1991 Land Use Plan Update-1992

Town of Carolina Beach
1991 Land Use Plan Update
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Locally Approved
January
14,
1992
CRC Certified
January
23,
1992
HOWARD T. CAPPS dam? ASSOCIATES
Landscape Archaect - Land Planner
201 N. Front Street, Suite 308 • Wilmington. North Carolina 28401

I
i Town of Carolina Beach
1991 Land Use Plan Update
The preparation of this document was financed in
part through a grant provided by the North Carolina
Coastal Management Program, through funds provided
by the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as
amended, which is administered by the Office of
Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
HOWARD T. CAPPS 0 ASSOCIATES
Landscape Abrhitect • Land Planner
201 N. Front Street. Suite 308 • Wilmington. North Carolina 28401
I
I

1990 Carolina Beach Land Use Plan Update
Table of Contents
I. Introduction
II. Data Collection and Analysis (Present Conditions)
A. Present Population and Economy Including
Seasonal Population
B. Existing Land Use
1.
Existing Land Use Map Discussion Including Stream
Classification, ORW Waters and Nursery Areas
2.
Significant Land and Water Use Compatibility Problems
P Y
3.
Major Problems Resulting from Unplanned Development
with Implications for Future Land and Water Use
4.
Areas Experiencing or Likely to Experience Changes
in Predominant Land Use
C. Current Plans, Policies and Regulations
1.
Transportation Plan
2.
Community Facilities Plan
3.
Utility Extension Policy
4.
Open Space and Recreation Policy
5.
Prior Land Use Plan and Policies
j6.
National
Flood Insurance Program
7.
Zoning
8.
Subdivision Regulations
9.
Floodway
10.
Building Code
11.
Septic Tanks
12.
Historic District
13.
Nuisance Ordinance
14.
Dune Protection
Page
1A
1
1
2
2
4
5
5
5
5
6
6
6
6
6
6
7
7
7
7
7
8
8

15.
Sedimentation Ordinance
8
16.
Environmental Impact Ordinances
8
17.
Codes or Regulations
8
18.
Storm Water Management Plans
8
19.
Mobile Home Park Ordinance
9
20.
Group Housing or PUD Ordinance
9
21.
Existing Policy in Relation to Land Classification
Map
9
D. Constraints: Land Suitability
9
I.
Physical Limitations for Development
9
a. Man-made Hazard Areas Including Airports, Tank
Farms, Nuclear Power Plants or Explosive Storage
Areas
9
b. Natural Hazard Areas Including Ocean Erodible
Areas, Flood Hazard Areas
10
c. Areas with Soil Limitations Including Non -Compacting
Soils, Shallow Soils, Poorly Drained Soils and Soils
Not Suitable for Septic Tanks
10
d. Slopes Exceeding 12%
11
e. Water Supply Including Groundwater Recharge Areas,
Public Water Supply Watershed and Wellfields
11
2.
Fragile Areas
12
a. Coastal Wetlands
12
b. Sand Dunes
12
c. Ocean Beach and Shorelines
13.
d. Estuarine Waters and Estuarine Shorelines
18
e. Public Trust Waters
18
f. Complex Natural Areas
19
g. Areas that Sustain Remnant Species
20
h. Areas Containing Unique Geologic Formations
20
i. Registered Natural Landmarks
20
j. Wooded Swamps
21

k. Prime Wildlife Habitats
21
1. Scenic and Prominent High Points
21
m. Archeologic and Historic Sites
21
n. Maritime Forests and 404 Wetlands
21
o. Lands Identified Through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
National Wetlands Inventory
22
p. Areas Identified Through NRCD's Natural Heritage
Program
23
3.
Areas with Resource Potential
23
a. Productive and Unique Agricultural Lands
23
b. Potentially Valuable Mineral Sites
23
c. Publicly Owned Forests
23
d. Parks
23
e. Fish and Game Lands.
24
f. Non -Intensive Outdoor Recreation Lands
24
g. Privately Owned Wildlife Sanctuaries
24
h. Prime Farm Land (Consistent with Governor's Executive
Order Number 96)
24
E. Constraints:
Carrying Capacity Analysis
24
1.
Existing Water and Sewer Service Areas, Including
Private Systems
24
2.
Design Capacity of Existing Water Treatment Plant
24
3.
Design Capacity of Existing Sewage Treatment Plant
26
4.
Schools
26
5.
Landfill
26
6.
Police
26
7.
Fire
27
8.
Public Administration
27
9.
Primary Roads and Bridges
27

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1
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1
1
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1
1
1
1
10.
Utilization Level of Water Plant, Sewage Plant, Schools,
Primary Roads
27
11.
Capacity of Community Facilities to Supply Existing and
Future Needs Including Seasonal Population
28
F. Estimated Demand
28
1.
Population and Economic Estimate for 10-Year Period
Based on Department of Administration Projections
28
2.
Future Land Needs
35
3.
Community Facilities Demand Including Landfill, Roads
and Bridges, Water, Sewer, Schools
35
III. Policy
Statements
38
A. Resource Protection
38
1.
Areas of Environmental Concern and Appropriate Land
Use in AEC's
38
2.
Constraints to Development Including Flood Prone Areas,
Soil Suitability and Septic Tank Use
38
3.
Development Density in Proximity to Designated ORW's
38
4.
Other Hazard or Fragile Land Areas
38
5.
Hurricane and Flood Evacuation Needs
47
6.
Protection of Potable Water Supply
49
7.
Use of Package Treatment Plants
49
8.
Stormwater Runoff
49
9.
Marina and Floating Home Development and Dry Stack
Facilities
49
10.
Industrial Impact on Fragile Areas
50
11.
Development of Sound and Estuarine System Islands
50
12.
Restriction of Development in Areas up to Five Feet
Above Mean High Water
50
13.
Upland Excavation for Marina Basins
50

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14. Damaging of Existing Marshes by Bulkhead Installation 51
B. Resource Production and Management 51
1. Productive Agriculture Lands 51
2. Commercial Forest Lands 51
3. Potential Mineral Production Areas 51
4. Commercial and Recreational Fisheries 52
5. Off -Road Vehicles 52
6.
Residential, Commercial and Industrial Development
52
7.
Peat and Phosphate Mining
52
C. Economic and Community Development
53
1.
Community Attitude Toward Growth
53
2.
Types and Location of Industries Desired
53
3.
Local Commitment to Providing Services
53
4.
Urban Growth Patterns Desired
53
5.
Redevelopment of Developed Areas Including Relocation of
Structures Due to Erosion
54
6.
Commitment to State and Federal Programs Including Erosion
Control, Public Access, Highway Improvements, Port Facili-
ties, Dredging and Military Facilities
54
7.
Channel Maintenance and Beach Nourishment Projects
Including Financial Aid, Providing Spoil Areas or
Providing Easements
55
8.
Energy Facility Siting
56
9.
Inshore and Offshore Exploration or Development Including
Refineries, Storage
56
10.
Tourism
56
11.
Coastal and Estuarine Water Access
57
12
Type, Densities, Location, Units per Acre of Anticipated
Residential Development
S7
13.
Recreation
58
D. Future Land Use
59

I. Existing Land Use and Development Trends
59
2. Future Land Use
62
3. Development Issues
66
4. Policies
and Implementation Procedures
69
E. Storm Hazard Mitigation and Post Disaster Reconstruction
Policies with Composite Hazard Map
71
IV. Land Classification
72
A.
Developed
72
B. Urban Transition
72
C. Conservation
73
V. Relationship of Policies and Land Classification
75
VI. Intergovernmental Coordination and Implementation
75
VII. Public Participation
75
Appendix
Natural Resource Areas Map
76
1
Permitted Land Uses Map
Future Land Use Map
77
78
Residential Planned Development Map
79
Land Use Compatibility Table
80
Business Planned Development Map
81
Zoning Ordinance Article 200 - Planned Business District
82
Existing Land Use Map
84
Land Classification Map
85
1986 Land Use Plan Policy Statements
86
Primary Nursery Areas
89
Well Site Locations
Additional Park and Recreation Facilities
90
90A
Summary of Access Facilities
91
Hazards Map
95
1986 Land Use Plan Policy Review and Analysis
95A
Previous Policy Effectiveness
96

I. IPTBODIICTIOA
The 1974 Coastal Area Management Act required the establishment
of a cooperative program of coastal land management between local
governments and the State of North Carolina. This program has
been implemented by the State through the local Land Use Plan, a
document to be prepared by the relevant local government (or, for
it, by the State) which reflects local policies, concerns, issues
and philosophies regarding the use of all coastal land within
local jurisdiction.
The Town of Carolina Beach has adopted three previous Land Use
Plans. The first plan was adopted in 1976, the second in 1980,
and the current plan in 1985. The 1976 and 1980 plans were
general and conceptual in nature, providing broad policy
statements that were limited in providing guidance to
site -specific land use decisions. However, the 1985 Land Use
Plan attempted to inventory the type and extent of changes in
population and land use, chart development and economic trends
resulting from these changes, and assist in preparing the Town to
control and direct future changes through growth management
techniques.
In order to accomplish this purpose, the 1985 Land Use Plan was
divided into seven Elements and seven Technical Appendices. The
Elements were concerned with the inventory of existing conditions
and trends, and the establishment of policies and implementation
procedures for managing development issues of importance to the
Town. The Technical Appendices provide supporting information
for the Elements.
The Elements were designed to be educational tools, as well as
aids to decision -making. In this manner, they were intended to
inform the general public and Town officials alike as to the
rationale behind specific Town policy goals and directives.
Although the Town experienced substantial growth during the
1980's, that growth rate has slowed somewhat in the late 1980's.
The Town of Carolina Beach recognizes both the danger and the
potential inherent to changing conditions. The 1985 Land Use
Plan served as a means by which the Town hoped to avoid the
dangers of growth while simultaneously unlocking the potential of
that growth. The 1990 Land Use Plan Update is a compilation of
current policies to direct future growth at Carolina Beach. The
plan will accomplish this through public participation efforts,
the updating of information on facilities and policies and
through the establishment of new implementation strategy or
renewed commitment to previously established policy and
implementation strategy.
I lA

II. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
A. Present Population and Economy Including Seasonal Population
The table below reflects Carolina Beach population from 1930
to 1980 based on Census information with a 1988 population
estimate provided by the State Office of Management and
Budget. Carolina Beach has experienced a steady growth rate
as reflected in the table.
Carolina Beach Population
3,630
3, 500
2,500 2,579
2,000
1,500
1,000
500
100
L�
1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1988
Source: 1930 through 1980 population based on Census. 1988 population
based on State Office of Management and Budget.
1990 population based on 1990 Census
The Carolina Beach economy consists primarily of retail and
service businesses that serve the needs of permanent as well
as seasonal residents. Carolina Beach has no industrial base
and must rely heavily on the tourist and seasonal population.
With the opening of I-40 to southeastern North Carolina in
the fall of 1990, Carolina Beach, like other southeastern
North Carolina coastal communities, may experience new growth
in the economy in the form of more residential building and
related service businesses to serve anticipated new
residents, both permanent and seasonal.
The 1985 Land Use Plan indicated that Carolina Beach's
mainstay for the economy was tourism, real estate, commercial
and sports fishing. The 1985 plan addressed the poor
condition of the public marina and its negative impact on the
Carolina Beach fishing industry and how its condition could
draw fewer tourists to the area. Since the 1985 plan was
prepared, the Town has completed extensive renovation of the
marina facilities which provide an excellent public marina
for fishermen and tourists alike.
1990
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Real estate services continue to be a major service and part
of the local economy. Following completion of I-40 from
Raleigh to Wilmington in the fall of 1990, this segment of
the economy may experience substantial expansion if new
residential and commercial development takes place.
Retail sales and service businesses such as fast food and
restaurants and tourist -oriented businesses continue to grow.
This growth can also be expected to continue with anticipated
residential growth following the completion of I-40 and as
limited by water and sewer system limitations.
B. Existing Land Use
1.
Existing Land Use Map Discussion Including Stream Classifi-
cation, Outstanding Resource Waters(ORW) Waters and Nursery
Areas (See Existing Land Use Map page 84, Nursery Areas
Map page 89)
Area I (North of Harper Avenue, east of old U.S. 421,
south of Snows Cut and west of Myrtle Grove Sound)
As you cross the U.S. 421 bridge over Snow's Cut, the
land area on both the east and west sides of U.S. 421 is
undeveloped. As you approach Dow Road's intersection
with U.S. 421, the area to the west is a mixture of
commercial, public and residential including a large
mobile home park between Dow Road and the old U.S. 421
near the Carolina Beach State Park property. Between
U.S. 421 and the western side of Myrtle Grove Sound is a
mixture of single family residential and commercial with
some multi -family uses primarily along the waterfront at
Myrtle Grove Sound. Continuing along U.S. 421 to the
intersection with Harper Avenue are primarily commercial
uses on both sides of the U.S. 421 frontage. To the west
of U.S. 421 and north of Harper Avenue you find small lot
single family residential. This area of Carolina Beach
also contains a substantial amount of undeveloped land
with most being zoned RA-20, and a substantial amount of
undeveloped land on the east and west side of U.S. 421
zoned B-3. As shown on the Hazards Map, areas along the
western side of Myrtle Grove Sound as well as some areas
along Snow's Cut are subject to flooding.
Area 2 (East of Myrtle Grove Sound, south of Carolina
Beach Inlet, west of the Atlantic Ocean and north of
Harper Avenue)
As you travel north along Canal Drive from Harper Avenue,
the area on the east side of Canal Drive is commercial
and the west side is both commercial and public. Public
2

facilities include the Police and Fire station and public
marina on Myrtle Grove Sound. As you continue to travel
north on Canal Drive, the area east of Canal Drive to the
beach front is a combination of single family cottages on
small lots and some multi -family units mostly in the form
of condominiums. On the west side of Canal Drive and
along Myrtle Grove Sound is predominantly single-family.
The northern end of this area includes Spinnaker Point
Condominiums near Snow's Cut and the Breakers
Condominiums at the end of Canal Drive. The area north
of Spinnaker Point and the Breakers is undevelopable
land. Area 2 has only a few vacant lots primarily along
Canal Drive and is considered totally developed.
Area 3 (East of Dow Road, south of Harper Avenue, west of
the Atlantic Ocean and north of Spartanburg Avenue)
As you travel south along Lake Park Boulevard from Harper
Avenue, both the east and west side of this main
thoroughfare is commercial. The commercial area between
Lake Park Boulevard and the Atlantic Ocean beachfront
includes the Carolina Beach Boardwalk and adjacent
commercial uses. West of Lake Park Boulevard is a
mixture of commercial, single family residential and some
small vacant lots. From 3rd Street west to Dow Road is
the largest single family area of Carolina Beach with a
substantial number of undeveloped single family lots
zoned R-12. This area also includes a Regional Park on
Dow Road, a school site near Carolina Lake and Clarendon
Avenue, and a small park between Cape Fear Boulevard and
Raleigh Avenue. Carolina Lake is located west of Lake
Park Boulevard between Birmingham and Atlanta Avenue and
serves as passive recreation area and holding pond for
storm drainage.
Area 4 (East of Dow Road, south of Spartanburg Avenue,
west of the Atlantic Ocean and north of Alabama Avenue)
Traveling south from Spartanburg Avenue along Lake Park
Boulevard, the land use of the east and west side is a
1
mixture of commercial, single family residential and
multi -family in the form of oceanfront condominiums. The
area west of 2nd Street to Dow Road is single family
residential in the areas zoned RA-5 and mobile homes in
the RA-5T zone. This area has a large number of
undeveloped lots and unopened street rights -of -way. This
area also includes a portion of the Sunny Point Buffer
Zone east of Dow Road which represents land area that
cannot be developed.
Area 5 (North of Extraterritorial Planning Area Boundary,
east of the Cape Fear River, south of Snow's Cut and West
of Dow Road)
3

All of the land area west of Dow Road is either State
Park, Sunny Point Buffer Zone or zoned for industrial use
with a mini -warehouse and City facility.
Carolina Beach has 20 public beach front access areas
between Carolina Beach Avenue and the Atlantic Ocean,
with 10 access areas between Canal Drive and Myrtle Grove
Sound. Each access contains varying degrees of
facilities from boardwalks with some parking to no
facilities at all. At the southern end of the beach,
there are seven County -operated access areas to the beach
with a small park with access to Carolina Lake at Lake
'
Park Boulevard.
The Stream Classification for Snow's Cut is SC Waters.
Myrtle Grove Sound has a classification of SB. There are
no ORW waters in the Carolina Beach Planning
Jurisdiction; however, nursery areas do exist at Carolina
Inlet north of Snow's Cut.
Developed or Developable Undevelopable Land
Land Use Type Acreage Land Use Type Acreage
Commercial 82.0 Carolina Beach
Hotel/Motel 17.0 State Park 337.0
Public (Schools, Snow's Cut Spoil
Parks) 33.3 Easement 22.0
Semi -Public Wetlands 280.0
(Churches) 5.6 Water Bodies 202.0
Condominium- Sunny Point Buffer
Multi -family 93.0 Zone 732.0
Residential 342.0 Beaches 109.0
Street R/W 442.0
Undeveloped 646.0
TOTAL 1,660.9 TOTAL 1,682.0
2. Significant Land and Water Use Compatibility Problems
The major land use compatibility problem observed during
the land use survey process was the location of North
Pier Villas and the Breakers Condominiums at the northern
end of the beach in an area subject to rapid ocean
erosion. The Long Term Average Annual Erosion Rates
updated through 1986 by the Division of Coastal
Management show this area eroding at slightly under eight
feet per year. Carolina Beach has recently completed
renourishment of the beach in this area and other
portions of the beach.
Another less significant compatibility problem is
commercial uses developed in a residential zone creating
non -conforming land uses in several areas of Carolina
Beach; however, although all are grandfathered, all are
being phased out.
FA
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3. Major Problems Resulting from Unplanned Development with
Implications for Future Land and Water Use
The higher density development at the northern end of the
beach with high erosion rates and susceptibility to
flooding in the area is a major problem. Because of the
development in this area, major efforts must now be made
to slow down the erosion rate with frequent beach
renourishment in addition to large rocks that were put
in place along this area of the beach prior to the
Coastal Management Program and restrictions against such
protection of the beach. Because the development was
approved in this area, a major long-range commitment must
now be made to slow erosion rates in order to protect
adjacent structures, which is true in many North Carolina
beachfront communities.
4. Areas Experiencing or Likely to Experience Changes in
Predominant Land Use
The downtown boardwalk area will continue to be improved
and enhanced following the Downtown Redevelopment Plan
completed several years ago by Carolina Beach with funds
provided by the CAMA program.
The large areas of undeveloped land along N.C. 421
between Goldsboro Avenue and the Snows Cut Bridge will
continue to develop with commercial uses along both sides
of 421 and residential development on the back side of
future commercial development. The undeveloped area on
Myrtle Grove Sound and between Inland Harbor and Harbor
Oaks will likely develop during the planning period.
All areas north of the existing Town limits to Snow's Cut
will be annexed effective January 1, 1992. In addition,
the Town Hall has been relocated to N.C. 421. A
Resolution of Consideration has been adopted by Carolina
Beach officials to also annex Wilmington Beach and Hanby
Beach.
C. Current Plans, Policies and Regulations
1. Transportation Plan
The current Transportation Plan for Carolina Beach was
prepared in November 1982. The Plan identifies ten areas
in need of traffic improvements with recommended
improvements. The Plan points out that plan
implementation depends on budget limitations, priority
placed on recommended improvements and the work load of
both the Town and Division of Highways. Transportation
improvement was identified as a local issue of concern
during the early public participation process of the Land
Use Plan Update. The Thoroughfare Plan is being updated
for the first time since 1973.

