Land Use Plan Update-1992

TOWN OF BELHAVEN
1992 LAND USE PLAN UPDATE
DCM COPY
DCM COPY
I-Flease do not remove!!!!!
Division of Coastal wra.,a..o,,,,, 4 �.___
Local Adoption: March 15, 1993
CRC Certification: March 26, 1993
Past CAMA Plans were completed in 1976, 1980, and 1986

TOWN OF BELHAVEN
1992 LAND USE PLAN UPDATE
PREPARED FOR: BELHAVEN TOWN COUNCIL
J. Nelson Guy, Mayor
W. P. O'Neal, Jr. George R. Ebron, Jr. Ronnie Flowers
Roy O'Neal Judy E. Allen
David Draughn, Manager
Marie Adams, Town Clerk
PREPARED BY: BELHAVEN PLANNING BOARD
Louis Martin, Code Enforcement Officer
Terry Sparrow, Chairman
Sammy Gaylord Ed Robbins Aubrey Hollowell
John Jones Ed Mann
PLANNING CONSULTANT:
MID -EAST COMMISSION
1 Harding Square
Washington, NC 27889
919-946-8043
Robert J. Paciocco, Executive Director
Jane Daughtridge, Planner -In -Charge
The preparation of this report 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.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Pace
SUMMARY
i
DATA COLLECTION & ANALYSIS
1
" PRESENT CONDITIONS
2
EXISTING LAND USE
4
CURRENT PLANS, POLICIES AND REGULATIONS
6
CONSTRAINTS: LAND SUITABILITY
8
Physical limitations for Development Hazards
8
Soils
8
Water Supplies
9
Excessive Ground Slope Areas
9
Fragile Areas
10
Areas With Resource Potential
12
CONSTRAINTS: CAPACITY OF COMMUNITY FACILITIES
13
Water and Sever Systems
13
Solid Waste Collection and Police and Fire Protection
13
Schools
14
Roads
14
Medical Facilities
14
ESTIMATED DEMAND
15
1986 POLICY ASSESSMENT _ _. _ . —
: • 16
Resource Protection Issues
16
Resource Production & Management Issues
19
Economic & Community Development Issues
20 -
Storm Hazard Mitigation & Post Disaster Reconstruction
22
Public Participation
23
1992 ISSUES AND POLICY STATEMENTS
25
1. Resource Protection
26
2. Resource Production & Management
- 31
3. Economic & Community Development
34
4. Hurricane & Storm Hazard Mitigation
41
5. Public Participation
50
Public Survey Results
51
LAND CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
54
RELATIONSHIP OF POLICIES AND LAND CLASSIFICATION
56
'' APPENDICES

MAP 1 Town of Belhaven
MAP 2 Existing Land Use
MAP 3 Land Use Constraints
MAP 4 Land Classification
TABLES & FIGURES
TABLE lA Regional Population Change
TABLE 1B Beaufort County Municipalities Population Change
TABLE 1C Belhaven Age Structure
Housing Data: Belhaven and Beaufort County
TABLE 2 Social Characteristics, Belhaven
TABLE 3 Belhaven Industrial & Manufacturing Firms
TABLE 3A Belhaven Major Employers, 1992
TABLE 4 Retail Sails Data, County Comparison
TABLE 5 Properties Identified as Historic
TABLE 6 Belhaven Area Public Schools
FIGURE 1 Transportation Improvement Plan Re -mute alternatives for US 264
TABLE 7 Average Daily Traffic
TABLE 8 Inventory of Structures in Hazard Area _
3a
5a
10a
53a
3b
3b
3c
3d
3e
3e
3f
12a
14a
14b
14c
41a

SUMMARY
1992 BELHAVEN LAND USE PLAN UPDATE
According to the 1990 census, Belhaven's population decreased 6.6% between 1980 and 1990. There
are slightly higher percentages of age groups. 1 4 and 65+ in Belhaven than in Beaufort County or the State.
Age group 2544 increased for the Town, but remained below County or State percentages of population.
Blacke increased as a percentage of population and poverty status increased slightly, even though per capita
income rose 53%. Unemployment was reported at 10.7% in 1980 and 14% in 1990. Household size
decreased, following the national trend toward smaller families; single family units decreased, probably
reflecting the economic downturn; and vacant units increased over the ten year census period, also reflective
of a soft economy and perhaps an indicator of an aging population moving into long term care facilities.
However, the number of persons reporting no full plumbing facilities decreased by nearly half, indicating
an improvement in housing conditions.
More people commuted to work in 1990 than in 1980, and they reported a slightly longer average
driving time. Employment sector information indicates the type of work people do, regardless of the
location. The largest employment sector for Belhaven residents was in durable and non -durable goods
manufacturing. Second highest was retail trade. The largest work sector gains were shown in Health
Services and Education Services. Of the local employers, Pungo district hospital has the largest year-round
work force. Seafood processors fluctuate seasonally, but generally represent the second highest employers
of persons.
Over the past five years, most development has actually been re -development in the downtown
commercial area rather than physical growth. Some new building activity has occurred along the US 264
By-pass, but downtown redevelopment accounts for the most dynamic activity in the area Actual patterns
of growth have not changed Most of the extraterritorial jurisdiction is presently cleared for farming. Ample
land exists in this area to aex:ommodate future growth of all types. Total tax valuation for the Town
increased 15.6% between 1986 and 1991.
Many of the Town's planning tools, have been updated during the CAMA planning period.
Electrical system improvements were carried out in 1987, UDAG grants helped with economic development;
the wastewater treatment facility was brought up to standard; improved housing conditions have occurred
through CDBG grants, the zoning ordinance was -updated in 1989, and a new thoroughfare plan was adopter!
in 1992.
Physical limitations for development in the Belhaven jurisdiction have not changed. The sawdust
pile near the current Cargill site is subject to spontaneous fire hazard and subterranean instability. Bulk
fuel storage operations are modest in size, but represent the possible hazard of leaks or explosions. -The
greatest constraints to development in this area come from nature; the floodprone status of the entire
jurisdiction, and poorly drained muck soils which are largely unsuitable for septic tank placement in the ETJ,
as well as being prone to subsidence, or "shrink -swell,' which poses stability problems for foundations in particular, concrete slabs.
Municipal water and sewer facilities are ample to meet the Town's needs at this time, and could
accommodate nearly 1,000 additional persons at present capacity. Sanitation services may be an emerging
issue with regard to mandated waste reduction through recycling, and with regard to rising costs of solid
waste disposal. School facilities operate at well below capacity. The police protection ratio is 1 officer for
every 227 persons compared to the volunteer fire protection ratio of 1 fire fighter for every 76 persons.
State laws protect environmentally fragile areas in the North Carolina Coastal Region. For Belhaven
and its ETJ, these areas include:
N
'Public Trust' areas These are defined as being all natural bodies of water and
the lands thereunder, up to mean high water mark.
Belhaven'.s public truss -would be all water and riverbed
below the water, west of the breakwater (primarily Pantego
and Broad Creeks). Uses like placement of pylons or
floating homes would be regulated by CAMA in these areas.

"Estuarine Waters, and Shoreline" These are all waters, bays, sounds, rivers, or tributaries lying
between the Atlantic Ocean and State designate! "inland
waters" as well as all of the shoreline which borders those
waters, between mean high water and 75 feet landward.
Belhaven's estuarine areas are the waters of the Pungo
River, its tributaries, and a 75 foot width of shoreline
bordering those waters. Water uses and land uses within
75 .eet of the water would be regulated by CAMA; however,
many uses are allowable along the shoreline if no substantial
adverse impact can be determined.
"Coastal Wetlands" These are any marsh subject to regular or occasional
flooding by tides (including wind tides). Belhaven's coastal
wetlands include the northern banks of Pantego Creek from
the westernmost boundary of the jurisdiction, running east
to around Haslin Street extension; along the Pungo River
on the two peninsulas on either side of Tooley's Creek; and
the estuarine shoreline area at the mouth of Lower Dowry
Creek. Disturbance of wetlands is highly restricted by
CAMA. The only potential uses of these areas would be
utility easements, fishing piers, and docks.
Above and beyond the State's Coastal Area Management
Act (CAMA), the Federal government regulates any "dredge
and fill" activities which occur on wetlands as delineated
by the Army Corps of Engineers through Section 404 of
the Clean Water Act. Any development which disturbs
more than one acre of land must be evaluated by the Corps.
Local governments have the right to impose additional or more stringent protection on fragile areas
in their jurisdictions. Belhaven has not felt additional protection was necessary in past land use plebs, and
the 1992 update follows that philosophy. An assessment of implementation effectiveness for the 1986 policy statements was calculated to be
94%. Most of those policies relied on State, Federal and County agencies to impose and enforce restrictions
on development. Enforcement of local zoning requirements was the primary tool for guiding development
at the local level.
For 1992, the policy statements follow past trends and rely heavily on higher government agencies
to impose required restrictions on development rather than imposing stringent local controls. The only
exception is a proposal to impose a buffer area around potable drinking water well sites. This would be
accomplished_ through ' a zoning amendment. Most of the burden for directing -policy, implementation
according to the plan fails on the Code Enforcement Officer because he handles all development proposals
in the jurisdiction. For storm hazard procedures, the Beaufort County Emergency Management plan would
be followed. -
Because the ETJ soils have limitations for septic tanks, Town policies encourage development inside
the municipal service area However, no development would be discouraged unless it was shown to be toxic
or extremely hazardous. On all required issues, the Town's policies show this pro -development bias. The
h 1992 policy statements also recognize local budgetary limitations and do not present unrealistic
implementation strategies.
A public opinion survey was offered during the update, seeking public input on issues related to
Belhaven's citizens. The results were very interesting, but participation was low. Top priority issues were
drinking water, public safety, storm drainage, recruitment of non water dependent industry, and promotion
of services and facilities for the elderly. Most respondents felt that the land use mix was about right for
Belhaven. but that residential areas needed improvement and left a poor first impression. More retail shops
ii

located near the waterfront was preferred, as well as new, higher skill level industry, located in an hidustrial
park. Cultural and recreational opportunities were said to be not entertaining enough for the population.
Regarding strategies for marketing Belhaven, there was an almost even interest in promoting tourism and
attracting retirees to move to the area. Most respondents felt that State and Federal regulations had helped
them understand some of the problems associated with development in areas near the water. The single
most likeable thing about Belhaven was its people. The least likeable thing was lack of jobs and recreation.
Land classification provides a relationship between the policy statements and the sections of the
jurisdiction- to which they apply. It identifies anticipated future growth and gauges the Town's ability to
accommodate or encourage that growth CAMA guidelines provide seven possible land classifications which
local governments can use to accomplish this task. The Developed Class is urban in character, densely
developed, with public services in place. The 1992 classification scheme was only slightly changed The
former "Transition" classification from the 1986 update was modified to "Urban Transition" because CAMA
guidelines recently broke the old Transition classification into "Urban" or "Limited" Transition. Urban
Transition now represents those areas currently developing and most likely to resemble the Developed Class
within the five year planning period Limited Transition represents areas which area developing, but which
have special limitations which make them unsuitable for dense development. No areas were classified as
Limited Transition. The map was also slightly modified to reflect the annexation along US 264 By-pass.
The Community class applies to traditional "crossroads" development schemes and does not describe any area
in the 1992 update. The Rural class identifies areas suitable for very low density development and used
for agriculture, forestry, mining or other uses which require isolation from population concentrations. As
before, the northernmost portion of the ETJ and a small area south of Pantego Creek has been classified
as Rural. Rural with Services is another recent classification alternative, and it applies to outlying areas
which may be serves by some public services because of potential health problems. This classification was
not used in Belhaven. Finally, the Conservation class indicates areas which need the most protection from
development.. They are the fragile areas mentioned earlier. Only water dependent activities are allowed in
these areas. For the 1992 update, no additional areas were classified as Conservation.
The land use plan provides a valuable opportunity for local governments to systematically review
and assess their present conditions and future needs. In times of scarce financial resources, planning
provides direction for spending tax dollars wisely, based on a collective assessment of need However, even
if the local government does not take advantage of its opportunity, State and Federal agencies will use the
local plan when _someone=applies for a permit in the Town's jurisdiction. Based solely on the adopted and
certified plan, agency personnel will determine a project proposal's consistency with local _.policies: and __land
classifications before issuing arty permit. To protect against unwanted development and to- assure ease of
permitting for allowable development, it -is very important for the plan=to say what local elected officials
intend it to say, on behalf of the citizens they represent.
iii

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Introduction
Land development generally takes place as the result of a series of decisions by private individuals
and government. If left entirety 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, Health and Natural Resources (DEHNR), Division of Coastal Management
Establishment of the Data Base
w
One purpose of the 1992 Land Use Plan is to update information given in the 1986 Plan and to
outline development that has taken place since the completion of that plan The 1986 Plan - and other
updates, including the original 1976 Land Development_ Plan, serve as the primary sources of information
for this effort. Various other sources were used to update and expand the data base.
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;- Health, ----
and Natural Resources, Division of Marine Fisheries, provided data on the fishing industry in the Belhaven
area. Additional statistics were gathered from The 19M19R9 Directory of Manufacturing Firms. The 1990
Fourth Quarter Employment and Wages Report, 1991 Statistical Abstract of North Carolina Counties, and
the Beaufort County School Superintendent The DEHNR 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 Manager, Town Building Inspector, 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 Beaufort County Soil Survey. zoning maps,
building permit records and on -site inspections were used to assess the development that has occurred since
the 1986 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.
a

PRESENT CONDITIONS
Present Population and Economy
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 (Map 1). Belhaven is a Town which was formed
mostly as a port for the nearby logging businesses. Today, it is primarily a farming, fishing and logging
community. It lies on the Intracoastal Waterway, a major north -south route for the shipping industry and
recreational boaters.
The population of the Town has risen and fallen during the past 40 years (Table 1B). The
population was undergoing steady decline until 1970 when the trend reversed itself This coincides with the
change in the economy from 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.industry.
A seasonal population flux does not play a significant role in the public service demands placed on
the Town facilities. Recreational activities like boating and fishing attract an estimated 300 additional
summer residents to the area. This limited number of visitors does not tax the overall adequate provision
of water and sewer services. One event, the annual Fourth of July celebration, attracts several thousand
daily visitors to the Town. Nearly all of these persons are day visitors; they do not place the same demands
on the community facilities as full-time residents. Water and sewer facilities may be taxed during the
day -long event, but this demand lasts for only several hours during the peak of the- festivities.
Tables 1A through 1C reflect population statistics. Belhaven's population age mix is shifting to an
older population. About 35% of all residents are now age 45 and over. The population is composed of
approximately 37.2 percent whites and the median age is 32.6 years compared to 28.9 years in 1980. Persons
per household dropped from 2.86 in 1980 to Z67 in 1990. Median family income increased almost 10001b
between 1979 and 1989. Per capita income increased over 50% during the same period. Even so, poverty
status worsened in Belhaven, especially for female -headed households. Poverty in -the 65 and over age group .
actually impraved between 1980 and 1990, with almost 9% less people in this age group- reporting income
status below the Federal poverty level (see-Table-2).— - - -- -_-- -- —
The economy of Belhaven is mixed, but dominated by manufacturing (Tables 2 and 3). Over
one-half of the work force is engaged in the manufacturing, retail trade or education fields. The health
services industry empkrys nearly 12 percent of the local work force, and has increased more than any other
sector. Pungo District Hospital employs 114 persons locally. Unemployment in Belhaven is 14.4%
compared to the 6.0%v average for Region Q. Nearly 81% of the workforce commutes to work, and the
average travel time to work is about 20 minutes.
Although not apparent from the employment statistics, agricultureis a very important component
of the Belhaven economy. Agriculture, forestry, fishing and mining employ more than four percent of the
total labor force. Agricultural land uses occupy approximately 30 percent of the total land area within the
one mile jurisdictional area The crops most widelygrown. are corn, soybeans and small grains (Cooperative
Extension). Employment in this business typically experiences peaks during the harvest season in late
summer/early fall. Migrant workers from Mexico have been used for both agriculture and crab picking in
recent years.
In addition, Belhaven's economy is heavily dependent on the quality of the water in the surrounding
rivers and creeks. This is because the fishing and seafood business is the major industry in the area (Table
3). One of the four large seafood processing plants, which purchases the majority of their products directly
from local fishermen working on boats, closed in recent years, but one new processor opened a facility near
Battalina Creek. Belhaven's catch is believed to account for a major portion of the commercial catch for
Beaufort County, which raised its state ranking to 5th in 1990 for poundage of seafood landed. and a
2

commercial dockside value of nearly $2.5 million (DMF). The county ranked 6th in the number of
commercial vessel licenses issued. Fishermen from nearby counties truck in their catches, as well. Blue
crabs traditionally account for a large percentage of the commercial catch, but during periods of high salin-
ity, brown shrimp are also brought in and processed in Town.
Recreational fishing and boating are also very popular local industries. Statistics for pleasure vessel
licenses are kept at the county level, and, as with commercial licenses, the County ranks 6th among coastal
counties in pleasure boats also. Belhaven's location along the rivers and Intracoastal Waterway makes it
a convenient boating area as well as ' a port for long distance voyagers. Lodging and supplies such as fuel,
food, beverages, bait and marine gear add a significant boost to the regional economy. Summer residents
are also attracted to the area because of the rivers. Additional dollars are spent at local businesses by these
second home owners. The importance of water quality to the prosperity of the economy is based on the
water -related industries. Tourism and commercial fishing, both dependent upon water quality, are critical
to Belhaven's economic well-being. Privateer has located a manufacturing plant on Highway 264 By -Pass.
Most of the remaining manufacturing firms in Town, not related to water, are involved in textiles
or agricultural support industry. Down East Garment Company currently employs an average of 25 persons.
Cargill employs 5 persons. Many of the industries in Town provide low skilled, low wage jobs. Women are
most frequently employed as crab pickers and sewing machine operators. The hospital is the largest single
employer of skilled/professional labor, maintaining 114 full time employees as of this writing.
.Seasonal variations in employment are a concern for Belhaven residents. Unemployment among
agricultural workers and crab pickers during the winter months is a major problem in the area Economic
development activities have been directed toward diversifying the economy to alleviate this problem.
Summary
Analysis of the demographic and economic conditions reveals that Belhaven supports an economy
and population in Aux. The Town is attempting to redefine its economic make up as uncertainty within
primary resource extraction industries increases. Based on past trends, it is anticipated that the population
will continue to decrease over the next ten years, although the Town hopes to reverse that trend and attract
new residents and businesses. The major industry in Town is still the seafood business, which is highly
dependent upon the chemical composition of the water. Tourism is also important to the regional economy.
Additional growth in the economy and/or population may have an impact on the natural resources of the
area -
3

T !\ IF
LHAVEN i
BEAUF ORT COUNTY
BE HAVEN
V
fill preparation of this map wu Onanood In pan through a gnat provided by the North Carolina '"
Casul Management Program, through funds provided by the Coastal Zone Management Act of
CORPORATE LIMITS \ ,�
(`1 IM as amended, which is administered by the Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource 11
Prepared by Mid-Ewt Commbsim June 19n Management, National Ocenk and Atmospheric Administration. — _ — — EXTRATERRITORIAL JURISDICTION
3a

POPULATION DATA
Table 1A
% Chg.
% Chg.
R°GIONAL
1960
1970
1980
1990
70-80
80-90
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------=---------------------------
BEAUFORT COUNTY
36,014
35,980
40,355
42,283
12.2%
4.8%
Bertie County
24,350
20,528
21,024
20,388
2.4%
-3.0%
Hertford County
22,718
23,529
23,368
22,523
-0.7%
-3.6%
Martin County
27,139
24,730
25,948
25,078
4.9%
-3.4%
Pitt County
69,942
73,900
83,651
107,924
13.2%
29.0%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Region
180,163
178,667
194,346
218,196
8.8%
12.3%
xa=xxxxx=sxxsaxxxxxxxsxaxaxxx=xxxxxxxxxxxxasacxxxxaxasxxxxxxcsxxx=sxxxxxx=sxxxxx=xxxxxa=xxxxa=xxxxxs=xxxxxsxsxxxaxaxxxxa
State
4,556,155
5,082,059
5,881,766
6,628,637
15.7%
12.7%
Table 1B
% Chg.
% Chg.
BEAUFORT COUNTY
=.............................................................................................
1960
1970
1980
1990
70-80
80-90
--------------------------
BELHAVEN
2,386
2,259
2,430
2,269
7.6%
-6.6%
Aurora
449
620
698
654
12.6%
-6.3%
Bath
346
231
207
154
-10.4%
-25.6%
Chocowinity
580
566
644
624
13.8%
-3.1%
Pantego
262
218
185
171
-15.1%
-7.6%
Washington
9,939
8,961
8,418
9,075
-6.1%
7.8%
Washington Pk.
574
517
514
403
-0.6%
-21.6%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unincorp. Area
21,478-
22,608
27,259
28,933
20.6%
6.1%
Total County
36,014!
35,980
40,355
42,283
12.2%
4.8%
Table 1C
1980
1990
1990
AGE STRUCTURE - BELHAVEN
Number
%
Number
%
County %
State %
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------•---------------------------------
1-4 years
214
8.8%
178
7.8%
6.5%
6.9%
.5-19 years
670
27.6%
563 ,
24.8%
22.2%
20.7%
20-24 years
202
8.3%
153
6.7%
5.8%
8.4%
25-44 years
532
21.9%
602
26.5%
29.3%
32.5%
45-64 years
444
18.3%
424
18.7%
21.2%
19.4%
65 and over
368
15.1%
349
15.4%
14.9%
12.1%
Total 2,430 100.0% 2,269 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Source: 1990 Census

r e
HOUSING DATA
BELHAVEN
80-90
County
80-90
Characteristic Comparison
1980
%
1990
%
change
1980
%
1990
%
change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Households
847
100.0%
840
100.0%
,
-0.8%
14,253
100.0%
16,157
100.0%
13.4%
Single -Person Hshlds
239
28.2%
233
• 27.7%
-2.5%
3,051
21.4%
3,915
24.2%
28.3%
Total Housing Units
961
100.0%
980
100.0%
2.0%
17,172
100.0%
19,598
100.0%
14.1%
Singte Family Units
735
86.8%
610
62.2%
-17.0%
12,155
70.8%
13,131
67.0%
8.0%
Vacant Units
107
44.8%
140
14.3%
30.8i
1,539
9.0%
' 3,441
17.6%
123.6%
Renter Occupied
261
27.2%
263
26.8%
0.8%
3,786
22.0%
4,184
•21.3%
10.5%
-----------------------------------------------
Persons Per Hshld
2.86
-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.67
-
-6.6%
2.92
-
2.58
-
-11.6%
Median Unit Value
$21,600
-
$34,100
57.9%
$31,200
-
$52,600
-
68.6%
Median Rent
$79
-
$147
-
86.1%
$101
-
$191
-
89.1%
Source: 1990 Census
w
0

