieved many of those goals and will strive to continue implementing its 1997 policies. The reader should also note policies contained herein offer other goals than those contained in the "general vision policy statement." Nonetheless, the Town has attempted to articulate its vision in compliance with this requirement. M. 1997 POLICIES A. Resource Protection Policies in this category reflect the Town's position on matters of local, regional and statewide importance. Issues such as protection of water supplies, impacts of stormwater runoff, development of marinas, etc. are addressed here. In 1992 the Town's Plan included 13 policies in this category. Of the 13, only 12 were applicable to Belhaven and an evaluation of those policies showed the Town had either achieved or attempted to achieve all 12. See policy evaluation in the Appendix. Now in 1997, the CRC's updated guidelines list 16 issues local governments should address, if those issues are applicable. 22 The reader should note these issues are discussed in earlier sections of the Plan ' and thus are not repeated here, but reference is made to pages where their discussion occurred. Also note the following policies include how they should be implemented. ' Issue general statement on community attitude toward resource protection — discussed on page 9, 11-17 Pali cv the Town has some local initiatives that are set forward in its zoning and other policies that follow; otherwise the Town will rely on county, state, and federal , agency regulations to deal with various resource protection issues; please note ' the following policies on specific issues Issue discuss AECs — see pages 11-15 ' Policy same as below on local issues relative to AECs; not repeated here Issue soil limitation, septic tank suitability, floodprone areas — see pages 10, 11 ' Policy support and enforce federal, state, local regulations on septic tank placement, building in floodprone areas by relying on those agencies' regulations ' Issue local issues relative to AECs — see pages 11-15 Policy support current federal, state, local regulations for AECs by relying on DCM ' to enforce except as noted elsewhere where local or federal regulations exceed those of CAMA ' Issue protection of wetlands — see pages 11-15 Policy see above, local issues relative to AECs, not repeated here — same as above Issue other hazardous or fragile lands, wetlands, ORWs, shellfish waters, cultural, historic areas — see pages 11-1.6 PoIjU conserve fragile/hazardous areas; support state, federal restrictions in swamps, marshes, 404 wetlands by relying on statelfederal regulations, manmade ' hazards controlled through local zoning; water supply access to be protected through pending local wellhead ordinance; the old town hall is on the natural ' register of historic places and other structures are eligible for inclusion; the Town supports volunteer historic preservations efforts and may initiate local regulations if necessary Issue protection of potable water supply — see pages 7 11 18 P P PP y P g , Policy protect potable water supply from negative land use impacts, the Town recently established a wellhead protection ordinance that should help in protecting its water supply, it will be implemented if adopted, otherwise the Town has little choice but to rely on the wisdom of the state to protect ' regional groundwater from which the Town obtains its supply Issue use of package treatment plants — see page 18 ' Policy discourage use in favor of extending municipal service as long as excess capacity exists — implemented through local extension practice ■ 23 Issue stormwater runoff impacts — see page 5 ' Policy continue existing procedures until a need is shown based on negative impacts, support state regulations for retention devices, etc. by relying on state regulations Issue marina, floating homes, dry stack facilities, moorings — see pages 11-16 re: AECs ' Policy desire protection from random marinas, but supports as appropriate in concert with local zoning; support CAMA regs on marinas, dry stack facilities regulated by local zoning, acceptable under certain circumstances; floating ' homes considered on case by case basis, the Town's zoning ordinance prohibits permanent moorings and limits temporary moorings to seven days; ' Town policy on moorings is further reflected in local zoning which should be consulted for additional information. ' Issue industrial impacts on fragile areas — see AEC discussion, pages 11-16 Policy control through local zoning, support of state and federal requirements by ' relying on those agencies to implement Issue development susceptible to sea level rise — see page 11-16 P P Pg Policy the Town and much of the ET7 is at a very low elevation and at serious threat from sea level rise (also tropical storms as witnessed by Bertha and Fran). The Town complies with and supports FEMA guidance and local regulations on elevating structures as the only realistic way to deal with sea level rise. More ' discussion on storm hazard mitigation follows in that policy category. Issue upland excavation for marinas — see pages 11-16 ' Policy general support for CAMA regulations by expecting equitable enforcement of CAMA rules by state Issue marsh damage by bulkheads — see ACEs pages 11-16 Policy support state and federal standards by relying on state/federal regulation, no ' more restrictive local regulations Issue development of islands ' Policy moot; no policy necessary Issue management measures designed to reduce local sources of water quality ' problems — see pages 5, 11-16 Polipy local zoning and subdivision regulations include design standards that can be said to address this issue; the Town's wellhead protection ordinance, when ' adopted, will protect its water supply; Town policy will rely on local initiatives and state and federal regulations (such assedimentation and erosion control regulations) to address this issue 1 24 B. Resource Production and Management ' Issues of importance in this category deal with ways the Town can encourage P g rY Y g or discourage practices that affect a wide array of local issues such as agriculture, ' mining, sport and recreational fishing, etc. In the 1992 Plan, the Town included seven specific policies addressing these issues. (Two issues were moot so no policy was developed.) Of the remaining five ' 1992 policies, all were either achieved or attempted. Previous policy evaluation is contained in the Appendix. The CRC's planning guidelines now contain eight issues to be addressed. Please note these issues are discussed earlier in the Plan and thus are not repeated here, but references are made to page numbers where the issue was ' discussed. Also note each applicable policy includes statements as to how they should be implemented. ' Issue basis statement on community attitude toward resource protection and management — new issue discussed in policy below, also see pages 4-6 Policy The Town does not have many resource production and management issues ' as other towns and counties may have. There is no significant agriculture, forestry and no mining in the area. Town policy on commercial and recreational fishing follows later in this category. Issue productive agricultural lands — see page 5 Policy rely on local zoning which permits many uses in the RA zone Issue commercial forest lands — see pages 5, 6 Policy moot; no policy necessary Issue existing and potential mineral resource areas — see page 11 ' Policy carefully consider proposal for mining, although no conventional commercial mining operations have been noted ( a few isolated, low scale operations have occurred for individual site improvements) — a combination of local and ' state regulations will