2. Community Facilities Plan
Carolina Beach does not have a Community Facilities Plan.
In an effort to better plan for the community's
facilities such as parks, sidewalks, water and sewer, the
community would like to prepare a Community Facilities
Plan during the five-year planning period.
3.
Utility Extension Policy
Carolina Beach currently extends utilities only to those
areas that request annexation into the Town's corporate
limits. Only two commercial businesses do not have
Carolina Beach utilities. Current policy is to extend
utilities to any land use inside the Town's corporate
limits.
4.
Open
Space and Recreation Policy
Carolina Beach has an active Recreational Advisory
Committee that serves at the pleasure of the Town
Council.
Carolina Beach has 27 ocean access points that
are provided by either the Town or by New Hanover County
(20 Town, 7 County). The Town also has estuarine access
points off of Canal Drive with facilities ranging from
bulkheaded grassed areas to gazebos over the water.
Information on location and types of recreational
facilities for Carolina Beach can be found in the
Appendix on page 91. In addition to beach access
areas,
the community has a 10-acre regional park at Dow Road
which contains a softball field, picnic shelter and
'
tables and open space. Additional park facilities are
included on page 90A of the Appendix.
5.
Prior Land Use Plan and Policies
A synopsis of prior Land Use Plan policies from the 1986
Plan and analysis of effectiveness has been outlined on
Page 96 through 98 of the Appendix.
6.
National Flood Insurance Program
On May 14, 1985, the results of the Flood Insurance Study
were reviewed and accepted by the community. The Flood
Insurance Rate Maps are dated September 4, 1986, and
consist of Community Panel Numbers 375347 0001 C and
375347 0002 C. The two flood maps show that
approximately one-half of the developed area of Carolina
Beach is located within the 100-year flood zone.
7.
Zoning

The current Zoning Ordinance was adopted on November 29,
1984, and represented an update to the Town's previous
Zoning Ordinance which had been adopted on January 11,
1977. The Ordinance includes a general provisions
section and district regulations for uses ranging from
Single -Family Residential to Marina Business Districts.
The Ordinance also regulates off-street parking, signs,
fences and conditional uses. The Ordinance is being
updated on an as -needed basis.
8.
Subdivision Regulations
The Subdivision Regulations for Carolina Beach include
the procedure for the plat review and approval process in
subdividing land. Minimum design standards and required
improvements are also included, such as grading, curb and
gutter, sidewalks and other utilities.
9.
Floodway
Areas subject to flooding along the Cape Fear River range
from 3,000 feet back from the edge of the Cape Fear River
at the State park site at Snow's Cut to less than 50 feet
'
back from the Cape Fear River in the Buffer Zone. All of
the northern end of the island and from Myrtle Grove
Sound to the ocean north of Pelican Lane is included in
the 100-year flood zone. The V zone or flood zone with
wave action runs the entire length of the beach from just
east of Lake Park Avenue at the southern end of the beach
to east of the center line of Carolina Beach Avenue from
Spartanburg Avenue to the north end of the beach. The
'
100-year flood zone covers much of Lake Park Avenue north
of Wilson Avenue and much of the land area east of 4th
Avenue, north of Greenville Avenue and south of Wilson
Avenue. (See Composite Hazard Map on page 95 in the
Appendix.)
10.
Building Code
Carolina Beach enforces the Minimum Housing Code and
State Building Code. The Electric, Plumbing and Heating
Codes are enforced by New Hanover County. The Carolina
Beach Building Inspector also serves as the local CAMA
Permit Officer.
'
11.
Septic
Tanks
Septic tank regulations are enforced by New Hanover
County. Carolina Beach policy is to allow septic tanks
if they are already in place, with no requirement to
connect to the Town sewer system. New septic tanks are
permitted if they are constructed in accordance with
Section 7-15 of the Town Code of Ordinances.
1
12. Historic District

Carolina Beach does not have a designated historic
district; however, the Ocean Plaza Cafe is included in a
document entitled "Historic Architecture of New Hanover
County" prepared by the New Hanover County Planning
Department.
13. Nuisance Ordinance
The Carolina Beach Code of Ordinances, Chapter 10,
addresses nuisances such as indecent exposure, drinking
in public, unnecessary noises, weeds and junk on property
and abandoned property.
14. Dune Protection
The Town Code of Ordinances does not address dune
protection; however, the local CAMA Permit Officer and
State CAMA Permit Officers have regulatory control over
construction along the frontal dune line of Carolina
Beach.
15. Sedimentation Ordinance
Section 12-154 of the Town Code of Ordinances addresses
erosion control measures to be taken during all grading,
excavation or other land -disturbing activities. The
Ordinance also addresses laying sod along drainage ways
to prevent erosion and protection of existing flora
through protection measures recommended by the U.S.
Department of Agriculture found in Information Bulletin
No. 285, "Protection of Trees Against Damage from
Construction Work." The Subdivision Ordinance Section
6.4 requires that an erosion control plan be prepared for
'
a site one acre or larger where land -disturbing
activities are
proposed.
16. Environmental Impact Ordinance
' Based on a review of the Town Code of Ordinances,
Carolina Beach does not have an Environmental Impact
Ordinance.
17. Codes and Regulations
' Carolina Beach has a comprehensive Code of Ordinances
which was adopted on May 22, 1986.
18. Storm Water Management Plans
Section 12-218 through 12-231 of the Code of Ordinances
addresses Storm Water Management and Drainage. The
Ordinance requires, prior to authorization of any
building permit, that plans be submitted for review and
approval showing stream flow, runoff calculations and
' drainage plans with final approval of drainage plans by
the Town Manager. Section 12-219 outlines responsibility
1 8

1
C.
of developer in regard to primary and secondary drainage
channels with drainage system standards outlined in
Section 12-220 of the Ordinance. Section 12-230 requires
that any existing man-made waterway over three feet in
depth shall be piped at the time of development.
19. Mobile Home Park Ordinance
Section 613 of the Zoning Ordinance addresses the
development of mobile home parks as a permitted use in
the RA-5T district with a minimum of two acres.
Requirements for roads and drives, parking spaces, set
backs, recreation space and utility requirements are
outlined in Sections 613.2 through 613.6.
20. Group Housing or PUD Ordinance
Planned developments including residential, business and
industrial are conditional uses and addressed in detail
from Section 608 through Section 608.6.6 of the Town
Ordinance.
21. Existing Policy in Relation to Land Classification Map
Town officials including the Planning Board utilize the
Land Use Plan and Land Classification Map as the difini-
tive guide in directing future land use development.
D. Constraints: Land Suitability
1. Physical Limitations for Development
a. Man-made Hazard Areas Including Airports, Tank Farms,
Nuclear Power Plants or Explosive Storage Areas
Carolina Beach does not contain an airport, tank
farms or nuclear power plant within its area of
planning responsibility. However, the community is
impacted by a major munitions facility at Sunny Point
Military Ocean Terminal and nuclear power plant
located on the west side of the Cape Fear River.
Although the Sunny Point facility is outside the
Town's jurisdiction, a buffer zone has been
established on the western edge of Carolina Beach to
serve as a natural blast shield for private
properties in the event of an accident. The Buffer
Zone is zoned RA-20; however, no development is
permitted.
The Carolina Beach State Park is also located on the
western edge of the community and, since publicly
owned, is not available for future development.
Snow's Cut, which is a man-made canal, is a physical
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feature that separates Carolina Beach from the main
land in New Hanover County.
b. Natural Hazard Areas Including Ocean Erodible Areas,
The ocean hazard system covers the lands along the
oceanfront and inlets that are vulnerable to storms,
flooding and erosion. The shape and location of
these landforms, especially the beaches, dunes and
inlets, are always changing due to the forces of
nature. The constant forces exerted by waves, wind
and water currents upon the sands of the ocean
shoreline create a variety of hazards that threaten
human activities along the shoreline. During storms,
these forces intensify and can quickly change the
shape of the shoreline, beaches and dunes, and damage
any structures located on them. At the same time,
the beaches and dunes also protect structures located
behind them by absorbing the force of wind and waves.
c. Areas with Soil Limitations Including Non -Compacting
Soils, Shallow Soils, Poorly Drained Soils and Soils
Not Suitable for Septic Tanks
To determine the soil characteristics for Carolina
Beach, the 1977 Soil Survey of New Hanover County was
used. Based on a review of maps 28 and 29 in the
soils report, Carolina Beach is made up primarily of
six soil types identified on the following chart:
Carolina Beach Soils
I. Developed
High Water Shallow Compaction Septic Tank
Symbol Flooding Table Soils (Roads) Use
Ur Urban Land Varies Varies Varies Varies Varies
Rm Rimini None -6' Moderate Slight (1) Slight
(Cutbanks
Cave)
(1) Contamination of nearby water supplies is a hazard if the soils
are used for sewage disposal.
II. Undeveloped
Symbol
Mu Murville
Le Leon
High Water Shallow Compaction Septic Tank
Flooding Table Soils (Roads) Use
Frequent -1 Severe Severe Severe
None -1
Ly Lynn Haven Frequent -1
Jo Johnston Frequent -1.5
Severe
Severe
Severe
Severe
Severe
Severe
Severe
Severe
Severe
10

[I
Severe limitations for shallow soils, compaction and
septic tank use is due primarily to wetness. High
water table conditions for four soils identified as
primarily undeveloped may be considered "404"
wetlands by Army Corps of Engineers. Final
determination must be made by on -site inspection of
each property.
Source: 1977 Soil Survey of New Hanover County
Much of Carolina Beach has already been developed,
and this area was shown as Urban Land with some
Rimini soils in developed and some undeveloped areas.
However, much of the land area currently undeveloped
included Murville (Mu), Leon (Le), Lynn Haven (Ly)
and Johnston (Jo) soils. The table shows that each
of the undeveloped land soils had severe problems
because of wetness on shallow soils, compaction and
severe problems for septic tank use. Leon soils were
the only undeveloped soils that did not have frequent
flooding problems. Each of the four undeveloped
soils shown on the chart have a high water table.
d. Slopes Exceeding 12%
Slopes exceeding 12% are located in some areas on the
western side of Carolina Beach and inside the Sunny
Point Buffer Zone. The areas on the western side of
Carolina Beach are along Snow's Cut. The areas in
the Buffer Zone include several large sand dunes with
steep slopes subject to erosion.
e. Water Supply Including Groundwater Recharge Areas,
Public Water Supply Watershed and Wellfields
The Town of Carolina Beach obtains its water supply
from 11 wells that draw from the Castle Hayne or
Limestone Aquifer. This deep aquifer does receive
some recharge from overlying aquifers; however, the
recharge area is located in the Scotts Hill,
Murrayville area and Pine Valley area of New Hanover
County and Wilmington. (See page 90 of Appendix for
list of well site locations.)
The 1990 Annexation Report for Carolina Beach
prepared by Municipal Engineering Services Company,
PA, observed that in 1988, 1989 and 1990 there were
several months in which the Town's wells were run in
excess of 20 hours per day in order to meet water
demands. Division of Health Services regulations
require that the average daily water demand be
satisfied within a 12-hour pumping period on any
well. Water records for 1988 and 1989 indicate peak
water use during the summer months of 1.0 to 1.3
F_J
11

�7�
2.
I
u
u
million gallons per day with average daily uses of
0.8 to 1.0 mgd. Because of the excessive pumping to
meet water demand during the peak summer period, salt
water intrusion is a real possibility for Carolina
Beach (see page 14 of the Annexation Report).
Specifically, the 1984 "Ground Water Resource
Evaluation" prepared by Russnow, Kane and Andrews,
acknowledged that heavier pumping during the summer
along with an increase in year round water use could
result in an increase in the possibility of salt
water intrusion into the ground water supply. The
Annexation Report further indicates that to meet
water demand to serve existing and proposed
annexation areas that were fully developed based on
current zoning patterns, the community would need 17
additional wells. Because of the community's
relatively small geographic area, finding sites for
these 13 additional wells such that their draw -down
does not radically affect each other may prove to be
a monumental task. The report therefore recommends
that the Town explore the feasibility of obtaining
water from neighboring areas such as Wilmington,
Brunswick County or the Lower Cape Fear Water and
Sewer Authority.
Fragile Areas
a. Coastal Wetlands
The primary coastal wetland or salt marsh area for
Carolina Beach is located along the western edge of
the northern extension of the island. The estuarine
wetland area is highly important in the life cycle of
most marine life as are the wetlands found along the
Cape Fear River and the southern side of Carolina
Beach Lake. Protection of these sensitive habitats
continues to be a high priority for local officials.
b. Sand Dunes
Sand dunes provide a natural buffer against the
erosive forces of the wind, water and waves. It is
sometimes necessary to stabilize or strengthen
existing sand dunes, and even build new ones, as a
defense against storm damage and to protect
oceanfront buildings and roads. As with other types
of development in ocean hazard AEC's, dune
establishment and stabilization projects must be
thoughtfully planned and carried out to avoid
damaging the beach and dune system.
Dune establishment and stabilization projects must
meet the specific standards in addition to the
general use standards for all development in ocean
12

'
hazard AEC's. Prior to the CAMA program, Carolina
Beach put large rocks in place at the northern end of
'
the beach to protect development in that area. These
rocks are still in place today.
c. Ocean Beach and Shoreline
The ocean erodible AEC covers the beaches and lands
adjacent to the ocean which have a substantial
possibility of long-term erosion and significant
shoreline changes. The seaward boundary of this AEC
is the mean low water line. The AEC extends landward
for a distance equal to 60 times the long-term
'
average annual rate of erosion for that particular
stretch of ocean shoreline, plus an additional
distance where significant erosion can be expected
during a major storm. The width of this AEC varies
for different sections of the oceanfront based on the
Division of Coastal Management's analysis of
'
historical erosion rates for each section of the
Atlantic coast. The actual width of ocean erodible
AEC's along the coast varies from about 145 feet to
over 700 feet. General maps of the erosion rates are
available free of charge from the Division of Coastal
Management. Detailed maps with precise information
on the AEC boundary are available for inspection at
'
all DCM and the Carolina Beach local permit officer
offices.
The ocean hazard system covers the lands along the
'
oceanfront and inlets that are vulnerable to storms,
flooding and erosion. The shape and location of
these landforms, especially the beaches, dunes and
inlets, are always changing due to the forces of
'
nature. The constant forces exerted by waves, wind
and water currents upon the sands of the ocean
shoreline create a variety of hazards that threaten
human activities along the shoreline. During storms,
these forces intensify and can quickly change the
shape of the shoreline, beaches and dunes, and damage
.
any structures located on them. At the same time,
the beaches and dunes also protect structures located
behind them by absorbing the force of wind and waves.
Because of this special vulnerability to natural
hazards and the need to maintain beaches and dunes,
development in ocean hazard areas must be carefully
designed to avoid losses of life and property and
damage to the natural environment. Absolute safety
from destructive natural forces is impossible for
development along the oceanfront. However, the loss
of life and property from these forces can be greatly
reduced by the proper location and design of
'
oceanfront structures and by preventing damage to
natural features
protective such as primary and
1 13

frontal dunes.
The ocean erodible area of environmental concern
'
(AEC) covers the beaches and lands adjacent to the
ocean which have a substantial possibility of
long-term erosion and significant shoreline changes.
The seaward boundary of this AEC is the mean low
water line. The AEC extends landward for a distance
equal to 60 times the long-term average annual rate
'
of erosion for that particular stretch of ocean
shoreline, plus an additional distance where
significant erosion can be expected during a major
storm. The width of this AEC varies for different
sections of the oceanfront based on the Division of
Coastal Management's analysis of historical erosion
rates for each section of the Atlantic coast.
Detailed maps with precise information on the AEC
boundary are available for inspection at the local
CAMA Permit Officer's office at Town Hall. The
northern end of Carolina Beach has recently
'
experienced significant ocean erosion which has
substantially reduced the beach width in this area.
The high hazard flood AEC covers lands subject to
flooding, wave action, and high velocity water
currents during a major storm. These are lands
'
identified as "open coast high hazard areas" or "V
zones" on the flood insurance rate maps prepared for
oceanfront communities by the Federal Insurance
Administration. The area covered by "V zones" is
'
determined by an engineering analysis of expected
flood levels during a storm, expected wave and
current patterns, and the existing topography or "lay
of the land." The high hazard flood overlaps with,
'
but is usually wider than, the ocean erodible AEC.
Because they are adjacent to dynamic ocean inlets,
'
inlet hazard AEC's are especially vulnerable to
erosion, flooding and dramatic shoreline changes.
Inlet hazard AEC's are delineated on maps prepared by
the Division of Coastal Management for each inlet
'
along the coast based on an analysis of inlet
migration rates and the elevation and width of
adjacent lands. The maps are reviewed and approved
by the Coastal Resources Commission. In each case,
the inlet hazard AEC extends landward from the mean
low water line for a distance sufficient to encompass
'
those lands where the inlet can be expected to
migrate. The delineation of each area is based on a
statistical analysis of inlet migration, previous
inlet locations, relatively narrow or low areas near
the inlet, and the influence of such man-made
features as jetties and channelization projects.
'
The width of inlet hazard AEC's varies from one inlet
to the next; the AEC is narrower near relatively
stable inlets and wider near more dynamic inlets. In
14

r-,
LI
1
all areas, the inlet hazard AEC covers, at a minimum,
the same distance inland as the ocean erodible AEC.
Estuarine waters are the most extensive component of
the estuarine system. The State's sounds and tidal
rivers link the wetlands, estuarine shorelines and
public trust areas. The Coastal Area Management Act
defines estuarine waters as "all waters 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
Natural Resources and Community Development." For
the specific boundaries of estuarine and inland
waters contact the nearest Division of Coastal
Management office.
The high biological productivity of the estuarine
system depends on the unique water circulation
patterns of the estuarine waters. These patterns are
caused by tidal energy, the mixtures of saltwater and
freshwater flows, and shallow water depths. The
circulation of estuarine waters transports nutrients
and plankton, spreads young fish and shellfish,
flushes plant and animal wastes, cleanses the system
of pollutants, controls salinity, shifts sediments,
and mixes the water to create a multitude of
productive habitats. These habitats include nursery
areas, mud and sand flats, salt marshes, submerged
vegetation beds, and shellfish beds. The estuarine
waters are also an important economic resource
because they support boating, fishing, swimming, and
other recreational activities. They also have
considerable value for education and personal
enjoyment.
Public trust AEC's cover waters and submerged lands
in the coastal region where the public has rights of
use and/or ownership, including rights of navigation
and recreation. These areas support valuable
commercial and recreational fisheries and are
important resources for economic development. The
following lands and waters are public trust areas:
all waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the lands
thereunder from the mean high water mark to the
seaward limit of State jurisdiction;
all natural bodies of water, and all lands
thereunder, to the mean high water mark;
. all navigable natural bodies of water, and all
15

'
lands thereunder, except privately -owned lakes to
which the public has no right of access;
. all water in artificially -created bodies of water
containing significant public fishing resources or
other public resources which are accessible to the
public by navigation from bodies of water in which
'
the public has rights of navigation; and
. all waters in artificially -created bodies of water
in which the public has acquired rights by
prescription, custom, usage, dedication, or any
other means.
'
These areas overlap with the estuarine waters AEC,
but they also cover inland fishing waters that are
not in the estuarine waters AEC.
Development in public trust areas must be properly
managed in order to protect public rights for
navigation and recreation, and to perpetuate the
biological and economic benefits these areas provide
to the people of the State. Projects which would
directly or indirectly block or impair existing
'
navigation channels, increase shoreline erosion,
deposit spoils below mean high tide, cause adverse
water circulation patterns, violate water quality
'
standards, or cause degradation of shellfish waters
are generally considered incompatible with the
management policies for public trust areas. The
development of navigation channels or drainage
'
ditches, the use of bulkheads to prevent erosion, and
the building of piers, wharves, or marinas are
examples of uses that may be acceptable within public
'
trust areas, provided they will not be detrimental to
public trust rights and the ecological functions of
the area.
The Coastal Area Management Act defines a coastal
wetland as any marsh subject to regular or occasional
flooding by lunar or wind tides. Freshwater swamps
'
and inland wetlands are not covered by the Act,
unless the CRC designates them as a "natural resource
'
AEC." They are, however, protected by the Clean
Water Act and a Corps of Engineers permit is required
for work in them. Coastal wetlands contain some, but
not necessarily all, of the following plant species:
Smooth Cord Grass (Spartina alterniflora)
' Black Needlerush (Juncus roemerianus)
Glasswort (Salicornia spp.)
Salt Grass (Distichlis spicata)
1 16