Table 2
1990 CENSUS
SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS
SAMPLE DATA
1980
1990
ACTUAL
PERCENT
BELHAVEN
BELHAVEN
CHANGE
CHANGE
saassssasssssaasaasassassssasuasasaiasaassosasassassssssasassasssa
POPULATION
2,430
2,269
-161
-6.6%
URBAN
2,430
2,269
-161
-6.6%
RURAL
0
0
0
0.0%
ED ATTAINMENT
PERSONS 25 & OVER
1,344
1,384
40
3.0%
49TH GRADE
473
292
-181
-38.3%
9TH TO 12TH
253
343
90
35.6%
HS GRAD
361
438
77
21.3%
SOME COLLEGE
142
156
14
9.9%
ASSOC DEGREE
N/A
66
N/A
N/A
BACH DEGREE
115
63
-52
-45.2%
HIGHER DEGREE
N/A
26
N/A
N/A
% HS GRAD OR MORE
46.0%
54.1%
8.1%
COMMUTE TO WORK
717
768
51
7.1%
TRAVEL TIME(M1NS)
17.4
20.9
3.5
20.1%
CIVILIAN LABOR FORCE
AGE 16+ 1N LF
996
916
-80
-8.0%
# EMPLOYED
889
781
-108
-12.1%
PERCENT UNEMPLOYED
10.7%
14.7%
4.0%
EMPLOYMENT SECTORS
TOTAL EMPLOYED
889
781
-108
-12.1%
AG/FOREST/FISH
6.6%
6.7%
.7.
0.0%
MINING
ABOVE
0.0%
0
N/A
CONSTRUCTION
- 4.6%
5.5%
2
0.9%
MFG.(NON-DURABLE)
18.7%
12.7%
-67
-6.0%
MFG.(DURABLE)
8.8%
11.4%
11
2.6%
TRANSPORTATION
2.8%
3.1%
.1
0.3%
C0IMRNIIC & PUB.UTIL.
- 3.1C_
----3•:5X
.1
0.3%
WHOLESALE TRADE
6.1%
3.2%
.29
-2.9%
RETAIL TRADE
20.9%
19.2%
.36
-1.7%
FINANCE/INS/R.EfT. --
- 3.3%
- - 1,7%-
-16 -
- -1.6X _ __-
BUS. & REPAIR SER.
1.6X
2.3%
4
0.7%
PERSONAL SERVICE
4.5%
2.8%
-18
-1.7%
ENT.& REC. SERV.
ABOVE
0.0%
0
N/A
WEALTH SERVICES
7.1%
11.9%
30
4.8%
ED. SERVICES
6.2%
10.1%
24
3.9%
OTHER PROF. SERV.
2.6%
4.4%
11
1.8%
PUB. ADMIN.
3.1%
1.7%
-15
-1.5%
INCOME
MEDIAN NSHLD
$11,291
S13,513
92,222
19.7%
WN:OTAN FAMILY
$8,836
$17,610
S8,774
99.3%
PER CAPITA
S4,560
56,982
$2,422
53.1%
AVG. INCOME BY TYPE
WAGE & SAL
$11,428
518,332
$6,904
60.4%
SELF-EMP
$21,235
$10,917
(510,318)
-48.6%
FARM:SELF-EMP
$1,492
$5,550
$4,058
272.0%
SOC.SEC.
$3,123
$5,550
$2,427
77.7%
PUB. ASSIST
S1,928
$3,243
S1,315
68.2%
RETIRE
N/A
S40639
S4,639
N/A
POVERTY STATUS (ALL)
33.2%
36.5%
7
3.3%
FEMALE NSHLD
57.5%
59.5%
19
2.0%
65 & OVER
41.0%
32.2%
-48
-8.8%
HOUSING UNITS
961
980
19
2.0%
NO PLUMBING
115
61
-54
-47.0%
PUBLIC N20
939
974
35
3.7%
PUBLIC SEWER
900
947
47
5.2%
3d

Table 3. BELHAVEN INDUSTRIAL AND MANUFACTURING FIRMS
Number
Name Location
Product
ritTgW
Baker Crab Company E. Pantego St.
50-99
Crab Meat/Crabs
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
Table 3A. 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
Hotel/Marina/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
3e

Table 4
RETAIL SALES DATA
Gross Retail (S,000)
Region C
County
Comparison
---------------------------------------------------------------------•--------•---------•----------------
Fiscal, Year
BEAUFORT
Bertie
Hertford
Martin
Pitt
................ .........................................................................................
1980
$223,745
S50,996
S120,747
$103,241
S462,937
1981
$254,858
$54,336
S123,021
$109,607
S516,264
1982
$258,037
S57,818
$133,807
$114,041
$542.045
1983
$249,857
$59,865
$141,145
S116,978
$578,843
1984
$277,511
$61,667
S162,367
$123,998
S694,144
1985
$289,045
$64,487
S166,839
S125,435
$735,826
1986
S314,513
$62,199
- S169,259
S137,241
$831,083
1987
$319,855
S63,184
S166,013
S139,765
$846,171
1988
$348,888
S67,734
S182,622
S146,880
$910,275
1989
$344,279
$66,165
$198,123
$159,204
$990,623
1990
S333,998
$62,792
$204,101
$157,937
S960,024
CHG 1980-1990 49.3% 23.1% 69.0% 53.0% 107.4%
Source: Office of State Ptanning
3f

EXISTING LAND USE
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 toes within the Belhaven planning area.
Land Use Summary
The Belhaven planning area includes the land within the Town limits and the land outside Town
to a distance of approximately one mile (Map 1). The total area encompasses slightly more than eight
square miles, but only about 30 percent of the planning area is within the corporate limits. Within the
planning area, about 20 percent of the land is developed for urban purposes. Most of this developed land
is within the Town limits. The majority of the undeveloped land is in forests, agriculture, wetlands or
surface water.
There has been little change in the layout of the land since the 1986 plan (Map 2). One annexation
action took place 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 (Pungo 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 During the past five years, a Food Lion shopping center
was built on _the by-pass. . Downtown redevelopment has also occurred over the past five years, and probably
accounts for the most dynamic development activity in the area. New retail concerns such as a clothing
store, a gift store, a general merchandise store, a hardware store, a storefront grocery, professional offices,
and a bait and seafood store have all developed during the planning period. These are located in the
downtown business district 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 commer-
cial, 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 .A.new medical center addition is presently under way near the hospital
As mentioned before, 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.
4

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 lands.
However, should these areas be logged or cleared for agricultural use, short-term aesthetic problems might
result unless wise haivestingtreforestation practices are used.
Much of the land within the extraterritorial limit.% 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 the
wetlands as the Town at one time expressed an interest in altering several local wetland areas for develop-
ment. Because of their productivity, the Town should avoid growth at the expense of losing these wetlands.
The establishment of vegetative buffer zones between the wetlands and adjacent development would 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---envirotal-impact ofindustryadjacent'to--the-rivers.--Sites --- in the extraterritorial area should be investigated for industrial development. The wetland areas in Town
should not be eyed for future growth bemuse of the value of these natural ai cm. 0—nuu:u - nny 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 residen-
tial 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.
�i

r
q
r
vo
t The preparation of this map was financed in pen througb a grant provided by the North Carolina
fill
Coastal Management Program, through funds provided by the Coastal 7=c Management Act of
IM as amended, which Is administered by the Office of Ocean and . Coastal Raouroe
n IM1- A Prcpered by Mid -Ent Commission. ]uk_ tooz Management, National Oceanic and Atmospberk Administration.
TOWN OF BELHAVEN
MAP 2
EMSTING LAND USE
ire CORPORATE LIMIR
EXTRATERRITORIAL JURISDICTION
r
RESIDENTIAL
COMMERCIAL
INDUSTRIAL
INSTITUTIONAL
UNDEVELOPED
Recreation
R
Cemetery
5a

CURRENT PLANS, POLICIES AND REGULATIONS
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 1992 policy statements.
Plans
Belhaven 1'ias 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 Belhaven's growth.
Community Development Block Grant Plans - Since 1981, three housing revitalization plans have
been funded, one of which was granted the maximum allowable amount of $150,000. Target areas for these
projects have been in the northern and eastern sections of Town. The Edwards Street Revitalization is
under way at the time of writing this plan, but should be completed in 1992. Revitalization of substandard
housing is an on -going goal, of the Town.
Land Use Plans - Since the passing of the Coastal Area Management Act in 1974, three 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 Fatalities 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 u=tn=t system was bade- in compliance with —
Federal regulations in 1989, but d=ging 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.
Capital Improvements Plan - In 1979, the Mid -East Commission prepared a 20 year list of capital
improvements needed for the Town. As a result of one of the recommended improvements stated in the
plan, the Town revamped its electrical system by installing new transformers, poles and lines in 1987.
Electrical lines were run on the back side of Main Street to bring on a more aesthetically pleasing downtown
section.
Thoroughfare Plan - In March of 1992, the Town adopted an update of its 1987 transportation
thoroughfare plan. The update was prepared by the NC Department of Transportation. -
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
6

services. Nearly 93 percent of all residents are tied into the water system and approximately 95 percent of
the Town's residents are tied into the wastewater treatment system. The 1976 Land Development Plan
discusses the T(mm'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 exten-
sion. Possible extensions to proposed developments or subdivisions arc 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 comprehensive 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 acqui-
sition of open space.
Re la�it tions
The Town of Belhaven enforces several regulations which have an impact on 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 Health. Department 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. - Accordingtoto 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, Other Federal and State regula-
tions enforced in the planning area are outlined in Appendix B.
7

CONSTRARV'IS: LAND SUITABILITY
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.
Physical Limitations for Development Hazards
Wo 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. Buffers 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 firms 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 _ Fastern 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. Hufficane-level
wind and rains would cause a greater hazard to the planning area The United States Army Corps of
Engineers SLASH (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 (Map 3). This means that inunda-
tion 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'.
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
8

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. 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.
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 DEHNR Division of Environmental Manage-
ment 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 eaooessive 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. - - J-- - _ . _
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. About 20 percent of the area's annual precipitation enters the
surficial aquifer. The water table aquifer serves as the reservoir for recharge to the underlying Castle Hayne
system. The site for recharge is generally in an area northwest of Wilmar near the PittBeaufort County
boundary. DEM officials have stated that the groundwater level has reacted 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.--:-- -- - --
Excessive Ground Slope Areas
Excessive slopes are defined as areas where the predominant slope exceeds 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 relies There are no sites which have a slope of 12 percent or more
(Beaufurt County Soil Survey).
9

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 develop-
ment. 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 concernThose 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 AEC's require a CAMA permit. "Minor" development permits (generally projects altering less than 20
acres or involving structures less than 60,000 square feet) are issued by a local permit officer. "Major"
development permits are issued by the Division of Coastal Management. I 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 in Belhaven has been identified as being 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 Map 3 depicts the estuarine system AEC in Belhaven. It should
be noted however, that the AECs have been depicted here for planning purposes only. 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 publies rights for navigation, recreation and a livelihood. Acceptable -uses should be
consistent with the management objectives listed above: The ivCAC 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 and Battalina and Tooley's
Creeks. 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).
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.
10

��:
� :.
• w
*♦
�► 4

The estuarine shoreline is another AEC type found in the planning arcs. 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 NCAC states that, in terms of land use, the estuarine shoreline is the least restrictive of all
AEC. 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 of structures. All building
applications in this 75 foot jurisdictional zone must be submitted to the EHNR 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 to a lesser extent, along the Pungo
River on the two peninsulas surrounding Toolcy's Creek and the estuarine shoreline area along Louver
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 wwetlands ad 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 awasfve nutrients are
absorbed by the marsh plants, thus providing an i cxpcns a 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 EHNR 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 EHNR 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). According to DMF
technicians, Tooley's Creek is a PNA Pantego Creek and its tributaries are secondary nursery areas which
serve as a habitat for more mature juvenile fish species. 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
11

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 recognved for their historical value by the State Department of Cultural
Resources, Division of Archives and History (Table 5). 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. 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 Aquasogoe 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 addition, the Division of Cultural Resources
(DCR) Underwater Archaeology Unit is currently investigating the historical significance of the 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 review by the Underwater Unit of DCR.- The Town acknowledges
that these are an irreplaceable resourcc that should be protected and preserved. However, in the past two
years, the Town has 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 Belhaven's jurisdiction. Should any
be designated, the Town will take all precautions to ensure the safe reproduction of these species.
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 jurisdictional limits (Map 3).
The EHNR 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 eastern-
most 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 polity
statements regarding its protection in the "Resource Production and Management Policies' section of this
plan.
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. According to Dr. Lee Otte, a former East Carolina
University professor, once recognized as an expert on local peat and phosphate deposits, the deposits within
the planning area are not rich enough to justify their being mined 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 -generating
facilities in the planning area are included in the "Resource Production and Management" and "Economic
and Community Development" sections of this plan.
12

TABLE 5
PROPERTIES IDENTIFIED AS HISTORIC
Helen Boyd House
103 Magnolia Street
Belhaven Railroad Depot
Corner 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
12a

CONS : CAPACITY OF CONUMUNNY FACILITIES
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.
Water and Sewer Systems
The Town of Belhaven operates municipal water and wastewater systems for customers within the
Town limits. Nearly all residents are tied into the systems. The water system serves about 93 percent of
the Town and the wastewater treatment facility serves 95 percent of the area's residents. -
The water system is designed for a capacity of 500,000 gallons per day. It consists of two wells.
This system is currently used at about 54 percent of its capacity. For the purposes of this plan, an estimate
of the average- usage rate is measured This is calculated by dividing the total gallons of water used daily
(269,000 gpd) by the number of people living in the area (2,269). Given these values, theoretically, the
current usage rate allocates 119 gallons per day per person Based on this hypothetical usage rate, the
system would support a total population of about 4,200 persons or an additional 1932 -persons. It is
reasonable to assume that any peak load brought on by a population surge could easily be accommodated
with the existing facilities. Combinations of additional residential, commercial and normal industrial growth
are possible without causing any stress on the system, providing that no more than 230,000 gallons per day
of use are added Industry which uses an abnormally high volume of water, such as a mining operation or
chicken processing plant, could create supply problems for the town.
The Town sewer system is operating at around 90 percent of its intended capacity. It is designed
for a capacity of 500,000 gallons per day (gpd) and averages about 450,000, gpd. This averages out to about
198 gallons per person per day. As stated in the 'Plans, Policies and Regulations" section of this plan, the
Town, recently -.completed a - 201 Facilities program which upgraded the system so that effluent . requirements
could be met. Based on current capacity and usage, the Town could add the equivalent of 7253 persons to
the population.
C.+1:.1 <I1nn10 /�i+lloi.tin� �nii Dnlinn �„A Liro Urnfrfi�n
wuu ♦�uuw waav�.uvaa seas a vaaw ua�u a uv . _tecti
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 deposited at the County landfill at Whitepost, near -Bath. All
in -town residents pay for service and customers located on the fringes can be served at a higher fee than
in -town customers. Beaufort County is currently pursuing a regional landfill partnership to -deal .with the
county's solid waste. If completed, the new arrangement will undoubtedly result in tipping fees and higher
costs for this service, whether publicly or privately provided The Town does not anticipate altering its
contractual arrangement for this service. Any reasonable assumption of.growth over the next five years can
easily be accommodated
Police service is provided for all persons located within the planning area. The police force consists
of 10 sworn officers and three squad cars. Twenty-four hour patrolling is limited to in -town locations only.
Belhaven received a "Community Policing" grant in 1992 which initiated a specialized effort to involve
residents of the highest crime area in developing solutions to neighborhood problems. The program has
been well recieved. Police protection has a ratio of about 1 officer to 227 persons, which compares favorably
with the City of Washington's ratio of 1 to 292
The Belhaven Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad is manned by 30 volunteers. Its Fire
District area is bounded by the Walter B. Jones Bridge in Hyde County, Smithton, and the Cuckold's Creek
13

bridge near Pantego. The rescue squad service area extends beyond the Fire District area by several miles.
Agreements with nearby towns are designed to increase the fire fighting manpower in the event of a major
disaster. The Town operates a tanker, three pumpers and an equipment van plus two ambulances.
Both Police and Fire protection are adequate for present and projected needs.
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 64 percent of its
capacity (Table 6). The school's pupilAeacher ratio is somewhat high, reflecting reductions in staffing.
Beaufort County Elementary School in Pantego is operating at only 59 percent of its capacity. The junior
high school is operating at 47 percent of its capacity.
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-6;
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 1992 it is operating at 84 percent of its capacity. The County
School Superintendent's office does. not anticipate significant growth in the demand for public school
facilities over the next five years, according to retiring Superintendent Ethel Matthews. Some private schools
are losing enrollment and the public schools are taldng in their former students, but current facilities should
be able to handle any increase.
Roads
The road system in Town is currently sufficient for any traffic peaks which may occur. Table 7
shows traffic counts for 1991. 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 Thnsportation Transportation Improvements Program 1990-1996. 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 between 1995 and 1996, with
actual completion date not specified. At the time of this writing, suggestions for alternatives to simple
improvement of the existing route are under consideration and could result in a re-routing of primary route
264 (See Figure 1). The Town is strongly opposed to any northern by-pass of the jurisdiction. All southern
alternatives are attractive, and the Town has endorsed Alternative 3B in public hearings.
Belhaven also recently updated its Thoroughfare Plan to improve city streets and to xre-align some
angular intersections.
Medical Facilities _
The Town has a full service 49 bed hospital equipped with emergency room facilities. Pungo District
Hospital is served by four doctors and two dentists with local medical practices, as well as being equipped
with a full regulation emergency heliport. In 1992, the hospital acquired a new transport ambulance. There
are currently plans for a new medical center addition. Other medical specialists serve the Town on a regular
basis, and there are three pharmacies.
14

Table 6
BELHAVEN
AREA PUBLIC
SCHOOLS
i
Pupil/
1992
Percent
Teacher
School
Capacitv
Grades
Enrollment
Utilized
Teachers
Ratio
Belhaven Elementary
525
K-5
335
64
17
1:20
N
Beaufort Co. Elementary
350
K-6
208
59
11
1:19
Belhaven Junior High
475
6-8
225
47
11
1:20
Northside High School
750
9-12
633
84
32
1:20
Source: Beaufort County
School Superintendent,
1992.

i
FIGURE 1
D I s K- A Lim
-\
Imp
Ck
UK
Ck
rr
w au c - w
s w END OF PROJECT
3Awa ALTERNATIVE 1, 2, & 3
•y , naa � aw `' � ur me
w s w A x P . �•..3D
' a �1 1/ a� , A r =CaIINAY9a.I f f JLl
f ,aa
PROJECT "
, ' ,re f, uunrYj 3B ---
h. � ,,ate an' �-- . 3C
WASH LIMITS ' „ " m ,� 25unr , � . rrnrunnuuunr,��sit
rr' .._
�'"
" . •Vi--ws 7nf ma 3C ' * P
nr au, ya wii ur urwnumr n•rnr�u
on+.
o r>a
. J
� fir a 06Me
Ia1l l.Y '�, Ji1a lLl • Afd u w
ll>! J , ,Y ♦ Y LL pY - / w.�.� LY lid 9Y/
Q 11fA na! { ! A C f i 0 N 1
' 11LL . ,rLl ' _ lla �• r11 , • M A M I a?a Winr.1AY
� w
]LEGEND
SEGMENT 1 FROM NC 32 TO SR 1343
1A
- 18 NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF
SEGMENT 2 SR 1343 TO SR 1609 TRANSPORTATION
R s�oftTIONiwAYs
2A PLANNWG AND ENVIRONMENTAL
213 BRANCH
SEGMENT 3 SR 1609 TO PROJECT END US 254 FROM NC 32 TO NC"AT BELHAVEN
3A i (22.6 MILES) WIDEN EXISTING ROADWAY
3B TO MULTI -LANE FACILITY
BEAUFORT COUNTY, T. I. P. NO. R-2601
3C STATE PROJECT NO. &1150601
3D 0 MLES _ 2
I I FIG.