be used Issue commercial and recreational fisheries, nursery habitat areas, ORWs, trawling in estuarine waters - see pages 11-16 Polipy encourage commercial/recreational fishing and rely on state regulations with regard to commercial operations, no ORWs exist, no trawling exists within ' Town jurisdiction Issue off -road vehicles ' Policy moot, no policy necessary ' Issue development impacts on resources — see pages 9-17 Policy recognizing any development has impacts and recognizing water is Town's greatest resource needing protection for commercial, recreational and other ' uses, Town will regularly review/update local ordinances to keep effective and will also rely on state and federal agencies regulations 25 Issue peat or phosphate mining impacts ' Policy moot; no policy necessary ' C. Economic and Community Development These issues deal with ways Belhaven can manage future growth patterns, provide community services for desired development, affect tourism and other economic matters. In the 1992 Plan, the Town had 10 policies in this category, all of which it had attempted or achieved. See previous policy evaluation in the Appendix. The current planning guidelines now contain 11 issues to be addressed. Note these issues are discussed earlier in the Plan and are thus not repeated here, however ' page numbers where those discussions occur are referenced. Please also note each policy includes statements as to how it should be carried out. Issue basic statement on community attitude toward growth — page 3 Poligy the Town encourages and supports economic development if done in accordance with resource protection policies of this Plan. The Town will ' provide local initiatives and also support and rely upon regional, state and federal efforts to recruit and attract appropriate economic activities. Issue types/locations of desired industries — pages 3, 5, 7 Policy encourage/support and rely upon a wide variety of industrial development to insure economy, support efforts of chamber of commerce, support and rely ' upon state, federal regulations for safety, etc. (consider local zoning/rezoning for industrial uses carefully and critically) local zoning will ' determine acceptable uses and location for them Issue local commitment to provision of services — pages 10, 17-20 ' Poll first priority to provide to Developed areas on land class map; consider extension requests on case by case basis for services (water and sewer); continue to apply for CDBG/other economic development projects involving ' extension; recent improvement to wastewater treatment system now gives the Town excess capacity for additional service ' Issue types of urban growth patterns desired — pages 4, 5, 6 Policy rely on local zoning to guide growth into Developed and Urban Transition land classification areas Issue residential development desires, assessment of services — pages 2, 4, 5, 6, 17-20 ' Pglia Town policy on this issue is the same as local commitment to provision of services above ' Issue redevelopment of developed areas including erosion threatened relocation - pages 4-6 ' Policy as all of Town is subject to storm damage, only viable course is to require prudent redevelopment in accordance with zoning requirements; continue 1 26 1 ' support of historic redevelopment through volunteerism, downtown redevelopment, continue support for CDBG program by active participation in applying for funds ' Issue commitment to state/federal programs — numerous programs affect the . Town, see policy below ' Rplia limited commitment to state/federal programs; support those beneficial to the Town (such as DOT road bridges, erosion control/BMPs, forest incentive for reforestation, vegetation buffer, previous materials, 404 wetlands ' program, oppose Military Operating Airspace, support CDBG, Small Business Administration programs). Town will rely upon each state/federal agency to do its job, however, the Town will voice its opposition to MONs ' whenever possible. Issue assistance to channel maintenancelbeach nourishment — see policy ' PoliZ rely on state/federal agencies to determine additional need unless local navigation problems noted, recent improvements to breakwater supported by ' the Town by actively voicing its' approval Issue energyfacility siting/development — robabl not a realistic issue for tYprobably ' Belhaven P2ft consider on case by case basis — local zoning and state and federal regulation will be relied upon ' Issue tourism — page 3 Policy continue present levels of support through cooperation with local, state agencies, businesses promoting area - Town will continue voicing its ' approval of tourism oriented activities through all of the means stated in this policy Issue public water access — page 8 Policy maintain existing access, pursue additional site(s) if need arises/local ' available, Town supported/sponsored recent agreement to improve boat launching facility at Wynn's Gut — Town will apply for various funds from various sources as the need arises ' D. Public Partici ation ' As discussed earlier (page 21) for unknown reasons, a Public Participation Plan was not received nor adopted by the Town Board early in the 1996 Plan Update process. This became known at the July 1997 Planning Board meeting, and ' subsequently in September the Town Council was presented a Plan for adoption. It is included in the Appendix. Town policy is to follow this Plan with important items ' as -follows: 1. The Planning Board is responsible for the update and will recommend a ' preliminary and final Plan to Town Council. 27 2. News articles will be published in both the Beaufort -Hyde News and the ' Washington Daily News concerning Plan update matters. 3. All Planning Board meetings are public and regular meetings are held the third Wednesday of each month at 7:00 pm in the Old Town Hall. ' 4. The Town Board shall hold a public hearing prior to adoption of the final Plan. ' Future and ongoing participation efforts on all Town matters will be through both Planning Board and Town Council and other means as necessary. ' E. Hurricane and Storm Hazard Mitigation, Reconstruction Evacuation Pages 41249 in the 1992 Town Land Use Plan contained an extensive ' discussion on these issues, much taken from Beaufort County's effort in 1984 in a document Before The Storm in Beaufort County: Avoiding Harms Way. Throughout this dialogue one common theme is clear; Belhaven is at considerable ' risk due to its location and elevation. County personnel recently advised that Before The, Storm was never adopted by the county as policy, but rather was used for informational purposes only. County staff also advised that much of the data in the ' document is quite dated, that many advances have been made in storm predications and following Bertha and Fran many county policies and practices have been ' changed. County personnel advised the document is obsolete and should not be used nor referenced as indicative of county policy or practice. During hurricanes Bertha and particularly Fran, Town staff noted the previous policies for evacuation and immediate recovery were not particularly effective. ' Other policies, such as encourage elevation of structures and increase public awareness and preparedness were out of necessity, carried out better. Similarly, ' following the local building code, zoning and flood ordinance also were better carried out. Belhaven suffered extensive water damage during both hurricanes Bertha and ' Fran, but particularly during Fran when rising water levels resoaked those areas previously inundated by Bertha. Virtually the whole Town was affected in some way. While structural damaged occurred, it was comparatively light, but property ' loss was