1 Sea Lavender (Limonium spp.)
IBulrush (Scirpus spp.)
Saw Grass (Cladium jamaicense)
Cat -tail (Typha spp.)
Salt Meadow Grass (Spartina patens)
Salt Reed or Giant Cord Grass (Spartina cynosuroides)
The roots, stems and seeds of marsh plants provide
high quality feed and nesting materials for waterfowl
and other wildlife. Plant leaves and stems also tend
to dissipate waves while their extensive root systems
bind soil; thus, marsh plants reduce the erosion of
estuarine shorelines and help guard against flood
damage. The unique productivity of the estuarine
'
system is supported by the nutrients and decayed
plant material (or detritus) that the marshes
produce; these nutrients and detritus support marine
life. The marsh also traps nutrients by slowing the
water which flows over it. In this manner, the level
of nutrients supporting life in the estuaries is
maintained, and sediments harmful to marine animals
are removed. Without coastal wetlands, the complex
food chains and high productivity levels typically
found in the estuaries could not be maintained.
That productivity is of great importance to North
Carolina's economy. Ninety-five percent of the
commercial and recreational seafood species
(including shrimp, flounder, oysters, crabs and
menhaden) depend on coastal wetlands for part of
their lives.
The CRC has designated as an AEC all shorelands
within 75 feet landward of the mean high water level,
or normal water level, of the estuarine waters.
Estuarine shorelines, though typically dry land, are
an important part of the estuarine system because of
their connection to the estuarine waters. Improper
development along the estuarine shoreline can pollute
or destroy adjacent waters and wetlands. Estuarine
shorelines are also vulnerable to erosion, flooding
and other natural hazards found in the estuarine
system.
' Development along estuarine shorelines must not
damage these natural barriers to erosion, nor should
development harm documented historic architectural or
archaeological resources. It is also important for
�4 17

construction projects to avoid causing sedimentation
of estuarine waters, and to avoid covering the
shoreline with impervious surfaces. Buffers of
natural vegetation between the shorelines and
development provide additional protection for
estuarine resources.
' d. Estuarine Waters and Estuarine Shorelines
Estuarine waters transport nutrients and plankton,
control salinity, and cleanse the estuarine system of
pollutants. They support a multitude of productive
habitats, such as mud flats, submerged vegetation
beds, shellfish beds, and spawning areas. The
estuarine waters also support boating, swimming,
hunting, fishing and other human activities.
Estuarine shorelines have a direct effect on the
quality of adjacent estuarine waters and habitats.
As the dynamic meeting point of the land and water,
they are also subject to damage from flooding and
erosion. They provide a buffer between development
and the estuarine waters -- a buffer that can keep
sediments and pollutants from contaminating estuarine
habitats and protect development from erosion.
The Coastal Resources Commission has adopted use
standards for development along estuarine shorelines.
These standards apply within 75 feet of the mean high
water line. They are designed to minimize the
effects of development on the natural functions of
the estuarine system and recognize the dynamic and
hazardous nature of the shoreline itself. Any
' project along the estuarine shoreline that requires a
CAMA permit must meet CAMA standards.
e. Public Trust Waters
Public trust AEC's cover waters and submerged lands
in the coastal region where the public has rights of
use and/or ownership, including rights of navigation
and recreation. These areas support valuable
commercial and recreational fisheries and are
important resources for economic development. The
following lands and waters are public trust areas:
. all waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the lands
thereunder from the mean high water mark to the
seaward limit of state jurisdiction;
i . all natural bodies of water, and all lands
thereunder, to the mean high water mark;
. all navigable natural bodies of water, and all
1 18

lands thereunder, except privately -owned lakes to
which the public has no right of access;
. all water in artificially -created bodies of water
containing significant public fishing resources or
other public resources which are accessible to the
public by navigation from bodies of water in which
the public has rights of navigation; and
. all waters in artificially -created bodies of water
which the public has acquired rights by
prescription, custom, usage, dedication, or any
other means.
if.
Coastal Complex Natural Areas
Coastal complex natural areas are defined as lands
that support native plant and animal communities and
provide habitat qualities which have remained
essentially unchanged by human activity. Such areas
'
may be either significant components of coastal
systems or especially notable habitat areas of
scientific, educational or aesthetic value. They may
be surrounded by landscape that has been modified but
does not drastically alter conditions within the
natural areas. Coastal complex areas are significant
'
in that they function as a key biological component
of natural systems and provide habitat suitable for
threatened or endangered species or support plant or
animal communities representative of pre -settlement
conditions. Coastal complex natural areas may be
designated as an Area of Environmental Concern (AEC)
by the Coastal Resources Commission.
rThe
Carolina Beach Natural Area is cited on the
Natural Heritage Priority List and could be nominated
as a Coastal Complex Natural Area AEC; however, the
CRC must determine whether it meets the Commission's
findings so the CRC could make the designation. The
Carolina Beach Natural Area includes portions of the
Carolina Beach State Park and the Sunny Point
Military Buffer Zone. The Carolina Beach State Park
contains numerous significant ecological systems
including Brackish Marsh, Coastal Evergreen Fringe
Forest, Coastal Fringe Sandhill, Small Depression
Pocosin, Small Depression Pond, Streamhead Pocosin,
Vernal Pool, Wet Pine Flatwoods, and Xeric Sandhill
Scrub. Likewise, the Military Buffer Zone has
significant ecological sites of a Coastal Fringe
Evergreen Forest, Coastal Fringe Sandhill Area, Pond
Pine Woodland, Wet Pine Flatwoods, Small Depression
Pond, Streamhead Pocosin, Pine Savanna, and Xeric
Sandhill Scrub. These types of natural areas are
becoming more significant as development consumes
more and more of these coastal ecosystems.
1 19

'
Areas That Sustain Remnant Species
g• P
Coastal areas that sustain remnant species are those
areas that support native plants or animals which are
determined to be rare or endangered (synonymous with
threatened and endangered), within the coastal area.
Such places provide habitats necessary for the
survival of existing populations of rare or
endangered species within the coastal area and
preserve our natural heritage and protect natural
diversity which is related to biological stability.
The Carolina Beach State Park is a habitat for
numerous threatened and endangered species. The
American Alligator, the Crawfish Frog, the Branched
Gerardia, the Venus Fly Trap, the Southern
Bog -Button, the Coastal Beakrush, and the Tracy's
Beakrush are animal and plant species which warrant
special protection and are found within the Park.
The conservation area on the north end of Carolina
Beach is a habitat for the plant Seabeach Amaranth,
which is a threatened species which has been further
endangered from O.R.V. traffic and erosion. Carolina
Beach does not have an O.R.V. ordinance to prevent
vehicles on the beach; however, the community has
requested a CARA grant for a parking lot at the end
of Canal Drive that, if funded and constructed, would
allow the blocking of O.R N.'s from the north end of
the beach. This area in the past has also been a
nesting site for gulls, terns, and skimmers but was
listed as inactive during 1983 and 1988 surveys.
. The Carolina Beach Town Lake is a habitat for the
American Alligator which is a threatened species.
h. Areas Containing Unique Geologic Formations
The Carolina Beach State Park contains three unique
geological formations. The first is Sugarloaf, a
prominent relic sand dune.
There is also a regionally significant ridge and
swale formation which has marine deposits underlain
by detrital limestone of the Cape Fear Coquina
Formation. Solution has resulted in elliptical
sinks.
There is an outcrop of coquina rock which was exposed
when Snow's Cut was engineered.
i. Registered Natural Landmarks
20

There are no Registered Natural Landmarks within the
Carolina Beach area as of July, 1990 according to the
Natural Heritage Division. The Sugarloaf area in the
Carolina Beach State Park could conceivably qualify
for registration because of its regional
significance.
j. Wooded Swamps
Swamp forest communities occur in two locations --
the Carolina Beach State Park and a larger site in
the Military Buffer Zone according to the 1984 report
"Conservation Resources in New Hanover County"
1 prepared by the New Hanover County Planning
Department.
•k. Prime Wildlife Habitats
Several areas within Carolina Beach are prime
wildlife habitats according to the N. C. Wildlife
Resources Commission. The beach strand is an
important habitat for birds and nesting sites for
loggerhead turtles. The north end of Carolina Beach
is a primary fish nursery area as well as former
nesting sites for colonial birds. The Carolina Town
Lake is a habitat for the American Alligator as well
as a prime birdwatching area. Of course, the
Carolina Beach State Park and Military Buffer Zone
are prime habitats for numerous wildlife species.
1. Scenic and Prominent High Points
Sugarloaf, located in the Carolina Beach State Park,
is the most prominent point in the Carolina Beach
area. Sugarloaf is a 50-60 foot relic sand dune. In
fact, this large sand dune was used as a navigation
point along the Cape Fear River during colonial times
and offers one of the most scenic views in New
Hanover County.
m. Archeological and Historic Sites
According to the 1984 report "Conservation Resources
in New Hanover County" by the New Hanover County
Planning Department, there is only one significant
archeological site within Carolina Beach. A
Prehistoric Late Woodland Ceramic site is located
within the Military Buffer Zone in the vicinity of
Ocean Boulevard and Federal Point Cemetary. It was
recommended that this site be excavated and that it
be considered eligible for the National Register.
n. Maritime Forests and 404 Wetlands
21

The Coastal Fringe Evergreen Forests located within
the Military Buffer Zone and Carolina Beach State
Park are considered by the Natural Heritage Office to
be Maritime Forests because of the maturity of the
trees. Former sites of Maritime Shrub Thickets were
located at various points along the Myrtle Grove
Sound as identified in the "Conservation Resources in
New Hanover County" report. However, these sites
have succumbed to residential development since the
inventory was completed.
11404"
According to the Army Corps of Engineers, some
wetlands have been identified in the Carolina Beach
area. Further identification would require specific
site analysis.
o. Lands Identified Through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
National Wetlands Inventory
Carolina Beach, like other coastal communities, has
been included in the National Wetlands Inventory
Program. U.S. Fish and Wildlife has used the
U.S.G.S. 7.5' or 15' map series as a base. The
Carolina Beach quad is a 1983 aerial photograph with
wetland delineation depicted by stereoscopically
interpreting high altitude aerial photography and
then transferring the information with a zoom
transfer scope to the base map. Based on a review of
this information, the following types of wetlands
have been identified:
Area I -- East and west side of N.C. 421 entering
Carolina Beach from the Snows Cut Bridge. This area
includes a Palustrine system with mixed forests of
evergreens and loblolly pine forests.
Area II -- Northwestern sound front at Myrtle Grove
Sound near Snows Cut. This area includes the salt
marsh community with Cord Grass and some Palustrine
system species of plants.
Area III -- The north point of Carolina Beach between
the Intracoastal Waterway and Atlantic Ocean. This
area includes Estuarine system and Riverine system
species of plant material including Waxmyrtle,
Yaupon, Red Bay, Loblolly Bay on dredged material.
Area IV -- Carolina Lake Area. This area is included
in the Palustrine system and includes a shallow pond
colonized by water lilies.
Area V -- Area located north of Ocean Boulevard and
east of Dow Road. This area is also included in the
Palustrine System with mixed forests of evergreens
and loblolly pine forests.
1 22

Area VI -- Carolina Beach State Park and Sunny Point
Buffer Zone. This area includes a large area of
mixed evergreen forests which is part of the
Palustrine system and some Estuarine system and fresh
water marsh.
p.
Areas Identified Through NRCD's Natural Heritage
Program
A major portion of the Carolina Beach State Park is a
Registered Natural Heritage Area. Portions of the
registered area are owned by the State Park, while a
major section is leased from the Department of
Defense. Registration as a Natural Heritage Area is
a voluntary agreement between the landowner and the
State which can be rescinded within 30 days. There
is some concern at the Natural Heritage Division that
the portion within the Military Buffer Zone could be
threatened if the Department of Defense rescinded its
agreement.
No other areas in Carolina Beach have been designated
as of July, 1990.
3. Areas with Resource Potential
a.
Productive and Unique Agricultural Lands
Two major soil associations exist within the Carolina
Beach area: the Tidal Marsh-Newhan Association and
the Murville-Seagate-Leon Association. Neither of
these associations is considered prime agricultural
land.
b.
Potentially Valuable Mineral Sites
As of July, 1990 no mining permits have been issued
in the Carolina Beach area. The geologic setting of
Carolina Beach could indicate the possibility of oil,
natural gas, limestone, marl, phosphate and heavy
mineral deposits. In fact, exploratory drilling for
oil occurred just outside the study area north of
Snow's Cut. No valuable mineral sites which are
economically feasible to mine have been ascertained
at this time according to the North Carolina
Geological Survey Division.
Publicly Owned
c.
Forests
According to the North Carolina State Forest Service,
there are no publicly owned forests within Carolina
Beach.
d.
Parks
1 23

The Carolina Beach State Park is a 1,773-acre State
park in the region which offers camping, a new
marina, picnic facilities, hiking trails as well as a
habitat for numerous significant plants and animals
and unique geological formations.
e. Fish and Game Lands
The northern beach end of Carolina Beach is a primary
fish nursery area and warrants conservation. There
has been discussion about designating the Military
Buffer Zone as a game land and permitting bow deer
hunting for short -time intervals. Such designation
would not occur until 1991 or 1992, if at all.
f. Non -Intensive Outdoor Recreation Lands
The Carolina Beach State Park offers non -intensive
outdoor recreation.
!
g. Privately Owned Wildlife Sanctuaries
There are no privately owned wildlife sanctuaries in
the Carolina Beach area.
h. Prime Farm Land (Consistent with Governor's Executive
Order Number 96)
There are no known prime farm lands in the Carolina
Beach area.
E. Constraints: Carrying Capacity Analysis
1. Existing Water and Sewer Service Areas, Including Private
Systems
The two maps on the following page reflect the extent of
both the water and sewer system infrastructure. Both
maps reflect that most of the developed area inside
Carolina Beach is served by both water and sewer. A 1990
Annexation Study indicates that the Phase I Northern
Annexation Area will require 330,000 additional gallons
of water and wastewater per day capacity. The Phase II
and Phase III areas which include Wilmington Beach and
Hanby Beach will require an additional 760,000 gallons of
water and wastewater per day.
2. Design Capacity of Existing Water Treatment Plant
The existing water system consists of 11 wells which can
pump water at an average rate of 100 gpm. During peak
summer population, pumps are operating at capacity for up
1 24

OCf IAfl
fl fff
/ f.f
A_
A
wr.r�.rrr r+�....�• J d
25
TOWN OF CAROLINA BEACH. N:C.
MAP CF-3
AREAS SERVED BY PUBLIC WATER SUPPLIES
• WELL SITES
.n.mw w.f.ea au w w"'w
TOWN OF CAROLINA BEACH. N.C.
HAP CF-2
AREAS SERVED BY PUBLIC SEWER
• LIFT STATION SITES

to twenty hours per day, far exceeding the recommended
twelve. The system has one elevated
storage tank with a capacity of 500,000 gallons and one
ground level storage tank with a 1,000,000 gallon
capacity. The system as currently operated can pump 1.5
mgd.
3. Design Capacity of Existing Sewage Treatment Plant
The design capacity for the existing sewage treatment
plant is 1.5 mgd. However, because of an extra treatment
pond the facility has a total capacity of 1.85 mgd. Town
officials are planning to expand to 4.0 mgd.
4. Schools
Carolina Beach is served by the following New Hanover
- County Schools:
School Design Capacity Current Enrollment
Carolina Beach Elementary 475-500
496
Myrtle Grove Middle 800 731
Hoggard Senior High 1,600 1,816
(7 mobile units now in use)
5. Landfill
Carolina Beach, like other municipalities in New Hanover
County, is using the County sanitary landfill and
incinerator. The County incinerator has a current
capacity to burn 200 tons of waste per day with plans to
expand to 450 tons per day. Waste pick-up and disposal
is done under contract with Waste Management, Inc.
The Sanitary Landfill site is located approximately six
miles outside the Wilmington city limits on N.C. 421.
The site consists of 35 acres permitted by the State with
an additional 200 acres adjacent to the site that has not
yet been permitted. Based on recent information from the
County Environmental Management office, the landfill has
a 12- to 43.7-year life. Fill material consists
primarily of ash from the incinerator and construction
and demolition material that cannot be burned.
Senate Bill 111 recently passed by the North Carolina
Legislature requires that municipalities and county
governments remove at least 25% of the waste from the
waste stream through recycling by 1993.
6. Police Department
The Carolina Beach Police Department currently consists
of 23 employees with 17 sworn officers and 6 dispatchers
or secretaries. The department has five patrol cars, two
26

detective cars and one beach patrol (four-wheel drive).
The 1990 budget contains a request for funds to replace
two patrol cars.
7. Fire Department
The Carolina Beach Fire Department has one full-time
employee (fire chief) and one part-time paid employee.
The department has 35 volunteer firemen. Equipment
includes two pumper trucks, one 20 years old and one 17
years old. The department also has one aerial truck, one
hose van and one utility van. The 1990 budget requests
funds to replace one pumper truck and the utility van.
Carolina Beach has a fire rating of five (5).
8.
Public Administration
Carolina Beach has a Town Manager -Council form of
government. The new Town Hall is located on N.C. 421 at
the entrance to Carolina Beach in its recently renovated
facilities.
9.
Primary Roads and Bridges
The N.C. Highway 421 bridge over Snow's Cut has two lanes
in each direction. Based on information from the N. C.
Department of Transportation, one lane with a speed limit
of 35 to 40 miles per hour can handle 1,800 to 2,000
vehicles per hour. Using the two lanes available in each
direction, that would allow between 3,600 to 4,000
vehicles an hour to cross the bridge in the event of an
emergency. 1990 Average Daily Traffic on N.C. 421 on the
Carolina Beach side of the bridge was 11,500 cars per
24-hour period. Based on the bridge capacity to
accommodate 3,600 to 4,000 vehicles per hour, the bridge
appears to have excess capacity. However, Town officials
have noted that some deterioration of the under portion
of the bridge is taking place and officials feel that
rehabilitation of the bridge should be scheduled as soon
as possible.
10.
Utilization Level of Water Plant, Sewage Plant, Schools
and Primary Roads
Both the water plant and sewage treatment plant are
operating at capacity, particularly during the peak
vacation season. As discussed earlier, the Town is
currently having a study prepared to determine future
needs and to make recommendations on needed expansion of
the two systems to meet current and future demand. The
high school being used by Carolina Beach students is
above capacity. The other two schools have a current
enrollment below design capacity. The primary roads are
being used at or below capacity.
11.
Capacity of Community Facilities to Supply Existing and
Future Needs Including Seasonal Population
1 27

Roads, schools and the new Town Hall should be adequate
to meet current and future needs during the planning
period. However, the water and sewer system will require
expansion to meet current and future demands and to allow
planned future annexation. Both the water and sewer
system are at or above approved capacity during peak
usage period. The recently completed Annexation Report
prepared by Municipal Engineering Services Company, PA,
anticipates an additional need for 760,000 gpd of water
and wastewater per day to annex Wilmington Beach and
Hanby's Beach and 330,000 additional gpd for the northern
annexation area. This 1,090,000 gallons per day
1
additional load will result in a major water supply
dilemma. In order to comply with the Division of Health
Services regulations, which require that the average
daily water supply demand be satisfied within a 12-hour
pumping period on any given well; a total of 28 wells
with an average pumping rate of 125 gpm would be
necessary to provide a firm 2.5 mgd water supply. This
would require an additional 17 wells and one 750,000
gallon elevated storage tank to serve existing and
proposed needs.
F. Estimated Demand
1. Population and Economic Estimate for Ten -Year Period
Based on Department of Administration Projections
Over the past sixty years, the Town of Carolina Beach has
grown from a sleepy beach community of 95 people in 1930
to a resort community with a 1990 population of 3,630
people. As with any resort community, there are three
primary population groups within Carolina Beach.
Year-round or permanent residents comprise one group.
The Town also contains a large seasonal population group
during the summer months and fishing seasons. The third
group consists of people visiting Carolina Beach on a
daily basis, especially during the peak summer season.
Analysis of the 1990 Census information gives a more
detailed demographic portrait of the permanent
population. In 1990, Carolina Beach had a population of
3,630 which represented an 81.5 percent growth from 1980.
There were 1605 households with an average of 2.23
persons per household and there was a 60.1 percent
increase in the number of households from the 1980
census. In 1990, Carolina Beach was a predominantly
White community with less than 2.0 percent of the
population being Black or of Hispanic origin. In terms
of age composition, in 1990 only 18.0 percent of the
population were under 18 years old, 69.0 percent were
between 18 to 65 years, and 13.0 percent were 65 and
over. There were 835 married households and 133
households headed by a female.
Carolina Beach has had an 81.5 percent increase in the
permanent resident population between 1980 and 1990 as
shown in population estimates in the table on the
following page.
28