Table 7
AVERAGE DAILY TRAFFIC (ADT)
1988-91 88-91
Location 1988 1989 1990 1991 Change % Chg.
----------------=-------------------------------------------------------------------
HC 99 just S. of US 264 4,000 4,300 4,100 4,300 300 .7.5%
US 264 Bypass 5,000 5,100 5,500 6,100 1,100 22.0%
US 264/WC 99 W. near Harbinger 4,700 5,000 4,700 4,400 (300) -6.4%
US 264 Bus. E. near Mill St. 4,200 6,100 6,300 7,100 2,900 69.0%
US 264 Bus. H. at Town Limit 1,200 1,200 1,200 1,200 0 0.0%
D�
o
!`fY1 UJ
r `
J_ w•` 7N
BELHAVEN
POP.:.470
1991 ADT
i
`..
C,
GO
F-'
Ab
n

ESTIMATED DEMAND
Population and Economy
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 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 ties 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 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.
Summary
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, sewer, school
and road systems could adequately accommodate such anticipated growth. ----
15

1986 POLICY ASSESSMENT.
In the 1986 plan update, the Town adopted policy objectives in the areas of Resource Protection,
Resource Production and Management, Economic and Community Development, Storm Hazard mitigation,
and Public Participation. By evaluating the effectiveness of implementation actions over the past five years,
the Town can better determine which policies have achieved the Town's goals and which ones need to be
modified or re -prioritized in order to serve Belhaven's development objectives over the next five years. The
assessment has been simply based on a review of stated policies in the 1986 plan and the Planning Board's
and Code Enforcement Officer's responses as to whether or not the Town has, in fact, implemented those
policies over time. A total of 69 policy choices where enumerated in the five major categories of issues.
Only 62 were deemed to be applicable over the planning period. In arriving at an overall grade, we have
simply awarded one point for all that have been carried out, regardless of the implementation strategy
actually used. The Town's 1986 policy implementation grade is 94%.
RESOURCE PROTECTION
DEVELOPMENT IN AREAS WITH CONSTRAINTS
Policy Choices and Implementation Strategies _ -
Belhaven adopted the following policies regarding development in areas with constraints:
+ 1. The Town will continue to participate in the Federal Flood Insurance Program and promote
enforcement through the Town Building Inspection Program. All proposed development must abide by the
regulations set forth in the Flood Prevention Ordinance.
+ 2 The Town decided to continue to support the decisions of the County Health Department on
septic tank placement. Belhaven will continue to support the County Building Regulations which regulate
where construction can occur based on soil characteristics.
+ 3. The Town will work with potential developers in deciding the optimal sites for construction.
Belhaven will utilize the Beaufort County Soil Survey in deciding the best sites for development in the
Town. The zoning ordinance will also regulate the location of all land uses within the one mile planning
area. — :=
The reviewers fed that the Town Las vtoroudy enkxwd the Flood Regulations. The Town- is sensitiive
to septic tank required and has sppoatod County restrictions. Development has been soyw overall, but
to the eadcat feasible, the Town has workod with dcvdopeta -_
AEC DEVELOPMENT
Policy Choices
+ 1. The Town of Belhaven decided to continue to utilize the current system along with Federal and
State permit and review processes, i.e. CAMA and Dredge and Fill.
+ 2 Belhaven will continue to conform with state guidelines for allowable uses in AECs and will
list these as appropriate uses in the zoning ordinance.
+ 3. The Town will allow development in the AECs provided that the development does not violate
natural barriers. for erosion, significantly interfere with the public's use of navigable waters, or have a
substantial chance of causing pollution to the AEC as determined by the NRCD Division of Environmental
Management.
Implementation Strategies
1. Current State and Federal permit and review processes will be employed to determine viable
development types in AECs.
2 The land classification system will restrict development within each class.
3. Development will be controlled by the Town's zoning ordinance.
16

These policy statements w= general and permissive, and to the extent that they are applicable, they bavc
been implemented.
OTHER FRAGILE AREAS AND AECS
Policy Choices
+ 1. If an archaeological site is identified, a thorough investigation must be conducted by N.C.
Department of Cultural Resources before any building permit is granted.
+ 2 Encourage preservation of historic sites.
+ 3. Utilizing the Division of Coastal Management, protect all nursery areas to the extent that it
does not interfere with acceptable methods of development outlined under the Town's land classification
and zoning regulations.
4. Review existing subdivision regulations to ensure regulations offer sufficient protection to
historic and archaeological resources.
Implementation Strategy
1. Work with building permits officer to require thorough investigation of site before permit is
granted.
2 Support of the Historic Preservation Committee and Downtown Redevelopment Commission
if established.
The revieum s fuel that the Town has complied with most of these policies when applicable. The Town has
not updated its subdivision regulations.
HURRICANE AND FLOOD EVACUATION NEEDS
+ Belhaven relies on the County Emergency Management plan for evacuation needs.
This policy has not aaw ly been tested during the update peruxt howa =, the Town world have followed
county guidance in the event of cvxuadon.
PROTECTION OF POTABLE WATER
Policy Choices -
+ 1. Support state efforts to manage groundwater withdrawals in the Capacity Use. Area.
+ 2 Encourage Mayor and Town Manager to keep informed about the availability and quality of .
water from the Yorktown formation.
n/a 3. Discourage development of a pipeline or other system which exports water from the Belhaven
area thereby endangering the limited available supply for all of Beaufort County.
Implementation Strategies
1.. Continue to support Division of Environmental Management Groundwater Section efforts to
protect water in Capacity Use Area.
These . policies are general in nature and have been f Aoaed over the past five years, with the exception of
the pipeline reference, which has not been applicable in this area.
USE OF SEPTIC TANKS
Policy Choices
1. Work on a long-range plan to extend sewer lines to all developed areas within the one -mile
jurisdictional limit.
2 Where use of septic tanks is unavoidable, town supports implementation of techniques to
improve the efficiency of septic tanks, such as mound and waterless systems or other innovative technologies
which gain approval of state and county environmental and public health authorities.
+ 3. As a minimum, any septic tank installation application must meet State and .County regulations.
+ 4. Encourage that everyone in "developed" zones hook up to town's wastewater treatment facility,
providing that it is capable of handling the additions.
17

+ S. Improve the capacity and efficiency of the Town sewage treatment plant.
Implementation Strategies
1. Enforcement will remain the responsibility of the County Health Department, which grants
permits for septic tanks, and the Building Inspector.
2 Continue to work with Division of Environmental Management to improve wastewater treatment
facility.
3. Apply for any new sources of funding for wastewater treatment system improvement which may
become available.
There has been no systematic activity on policies 1 or Z, but all of the remaining policies have been
folkmcd.
STORM WATER RUNOFF
Policy Choices
+ 1. Encourage the use of permeable surface materials and development and maintenance of riparian
vegetation throughout the planning area
+ 2 Development adjacent to AEC mutt be designed so that runoff will not violate water quality
standards.
+ 3. Implement street cleaning system to improve the appearance of Town and to try to limit the
amount of pollutants which can enter surface waters.
Implementation Strategies
1. Continue to employ efforts of CAMA-permitting system and Corps of Engineers 404 permitting
in determining development types which do not violate water quality.
2 Work with property owners to encourage utilization of permeable paving materials for parking
lots and other facilities which require large amounts of paving.
3. Development in Conservation zone will be reviewed on a case -by -case basis by the Planning
_ Board.
4. Regulate land uses within estuarine shoreline AEC and "Conservation' land classification (for
description of land uses, see definition of 'Conservation" in Land Classification tern section of this plan).
The mviewers report that all of these policies have bem meted.
MARINA AND FLOATING HOME DEVELOPMENT
Policy Choices
+ 1.. Allow marinas and floating homes, but encourage their location, design and size to prevent
violation of water quality standards and the integrity of coastal wetlands as determined by Division of
Environmental Management officials.
Implementation Strategies
1. Continue working with CAMA permitting system in regulating siting of marinas.
2 The Planning Board will examine each marina development request on a case -by -case basis.
3. Work toward a revision of the zoning ordinance reflecting this policy statement.
No new marina has located in the jurisdiction; boweYer, the polity is still valid and the strategies would be
implemented as written. A zoning update was completed in 1989
INDUSTRIAL IMPACTS AROUND FRAGILE AREAS
Policy Choices
n/a 1. Industrial growth will be encouraged in lands currently zoned for industry. The Town will
encourage water -dependent uses to locate at the waterfront, at the same time encouraging uses not
water -oriented to, locate in industrial zones away from the waterfront area If no alternative location is
available, development may be permitted in fragile areas, pending case -by -case approval by the Zoning Board
of Adjustments.
18

Implementation Strategies
1. Continued support of CAMA and 404 permitting systems, Building Inspector and Town Building
Requirements.
2 Town will consider expanding/reclassifying industrial areas.
3. The Town will consider permitting the use of package treatment plants on a case -by -case after
consultation with county health officials and state environmental officials.
4. Revise the zoning ordinance so that Planning Board review and comment is required before
special permits for industrial uses are issued
This policy has not been tested ova the past five yeatL
RESOURCE PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT
PRODUCTIVE AGRICULTURAL LAND
Policy Choices
Y i. VWII W►LL lint MKO G7[Ua piecauUUlks to preserve these lands.
+ 2 Encourage owners of these tracts and other areas under cultivation to implement Best
Management Practices with technical assistance from the Soil Conservation Service and encourage them to
participate in the Agricultural Cost Share Program
Implementation Strategies
1. Continue to work with the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service, Soil
Conservation Service, and Beaufort County Soil and Water Conservation District in getting farmers to
adopt BMPs. Financial assistance is available through the Agricultural Cost Share Program Legislative
action by the General Assembly in the Summer 1986 session made projects in all coastal counties eligible
for funding. Under the program, 75% of the average cost of projects designed to reduce the input of
agricultural nonpoint sources can be funded. In -kind support from the farmer can be used to provide the
25% remainder. Cost -shared practices include cropland conversion to grass, diversions, tree planting, and
water and grade control structures. Cost -share incentive payments are available for land application of
animal wastes, conservation tillage, sod -based rotations, and strip cropping.
Tbcse policies are and they have been followed. - -
- .------------EXISTTNG AND POTENTIAL MINERAL PRODUCTION AREAS- --------- -- ----
Policy Choices
n/a 1. Town discourages any type of open -pit mining within the one -mile jurisdictional limit of Town.
Any mining activities proposed must apply for a special use permit which will be granted on a rase -by -case
basis.
n/a 2 Discourage extraction of peat within the one -mile jurisdictional limit.
n/a 3. Town will not be responsible for provision of services to any proposed mining activities which
take place within its one ' mile limit. - -
. Implementation Strategies
1. Continued review process of applications for special use permits to Planning Board.
This a another issue which has not been tested oyez the past five years.
COMMERCIAL AND RECREATIONAL FISHERIES
Policy Choices
+ 1. Town will protect the commercial and recreational fisheries areas within the Town's jurisdiction
provided that the protection measures do not interfere with the development adjacent to the public waters.
Implementation Strategies
1. The CAMA and 404 permitting system, as well as the Town's subdivision ordinance will provide
sufficient enforcement for this policy.
19

2. The County Health Department, largely responsible for the safe placement of septic tanks, will
be responsible for minimizing the likelihood of contamination of fishing waters from the effluent of septic
systems in unsuitable soils.
3. Classify areas within 75 feet of the mean high water level of estuarine waters as Conservation
The reviewers fuel that the town has actually been more protective than this policy implied, because they
have supported all of the strategy listings, and these often interfere with development adjacent to public
waters
OFF -ROAD VEHICLES
Since this was not applicable to the planning area, no policy was formed
IMPACTS OF DEVELOPMENT TYPES ON RESOURCES
Policy Choice
+ 1. The Town is pro -development as long as the development is not environmentally degrading,
meets the approval of the federal and state authorities, and is consistent with the aforementioned policies.
This policy has been czemplifiod by the town over the past five years.
ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
LOCATION AND TYPES OF INDUSTRIES DESIRED
Policy Choices
+ 1. Encourage industry types which take advantage of natural resource base and eadsting labor
supply.
+ 2. Encourage low -pollution, light manufacturing types which are compatible with resource
protection, production and management goals and policies.
+ 3. Encourage low waste load industries to prevent contributing to wastewater treatment problems.
+ 4. Encourage seafood -related industries providing they are consistent with resource protection goals
of the Town. -
+ 5. Encourage industry which employs low -skilled workers, particularly woman Assembly -type
manufacturing and a garment factory would be well suited for this purpose.:.-
+ 6. Industrial sites will be limited to areas zoned for manufacturing along Highway 264 and the
waterfront of Town.
Implementation Strategies
1. Town will establish more active contact with states industrial development representative for
the region.
2. Zoning ordinance, CAMA and 404 permitting systems will regulate the development of industry
within specific areas.
The mvwwets feel that these policies have been Mwxd.
COMMITMENT TO PROVIDING SERVICES
Policy Choices
+ 1. First priority in delivery of services is to areas classified as 'Developed" on land classification
map. Second priority is to Transition" areas.
+ 2. Residential customers will be served first.
+ 3. Industrial uses will be ammined on a case -by -case basis by the Town Board.
+ 4. Service delivery will be as per the Utilities Ordinance.
These policies have bees implemented as stated
20

DESIRED URBAN GROWTH PATTERNS
Policy Choices
+ 1. Urban patterns will be limited by the zoning ordinance.
Implementation Strategies
1. Urban growth patterns and densities will be limited by the subdivision ordinance, the County
Health Department and the zoning ordinance.
This policy has been follovred.
REDEVELOPMENT OF DEVELOPED AREAS
Policy Choices
+ 1. Continued support of downtown beautification efforts and Historic Preservation Committee.
Town will work to help secure funds for. historic redevelopment projects.
n/a 2. In the event of destruction by a storm, redevelopment will occur in accordance with the zoning
ordinance. If money is available, the Town will consider purchasing appropriate areas, particularly waterfront
parcels, for open space.
+ 13. The Town supports the application of funds for redevelopment of substandard housing within
the town limits.
Implementation Strategies_
1. The Town will coordinate with private individuals and organizations to secure financial support
for downtown beautification efforts.
2. Town will consider the feasibility of applying for a Small Cities Community Development Block
Grant to rehabilitate substandard housing in town limits.
The town has encouraged downtown bastion efforts and a currently vY dmg on a C DBG revitalization
ganL There have been no da wuWwe atand no money has been secured for purdwe of open space.
COMMITMENT TO STATE AND FEDERAL PROGRAMS
+ 1. The Town of Belhaven is receptive to State and Federal Programs which provide improvements—
to the Town. Belhaven will continue to fully support such programs that provide necessary resources to
_ meet identified community needs that compliment the economic and community development goals of the
Town. Of particular significance is the N.G Department of Transportation Road and Bridge Improvements
program. The Town will support these programs and will honor financial assistance requests when
financially able and when the proposed project is in compliance with the Town's goals for economic
development.
+ 2. The Erosion Control program, carried out by the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation
Service and the Soil Conservation Service, is especially important to the farming community in the planning
area The Town supports the efforts of these agencies, including the implementation of Best Management
Practices to mitigate soil loss through erosion. Funding is now available through the states Agricultural
Cost Share Program for projects which will reduce agricultural runof The Town will work with District
Soil and Water Conservation officials to encourage farmers to .apply for the 75% funding of conservation
projects. In addition, the Town has established a policy to encourage the use of a vegetative buffer between
all development and surface water bodies to reduce the sediment load from entering the riverine system (See
Resource Protection policy statements). The Town also supports the use of pervious surface materials in
construction within the planning area Pervious surface materials provide a method of natural percolation
of pollutants into the soils.
+ 3. The military has historically been an important asset to the economy and quality of life in
eastern North Carolina. There has been continued debate over the expansion of the Military Operating
Airspace (MOA) over Eastern North Carolina Belhaven is strongly opposed to the expansion of the MOA
because of the restrictions it would impose on the local air traffic community. Noise levels were an addi-
21

tional concern in the. opposition of the airspace expansion. If the military decides that Belhaven is a good
placefor the location of a small ramp or headquarters, the Town would like to restrict their activities to ,
the less developed lands of the planning area. Belhaven opposes any military activities from locating in the
"developed" and or "transition" areas of the planning. area
The mvwwcm feel the town has adequately Pursued these Pohcks.
CHANNEL MAINTENANCE AND WATERFRONT IMPROVEMENTS
Policy Choices and Implementation Strategies
+ 1. The Town will support navigational improvements proposed by other agencies and request
improvements as necessary from appropriate officials.
+ 2. The Town will request assistance from federal and state agencies to rectify navigational and
environmental problems at the waterfront.
These policies have been recently implemented through the reamal of submerged prilons along the
waterfront to improve navigation.
ENERGY FACILITY SITING AND DEVELOPMENT
n/a 1. After careful examination, the Town feels that the development of large-scale energy generating
facilities should be discouraged within the one mile jurisdictional area Energy generating facilities will not
be permitted to any site within the planning area In order to remain consistent, the zoning ordinance will
be amended to support this change in philosophy.
This policy has not been tested.
TOURISM AND BEACH/WATER ACCESS
Policy Choices i
+ 1. The Town will encourage acquisition of undmelopable waterfront properties for public access
sites.
+ 2. Development of a program for 'donations" of waterfront property for public use.
+ 3. Continued support for historic preservation, Belhaven museum, the Historic Albemarle Tour,
downtown revitalization efforts and other methods to increase tourism
The reviewers feel that these policies have barn followed, throuo not m a formal way.
TYPES. DENSITIES AND LOCATION OF ANTICIPATED DEVELOPMENT
Policy Choices
1. Continue to enforce the subdivision ordinance with minimum lot size of 20,000 square feet for
lots without public water and sewer.
+ 2. Continue with efforts to upgrade the sewage treatment plant to accommodate additional
customers. -
+ 3. Ensure that future growth is consistent with the above policies in Resource Protection,
Resource Production and Management. Also, the growth must be consistent with the zoning ordinance
and additional goals of the community.
The minimum lot size for lots not served with public water and semx would be determined by the Health
Department; otherwise, these policies have been followed
STORM HAZARD MMGATION AND POST -DISASTER RECONSTRUCTION
POLICIES
Policy Choices
+ 1. Support Beaufort County Storm Hazard Mitigation and Post Disaster Reconstruction Policies.
+ 2. Town will encourage redevelopment of destroyed structures provided they confrom to . applicable
FON

codes.
+ 3. If destroyed, the Town will if possible, elevate public facilities structures to a safe level in
accordance with the Flood Prevention Ordinance.
+ 4. Consider developing Recovery Task force for Town.
+ 5. Increase public awareness and preparedness.
Implementation Strategies
1. Stay abreast of changes in Beaufort County Storm Hazard Mitigation plan.
2 Follow guidelines of the building codes, zoning and flood prevention ordinances for
reconstruction after the storm.
3. Due to the lack of available land, the Town public facilities will be rebuilt at same pre -storm
location, but elevated to a level according to the specifications of the flood prevention ordinance.
Consideration will be given to flood proofing facilities (specifically, the waste treatment plant) for which
elevation is not feasible.
4. Recovery Task Force members will include:
Mayor of Belhaven
Town Manager
Planning Board Members
Rescue and Fire Squad Volunteers
Medical Board
Building Inspector
5. Educate Town employees and public about evacuation procedures about their responsibilities
in storm situation.
Fortunately, these policies have. not been tested, but the rcvimm i�i that these are the steps which would
have been >iollowod.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Several techniques were employed to encourage involvement of Belhaven area residents in the land
use plan's policies. Planning officials agree that there was considerable input from local residents throughout
the process and that such input is well reflected in the final plan.
+ 1. A citizen participation plan was developed. At the first meeting, the Planning Board decided
to schedule regular monthly meetings every third Wednesday from November until the plan -was completed.
It was decided that all Planning Board meetings concerning the CAMA Land Use Plan --update -should .-be
made public Citizen input was to be strongly encouraged.
+ 2 Initially, emphasis would be placed on public education about the land use planning process.
It was felt that once the public understood the importance of the plan, the public would feel a strong desire
to be involved in its formation. Efforts were made to inform the public about the existence of the plan and
the importance -of their contribution on policy recommendations through news articles in local papers and
by direct communication with Belhaven residents by the Planning Board members.
+ 3. In addition to the public education efforts, press releases were sent to the local newspapers
prior to each meeting. Included in the press release was a description of the land use plan and. its purpose
as well as the agenda items. Upon completion of meeting, another news article was sent out which des-
crrbed the meeting's events. Additional articles appeared monthly the day following the Planning Board
meeting.
+ 4. Letters were mailed to various civic and industry leaders in the community (Appendix D).
Special attention was given to soliciting names from a wide cross-section of individuals. Economic, social,
ethnic and cultural view points were considered in developing the list. The intent of the letter was to
educate the individuals about the plan and to invite them to attend the public meetings. This proved to
be effective, as citizen attendance increased markedly at subsequent meetings.
+ 5. Members of the Belhaven Town Board were strongly encouraged to attend the meetings to keep
the Board abreast of progress on the plan. At least one Town Board member was present at every meeting
and workshop. The Town Manager also gave Land Use Plan Update progress reports at Belhaven Town
23

Board meetings.
+ 6. Draft sections of the plan were also made available for public review. A current draft of the
plan was kept in the Town Hall and the public was encouraged to make written comments on it.
+ 7. In the future, citizen input will continue to be solicited, primarily through the Planning Board.
All upcoming meetings will be advertised and adequately publicized to help keep citizens informed about
the land use changes occurring in their community.
Tbese are more a description of events rdWing to the last update rather than a selaxion of policies. Item
7 has been Wowed over the past five years
24

ISSUES AND POUCY STATEMENTS
The formulation of specific policy statements regarding growth and growth management objectives
is probably the most important contribution of this land use plan update. The evaluation of the present
population conditions, the condition of the land and water resources in the Belhaven planning area, and
the existing methods of policy enforcement sometimes suggests the need to modify policy to
accommodate changes in local conditions.
The Coastal Resources Commission requires that policies be addressed in five categories:
Resource Protection
Resource Production and Management
Economic and Community Development
Storm Hazard Mitigation
Citizen Participation
Each policy category is intended to cover all issues associated with growth for the Town in the
coming year;. The guidelines were prepared to accommodate a wide range of conditions found in
communities in coastal North Carolina Because of this, not all issues addressed by the guidelines are
directly applicable to Belhaven
The policy statements for 1992-2002 are the results of recommendations, local input, and the
Planning Board's experience in the Town's jurisdictional needs. These statements define, the problem
or opportunity, possible alternatives for action, the selected alternatives, and the means to implement
those alternatives. Some of the issues are of great importance. Others are only vaguely applicable at
this time.
There are three basic approaches which may be taken for resource issues: Preservation,
Conservation, and Unregulated. For Resource issues, the Town -will choose one of these approaches.
A Preservation approach attempts to prohibit use altogether in order to save the resource in its
natural state for future generations to enjoy. This approach requires adoption and strict enforcement
of protective laws. An example might be prolu'biting development in a known habitat for endangered
species. If applied to private property, such restrictiveness is subject to legal challenge as a "taking' of
property rights; however, the courts have ruled favorably in cases where public purposes were well
defined. Other preservation strategies might involve public acquisition of property or negotiated
easements for public use.
- A Conservation approach attempts to use resources sparingly in order to prolong Heir usefulness
- over a - long period of time. This -approach uses regulations, restrictions,- and incentives to control - the
rate or the way in which a resource is used. In a sense, it controls the supply regardless of the demand.
Economic pressures are a fact of life for all communities and for the citizens therein. A realistic
assessment of the existing resources and the rate at which the locality can afford to lose them will guide
strategy choices in this type approach.
An unregulated approach attempts to use resources in an uninhibited way in direct response to
demand. It has a relatively short-term focus and relies on the availability or development of substitutes
when the resource is depleted. This approach thrives in the absence of regulation or enforcement, and
may be desireable where resources are overabundant or substitutes are readily available. .
Any of these approaches is an alternative open to Belhaven as it explores policy options.
For polity categories other than resource -oriented issues, these approaches may not be appropriate.
In those cases, the policy statements have been written to convey general attitudes on a given issue._
25

L.
0
1992 POLICY STATEMENTS
1. RESOURCE PROTECTION
The Town of Belhaven is rids in natural resources. The jurisdiction contains over 650 acres of
wetlands and about 1,200 acres of open.water, providing economic and recreational opportunities for
man and habitat areas for many species of birds, fish, and other animals.
a. Constraints to Development.
(1) Soil limitations are found primarily in floodprone areas, and in areas
outside the Town Limits where municipal water and sewer service is not
available. . Septic tank suitability is generally a problem since the entire
planning area is located in a high hazard flood zone. The Town is subject
to a local Flood Ordinance which divides the town into two districts based
on elevations. It requires all development to be situated at least eight or
nine feet above sea level, depending on the location in Town, in order to
qualify for flood insurance and to meet the Building Code requirements.
This requires new development to be located on pilings or on fill material
that- has been piled to elevations above eight feet. The organic soils in the
region also present occasional subsidence problems for foundations.
(2) The options are preservation, conservation, and unregulated Prohibiting
development entirely is dearly not a reasonable option; however, health and
property risks make an unregulated approach an unacceptable choice also.
(3) The approach shall be consery ibom The policy shall be to support and
strictly enfarae Federal, State; and kxal regulations gowning septic tank
bsbilatim or other waste treatment alternatives and building requiremmts
is Iloodprone areas.
(4) The policy shall be implemented through enforcement of local regulations
by the local Code Enforcement Of dal.
b. Local Resource Development Issues Relative to Areas of Environmental Concern
(AEa)•
(1) Belhaven's natural AECs are located along rivers and estuarine shorelines,
including wetlands areas. The one registered historic -site is in the
downtown area. The commercial fishing industry is very important to
Belhaven's economy since the Town is one of North Carolina's top crab
producers. The vitality of this industry is closely tied to water quality in
the estuary. Logical resource development activities in these areas may
involve residential development, marinas, other commercial endeavors,
industrial or agricultural discharge, and sedimentation and erosion control
associated with all types of development. There are no Outstanding
Resource Waters within the Belhaven jurisdiction
(2) Options are preservation, conservation, and unregulated
26