extremely high. Estimates from one local insurance company for only their clients exceed $3 million. Disaster grants discussed below are not expected to cover damage costs in the Town. Public as well as private buildings were affected and the ' Town's elementary and middle schools have been permanently closed due to consequences of extensive water damage. The Town has responded to this damage in several ways. A FEMA grant of ' $6,135,000 has been committed to be used exclusively for elevation of homes. Appropriately 379 residences will be raised above the 100 year flood zone. A $900,000 grant is pending from the Governor's discrepancy disaster fund. The Town Planning Board has recommended a change to the Town's zoning ordinance height limits to compensate for newly elevated structures. Town employees and ' citizens have -a better regard for evacuation notices and responsibilities. The Town has aired public information items on storm matters by television and other means. The Town is considering ways to minimize vehicle traffic during storm events to ' reduce wave damage from these vehicles. ' 28 The CRCs storm hazard mitigation guidelines are designed to help local ' governments identify areas at risk and help them prepare for mitigation of those damages. While these guidelines do have some merit for more inland towns such as Belhaven, they were developed primarily with ocean front communities in mind. ' This policy section is somewhat different from other policy categories in that it calls for specific information prior to policy development. Information called for here is listed below: • Description .of likely conditions; high winds, wave action, erosion, etc. ' • Composite hazards map • Land use inventory for hazardous areas ' The Town feels that by its location and relatively low elevation, the whole Town and majority of the planning area is at risk. One of the highest lots in Town is estimated to be around five feet above sea level. No further information was deemed necessary or appropriate in defining likely conditions or hazardous areas. The Town is acutely aware of its situation and is attempting to address those issues it can. ' Planning guidelines also contain mitigation policy requirements. Storm hazard mitigation for local governments is loosely defined as actions the unit of government ' can take to make damage less severe, harsh, hostile or painful. In theory, communities that have higher elevations can encourage development there, rather than in low-lying areas. Local zoning, utility extensions and other such tools can be ' useful in these endeavors. Unfortunately Belhaven must deal with fact not theory, and the fact is there really is no suitable location to which development can be directed that is not at relatively low elevation. The Town cannot realistically simply relocate out of harms way. Actions the Town can take are listed below in each of ' the mitigation policy issue: Alternatives to the selected policies included no pro- active action on the Town's part, which is unacceptable. Relying solely on state or ' federal intervention is also unacceptable. Issue:. policies to mitigate effects of winds, storm surge, flooding, wave action, etc. ' — see above discussed pages 29-30 — note the Town is in Hanes Way Policy: • continue enforcing state building code which deals with wind, storm ' surge, flooding and wave action • continue administering and pursuing grant funds to elevate structures • continue public education on these issues ' • continue support for breakwater improvements (some recently completed) ' Issue: policies to discourage high density/large structures in hazard areas - high density/large structures basically do not exist in Belhaven as massive ' condominiums/hotels do at beach front communities Policy: • town zoning determines building location, size and height • continue support for elevating structures that may help mitigate damage ' 29 • continue education efforts about risks of development in hazard areas ' acquisition f h lands — the whole Town is considered at risk Issue: public acqu s o hazardous an Policy: as essentially the whole Town could be said to be in hazardous lands, it is ' unrealistic for the Town to consider public acquisition as an option; the Town may consider specific lots on a case by case basis. Issue: evacuation policies -county function as are adequate emergency shelters, participate in regional evacuation plans — not exclusively a local issue Policy: The Town will continue to participate in the county and regional evacuation plans — no shelters are located in the area and all residents will continue to be advised to evacuate to higher locations when storm threats are imminent. Five post disaster reconstruction policies are also called for in the current planning guidelines. The goal is for the rebuilt community to be less vulnerable to storm ' damage than before the disaster. Again, many of these policy issues are �esigned with a ocean front community in mind, where typically massive structural damage by wind and wave action occurs, and where structures or parts thereof leave their foundation and become "ballistic" as they crash about creating much damage. Again, recent experiences show that Belhaven may not be subjected to these forces as rising water caused the vast majority of recent damage. ' Issue: consider county emergency management plan — note preparation/response Poli : The Town will continue to participate, as other municipalities do, in ' providing input into the county plan. Insomuch as the county plan provides helpful direction and information, the Town will use those areas useful to the Town. Issue: policies to direct redevelopment over time Policy: The Town will continue to enforce its zoning, building code and utility provision practices. The Town will also continue to encourage elevating structures, and seek grant and other funds to assist in these matters. ' Issue: establish "recovery task force" Policy: The Town has a recovery task force including the mayor, town manger, Planning Board members, rescue/fire squad volunteers, medical board and building inspector. During storm season, members will be reminded of their responsibilities. ' Issue: schedule for permitting airs including moratoria P g repairs Policy: Town policy is to re-establish essential public services (utilities, including water, electricity, sewer service, etc.) as soon as possible and as resources permit. In the event of massive destruction, the recovery task force will establish a recover schedule -that may include a moratoria for redevelopment ' until a complete evaluation of the extent of damage can be made. � 30 Issue: repair -replacement of public infrastructure ' Policy: For the most part public infrastructure will be replaced on existing sites due to the lack of higher elevated sites for consideration. Elevation of those features will be considered. Flood proofing of facilities such as the wastewater treatment plant is the only option as elevation is unrealistic. Certain facilities, such as the damaged schools, may simply be relocated out of necessity, and this will be determined on a case by case basis. ' XII. INTERGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION It is well known throughout counties under the auspices of the Coastal Area ' Management Act (CAMA) that land use plans are updated every five years. It is also well known that towns within those counties for.the most part, update their plans during the same year as the county does. Belhaven joined the municipalities of Bath, Aurora, Chocowinity, Washington and Beaufort County in updating their plans this year. This knowledge of mutual update timing afforded opportunities