Population Estimates for the Town of Carolina Beach
1980 - 1990
Year Population Estimate
1980 2,000
1981 2,045
1982 2,107
1983 2,208
1984 2,320
1985 2,429
1986 2,528
1987 2,599
1988 2,579
1990 3,630
'
Source: North Carolina Office of State Budget
and Management, 1990 Census
During the early 1980's Carolina Beach experienced a
major construction boom for residential housing as shown
on the table on the following page. Approximately 87.7
percent of the new housing units were built between 1982
and 1984. Of these, 94 percent were multi -family units.
Since 1985, new construction has dropped dramatically
with mostly single-family houses being built. This trend
will probably continue since a surplus of multi -family
units still exists.
These developments pinpoint major problems with the
population projections presented in the 1985 Land Use
Plan. These projections assumed that the phenomenal
construction boom of the early 1980's would continue and
consequently, a higher rate of growth was projected than
materialized. A major concern of resort communities is
the impact of the seasonal population. Municipal
services such as water, sewer, and street systems must
accommodate the additional demands of the seasonal
population. At the same time, estimating the seasonal
1
population is a difficult task.
Two factors were examined to obtain a more realistic
estimate of the seasonal population; trends observed in
room occupancy tax helps to define the prime tourist
season in Carolina Beach and the consumption of metered
water service helps to determine seasonal population
estimates.
The diagram on page 31 shows the revenues
generated by leasing short-term housing to the seasonal
visitors. Anyone renting a hotel, motel, beach cottage,
or condominium on a short-term basis must pay the 3
percent room occupancy tax. The tax proceeds are then
i
29

i
1
1
i
1
1
1
1
1
Carolina Beach New Housing Units by Type
1982 - 1990
Type of Housing Unit Constructed
Year
Single Family
Duplex
Multi -Family
Total
1982
22
12
341
375
1983
35
20
921
976
1984
29
16
530
575
1985
30
12
66
108
1986
22
0
63
85
1987
27
4
0
31
1988
22
8
0
30
1989
20
10
0
30
1990
31
0
4
35
Total Units
238
82
1,925
2,245
of Total
10.6%
3.7%
85.7%
100.0%
Source: Town of Carolina Beach Building Permit Reports, 1982 - 1990.
30

1,700,000
1,600,000
1,500,000
1,400,000
1,300,000
1,200,000
1,100,000
1,000,000
900,000
800,000
700,000
600,000
500,000
400,000
300,000
200,000
100,000
50,000
Carolina Beach Room Occupancy Revenues
April - November, 1988 - 1989
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
1989
-------- 1988
Source: New Hanover County Tax Office
31

1
Fi
n
I
�7,
1
1
used for beach renourishment and other improvements which
benefit the tourist industry. Data was available for the
months May through November for the years 1988 and 1989.
The major tourist season extends from May until September
with July being the peak of the summer season in both
years evaluated.
Examination of the metered water data confirms this
trend. A three-year average of metered water service for
Carolina Beach was obtained for 1982-1984 and 1985-1987.
Averages were used to minimize discrepancies attributed
to non -consumer use such as sprinkling systems and fire
hydrants. It was assumed that the average occupant uses
100 gallons of metered water service per day. The total
metered service for each monthly average was then divided
by the monthly use figure in order to obtain an estimate
of service population. The service population includes
seasonal occupants as well as permanent residents. It is
assumed that the difference between the State estimated
permanent population and the service population
represents seasonal occupants. These figures are shown
on the table on the following page.
During the off season months from November through March,
1987, the estimated population of Carolina Beach ranged
from about 3,600 to 4,000. These figures include
permanent residents and seasonal occupants. During the
peak month of July 1987, the total service population
more than doubles to about 7,400. The diagram following
this section clearly reveals the monthly fluctuations in
Carolina Beach's service population.
A pattern of significant growth in service population is
revealed when the 1987 estimates are compared to those
for 1983. On the average, Carolina Beach served 3,511
occupants in 1983 as compared to 5,042 in 1987 -- a 43.5
percent increase in service population.
Consequently, while the permanent population of Carolina
Beach showed about a 17.7 percent increase between 1983
and 1987, the service population including seasonal
occupants increased by 43.5 percent. This growth is
probably due to the nature of the early 1980's building
boom and satellite annexation. The second -home vacation
market was the major thrust of the multi -family
development. Satellite annexations acquired large
condominium complexes which needed water and sewer
service.
Numerous factors can influence Carolina Beach's growth
during the next decade. On the plus side, Interstate 40
is anticipated to attract more day and seasonal visitors
to New Hanover County's beach communities. The exact
impact is too recent to forecast. Moreover, long
32

P
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1
Estimated 1983 and 1987 Service Population
and Metered Water Use by Month
1982 - 1984
Estimated
1985 - 1987
Estimated
Month
Monthly Water
1983 Service
Monthly Water
1987 Service
Usage M.P.G.*
Population
Usage M.P.G.*
Population
January
7.326
2,363
11.183
3,608
February
8.183
2,922
10,230
3,653
March
7.112
2,294
12.143
3,917
April
8.892
2,964
14.454
4,818
May
9.118
2,941
17.717
5,715
June
10,750
3,583
19.875
6,625
July
15,786
5,092
22.850
7,371
August
14.615
4,714
19.991
6,448
September
14.701
4,900
17.426
5,808
October 12.529
4,041
14.217 4,586
November 10.277
3,315
12.261 4,087
December 9.323
3,007
12.048 3,867
Average Service
Population
3,511
5,042
Estimated Perma-
nent Population
2,208
2,599
Average Seasonal
Occupant
1,303
2,443
-',Town of Carolina Beach Study of the Kure Beach Sewer Service Rate, Exhibits
Stating Summary of Metered Water Use, 1983 - 1988.
L
33

t
1
1
1
1
Permanent and Seasonal Population
8,000
7,000
6,000
5,000
4,000
3,000
P
2,000
1,000
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
P- 1988 Estimated Permanent Population
1988 Seasonal Population
34

distance commuting may become more feasible and attract a
larger permanent population in beach towns. Possible
annexation by Carolina Beach may also greatly increase
its population.
On the other hand, the capacity of Carolina Beach's
municipal services and the amount of vacant land suitable
for development may indeed limit to what extent Carolina
Beach can grow.
These factors are, indeed, difficult to quantify. The
major assumption for predicting Carolina Beach's
permanent population in the year 2000 is that at a
minimum the growth rate experienced between 1984 and
1988, 29.9%, will continue. It is estimated that the
permanent resident population in 1995 will be 3,990, and
that the year 2000 population will be 5,150. The
diagram on page 37 shows these growth trends. The
seasonal population will also continue to expand but the
rate is difficult to assess.
2. Future Land Needs
The Existing Land Use Map shows that much of the existing
oceanfront property and sound front property along Myrtle
Grove Sound has been developed. The area south of Harper
Avenue and west of Lake Park Boulevard is primarily
single family housing with numerous lots subdivided and
ready for future development. A large area adjacent to
N.C. 421 and next to the shopping center is currently
undeveloped. During the planning period it is
anticipated that future development will be primarily
residential in nature, both single family and
multi -family. Additional oceanfront units may be
developed during the planning period to accommodate
additional visitors to the area due to easy access to
Carolina Beach from the Piedmont area by way of I-40.
Some additional land area primarily along N.C. 421 and
south of the Snows Cut Bridge will most likely be
developed with commercial uses. This anticipated future
development has been reflected on the updated Land
Classification Map.
3. Community
Facilities
Demand
The two systems that
have the greatest impact on a
community's
ability
to grow are the water and sewer
systems.
Municipal
Engineering Services Company is
presently working to complete a comprehensive study of
1 35

1
I
the Town's water and sewer system with recommendations on
upgrading the systems to better serve current and future
utility needs.
The existing water system should be pumping 1.0 mgd;
however, with a peak demand during
the summer season of 1.3 mdg. The sewer
system design capacity is 1.85 mgd with a summer peak
demand of 2.6 mgd. When the water and sewer study is
completed, it will include recommendations on cost and
extent of needed upgrading of both systems to meet future
water and sewer needs.
Carolina Beach Elementary and Myrtle Grove Middle Schools
are both under their student enrollment design capacity.
However, Hoggard High School which serves Carolina Beach
is slightly more than 200 students above design capacity.
Current space needs are being met with mobile classrooms.
Carolina Beach continues to work with the DOT in
upgrading roads in the community. The high-rise
four -lane bridge over Snows Cut should be adequate to
meet Carolina Beach's needs during the 5- to 10-year
planning period.
36

5,000
4,750
4,500
4,250
4,000
3,750
3,500
3,250
3,000
2,750
2,500
2,250
2,000
Population and Projections for the
Town of Carolina Beach, Permanent Residents, 1980 - 2000
V1,
1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000
Population Estimates
--------Population Projections
Source: N. C. Office of State Budget and Management
37

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III. POLICY STATEMMS
A. Resource Protection
1. Areas of Environmental Concern and Appropriate Land Use
in AEC's
Carolina Beach contains six types of AEC's which are
ocean erodible areas, high hazard flood areas, inlet
hazard areas, estuarine shoreline, coastal wetlands and
public trust waters. Each of these AEC's is currently
regulated by either the local CAMA Permit Officer for
minor developments or by the State CAMA Officer for major
permits. Local officials will continue to have a policy
of allowing those developments that meet current zoning
regulations and all other applicable local, State or
federal regulations affecting the AEC area.
2. Constraints to Development Including Flood Prone Areas,
Soil Suitability and Septic Tank Use
Flood Insurance Rate Maps dated September 4, 1986, show
that approximately one-half of the developed area of
Carolina Beach is located within the 100-year flood area.
The 1977 Soil Survey of New Hanover County shows that
Carolina Beach consists primarily of Urban Land (Ur) and
Rimini (Rm) in the developed areas with Murville (Mu),
Leon (Le), Lynn Haven (Ly) and Johnston (Jo) making up
much of the remaining undeveloped portions of Carolina
Beach. These four soils making up much of the
undeveloped portion of Carolina Beach are subject to
frequent flooding, have high water tables and are not
suitable for septic tank use. Because so much remaining
land area available for future development is either
subject to flooding or consists of poor soil types, Town
officials will not encourage development in these areas.
However, development will be allowed if all local, State
and federal regulations can be met and all permits can be
obtained for any proposed development.
3. Development Density in Proximity to Designated
Outstanding Resource Waters (ORW's)
There are no designated ORW's within Carolina Beach;
however, there are ORW waters east of Carolina Beach
Inlet. The undeveloped area at the northern end of the
beach is located in the extraterritorial area and is not
buildable. The undeveloped area at the northern end of
the beach in the corporate limits is zoned RA-6 and a
planned development in this area has received all CAMA
permits. Although Carolina Beach does not contain ORW
waters, Town officials support the ORW program and State
efforts to protect water quality and thereby the fishing
industry of North Carolina.
4. Other Hazard or Fragile Land Areas
38

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Carolina Beach derives much of its economic revenue and
its cultural charm from the natural amenities of its
coastal location. In order for the Town to continue to
be a desirable place in which to live, visit and work,
these natural amenities must be protected, preserved, and
whenever possible, improved upon. This Element of the
Town's Land Use Plan establishes decision -making policies
and implementation procedures designed to achieve a
balance between the commercial and residential
development of the Town and the continued maintenance of
the natural systems and vistas that encourage such
development.
The Town contains a number of significant
environmentally -sensitive areas. Each of these areas
must be viewed as a functional sub -unit of the coastal
environment. As such, each area requires a different
level of protection, separately tailored to the economic
and aesthetic well-being of the Town. A brief
description of each of these areas is provided below.
Map NR-1 (see Appendix, page 76) indicates the physical
location of these areas within the Town.
a. Atlantic Beach and Ocean
The Atlantic beach and ocean comprise Carolina
Beach's most important natural resource. They are
the focal point for the Town's tourist industry, and
also serve as the primary source of recreation for
the residents of the Town. The primary environmental
concerns for the Atlantic beach and ocean involve
shorefront development and erosion and the potential
for pollution from off -shore oil exploration. The
former concern is discussed in detail below.
In environmental terms, the Carolina Beach oceanfront
is properly described as "developed." This means
that the natural system of dunes and vegetation
common to undeveloped beachfronts has been disturbed
by human activity. Because the natural means of
stabilizing the oceanfront has been altered, man has
had to assume that responsibility in order to protect
lives, property, and the beach itself.
Shoreline stabilization involves renourishment and
revegetation of the oceanfront in a manner that
approximates the natural system of stabilization. The
Town of Carolina Beach has long recognized the
benefits of the non-structural method of
stabilization and has recently completed, along with
the Federal, State and County governments, a
program of renourishment and revegetation of the
Town's beachfront. This project is a continuation of
a long-standing local and State commitment to proper
management of the developed beachfront. .
39

I-]
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The Town of Carolina Beach owns all lands eastward
from the berm line established in the 1963 Session
Laws to the mean high water line; eastward of the
mean high water line are State owned lands.
Because of this, the Town has a unique responsibility
with regard to its oceanfront. If substantial
erosion of the public beach occurs, not only is
private property threatened, but the Town's most
valuable natural resource, its public beachfront, is
lost. Consequently, the Town is firmly committed to
maintaining its man-made beach, dune system and
vegetation as close environmental substitutes for the
natural systems which protect undeveloped coastal
areas. This precludes encroachment of development
upon these systems. The Town, therefore, supports
non-structural means of stabilizing the ocean
shoreline except for temporary structures erected to
protect property from imminent danger of destruction
due to erosion as allowed by the CAMA program.
b. Buffer Zone/Carolina Beach State Park/Snow's
Cut (AIWW)
These three areas are considered together because the
Town has restrictions on its ability to affect
environmental or other land use decisions in these
areas due to jurisdictional limitations. The Buffer
Zone is owned and controlled by the U.S. Department
of the Army to serve as a natural blast shield for
private properties in the event of an accident
involving munitions at the Sunny Point Military Ocean
Terminal. The Carolina Beach State Park is owned and
operated by the State of North Carolina as a means of
providing public access to a natural coastal
environment and to the waters of the Cape Fear River.
Snow's Cut, a component of the Atlantic Intracoastal
Waterway (AIWW), has its banks controlled by a spoil
deposition easement owned by the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers; this easement takes precedence over any
other possible use of this property.
All three of these areas serve as important wildlife
habitats and as permanent open space areas within the
Town. Because of this aesthetic and recreational
significance, the Town supports maintenance of these
areas in their natural condition or with limited
development for recreational purposes.
c. Carolina Beach Lake
Other than the Atlantic Ocean, and possibly the
Town's public marina, the most widely recognized body
40

1
1
1
of water in Carolina Beach is Carolina Beach Lake.
The Lake has historically been the Town's primary
drainage basin; it also provides an important scenic
vista within the Town and has recently seen its
recreational potential being tapped through
activities sponsored by the Town's Parks and
Recreation Department.
Carolina Beach Lake is subject to periodic flooding,
particularly after hurricanes and tropical storms
deluge the Town with large amounts of rainfall. This
flooding is exacerbated by a high water table, low
Lake elevation and development in the surrounding
area, as well as the fact that the Lake's only
outfall, Myrtle Grove Sound, is itself generally at
unusually high levels during these major storm
events, thus limiting its capacity to drain the Lake.
The large wetland area to the south of the Lake helps
alleviate the effects of flooding by serving as an
overflow retention pond during periods of high water.
It also absorbs many of the pollutants carried
through drainage ditches and streets that might
otherwise reach the Lake.
This wetland area has received some development
pressure; but, because it has been designated a "404•'
wetland and thereby subject to the development
restrictions of the Army Corps of Engineers, it has
remained largely undeveloped. The spongy soils of
this wetland area, classified as Tidal Marsh by the
Soil Conservation Service (SCS), provide a very
useful environmental function by absorbing water and
releasing it slowly. The development potential of
these soils, however, is rated "severe" by the SCS,
indicating that site development will necessitate
some fill material being utilized; filling will
destroy the environmental function of those soils.
Until a solution to the Lake flooding problem has
been selected and implemented, the Town supports
leaving this wetland area undeveloped, since it
reduces the amount of floodwaters which threaten
already developed properties. The Town also supports
those development proposals in the vicinity of the
lake which reduce the amount of impervious surface or
which otherwise reduce the drainage load placed on
the Lake, which provide improved visual access to the
Lake. Additionally, the Town supports any measures
which limit the flow of pollutants into the Lake.
rd.
Myrtle Grove Sound
Myrtle Grove Sound has the most varied waterfront of
41

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any of the Town's major water bodies. On its western
edge are two commercial marinas, several large
condominium -marina developments, a water -oriented
single family subdivision and some undeveloped
property. The southern end of the sound contains the
municipal marina which berths a number of
sportfishing vessels in a picturesque setting. The
eastern edge, much lower -lying and prone to flooding
than the western edge, is bordered by numerous small
condominium projects and single family homes.
Because of the extent of the development along its
banks, Myrtle Grove Sound is prone to many potential
pollution problems, ranging from excessive dredging
for marinas to increased stormwater runoff from
streets and structures. Fortunately, the regular
tidal flushings the Sound receives, along with the
pollutant -trapping wetland vegetation (primarily)
along the Sound's western edge and on its spoil
islands, serve to help cleanse the water.
In order to promote continued good water quality in
Myrtle Grove Sound, the Town supports reduction in
the amount of runoff from proposed developments,
preservation of existing wetlands and associated
vegetation, reduction of dredging activities to the
minimum extent necessary to allow safe boat travel,
and maintenance of the tidal flushing action that
contributes positively to the water quality of the
Sound. Commercial marina development consistent with
local zoning regulations (see Future Land Use
Element, page 59) shall be supported, so long as
dredging activities are kept to the minimum extent
necessary to allow safe boat travel.
e. Northern Extension Wetlands
The north end of the Northern Extension is the most
environmentally productive and sensitive area within
the Town of Carolina Beach. This coastal beach and
wetland area constitutes a wide spectrum of
'
ecological activity. The eastern portion is a low
ocean dune system which is occasionally innundated by
'
high ocean waters. The western portion is a classic
estuarine wetland, highly important in the life cycle
of most marine creatures; these estuarine wetlands
are where many of the sea's fishes and shellfishes
live for some portion of their lives. The beach and
'
dune area serves as nesting habitat for endangered
sea turtle species.
Because of the high ocean and estuarine erosion
rates, low elevation, high water table, and
unsuitable soils, this area is regarded as
42

undevelopable. However, unrestricted access to this
area by recreational vehicles endangers many of its
fragile ecological communities. By keeping vehicular
' traffic off the dune areas and out of the wetland
areas, it may be possible to improve the functioning
of these ecosystems, with the consequence of helping
lower oceanfront erosion rates currently threatening
to open a new inlet.
Therefore,
the Town of
Carolina Beach supports
'
retaining
this coastal
wetland area in its natural
state and
restricting
vehicular traffic to the ocean
side of the
dune line
as a means of protecting the
ecological
function of
this important resource area.
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' Policies and Implementation Procedures
In order that the areas described above can be given
protection commensurate with their particular ecological
functions and environmental restrictions, the following
policies and implementation procedures are established by
and for the Town of Carolina Beach. Policies are
official guidelines set down for present and future
decision -making; they are broad in scope to allow the
' degree of flexibility necessary to adequately accommodate
changing conditions in a rapidly -growing resort area like
Carolina Beach. Implementation procedures are directives
to the Town Manager and staff as to how the policies are
to be administratively enacted; they are necessarily
specific to the issues in question.
a. Policies
(1) PROTECT, PRESERVE, AUGMENT, AND DEVELOP THE
NATURAL RESOURCES OF THE TOWN OF CAROLINA BEACH.
This policy establishes the importance of the
Town's natural resources while recognizing that
some modification of these resources is a
necessary and desirable product of the Town's
development.
(2) AVOID SHORT-SIGHTED OR PREMATURE COMMITMENTS OF
THE TOWN'S IRRETRIEVABLE NATURAL RESOURCES.
The Town shall avoid committing its irretrievable
natural resources (such as wetlands, surface
water bodies, shorefront, etc.) until the full
costs and benefits of such commitment have been
adequately assessed.
(3) SUPPORT THE EFFORTS OF OTHER LOCAL, STATE AND
FEDERAL AGENCIES TO PROTECT, PRESERVE, DEVELOP,
AND AUGMENT BOTH THE TOWN'S NATURAL RESOURCES AND
THOSE IN THE VICINITY OF THE TOWN.
The Town shall support those actions taken by
other governmental bodies which serve to
preserve, protect, develop, and augment the
natural resources of the Town and its vicinity,
when said actions are consistent with the
official policies of the Town.
(4) WHEREVER POSSIBLE AND APPROPRIATE, NATURAL
ECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS SHOULD BE MAINTAINED AND/OR
IMITATED BY DEVELOPED SYSTEMS AS FUNCTIONAL
SUB -UNITS OF THE COASTAL ENVIRONMENT.
The Town recognizes that natural systems, when
1 44