(3) The approach shall be conservation. The Town recogaim that ltoodplains
and wetlands possess the values of groundwater recharge and discharge,
floodwater alteration, nutrient and waste retention and transformation,
habitat protection, and recreation enhancement; and that these values make
floodp1bins and w-r...s wc."Iby of protection for ecoti±�csl and economic
reasons. At the same time, the Town would have to stop all development
in order to fully protect these areas in the jurisdiction. The policy shall be
to support current Federal, State, and local restrictions with regard to
development in areas of environmental concern.
(4) Implementation shall occur through the Code Enforcement Official's review
of development proposals for consistency with existing regulations.
C. Other Hazardous or Fragile Land Areas.
(1) The Belhaven planning area has freshwater swamps and marshes, 404
wetlands, groundwater supply areas, historic resources, and man-made
hazards to consider with regard to allowable land use in hazardous or fragile
areas. There are no maritime forests, outstanding resource waters,
commercial shellfishing waters or pocosins in the jurisdiction.
(2) Options include Preservation, Conservation, and Unregulated. Since the
listing above contains different types of sensitivity, the policy options for
each may vary.
(3) The general approach lnv all fragile or hazardous area policies is
conservadom The policy for swamps, marshes, and Oat wetlands shall be
to sggW State and Federal development restrictions in these areas.
Manmade Ihsrar I one currently reeogalmd in the local zoning ordinance
related to industrial uses. The policy shall be Conservation. water supply
. - . area are aarcully adequate from the standpoint of quantity, quality, and
land use impacts shoe the supply is derived from groundwater. Tbz land
use poliq shall be to protect area which impact water supply.
(4) Implementation shall occur through enforcement of the local zoning
ordinance. The Town will modify the zoning requirements in the well field.
area to include a buffer around well sites.
d Hurricane and Flood Evacuation Needs
(1) This topic is covered in greater detail in Chapter V. The entire area within
the Town's jurisdiction is very low-lying, as evidenced by the 100-year Flood
zone shown on Map 3, Constraints to Development.
(2) Options include preparation of an evacuation plan specific to the Belhaven
jurisdiction; adoption of the evacuation plan described in the Beaufort
County Land Use Plan; or making decisions on evacuation issues when and
if the occasion arises.
(3) Hurricane and flood evaWatioa needs Will adhere to procedures described
in the Beaufort CountyEmergency Management Plan or other plans as may
be adopted by the Town Cotrnl
27

e. Means of Protecting Potable Water Supply
(1)
A safe and adequate supply of drinking water is important to Belhaven,
but this issue is not in jeopardy at this time. The groundwater supply is
adequate in quality and quantity for the present and any anticipated growth
during the planning period.
(2)
The options with regard to land use impacts are preservation, conservation,
and unregulated. A preservation approach would disallow all development
within a specified radius of public water recharge areas. This approach
might require public purchase of those lands, and is probably not feasible
for the Town in terms of both cost and benefit. An unregulated approach
would allow any and all development according to market demand regardless
of its impact on groundwater supply. Obviously, this approach is
unacceptable. A conservation approach can restrict development within
a specified radius so as to limit negative impacts on water supply.
(3)
The approach shalt be conservation. The policy shall be to protect potable
water supplies.from negative land use impacts.
(4)
Implementation could occur through modification of the zoning ordinance
to include a buffer requirement around well sites.
f. Use of Package Treatment Plants for Sewage Disposal
(1)
No individual systems other than septic tanks are currently operating within
the Town's jurisdiction. Any dense residential development or large industry
outside the municipal service area would probably be required to consider
some package alternative. Package treatment fatalities presents certain
issues of concern for local government: local water quality (where is the
- - . •
system discharging) and ongoing finance and upkeep of the system (who
pays to keep it properly operating after the sale of land).
(2)
Options with regard to package treatment plants are limited to policies
equal to or more restrictive than those imposed by the State since the
Division of Environmental Management, Water Quality section would be
the permit issuer for such facilities.
(3)
The Town's policy on any future proposals shall be to discourage the use
of package treatment plants in favor of cleating municipal service to the
area of need as long as excess capacity cdsts in fa2itks.
(4) This policy shall be implemented through a requirement for developers to
tap onto the municipal wastewater system unless the developer can show
that such a requirement is significantly more costly to property owners than
a package plant adequate to meet the need.
g. Stormwater Runoff and Its Impact on Coastal Wetlands, Surface Waters, or other
Fragile Areas.
(1) Stormwater runoff is offensive to fragile areas because it is likely to contain
toxic oil, grease, rubber, and other petroleum products washed from road
surfaces during rainstorms, as well as pesticides and fertilizers from yards
28

or agricultural uses, and eroded soils which contribute to turbidity,
interrupting plant growth in shallow waters. Stormwater runoff inside the
Town from Pantego Street south is channeled directly into Pantego Creek.
The northern portion of town is channeled through the Town ditch to
Battalina Creek. Storm drainage was ranked third most important issue on
the public survey. (See results under Public Participation.)
(2) Options include greater control of impervious surfaces, careful assessment
of current impact, or continue existing procedures.
(3) The chosen policy shall be to continue existing procedures until a need is
shown based on nepative impacts.
(4) Implementation shall occur through enforcement of the zoning regulations
which limit impervious surfaces allowed in residential areas. The Town
would like to study alternatives to improve stormwater management.
IL Marina and Floating Home Development and Dry Stack Storage Facilities for Boats
(1) The Town has five commercial marinas as defined by CAMA within its
jurisdiction at this time. There are no dry stack storage facilities or
floating home development to date. The Townes zoning ordinance allows
marinas in the waterfront commercial district and the industrial district.
(2) Options are limited to policies which are at least as restrictive as or more
restrictive than those imposed by the State in Title 15, Subchapter 7H,
Section .0108(b)(5) of the North Carolina Administrative Code.
(3) The police shall be eonservatim The Town. desires protection from
• . random matins development along its waterfront, but supports such
devdopmeat as is appropriately pbmd in the industrial or marine business
shown on the official inning map. The Town supports CAMA
reSdation of marinm Dry stack storage balilLICS would be regulated by the
local sorting ordinance and may be acceptable under certain conditions. Dry
Suet taa10M would be discouraged in the waaterhont Commercial district.
Floating home devekn ment is not a .problem at this tune but would be
considered on a case by case basis.
(4) Implementation shall occur through strict enforcement of the local zoning
ordinance.
L Industrial Impact on Fragile Areas
(1) The industries which presently impact on fragile areas —in this case,
wetlands —would be the commercial crab houses and marinas/fuel storage.
(2) Policy options include close scrutiny of proposed new industries in or near
fragile areas through requirement of environmental impact statements prior
to issue of building permits in or near fragile areas, or reliance on State
and Federal standards for industrial development which impacts wetlands.
29

(3) _ The policy shall be conservation.
(4) Implementation shall occur through support of existing State, Federal, and
local requirements. No additional action is deemed necessary.
j. Development of Sound or Estuarine System Islands
(1) There are no sound or estuarine islands applicable to this jurisdiction so
no policy statement is established
Restriction of Development within Areas Up to Five Feet Above Mean High Water
That Might Be Susceptible to Sea Level Rise and Wetland Loss
(1) These areas include the bulk of the Town's jurisdiction. Since this includes
desirable waterfront locations and the Town itself, which is largely developed
already, the question becomes whether to allow redevelopment in developed
areas or new development in undeveloped areas. This issue is discussed in
CAMA coastal counties because of the growing popularity of the "global
warning" theory which, if- accurate, predicts a rapid rise in sea level. The
current sea level rise is about one foot per century. Scientists predict a rise
of 1.3 inches by the year 2000 and that by 2100, the seas may be three feet
higher than now. If that is the case, most existing wetlands will drown and
currently developed land will begin to submerge as nature attempts to create
wetlands on higher ground
Inevitably, bulkhead building will increase in an attempt to protect
property. The net effect will be large losses of wetland, since developed
interests will fight the natural inland migration of the wetlands. The CAMA
Qum efy (Winter 1989), reports that a five-foot rise in sea level would
displace over 20,000 people in Beaufort County and would flood about
16% of the County's total area
(2) The options are to discourage new development in areas with contour levels
_— __.five -feet_ or_less above mean high water, to disallow new development and
discourage redevelopment in these areas, to restrict density of development
in these areas, or to permit all currently allowable development and let
market forces prevail.
(3) The policy shall be conservation. Since the entire jurisdiction is affected,
any stringent appr°ach would negatively impact the Town s d== for
browth. - -
(4) Implementation shall occur through continued enforcement of local
regulations.
L Upland Excavation for Marina Basins
(1) By CAMA standards, the highest preference for marina development site
alternatives is "an upland site requiring no alteration of wetlands or other
estuarine habitats and having adequate water circulation to prevent the
accumulation of .sediment and pollutants in boat basins and channels."
Other alternatives, in rank order, are upland sites requiring dredging only
for access, a deepwater site away from primary nursery areas and requiring
30

no excavation, and open water sites requiring excavation of unproductive
areas.
(2) Policy options are limited to requirements which are at least as restrictive
as, or more restrictive than, State standards.
(3) The polity shall be conservation.
(4) Implementation shall occur through general support of CAMA actions
taken with regard to this standard. The local government will not impose
additional restrictions.
In. Damage to Existing Marshes by Bulkhead Installation
(1) Most of the wetland areas in Belhaven's jurisdiction are swamps and
marshes. Most of these locations are not suitable for development.
Bulkheads and other shoreline. stabilization methods must meet standards
listed in Title 15, Subchapter 7H Section .0208(b)(7) of the North Carolina
Administrative Code. Among these standards is a requirement that
bulkheads must be constructed landward of significant marsh areas.
Bulkheads constructed within a marsh interfere with the natural exchange
of inflow of tidal nutrients and outwash of pollutants.
(2) Policy options include preservation, conservation, or unregulated As
mentioned above, the State will not allow an unregulated approach on this
issue; therefore, the Town may preserve marshes or control bulkhead
development to minimize negative impacts.
(3) 71= Policy shall be eonsavation.
(4) Implementation shall occur through local support of .State -and, Federal
standards for bulkheading. No additional local initiative will be taken
regarding bulkheads
2 RESOURCE PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT
In the Belhaven .planning jurisdiction, agriculture is of major importance. There are scattered prime
farmland soils in the eastern and central sections of the jurisdiction. No commercial forestry operations
are within the jurisdiction, but the Town's proaumity to Plymouth and the Weyerhauser operation, as
well as the Ralph and Younee Lumber Mill in Pantego exerts an economic impact on the planning area
There are also commercial fishing operation located in Town. Recreational water use for boating
represents a significant natural resource in this area and is enhanced by the Intracoastal -Waterway just
outside of Town.
a Productive Agricultural Lands
(1) Agricultural production in the surrounding areas plays an important role
in the Belhaven economy. There are only two areas of prime farm soils
in the east and central section of the planning area
(2) The options are preservation, conservation, and unregulated Prime

farmlands might be held out of lands available for development, but this
approach would unfairly penalize farmers. A conservation approach would
restrictallowable uses on productive farmlands and discourage conversion
to other uses. An unregulated approach would allow a variety of uses
according to the locally adopted zoning ordinance and would facilitate
conversion .from farmland to other uses as a growth mechanism for the
Town. It should be noted that Farmers Home Administration loans are
not approved for projects which convert prime or important farmlands to
other uses.
(3) The pohcy shall be unregulated. Comvcrwn of farmland to ntw uses would
not be opposed by the Tmn.
(4) Implementation shall occur through continued enforcement of the local
zoning ordinance, which allows a wide array of uses in the RA zone.
b. Commercial Forest Lands
(1) There are no commercial forestlands within the Belhaven planning area
Though the Town is positively influenced by this industry, it is not a policy
eligrible issue for Belhaven in terms of land use.
c. Existing and Potential Mineral Resource Areas
(1) Open -pit mining is an economic mainstay in Beaufort County with the
operation of TexasGulf in Aurora Peat mining has also been dish,
but not seriously proposed Peat soils in the Belhaven planning area are
not prime sites for potential development, but any such mining in Hyde
County would potentially impact Belhaven. Thereare some phosphate
deposits in the area, but they do not represent an economically feasible
resource for production at this time.
(2) — - Options include preservation, conservation, or unregulated.
(3) The appoach shall be wmavatioo. The policy shall be to carefully
o n*k:r &%v" =t proposals for potential mining operations.
(4) No direct action is considered necessary at this time for local resources, and
there is no known negative impact on the jurisdiction from TexasGulf at
this time.
d. Commercial and Recreational Fisheries
(1) About three-quarters of the water within the Belhaven Planning Area is
inland water. A May 1990, agreement between Wildlife Resources and
Marine Fisheries now designates inland primary nursery areas at the
recommendation of Marine Fisheries. Commensal and recreational fishing
occurs throughout the area. There are no Outstanding Resource Waters
in the jurisdiction.
(2) Options are preservation, conservation, or unregulated However, State
agencies do regulate this resource such that full-scale "unregulation is not
32

feasible. Since this resource has important commercial and recreational
appeal in this area, a preservation approach would also be very unpopular
locally.
(3) The approach shall be conservation. The policy sball be to encourage
commercial and recreational fishing of local waters and to support State
agency regulations with regard to commercial opemdons.
(4) Implementation shall occur through local promotion of recreational and
commercial fishing.
e. Off -Road Vehicles
(1) These vehicles have no impact in areas of concern to CAMA and therefore
no policy is required
f. Development Impacts on Resources
(1)
The water is Belhaven's greatest resource. It provides a habitat for fish and
other wildlife ---making a living for many area residents, a recreational
advantage to area residents, and a tourist or retirement incentive to people
from other places. Adjacent wetlands also provide a "filter' for pollutants.
Virtually every use of land exerts some impact on the water. Therefore,
as growth occurs, the impact increases. Economic necessity drives the
Town's willingness to grow and this is not likely to change within the ten-
year Pig period. The Town has provided a municipal water and sewer
"
system which, if properly operated, minimizes negative impacts on both than
and nature. Industries located adjacent to waterbodies have thus far been
respottsfble users of available resources. Agricultural Best Management
`
Practices are encouraged in the area to. Wpitnize impacts of nutrients and
pesticides. Belhaven coexists reasonably well with its environment.
(2)- -
- Policy --alternatives must -recognize the unique and sensitive character -of the
area and the inevitable impact of development on any resources. Policy
should be based upon the best possible blend of avenues for allowing
growth of all types while minimizing negative impacts.
(3)
The policy shall be regulated development
(4)
Implementation shall occur by regular review of existing and proposed
development and update of the local zoning ordinance as necessary to keep
development requirements effective.
g. Peat or Phosphate Mining's Impact on Resources
• This issue does not apply within the Belhaven Planning Area at this time aside from the
regional economic impact of TexrrsgulPs pbosphate mine in nearby Aurora. No natural
resources in this jurisdiction is aQected by the mine in such a way that the town could
control it. The peat and phosphate resources which crist locally are not being mined at this
time and are not anticipated to .become economically feasible for production within the
planning period.
33

3. ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
The analysis of the present conditions of the population and economy of the Belhaven planning area
revealed no major changes in the economic atmosphere since the last update. Belhaven is very
concerned about future growth, especially industrial and commercial development. The Town's economy
has undergone slow growth, basically due to the increasing importance of the commercial fishing industry
in the region. Tourism is also being favorably regarded as a viable economic option. The potential
exists for an explosion of growth in Belhaven. Policies should be in place to accommodate this growth,
when it occurs.
The following section outlines growth policies which have an impact on land use decisions. These
policies define the goals Belhaven has set for where it would like to be in the next ten years. Particu-
lar issues, related to growth and the town's commitment to economic development, are discussed below.
a Types and locations of Industries Desired
(1) The Belhaven planning area is blessed with several natural and cultural
resources. It is situated at the confluence of Pantego Creek and the Pungo
River, and has some of the county's most productive agricultural soils, plus
several significant cultural assets. Many of the regional economic activities
take advantage of these resources. A large phosphate mining industry,
located across the river from Belhaven, employs about 1,150 persons, many
of whom are Belhaven residents. Within the Belhaven planning area, three
seafood processing operations employ a large percentage of the labor force
through its various stages of operation. In addition, farming is a major
economic activity which employs dozens of persons through farm labor or
through the sale of farming equipment and supplies.
Belhaven has an intense need for increased job opportunities for many of
its unetnpkryed and underemployW citizens. Industrial development could
provide these opportunities. The Town ' of Belhaven would like to recruit
all types of industry to the area..and particularly encourages the continued
development and/or expansion of resource -intensive industries. Timber
products manufacturers, marine -related and seafood processing industries
would be ansidereed. Agricultural products processing firms would also be
welcome to, sites in the extraterritorial area. Low -pollution, light
manufacturing and/or assembly industries would also be desireable.
Electronics, textiles, heavy equipment, marketing firms, and furniture
manufactures would not significantly contribute to the environmental
problems, but employ a large number of persons. All industries considering
locating in the Belhaven planning area must be consistent with the Town's
aforementioned resource policy statements. The proposed location of each
industry will be examined on a case -by -case basis.
Several sites are available in the planning area for industry. The Town
would lice to see industry locate in the existing zoned industrial areas
located west along Highway 264/99 and northeast along Highway 264
Business route. Both areas are well connected for transportation purposes
and are partially served by water and sewer. The former industrial zoning
districts along the waterfront were rezoned in 1989 to a designation called
"Marine Business" which would still allow some industries which cannot
function without water access (i.e. marinas, seafood processors). Property
along Highway 264 is very well suited to other industrial types listed above.
Other sites would require rezoning action for industrial location, but such
proposals will be considered on a case -by -case basis by the Planning Board.
34 .

(2) The alternatives are to encourage any and all industry, to encourage only
limited industrial development, or to discourage industry from locating in
the planning area
(3) The policy shall be to encourage and support a wide variety of industrial
development to enhance the economic base of the Town. In light of the
poverty and unemployment rates, limiting or discouraging industry would
not serve the best interest of our citizens.
(4) This policy will be implemented by critical review by the Planning Board
and Board of Adjustments of all proposals for industrial development which
requires a conditional permit or by the Planning Board and Town Council
for rezoning actions involving industrial proposals. The Town will also
support efforts by the Chamber of Commerce's committee on industry to
the extent feasible. Additionally, the Town supports existing State and
Federal restrictions and regulations related to safety and responsibility.
b. Local Commitment to Providing Services
(1) The Town realizes the great importance providing public water and
wastewater systems in this part of the county.
Currently, nearly 99 percent of the area's residents are hooked up to thi
water system According to its rapacity, the equivalent of 925 persons can
be added to this system
Belhaven acknowledges that the its soils are not conducive to septic
" tank usage and the optimal solution to this problem is to provide
wastewater treatment service to all residents in the planning area The
Town has discussed a long-range plan to extend utilities, such as water and
sever, to all development 'pockets" within the planning area, but no action
has been taken
Belhaven is committed to providing basic services to serve increased
development in the area. The first priority is to "developed' areas shown
on the land classification trap. Industrial requests will be examined on an
individual basic by the Town Board
(2) The alternatives are to take active steps to extend water and sewer to all
habitable structures in the jurisdiction and to plan and budget for orderly
extension into areas expected to experience development over the next five
years; to support the development of an industrial park which would be
provided services in lieu of considering all requests; or to wait until a
request is made before considering service extensions.
(3) The policy shall be to consider proposals on a Eby -case basis. Currently
edension polices require in -town applicants to pay 75% and out-of-town
• applicants to pay 10D% of the cost.
(4) The Town is not in a position to finance costly infrastructure extensions
in the absence of development pressure. If funding becomes available, a
study to. determine the feasibility of a central industrial park might be
conducted since the public survey showed a citizen preference for locating
industry in an industrial park. The Town will also support and continue
35

to apply for grant funding such as CDBG or economic development projects
which involve extension of services.
C. Types of Urban Growth Patterns Desired
(1) Population projections suggest that the slow and steady growth rates that
Belhaven has experience in the past have reversed themselves in the past
ten years; however, the Town is optimistic that the next ten years will be
y more positive, and that modest growth will occur. The water and
wastewater treatment systems will be able to accommodate any realistic
expectation for growth.
Presently, very little land is available in the corporate limits to
accommodate growth, but ample vacant land lies in the extraterritorial
jurisdiction. An annexation feasibility study was prepared in 1989 and
resulted in one small annexation along Highway 264 By -Pass. The cost of
extending services is the greatest drawback to involuntary annexations. The
Town would like to encourage continued commercial and residential growth
in the old downtown area. .
(2) The alternatives are to create incentive programs for development which
encourage the desired uses to occur in the desired areas; to rely on the
current zoning map and ordinance to establish urban patterns for growth;
or to accommodate random, unrestricted growth patterns.
(3) Mw policy shall be to may on the kxW zoning ordinance for guiding urban
' growth into areas cbmi6ed as 'Developed' or 'Urban Tlr mtlon' on Map
4, Laud ami5cation (Page 534
_ (4) Implementation shall occur through strict enforcement of the adopted
zoning ordinance.
d Redevelopment of Developed Areas
(1) The Town of Belhaven's policy on redevelopment of developed areas has
been demonstrated over the past five years. The Town has been awarded
three Small Cities Community Development Block Grants to improve
substandard housing within its jurisdiction. Also, the Town appreciates
historic preservation. The steeple on the historic Town Hall was preserved
during the last update. The Town wishes to continue programs such as
these over the next five years.
Downtown revitalization has been encouraged for the past several .
years, and a significant amount of progress has been made toward this goal
The Town still feels committed to this et%rL
• According to the SLOSH model, all structures in the planning area
would be wiped out in the event of a severe storm. In this case, all
structures would be rebuilt according to the zoning ordinance. According
to the ordinance, 'a nun-ionfurruing structure, damaged or destroyed by fur,
wind, flood, or other natural causes may not be repaired or rebuilt except
in a manner as would be conforming in cases where damage exceeds 50%
of actual replacement value or 75% of assessed value, whichever is smaller."
36