for discussion of matters of mutual concern. ' The Town's Citizen Participation Plan offered citizens an opportunity to be involved in the update process and news coverage of Planning Board meetings advised the public throughout the county of participatory opportunities. ' Town policies of relying on cooperation with various county, state, and federal agencies afford those agencies opportunities for participation. ' Mrs. Margaret Griffin, the CRC member assigned to be a liaison between the Town and the CRC was advised of Planning Board meetings and did attend, thus furthering intergovernmental coordination opportunities. XIII. RELATIONSHIP OF POLICIES AND LAND CLASSIFICATION ' Policies developed during this 1997 Plan update acknowledge that the development patterns in Belhaven are basically set and that the Town will endeavor to maintain those patterns. Policies encourage new development and redevelopment in areas presently having Town services before services will be extended into the undeveloped areas of Town. This is reflected in the Developed and Transition Land ' Classes. Likewise, Resource Protection policies acknowledge that the surface waters, lands thereunder and immediate shoreline are a main attraction and resource for the Town, and the Town for the most part will rely on state and federal agencies ' for their regulatory control. The Conservation Class reflects these policies. Economic and Community Development policies encourage appropriate growth in concert with the Town's ability to provide service. Storm Hazard Mitigation ' policies acknowledge that basically the whole planning area is at risk due to elevation and the Town thus does not have many relocation options other communities may have. Reconstruction -will occur with -elevation being the major ' floodproofing mitigation feature. Again these policies are reflected in both the Developed and Urban Transition Classes. The Rural Class reflects outlying areas ' that have some agriculture or are vacant and where development densities are very low. 31 MV. LAND CLASSIFICATION Current planning guidelines, offer a land classification system that can help local governments illustrate geographically where certain intensities of development ' should occur. This classification system is not designed to have the level of detail that Town zoning does, but rather deals with development and limited development in a much broader way. While specific land uses (residential, commercial, ' institutional, industrial, etc.) are included within the various land classifications, the primary goal of land classes is to illustrate either a densely developed man made landscape or limited development in a relatively undisturbed natural landscape. ' The CRC's guidelines described seven specific land classes that may be useful to coastal local governments; in Belhaven only four apply, the Developed, Urban ' Transition, Rural and Conservation Classes. Each are described below. Developed — This class illustrates intensive urban development where urban services are supplied to support that development. Typically, areas that are urban (and that also may be redeveloped) are shown in this class. In Belhaven, most of the land within Town limits is included in this class. ,Areas along the waterfront that are currently vacant (but zoned for industrial uses) and ' some areas along the northern Town limits are exceptions. Some areas with fairly significant areas of coastal or other wetlands within Town limits are also exceptions. Urban Transition — This class illustrates areas that while not having urban characteristics at present, are located in such a setting that future urbanization is likely and desirable. This class shows areas that are undergoing a transition phase from fairly low intensity use to higher intensity uses that will ultimately necessitate ' urban services. This class is located primarily along the northern Town limits, both iri-town and in the ETJ, along the western areas of the panning jurisdiction on both sides of 1 US 264 and on several larger waterfront tracts on Pantego Creek. It should be noted that one tract of land in the Tooley-Battalina Creeks area to the east of Town contains significant Coastal Wetland AECs. By CRC planning ' guidelines, these AECs should be shown in the Conservation Class. In both the 1986 and 1992 Plan updates, the Town showed this tract in the Transition Class in order to illustrate a pre CAMA Town commitment to supply water and sewer to the area in order to stimulate development therein. The CRC in both 1986 and 1992 noted while the Town may show this tract in the Transition Class for local purposes, ' for CAMA and other state and federal permit purposes the area would be considered conservation, and the likelihood of permit issuance by these agencies for development purposes is nil. ' The Rural Class illustrates areas that are typically used for very low density development not needing urban services or are agrarian in nature. In Belhaven . much of the land in the ETJ is shown in this class. The Conservation class provides for the effective long. term management of significant, limited or irreplaceable resources. According to planning guidelines this class should include all AECs and other similar lands. Conservation does not mean ' preservation. It implies limited, managed uses that does not significantly alter the character of the resource(s) which were the justification for the area being included in the classification. For example, public trust areas, a type of AEC found in the ' Town's planning area is by definition included in this class. However, with proper ' 32 management, water depended uses such as piers, docks and bulkheads canoccur ' here as long as the resource is not unduly degraded. This cautious, managed approach to the Conservation class is the Town's intent. In Belhaven this class applies by definition to all AECs (except that area ' discussed earlier in the Tooley's Creek vicinity). The Town replies on the CAMA permitting process to manage these areas and the Town has imposed no more ' restrictive local sanctions within this class. Specific uses the Town intends to be allowed within this class, in accordance with applicable state and federal regulatory requirements are: water oriented uses (piers, bridges, mooring pilings, bulkheads, revetments, groins, navigation aids, marinas (also in accordance with local policies) and certain utility lines (water, gas, electrical, natural gas, etc.) as long as these lines traverse this class and do not ' terminate on lands classed as conservation. The latter intent is for utility access ways through conservation areas, but not to serve them. 1 33 Table 1 BELHAVEN BUSINESS LISTINGS Alligood Appliance Sales & Service Ambrose Barber Shop/One Stop Hair Styling Allen's Jewelry Baker Building Supply Beaufort County Farm Bureau Beaufort County ABC Store Beaufort -Hyde News Belhaven Cable TV Belhaven Cleaners Belhaven Chamber of Commerce Belhaven Marine Railway Blue Haven Variety Store W.G. Boyd, CPA Calamity Jane's Saloon Clark Oil Company Claudia's Beauty Shop Coastal Oil of Belhaven Coastal Satellite & Video Cooperative Savings and Loan Cox Chevrolet-Geo Creative Catering/Mr. Pizza Cross Your Heart Needle Arts DaWs Plumbing J.D. Dawson Catalog Store Dawson Funeral Service Downtown Market and Flower Shop Eastern Fuels Edgewater Motor Company. J.E. Edwards Insurance Company Eeii's Little Corner of the World Art Gallery Elks Flea Market -Electronics World Everetts Little House of Charm Beauty Shop Family Eye Care Family Dollar Store Farm Boys Restaurant Food Lion Foodland Great Belhaven Seafood Market & Bait Co. Barry Gutfield & Associates PA, CPA Hardee's