functioning properly, provide numerous benefits
to society at little or no cost. These systems
should be preserved or imitated in order to
' maintain the continued realization of these
benefits by the Town.
(5) THE NATURAL VIEWS AND VISTAS PROVIDED BY THE OPEN
SPACES WITHIN THE TOWN SHALL BE PRESERVED AND
PROTECTED TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT POSSIBLE.
' The Town shall act to encourage the maximum
preservation and enhancement of the natural views
provided by the Town's open spaces in a manner
' which both accepts and recognizes private
property rights and offers incentives for the
exercise of those rights in a
socially -constructive manner.
b. Implementation Procedures
' (1) Adopt the following stormwater retention
requirement as part of the Town's zoning and
subdivision ordinances: All multifamily (3 or
more residential units per structure) and
commercial developments shall provide for onsite
retention of the first one (1) inch of rainfall,
with the minimum design criterion for any
' retention areas being a ten-year, twenty-four
hour storm event.
This implementation procedure will result in less
stormwater reaching Carolina Beach Lake, Myrtle
Grove Sound, and public streets and drainage
' facilities. As a consequence, the Town's
drainage, flooding and pollution problems will be
decreased.
(2) Prepare and adopt a landscape ordinance that
addresses, at minimum, the following issues:
(a) Lot clearing;
'
(b) Parking lot landscaping; and
(c) Preservation of native vegetation.
Such an ordinance will assist in the preservation
of natural vegetation and result in the improved
scenic appearance of the Town of Carolina Beach.
(3) Continue to utilize non-structural methods of
shoreline stabilization for the Town's Atlantic
'
oceanfront.
This implementation procedure continues the
Town's long-standing tradition of utilizing beach
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revegetation and renourishment as the accepted
means of stabilizing its Atlantic beach.
Encroachment of development or other human
activity upon this system is strictly regulated
'
by State and local requirements. The emergency
erection of sandbags or other temporary
structures during unusual high water conditions
is provided for in a manner that is consistent
with State policies regarding the Atlantic
beachfront. The Town Manager and staff are
'
directed to maintain contact with all appropriate
governmental agencies to continue the current
program of beach renourishment and revegetation
to provide the necessary level of protection from
encroachment by human activities for this system.
(4) Prepare and adopt a resolution requesting that
the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners
restrict vehicular travel in the northern
extension wetland area to areas to the east of
'
the primary duneline.
This action will preserve the ecological function
of this area, while retaining its tradition as a
spot for recreational enjoyment.
(5) Coordinate activities with other governmental
units with regard to the continued maintenance of
publicly -controlled areas as open space and for
recreational uses.
Administrative contact should be maintained with
the appropriate local, State and federal agencies
' in order to reinforce the Town's concerns that
the Buffer Zones, Snow's Cut, Carolina Beach
State Park, and other such areas remain as open
space for aesthetic and recreational enjoyment.
(6) Coordinate activities with other governmental
bodies with regard to environmental policies and
implementation procedures of interest to the
Town.
The Town Manager and staff are directed to
' maintain a system of intergovernmental
coordination that will insure that the Town is:
(a) protected from activities by other
governmental bodies that have the potential of
harming the Town's natural resources, and (b)
supportive of those activities by other
governmental bodies which complement the policies
and procedures established in this Element.
(7) Prepare for consideration additional
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ordinances and resolutions, as needed, to
protect, preserve, develop, and augment the
natural resources of the Town.
The Town Manager and staff are directed to
prepare for consideration additional ordinances,
as needed, to encourage development of Carolina
Beach in conformity with the environmental
policies established herein.
5. Hurricane and Flood Evacuation Needs
In order that disaster mitigation, preparedness, response
and reconstruction activities can be achieved, the
following policies and implementation procedures are
established by and for the Town of Carolina Beach.
Policies are official guidelines set down for present and
future decision -making: they are broad in scope to allow
the degree of flexibility necessary to adequately
accommodate changing conditions in a rapidly -growing
resort area like Carolina Beach. Implementation
procedures are directives to the Town Manager and staff
as to how the policies are to be administratively
enacted; they are necessarily specific to the issues in
question. (See Composite Hazards Map Page 95.)
a. Policies
(i) Utilize appropriate types and levels of
intergovernmental coordination and cooperation
in mitigation, preparedness, response and
reconstruction activities.
This policy recognizes that the Town must rely
on significant levels of intergovernmental
and/or interagency coordination in order to
provide the maximum possible level of protection
of the public health, safety, and welfare in the
'
event of a disaster situation.
(ii) Utilize existing mitigation techniques and
preparedness and response plans so as to provide
for the maximum possible protection of the
public health, safety and welfare.
The policy recognizes the Town's existing
efforts in mitigating, preparing and responding
to disaster situations as the appropriate
course(s) of action to insure the protection of
the public.
(iii) Utilize the reconstruction procedures
described in this element in all rebuilding
efforts after natural disasters (storm events).
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The policy establishes the reconstruction
procedures described in this element as the
Town's accepted course of action following a
natural disaster. (Reconstruction after
man-made disasters will have to occur according
to schedules and plans derived from coordinative
efforts with outside governments or agencies.)
(iv) Continue to evaluate all disaster preparedness
' plans and programs in an effort to provide the
maximum possible protection of public health,
safety and welfare in disaster events.
' The Town of Carolina Beach recognizes that
disaster planning is an ongoing process, subject
to constant refinement, revision and scrutiny,
in order that the public health, safety and
welfare can be maximally protected.
'
b. Implementation
Procedures
(i)
Initiate and maintain coordinative efforts with
other agencies to insure that disaster planning
is a symbiotic and complementary process.
The Town Manager and staff are directed to
establish all necessary coordinative efforts
with relevant agencies in disaster event
preparation. Communication networks shall be
established with all relevant agencies to insure
that proper coordination takes place.
(ii)
Maintain a close watch on the impact
continued growth has on existing transportation
facilities with regard to evacuation routes and
times.
The Town Manager and staff are directed to
annually examine the impact of growth on
evacuation routes and times in order to insure
'
that the existing transportation systems and any
anticipated improvements can adequately handle
emergency evacuation traffic.
(iii)
Utilize the plans and policies
established in the event of disaster situations.
The mitigation, preparation, response and
reconstruction plans, techniques and methods
established in earlier sections of this element
'
shall serve as guidelines for the Town Manager
and staff in disaster planning and action.
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(iv) Prepare for consideration additional
ordinances and resolutions, as needed, to
provide for effective disaster planning and
action.
The Town Manager and staff are directed to
prepare for consideration additional ordinances,
as needed, to achieve effective planning and
responses with regard to disaster events.
'
6.
Protection of Potable Water Supply
The Town of Carolina Beach depends upon the Castle Hayne
Aquifer for its source of potable water. This deep
aquifer receives little recharge from the Carolina Beach
soil system and underlying geologic strata. Thus, there
are few development practices or regulations that can be
'
implemented by the Town to assist in the long-term
delivery of high quality fresh water.
'
Town policy will be to work with other appropriate
governmental bodies, namely New Hanover County and
Wilmington, to provide for a continued pure supply of
potable water. Support for policies and actions by other
'
governmental units that promote good drinking water
quality in the Castle Hayne aquifer is essential for the
long-term well-being of the Town's citizens.
'
7.
Use of Package Treatment Plants
Carolina Beach is currently having an annexation plan and
'
water and sewer plan prepared with intentions to extend
water and sewer to all areas not currently served by
'
water and sewer following annexation. Although the need
for a package treatment plant will not be necessary
following sewer line extensions, such facilities are
currently acceptable if all local, State and federal
permits are obtained prior to their construction.
However, Town policy will be to modify the Subdivision
Ordinance to not allow package treatment plants in
'
Carolina Beach.
8.
Stormwater Runoff
Protection of estuarine waters is of major concern for
local, State and federal officials. For that reason, all
future developments must continue to meet all local,
State and federal stormwater runoff regulations as
'
applicable to the individual development.
9.
Marina and Floating Home Development and Dry Stack
'
Facilities
Carolina Beach is situated close to three important water
'
navigation points: the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway,
Carolina Beach Inlet, and the Cape Fear River.
Commercial marinas should be encouraged to locate in
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Myrtle Grove Sound to take advantage of this geographic
conflux, so long as dredging activities are minimized.
Dry stack boat facilities have been discussed as a
current and future need at Carolina Beach. For that
reason, the Planning Board should review current Zoning
Ordinance provisions for the location of dry stack
facilities and make zoning text or zoning map revisions
to allow such facilities adjacent to or near Myrtle Grove
Sound.
Carolina Beach policy shall be to encourage commercial
marina operations consistent with Town zoning regulations
when dredging activities are kept to the minimum extent
necessary to insure safe boat travel. Dry stack
facilities, dinghy docks and public access docks shall
also be encouraged when consistent with the Town Zoning
Ordinance, flood zone restrictions, CAMA requirements and
Building Code requirements. Floating homes shall not be
permitted.
10. Industrial Impact on Fragile Areas
' The only industrial area of Carolina Beach is located on
the west side of Dow Road and east of the Sunny Point
Buffer Area and Carolina Beach State Park. This
relatively small industrial area has a natural buffer
area between the site and the Cape Fear River by virtue
of the Sunny Point Buffer Area and Carolina Beach State
Park.
Carolina Beach policy shall continue to be to encourage
land use compatibility between the industrial/commercial
sectors and residential sectors through use of the Town's
Zoning Ordinance.
11. Development of Sound and Estuarine System Islands
Carolina Beach does not have any islands in its planning
jurisdiction that would be feasible for future
development under current State and federal permit
regulations.
12. Restriction of Development in Areas Up to Five Feet Above
Mean High Water
Carolina Beach policy is to not restrict development if
such development meets all Zoning Ordinance, flood zone
restrictions, CAMA requirements and Building Code
requirements.
' 13. Upland Excavation for Marina Basins
Carolina Beach policy is to not restrict upland
1
1 50

excavation for marina basins if such development meets
all zoning and other local, State and federal regulations
and all required permits are obtained.
14. Damaging of Existing Marshes by Bulkhead Installation
Myrtle Grove Sound and the municipal dock facilities
are considered a major asset for tourism,
commercial and recreational fishermen and boaters.
During the planning process there has been discussion on
the need to improve the physical appearance along Myrtle
Grove Sound, which is currently in mixed land uses which
underutilize this potentially attractive waterfront area
along the western edge of the Sound at St. Joseph's Avenue
near the intersection with N.C. 421. Only water
dependent uses would be allowed and any bulkheads would
be constructed landward of any significant marshland or
marsh grass fringe in compliance with 15A NCAC 7H
.0208(7)(B).
'
It is also Carolina Beach policy to prohibit bulkheading and
filling of the Town's shorefront forward of the areas of
environmental concern along the eastern edge of
Myrtle Grove Sound and around Carolina Beach Lake.
Re-establishment of wetlands is to be strongly
encouraged. Any bulkheading operations must comply with
all local, State and federal regulations.
B. Resource Production and Management
1. Productive Agriculture Lands
Carolina Beach contains no productive agricultural lands;
therefore, no policy is required.
2. Commercial Forest Lands
The only commercial forest lands inside the Carolina
Beach planning jurisdiction is the Sunny Point Buffer
area. A portion of this area has been clear cut and no
reforestation has taken place to date.
Carolina Beach policy shall be to encourage reforestation
'
of any areas clear cut. If reforestation operations have
not begun within 90 days of cutting, the Town Council
will instruct the Town Manager to inquire as to a
schedule for reforestation and, if none is planned,
request that reforestation be conducted.
3. Potential Mineral Production Areas
Carolina Beach contains no known mineral production
areas. If such areas do exist, Carolina Beach policy
shall be to allow mining of such resources if such
1 51

operations are consistent with the Zoning Ordinance and
all applicable local, State and federal permits are
secured prior to operations beginning.
4. Commercial and Recreational Fisheries
The fishing industry in Carolina Beach consists of two
distinct components -- commercial fishing and sports
fishing. Due to a number of factors, including reduced
' catches and expensive dockage, operation of a commercial
fleet is growing more and more expensive. On the other
hand, the sports fishing industry in Carolina Beach has
had continued growth which should be further enhanced
with completion of the public marina.
Carolina Beach policy shall be to encourage and support
commercial fishing operations and sports fishing
operations as feasible. The Town will also support State
and federal regulations to insure the water quality of
' local waters that support both commercial and
recreational fishing.
5. Off -Road Vehicles
Carolina Beach policy is to prohibit off -road vehicles on
the beach strand which is the area between the barrier
dunes and water. The northern end of the beach does not
come under this policy. Enforcement of vehicular traffic
is regulated by the New Hanover County Sheriff's
Department.
6. Residential, Commercial and Industrial Development
Like many beachfront communities, Carolina Beach has a
concentration of single-family and -multi -family units
along the oceanfront and adjacent to Myrtle Grove Sound.
The commercial and other non-residential uses are
currently concentrated in the CBD area and along N.C. 421
leading into the CBD area. The small amount of
industrial use is located adjacent to Dow Road. Town
officials will continue to use the Zoning Ordinance and
Subdivision Regulations to guide future residential and
commercial development.
' Carolina Beach policy shall continue to be to adopt all
necessary regulations including zoning ordinances and
subdivision regulations to ensure compatibility between
the Town's various industries and other land uses within
the Town in order to promote a continued healthy
relationship between the industrial and commercial sector
and residential sector and to have future development
occur in such a way that it has the least possible impact
on existing natural resources.
7. Peat and Phosphate Mining
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There are no known peat or phosphate resources in the
Carolina Beach area; therefore, no policy is necessary.
C. Economic and Community Development
1. Community Attitude Toward Growth
Carolina Beach officials are interested in promoting
economic development that provides job opportunities and
diversification of the local economy as much as possible.
Local officials are sensitive to the need to guide
economic development in such a way that it does not
adversely impact on the sensitive ecosystem of the area.
Carolina Beach policy shall continue to be to make every
effort to diversify the local economy while at the same
time protecting the environment and improving the area as
a more attractive area in which to work, live and play.
2. Types and Location of Industries Desired
The Town's zoning is used to direct the location of
industrial as well as other land uses. Based on the
Zoning Ordinance, all industrial uses must be located in
the I-1 district which is located adjacent to Dow Road
and east of the Sunny Point Buffer Area and Carolina
Beach State Park. Types of industrial uses shall be
consistent with the Town's Zoning Ordinance.
Carolina Beach policy shall be to continue to allow
industrial uses only in the I-1 zone and only those uses
permitted in the Zoning Ordinance or any other industrial
uses permitted following an amendment to the Carolina
Beach Zoning Ordinance.
3. Local Commitment to Providing Services
Carolina Beach officials understand the importance of
providing needed infrastructure such as water, sewer,
roads and recreational amenities to sustain continued
economic growth. The water and sewer study now being
prepared and continuing efforts to provide recreational
opportunities such as parks, beach and estuarine access
areas all represent a commitment to provide needed public
services. The recent purchase and planned renovation for
a new Town Hall also represents a strong commitment to
providing needed services.
Carolina Beach policy shall continue to be to provide all
needed public facilities as financially feasible. Local
officials will continue to work to secure either State or
federal grants where possible to provide such facilities.
4. Urban Growth Patterns Desired
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Carolina Beach officials continue to use the Zoning
Ordinance and map to guide development. Currently,
commercial development is concentrated in the Central
Business District (CBD) area and along N.C. 421 north of
'
the CBD area. This area has undeveloped land zoned for
commercial use. Residential land use is concentrated
along the oceanfront and areas between Dow Road and Lake
Park Boulevard. Industrial uses, which are minimal at
present, shall continue to be concentrated in the I-1
zone which is located adjacent to Dow Road. Local
officials would like to see undeveloped areas between St.
Joseph Street and Myrtle Grove Sound developed with uses
that are water oriented.
Carolina Beach policy shall continue to be to develop a
growth pattern that is compatible with existing land uses
through use of the Zoning Ordinance, with Industrial use
along Dow Road, Commercial use concentrated in the CBD
and along N.C. 421, and Residential in residentially -
zoned areas.
5. Redevelopment of Developed Areas Including Relocation of
Structures Due to Erosion
Based on the results of a windshield survey conducted in
February, 1990, it is apparent that Carolina Beach does
not have a concentration of substandard housing or
commercial uses in need of redevelopment. However, the
Boardwalk area of Carolina Beach has been discussed and
'
plans prepared to revitalize this area. Because tourism
is such a vital part of the local economy, many
officials, merchants and residents feel that the
revitalization of this area could draw more visitors to
the community since this boardwalk area is unique to
Carolina Beach in North Carolina.
Other areas of the beach have in the past experienced the
demolition of single-family homes to be replaced by
multi -family or condominium development.
Carolina Beach policy shall be to continue to work with
merchants and property owners in efforts to revitalize
the Central Business and Amusement District. Town
officials will continue to work to secure either grants
or low -interest State or federal loans to revitalize the
area. Redevelopment of areas from lower density single
family to higher density multi -family or condominiums
will be approved on a case -by -case basis following the
rezoning process. It is the policy of Carolina Beach to
encourage relocation of structures if threatened by
erosion, at the owner's expense, if all necessary
local zoning and other local, State and federal
regulations are followed and all applicable permits are
secured prior to such relocation.
6. Commitment to State and Federal Programs Including Erosion
Control, Public Access, Highway Improvements, Port Facilit-
ies, Dredging and Military Facilities
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I
Carolina Beach officials are committed to erosion control
programs through support of the State Sedimentation
Control Act.
' Public beach access has been and continues to be of great
importance to local officials. Carolina Beach officials
will continue efforts to secure additional public beach
access funds to develop and improve access for public use
and enjoyment.
Highway improvements are considered a major factor in
ensuring the continued economic growth of the area.
Local officials will continue to include road improvement
requests in the TIP plan on an as -needed basis.
Port facilities do not exist in Carolina Beach; however,
local officials feel that the State Port in Wilmington
does have some economic benefit to the community due to
its close proximity to the Town. For that reason, local
officials support continued expansion of the facility.
The Town has and will continue to support efforts to
dredge areas along the Intracoastal Waterway and other
major bodies of water in the Carolina Beach area to
provide safe access for commercial and recreational
boating. Spoil will be placed in approved spoil areas.
Carolina Beach does not have any military facilities
within the community, and because of land area
constraints Carolina Beach policy will be to not
encourage the development of a military facility within
r the Town's corporate limits.
Carolina Beach is working with the area's Congressional
Representatives for a fire training tower, pistol range
for police and municipal golf course.
7. Channel Maintenance and Beach Nourishment Projects In-
cluding Financial Aid, Providing Spoil Areas or Providing
Easements
Channel maintenance of areas such as the Cape Fear River,
Snow's Cut, Carolina Beach Inlet, Myrtle Grove Sound and
the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway is very important to
Carolina Beach because of the positive impact on
commercial and recreational boating. Continued
maintenance of these waterways is a high priority for
Town officials.
Town officials will continue to work with the Army Corps
of Engineers and any other State and federal agencies to
ensure continued dredging and maintenance of channels and
rivers as needed to keep these facilities open to
navigation. Providing borrow or spoil areas and
provision of easements for work will be determined on a
case -by -case basis. However, the Town would prefer that
known spoil areas with existing easements for such
purposes be used.
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Town officials will maintain contact with congressional
representatives and federal officials as dredging or
other channel maintenance operations are needed, and will
continue to assist local users of these facilities as
feasible and as needs and concerns for dredging or
maintenance are brought before local officials or
officials determine that need for such assistance exists.
' Beach nourishment has become a continuing problem for
Carolina Beach. Local officials will work to obtain
grant assistance to reduce local costs for nourishment
operations.
8. Energy Facility Siting
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Carolina Beach officials are opposed to a major energy
facility being located within the community.
9. Inshore and Offshore Exploration or Development Including
Refineries, Storage
Exploration of the Continental Shelf for gas and/or oil
is currently being discussed at the State and federal
levels of government. Carolina Beach, as a coastal
community with a tourist -based economy, cannot support
exploration and drilling activities off the North
Carolina coast with its potential for adverse
environmental impact and subsequent adverse impact on the
local economy in the event of an oil spill. For that
reason, the Town policy shall be to not support off -shore
drilling for gas or oil and to not permit facilities such
as oil refineries or storage facilities within the Town
limits or Extraterritorial Planning Jurisdiction. The
Planning staff will be instructed to review the current
Town Ordinance to eliminate oil refineries and oil
storage areas as a permitted use if they are currently
included in the Town Ordinance.
10. Tourism
Tourism continues to serve a major roll in the economy of
Carolina Beach. From day visitors to vacationing
families that spend an extended period of time in our
community, providing for the needs of these visitors is a
high priority for the community. Providing for the
shopping and amusement needs of these visitors must
continue to be the responsibility of the private sector;
however, some recreational needs can be provided by
Carolina Beach. A good example is the recently completed
public marina adjacent to the Police and Fire
Headquarters. Another area that has
been discussed by the Recreation Committee is
the acquisition and development of additional ocean and
sound access areas with public parking and picnic
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facilities where feasible to serve both residents and
visitors at Carolina Beach. Because tourism is of such
great importance to the community, local officials
establish the following policies dealing with tourism:
Town officials will continue to promote Carolina Beach as
a great place to live or visit. Local officials will
promote the natural resources of the area.
Town officials will continue to work towards the
redevelopment and improvement of the Central Business
District (CBD) and Amusement District Boardwalk to make
the area more attractive for both residents and visitors.
Town officials will request State assistance in funding
of a Tourism Brochure promoting the community and its
easy access from I-95 and I-40.
11. Coastal and Estuarine Water Access
The Town of Carolina Beach is unique in the fact that it
is one of only two cities in North Carolina that owns its
beachfront area. The public beach runs from the dunes to
the mean high water line. Beach and estuarine water
access is provided by numerous CAMA access points that
vary from a simple foot path to facilities with parking,
gazebos and paved walkways. With the opening of I-40 and
the scheduled widening of College Road between I-40 and
Carolina Beach, officials anticipate a sharp increase in
the number of vacationers and day visitors to the beach.
For that reason, local officials see the need to expand
and upgrade existing access areas and the need to create
additional access areas with adequate parking.
Town policy shall be to secure financial assistance
through the CAMA access program and any other programs to
create, expand and improve access to the beach front and
estuarine waters of Carolina Beach. Local officials will
inventory existing facilities and potential access areas
to determine alternatives available to provide improved
access.
12. Type, Densities, Location, Units Per Acre of Anticipated
Residential Development
The beach front portion of Carolina Beach is developed in
a mixture of single cottages, multi -story multi -unit
motels and condominiums. West of Lake Park Boulevard is
predominantly single-family homes with the majority of
buildable lots available in this section of the
community. With much of the land available for future
development being in the less densely developed section
of Carolina Beach, it is anticipated that future
residential development during the ten-year planning
57

