Land Use Plan Update 1993-1993

10
w
,i
.y
TOWN OF CHOCOWINITY
LAND USE PLAN UPDATE
1993
DCM COPY
DCM COPY
lease do not remove!!!!!
Division of Coastal Management Copy

TOWN OF CHOCOWINITY LAND USE PLAN
1993 UPDATE
Local Adoption Date: September 7, 1993
CRC Certification Date: September 24, 1993
The preparation of this report was financed in part by 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.

TOWN OF CHOCOWINITY
LAND USE PLAN
1993 UPDATE
PREPARED FOR:
---------Town Board---------
WilliamAlbritton Arlene Jones
M. L. Dunbar James Mobley
C.A. Williamson, Mayor
Juanita Baytala, Town Clerk (Retired)
' Ann Crumpler, Town Clerk
Barbara Cherry, Asst. Clerk
r
PREPARED BY:
Planning Board--------
AnthonyCiriclio Louise Hill
Louis Edwards Plum Mills
Tommy Elks, Chairman
With Assistance From:
Mid -East Commission
P.O. Drawer 1787
Washington, NC 27889
Planner -In -Charge: Jane Daughtridge
` Secretary: Linda Roberts
Maps prepared by ECU graduate students under the supervision of Scott Wade, Geography & Planning
Department

a
P.
w
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. DATA COLLECTION & ANALYSIS
Background
1
A. Population
1
B. Housing
2
C. Economy
2
Implications
2
Figure 1. Locational Map
2a
Update Table 1-3
2b
Update Table 4
2c
Update Table 5
2d
Update Table 6
2e
Table 7
2f
II. LAND USE
A. Existing Conditions
3
B. Recent Development & Future Growth
3
Table II.B Building Permits
4
C. Land Use Concerns
4
D. Development Controls
5
E. Development Constraints
6
Table El. Soil Characteristics
7a
Figure El. Soils Map
7b
Implications
10
III. 1987 POLICY ASSESSMENT
11
IV. 1993 POLICY STATEMENTS
A. Resource Protection
17
B. Resource Production & Management
22
C. Economic & Community Development
24
D. Storm Hazards
29
Exhibit 1. Erodible Soils
31a
Exhibit 2. Evacuation Routes
31b & 32
Exhibit 3. Surge Points
32a
E. Public Participation
33
V. LAND CLASSIFICATION
Land Classification System
34
A. Developed
34
B. Urban Transition
34
C. Limited Transition
35
D. Community
35
E. Rural with Services
35
F. Rural
35
G. Conservation
36
Relationship of Policies and Land Classification
37
MAPS
Map 1. Existing Land Use 3a
Map 2. Land Use Constraints 6a
Map 3. Land Classification 36a

DATA COLLECTION & ANALYSIS

TOWN OF CHOCOWINITY
1993 LAND USE PLAN UPDATE
I. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Background
The Chocowinity area was inhabited by native Americans, probably of the Tuscaran tribe, well before
the American Revolution. Early residents may have come from the Bath area, as historians believe the early
pattern of movement was upstream on the south side of the river. In contrast to other early settlements in
the area which developed as port communities along the river and were incorporated in the eighteenth century,
Chocowinity developed as a crossroads community. The Town was originally called Godley's Crossroads and
was not incorporated as a Town until •1959. Its present name is Indian in origin, stemming from the Indian
name "Choca-wa-na-teth" which means "Fish from many waters."
In 1773, Parson Nathaniel Blount had a chapel built in Godley's Crossroads. A large one -room school
was built across the branch from the creek and was called "the Big White School House." In 1879 a boarding
school was established in the Town. Trinity School, named for Trinity Church (the former Blount's Chapel)
educated young men and women in religious studies until its closing in 1908.
The Town developed as a crossroads community and transportation routes still have major impacts
on the Town. Route 17, a major north/south route in eastern North Carolina, and Route 33, intersect in the
Town. Two Norfolk Southern rail lines intersect in the Town. A railroad switching yard is found at the
Marsden Railroad Station.
The Town appears oriented more towards land -related rather than water -related activities. Land use
activities within the Town do have an effect on local water resources however as the Town and its
extraterritorial area is surrounded by the Pamlico River watershed. The center of Town is located a little over
two miles from Chocowinity Bay, and less than three miles from the Pamlico River itself. Extensive areas of
wetlands are found in the extraterritorial area to the north and just outside the.one-mile planning limit to the
east. Maple Branch has its origin in the southern half of the Town flowing southeast to join Chocowinity
Creek as it flows north to Chocowinity Bay. Crawford and Sidney Creeks flow through wetland areas in the
northeastern extraterritorial area, and Chapel Branch flows along the extraterritorial boundary on the west.
A. Population
Chocowinity is one of seven incorporated areas in Beaufort County. The County itself
occupies about 827 square miles of eastern coastal North Carolina and is the eighth largest county
in the state (Figure 1), with the second largest population in Region Q (Update Table 1).
Between 1980 and 1990, all municipalities in Beaufort County except the City of Washington
lost population. Update Table 2 shows the population changes over time. Chocowinity's population
loss was the smallest among municipalities, probably because of its proximity to Washington,
Greenville, and New Bern, and its location along a major transportation route. The official census
count for 1990 was 624 persons, compared to 644 in 1980. The town had an annexation in June of
1990 which is not reflected in the census figures (recorded as of January 1, 1990). Approximately 150
persons would be added to the 1990 count with this action, changing the estimated total population
in July 1990 to 774.
The age structure in Chocowinity has shifted since 1980, with gains in age groups 45 and older
as a percentage of the population, as well as the very youngest (1-4 years) group. The implications
of this change reflect the growing dependency of the population as younger working -age population
leaves town. We will not know the effects of the recent Evergreen annexation on age structure until
the next census in 2000. Update Table 3 shows the age breakdown. Nationwide, demographers note
that the population is aging.
1