Restaurant The Helmsman Restaurant Johnson Auto Parts of Belhaven Jordan Automotive Jordan's Flower Shop Jr.'s Station, Inc. Convenience Store C.F. Latham & Company The Legend Restaurant Lib's Hair Design Linton's Mobile Home Supplies Livestock Supply Ed Mann Realty Mann's Apparel Mattamuskeet Wild Goose'n Motor Parts & Equipment Company Myers Auto Sales & Service Nationwide Insurance Nixon's Painting & Remodeling ONeal's Drug Store/Gift Shop/Snack Bar Paint & Decorating Center Pamlico Chemical Company Pantego Creek Marina Paul Funeral Home Paul's Auto Alignment Center Conrad Paysour, Attorney Petrolane Gas Pittard,Perry & Crone, Inc. CPA Mike Polovitch Air Conditioning/ Refrigeration/Heating Pope's Family Center Pungo Basin Realty Pungo River Inn Bed & Breakfast Pungo River Pharmacy Purina Mills R & S 66 Service Station Ralph Memorial Library Butch Raynor, Attorney Red Apple Market Riddick & Windley Hardware Company Rite Aid Discount Pharmacy River Forest Manor & Marina Royster Mid -Atlantic Sears Catalog Merchandise office Roddy Selby Jr. Trucking Co. Shavender Ford -Mercury Showstopper Video Southern Bank & Trust Southern States Farm Supply Stinky Johns Pool and Games 35 Super 10 Discount D.S. Swain Gas Tees and Tans Telephones Unlimited Thel's Tom's Creek Boat Yard Tony Auto Repair Town & Country Beauty Shop Village Homes of the Pamlico Villager Junction Clothing Wachovia Bank & Trust Waters Tire Service Wee Wisdom Preschool Western Union (Pick up and drop oft) Reuben Williams Plumbing Service Winfield's Garage Woodstock Realty HEALTH SERVICES Pungo District Hospital Medicine Dentists Dr. Charles Boyette Dr. Mays Dr. Gregory Jones Dr. Alan Traub Dr. Lawrence Ward Source: Telephone Listings and Field Survey, December, 1991 36 Table 2 BELHAVEN INDUSTRIAL AND MANUFACTURING FIRMS Number Name Location Product Employed Baker Crab Company E. Pantego St. Crab Meat/Crabs 50-99 Cargill, Inc. W. Main St. Grains 5-9 Belhaven Fish & Oyster Co. Front St. Crab/Shrimp/Fish 75 Harris Furniture & Upholstery Main St. Upholstered Furniture/ Marine Canvas 5-9 Down East Garment Co. 125 Pamlico St. Velour Sweaters 25. Privateer Boats US 264 By-pass Fiberglass Boats 19 Seafood Carolina RFD 1 Crab/Shrimp/Fish Sea Safari Front St. Crab Meat/Flounder 175 Source: 1986 Land Use Plan; 1987-88 Directory of Manufacturing Firms; Field survey, December, 1991. Telephone poll, 1992. Modified to include only manufacturing. Primarily commercial operations were deleted. 37 Table 3 BELHAVEN MAJOR EMPLOYERS, 1992 Belhaven's jurisdiction hosts about 110 business enterprises. This list represents all employers of 20 people or more, regardless of employment sector. Seasonality is evident in the ranges. `BUSINESS TYPE EMPLOYEES Sea Safari Seafood Processor 6-175 Pungo Community Hospital Health Care 114-140 Belhaven Fish & Oyster Seafood Processor 75-175 Baker Crab Company Seafood Processor 50-99 Food Lion Grocer 45 Town of Belhaven Municipal Government 40 Belhaven Elementary School Education 40 Foodland Grocer 33 Hardee's Fast Food 32 Down East Garment Sweaters 25 River Forest Manor HoteUMarina/Rest. 25-35 J.D. Dawson Company General Merchandise 19-30 Belhaven Junior High Education 20 Pungo Christian Academy Education 20 Privateer Fiberglass Boats 20 The Helmsman Restaurant 20 38 TABLE 4 INVENTORY OF STRUCTURES IN THE HAZARD AREA NUMBER Single family homes 610 Multi -family homes 77 Other 9 Mobile homes 284 Commercial 77 Institutional 16 Industrial 0 Utility 2 Total 1,075 Total assessed value for tax purposes for 1991: $37,098,599 Source: Beaufort County Tax Supervisor, telephone conversation 39 Table 5 PROPERTIES IDENTIFIED AS HISTORIC Helen Boyd House 103 Magnolia Street Belhaven Railroad Depot Comer Main & Haslin Streets (Chamber of Commerce) Belhaven Town Hall NE Corner E. Main & Allen Streets (Police Department & Museum) Kirk -Bishop House 513 Front Street W. C. Credle House 310 West Main Street Bullock House 701 East Main Street Brooks House 304 West Main Street Trinity Methodist Church 335 East Main Street @ Edward Street Captain Terrill House 512 Main Street St. James Episcopal Church 405 Main Street Oden-Boyd House 105 Magnolia Street Riddick House 409 Front Street Midgett House 414 Main Street Luckton House 325 Front Street Clark House 102 Front Street Belhaven Baptist Church Edward Street near Front Street Source: 1986 Belhaven Land Use Plan Update 40 School Ca aci t Belhaven Elementary 525 Beaufort Co. Elementary 350 Belhaven Junior ' High 475 Northside High School 750 Table 6 BELHAVEN AREA PUBLIC SCHOOLS 1992 Percent Grades Enrollment Utilized Teachers K-5 335 64 17 K-6 208 59 11 6-8 225 47 11 9-12 633 84 32 Source: Beaufort County School Superintendent, 1992. 41 PupiU Teacher Ratio 1:20 1:19 1:20 1:20 F WM N A Resolution: The Citizen Participation Plan for Input On the 1997 Land Use Plan In accordance with the North Carolina Administrative Code 15 T l 5A:07B.0217 regarding public participation in land use planning efforts, the Town Council of the Town of Belhaven, Beaufort County, North Carolina hereby resolves to support public educational efforts and participation techniques to assure that all segments of the Town7s population have full and adequate opportunity to be informed of proceedings and decisions relating to the 1997 Belhaven ' CAMA Land Use Plan Update. The elements of this citizen participation plan shall include but not be limited to the following: 1 (1) The Belhaven Planning Board, an appointed, diversified citizen group, shall be responsible for supervision of the update process and shall make recommendations to the Town Council regarding the preliminary and final draft versions of the plan. (2) News articles and reports of Planning Board meeting activities shall be provided to the local newspaper, the Beaufort Hyde News and the WgSb,ington Daily News. ' (3) All meetings of the Planning Board shall be public meetings, whether they be regularly scheduled or supplemental meetings. Regular meetings are held the third Wednesday of each month at 7:00 P.M. in the Old Town Hall. (4) The Town Council shall hold a public hearing prior to formal adoption of the final ' update as described in T15A:NCAC 7B .0402(a), advertised at least once in a newspaper of general circulation, with such notice appearing at least 30 days prior to the hearing date and stating the. date, time, place and proposed action, and that copies of the plan may be viewed at a particular office of government during ' designated hours. This resolution hereby adopted this the 81 day of September, 1997. n aA-- Marie J. Adams, C - Town Clerk Dr. CV=fes O. Boyette, May WASHINGTON DAILY NEWS; SUNDAY, JUNE 22, 1997 — PAGE 5A '. 