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period will be single family development versus the
high-rise, multi -family style development.
Town policy shall continue to be to base type, density,
location and number of units per acre on the existing
Zoning Ordinance.
13. Recreation
Carolina Beach has continued to provide both passive and
active recreational opportunities for both residents as
well as visitors to the community. Recreational
opportunities are a major part of making Carolina Beach
an attractive place to live and visit. For that reason,
Carolina Beach policy shall continue to be to strive to
attain and maintain recreational standards established by
the N. C. Division of Parks and Recreation for a
community the size of Carolina Beach. Town policy shall
continue to be to seek any State and federal funds
available for the acquisition, development or maintenance
of both passive and active recreational facilities.
Carolina Beach also has a policy of securing financial
assistance for the planning, acquisition and construction
of additional sound and ocean access areas through the
CAMA Access Program. Carolina Beach will also work to
prepare a comprehensive recreation plan for the community
during this five-year planning period to ensure adequate
recreational facilities to meet current and future needs.
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ID. Future Land Use
In a rapidly growing community like Carolina Beach, it is
extremely important to maintain positive control over both
the type and pattern of new development. Rapid, unplanned
growth may result in poor traffic circulation patterns,
untimely and costly demands for capital facility
1
construction, overuse or loss of important natural resources,
and failure to provide adequate recreational facilities.
These problems can cause inconvenience to residents and
visitors, decrease tourism, slow real estate investment, and
place unnecessarily heavy tax burdens on property owners.
In order for Carolina Beach to achieve its full potential as
a coastal resort community, future land use decisions must be
carefully considered and properly planned. A wide variety of
economic, environmental, and cultural factors must be
examined and integrated in a comprehensive and consistent
manner. This Future Land Use Element is therefore intended
to serve as the link between the other, more disparate
elements of the Land Use Plan update. By providing for a
joining of the Land Use Plan elements in a development
concept for Carolina Beach, it is insured that the policies
and implementation procedures established in those elements
are carried out in the future development of the Town.
Existing land use is inventoried in the first section of the
Future Land Use Element; important development trends are
also charted. The second section outlines the pattern of
future development established by and for the Town. The
development concepts necessary to accomplish this growth
pattern are also considered in this section.
This section also addresses existing development trends such
as the protection of the RA-12 zone, continuance of the State
park, buffer zone, multi -family development on the
beachfront, strip commercial on U.S. 421 and development in
the MB-1 district.
The Future Land Use Map, page 78, has also been incorporated
into the 1990 update. This map has been used and will
continue to be used as an outline for the desired development
pattern for future growth in Carolina Beach. This Future
Land Use Map, unlike the required CAMA Land Classification
Map, is divided into seven development categories with a
written description of each category beginning on page 63.
1. Existing Land Use and Development Trends
Two very important determinants of future land use in any
town involve existing factors: existing land use and
existing development trends. These factors influence
future development in much the same way as a person's
physique determines how his or her clothes fit; that is,
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the existing situation provides a particular framework
upon which future development patterns must be attached.
Whether the existing situation is regarded as a positive
or as a negative influence on future growth depends on
the extent of change desired. Once existing land uses or
trends are established, it takes considerable time and
effort to alter them. This explains why most land use
plans and zoning maps seem to rely so heavily on what has
existed previously.
Existing land use is discussed on pages 3 and 4 of the Land Use
Plan Update based on a 1990 windshield survey. Map FLU-1 from
the 1985 Plan is also included in the Appendix page 77 and
illustrates the location of eight generalized land use
categories within the Town's planning area. Existing
development trends for the Town of Carolina Beach are
discussed below.
Equally as important as existing land use in helping
shape the future development of the Town are existing
development trends. As with existing land use, some of
these trends establish highly desirable precedents which
provide the momentum necessary to guide development into
appropriate locations. Other trends create roadblocks
for the proper guidance of development. Several
important Carolina Beach development trends are discussed
below.
a. Protection of the RA-12 Zone - If any development
trend in Carolina Beach can be considered sacrosanct,
it is the continued maintenance of the existing RA-12
zoning district as the Town's primary single family
residential area. Despite the existence of a fairly
large number of sub -size nonconforming lots of
record, the RA-12 area continues to be regarded as
the Town's "large lot" single family residential
district. Recent attempts to rezone portions of the
RA-12 district, or to secure Conditional Use Permits
for non-residential uses, have met with failure.
It is particularly important for a rapidly -growing
resort town to have residential areas like the RA-12
district. By establishing a history of commitment to
maintaining these primary residential areas, the Town
recognizes their economic and cultural importance.
These are the areas where many of the Town's
permanent residents live, and despite major changes
in other parts of the Town, these areas will remain -
insulated from the effects of rapid growth.
b. Continuance of the State Park, Buffer Zone, and Other
Environmental Areas - It is extremely unlikely that
the lands controlled by other governmental agencies -
60

I
the Carolina Beach State Park, the Sunny Point
Military Ocean Terminal Buffer Zone, the Snow's Cut
Spoil Easement, the Carolina Beach Lake marsh, and
the Northern Extension wetlands - will ever be
developed with urban land uses. These areas, which
will be preserved in their natural state or receive
limited recreational development, provide permanent
open space within the Town's urban setting.
As has been discussed in other elements of this Land
Use Plan, these open spaces provide aesthetic and
economic benefits to the Town. Continued maintenance
of these areas in their current condition by their
respective regulatory overseers is in the Town's best
interest, unless there are overriding public benefits
to be derived from their conversion to other uses.
c. Multifamily Development of the Town's Beachfront -
Unquestionably the most important development trend
in the sixty -year history of Carolina Beach has been
the recent multifamily development of the Town's
beachfront. Although this development has created
some problems with regard to traffic congestion and
increased demands for Town services, these problems
have been relatively minor when compared with the
fiscal prosperity and improved Town image that has
resulted.
So long as future multifamily development of the
Carolina Beach oceanfront is constructed with regard
to appropriate design standards which take into
account the potential negative effects of high
density and the reasonable expected risks of the
oceanfront location, such development should continue
to be encouraged by the Town, within the limits of
available urban service provision.
d. Strip Commercial Development of the U.S. 421 Corridor
- Despite a strong effort on the part of the Town to
discourage strip development of U.S. 421 through the
provision of a 400 foot deep B-3 zoning district,
most development along U.S. 421 has tended to use the
obvious commercial advantages of highway frontage
rather than fully explore the possibilities provided
by the depth of that commercial zone.
Continued strip development of the U.S. 421 corridor
will tend to undermine efforts to expand and
redevelop the less visible B-1 zoning district and
will create unnecessary traffic congestion and safety
problems along the roadway. It is also important
that the Town maintain control over the type of
development which occurs in this corridor area since
U.S. 421 serves as the primary entryway into Carolina
1 61

Beach; crowded and cluttered strip commercial
development would reflect negatively on the Town's
image.
e. Development in the MB-1 District - The MB-1 zoning
district, a "Marina Business" district originally
established for commercial marina operations, is
currently the site of some of the Town's most
interesting and exclusive residential development
projects. Existing projects include Inland Harbor,
Harbor Oaks, Forest by the Sea, Otter Creek and
Pleasure Cay.
Due to possible incompatibilities with the existing
residential projects described above, many of the
"pure" marina business uses, such as seafood
production and processing, have been deleted from the
permitted use section of the MB-1 zoning district
classification. Because of the existing development
trend towards residential use in the MB-1 district, a
re-evaluation of the purpose of that zoning district
must occur, particularly with regard to encouragement
of commercial fishing operations, one of the Town's
major industries.
2. Future Land Use
This section of the Carolina Beach Land Use Plan contains
what is traditionally regarded as a "land use plan," the
Future Land Use Map (see Appendix for Maps). This map
(Map FLU-2), along with its two Planned Development
overlay maps (Maps FLU-3 and FLU-4) in conjunction with
Table FLU-1, should serve the function of a traditional
land use plan, which is to guide development into
appropriate locations. However, because the policies and
implementation procedures established for the other
elements of this Land Use Plan have been carefully
integrated into the Future Land use Element, this map
also interrelates a wide spectrum of Town goals and
objectives in a future development program for Carolina
Beach.
The section which follows the discussion of the Future
Land Use Maps provides additional detail as to why
particular land use patterns were selected. This section
also considers the regulatory tools, such as the planned
development concept, which allow Town officials to
provide flexible guidance to the real estate and
development sectors while still accomplishing the primary
goals established for the future development of the Town.
a. Future Land Use Map
Map FLU-2 outlines the desired development pattern
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t
n
for future growth in Carolina Beach. Map FLU-2
constitutes a more specific version of the Land
Classification Map required of this planning process
by CAMA regulations; the actual Land Classification
Map is located in the Appendix, page 85. Its
description is located on page 72 of the Plan. Seven
generalized development categories are herein
established for the Town as opposed to the three land
use categories (Developed, Urban Transition and
Conservation) established in the Land Classification
Map:
(1) The Government Managed Lands development category
encompasses those lands to be delineated as
Conservation o the State Land Use Classification
Map. (See Appendix page .) These are lands
which, because of their environmental
sensitivity, designation as a State park, or
classification as a buffer zone, are extremely
unlikely to ever be developed with urban land
uses. These lands are, for the most part, zoned
RA-20 on the Town's current zoning map. This
zoning classification should be utilized for
these Government Managed Lands for two reasons:
(a) The RA-20 classification is widely recognized
as the Town's "holding zone" classification -
that is, it is the zoning district from which
undeveloped lands are rezoned to other uses.
Placing or maintaining these lands under that
zoning classification expresses their true
development status to developers and realtors.
(b) As the Town's most innocuous zoning
classification, the RA-20 district provides an
effective barrier to harmful development of the
Government Managed Lands should they ever be
released for development. For example, should
the Buffer Zone ever be opened for development,
unless there was a massive, consequent upgrading
of the Town's traffic circulation system, density
higher than that allowed in RA-20 would result in
traffic well above the rated capacity of the
existing roadways and all current proposed
improvements.
(2) The Low Density development category is primarily
reserved for residential land uses of under ten
units per acre in density.. The zoning
classifications utilized for the Low Density
category are RA-20, RA-12, and RA-7. This
category includes the Town's primary single
family residential area and those lands within
and surrounding Pleasure Cay subdivision. Map
FLU-3 indicates which of these Low Density areas
are suitable for Residential Planned Developments
which would allow multifamily development of up
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Ito ten units per acre.
Limited commercial development would also be
allowed in certain specific portions of the Low
Density development category. A new zoning
classification - B-4 Planned Business - has been
developed to allow this limited commercial
development to occur among these primarily
residential areas. The new B-4 zoning
classification would allow the following
commercial uses, subject to Town approval through
the Business Planned Development Conditional Use
Permit process: retail commercial, personal
services (barber and beauty shops), offices,
restaurants, galleries and museums, public and
private community facilities and buildings,
public and private schools, residential uses
subject to density restrictions of the "parent"
zone in conjunction with the Business Planned
Development regulations, commercial marinas,
hotels and motels (only in combination with
commercial marinas), recreational uses, other
similar uses as determined by the Town Council,
and expansion of or additions to
previously -existing land uses. Map FLU-4
indicates which areas of the Low Density
development category are regarded as suitable for
rezoning to B-4. The Appendix contains the text
of the B-4 zoning classification. This zoning
classification is intended to be utilized only at
the request of the property owner.
(3) The Medium Density development category includes
residential land uses of up to fifteen units per
acre in density as well as limited commercial
development. Mobile homes would also be allowed
in a portion of this development category. (That
area bounded on the east by Bowfin Lane, on the
west by the Buffer Zone, on the north by Ocean
Boulevard and on the south by Alabama Avenue.)
The existing zoning classifications to be
utilized for this development category are RA-6,
RA-5, and RA-5T. Limited commercial development
is also allowed in much of the Medium Density
development category through the B-4 zoning
classification. See Maps FLU-3 and FLU-4 for
Medium Density areas suitable for Residential and
Business Planned Developments.
(4) The High Density development category includes
residential land uses of between twenty-nine and
forty-eight units per acre in density, along with
hotel/motel and other tourist -oriented Business
Planned Developments. The zoning classifications
64

Iintended for this development category are RA-6A
and RA-5A. The actual density allowed for any
particular development project in the High
Density category varies widely depending upon the
location of the project and what parent zoning
classification (RA-6A or RA-5A) is involved. For
example, as will be discussed in the next section
of this Element, Planned Development density
increases are generally not allowed in the RA-6A
zoning district (see the discussion of the
Northern Extension in the following section),
making the typical maximum allowable residential
or hotel/motel density for that parent zoning
classification, even with a Planned Development
Conditional Use Permit, twenty-nine units per
acre.
1 (5) The Tourist and Amusement development category
serves as the Town's primary tourist district.
By concentrating tourist facilities in a single
area, conflicts with other land uses are avoided
and pedestrian and other non -automobile traffic
is encouraged, thereby reducing roadway
congestion. The location of these facilities
adjacent to the Town's Central Business District
promotes a positive commercial interrelationship
between the two types of land uses.
The T-1 zoning classification allows hotel and
motel density of up to sixty-eight units per acre
and includes provisions for restaurant and
limited retail commercial development.
Residential density mirrors that allowed in the
RA-6A zoning district.
(6) The Central Business District development
category provides for the expansion of the Town's
B-1 zoning district to: (a) compensate for the
rezoning of large portions of the existing B-1
district to T-1; (b) eliminate High Density
multifamily zoning west of Lake Park Boulevard
north of Carolina Sands subdivision; (c)
establish Third Street as the maximum penetration
of commercial zoning into the existing
residential areas; and, most importantly, (d)
provide sufficient space for the development of a
viable, unified Central Business District in
Carolina Beach. The purpose of this development
category is therefore to establish a commercial
district of sufficient size to encourage a wide
variety of commercial uses adjacent to the
Tourist and Amusement development category.
(7) The Highway Business and Industrial development
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category is intended for more intensive
commercial and/or industrial uses than would be
suitable for either the B-1, B-2 or B-4 zoning
districts. One portion of the development
category is situated so as to provide commercial
support for the Central Business District and
lines U.S. 421 north of Goldsboro Avenue. A
second area contains industrially -zoned property,
primarily on the west side of Dow Road and U.S.
421 in order to take advantage of that location's
growing importance as a commercial node and to
serve as an incentive for the redevelopment of
the area's existing mobile home park into
commercial uses.
3. Development Issues
The above section has established a future land use
pattern for the Town of Carolina Beach. While this
pattern serves as a general development framework for the
Town, additional detail is required regarding particular
planning areas such as the Northern Extension. The
rationale for eliminating one existing zoning district
(MB-1) also needs to be more fully explored. Finally,
certain regulatory tools, such as the Planned Development
concept, must be discussed in terms of how they will be
used to shape the growth of Carolina Beach.
a. Northern Extension - Perhaps the most critical
planning area in Carolina Beach is the Northern
Extension. Because of this area's relative isolation
from much of the Town's traffic circulation system
(there is only one way on or off the Northern
Extension), there is the potential for major traffic
problems.
The Town should allow specific density increases on
the Northern Extension for the purpose of increasing
public access to the ocean and sound. These
increases would be allowed only through the following
process. If oceanfront and/or soundfront lots are
dedicated to the Town for public recreational use, a
density transfer of one and one half times the number
of units allowed on the dedicated lots under
then -existing zoning shall be allowed if the transfer
is to interior lots (i.e., lots between Carolina
Beach Avenue North and Canal Drive). This density
transfer shall only be permitted as part of the
Planned Development Conditional Use Permit process.
The property owner has the right to negotiate the
type of public facilities to be constructed on the
dedicated lots, along with the timing of the
construction of these facilities. (This policy would
also apply to Carolina Beach lakefront lots.)
66

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1
A final issue concerning density on the Northern
Extension also needs to be discussed. The oceanfront
area north of Starfish Lane and east of Carolina
Beach Avenue North has more severe density
limitations imposed upon it by environmental
regulatory agencies than do other oceanfront areas in
the Town. Consequently, in order to reduce property
owner confusion over what can be constructed on these
oceanfront lots, this area is to be rezoned to RA-6,
a zoning category more reflective of the actual
development conditions existing for this property.
b. Carolina Beach Avenue South - This area between the
ocean and U.S. 421 is also suitable for the density
transfer for public recreational land dedication
discussed above. However, the density transfer should
be based upon one and one half times the density
allowed under a Planned Development Conditional Use
Permit for the areas to be dedicated, rather than
utilizing existing zoning as the density transfer
criterion as in the Northern Extension situation.
If oceanfront lots are dedicated to the Town for
public recreational use, a density transfer may be
allowed if the transfer is to interior lots.
c. Central Business District - Parking space
availability has become a problem for the Town's
Central Business District in recent years. Some
off-street parking is now required by the Town's
Zoning ordinance, but these requirements may restrict
many commercial uses n particular properties. In
order to assist funding a Central Business District
parking lot or deck, the following options should be
considered for inclusion in the Zoning Ordinance:
(1) As an alternative to providing the required
off-street parking, the property owner would have the
option of paying $2,500 per required space to the
Town to be placed into a fund for the construction of
centralized parking facilities in the Central
Business District; and/or (2) a special
tax/assessment district could be established for the
construction of the central parking facility.
d. MB-1 District - Alternatives to the MB-1 zoning
district are put forward on the Future Land Use Map
and its overlay maps. Consequently, this district
can be deleted from the Town's Zoning Ordinance. The
MB-1 district classification as it currently exists
has been rendered ineffective by the land uses which
67