POST DISASTER RECONSTRUCTION
INTRODUCTION
A post -disaster reconstruction plan allows towns to deal with the aftermath of a storm in an
organized and efficient manner. The plan provides for the mechanisms, procedures, and policies that
will enable the Town to learn from its storm experience and to rebuild in - a practical way.
A reconstruction plan typically has five purposes, according to Before the Storm: Avoiding_ Harm's
Wav (McElym, Brower and Godsrhalk, 1982). It usually 1) outlines procedures and requirements
before damages occur, 2) establishes procedures for putting storm mitigation measures into effect after
the disaster, 3) analyzes information about the location and nature of hurricane damages, 4) assesses the
community's vulnerability and 5) guides reconstruction to minimize the vulnerability.
In 1982, Beaufort County adopted The Beaufort County Disaster Relief and Assistance Plan, a
post -disaster recovery and reconstruction plan. As a municipality in Beaufort County, Belhaven is
covered by this plan. The disaster relief plan, in concert with Before the Storm in Beaufort County:
Avoiding Harm's Way. provides Beaufort County with the tools necessary to serve all its communities
during the recovery phase of a hurricane. Copies of these plans are available at the Beaufort County
Emergency Management office in Washington.
It is important that local officials clearly understand the joint federal/state/local procedures for
providing assistance to rebuild after a storm so that local damage assessment and reconstruction efforts
are carried out in an efficient manner that qualifies the community for the different types of assistance
that are available. The requirements are generally delineated in the Disaster Relief Act of 1974 (P.L
93-288) which authorizes a wide range of financial and direct assistance to local communities and
individuals. _
During reconstruction after a disaster, two phases of action are usually undertaken: immediate
post -disaster clean-up and dean -up and repair over a longer period. Although these guidelines are
directed for the county level, the Town of Belhaven may take additional steps to complement this work.
The following section discusses guidelines set forth for reconstruction in the County plan.
IMMEDIATE CLEAN-UP
The Disaster Relief and Assistance Plan includes a program for immediate clean-up and -debris
removal from roads, beaches and other areas where public health and -safety "may be jeopardized. The -
suap;.,,; ".,dity for compicting these duties will be a combined effort by several agencies from the public
and private sectors. The Department of Transportation -will be responsible -for-clearing debris -from — - - - -
roads and the Forest Service will remove fallen trees from the area, if necessary. In addition, the
County Emergency Management office will provide names of volunteers to can upon for assistance in
the immediate dean -up efforts.
While dean -up efforts are taking place, a Damage Assessment Team will be sent out to evaluate
the extent of damage in the area. Damage assessment is defined as a rapid means of determining a
realistic estimate of the amount of damage caused by a natural or man-made disaster. For a storm
disaster, it is expressed in terms of .1) the number of structures damaged, 2) magnitude of damage by
type of structure, 3) estimated total dollar loss, and 4) estimated total dollar loss covered by insurance.
After a major storm event, members of the Damage Assessment Team should conduct two types of
surveys: . one which roughly estimates the extent and type of damage, and a more detailed second phase
assessment after the initial damage reports are filed. The initial damage assessment should include an
estimate of the extent of damage incurred by each structure and . identify the cause of damage such as
wind, flooding or wave action. Rapid and general initial damage assessment reports are to be submit-
ted by radio within one hour. Within six hours, private property summaries and more detailed reports
should be nearly complete. The format for damage assessments will be conducted in accordance with
Annex F of the Disaster Relief and Assistance Proeram. Under certain circumstances, interim develop-
ment moratoria can be used to give a local government the time to assess damages, make sound
decisions, and to learn from storm experiences. Beaufort County can impose a development moratorium
if it gets disaster declaration from the appropriate federal authorities. This disaster declaration must
44

(2) The alternatives are to support redevelopment; to limit redevelopment; or
to discourage redevelopment.
(3) The policy shall be to support prudent redcYelopmeaL Since the entire
jurisdiction is subject to destruction in a severe storm, there is no viable
option for restructuring a town in the same geographic location without
redeveloping developed areas.
(4) New development is required to meet current building codes and the local
flood ordinance requirements. These standards increase safety and reduce
potential loss in the future. The same would . be true for non -conformities
which were rebuilt. The Town's Zoning ordinance also provides guidance
and restriction as to allowed uses and patterns of redevelopment.
e. Commitment to State and Federal Programs
(1) The Town of Belhaven is receptive to State and Federal Programs which
provide improvements to the Town. Belhaven will continue to fully support
such programs that provide necessary resources to meet identified
community needs that compliment the economic and community
development goals of the Town. Of particular significance is the N.C.
Department of Transportation Road and Bridge Improvements program
The Town will support these programs and will honor financial assistance.
requests when financially able and when the proposed project is in
compliance with the Town's goals for economic development.
The Erosion Control program, carried out by the Agricultural
Stabili2ation and Conservation Service and the Soil Conservation Service,
is especially important to the farming community in the planning area _The
Town supports the efforts of these agencies, including the implementation
of Best Management Practices to mitigate soil loss through erosion.
--_ — Funding is still available through the - state's -Agricultural _Cost__ Share
Program for projects which will reduce agricultural runoff. The Town will
work with District Soil and Water Conservation officials to encourage
fL tin 74OL fi.neiinart^, fm..nea^.'°f'^.^m 'rl�n Fnmet
Incentive Program provides funds and technical assistance for farmers to
replant areas where trees have been timbered In addition, the Town has
established a policy to encourage the use of a vegetative buffer between all
development and surface water bodies to reduce the sediment load from
entering the riverine system (See Resource Protection policy statements).
The Town also supports the use of pervious surface materials in construc-
tion within the planning area Pervious surface materials provide a method
of natural percolation of pollutants into the soils.
Belhaven supports the Army Corps of Engineers 404 Wetlands
program with reservations as to designation methods.
The military has historically been an important asset to the economy
and quality of life in eastern North Carolina. There has been on -going
debate over the expansion of the Military Operating Airspace (MOA) over
Beaufort County. Belhaven is strongly opposed to the expansion of the
MOA because of the restrictions it would impose on the local air traffic
community. Noise levels are -an additional concern in the opposition of the
37

airspace expamsion.
The Town participates in CDBG community revitalization grants
to improve housing conditions, and citizens have utilized the Small Business
Administration loan programs available in the area
(2) Alternatives include complete commitment of State and Federal programs;
limited support of these programs; or opposition to the programs.
(3) The policy will be limited commitment to state and fiodcral programs.
(4) The Town will continue to support and enjoy the advantages of higher
agency programs which can enhance the quality of life for local area
residents. Some of those programs are geared toward individuals, and the
Town has limited direct interaction in those rases. To the extent possible,
the Town will partner with state and federal agencies to enforce restrictions
or review projects which impact the planning area
f. Assistance to Channel Maintenance and Beach Nourishment Projects.
(1) Proper channel maintenance is important in Belhaven and the Intracoastal
Waterway because of the great importance of recreational boating and the
commercial fishing industry to the local economy. Special attention should
be given to the amount of dredging that occurs, because excessive dredging
can be just as damaging as none at all. Dredge lines often disrupt valuable
fish habitat on the bottom of rivers, thereby robbing the river of some of
its economic value and important fish habitat.
The Town recently supporuxi ine buikheading work at Wynn's Gut
but no major dredging has occurred in the area over the past five years.
Financial aid for appropriate channel maintenance will be made available
when posuble. Efforts will be made to provide spoil and borrow sites
within the planning area, as needed.
A major removal of old pilings took place in Belhaven last year as
an aid to navigation
(2) Alternatives include specific budgeting for channel maintenance projects;
continual review of the need for maintenance; or no action
(3) The policy shall be to rely on State and Federal agencies to determine the
need for additional channel maintenance unkm navigational problems are
reported
(4) No implementation is called for on this issue.
g. Energy Facility Siting and Development
(1) Electric generating plants are regulated by State and Federal agencies and
are usually sited in very rural areas. Any potential project would be subject
to local zoning regulations, however it is believed that the likelihood of such
a proposal in the Belhaven jurisdiction is very remote.
Offshore and inshore exploration for possible oil or natural gas is
38

h.
an issue elsewhere in North Carolina but is believed to present no
significant impact on the Belhaven planning area.
(2) Alternatives might include specifically disallowing or allowing generating
plants in any of the zoning districts or making a statement of protest or
support for off -shore drilling.
(3) The polio shaU be to consider any Proposal on a cue -byre bass.
(4) Implementation shall occur through strict enforcement of the local zoning
ordinance with regard to allowable uses in the planning jurisdiction.
Tourism
(1) The Town is committed to increasing tourism in the area Efforts to
increase tourism have involved work with the Chamber of Commerce, the
Historic Albemarle Tour, the Belhaven museum, and the Belhaven library.
With the growing number of marinas in Town, opportunities present
themselves regarding tour boats. The Town supports the efforts of the state
and local agencies who work with these projects.
(2) Alternatives might include taking a more active role in promotions of
eadsting events or development of new events to attract tourists to the area
(3) The policy shall be to continue present levels of support for tourism in the
area.
(4) Implementation shall occur through cooperation with local and State
agencies and businesses promoting the area
i. Coastal and Estuarine Water/Beach Access
(1) Belhaven has demonstrated its commitment to public access to public waters
by having developed the Town boat ramp and Community Recreation
Center beach area Presently, there are no available sites for additional
public beach access points on Pantego Creek or the Pungo River. Access
is felt to be adequate at this time. The Town could apply for a -Beach
Access Grant to assist in site acquisition.
(2) An alternative would be to seek funding to build a public fishing pier if
fish ever become plentiful again.
(3) The policy shall be to maintain carreat access points to the best of the
town's ability and to apply for funds m the future, if the need arises and
a kxation presents itself.
(4) Implementation will occur through monitoring the use of facilities and by
encouraging local property owners to consider donating undevelopable
properties to the Town for public purposes.

j•
'IYM, Dcnsities, Location, Units per Acre of Anticipated Residential, Development
and Services to Support This Development
(1) Overly dense development is not a problem in Belhaven, nor is it
anticipated to become a problem during the next ten years. Within the past rive
years, the land use trends have shown residential growth to occur in existing
residential areas and along the waterfront. Belhaven would like to see continued
development in areas which are best able to accommodate growth and where
support services, like sewer and water, are feasible and practical to provide. All
of the growth in recent years has been inside the hazard areas identified in Map
3.
The Town has no sites which are suitable for landfills. They are dependent
on the county to provide such a site. The current County facility's permit expires
in 1992. Currently there is investigation into a regional landfill concept. In terms
of sheer land area, the County landfill site has an estimated capacity to last another
ten years. Regulatory requirements will surely necessitate improvements to the
facility if it is used over the long term In the County, recycling efforts are
intensifying and the number cf permanent sites is increasing.
(2) Alternatives include dose review of proposed development projects to assure
appropriate density of development. The Town might consider development
of a local recycling plan.
(3) The policy sball be to eaoourage appropriatexness of density and location
with regard to residential dwdopment and to discourage demo development
outside the range of public water and sewer ae=vkr, which generally
encompa um the arras classified as 'Developed' or 'Urban 'h nsition' on
Map 4 (Page 534
(4) Implementation shall occur through dose review of any sub -division
proposals which would tax municipal services, and through consideration
of developing a local recycling plan.
Vol

4. HURRICANE AND STORM HAZARD MITIGATION
INTRODUCTION
Hurricanes and severe coastal storms represent serious threats to people and property on the North
Carolina coast. North Carolina has the second highest incidence of hurricanes (Neumann et al., 1978).
To date, North Carolina has experienced 2.3 major hurricanes since 1890. This averages to one major
hurricane every four years. In addition to hurricanes, tropical storms and "northeasters" present serious
threats to eastern North Carolina. Recently a major hurricane, originally classified as a Category 5
storm, skated past inland North Carolina and brushed a small stretch of Hatteras Island as it moved
northward. If the storm had made landfall near the mouth of the Pamlico River as had been predicted
by the National Weather Service at period during the storm threat, much of eastern North Carolina
could have been destroyed in its aftermath.
In order to effectively prepare for the hazards of storms, experts recommend adoption of a plan
which encompasses all aspects of the storm period. This plan should delineate areas most likely to
sustain damage, methods to .keep areas affected to a minimum, and guidelines for reconstruction after
the storm. Beaufort County adopted a storm hazard mitigation plan, Before The Storm in Beaufort
County: Avoiding Harms Way, in September 1984. Belhaven will follow the County's plan in the event
of a severe coastal storm.
CAMA Land Use Plan guidelines require that procedures for pre -storm mitigation, recovery, and
immediate and long term reconstruction be addressed in each plan. The purpose is to assist town and
county officials in managing development in potentially hazardous areas and to be able to expeditiously
"snap back" after a disaster. The first step taken to assess the hurricane vulnerability of a site is to
analyze the types and locations of physical hazards within the planning area An estimate of the amount
of people and property that would be exposed to the hazard is also required. The following section is
a discussion of the storm hazard mitigation, post -disaster reconstruction policies and evacuation plans
included in Before the Storm. All policies, unless otherwise referenced, are county -wide policies which.
the Town has chosen to include within its own storm hazard plan.
HAZARDS MAP
The areas most vulnerable to the devastating effects of a hurricane or other major coastal storm are
identified in Map 3. This map is a composite of 100 year flood maps and a computer model called
SLOSH (Sea, Lake and Overland Surge from Hurricanes). The SLOSH model was developed by the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to simulate the height of the storm surge from- hurricanes-of-apredicted - - -
severity within a particular area. The National Weather Service ranks hurricanes into Categories 1
through 5 based on their wind speeds. The SLOSH model analyzes each hurricane category scenario
and provides a real boundary where flooding is expected to occur. For example, the Category 1 and 2
hurricanes, with wind speeds up to 110 miles per hour, would produce a storm surge that would flood
a small stretch of land along the river. The Category 3 storm, defined by winds up to 130 mph, would
_ inundate points further landward than the Category 1 and 2 storms. The Category 4 and 5 storms, the
highest intensity storms possible, would push the water to areas still further landward. In this scenario,
water levels would be highest in the areas of Category 4 and 5 storms. At the same time, Category
4 and 5 flood zones have the least probability of inundation because storms of such strength are not very
common. Since the Category 1 and 2 storms are more common, the discussion will be limited to their
impact on Belhaven.
In Belhaven, the entire planning area is situated in the Category 1 and 2 flood zone. Storm waters
would inundate all areas within Town and the extraterritorial area. The exact monetary value of the
property at risk in the Belhaven planning area is difficult to determine because of the amount of low
density, widely dispersed development located outside the Town limits. Estimates have been made on
• the value of development within the Belhaven town limits, but no assessment is readily available which
includes the structures in the rural, underdeveloped portion of the planning area. For the purposes of
this plan, values of the property at risk will be limited to the structures within the Town limits.
41

Within the Town limits, development includes about 650 conventional homes, over 300 mobile
homes and approximately 90 commercial and institutional establishments (Table 8). The total estimated
value of these structures is about S 37,000,000. This figure approximates the total assessed value of the
Town for tax purposes.
The loss of homes and commercial establishments is very important and costly, but more
importantly, two of the Town's major utilities structures are located within this hazard zone. The
municipal wastewater treatment facility merits special attention. In the event of a major hurricane, the
inundation of the wastewater treatment facility would be disastrous for the Town. Based on the
likelihood of inundation of other sites, it is highly unlikely that a safer site is available within the
planning area
Although many structures would be at risk from a storm, the areas which would be most seriously
affected would be the AECs in the planning area These include the estuarine water, estuarine
shoreline, coastal wetlands and public trust waters. Of these, the estuarine shoreline and coastal
wetlands AECs will bear the greatest risk of destruction because they lie directly on the land -water
interface and are among the most dynamic features of the coastal landscape. Shoreline erosion is a
day -today phenomenon that is accelerated greatly with the energy of a major storm Destruction that
may take years to occur along a normal low -energy shoreline can occur in a matter of several hours
during a strong storm The shoreline area will be directly impacted by severe erosion and scouring,
direct wave action, high winds and complete inundation by the storm surge accompanying the storm.
Development adjacent to the shoreline would obviously be at a great risk.
EFFECTS OF STORM COMPONENTS ON HAZARD ZONES
Hurricanes are extremely powerful, destructive meteorological events which are often unpredictable.
Destruction is typically the result of the combined energy of high winds, flooding, erosion and wave
action. Of these, the two most damaging components of the hurricane are the high winds which define
it, flooding from excessive rains, and the storm surge. In addition to these forms, wave action and
erosion are two by-products of the wind and rain along the landMater interface. The following section
discusses the effect of each of these storm components on the planning area and delineates the sites
which are most vulnerable to their forces.
HIGH WINDS
High winds are the greatest risk factor associated wiL hurricanes. Hurricanes are, in - fact, defined
- in severity by their- wind speeds. The entire planning area would be subject to the winds brought on by a hurricane making landfall nearby. Again, the areas most seriously impacted would be the shoreline
areas and wetlands. Structures adjacent to these features would most likely receive the worst damage.
Open field ditches or other sites that experience significant backwash would also be impacted by the
flooding resulting from high winds Building restrictions concerning wind stress should be applied in
areas closest to the shore and other areas with the potential for. strong winds
FLOODING__ ---
Unlike high winds, flood waters may not impact all areas hit by a storm But, according to the
SLOSH model map, . all of Belhaven and its planning arm would be subject to flooding from a mild
hurricane. This includes a total of 1,075 oommercial, residential, institutional and community facilities
structures, resulting in a net lass of over $37,000,000 million dollars in the event of complete
destruction.
Flooding cannot only damage buildings, but salt water flooding can also cause serious damage to
cropland. An estimated value of the cropland in the planning area is unavailable, but short term
damage would be financially devastating. All of the agricultural land located north of Town would be
impacted by flood waters. Construction of a dike to retain flood waters has been considered, but it was
decided that little can be done to keep flood waters out. All of the Town and most of the planning
area are located less than five feet above sea level. In an area as low as Belhaven, a dike would not
be able to significantly help in the event of a major hurricane. -
42

WAVE ANION
Damage from wave action is very strongly correlated to wind speed and direction. Most damage
caused by waves will be in the immediate zone of the water along the shoreline and coastal wetlands.
Development adjacent to shoreline areas would be subject to battering by waves. Much of Belhaven's
waterfront is bulkheaded and densely developed This bulkheading and the nearby structures on the
waterfront would be at high risk from wave action. In Town, the structures at stake would include the
Pungo District Hospital, three seafood processing plants, the public boat ramp, several commercial
marinas, the Belhaven Community .Center and all residential units located on the waterfront Included
in this risk area are several of the Town's most valuable structures, including marry of its industries.
In effect then, most of the Town's tax base would be subject to wave destruction. Most other
shoreline areas within the one -mile limit are matches. A limited amount of development eadsts in these
areas because of the requirement for permits. Due to the fragile nature of wetland environments, all
development in marsh areas is subject to the Division of Coastal Management or U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers permitting systems. The BattalinaiTooley's Creek areas would be highly subject to wave
battering because of their orientation to northeast winds. The lack of development in these areas
would preclude financial loss from occurring in the event of hurricane -induced wave action.
EROSION
The product of severe winds, high water and wave action is erosion. The areas most likely to be
impacted by erosion are the shoreline areas within the planning jurisdiction. Riggs, Bellis, O'Connor
(1978) studied shoreline types and their vulnerability to erosion. The research concluded that the low
bank, marsh and high bank forms of shoreline are most erodible on the Pamlico. In the Belhaven area,
low banks and marshes are the most common shoreline types. At one time, all shoreline types in
Belhaven were marshes. At the time of its development, a large amount of land was reclaimed from
marshes through filling. The filling procedure and subsequent bulkheading produced the low bank
shoreline type widely found along the waterfront today. -
The developed portions of the planning area are considered to be the low bank shoreline type, and
most marshes are located west of the Highway 99 bridge and on the peninsulas surrounding Battalina
and Tooley's Creeks. . The low bank and marsh shoreline types experience very high erosion rates.
Marshes lose an estimate 3.1 feet per year and low banks erdde at a rate of Q6 feet per.annum (Riggs,
et al., 1978). It has boat noted by several townspeople that Tooleyrs Point is eroding at a rate of nearly
5 feet per year (Planning Board, 1986). - - 7- - - -- - -- -- -- - ---
Shoreline erosion could lead to structural damage to buildings, loss of tons of topsoil through wave
undercutting, and the destruction of bulkheads and other structures kxated at the land/water interface.
The structures located dbutlyr on the shoreline are most likely to be lost through erosion. The
establishment of a required setback from the water's edge will mitigate most erosion caused by hurricane
winds and waves.
SUMMARY
In summary, all four of the major damaging forces of a hurricane would negatively impact the
Belhaven planning area in the event of a storm. The entire planning area will be subject to high winds
and flooding, as it is situated in the Category 1 and 2 flood zone. -
Structures located along the shoreline are likely to receive the most damage from the cumulative impacts
of waves and subsequent erosion. Damage from flood waters in the planning area would likely total
S37,000,000, assuming complete destruction. Most of the Town's industries are located in the highest
risk zone along the shoreline. The financial loss brought on by hurricane destruction would be
devastating. Unavoidably, the wastewater treatment plant is located in a high risk zone. Relocation of
this facility should be a consideration for Town officials.
43

stipulate the type and Went of reconsiruction that will be Laid for by the Federal Insurance Agency.
The length of the moratorium will be decided at the time of the disaster, as it will depend on the extent
of damage to the properties involved.
RECOVERY TASK FORCE
Damage assessment operations are oriented to take place during the emergency period After the
emergency operations to restore public health and safety and the initial damage assessments are
completed, the guidelines suggest that a Recovery Task Force is formed This Task Force will guide
restoration and reconstruction activities during a post -emergency phase. The County has formed a group
with members from all areas of the County to serve as a task force for recovery.
The responsibilities of this Task Force are to review the nature of damages in the community,
establish an overall restoration schedule, identify and evaluate alternative approaches for repair and
reconstruction, and make recommendations for community recovery. The Task Force will work with
State and Federal representatives on the Interagency Regional Hazard Mitigation Team and also the
Section 406 Hazard Mitigation Survey and Planning Teams. Members of the Recovery Task Force will
include:
Beaufort County Commissioners
County Engineer and Building Inspector
County Manager
City Managers and Engineers from each munic pality
County Emergency Management Coordinator
County Health Department
The Mryor of Belhaven will be called upon to serve on this Task Force. The Town Engineer will also
serve. Although this Task Force will review damages, the authority to approve or deny permits will
remain the responsibility of the appropriate authorities.
SCHEDULE FOR REPAIR AND RECONSTRUCTION OVER LONGER PERIOD
The procedures listed above deal directly with policies or clean-up immediately after a storm or
disaster. In conjunction with the policies stated above on storm hazard mitigation, consideration should
be given to long-term reconstruction. All reconstruction efforts must be in compliance with the Town's
Flood Prevention Plan and FkWway -Ordinance and other construction standards -currently in place.
In the aftermath of a disaster, reconstruction efforts will be rampant A plan for the long-term
reconstruction is essential . The County has developed a priority system which the Town will also follow,
designed to stage and permit repairs. Staging and permitting repairs and construction in the Town are
to be done as follows:
First Priority: Replacement of essential services
such as power, water, telephone and
streets and bridges.
Second Priority. Minor repairs
Third Priority. Major repairs
Fourth Priority. New Development
In an effort to streamline the permitting process for the large number of applications for building
permits, a policy has been established by the County which issues permits for work in Belhaven, to
repair and rebuild essential service facilities first. Second priority is to repair other public facilities as
necessary for shelter. A triage (worst damage) approach will be instituted for staging the reconstruct-
ion effort. Properties with little damage would be permitted immediately if they were in compliance
with permit regulations before the storm The schedule for permitting other properties is as follows:
1. Moderate damage, meeting pertnitr regulations
45