77 in ion Land se.' Plan Belhaven workg; ' . ; BELHAVEN The Belhaven Planning Board met - 'The 10 policies on storm hazard mitigation and recon Wednesday to continue its work on the Coastal Area Man- struction were deemed inadequate, based on experiences agement Act'Land Use Plan update; which is required at : with Hurricanes Bertha and Fran, and will be improved least every five yet ?' , ,� during this p Ian update ars du ; The town has been worki' on this ro'ect, funded in The board also reviewed the remaining work schedule g P J1. part by a grant from the state; since December ._ •` ,fonthe update, noting that -at the July meeting it would Jane Daughtridge the planner -in -charge from the Mid establish new policies in Resource Protection and East Commission, had been providing technical asses Resource.Production and Manag11 ement tance. Mrs: Daughtridge left the Mid -East Commission at The August meeting will be devoted to policy develop - the end of May to work for the,State's` Coastal Manage ment in Economic'and Community Development, Public ment Program inIthe Washington Regional. Office:.; _ , Participation and Storm Hazard Mitigation and Recovery. The Mid -East Commission has subseguently hired John ' Also; the board will review the relationship of policies tol. Crew, Coastal Consortium; Consulting: Planners Inc , to, `land classification; intergovernmental relations and estab- help complete the; pl":,up. date. Crew wrote the town'sfish a land classification map., first Land Use Plan m 1975 �� t ; n The September meeting will be devoted to reviewing At the June meeting, the board reviewed all of its previ the Draft Land Use Plan before submittingit to the Town ous policies and evaluate if they tiad been achieved, par?,. : Council, The council will then transmit the draft plan to tially achieved or not achieved Poli%ces are goals for the, the Coastal Resources Cormission for its review. :, --Following revisions to the draft; the lan will be adopt towns future. _ . �t The to"n reviewed the 45 policies from its; previous,; . ed by,council k.,'t, 1 sent back to the CRC forcertification plan, noted that three were no.longer applicable: Of the:' Once certified, the plan will be used by fate agencies remaining 42 policies, the town attempted or completed• as they make decisions as to how their programs affect 32, a 76 percent rate t the town .. +•t •�v.�' w,..:•'... •''t'��'• !j::�;'ir..•*P��•,c,,iPl�•i.. j•. . a'•v;4::•:; ,,L... BelhaveSe n .�Cann��g: confin'ue''t"CAMA "n'"A' U �.'•ri 7•� "'. c 'ti►f'C �T"t "fig..pa::J.:C�.•'� :i:ter Puri! ate•i:,:, :n�: 0�Ir �:�r,::;��.,�.:,,:' ■ •+ t::'..M:�•' '�'kilo(i{:3'C''{,.,i!':Ci".%l�:tT:.:. liwioa Ag B ?l..and. Rcsource.Productioa an June It3th'st•..7,••p:ia:, [t:'i�glitc'88�!�►t-'� meeting dmit to'contiuua'i�a wells' .will. be 'devoted -,co polio on the Coastal Air MattagAienC tlarelapthgut i# C;c guar an Act (CAMA) •Land'U#* Y)aii' :' ih!: !"el Publi Update wpicb is" .ualt»ied`st kaat 'Paipupitioa; aad`Storm every five years` :, _ . �y etiaarasid lireCowety Aura Iwo Tbwii his •beat ixo ng of , ;AW-0 will��t+a -law.. be gelation l this project. furidcd in pail by a . `'of polia�os• to.,lid dsiswficatioa,: ``rant frgm the ,State, since 4!Atti ovenimaaia7.teladooi an Dumber. �i,,.•l� Y`j "'=�,+;,x�s y establishn latid',c1a�dRcatiop� �•�• • .• . Jane Dwghtridga, the Planner in Charge from .tbe Mid -East, 'devoted ;to'evtiwitig� Draft Commission has been providing : Use,Plan,befora sabautting' technical asatsttwce up stood• UM- -it • to the Town.* Caudi. The •'Mrs..Daughtridge laft.Ow Mid•: Council will the' i transmit the. But Commission at the end: of;,• *MpTiti"tbdie•Co kilResobt+oes May to work for the .S.tato's:,:Commission (CRC)- for their Coastal Managamaat Program ip::: t+evieati, if aD;► cbattges are tae:Cded, the Washington Regional Offilm,, : the CRCwill advise the Zbwd.s The Mid -East Commission: has° ' Following'revWons ib the draft, : subsequently hired John -Crew,•., the Plan, will be adopted b Coastal Consortium, Consulting, ' t�aincil dim seat back to the wl ' Planners, li= to help camplete fhe; ; :for tli'ew'•d"i tifkcation. Once plan update_ Mr. Crew On bad; :;41tMed the Plan will be"iued by long experiences world with.d�,;;:State ;agencies as' they`taatte . State's Coastal Management'. -decisions as to how tbeirprvgrarns Program, and authored the die Town. ck ,»- first Land Use -Plan in 1975. ': ;'':'Planaiag Board meeting are : At the June mating; the Hoard' held the 3rd VYednasday of each k' reviewed' all of its previous .' month in the Old 7bwa Hall on t policies and evaluated if they had a Mai» Slicer at 7 p.m. All meetings been acbievtd, partially achieved' ate' Vpen to the public and or not achieved. Policies are goals ; interested parties arc invited to for the - Thwn's fitture jmd.are one "aid- of the most important parts of the Plan Update:' The 7bwm reviewed ; the 45 policiaa from.its previous plan. noted that ibres ware not applicable, thus moot. 'Of the remaining 42 policies. -the Town attempted or completed 32;1769b rate. The tea policies on storm a ' hazard mitigation reconstruction were deemed. ; inadaquate, baud on experiatces . with Hurricanes Bertha and Fran and will be improved duiing. this Plan update. Overall, hvwaver, the Board felt Town success was very {, good. The Board also was the remaining work schedule for the update, nothing that at the July ; meeting it would establish new i policies in Resources Protection i 4 WASHINGTON DAILY NEWS; WEDNESDAY, JULY 23,19977 PAGE 7A - 1 -f be't=attenCRC`m' er en rneetinon elhay.g user Ian u date 1 land. p p,. BELHAVEN = The, Belhaven :, ers and state and federal agencies to !'. Planning Board met at; its regular guide town" growth and develop - 1 meeting time of,7 p-m. Wednesday in the Old Town'`HalI to continue men t ; , ; ` - theAugust�meeting, the board on its CAMA Land Use Plan ' will establish draft policies in storm .work 1 Update. - : ' :' hazard mitigation, econstruction , Peggy; :Griffin, a .,.Coastal and evacuation and public partici- " pation matters and review the land rt Resources . Commission member 1 :. ifrom Columbia, attended the meet- classification map for changes ing. Mrs. Griffin is assigned to be a When , the preliminary plan is liaison between the. CRC and the :' completed in August, it will be sub- ' 'town during this update. Her role is : mitted to the Belhaven Town Coun- ' to observe the update process and cil for -its endorsement, then trans- t < answer. questions the town may '_'mitted to the CRC for review and have: ., ultimately certified by the CRC. 1 Mrs -Griffin will, be, involved in All 20 coastal, counties and the final review of the plan and will approximately 75 municipal gov- _= make. recommendations as to the ernments have certified land -use ' sufficiency of the final plan. - plans that are required to be updat- 1 The board established draft poli- ed. Belhaven joins Beaufort Coun- cies on natural resource protection, ty and the towns of Bath, Aurora, Wash- natural resource production and Chocowinity and the city. of 1 management and economic and ington in updating their plans this community.development issues. year. Towns and 'counties receive. These policies, when eventually state grant funds to help finance the adopted, will be used by local lead required updates r r �r r� r �■r r r ■■ r ri rr ■r �■ r r *mningloard. continues, v o k,on laid use Plot UP" = The Belhaven PlanMng Hoard ' `rerwieai ueti•ietoii dtts:ifieatiotl +mp soirernments have certified land ntet.at its regular n+eetin time ofer.ft L-• .•._, . use plans that an► reWdred to be 7 p.m. on Jutr 16tb.in the Old rx:•; When rite preliminary Plan is. Tbwn Hall to continuo work -on ie cot�t�ileted' in "'Ad' god, it will be AMA Laced - Ptah UpdSte. ' t' 'illwu Council for . BeiihareR joins Beaafait onnty tend the towns of Bath, - - • , •snbtetib to tbti ' Mrs. Peggy Gritiin. a Coastal'„„their-•'; -endorsement. • then . A*ors; Cry, and the City of Washington is apht�g their Resoure;es CothWasioa (CR%;�tm;�tted to rho -CRC fot~soview plans this j►ear. 'Ibwna and "ber.from Columbia. attended ' and ultimately ecttified by the eolmties teceivc state grant Lands the Mie ting,. Mrs. (itiffib it. ;`CJtCz.. • ,•. • •:r r.: is=t'., ; to help .finance the required isssikaed to be'tz llasm betwe6n :. Ali•20 coitsttll counties and updates. the CRC and thti`TdNm* during this stapproxitnttttly 45 Ynunicipt bpdak. Her, role. is to observe the _ .. . . update . proeesa -*arid,, gtiswer gdeslions the Town. May have. • :'. .Mri: Griffin chili ba'lnvolved in . We final -review of the Plan and ' ' wia 5ii4W f& tmmeiedWons'as to tbc'snfliciency of final {this. ' . The Board established draft :. w policies on natural' resource ' protection, ,natural • resource pmdnction and management and ; economic .