U
have been developed in that district. Commercial
marinas can be developed on the west side of Myrtle
Grove Sound through the new B-4 zoning, which also
provides an incentive for such development by
allowing hotel/motel uses, if such uses are in
conjunction with a commercial marina. The RA-6
zoning classification reflects much more accurately
the appropriate density level for the area than do
the MB-1 district regulations.
e. Planned Developments - Increasingly, Carolina Beach
Town officials have come to rely upon the Conditional
Use Permit for Planned Development as a means of
promoting desired development while protecting
existing neighborhoods from the possible negative
effects of such development. The three types of
planned developments allowed by the Town -
Residential, Business and Industrial - are also
popular with developers because of the inherent
flexibility of the planned development concept.
Through the preservation of open space and the
provision of adequate traffic circulation systems and
buffers, for example, a commercial or industrial
development can be located adjacent to a low density
single family residential neighborhood without the
usual conflicts between the two land use types.
The new B-4 zoning district provides an added facet
to the Town's planned Development regulations. This
district gives the Town more control and developers
more flexibility in the location of light commercial
uses near residential areas.
Another important addition to the Town's Planned
Development concept are the two planned development
overlay maps (Maps FLU-3 and FLU-4 and Table FLU-1).
These indicate both the location and the intensity of
the Planned Developments allowed in the Town. This
will serve to reduce developer confusion regarding
Planned Development submissions and provide valuable
instruction for Town officials and boards in their
review of submitted plans.
f. Administrative Rezoning - If the land use patterns
established in this Element are to be realized to
their fullest extent, administrative rezoning of a
number of properties will be necessary. The
properties in question are described below.
(1) Rezone the areas surrounding Pleasure Cay
Subdivision and shown on Map FLU-2 as Low Density
1
to RA-7.
(2) Rezone the RA-6A area on Spence-Farlow Drive to
RA-6.
1 68

(3) Rezone to B-3 the commercial node at the
intersection of Dow Road and U.S. 421.
(4) Rezone to RA-6 the RA-6A oceanfront area north of
Starfish Lane and east of Carolina Beach Avenue
North.
(5) Rezone to RA-6 the RA-6A area west of U.S. 421 at
Snow's Cut.
A(6) Rezone to RA-20 the RA-6A zoned land at the
Carolina Beach State Park entrance.
(7) Rezone to RA-7 the RA-20 areas described below:
i. The area bounded on the north and west by Dow
Road, on the east by the current B-3 zoning
district and on the south by Goldsboro
Avenue.
ii. The area between the existing B-3 zoning
district and St. Joseph's Street, north of
the Federal Point Shopping Center and south
of the lots located n the southern edge of
Lewis Drive.
g. Rezoning by Request - Rezoning at the request of the
property owner will be sufficient to accomplish the
goals of this Land use Plan for the remainder of the
properties which are not zoned according to the
development categories established in Map FLU-2, so
long as the granting of any such rezoning requests
are consistent with those categories.
h. Nonconforming Situations and Uses - Whenever
nonconforming situations and uses are created by
ordinance changes or development standards adopted as
part of this Element, those situations and uses shall
have the full rights allowed similar nonconforming
properties under Article 900: Nonconforming
Situations of the Town of Carolina Beach Zoning
Ordinance.
4. Policies and Implementation Procedures
In order that the future development patterns described
above can be achieved, the following policies and
implementation procedures are established by and for the
Town of Carolina Beach. Policies are official guidelines
set down for present and future decision -making: they
1 69

are broad in scope to allow the degree of flexibility
necessary to adequately accommodate changing conditions
in a rapidly -growing resort area like Carolina Beach.
Implementation procedures are directives to the Town
Manager and staff as to how the policies are to be
administratively enacted; they are necessarily specific
to the issues in question.
a. Policies
(1) THE FUTURE LAND USE ELEMENT SHALL, UPON ITS
ADOPTION AND UPON THE ADOPTION OF ANY SUBSEQUENT
REVISIONS, SERVE AS THE OFFICIALLY -ESTABLISHED
LAND DEVELOPMENT GUIDE FOR THE TOWN OF CAROLINA
BEACH.
This policy establishes the Future Land Use
Element as the Town's official land development
guide, giving it validity as both an
administrative and a decision -making tool.
(2) THE TOWN COUNCIL MAY, AT ITS DISCRETION, ADOPT
ANY AND ALL CHANGES TO THE TOWN OF CAROLINA BEACH
ZONING ORDINANCE AND ZONING MAP DEEMED NECESSARY
TO ACCOMPLISH THE PURPOSE OF THE FUTURE LAND USE
ELEMENT AS A DEVELOPMENT GUIDE.
This policy insures that the necessary changes to
the Town's zoning ordinance and map will be made
in order to achieve the purpose and intent of the
Future Land Use Element as a guide for
development in Carolina Beach.
(3) PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN ALL FUTURE LAND USE AND
OTHER DEVELOPMENT DECISIONS SHALL BE ENCOURAGED.
Public participation is considered by the Town to
be an essential element in all
development -related decisions. Such
participation shall be encouraged in all future
development decisions.
b. Implementation Procedures
(1) Insure that the intent of the Future Land Use
Element is considered in the processing of
development plans and requests.
The Town Manager and staff are hereby directed to
consider the intent of the Future Land Use
Element in the processing of all plans and
requests pertaining to the development of the
Town of Carolina Beach.
1 70

(2) Implement the directives of the other elements of
the Land Use Plan in a manner consistent with the
development guidelines established in the Future
Land Use Element.
Because the Future Land Use Element is a
development program which incorporates the
directives of the other Land Use Plan Elements,
it is imperative that the Town Manager and staff
implement the directives of the other elements in
a manner which is consistent with the Future Land
Use Element.
(3) Encourage public participation in all
development -related decisions.
The Town Manager and staff are directed to
utilize all available media sources to encourage
a wide variety of public participation in both
formal and informal settings, in all development
decisions undertaken by the Town.
(4) Further examine the Town's various commercial
zoning classifications and develop a
comprehensive program, including zoning
incentivesto encourage compatible community
development.
The Town Manager and staff, along with the
Planning and Zoning Commission, are directed to
develop a comprehensive commercial zoning program
for consideration by the Town Council.
(S) Prepare for consideration additional ordinances,
resolutions and incentives, as needed, to
protect, perserve, and enhance the established
development guide for the Town of Carolina Beach.
The Town Manager and staff are directed to keep a
continued close watch on the Town's growth and
development. Preparation for consideration of
new ordinances, resolutions, and incentives that
provide positive direction to this growth is
strongly encouraged.
E. Storm Hazard Mitigation and Post Disaster Reconstruction
Policies
Carolina Beach is included in the New Hanover County
Emergency Operations Plan which was adopted in January, 1990,
with the Hurricane Evacuation Plan being adopted in
September, 1990. A copy of each Plan is available from the
Mayor's office, Fire Chief, Police Chief or the County
Emergency Management Office.
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W. LAND CLASSIFICATION
The Land Classification Map has been prepared based on a
comprehensive review of existing land uses and after taking into
consideration the location of AEC's and vacant land available for
future development. The Land Classification Map consists of
three categories which are Developed, Urban Transition and
Conservation. A description of each classification and
geographic location of each is outlined below (see map in
Appendix, page 85):
A. Developed
The purpose of the Developed class is to provide for
continued intensive development and redevelopment of existing
cities, towns and their urban environs.
Areas meeting the intent of the Developed classification are
currently urban in character where minimal undeveloped land
remains and have in place, or are scheduled for the timely
provision of, the usual municipal or public services. Urban
in character includes mixed land uses such as residential,
commercial, industrial, institutional and other uses at high
to moderate densities. Services include water, sewer,
recreational facilities, streets and roads, police and fire
protection. In some instances an area may not have all the
traditional urban services in place, but if it otherwise has
a developed character and is scheduled for the timely
provision of these services, it still meets the intent of the
developed classification. Areas developed for predominantly
residential purposes meet the intent of this classification
if they exhibit (i) a density of 3 or more dwelling units per
acre; or (ii) a majority of lots of 15,000 square feet or
less, which are provided or scheduled to be provided with the
traditional urban services; and/or (iii) permanent population
densities are high and seasonal populations may swell
significantly.
The Developed classification includes the oceanfront area
from Alabama Avenue at the south to Salt Marsh Lane on the
north end of the beach and the east to west side of Lake Park
Boulevard. The predominantly residential area east of Dow
Road, north of Carolina Sands Drive and south of Goldsboro
and Plymouth Avenue is also included as Developed, as is the
CBD area and commercial areas on both sides of U.S. 421 and
St. Joseph Street. Both the north and south side of Lewis
Drive and Peninsula Drive near Snows Cut are also included as
developed.
B. Urban Transition
The purpose of the Urban Transition class is to provide for
future intensive urban development on lands that are suitable
72

and that will be provided with the necessary urban services
to support intense urban development.
Areas meeting the intent of the Urban Transition
classification are presently being developed for urban
purposes or will be developed in the next five to ten years
to accommodate anticipated population and urban growth.
These areas are in, or will be in an urban "transition" state
of development going from lower intensity uses to higher
intensity uses and as such will eventually require urban
services. Examples of areas meeting the intent of this class
are lands included within municipal extraterritorial planning
boundaries and areas being considered for annexation.
Urban Transition areas include the north and south side of
Spencer-Farlow Drive and undeveloped land east and west of
N.C. 421 and the underdeveloped lots west of 2nd Street and
north of Alabama Avenue and south of the back property lines
of lots fronting on the south side of Carolina Sands Drive.
These are the areas containing the largest undeveloped land
areas and where development is most likely to take place
during the 5- to 10-year planning period.
C. Conservation
The purpose of the Conservation class is to provide for the
effective long-term management and protection of significant,
limited or irreplaceable areas. Management is needed due to
the natural, cultural, recreational, scenic or natural
productive values of both local and more than local concern.
Areas meeting the intent of this classification include (i)
AEC's including but not limited to public trust waters,
estuarine waters, coastal wetlands, etc., as identified in
15A NCAC 7H; and (ii) other similar lands, environmentally
significant because of their natural role in the integrity of
the coastal region and include but are not limited to bottom
land hardwoods, pocosins, swamp forests, areas that are or
have a high probability of providing wildlife habitat, forest
lands that are essentially undeveloped and lands which
otherwise contain significant productive, natural, scenic,
cultural or recreational resources.
1
The Conservation areas include the peninsula located at the
northern end of the beach between the Atlantic Intracoastal
Waterway, Carolina Beach Inlet and the Atlantic Ocean.
Additional areas include the Carolina Beach State Park, Sunny
Point Buffer Zone and Carolina Lake and adjacent marsh areas
located on the south side of the lake. Ocean erodible areas
along the beach front are also included in the Conservation
classification.
The Future Land Use Element subdivides the Developed, Urban
Transition, and Conservation land classifications into more
73

highly -defined development categories which directly relate
to Town of Carolina Beach zoning classifications. Maps
FLU-2, FLU-3, and FLU-4 locate these sub -categories of
the general land classifications,described in this section.
While the Future Land Use Element development categories have
the status of zoning guidelines and are therefore subject to
the same revision process as Town zoning regulations, any
modification to the general land classifications described
herein constitute an amendment to the Town's Land Use Plan
and is subject to the public hearing process required for
such amendments by State statutes.
1 74

IV. RELATIONSHIP OF POLICIES AND LAND CLASSIFICATION
The Land Classification Map has reflected several areas
designated Urban Transition to accommodate future growth and to
bring about a more diversified economy. This map has also
reflected several areas as Conservation areas in which local
officials wish to acknowledge their environmental significance
and to insure their regulation under existing local, State and
federal regulations.
VI. GOVERIOEENTAL COORDINATION AHD IHPLFOTATION
Carolina Beach officials have notified Kure Beach and New Hanover
County of the preparation of the 1990 Land Use Plan Update. A
copy of the draft plan was provided to Kure Beach and New Hanover
County for their review and comment. Both Kure Beach and New
Hanover County will be notified of the final Public Hearing on
the plan and invited to attend or submit comments to the Town of
Carolina Beach prior to final adoption. In addition to the land
use planning process, Carolina Beach, Kure Beach and New Hanover
County cooperate with each other on numerous other issues
affecting each level of local government.
VII. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
A written Public Participation
Plan was prepared by the Town
Planner with assistance
from the Town Planning Board. The
written plan was reviewed
and adopted by the Town Planning Board
during a regular Planning
Board meeting on February 1, 1990. The
Town Planning Board has
served as the designated principal
local board with the lead
role in preparing the update. During a
regular meeting of the
Town Council held on February 13, 1990,
the Carolina Beach Town
Council reviewed and approved the 1990
Public Participation Plan
Update. Notifications
for the Carolina Beach Land Use Plan
of upcoming Planning Board Meetings were
placed in the local newspaper.
Following adoption of the Public
Participation Plan, citizens
of Carolina Beach have had the
opportunity to discuss
the plan preparation during meetings held
on the following dates:
February 1, 1990
Planning Board Meeting
February 15, 1990
Planning Board Meeting
May 24, 1990
Planning Board Meeting
June 14, 1990
Planning Board Meeting
'
June 28, 1990
Planning Board Meeting
July 26, 1990
Planning Board Meeting
August 13, 1990
Recreation Committee Meeting
September 11, 1990
Council Meeting
September 27, 1990
Planning Board Meeting
October 16, 1990
Joint Planning Board/Council Meeting
October 25, 1990
November 13, 1990
Planning Board Meeting
Council Meeting
Following review and comment on the draft Plan by the State CAMA
office staff, there will be a final public hearing and the Plan
will be finalized. Citizens will be notified of the Public
Hearing through newspaper advertisements.
75

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TOWN OF CAROLINA BEACH, N. C.
KW Y.Iq•
MAP NR-1
NATURAL RESOURCE AREAS
KEY
1 — BUFFER ZONE S — CAROLINA LAKE
2 — STATE PARK 6 — BEACH & OCEAN
3 — SNOW'S CUT 7 — ESTUARINE SYSTEM
4 — MYRTLE GROVE
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MtfI I OCIAIIIC AAO ATAIOtI.( -C ADAIIwItTt.TADw.
7 7
TOWN OF CAROLINA BEACH, N.C.
K41 1•...t'
MAP FLU-1
PERMITTED LAND USES
(See Zoning Map)
KEY
M COMMERCIAII 03HD SINGLE FAMILY
Ems:: HOTEL/MOTEL Q LD SINGLE FAMILY
EM MULTIFAMILY Q INSTITUTIONAL
® MOBILE H0I4 Q VACANT /UNBUILDABLE
Df .TI '0 ww.11nGTOw—�
A/fANUC 1NTRACUASUL WA/ff WAY
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R�vER
� A r E ' E A R TOWN OF CAROLINA BEACH, N. C.
MAP FLU-3: RESIDENTIAL PLANNED DEVELOPMENT
KEY: RESIDENTIAL PLANNED DEVELOPMENTS
LOW DENSITY
C..«IN• �--- MEDIUM DENSITY
,EACH
STATE
••I■ HIGH DENSITY
-� .�
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11
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' GENERALIZED LAND USE
CLASSIFICATION
1 Government Managed Lands
1 Low Density
I7-
L_.J
IMedium Density
I
High Density
I
Tourist Amusement
it
Central Business District
1
' Highway Business and
Industrial
INDEX TO ABBREVIATIONS
TABLE FLU-1
LAND USE COMPATIBILITY
RELEVANT ZONING
DISTRICTS)
RA-20
PRIMARY COMPATIBLE
LAND USES
Recreation; Open Space;
Natural Areas
RA-12;RA-7;B-7+ Single Family; Multifamily
uses of up to 10 units/acre
(with RPD CUP; see Map
FLU-3 for locations); B-4
BPD's (see Map FLU-4 for
locations)
RA-7;RA-6;RA-5 Single Family;Duplex;
RA-5T;B- 4 Multifamily uses of up
to 15 units/acre (with RPD
CUP; see Map FLU-3 for
locations); Mobile Home
(RA-5T areas only); B- 4
BPD's (see Map FLU-4
for locations)
RA-6A;RA-5A;B-2 Multifamily uses of up to
47 units/acre (with RPD
CUP); Hotel/Motel uses
of up to 52.5 units per
acre (with BPD CUP) ;B-2 uses;
Tourist -Oriented BPD's
A-1;T-1 Hotel/Motel uses of up
to 67.5 units/acre (with
BPD CUP); Tourist -Oriented
BPD's
B-1 Retail sales and other
commercial uses associated
with a central business
district; commercially -oriented
BPD's
B-3;I-1 Retail and Wholesale sales
and other commercial uses
associated with highway
business; commercially -oriented
BPD's; IPD (light manufacturing);
industrial uses allowed in the
I-1 zoning classification.
CUP - Conditional Use Permit
'RPD - Residential Planned Development
BPD - Business Planned Development
IPD - Industrial Planned Development
80

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June one
8
TT.TTT •..[[ •YO CO.O[.T! U/.T[ [O•Ml7 "T T•.•• TAM
TOWN OF CAROLINA BEACH. N. C.
r . ••. s
ae[ r.rr
MAP FLU-4: BUSINESS PLANNED DEVELOPMENT
KEY: BUSINESS PLANNED DEVELOPMENTS
B-4 : PLANNED BUSINESS
TOURIST—ORIENTED^^'--�'-'
COMMERCIAL —ORIENTED
... ..�� q w••r•4TOM-+• .
AfI ANflC IA f fAcoAsm WArERWAr
�0 ,

' CAROLINA BEACH ZONING ORDINANCE
ARTICLE 200: DISTRICT REGULATIONS
Section 217: B-4 Planned Business District:
' 217.1: General description of the districts: These districts
result from t re grit that *h
he co ior. ,. � e 'T'ow--� .o= =pro'::_ Beac'�
is a resort area inherently subject to a close intermingling
of residential and commercial land uses. If proper development
standards are adhered to and adequate buffering is provided,
there is no reasons whT,such ir.termingiing snouid result
' in conflicts between residential and commercial land uses;
indeed, through creative site design, coupled with
administrative and leaislative review, the complementary
' aspects of the two land use types can be accentuated. +
217.2: General regulations applicable: The General Regulations
' set forth in Article 100 of this ordinance apply to the
B-4: Planned Business Districts.
217.3: Permitted uses There a_e ..
' uses in the 3 -4' Planned -� - �° �`' ^: dltiona__; Vpermittec
mousiness Lisri,.ts (See s­74on
2174).
1
1
210.4: Uses permitted upon the issuance of a Conditional
Use Permit. The following uses may be permitted in the B-4:
Planned Business Districts after review, approval, and
issuance of a Business Planned Development Conditional Use
Permit in accordance with.Article 600 in general and Section
608 in particular, and in accordance with the locational
standards established in the Future Land Use Element of the
Town of Carolina Beach Land Use Plan.
(1) Retail sales (8)
(2) Personal services
(3) Offices
(4) Restaurants
(5) Galleries and museums
(6) Public & private schools
(7) Public community (9)
facilities
Residential uses subject to
density restrictions of the
"parent" zoning classification
in conjunction with the
Business Planned Development
regulations.
Commercial marinas
(10) Hotel and motels (only in
combination with commercial
marinas)
(11) Recreational Uses
(12) Accessory structures and uses
(13) Other similar uses, as deter-
mined by the Town Council.
(14) Expansion of or additions to
Uses existing prior -o t^e
adoption of this classificaticn.
217.5: Sian. regulations: Sign reaulations for the B-4: Planned
Bus ;:^.E_'ss Dos "r_ozs
82