2 Moderate damage, requiring permit decisions
3. Extensive damage, requiring permits
This system was established to avoid interference with the reconstruction of public utilities and facilities.
The top priority in postdisaster reconstruction is the replacement of services.
The development standards for reconstruction will be in accordance with the Storm Hazard
Mitigation policies set forth by the Town. As a minimum, all construction must meet the requirements
set forth by the Town's ordinances on construction, as well as the State Building Code. 'Tire County
Commissioners will be the legislative body to enforce these policies.
Although consideration to the possible relocation of public facilities to safer locations was not
undertaken by the County, -the Town has addressed this issue. Local officials realize that the Belhaven
wastewater treatment plant is located in the hazard area At the same time however, there is no
available land within the area to accommodate its relocation. Thus, local officials have elected to
investigate the possibility of floodprooling rather than relocating the structure.
EVACUATION ROUTES AND TIMES
Evacuation is often necessary in pre -hurricane conditions when high winds and water are anticipated
to endanger the health and safety of local residents. According to Before the Storm in Beaufort County,
Belhaven is located in Evacuation Zone I, which extends from a point near Sidney Crossroads to the
Hyde County line. The evacuation shelters for Evacuation Zone 'I are the Belhaven Junior High and
Belhaven Elementary Schools. In the threat of rising water however, these shelters will not be utilized
During this threat, evacuees will be directed to Pantego High School and the overflow will be sent to
Beaufort County Elementary School. A full description of the capacity and adequacy of these shelters
is in the Beaufort County Disaster Relief and Evacuation Plan.
Highways 99 and 264 are the principal evacuation routes for the Belhaven planning area There are
several inundation points along these routes. They include:
Highway 264 By -Pass • Stretch of 264 .25 miles on either side of Lower Dowry
Creek culvert near intersection of SR
1709.
* Portion 1 mile east of Hwy. 264 and Hwy. 99 intersection
in Belhaven, to that intersection.
• Portion 1 S miles on either side of Cuckolds Creek Bride
toward Pantego.
Business 264 • Portion inside Belhaven
Highway 99 ' From the intersection with 264 in Belhaven to Sidney
Crossroads, over the Pantego Creek Bridge to the Puneo
Creek Bridge.
Source: Before the Storm in Beaufort County. pp. 40-41.
These sites represent blockage points along the evacuation routes where roadway flooding could
exist. The underlined bridges above are priority surge inundation points identified in the County Storm
Hazard Mitigation Plan
Techniques for determining evacuation times are outlined on pages 44 through 47 in Before the
Storm in Beaufort County. The total evacuation time is the sum of the following components:
cut-off time, mobilization time, travel time, and queuing delay time. The ideal capacity of Highway 264
46

is 455 vehicles per hour. Highway 99 can accommodate 298 vehicles per hour. Following the model
given, the total evacuation time to Washington for each highway is: -
TOTAL EVACUATION TIME
Highway 264 Cut-off time
3.0 hrs.
Mobilization time
3.5 hrs.
Travel time
1.0 hrs.
Queuing delay time
2.69 hrs.
TOTAL
10.19 hrs.
Highway 99 Cut-off time
3.0 hrs.
Mobilization time
3.5 hrs.
Travel time
.97 hrs.
.Queuing delay time
2.95 hrs.
TOTAL 10.47 hrs.
These evacuation times are calculated for a population of 3,000 in the Belhaven planning area The
total evacuation times for these routes dangerously approach the 12 hours which the National Weather
Service can predict for effectively mobilizing an evacuation effort. The storm hazard mitigation plan
recommends a sensitivity analysis to test the validity of the evacuation times. This can be done by
adjusting the mobilization time, or by calculating the queuing delay time. By doing this, assumptions
which are closer. to reality may be introduced in estimating evacuation time for area residents.
This analysis provides the Town with the opportunity to consider adopting policies which would
improve the capacity of the evacuation routes. The Town will consider their information in developing
its own storm hazard mitigation plan Although many factors which affect local evacuation are beyond
the control of the local unit of government, awareness of the potential problem is a first step in
improving the evacuation times for Belhaven area residents.
0
A large proportion of the Belhaven planning area is threatened by the hazards associated with
storms. In the event of a major disaster, the planning area would be subject to the policies _ and
guidelines set forth in the Beaufort County Mitigation Plan and accepted by the Town. In -town
reconstruction standards will be enforced according to the Mood Prevention Program, which attempts
to mitigate disaster in the future. The calculated evacuation times for Belhaven dangerously approach
the safe limit. It is suggested that efforts be taken to improve the capacity of the evacuation routes for
the area - - - - --
47

The Town of Belhaven is responsible for reporting all of its activities concerning storm hazard
mitigation and hurricane preparedness with the following agencies:
N.C. Division of Coastal Management
State Office: Division of Coastal Management
Department of Natural Resources and Community Development
P.O. Boot 27697
Raleigh, NC 27611-7687
- [phone]
Field Office: Division of Coastal Management
Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources
P.O. Box 1507
Washington, NC 27889
[phone]
N.C. Division of Emergency Management
State Office: Division of Emergency Management
Department of Crime Control and Public Safety
116 West Jones Street
Raleigh, NC 27611
[phone]
Regional Office: Area Emergency Management Coordinator
N.G Division of Emergency Coordinator
707 West 15th Street
Washington, NC 27889
[phone]
Federal
National Office. Federal Emergency Management Agency -
500 C Street, S. W.
Washington, D.0 20472
Public Information (202) 2874M
Publications [phone]
Federal Emergency Management AM"
Regional Office: Federal Emergency Management Agency -- - - -
Region IV
1375 Peachtree Street, N.E.
'Atlanta, GA 30309
Public Information [phone]
Disaster Assistance Program [phone]
Flood Insurance. Program [phone]
48

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Poles Choices
(1) Support Beaufort County Storm Hazard Mitigation and Post Disaster Reconstruction
Policies.
(2) Town will encourage redevelopment of destroyed structures provided they conform to
applicable codes.
(3) If destroyed, the Town will if possible, elevate public facilities structures to a safe level in
accordance with the Flood Prevention Ordinance.
. (4) Consider developing Recovery Task force for Town.
(5) Increase public awareness and preparedness.
Implementation Schedule
(1) Stay abreast of changes in Beaufort County Storm Hazard Mitigation plan.
(2) Follow guidelines of the building codes, zoning and flood prevention ordinances for
reconstruction after the storm.
(3) Due to the lack of available land, the Town .public facilities will be rebuilt at same
pre -storm location, but elevated to a level according to the specifications of the flood
prevention ordinance. Consideration will be given to flood proofing facilities (specifically,
the waste treatment plant) for which elevation is not feasible.
(4) Recovery Task Force members will include:
Mayor of Belhaven
Town Manager
Planning Board Members
Rescue and Fire Squad Volunteers
Medical Board
Building Inspector
(5) Educate Town employees and public about evacuation procedures about their responsibilities
in storm situation__--
49

5. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Belhaven realizes the importance of soliciting public input into the planning process. During the
development period of this land use plan update, several techniques were employed to encourage
involvement of Belhaven area residents in the land use plan's policies. Planning officials agree that
there was . considerable input from local residents throughout the process and that such input is well
reflected in the final plan.
At the beginning of the planning period, a citizen participation plan was developed At the fast
meeting, the Planning Board decided to schedule regular monthly meetings every third Wednesday from
November until the plan was completed It was decided that all Planning Board meetings concerning
the CAMA Land Use Plan update should be made public Citizen input was to be strongly encour-
aged
The Board decided that- initially, emphasis would be placed on public education about the land use
planning process. It was felt that once the public understood the importance of the plan, the public
would feel a strong desire to be involved in its formation. Efforts were made to inform the public about
the existence of the plan and the importance of their contribution on policy recommendations.
This was done in a variety of ways. First, news articles appeared in the local newspaper which
discussed the plan and its purpose. Press releases were sent to the Beaufort -Hyde News, based in
Belhaven. The purpose of the articles was to explain the role of the CAMA plan in the development
process and the explanation of the issues addressed in it. Other methods of public education involved
direct communication with Belhaven residents by the Planning Board members. A public opinion survey
was taken between January, 1992 and March, 1992 seeking guidance on major issues for policy
statements. The results of the survey follow this section. Only about 3% of the population aged 18
and over responded to the survey. It is believed that this lack of participation is largely due to the
absence of any recent volatile land use situations. The highest priority issues ranked from the public
survey were: potable water supply, improving public safety, storm drainage, recruiting non -water
dependent industry, and promoting services and facilities for the elderly.
In addition to the public education efforts, press releases were sent to the local newspaper after to
each meeting. Included in the press release was a description of the land use plan and its purpose as
well as the agenda items covered and projected topics for the next meeting. A tentative schedule of
meeting dates and topics was posted in the public hbruy and on the bulletin board at the municipal
--- —building.--Examples of the newspaper articles are included as Appendix C. -------- ----- ----- - - --- -
Members of the Belhaven Town Board were strongly encouraged to attend the meetings to keep the
Board abreast of progress on the plan. A representative of Coastal Management gave an initial
presentation to the Board at the outset of the grant award to familiarize them with the planning process
and requirements. The Town Manager also gave Land Use Plan Update progress reports at Belhaven
Town Board meetings. ----
Draft sections of the plan were also made available for public review. A current draft of the plan
was kept in the Town Hall and the -public -was encouraged to make written comments on it. The
purpose was to have as much citizen input as possible. It is the belief of the Belhaven Planning Board
and Town Board that all citizens should be provided adequate opportunity to participate in the
governmental and planning decisions which affect them. In the future, citizen input will continue to
be solicited, primarily through the Planning Board Planning issues will be adequately publicized to help
keep citizens informed about the land use changes occurring in their community.

PUBLIC SURVEY
FINAL TALLY
Total number responding = 47. (Not all respondents answered all
questions.) Each item was ranked
by a weighted score. A high priority response was weighted at 4 points; medium, at 3 points; low, at
2 points; and unimportant now at 1 point. Total responses in each
category were tallied and multiplied
by the appropriate points. The sum of the point totals is the final overall weighted score. For any
question, the highest possible score was 188 points. A list of "Others" written for item 17 follows the
tally.
• 1=High priority; 2=Mcdium Priority, 3=Lnw Priority,
4=Unimportant Now
(4 points) (3 points) (2, points)
(1 point)
RANK
SCORE
1 Ensure safe and adequate drinking water supply.
176
2 Improve public safety.
164
3 Prevent pollution due to inadequate storm drainage.
163
4 Recruit industry which is not dependent on the water.
161
5 Promote services and facilities for the elderly.
160
6 Conserve wetlands/areas of environmental concern.
155
7 Promote new residential development.
154
8 Recruit and expand water -dependent industry.
152
• 9 Improve solid waste managementhecy�ling efforts.
148
10 Promote tourism in Belhaven
147
11 Expand cultural and recreational facilities.
145
12 Conserve primary and secondary nursery areas.
138
-. 13 Increase public access to the water.
135
14('1) Promote historic preservation.
131
14(l) Protect prime farmland from development.
131
16 Develop the waterfront for tourism rather than industry.
120
17 OTHERS (Write In): Ban trawling within 2 miles: Improve
waters for fishing; Town should
purchase waterfront property and develop-, Promote "earth homes/battery cars: build small airstrip: Keep
college graduates in area: Close culvert -ditches are
garbage disposals: Need more
jobsleducationfindustrial development: Stop fluoride and chlorine
in water, Pave Old County Rd. -
brighten street lights-, repair highway Open community building in the afternoon: Need recreation for
young/more restrictions on young Wish we had: more fast food
more doctors, more place to empty+
trash: more motels.
51

PUBLIC SURVEY - PART H
On this section, we simply showed the percentage of total responses in each category which expresses
a preference for one alternative over another. The survey asked for one answer only, so responses in
more than one category were counted only as the first answer.
(1) Land uses in Belhaven are
Z&M Too mbied in all areas. I prefer keeping land uses separated.
15.2% Not mixed - enough I don't see any problem- with placing industry and business in a
residential neighborhood.
* 56.5% About right.
(2) Residential areas in Belhaven
19.1 % generally give a good first impression to people passing through.
* 68.1 % are mostly in need of improvement. They leave a poor first impression.
12.8% are quaint and attractive. They are a source of pride for the Town.
(3) Where business is concerned, I wish Belhaven had
9.1 % more specialty shops.
* 56.8% more retail stores of all types.
18.2% more medical and personal services.
15.9% a motel.
Furthermore, I wish
47.6% More business would locate on the by-pass, not downtown.
* 52.4% More business would locate near the waterfront, not on the by-pass.
(4) Industry in Belhaven
4.8% is well suited to a waterfront town We need more crab and fish houses.
* 95.2% provides mostly low skill jobs with low wages. We need new industries.
Furthermore, I think industry is best located
11.4% on the waterfront.
31.8% on the highway.
* 56.8% in an industrial park
(5) Cultural and recreational opportunities in Belhaven are
23.9% adequate if people would take advantage of them. - - --- - - - -
* - 52.2% not entertaining enough for our population. We need new things to do.
13.0010 not organized to include all the population
10.9% not focused enough on the young'
0.0010 not focused enough on the elderly.
(6) Marketing Belhaven for future growth should include
39.0% a strategy to attract retirees to move -here from other parts of the Country.
* 41.5% more focus on tourism as a source of business. Let strangers visit and leave rather than
move in to stay.
14.6% I like Belhaven just the way it is. Don't market it for growth at all.
4.9% (Write in) Mix of retirees and tourism
(7) State and Federal regulation of water quality, wetlands, and other natural resources has
* 67.4% helped me understand some of the problems associated with developing land in areas that
are near the water. I.am more sympathetic to conservation of our environment today than
I was 10 years ago.
11.6%n irritated me no end. The land is here for Man to use as he sees fit. Nothing in Nature
is more important than that.
20.9% confused me. I still don't understand why there is a problem with development in coastal
areas.
52

(8) THE ONE THING I LIKE BEST ABOUT BELHAVEN IS:
F�_ai�, ample 12
Slow/Quiet lifestyle 7
Scenery/Waterfront 6
Small Town 5
Shopping 3
No traffic jams/Bypass 2
Wetlands protected 1
Good fishing 1
Focus on elderly 1
Future potential 1
Hospital 1
Childhood memories 1
(9) THE ONE THING I LIKE LEAST ABOUT BELHAVEN IS:
Lack of recreation/entertainment
8
Lack of jobs
8
Rundown conditionsfjunk
4
Drugs
3
Political/Police dissatisfaction
3
Need shopping mall/more stores
3
Dirty/open culvert
2
Electric rates
2
Prejudice
2
No kadership/no foes on future
2
No growth
1
Need 4-lane highway
1
No downtown developtnent plan
1
Education behind the times
1
Trailers
1
Local Bar
1
53

i
I
i s /� t
US HWY 264 BY ASS
//,'
.'f
///MI i
K\
TOWN OF BELHA.VEN
i
MAP 4
LAND CLASSIFICATION
It should be noted that the Coastal Resources Commission (CRC) disagreed with the Transition
classification of the peninsula between Tooley's and Battalina creeks in the 1986 update, however the Town I
Prefers to maintain this classification in the 1992 update. Although the Town's 1976 and 1980 Land Use
Plans were certified by the CRC with this area in the Transition classification, the CRC in 1987 believed the
area should appropriately be classified Conservation. Town officials however, do not feel the community can
reasonably abrogate a long-standing pre-CAMA agreement between the Town and property -owners in the area
by changing the area's land classification. With an ongoing review of wetland delineation methods, the Town
feels modifications could be made which would cause this area to cease to be delineated as wetlands, and
therefore, developable. Thus, although the area appears as Urban Transition on the Classification Map, it is
anticipated that when development requests for the area are reviewed, the Tooley's Creek area may be
considered to be in the Conservation land classification for State permit purposes.
kN
.• ,�� j
` LEGEND
,
J : ./ ;Y% !
`% �� DEVELOPED
`� •' :•• URBAN TRANSMON
• `S`•
J � � RURAL
/ - t CONSERVATION
fell The ptepw tion o[ this map wo timseed is put throuth a Trutt provided by the North Carolina
Cal Manayemeitt Prolmns, thtouSh [nsda provided by the Coastal Zone Mans 1 11 Act o[ om CORPORATE LIMI I3
Casual
ITM as smended, v*Ach Y adsinrtetad by the ORioe oI Oem and Coastal Reatwtce — — _ — -- - _
1••%.•J. Prepared by Acid-EW Comsbsion, ,tune, 1"2 uta M=ement, Natioaal Ooeaak and Atmapbeck Admleistratkn. EXMATERRrMRIAL JURISDICTION
i
53a

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?
EXISTING LAN[
1976
LEGEND;
I
Cultural,
Entertainment,
BEAUFORT COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
SCALE
1 0 1 2 3 a MKM
0 os 1 MKF
SCALE FOR ENLARGEMENTS
Growth in a community costs money. As the population
increases, the local government must provide services to these
people. This means classrooms must be built, additional teach-
ers hired, the police force expanded, trash collection efforts
increased, water and sewer systems expanded, etc., and the
money to do all of this comes from you, the taxpayer.
If Beaufort County grows according to this plan, what will it
cost? Many of the county's schools are overcrowded, and in need
of repair or replacement. The Washington Chamber of Com-
merce has conducted a study which shows that the needed
improvements would cost approximately $12 million. This ex-
penditure will be the most that would be required to accom-
modate future growth.
Some additional expenditures would include the expansion of
water and sewer systems in the county, increased capacity of
the county's solid waste program, additional law enforcement
officers, etc.
Federal grants could be used to help pay for some of the
services, particularly water and sewer, but a portion will be paid
by local property taxes.
EXISTING LAND USE
The above map depicts how the land in Beaufort County is
presently being used. As you can see, the predominant land use
is forestry which comprises 64 percent of the county land area.
Next, in area, is cropland which comprises 26 percent of the land
area. This means that 90 percent of the county is being used for
production of agricultural or forestry products. The remaining
10 percent of our land is used for roads, houses, businesses, etc.
As you can see, most of the agricultural and forestry land is
located in the eastern portion of the county. Most of the
developed land is located in the western portion of the county,
surrounding Washington. Past growth trends show that most of
the country's growth is occurring in this area.
THIS REPORT HAS BEEN PREPARED FOR THE RESIDENTS OF
BEAUFORT COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
J. Stancil Lilley, Chairman
M.D. Whisnant Frank Bonner
Clavin Pittman Mrs. Arthur L. Moore
Thomas Baines, County Manager
PLANNING BOARD
Robert L. Smith, Chairman
Robert A. Smith John Hird
Ray Tuten Melvin Respress
PROJECT STAFF:
John W. Shore, Community Planner
Marian Alligood, Secretary
Debra Ingalls, Secretary
Mike Yount, Draftsman
Danny Smith, Draftsman
1976
This report was financed in part by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration and the State of North Carolina, and meets the requirements of
the North Carolina Coastal Area Management Act of 1974.
LAND CLASSIFICATION
The above map is the Land Classification Map for Beaufort
County. It depicts how the county should grow during the next
ten years. Most of the growth will be directed into the Transition
Areas. These will be the areas where an effort will be made to
provide water and sewer and other governmental services which
need tax dollars. As you can see, most of the growth is
scheduled to go into the Washington area. In the eastern part of
the county, new development will be focused on the towns. The
county's growth policy, as depicted in the Land Classification
Map, will protect agricultural areas and guide new land uses
into those areas of the county best suited for development.
A Secondary Transition area has been added to Beaufort
County's Land Classification System to meet local needs. This
classification shows those areas where growth will occur and
which will be the Transition areas of the future.