` ah_d community development issues. These ' policies, wbon evetdteally adopted, 4"ll.be usedly local leaders and state and lodeW agencies to guide TI wn growth and do iopntcnt. At the August meeting. the Board will establish draft policies In storm hazard mitigation, . rtcon nation and evacuation and tiuiblie participation matters and A 1 n PAGE,6A- ; WASHINGTON DAILY NEWS.-WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27 1997, �elfaven continues -Work ®`n Land Use Plan_ ; U date . BELHAVEN •The Belhaven the Coastal Resources Commission Plammng Board in on Aug. 20 in for their review. the Old T6wn'Hal1 to continue work The CRC may submit suggestions on its five=year CAMA Land Use . for ways the preliminary plan can be. yPlan Update _ improved back to the town At the -meeting,` the board dis Following revisions-, if necessary, cussed citizen. participation and the council will` then -adopt :;the. storm hazard initigahon; :recovery .revised plan and resubmit iC.to the tand,.evacuation draft policies. Land : CRC for their.certification. classification and: mapping, inter A state grant and local monies are - governmental •_ coordination, and .used for. CAMA plan updates. All 20 ` relationship of policies to land clas coastal counties and approximately__ sification issues were also discussed 75 unicipal governments 'have- i T.he Planning Board .intends to _ plans and .updates funded through have a preliminary.. plan "update this program _' ,ready to transmit to'the Town Coun .cil at their September meeting Upon council acceptance; the pre 3liminary plan will be transmitted to` TOWN OF BELHAVEN POLICIES 1992 CAMA LUP Previous Policy Assessment Score I. Resource Protection 1 Issue soil limitation, septic tank suitability, floodprone areas Policy support and enforce federal, state, local regulations on septic tank placement, building in floodprone areas 1 Issue local issues relative to AECs Policy support current federal, state, local regulations for AECs 1 Issue other hazardous or fragile lands, wetlands. ORWs, shellfish waters, cultural, historic areas - Polia conserve fragile/hazardous areas; support state, federal restrictions in swamps, marshes, 404 wetlands, manmade hazards controlled through local zoning; water supply access to be protected 1 Issue hurricane and evacuation needs Policy adhere to hurricane and flood evacuation needs per Beaufort County Emergency Management Plan or other plans adopted by Town (issue discussed in greater detail in Storm Hazard Policy section later) 1 Issue protection of potable water supply Policy protect potable water supply from negative land use impacts 1 Issue use of package treatment plants Policy discourage use in favor of extending municipal service as long as excess capacity exists 1 Issue stormwater runoff impacts Policy continue existing procedures until a need is shown based on negative impacts 1 Issue marina, floating homes, dry stack facilities, moorings Policy desire protection from random marinas, but supports as appropriate in concert with local zoning; support CAMA regs on marinas, dry stack facilities regulated by local zoning, acceptable under certain circumstances; floating homes considered on case by case basis 1 Issue industrial impacts on fragile areas Policy control through local zoning, support of state and federal requirements Moot Issue development of islands Policy moot; no policy necessary 1 Issue restrict development up to 5' above mean high water and also susceptible to ' sea level rise Policy while Town affected, stringent approach (to restrict) will impact Town's growth desires ' 1 Issue upland excavation for marinas Policv general support for CAMA regulations ' 1 Issue marsh damage by bulkheads Policv support state and federal standards, no more restrictive local regulations II. Resource Production and Management ' 1 Issue productive agricultural lands Policv rely on local zoning which permits many uses in the RA zone ' Moot Issue commercial forest lands Policy moot 1 Issue existing and potential mineral resource areas ' Policy carefully consider proposal for mining 1 Issue commercial and recreational fisheries ' _Policy encourage commercialtrecreational fishing and support state regulations with regard to commercial operations ' Moot Issue off -road vehicles Policy moot 1 Issue development impacts on resources Policy recognizing any development has impacts and recognizing water is Town's greatest resource needing protection for commercial, recreational and other ' uses, Town will regularly review/update local ordinances to keep effective Moot Issue peat or phosphate mining impacts Policv moot III. Economic and Communi Development 1 Issue types/locations of desired industries Policy encouragelsupport a wide variety of industrial development to insure economy, support efforts of chamber of commerce, support state, federal regulations for safety, etc. (consider local zoning/rezoning for industrial uses critically) ' 1 Issue Policy local commitment to provision of services first priority to provide to Developed area on land class map; consider extension requests on case by case basis for services (water and sewer); continue to apply for CDBG/other economic development projects involving ' extension S= i M M= M = = = M i= W M==11 t2-ms saa�on-'�• tJsws-w.ae�y. �,ay z�.e9r . P arming .Board. Iinues, ,on.land use plan updc*o - The Belhaven Plasuda8 Board w ieriesr the'j8ad.p1mWeatlon nap g6vecnmertts have certified had - met. at its reguln sneelinir•time of-;--. fordumses;• �s, use plans that ace spired to be I p.m. on JOY lbtb`:ia-the 0141fi .?When. the preliminary Plan is. . adhaven joint Beaofait Town Nall to contfavaaork oa it'tp`kostewd�is `1�►d st. it will be CAMA Land Usa Plan t : Update. d to Conned fat o 'and ttlrc towns of Bath► tbtt "Mrs. Peggy GiMin. a Coaatat;,:,their.,': •endorsement. • then • A�4• ChocowinkY. tai! the tat of Washington in �pdat�ag cis Resourges 4Cbmtn1ssfoa (CRQ,;,4, SmimWoed to tha•CMC. fce•tamview plans this year. was and me'Pbcr,. euended 'nand ultimately certified b the counties ra dve state giant funds the meeting;: Mrs. Grt ffe it. s'CRC +, ,. , .,. F ► 4; t: a.: i to help .finance the regalred kssiknc4'to be'tt Ifis"n'belwadn •.- All•20 eoUstsil counties and updates. tine CRC and thotiwai during tbis <tapprouimattely •►TS Inunicipt ' Update. Hoc, role. ts to observe the Update . picker a apd,; answer '•• questions the Town. may have. Arlo: Crfffin w111 ba'lnvolved in . . I& find -review of the Plae and ' 'Ml1 i. tidke: i ecru chditOons'as to j6 iumciency of final plan ' The Board established draft ;. w policies on natural ' resource ' protection. natural • resource -. &p&wtioo end managetraerat and _ .economic ' abd community `• development 'iatncs. These ' policies. when evcrAtWly adopted, : .vgll.bc used•by local leaders and . state anti federalas to guide l rm gitowth and &ftkpncnL At the August meeting, the Boats will catablish draft policies in storm hazard mitigation. ' ri iottstraaction and evacuation and , vaiblic participation matters and 1 PAGE 6A WAS HINGT0N DAILY NEWS, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST. 27; I997 :' 1 Belhaven -continues work t_ . 1 on Land Use Plar�:U date a p . BELHAVEN = The. Belhaven the Coastal Resources Commission 1 Planning Board met on Aug. 20 in � for their review.; the Old Town Hall to continue work The CRC may submit suggestions on its five-year CAMA Land Use for ways the preliminary plan can be ' Plan Update improved back to the town At the meeting; the board dis .Following revisions, if; necessary,' cussed citizen participation °and the council will then adopt- the . istorm hazard'mitigation, recoveryrevised plan and: resubmit it to the- landevacuation draft policies. Land ' CRC for theircertification classification and mapping; inter: . Astate`grant`and local monies are. governmental coordination; and used for CAMA plan updates. All 20 relationship -of policies to land clas ..