' 217.6: Off-street parkina and loadina: The minimum
requirements for off-street parking and loading are set
forth in Article 400 of this ordinance. These
' requirements shall apply to all buildings and uses
in the B-4 Planned Business Districts.
' 417.7: Fence reaulations: The fence regulations set
forth in Article 700 shall apply to the B-4 Districts.
L�
1
83

7Te preparation of Nit document rat financed in
tivouifn a plot provid<E b, tra North Carolina
let Mana(emmt Prgram, uvo<en finds pt—ded
tla CoatW Zone Ma,aaement Act of 1972, as
rniee it administered by the Office of
W CoatW Refowce Mtn.aemeant. Natie
Oceanic OW Atmom,t.ertc Adminitt—ts—
P E
' � P
�.
1U11 L'r,>.r, u�, s't ��.
i irr r• ``# t+ fit'
41
/i
P R
fE
r`:f•� :'rig ri ? 1.�.�1f � rRlr S ytr'— t '.
;t tta RA-5
•� _ �L' "La
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��- RA-20
ni L
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ti F RA-20 �04
7.
/ \
RA 20
i
A r L A N T l C O C E A N
E.,. RA-6
' (Large Map of Existing Land Use at Planning Department)
84 • -
1
Existing Land Use Map
TOWN OF CAROLI NA BEACH
NORTH CAROLI NA
.ao a .00 a,p npa i090 loop
x.,f w ntt,
Legend
■ Commercial
13 Public
® Semi -Public
® Condominlum/Multi-Family
0 Residential
11 Vacant Lots or Land
ANANUC :NfRACOASIA: WATERWAY
e T
A►r✓h
Howard T. Capps 32 Assodatrs
Land4oe Arrhifat • land Planner
321 Nonh Front Sveet
Wilmingtwl Nonh Carolina

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POLICY
CAROLINA BEACH
1986 LAND USE PLAN
(Policy Effective Analysis on Page 95A)
1.
Protect, preserve, augment, and develop the natural resources of the
Town of Carolina
'
Beach.
2.
Avoid short-sighted or premature commitments of the Town's irretrievable
'
natural resources.
3.
Support the efforts of other local, state and federal agencies to protect,
'
preserve, develop, and augment both the Townr's natural resources and those
in
the vicinity of the Town.
'
4.
Wherever possible and appropriate, natural ecological systems should be
maintained and/or imitated by
developed systems as functional sub -units
of the coastal environment.
'
S.
The natural views and vistas provided by the open spaces within the Town
shall be
preserved and protected to the maximum extent possible.
'
6.
Preserve, protect and augment wherever possible, the complementary relation-
ship between
the Town's various industries.
7.
Preserve, protect, and augment the Town's important natural resources.
8.
Promote diversification of the Town's economic base.
9.
Encourage land use compatibility between the industrial/commercial
sectors
and the residential sector.
10.
Strive to attain and maintain recreational standards established by the
N. C.
Division of Parks and Recreation.
'
11.
Seek out local, regional, state and federal cooperation and funding for
recreation projects.
12. Provide for balanced recreational development.
13. Provide for comprehensive recreational planning.
14. Provide for cost-effective recreational -development.
15. Encourage recreational facility siting and design that is compatible
' with existing and future land use.
16. Continue to maintain and/or provide support for existing recreational
' facilities.
17. .Provide for equitable recreational development.
86

18.
Establish traffic circulation improvement priorities that provide for
the timely allocation of resources in meeting the transportation needs
of Carolina Beach.
'
19.
Support the efforts of other local, state and federal agencies that
improve the flow of traffic in Carolina Beach and in the vicinity of
the Town.
20.
Encourage alternative transportation modes in a P n effort to reduce
automobile traffic volumes.
'
21.
Insure that the type and design of the existing transportation system
and the proposed improvements to that system result in a traffic circulation
pattern that is well -suited to the desired land use arrangements within
the Town.
'
22.
Provide for future land uses that will function properly with the existing
and proposed traffic
circulation systems.
23.
Provide a full range of municipal services to all incorporated areas.
'
24.
Provide for cost-effective annexations.
'
25.
Provide for timely and cost-effective provision of capital facilities and
community services through planning and programming on the basis of
anticipated growth.
26.
Continue to evaluate capital facility and community service needs and
growth trends.
27.
Provide for a maintenance program for capital facilities.
28.
Provide for coordination between the Town and other governmental agencies
in the provision of needed capital facility
and community service improve-
ments.
' 29. Utilize appropriate types and levels of intergovernmental coordination
and cooperation in mitigation, preparedness, response and reconstruction
activities.
' 30. Utilize existing mitigation techniques and preparedness and response plans
so as to provide for the maximum possible protection of the public health,
' safety_and welfare.
31. Utilize the reconstruction procedures described in this element in all
rebuilding efforts after natural disasters (storm events).
32. Continue to evaluate all disaster preparedness plans and programs in an
effort to provide the maximum possible protection of public health,
' safety and welfare in disaster events.
1 87

33. The future land use element shall, upon its adoption and upon the adoption
of any subsequent revisions, serve as the officially -established land
development guide for the Town of Carolina Beach.
' 34. The Town Council may, at its discretion, adopt any and all changes to
the Town of Carolina Beach Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map deemed
necessary to accomplish the purpose of the future land use element as
' a development guide.
35. Public participation in all future land use and other development decisions
shall be encouraged.

MALL011Y
CREEK
SOUTHERN DISTRICT
SOUTHPORT
DMF PRIMARY NURSERY AREAS
w LAND RESOURCES SCALE 1. 95000
1 INCH - 7917 FEET
INFORMATION SERVICE 4 1 87
919-733-2090 SOUTHP.SL•OL.LI
' ORIG SCALE 1s 24000 NORTH
�RIMART NURSERY AREAS MAY INCLUDE SURROUNDING MARSH AREA.
SCALE 190000
I INCH - 7500 FEET
t 187
SNOCUT.SL.OLOL•LI
OR1C SCALE 1t 24000 NORTH
'
SECONDARY
NURSERY AREA
'
ALC
CREE
BEAVER CAM UTCMMAN CREEK
CREEK
y
ATLANTIC OCEAN
BARNARDS CM%
A
CUT
t?
n
A
a
A
s
s _
MOTT
N, CREEK
MWOTi7
INLET
CAROLINA BEACH
2204W 874INNIN
89

' CAROLIHA BEACH
WELL SITE LOCATIONS
1. School Atlanta Avenue between 4th and 5th Streets
' 2. End of Texas Avenue at Wilmington Beach
3. End of Florida Avenue
4. Waste Water Treatment Plant
' 5. Lumberton Avenue
6. Clarendon Avenue between 6th and 7th Streets
' 7. Spartanburg Avenue between Dow and 6th Streets
8. Reservoir on Cape Fear Boulevard between 3rd and 4th Streets
9. Dow Road at water tower
10. Spencer Farlow Drive under bridge
11. Behind new Town Hall (new)
I
1 90

J
F
ADDITIONAL PARK AND RECREATION FACILITIES
CAROLINA BEACH
1. Wilson Park - This is a neighborhood park of approximately 2 acre in
size containing playground equipment. Wilson Park is located
between Wilson and Lumberton Avenues west of Third Street.
2. Hines Park - Hines Park is a small centrally -located community park
of nearly one acre in size. It contains the Town's Community
Building, Library, a multipurpose court and some playground
equipment. Hines Park is located between Cape Fear Boulevard and
Raleigh Avenue west of Third Street.
3. Carolina Beach Lake Park - A lakeside community park that circles
Carolina Beach Lake. It has nature trails, docks, gazebos and
picnic areas under construction and an existing recreational
instruction program (sailboarding).
4. The Public Marina - The Town owns and operates a marina facility at
the southern terminus of Myrtle Grove Sound. This facility not only
provides shorefront access for the private boat operators and
fishermen that lease boat slips from the Town, but also provides a
scenic area for the public to view Myrtle Grove Sound and the
picturesque activities of the fishing and recreational boats
utilizing the marina.
5. The Public Beach - the Town of Carolina Beach is unique in that it
is one of only two cities in North Carolina that owns its beachfront
area; the public beach runs from the dunes to the mean high water
line. The public beach is maintained for the enjoyment of the
residents and visitors to the Town.
State of North Carolina
The North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation operates the
Carolina Beach State Park to the northwest of the Town. The State Park
contains 337 acres of land available for camping, hiking and other
outdoor recreational activities. A marina with boat launching
facilities is also provided on the State Park grounds. The Wildlife
Resources Commission operates a boat ramp with parking facilities near
Snow's Cut and Myrtle Grove Sound. A portion of the parking lot is
located in the Snow's Cut spoil easement. This facility receives a
great deal of use by residents of and visitors to Carolina Beach.
Federal Government
The federal government owns or controls some 850 acres within the Town's
extraterritorial jurisdiction which are used for passive recreation and
serve as important open spaces for aesthetic enjoyment. These areas
are: (1) The Army corps of Engineers spoil easement along the southern
bank of Snow's Cut and (2) the Sunny Point Military Ocean Terminal
Buffer Zone to the west of Town. Both the Town and the State have
developed recreational facilities on portions of this federal land. The
Town's Chapell Park, its major active recreational facility, is located
within the Buffer Zone. Parts of the Carolina Beach State Park are
located in the Snow's Cut spoil easement and the Wildlife Resources
Commission boat ramp is also partially in the spoil easement.
90A

SUMMARY OF ACCESS FACILITIES AND
1984 ACCESS PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS
FOR CAROLINA BEACH
Ocean
Side Facilities (South of
'
Harper Avenue)
1.
Boardwalk Area (Hamlet)
Boardwalk and seating area with
restroom facilities and large
parking facilities on Hamlet
Avenue.
'
2.
Atlanta Avenue
Access Ramp
1 paved parking space
3.
Columbia Avenue (Driftwood Lane)
Access Ramp
'
3 paved parking spaces
4.
Birmingham Avenue (Lake Street)
Access Ramp
'
3 paved parking spaces
'
5.
Spartanburg Avenue
Access ramp
2 paved parking spaces
'
6.
Tennessee Avenue (County Access)
Access Ramp
11 gravel parking spaces
'
Landscaping
7.
North Carolina Avenue (County Access)
Access ramp
Parking not permitted although
there appears to be adequate
space.
8.
Ocean Boulevard (County Access)
Access Ramp
Approximately 20 paved parking
spaces next to Pelican Watch.
9.
South Carolina Avenue (County Access)
Access ramp
6 paved parking spaces
10.
Texas Avenue (County Access)
'
Access ramp
Parking not permitted
1984 Plan Recommendations
1. Boardwalk area
5 parking spaces with emergency
vehicle access ramp (private develop-
ment). 16 parking spaces between
Hamlet and Cape Fear Street.
2. Atlanta Avenue
3 parking spaces
3. Columbia Avenue
3 parking spaces
4. Birmingham Avenue
3 parking spaces
5. Spartanburg Avenue
91

11. Alabama Avenue (County Access)
Access Ramp
17 paved parking spaces
Ocean Side Facilities (North of
Harper Avenue)
1. Pelican Lane
2. Dolphin Lane
Access area with no facilities
3. Scallop Lane
Access ramp
4 paved parking spaces
4. Sea Gull Lane
Access ramp
2 paved parking spaces
5. Sailfish Lane
Access ramp
3 sand base parking spaces
6. Oystershell Lane
Access ramp
3 sand parking spaces
7. Sandpiper Lane
Access ramp
5 paved parking spaces
8. Seahorse Lane
Access ramp
5 paved parking spaces
9. Scotch Bonnet Lane
Access ramp and gazebo
4 paved parking spaces
10. Starfish Lane
Sand access
11. Sand Dollar Lane
Access Ramp
6 paved parking spaces
1984 Plan Recommendations
1. Pelican Lane
Dock
Boundaries marked on private property
2 on -site parking spaces with
physical separation
2. Dolphin Lane
2 parking spaces
Marked public beach access
3. Scallop Lane
Not listed
4. Sea Gull Lane
5. Sailfish Lane
3 parking spaces
6. Oystershell Lane
1) 4 on -site parking spaces
Dune crossover, bike rack, trash
receptacle and signage
2) 3 parking spaces
7. Sandpiper Lane
8. Seahorse Lane
5 paved parking spaces
9. Scotch Bonnet Lane
5 parking spaces
10. Starfish Lane
5-6 parking spaces
11. Sand Dollar Lane
92

'
12.
Clam Shell Lane
Access ramp
2 paved parking spaces
'
13.
Periwinkle Lane
Sand access
6 gravel parking spaces
14.
Sandfiddler Lane
Sand Access
'
6 paved parking spaces
15.
Sea Oats Lane
'
Sand access
16.
Salt Marsh Lane
Sand access
Sound Side Facilities (North of
Harper Avenue)
1. Dolphin Lane
No facilities
Potential parking
2. Scallop Lane
No facilities
2 potential parking spaces
r
3. Sea Gull Lane
Pier over water
Potential parking area
i
4. Sailfish Lane
No facilities
5. Oystershell Lane
Lift Station site
12. Clam Shell Lane
5-6 parking spaces
13. Periwinkle Lane
5 parking spaces
14. Sandfiddler Lane
Curbing and landscaping removed
6 parking spaces
15. Sea Oats Lane
3-4 parking spaces
(Encroachments need to be removed)
16. Salt Marsh Lane
2 parking spaces
1984 Plan Recommendations
I. Dolphin Lane
Pavilion or dock
Trash receptacle
Limited parking (if possible)
Provision for access to the sound for
firefighting equipment
2. Scallop Lane
Pavilion or dock
Trash receptacle
Limited parking (if possible)
Provision for access to the sound for
firefighting equipment
3. Sea Gull Lane
Pavilion or dock
Trash receptacle
Limited parking (if possible)
Provision for access to the sound for
firefighting equipment
4. Sailfish Lane
Pavilion or dock
Trash receptacle
Limited parking (if possible)
Provision for access to the sound for
firefighting equipment
5. Oystershell Lane
1 93

'
6.
Sandpiper Lane
6.
Sandpiper Lane
Gazebo over water
Covered pavilion and pier
2 parking spaces
Potential parking areas
2 parking spaces (paved)
Privacy fencing, signage, trash
receptacle and bike rack
7.
Seahorse Lane
7.
Seahorse Lane
No facilities
Pavilion or dock
Potential parking
Trash receptacle
Limited parking (if possible)
'
Provision for access to the sound for
firefighting equipment
8.
Scotch Bonnet Lane
8.
Scotch Bonnet Lane
No facilities
Pavilion or dock
Paved area
Trash receptacle
Limited parking (if possible)
Provision for access to the sound for
firefighting equipment
'
9.
Starfish Lane
9.
Starfish Lane
Gazebo over water
Covered pavilion and pier
3 car parking
Driveway with three spaces
Potential parking
Rope fencing, signage, trash receptacle,
and bike parking
'
10.
Sand Dollar Lane
No facilities
10.
Sand Dollar Lane
Pavilion or dock
Potential parking
Trash receptacle
Limited parking (if possible)
'
Provision for access to the sound for
firefighting equipment
11.
Clam Shell Lane
11.
Clam Shell Lane
Lift Station
12,
Maryland Avenue
No facilities
12.
Maryland Avenue
13.
CAMA Access Park at Florida Avenue
13.
CAMA Access Park at Florida Avenue
10 parking spaces (gravel) on
waterfront
1 94

prepsratim of this document .as fW . " Us
part through a greet provided by th. Mort% Carolina
st coaal Yaoaga. Program. through twM Pravt0aa
t7 tM Coastal Zaea Yant(emant Att et le72. as
amadad. .DiU is admwsterN Dy tlr Om —et
O<w and Coastal Ynovta Nwgemant, r4tiar4
Oc—Ml N.a AtmaptrnC Admirtistrab—
A P E
C
E R
1V
R
f E
A R
'o
�wT) ----•-
i _ �rfzc
f:
:J �E_=
wASFA
4iNEn
l /--•r'� 100-Year Flood Hazard Area
wx Sunny Point Buffer Zone
t
I-1
/07-r \\ VA � 1 �. AA" Zoe
c J
RA-20lit-
r..ono, Lets•' - - s - i - •• � - � _ h
A L A N T l C O C E A N
L.-
Hazards Map
TOWN OF CAROLINA BEACH
NORTH CAROLINA
t
u..e � •ear
As shown on the Hazard Map, all of the Northern end of
Carolina Beach is subject to flood as is the area between
the Atlantic Ocean and Myrtle Grove Sound. The remaining
beach front area and areas adjacent to Carolina Lake are
subject to flooding. The area northwest of Myrtle Grove
Sound and along Snow's Cut are subject to flooding. Por-
tions of both the Carolina Beach State Park and Buffer Zone
are subject to flooding.
The Sunny Point Ocean Terminal Buffer Zone is owned and
controlled by the U.S. Department of the Army to serve as
a natural blast shield for private properties in the
event of an accident involving munitions at the Sunny Point
Military Ocean Terminal.
I. . .......................... ...—
r
A�C .., ta LOa srA: warERWAY' - --�
A-6,
Howard T. Capps & AmodNes
Larva r e Arrhiwr • L anAPlannrr
321 Noah Front Street
Wilmington. North Carolina
95

L 17
1986 LAND USE PLAN
POLICY REVIEW AND ANALYSIS
A review and analysis of the 1986 Land Use Plan Policy section found
that five of the 35 policies have been accomplished, five remain to be
accomplished and 25 are considered policies that require ongoing
activities to accomplish. (See list on page 96 and 97 for analysis of
1986 policy.)
Compatibility between the industrial/commercial sectors and the
residential sector has been accomplished through use of the Zoning
Ordinance. The Town of Carolina Beach has sited recreational facilities
with future land use in mind. The community continues to utilize
appropriate intergovernmental coordination and cooperation as it
pertains to emergency management planning and mitigation techniques.
Policy items from the 1986 Land Use Plan that remain to be accomplished
include the following:
. Protection and preservation of open space
Preservation of the Town's industries
. Diversification of the Town's economic base
. Alternative transportation mode to reduce automobile traffic
Improve traffic circulation patterns that are well suited to Carolina
Beach
All remaining policy statements as shown on page 96 and 97 of this plan
are considered policies that require on -going activities to accomplish.
95A

'
Remains
to be
Accom-
Accom- On -Going
fished
plished Activity
20.
Encourage alternative transportation modes in an effort to reduce
X
automobile traffic volumes.
21.
Insure that the type and design of the existing transportation system
and the proposed improvements to that system result in a traffic circulatiol
pattern that is well —suited to the desired land use arrangements within
X
the Town. -
22.
Provide for future land uses that will function properly with the existing
X
and proposed traffic circulation systems.
X
23.
Provide a full range of municipal services to.' -all incorporated areas.
X
24.
Provide for cost—effective annexations.
'
25.
Provide for timely and cost—effective provision of capital facilities and
community services through planning and programming on the basis of
X
anticipated growth.
26.
Continue to evaluate capital facility and community service needs and
X
growth trends.
X
27.
Provide for a maintenance program for capital facilities.
'
28.
Provide for coordination between the Town and other governmental agencies
in the provision of needed capital facility and community service improve—
X
ments.
29.
Utilize appropriate types and levels of intergovernmental coordination
and cooperation in mitigation, preparedness, response and reconstruction
X
activities.
'
30.
Utilize existing mitigation techniques and preparedness and response plans
so as to provide for the maximum possible protection of the public health,
X
safety and welfare.
31.
Utilize the reconstruction procedures described in this element in all
x
rebuilding efforts after natural disasters (storm events).
32.
,Continue to evaluate all disaster preparedness plans and programs in an
effort to provide the maximum possible protection of public health,
X
safety and welfare in disaster events.
33.
The future land use element shall, upon its adoption and upon the adoption
of any subsequent revisions, serve as the officially —established land
x
development guide for the Town of Carolina Beach.
34.
The Town Council may, at its discretion, adopt any and all changes to
the Town of Carolina Beach Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map deemed
'
necessary to accomplish the purpose of the future land use element as
X
a development guide.
35.
Public participation in all future land use and other development decisions
X
shall be encouraged.
1 97