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CONSTRAINTS ON DEVELOPMENT
While there are development pressures pushing in on Beau-
fort County, there are also constraints on development. Areas
with constraints will not be impossible to develop. Rather, it
will be necessary to take some special considerations into
account.
What provides constraints on development in Beaufort Coun-
ty? There are physical constraints such as the soils. Beaufort
County has many different soil types. Some are suitable for
building. Many, however, provide a poor foundation on which
to build a house; and if a septic tank is used with your home or
business (as almost all homes outside of Washington, Aurora
and Belhaven must), then in all likelihood you will have
problems with your septic tank. In fact, you may end up
polluting the stream you chose to put your house by.
There are also natural hazard areas in the county where, if
you build, your home or business will be endangered. These
include the large areas of the county subject to flooding, and
the shoreline of the Pamlico and Pungo Rivers where erosion is
constantly threatening property.
There are the ecologically -fragile areas of the county such as
wetlands, rivers and streams with endangered plants or animals;
and our historic sites. If these areas are developed without
consideration for their fragile nature, we lose either part of the
vital link in our carefully balanced ecological system, or part of
our heritage.
There are areas with great resource potential such as prime
agricultural and forest lands, mineral sites such as our phos-
phate deposits, and publicly -owned forest, parks and recreation
lands. If these important areas are not protected, where will
future generations get the food and other resources they will
need?
There are groundwater supplies from which most homes and
industries obtain their fresh water. Beaufort County has abun-
dant groundwater, but large withdrawals by the phosphate
operations means that the county could not accommodate
other large water users. There is adequate water for most
residential and industrial uses in the county.
There are constraints built into our community facilities such
as our water and sewer systems, and our schools. If we grow, we
will have to expand these facilities. At what point will it cost
more to provide these facilities than the new industries and
people are worth to our community? You must decide. You will
be paying for them with your tax dollars.
All of the above constraints on development, when taken
together, determine the ability of the land to sustain develop-
ment. This ability, called "carrying capacity", provides a natural
limit to growth and development. If the capacity of the land to
sustain development is exceeded; then the results will be over-
crowding, congestion, pollution, etc.
IT'S OUR CHOICE
Now that we have an understanding of some of the pressures
for development pushing in on Beaufort County, and some of
the constraints on development, we should ask the question:
"What do the people of Beaufort County want their county to be
like?"
The County Commissioners and their advisory board, the
County Planning Board, went to great lengths to find out. They
started as early as July, 1974, with talks before groups in the
county explaining the Coastal Area Management Act. These
talks continued up until the plan was adopted. Starting in
January, 1975, groups were asked to list problems facing the
county and their concern regarding potential land use issues. A
questionnaire was sent to 3,000 families asking people's opin-
ions about the county's needs, how the county was spending its
money, and about environmental issues. As a culmination of all
these efforts to educate and involve people, a workshop was
held to set goals for the future growth of the county.
In November the Planning Board took the results from all the
prior public involvement and came up with a draft county land
use plan. Following release of this rough draft, public debate
about the issues raised in the plan raged. The Planning Board
held three public hearings in February, 1976, on the four issues
that were creating the most discussion. These were: 1) phos-
phate mining, 2) growth, 3) water quality, and 4) land use
regulations.
Before the plan was finally adopted in May, 1976, both the
Planning Board and the County Commissioners held public
hearings on the plan. Probably no issue in Beafort County's
history has been discussed as widely or thoroughly.
WHAT WE SAID
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What did the people of Beaufort County say at all these
meetings? While it is difficult, if not impossible, to get every-
body to agree on anything, a general concensus seemed to grow
out to the dynamic hubbud of public participation. The people
seemed to want:
—Slow, orderly growth in Beaufort County.
—Growth centered around the towns in the county.
—An expansion of phosphate mining if the environment will
be protected.
—Protection of existing residential areas from mining acti-
vities.
—Protection of our prime agricultural land.
—Protection of our rivers and waterways from anything that
would destroy their character such as mining or damming.
—Protection of the quality of our water in the rivers and
creeks.
—To recruit low -polluting, high -paying industries which
could use local resources such as our agricultural goods,
and seafood.
—Removal of red tape which interferes with the maintenance
of drainage canals for farmlands.
—Maintenance of the rural lifestyle and natural environment
of Beaufort County.
—In order to achieve orderly growth the citizens are willing
for the county to exercise land use regulations, such as
zoning and subdivision regulations; if the regulations are
administered in a reasonable, and fair manner.
GOALS FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT
Goals provide an ideal, or target, for which to aim. The fol-
lowing goals and objectives were established for Beaufort Coun-
ty. The goal is a broad, general area or issue such as how fast
growth should occur. The objectives listed under the goal de-
scribe specifics, such as where growth should occur. When tak-
en together, these goals and objectives draw a map that can
guide your elected officials when they are considering matters
related to future growth and development. The goals and
objectives for Beaufort County are:
I. GOAL: To guide growth in Beaufort County so that it
occurs in a slow, orderly manner.
OBJECTIVES:
—To center future growth around the towns in the county.
—To zone areas of rapid and intensive growth throughout
the county and along major thoroughfares to ensure that
it occurs in an orderly manner.
—Public facilities, such as water and sewer, schools, etc.
will be provided in a manner that encourages develop-
ment to occur in the most suitable areas.
County regulations will consider natural constraints on de-
velopment such as soil limitations, fragile areas, etc.
—Building codes, subdivision regulations and other mini-
mum standards will be enforced to ensure that the de-
velopment that takes place in Beaufort County is of high
quality.
—Industries will be recruited in a manner consistent with
this goal.
—Planning for and control of growth in the county should
include provisions for conserving valuable cultural and
historical resources.
—To seek the upgrading of highways U.S. 17 & 264.
11. GOAL: To protect the quality and natural setting of the
county's waterways.
OBJECTIVES:
—To oppose any land use project or development such as
mining or damming of the river which can be shown by
competent studies to have no harmful impact on the
natural beauty of our waterways.
—To discourage location of industries or development in
Beaufort County which would be detrimental to water
quality.
—To develop local regulations which would ensure that
waterfront development does not constitute visual pol-
lution or contribute to water quality problems.
—To develop a policy regarding water -based recreation de-
velopment, such as marinas.
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SUMMARY of the BEAUFORT COUNTY LAND USE PLAN
III. GOAL: To encourage the further development of phos-
phate mining while ensuring that the natural en-
vironment and lifestyle of Beaufort County is
protected.
OBJECTIVES:
—To register with the State, which regulates mining, the
county's desire to ensure that the environment is protected
during and after mining activities.
—To encourage that open -pit mining remain on the south
side of the river for the foreseeable future.
—To oppose mining of the rivers and creeks until a com-
petent study can be conducted as to the impact of such
mining.
—To zone existing unincorporated residential areas to pro-
tect them from undesirable land uses.
—To encourage incorporated towns to exercise land use
controls to protect their residential areas from undesira-
ble land uses.
—Mining should not be allowed to jeopardize the ground
water supply of the area.
IV. GOAL: To encourage quality industries to locate in Beau-
fort County.
OBJECTIVES:
—To recruit industries at a pace consistent with the county
growth policy.
—To recruit industries which would utilize local products
such as agricultural goods and fish products.
—To recruit industries to meet the specific labor require-
ments of various areas of the county.
—To identify markets within reach of Beaufort County, and
available labor and resources to aid in industrial recruit-
ment.
V. GOAL: To develop the agricultural, forestry, and com-
mercial fishing sectors of our local economy.
OBJECTIVES:
—To identify and protect our prime agricultural land.
—To remove unnecessary impediments to maintaining ag-
ricultural drainage canals and other conservation practices.
—To continue and further develop extension services such as
agricultural education, Agricultural Extension Service and
Soil Conservation Service.
—To stress the importance of proper forest management.
—To protect habitats essential to fish production with rea-
sonable consideration for farm drainage.
VI. GOAL: To maintain local control over environmentally
sensitive areas and implementation of the plan.
OBJECTIVES:
—To issue permits locally for minor development in areas
designated as Areas of Environmental Concern by the
Coastal Resources Commission.
—To design County development plans that will protect
environmentally sensitive areas.
—To protect Goose Creek State Park from conflicting land
uses.
—To insure that local desires and concerns are considered
by State and Federal agencies.
—To insure administration of local matters by local.people
familiar with local problems.
—To speed the issuance of permits for desirable projects.
VII. GOAL: To ensure that recreational development such as
camping areas, marinas, travel trailer camps, sec-
ond home developments, etc., will occur in a man-
ner that will protect the natural amenities that
attracted such development.
OBJECTIVES:
—To establish and enforce minimum standards for recrea-
tion -based development.
—To regulate corridors leading to recreation -based develop-
ments in order to avoid congestion, unsightly construction,
and unnecessary alteration of natural amenities.
POTENTIAL AREAS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN
The Coastal Area Management Act requires that we pay
special attention to the needs of environmentally fragile areas.
These areas are of importance not only at a local level, but also
at the state and national level. Once these areas are designated,
any development taking place in them will require caution.
To give you an idea of what those areas might be in Beaufort
County, a listing of Areas under study and appropriate uses are
listed below.
Category: Historic Places
Historic places are historical, archaeological, and other
places and properties owned, managed, or assisted by the State
of North Carolina pursuant to G.S. 121; and properties or areas
that have been designated by the Secretary of the Interior as
National Landmarks.
These sites in Beaufort County are, the Bath Historic site, in
Bath; the Bonner House, Bath, N.C., and the Palmer -Marsh
House, Bath.
Adjacent development should be in keeping with the char-
acter of the historic place. Local government can ensure this by
historic zoning, establishing a historic properties commission
and careful planning of facilities. The county and state should
encourage the appropriate municipalities to take the action
necessary to protect these historic sites.
Category: Existing State Park
The only existing state park in Beaufort County is the Goose
Creek State park located around upper Goose Creek in Long
Acre Township.
Land use within the park will be determined by the State.
Beaufort County should ensure that development in areas
surrounding the park is compatible with the park. Emphasis
should be placed on entrances to the park with careful con-
sideration given to sign control and aesthetics.
Category: Estuarine and River Erodible Areas
Estuarine and river erodible areas lie above the ordinary high
water mark where there is a high probability of excessive erosion
occurring. In delineating the landward extent of this area, a
75-foot recession line will be used.
No development activity shall take place within the area
vulnerable to erosion unless measures are taken which have
proven effective in similar situations to prevent the erosion.
The 75-foot erodibility line shall be used in determining set-
backs from the river or sound in all ordinances such as
subdivision regulations and health regulations.
Category: Small Surface Water Supplies
Small surface water supplies are relatively small watersheds or
catchment areas which contain streams classified A-1 or A -II by
the Environmental Management Commission. In Beaufort
County this consists of the Tranters Creek watershed from which
the City of Washington obtains water.
Development should be strictly controlled in this area. Extra
caution should be taken in designing and placing septic tank
nitrification fields to ensure that streams are not endangered.
Discharge into any stream must meet water quality standards.
Category: Estuarine Waters and Public Trust Areas
In essense, this consists of all natural bodies of water in
Beaufort County. High priority shall be given to the conserva-
tion of estuarine waters and protection of public trust rights.
The development of navigation channels, the use of bulkheads
to prevent erosion, and the building of piers or wharfs are
examples of appropriate land use, provided such land uses will
not be detrimental to the biological and physical estuarine
function and public trust waters. Projects which would directly
or indirectly block or impair existing navigation channels,
increase shoreline erosion, deposit spoils below mean high tide,
cause adverse water circulation patterns, violate quality stan-
dards, or cause degradation of shellfish waters are generally
considered incompatible with the management of estuarine and
public trust waters.
Control over development occurring in estuarine water or
public trust areas is presently exercised by State or Federal
government. Local government can assist in managing these
areas by controlling development adjacent to them with regula-
tory devices. These could include setback lines, minimum lot
sizes, septic tank ordinances, flood plain ordinances and sedi-
mentation control.
Category: Coastal Marshlands
Coastal marshes subject to regular or irregular flooding by
tides, including wind tides. Marshlands are located along the
Pamlico River, Pungo River and their tributaries.
These marshes should be considered unsuitable for all de-
velopment which will alter their natural functions. Inappropri-
ate land uses include, but are not limited to the following
examples: restaurants and businesses; residences, apartments,
motels, hotels, and trailer parks; parking lots and offices; spoil
and dump sites; wastewater lagoons; public and private roads
and highways; and factories. Examples of acceptable land uses
may include utility easements, fishing piers, docks, certain
agricultural uses and such other uses which do not significantly
alter the natural functions of the marsh. Agricultural drainage
canals and maintenance of such canals shall be inappropriate
land uses.
IMPLEMENTATION
So we have got some goals to strive for, an idea of where we
want to go —How do we get there? There are four basic ways
which government affects how land is used. These are: 1) pur-
chasing land, 2) providing services and programs, 3) taxation,
and 4) regulations.
A good example of how government purchasing land affects
land use can be provided by Goose Creek State Park. The State
purchased this site on the Pamlico River to protect a unique
area, in addtion to providing recreation for people throughout
eastern North Carolina. The key facility will act as a magnet
attracting visitors and development. It poses both opportunities
and problems. This example also applies to other government
land purchases such as national forests and county parks.
A second tool government can use to affect land use is in
providing services and programs. Modern development is often
dependent on services provided by government. These include
water and sewer lines, schools, hospital, fire departments,
roads, etc. If Beaufort County wants to discourage growth in a
certain area it should not provide water lines, build a hospital
nearby, or recruit an industry into that area. The county should
select those areas that are best suited for growth and focus its
resources on them. This "sweetens the pot" so that development
is encouraged in a pattern that is in the best interest of all of
Beaufort County.
How property is taxed has an impact on how it will be used. If
you own farmland outside of Washington that is valued at
$3,000 an acre for housing, you could be taxed to the point of
not being able to continue farming that land. The North
Carolina General Assembly has taken steps to give people
interested in farming a tax break. The legislature is presently
studying how the taxes you pay on your land affects the way you
use it. Taxation will become a more useful tool in guiding land
use in the future.
The final tool that government uses in affecting land use is
regulation. This will be the most visible tool and the one causing
the greatest debate. There are numerous regulations that Beau-
fort County will likely use to help implement this plan. They
include zoning, subdivision regulations, building codes and
others. Subdivision regulations will likely be adopted to insure
that land in the county is subdivided in an orderly manner. This
regulation will set minimum standards for roads, lot sizes and
other features which are designed to protect the new property or
home owner.
Zoning is a tool where districts are set up for certain land uses
such as mobile home parks, residents, and commercial areas.
These uses, which could conflict if situated together, are
separated. This protects property values and leads to more
desirable neighborhoods. Zoning in Beaufort County will prob-
ably exist for growth areas surrounding River Road, and the new
state park. Zoning will also be the means by which residential
areas are protected from mining activitiy.
Other regulations such as permits for development in Areas of
Environmental Concern will be required by the State and
Federal governments.
The responsibility for planning and guiding growth lies with
the county, except inside the jurisdiction of incorporated
towns. Aurora, Belhaven and Washington have drawn up their
own plans for future development. These municipal plans are
consistent with the county plan. It is important that future
actions by all units of local government affecting the develop-
ment be coordinated so that conflicts are avoided.
Your county government is faced with the task of constantly
evaluating their decisions to try and determine if they are
working toward the goals that have been set. This requires a
competent and increasingly sophisticated management system
at the local level. Beaufort County has made the first steps
towards establishing such a system by hiring a county manager.
The management capability of the county will require continual
upgrading to meet the challenges of the future.
This plan is not something carved in stone, meant for all time.
Rather it is a flexible guide to be used by your elected officials.
This plan can be amended at any time and is required by law to
undergo a thorough review at least every five years.
The real goal of this plan, and of your elected officials, is to
make the decisions that will benefit the citizens of Beaufort
County both today and for future generations.
(Continued on other side)

LAND CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
The land classification system is a tool to identify the anticipated land uses within a planning area.
The land classification map, the culmination of the land use planning effort, designates specific areas
for certain types of development activities. It provides a uniform method of analyzing how the planned
use of land interacts with environmentally sensitive areas during the development process of the Town.
The land classification system promotes an understanding of the relationships between various land use
categories and the need to develop policies to accommodate these relationships. The focus is to
evaluate the intensity of land utilization and the level of services required to support that intensity.
According to the CAMA guidelines:
"The land classification system provides a framework to be used by local governments to identify
the future use of all lands. The designation of land classes allows the local government to illustrate
their policy statements as to where and to what density they want growth to occur, and where they want
to conserve natural and cultural resources by guiding growth." (7B.07..04) (b)
The CAMA guidelines include seven general land use classifications for the land classification map:
Developed, Urban Transition, Limited Transition, Community, Rural with Services, Rural, and Conserva-
tion. Their definitions are ranked according to the intended intensity of land uses within them. Areas
classified as "Developed" require the traditional level of services associated with urban areas.
"Transition" areas should include areas developing or anticipating development which will eventually
require urban services. Lower density areas which will not require services should be classified as
"Community". Areas classified as "Rural" should be reserved for low intensity uses such as agriculture,
forestry, mineral extraction and widely dispersed housing. Public water and sewer will not be provided
in rural areas except to avert health haTards. The purpose of the "Conservation" class is "to provide
for the effective long-term management and protection of significant, limited or irreplaceable areas".
Public or private services, like water and sewer, should not be provided in this land classification.
The seven land classifications and land classification map are intended to serve as a visual definition
of the policies stated in this plan (See Map 4). Only four of the possible classifications were deemed
appropriate in the Belhaven planning area at this time, and they are discussed below.
The Developed land classification is intended for continued intensive development and
• redevelopment of urban areas. It includes areas already developed as urban in character and include
mixed land uses such as residential, commercial, industrial, institutional and other uses at high to
moderate densities. Town services including water, sewer, public roads and police and fire protection
are provided to within the Developed class.
In the planning area, much of the land located within the Town limits is classified as Developed.
Fxceptions include the undeveloped waterfront industrial section and several pockets of undeveloped
areas in the center of Town. Approximately 97 percent of the structures within this boundary are served
by sewer service. Ninety-three percent of the residents are provided water service.
B. URBAN TRANSITION
The Urban Transition class is categorized by the lands providing for intensive urban development
within the ensuing ten years. These areas wilt . be scheduled for provision of water and sewer in the
future. They will also serve as the overflow sites for development when additional lands are needed to
accommodate growth. They will eventually become a part of the urban area
The Urban Transition classification includes the area located in the northern section of Town, which
is currently agricultural land and light residential development. Additional concentrations exist on the
peninsula between Battalina and Tooley's Creeks and along the southern portion of Highway 264 coming
into Town." Trends over the past five years have shown most of the Town's residential growth
occurring in the northern existing residential areas and along the waterfront. Generally, these areas are
well suited for future development if water and sewer lines arc extended. The land use analysis showed
that the soils within the transition areas are generally unsuitable for septic tanks. Most of this area,
however, is in the lowest risk zone for the Flood Prevention Ordinance.
The relationship between the Developed and Urban Transition classes is important in a
54

predominantly rural area like eastern Beaufort County. Local land use planning efforts and public
investments will be targeted to the land within these classes. Available vacant land within the developed
class should be considered for development prior to using public dollars within to extend services to
the transition class.
'It should be noted that the Coastal Resources Commission (CRC) disagreed with the Transition
classification of the peninsula between Toolcy's and Battalina creeks in the 1986 update; however the
Town prefers to maintain this classification in the 1992 update. Although the Town's 1976 and 1980
Land Use Plans were certified by the CRC with this area in the Transition classification, the CRC in
1987 believed the area should appropriately be classified Conservation. Town officials however, do not
feel the community can reasonably abrogate a long-standing pre-CAMA agreement between the Town
and property -owners in the area by changing the area's land classification. With an ongoing review of
wetland delineation methods, the Tenon feels modifications could be made which would cause this area
to cease to be delineated as wetlands, and therefore, developable. Thus, although the area appears as .
Urban Transition on the Classification Map, it is anticipated that when development requests for the
area are reviewed, the Tooley's Creek area may be considered to be in the Conservation land
classification for State permit purposes.
C MUTED TRANSITION
There are no areas in the Belhaven Planning Area which have been classified as Limited Transition.
D. COMMUNITY
The "Community" classification is usually characterized by a small cluster of mixed land uses in a
rural area which do not require municipal services. It usually serves to meet the housing, light shopping,
employment and public services needs of a rural area The Community classification typifies crossroads
areas along primary and secondary roads. In the Belhaven planning area, there are no areas classified
as "community".
I3 RURAL WrM SERVICES
There are no areas in the Belhaven Planning Area which have been designated Rural with Services.
T..
F. RURAL
The "Rural' classification is designed for undeveloped areas which may be used for. low intensity,
non -urban uses. Urban . services are typically not needed in the Rural class due to the dispersion of
development within these areas. Generally, these are lands identified as appropriate locations for
agricultural production, mineral extra don, or forestry Ma —MMI le& Arena with sigttt cant wlLLtati n s to
make development hazardous or economically unfeasible should also be . placed in the Rural
classification
Nearly all of the land outside the town limits falls into this classification. Presently, this land is
used for agriculture and forestry activities, but is not restricted to these uses. Spillover development
from the transition and developed classes will be welcomed The Town has no special restrictions on
development in this area
G. CONSERVATION
The "Conservation" class provides for the effective long term management of significant, limited or
irreplaceable resources. This includes, as a minimum, all of the statutorily defined AECs. In Belhaven,
this involves the estuarine waters, the estuarine shorelines, public trust waters, and coastal wetlands.
The Conservation class does not imply 'non-use". It is intended to provide for careful and cautious
management of the uses allowed in it. Preservation, on the other hand, implies total restriction of all
uses in an effort to keep the natural environment intact. Through conscientious management, the
Conservation class requires all uses to be as unoffensive as possible. The intention of the Conservation
class is to strike a balance between careful long-term management of sensitive natural and cultural
55

resources and the freedom of landowners to utilize their property to its best use.
The Town of Belhaven allows these specific uses in the Conservation class:
1. Water -oriented uses such a.� docks, piers, mooring pilings, bridges and bridge
approaches if shown not to cause a detriment to the AEC or Conservation lands.
2 Necessary utility service lines, such as water, sewer, electrical, natural gas, etc., when
demonstrated that the lines will not terminate on the land designated as
Conservation and the environmental integrity of the Conservation area will not be
violated.
3. Bulkheading, when construction of bulkhead can be conducted without significantly
altering the ecological system, and in compliance with existing federal, state and
local regulations.
4. Revetments, culverts,. groins and navigational aids.
5. Marinas,. provided that they are in compliance with size and water quality
requirements set by state.
In conjunction with the Policy Statements section of this plan, each application for a "developed" use
in the Conservation classification shall be reviewed on a case -by -rase basis.
RELATIONSHIP OF POLICIES AND LAND CLASSIFICATION
As required by the Coastal Resources Commission, this plan must discuss the manner in which the
policies developed in the Policy Statements section will be applied to each of the land classes. In
addition, an identification must be made of the types of land uses which are appropriate in each class.
DEVELOPED AND URBAN TRANSITION CLASSES
Recent trends have shown that most of the growth in the Belhaven planning area is occurring in
the downtown commercial area and on the fringes of the Belhaven Town limits. This is the area where
basic services such as water, sewer and community support services are available or might be feasible
within the planning period These classes are designed to accommodate all intensive land uses, including
residential, commercial, industrial, transportation and community facilities. Hazardous or offensive uses,
such as land application systems, electrical generating facilities, airports, and •noxious -Industries will not
be permitted in these classes. One should also note that the town continues to support classification
of the peninsula between Tooley's and Battalina creeks as "Urban Transition". -The CRC objects to this
classification and believes "Conservation" is more appropriate. Members of the Planning Board visted
the area during the update and acknowledge that some portion of the easternmost tip may rightly be
wetland, but they contend that a large portion of the land is dry and should be allowed to develop.
WAM. tii[yw���
The rural class is the broadest of the land classes and is designated to provide for low intensity uses
including agriculture, forest management, and mineral extraction. Residences may be located within the,
rural class where urban services are not required and where natural resources will not be permanently
impaired Offensive land uses, such as land application systems and airports will be limited to this class.
CONSERVATION CLASS
The conservation class is designed to provide for. the et%ctive, long-term management of significant
limited or irreplaceable areas including Areas of Environmental Concern. Development in the estuarine
system should be limited to uses such as piers, bulkheads, marinas, and other water -dependent uses (See
description of Conservation classification above). Polity statements under Resource Protection and
Resource Production and Management address Belhaven's intentions for development in fragile areas..
The protection of natural resources and specifically, water quality, is reflected in each policy statement.
However, the reader should note the CRC disputed classification of the Toolcy's-Battalina peninsula as
Urban Transition.
56

Vapor
I AtWon Oup
Motun Manager
]Babib R. laraugbn
Totnn Citrk
Aarie 3". Obamt
4
lesUbUi4eb 18"
� elbabett
Town Council
W.3P. ®'Atal, Yr.,;ilapor Vro Ttm
Ronnie jfbWtro
Rop IV. &Rtal
Otorp X. QCbron, Jr.
yubp e. amn
A RESOLUTION: THE CITIZEN PARTICIPATION PLAN
FOR INPUT ON THE 1992 LAND USE PLAN
In accordance with the.North Carolina Administrative Code•15
NCAC 7B .0207 regarding public participation -,in land use planning
efforts, the Town Council' Qqt the'Town of Belhaven, Beaufort County,
North Carolina hereby reso%v4s to-support,public educational efforts
and participation techniques" -to assure thatjal segments -of the
Town' s population -have f u11;Xhnd; adequate .,opportunity to be -informed
of proceedings and deckjl�s n ' $elat:ing to the•. . ' 2 Belhaven• CAMA Land
Use Plan Update. , arm► t .',�, t�a�
The elements of 1S 'cyi item p �t cip't``on�pl n shall include
but not be limits }--td the-�'fo33owi ng.. - ... w •-- -
(1)
(2)
N' --
The Bel Vey ;?fanning Board,-, appointed, diversified
citizen g,.PYPik0all be respdn8_. ,h1.6;e or supervision of
._the update_ p,rpaess,-and. shall mal er�re�eommendations-ta—
the down Cone regarding. theareiminary ' and final
draft versiop #`'Of the 'plan,_ '
An opinion sur�e�jquestionnaire shall be used to solicit
public opinion. i They Zurvey shall. be distributed- by
any or all oft.Ae following mella6ds:
(a) By Planning Board members or the Town Manager
during presentations to civic clubs.
(b) By direct mail.
(c) By public pick up from the Municipal Building,
with a drop box also provided in that location.
(d) Other methods as deemed appropriate.
(3) News articles and reports of Planning Board meeting
activities shall be provided to the local newspaper,
The.Beaufort-Hyde News. We will request space for a
short, weekly CAMA item to help keep -the public
Informed and to stimulate interest in the planning
process.
(4) All meetings of the Planning Board shall be public
meetings, whether they be regularly scheduled or
supplemental meetings. The regular meeting of the
VOOt Offict 30ox 220, MtIbabtn, Aortb Carolina 27610 [phone] 9 jrax [phone]

Planning Board are the 3rd Wednesday of each month
in the Council Chambers at Town Hall at 7:00 P.M.
(5) The Planning Board shall hold a formal public
hearing to summarize and explain the preliminary
draft of the land use plan update prior to
submission to the Division of Coastal Management
for their preliminary review.
(6) 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 as 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 20th day of
January, 1992.
Marie J. Adams, Town Clerk J. Nelson Guy, Mayor

�� J
CZ7
r-i
Belhaven Land Use Plan Update
Schedule of Events
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
JANUARY' 2
[Discuss
-Grant contract ,w/
Contract w/consultant
Consultant begins
Set schedule
State
meeting with Planning
Existing Cond-
Planning Board named
Board
itions updates
-John Crew meets w/
by council to work on
-Public Participation
Council
update
Plan adopted
Questionnaire developed
-Supply public info to
newspaper
FEBRUARY
MARCH
APRIL
MAY `
-Administer Questionnai
-Review Question.Resul
-
-
-More Existing-Conditio
Begin 1992 Policy Up-
Continue Policy Up-
-Review rough draft of
-Discuss 1986 Plan
dates:
dates:
Existing Conditions &
evaluation
Policies €€
Resource Protection
Economic & Community
Resource Production &
Development
Management
Public Participation
Storm Hazards
0•thers-your choice
JUNE
JULY
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
-Discuss Land Class-
-Review full draft
State review by DCM, a
DCMcommentsreviewed
ification
-PB holds public hear-
al
make alterations to
-Discuss Relationship
ing
Comments returned from
draft
of Policies & Land
-PB recommends submit-
State review
PB recommends adoption
Class.
ting preliminary plan
of. Final Draft
-Discuss Intergovern-
for State review
(no PB meeting this mo.
Council holds public
mental Coordination
for CAMA)
hearing and adopts
/
return to DCM for final
** UNLESS OTHERWISE PUBLISHED, THE PLANNING BOARD MEETS ON THE THIRD WEDNESDAY OF EACH MONTH
AT 7:00 pm IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS AT TOWN HALL. THE PUBLIC IS INVITED TO ATTEND AND
PARTICIPATE.