`coastal counties and approximately 1 ..sification issues were also discussed - 75 municipal governments have + The Planning Board''intends ,to :'plans and updates funded through have a 'preliminary, plan ;update this program 1 ready to transmit to the Town Coun j .7ci1 at their September meeting ` Upon council acceptance-, the pre-,,' ;liminary plan .will be transmitted to' ; 1 - 1 1 TOWN OF BELHAVEN POLICIES 1992 CAMA LITP Previous Policy Assessment Score I. Resource Protection. 1 Issue soil limitation, septic tank suitability, floodprone areas Policy support and enforce federal, state, local regulations on septic tank placement, building in floodprone areas ' 1 Issue local issues relative to AECs Policy support current federal, state, local regulations for AECs 1 Issue other hazardous or fragile lands, wetlands. ORWs, shellfish waters, cultural, historic areas Policy conserve fragile/hazardous areas; support state, federal restrictions in ' swamps, marshes, 404 wetlands, manmade hazards controlled through local zoning; water supply access to be protected ' 1 Issue hurricane and evacuation needs Policy adhere to hurricane and flood evacuation needs per Beaufort County Emergency Management Plan or other plans adopted by Town (issue ' discussed in greater, detail in Storm Hazard Policy section later) 1 Issue protection of potable water supply Policy protect potable water supply from negative land use impacts 1 Issue use of package treatment plants Policy discourage use in favor of extending municipal service as long as excess capacity exists ' 1 Issue stormwater runoff impacts Policy continue existing procedures until a need is shown based on negative impacts ' 1 Issue marina, floating homes, dry stack facilities, moorings Policy desire protection from random marinas, but supports as appropriate in concert with local zoning; support CAMA regs on marinas, dry stack facilities regulated by local zoning, acceptable under certain circumstances; floating homes considered on case by case basis ' 1 Issue industrial impacts on fragile areas Policy control through local zoning, support of state and federal requirements Moot Issue development of islands ' Policy moot; no policy necessary 1 ' Issue types of urban growth patterns desired ' Policy rely on local zoning to guide growth into Developed and Urban Transition land classification areas 1 Issue redevelopment of developed areas Policy as all of Town is subject to storm damage, only viable course is to support prudent redevelopment in accordance with zoning requirements; continue support of historic redevelopment, downtown redevelopment, continue support for CDBG program ' 1 Issue commitment to state/federal programs Policy limited commitment to state/federal programs; support those beneficial to the Town (such as DOT roadbridges, erosion control/BMPs, forest ' incentive for reforestation, vegetation buffer, previous materials, 404 wetlands program, oppose Military Operating Airspace, support CDBG, Small Business Administration programs) t1 Issue assistance to channel maintenancelbeach nourishment Policy rely on state/federal agencies to determine additional need unless local navigation problems noted 1 Issue energy facility siting/development Policy consider on case by case basis 1 Issue tourism Policy continue present levels of support through cooperation with local, state agencies, businesses promoting area 1 Issue public water access ' Policy maintain existing access, pursue additional site(s) if need arises/local available ' 1 Issue types/densities/locations, units per acre and service support Policy overly dense development not a problem; encourage appropriate density/location, discourage dense development that takes water/sewer ' capability; guide development to areas shown as Developed or Urban Transition on land class map ' IV. Hurricane and Storm Hazard Mitigation, Reconstruction, Evacuation support Beaufort County Storm Hazard Mitigation/Reconstruction policies ' encourage redevelopment provided they conform to applicable codes no policy if Town public facilities are destroyed, if possible elevate public facilities to ' particulary safe levels in accordance with Flood Prevention Ordinance effective consider Town Recovery Task Force increase public awareness and preparedness V. Public Participation ' 1 Planning Board responsible for update and will recommend preliminary and final plan to Town Council 1 opinion survey will be conducted 1 news articles shall be provided to the Beaufort -Hyde News 1 Planning Board to hold formal public hearing on draft plan 1 Town Council to hold public hearing prior to adopting final plan Town of Belhaven Land Classifications 1997 Land Classifications ® Conservation Developed Rural Urban Transition N W E S 1000 0 1000 2000 Feet The preparation of this map was financed in part through a grant provided by the North Carolina Coastal Management Program, through funds provided by the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended, which is administered by the Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. This map represents a compilation of Information from multiple sources, and at different scales, which may result in inconsistances among features represented on this map. The MEC assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of the source information. Prepared by Md East Commission Punning Department Po 8o(1787 Washington, NC 27M (919) 90.8m Eneuthe Director. Robert Paciocco GIS Tech(Planner. Ed Lynch August 8, 1997 Town of Belhaven Existing Land Use 1997 Land Use IIIIIIIIIIIIIII Commercial Industrial Institutional Recreational Residential Undeveloped N W E S 1100 0 1100 2200 Feet The preparation of this map was financed in part through a grant provided by the North Carolina Coastal Management Program, through funds provided by the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended, which is administered by the Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. This map represents a compilation of information from multiple sources, and at different scales, which may result in inconsistances among features Ufa represented on this map. The MEC assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of the source information. Prepared by rAd East Commission Planing Department PO Box 1787 Washington, NC 2780 (919) W. Boo Executive Diechm Robert Palloceo GIS TechManner, Ed Lynch August 6, 1997 Town of. Belhaven North Carolina Legend /V Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Town Boundary /V Roads I { r Water Note: The Town of Belhaven's entire Planning Jurisdiction is considered a Storm Hazard Area. N W E S 1100 0 1100 2200 Feet The preparation of this map was financed in part through a grant provided by the North Carolina Coastal Management Program, through funds provided by the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended, which is administered by the Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. This map represents a compilation of information from multiple sources, and at different scales, which may result in inconsistances among features UOOA represented on this map. The MEC assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of the source Information. Pmparsd by Md East Carnmissim . Ranting DepabnerA PO UK 17; wasZon, Nc 27889 (919) 90- 8W Encub a Diedor. RobM Paw= GIS TechiMamer: Ed Lynch August S.1997