.11
BELHAVEN CAMA LAND USE PLAN UPDATE
'TENTATIVE MEETING TOPICS
Unless otherwise posted, the following list shows regularly scheduled Planning Board meeting dates and the
topics for discussion. The public is welcome to participate in these discussions.
All meetings are scheduled to begin at 7.00 p.m.
JANUARY 15. 1992 - Adopt Citizen Participation Plan; Approve Timetable; Develop
Questionnaire for citizen input.
FEBRUARY 19, 1992 - 'Administer questionnaires; Discuss Existing conditions section; Discuss 1986
Policy Assessment
MARCH 18, 1992 - Review questionnaire results; Begin 1992 Policy Statements: Resource
Protection (13 required topics) and Resource Production and Management
(7 required topics)
APRIL 15. 1992 Continue 1992 Polity Statements: Economic and Community Development
(10 _required topics), Continued Public Participation (3 required topics),
Storm Hazard Mitigation (5 categories of required topics), and Other
Relevant Issues (your choice of additional issues)-- -
MAY 20, 1992 - — - Review rough draft of Existing Conditions and Policies.
JUNE 17, 1992 - Discuss Land Classification; Relationship of Policies and Land Classification;
and Intergovernmental Coordination.
JULY 15, 1992 - Review remaining sections of Tough draft; Hold Public Hearing on the draft
version; Make recommendation to Town Council to submit the preliminary
draft to the Division of Coastal Management -for preliminary review.
AUGUST 19, 1992 - DCM Review Period; Comments returned
SEPTEMBER 16, 1992 - Review comments from DCM; make alterations to the draft; recommend
adoption to Town Council; Council holds public hearing and adopts final
draft; return to DCM for final certification by Coastal Resources
Commission.

ARTICLE V
AN ORDINANCE REGULATING THE EXTENSION OF WATER AND SANITARY SEWER SERVICE WITHIN
AND OUTSIDE THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE TOWN OF BELHAVEN.
Be it Ordained by the Board of Aldermen of the Town of Belhaven as follows:
Section 1. APPLICATION FOR AND APPROVAL OF EXTENSIONS REQUIRED.
A. From and after the effective date of this Ordinance, any property owner, or
owners, desiring water or sanitary sewer service shall apply in writing to the Board
of Aldermen requesting the extension of water or sanitary sewer service or both. No
request for the extension of services shall be considered unless submitted in writing
in accordance with the requirements of this Ordinance.
B. The Town may require the applicant to submit as part of the written appli-
cation such information, plans, or other data as may be required to adequately
determine if the requirements of this Ordinance are to be met.
C. When application is made for water and sewer extensions to serve an area
or development project that is planned as part of a larger project or subdivision,
all of which is not to be developed at the time application is made, the owner or
owners shall submit plans in sufficient detail in order to determine the size and type
facilities which will be necessary to serve the entire development or subdivision
when completed.
r D. No extension to the water or sanitary sewer system of the Town of Belhaven
shall be made and no application shall be approved except in accordance with the
requirements of this Ordinance.
Section 2, GENERAL EXTENSION REQUIREMENTS.
All extensions of either water or sanitary sewer service shall be governed by
the following:
(a) The minimum distance for any extension of a water main or sanitary sewer
main shall be determined by the Bov.rd of Aldermen. In general, the minimum distance
for extensions shall be one platted block, or in the case of water mains from main
line valve to valve and in the case of sanitary sewer extension--from-manhole to
manhole.
(b) The size of water mains and sanitary sewer mains to be installed and the
other required system.facilities shall be determined by the Board of Aldermen in
accordance with the recognized standards and accepted engineering practices and
design.
Section 3. FINANCING EXTENSIONS WITHIN CORPORATE LIMITS.
A. Extensions to Approved Subdivisions or Developed Property.
(1) When application is received requesting the extension of water or sanitary
sewer service or both to serve property within the corporate limits which is develope
or has been previously approved as a subdivision, or where streets have previously be
:1w J.'

dedicated and accepted by the Town, and where such area is not part of a new sub-
division which has not been approved by the Town, the Town Cleror other person
designated by the Board of Aldermen shall estimate the cost of the project and
present the application for such extension, the estimated cost and other required
information to the Board of Aldermen for their consideration. If the application is
approved by the Board of Aldermen and subject to the availability of funds, the Town
will install or have installed by contract under its supervision the extensions
which have been approved, and such extension shall be financed in accordance with
this subsection.
(2) When an approved water or santary sewer extension project has been com-
pleted and the total cost thereof has been determined, seventy-five percent of the
total cost of such water or sanitary sewer extension or both shall be assessed
against the property owners whose property abuts upon such extension at an equal
rate per front foot in accordance with and under the authority granted to the Town
by G.S. 160-241 through G.S. 160-248. The remaining twenty-five percent of the total
cost of such extensions shall be borne by the Town from funds appropriated for this
purpose.'
(3) Any property owner or owners shall have the opportunity to pay his or
their proportionate share of the cost of such extensions after the assessment roll
is confirmed rather than paying his or their share in equal annual installments with
interest as required by the statute.
B. Extensions to Proposed Development or Subdivisions.
(1) When an application is received requesting the extension of -water or sani-
tary sewer service or both to proposed development or subdivisions within the cor-
p orate limits which have not been approved by the Board of Aldermen, the Town Clerk
or other person designated by the Board of Aldermen, shall estimate the cost of the
project and present the application for such extension, the estimated cost and other
required information to the Board of Aldermen for their consideration. If the
• application is approved, and subject to the availability of funds, -the Town will
install or have installed by contract under its supervision such extensionswhich
shall be financed in accordance with this subsection.
(2) Prior to the beginning of any construction, the property owner or owners
shall advance to ,the Town funds in an amount equal to seventy-five percent of the
total estimated cost of the proposed extensions. Upon receipt of such funds, a
written contract shall be entered into by and between the Town of Belhaven and the
property owner or owners, under which the Town will use such funds upon the following
terms and conditions:
(a) The funds shall be deposited in a special account of the Town for which_a
separate accounting will be made.
(b) At the time construction of the extension is completed and the total cost
thereof is determined, if the amount deposited exceeds seventy-five percent of the
total cost, that portion in excess of the amount deposited will be refunded to the
owner or owners without interest. If the amount deposited is less than seventy-five
percent of the total cost, the.owner or owners shall pay such additional amount to
the Town and this condition shall be a part of the written contract.

. (c) In lieu of depositing funds, the owner or owners may provide a surety bond
or some other form of security that will insure payment to the T wn of the owner or
owners' proportionate share of the cost of etension in accordance with this Ordinance.
(d) No refund or reimbursement of funds shall be made to the owner or owners
who pay seventy-five percent of the total cost of extension under the requirements of
this subsection except as provided for in paragraph (b) above.
C. Facilities Excluded in Determining Owners` Share of Cost.
(1) When the Town of Belhaven determines that it is advisable to install
larger size facilities than are necessary to serve the property requesting such
extension, the difference in the cost of the larger size facilities over and above
the cost of the facilities required to serve the.property requesting such extension
shall be paid for by the Town of Belhaven and excluded from the total cost to be
shared by the property owner and the Town as provided for herein.
(2) Fire hydrants, pumping stations, outfall lines, and other facilities.in
stalled for general public use shall be paid for by the Town of Belhaven and ex-
cluded from the total cost to be shared by the property owner and the Town as pro-
vided for herein.
D. Exceptions Authorized.
(1) Nothing in this Ordinance shall prevent the Board of. Aldermen from extend-
ing water or sanitary sewer mains or both within the corporate limits on their own
motion without receipt of an application from property owners, and to assess the cost
of such extensions in accordance with subsection A of Section 3 of this Ordinance when,
in the opinion of the Board of Aldermen, -the general public interest demands such
extension of service. _ --
(2) Nothing in this Ordinance shallrequire payments or assessments for the
extension of water or sanitary sewer mains or both, which are to be. -extended by
-William C.-Olsen and Associates -Engineers -and Architects, Raleigh, -North Carolina,
under contract number 414 for water and 401 for sewer, and included..under--EDA number,
---03-1-00051P and HUD number PFL NC 89.— -- - - _-__—_-- -- _-----------.-- ,--
Section 4. FINANCING EXTENSIONS OUTSIDE CORPORATE LIMITS.
A. All applications for water and sewer extensions outside the corporate limits.
shall be made in the same manner and under the same requirements as provided for in
Sections 1 and 2 of this Ordinance. --
B. If an application is approved by the Board of Aldermen, the owner or owners
shall be required to pay for the entire cost of all extensions. Provided, the Town may
participate to.the extent agreed upon -by the Board of Aldermen in;the cost of larger
size mains which are in excess of the size mains required to serve -the project. No
reimbursement shall be made upon annexation and all water and sewer lines connected
to the Town system and located outside the corporate limits shall become the property
of the Town at the time such facilities are connected.
C. Prior to the beginning of any construction, the owner or owners shall deposit
with the Town funds in an amount equal to the total estimated cost of such extensions.
i

Upon receipt of such funds, a written contract shall be entered into by and between
the Town of Belhaven and the property owner or owners in accord nce with the require-
ments of this Ordinance. Such contract shall provide that in tie event the amount of
the total funds deposited exceeds the amount of the total extension cost when com-
pleted that portion in excess of the total. extension cost will be refunded to the
owner or owners without interest. Such contract.shall also provide that if the amount
deposited is less than the total cost, the owner or owners shall pay such additional
amount to the Town of Belhaven.
D. In lieu of depositing funds the owner or owners may execute a surety bond
guaranteeing payment for such extension or the owner or owners may have such extension
work performed under private contract with the approval of the Board of.Aldermen,
provided the work is to be performed in accordance with all construction requirements
of the Town of Belhaven and subject to inspection and approval of the Town.
E. In the event the property for which application has been made for water or
sewer service is contiguous to the corporate limits and the owner or owners of such
property agree to annexation and in the event such property is annexed to the Town of
Belhaven, extensions may be made to such property and the cost thereof financed in
accordance with the requirements of Section 3A or 3B of this Ordinance, whichever is
applicable.
Section 5. SPECIFICATIONS, OWNERSHIP.
Any water mains or sanitary sewer mains extended under the provisions of this
Ordinance shall be installed and constructed in accordance with the approved plans,
specifications and other requirements of the Town of Belhaven. All facilities in-
stalled under the provisions of this Ordinance, whether within or outside the corporate
limits,shall become the sole property of the Town of Belhaven and under its juris-
diction and control for any and all purposes whatsoever at the time such facilities are
connected to the Town system. When required, the property owner or owners shall grant
to the Town such utility eastments as the Town may require. In addition, a deed to
the Town for water and/or sewer facilities installed which are located outside the
corporate limits, the cost of which is borne -by individual property owners,,shall_be
executed prior to the time any extensions provided for in this -Ordinance -are connected
to the Town systems.
Section 6. ADDITIONAL SUBDIVISION IMPROVEMENT REQUIREMENT.
The Board of Aldermen may in its discretion as a condition under which water
or sewer service or both will be extended, require the owner or owners of a proposed
subdivision to enter into an agreement to improve the proposed streets therein at their
own expense and in accordance with the ordinances then in force governing the
acceptance of public streets for the Town of Belhaven. If required, this section shall
apply to subdivisions which are located either within or outside the corporate limits
of the Town of Belhaven.
Section 7. CONFLICTING ORDINANCES REPEALED.
All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with the provisions of this
Ordinance are hereby repealed.
Section 8. EFFECTIVE DATE
This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after the 6th day
of March, 1968.

SUMMARY OF NORTH CAROLINA ENVIRONMENTAL PERMITS
PttiIII111
Re,Snoncibl . Aaency
Normal Process
ling in Days
AIR
Air Quality Permit
Environmental Management
80 .
Air Quality Prevention of
Significant Deterioration
Environmental Management
180
Asbestos Containing Material
Removal Permit
Epidemiology
10
�.
-
National Emissions Standards
for Hazardous Air Pollutants
(NESHAP) Notification_
Epidemiology
10
Open Burning Permit
Environmental Management
1
Burning Permit
Forest Resources
1
CAMA Major
Coastal Management
65 (Regular)
Development
1 (General)
COASTAL
State Dredge &
Coastal Management
65 (Regular)
QUALITY
Fill
1 (General)
CANNA Minor Development.
Local Government
18
Stormwater Certification
Environmental management
60
-- t
Federal Consistency
Coastal Management
Easement to Fill
Department of Administration
60-90
Bridge Easement
Department of Administration
60-90
Cable or Pipeline Easement
Department of Administration
60-90
`
Aquaculture Permit
Marine Fisheries
- 1-5
Oil Refinery
Environmental Management
160
_ - - — - - - ---- --- --
--Facility Permit--
Hazardous Waste Management
Solid Waste Management
90
Permit
Hazardous Waste Management
Solid Waste Management
Immediate
Emergency Permit
Solid Waste Management Permit
Solid Waste Management
-
FACILITIES
Treatment and Processing
Facilities (composting,
-
recycling,non-disposal)
60
Transfer Stations
45
Disposal Facilities (includes
landfill and incinerators)
180-360
Tax Certification/
Solid Waste Management ,
60
Resource Recycle Facility
Tax Certification/
Environmental Management
90
'
Pollution Abatement
GROUND-
Well Construction Permit
Environmental Management
7
' WATER
Injection Well Construction/
Use Permit
Environmental Management
15
Underground Storage Tank
Notification
Environmental Management
NSA

i Permits
Water Supply System Plans and
RespDnsibIC Agency
Environmental Health
Specifications Approval
impoundment Perrot (Mosquito)
Environmental Health
HEALTH Sanitary Sewage Systems
Local Government &
with Subsurface Dis-
Environmental Health
charge or Closed Systems
Location and Protection of Public
Water Supplies
Environmental Health
Asbestos Containing Material
Removal Permit
Epidemiology
Normal Process
Time in Days•
30
10
15-60
1-5
Sedimentation
Land Resources
30
Control
Dam Safety Permit
Land Resources
45
LAND Mining Permit
Land Resources
45
QUALITY Geophysical
Land Resources
10
. Exploration
Oil/Gas Exploration
Land Resources
10
Uranium Exploration
Land Resources
10
OTHER
PRESERVA-
TION
Intergovernmental Review
Process (IRP)
Department of Administration .
15-30
North Carolina Environmental
Policy Act (NCEPA)
Department of Administration
15-30
Archaeological and Historic
Preservation
Department of Cultural Resources
14
Archaeological Resources Protection
Act Permit -
Department of Cultural Resources
- 30
Permit for Exploration: Recovery
_— or Salvage --- �-
Department of Cultural Resources - _
_ 30
Conservation Tax Credit
Certification
Planning & Assessment
30-60
PROPERTY OF Easement to Fill
THE STATE Bridge Easement
Cable or Pipeline Easement
i
Accelerator License
RADIATION Radiation Machines
PROTECTION Radioactive Material License
Tanning Equipment
WATER
QUALITY
Surface Water Supply Watershed
Protection
NPDES Permit
Non -Discharge Permit
401 Certification
404 Permit
Department of Administration 65
Department of Administration 60-90
Department of Administration--- 60-90
Division of Radiation Protection
30
Division of Radiation Protection
30
Division of Radiation Protection
30
Division of Radiation Protection
30
Environmental Management
Environmental Management 120
Environmental Management 45
Environmental Management 45
Corps of Engineers

Permits
R=nsible Agency
State Lakes
Construction Permit
Parks & Recreation
Stonmwater Certification
Environmental Management
(High Quality Waters or
Outstanding Resource
Waters)
Sanitary Sewage Systems
Local Government &
with subsurface discharge
Environmental Health
' or closed system
' Pretreatment Permit
Environmental Management
_ Impoundment Permit (mosquito)
Environmental Health
WATER Water Transfer Certificate
Water Resources
. QUANTITY Water Use Permit
Environmental Management
Streamflow Modification
Water Resources
(Consultation Recommended)
Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission (FERC)
C
RIJ,
15-60
90
10
90
45
30
u

A GUIDE TO PERMITS WHICH MAY BE NEEDED
Does the activity involve A state approval- Environmental documentation
ALL THREE of the following? Expenditure of public money- under N. C. Environmental
Potential for significant Policy Act
environmental effect -
To Surface Water NPDES Permit and Authorization
to Construct
To Land Surface DEM Permit (State)
Is there a DISCHARGE
OF WASTEWATER? To Subsurface (Private) Environmemtal Health or
Local Health Department Permit
To Subsurface (Public/
Community/Industry) DEM Non -discharge Permit
Is there any affect on Withdrawals from surface waters, Streamflow Modification
STREAMFLOW? streamflow alteration by dams or Notification (Recommended) and
weirs. Dam Safety
Are there AIR
EMISSIONS?
New Source, modifications,
expansions, control equipment,
complex sources, toxic emissions
Air Quality Permit
Water Use in a Capacity Use
Water Use Permit
Area
Is project in one of 20 coastal counties or
Stormwater Certification
a water basin classified as Outstanding
Resource Waters or High Quality
Special requirements on
Waters
discharge (NPDES) may apply
Construction/Use of Well
Injection Well Permit
for Injection
Are WATER RESOURCES
Construction of well for supply,
Well Construction
affected?
monitoring, recovery of minerals or
Permit
contaminants, exploration, etc.
Dredge/Fill discharge and
401 Certification
Federal 404 permit
Transfer of Water from one
Water Transfer
stream to another
Certificate
Pier or other structure in
state-owned lakes
State Lakes Construction
Permit
Cable, Pipeline, Bridge over State easement
or under navigable waters
INJECTING substances Injecting to subsurface Injection Well Construction/
to Subsurface? through wells Use Permit

Development in Area of CAMA Major Development
Environmental Concern (AEC) Permit
Is project in the Excavation or filling in marshland, State Dredge and Fill
COASTAL AREA? estuarine waters, tidelands Permit
Development in AEC is minor CAMA Minor Development
Permit (local)
Construction disturbance
Sedimentation Control
Is LAND DISTURBED or an of one or more acres
Plan (State or Local)
c, IMPOUNDMENT Involved?
Approval .
Dam 15 Feet high and 10 acre
Dam Safety approval to
feet impoundment volume
construct, alter, repair or remove
Impounding 100 acres or more
Mosquito control impoundment
permit
Wetland Impact
401 Certification
One or more acres of
Mining Permit
mining activity land disturbance
Mineral prospects
Geophysical Exploration
Permit
Will there be
MINING or Exploration
Oil or Gas drilling
Permit to Drill
activities?
Uranium Exploration
Uranium Exploration Permit
Excavated borrow material
Mining Permit -
Burning in residential - . -- - - -
Open Burning Permit
Is Land CLEARING
areas: air pollution
AND BURNING
involved?
Fires in or within 500
Burning Permit .
feet of woodlands
Any non -point sources of
--Is development planned
pollution
Local WATERSHED PROTECTION
Within a SURFACE WATER
ordinancewith minimum statewide.
SUPPLY WATERSHED?
Hazardous materials used
management requirements
and stored within the
for water supply watershed
watershed
management and protection
Wetland Impact
401 Certification
Is there a concern about .
RADIATION PROTECTION?
Particle Accelerator or
Radioactive Material
Commercial Tanning
Business
X-ray machines or any
radiation equipment
Radioactive Material and
Accelerator License .
Tanning Facilities and
Equipment Registration
Registration of Radiation
Machines

Im
Is there an UNDERGROUND
STORAGE TANK?
A new system being
installed
A leak detection device
being installed
Permanent closure or change
in service
Commercial underground storage of
petroleum products
Explore, recover or salvage
a shipwreck
Are CULTURAL Archaeological investigations
RESOURCES affected? on state lands
Affect on terrestrial or submerged
archaeological, historical, or
architectural resources
Underground Storage Tank
(UST) Notification
UST Registration and Fee
Permit for Exploration:
Recovery or Salvage
Archaeological Resources
Protection Act Permit
Permit review by Archaeology
and Historic Preservation
Section
Removal of ASBESTOS Renovations, demolition, Asbestos Containing Material
MATERIAL? or planned maintenance Removal Permit
f NESHAP (National Emissions
Standards for Hazardous Air Pollut-
ants) Notification
Management of hazardous waste - Hazardous Waste Management Permit
Is there treatment, storage, at facilities. Emergency disposal or
or disposal of HAZARDOUS of hazardous materials when there Hazardous Waste Management
WASTE? is substantial endangerment of Emergency Permit
public health or the environment
i
CABLE, PIPELINE,
Placed over, under, or in
Cable or Pipeline Easement
or BRIDGE?
navigable waters
Bridge Easement
PIER or other structure
Baytree Lake, White Lake, Lake
State Lakes Construction Permit
IN STATE-OWNED LAKES?
Waccamaw, Lake Phelps
Raising FISH for
Saltwater fish for sale
Aquaculture Permit
' Commercial purposes?
Is a WATERFRONT
Removal of old pilings,
Permit for Exploration:
CLEANUP being planned?
wrecked boats, etc. from
Recovery or Salvage
water bodies.
xix

0
i
The Preceedinq information has been extracted from the publication
listed below. For copies of the publication in its entirity,
contactthe Division of Planninq and Assessment, NC Department of
Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, P.O. Box 27687, Raleigh, NC
27611-7687, 919-733-6376. The cost is $5.00
North Carolina
Environmental Permit Directory
PREPARED BY
THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH, AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Division of Planning & Assessment
Anne Taylor, Editor and Project Manager
Douglas G. Lewis, Division Director
William W. Cobey, Jr., Secretary
Michael C. Wilkinson, Assistant Secretary for Administration