B. Housing
The Town's 1980 population was housed among about 275 dwelling units (Update Table 4).
The number of housing units decreased slightly between 1980 and 1990. Single family units also
decreased from 77% of the housing stock to nearly 69%. The number of vacant units also decreased.
Total households also decreased slightly, as did the number of one -person households. This implies
that some of the elderly who were living alone during the 1980 census may have made alternative
living arrangements by the 1990 census. Just over 21% of the housing stock is made up of mobile
homes. Again, these figures do not reflect the Evergreen annexation in 1990 which adds
approximately 60 housing units to the recorded total of 271. The annexed area housing units will be
primarily single-family detached units. Household size, following national and local trends, decreased
from 2.86 persons in 1980 to 2.4 persons in 1990.
C. Economy
Despite the reduction in total population, only 13 persons were lost from the total number
employed between 1980 and 1990. The largest employment sectors in 1990 were Retail Sales (25.8%),
and Manufacturing of Durable Goods (23.5%). The largest gains were seen in durable goods
manufacturing, business and repair services, and construction. The greatest employment sector losses
were in Agriculture/Forestry/Fishing and Public Administration.
Income increased significantly at all levels. Actual per capita income increased over 95%
between censuses. Adjusted for inflation, spendable income increased just over 30%. Update Table
5 shows socio-economic data from the 1990 Census Sample Data.
Washington is the commercial center of the County, however Chocowinity has a number of
commercial enterprises and is home to one of the largest manufacturing firms in the County. Many
of the commercial operations are highway -related uses such as gas stations, convenience stores and
motels.
The Town has two manufacturing firms inside its planning jurisdiction (Update Table 7). The
largest local employer is the Singer Furniture Company. The plant employs about 600 persons in its
450,000 square foot plant. A serious fire in this facility burned a large storage area in June 1993,
shutting down operations for about one week but did not impair long term operations. Water -related
enterprises include one seafood processor located in the extraterritorial jurisdiction, and one large
boat builder (Fountain Power Boats) which is not actually in the planning area but which is
significantly close by (in the adjacent Washington ETJ) to influence employment.
Implications
Chocowinitywill begin to show growth in the near future. People are expected to be moving into the
Town and the surrounding area based on proximity to Washington, Greenville, and New Bern. The
population is aging. the Town has more older people and less younger people than it did ten years ago. A
major highway divides the Town and the Town is home to a major manufacturing firm. The new sewer
system, currently under construction, is likely to ready many areas inside and outside the Town for
development.
As the Town continues to grow, the need for proper land use planning increases. This plan represents
a major local effort to prepare the community for the changes it is likely to experience over the next ten years.
2

Figure 1
N. C. Counties
w

UPDATE TABLE 1
POPULATION DATA
% Chg.
% Chg.
REGIONAL
1960
1970
1980
1990
70-80
40-90
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
~ BEAUFORT COUNTY
36,014
35,980
40,355
42,283
12.2%
4.8%
Bartle County
24,350
20,528
21,024
20,388
2.4%
-3.0%
Hertford County
22,718
23,529
23,368
22,523
-0.7%
-3.6%
Martin County
27,139
24,730
25,948
25,078
4.9%
-3.4%
Pitt County
69,942
73,900
83,651
107,924
13.2%
29.0%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Region
180,163
178,667
194,346
218,196
8.8%
12.3%
xazasaxxxxsxxsssaxsxxxxsaxxsaaxxxzssxxxxxzsszaaxzxxsaxszxxszaszzzzsaasszssx:saszxaszsaaaasaxxxsazazazxxxxszzxxxxsxxssxaz
State
4,556,155
5,082,059-
5,881,766
6,628,637
15.7%
12.7%
Source: 1990 Census, STF1
UPDATE TABLE 2
% Chg.
% Chg.
BEAUFORT COUNTY
1960
1970
1980
1990
70-50
80-90
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Belhaven
2,386
2,259
2,430
2,269
7.6X
-6.6%
Aurora
449
620
698
654
12.6%
-6.3%
Bath
346
231
207
154
-10.4%
-25.6%
'NOCOWINITY
580
566
644
624
13.8%
-3.1%
` Pantego
262
218
185
17l
-15.1%
-7.6%
Washington
9,939
8,961
8,418
9,075
-6.1%
7.8%
Washington Pk.
574
517
514
403
-0.6%
-21.6%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unincorp. Area
21,478
22,608
27,259
28,933
20.6%
6.1%
ssszasssass:aazsssszssaxasaaaxszassszzzsass::szs:zz:ss::zzssssssszzszzasszssszz:ssss:szs::s:zas::zs:asasss:szzzsx:aaaszs
Total County
36,014
35,980
40,355
42,283
12.2%
4.8%
Source: 1990 Census, STF1
UPDATE TABLE 3
1980
1990
1990
AGE STRUCTURE-CH000WINITY
Number
%
Number
%
County %
State %
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1-4 years
32
4.9%
44
7.1%
6.5%
6.9%
5-19 years
163
24.8%
124
19.9%
22.2%
20.7%
.20-24 years
59
9.0%
39
6.3%
5.8%
8.4%
25-44 years
179
27.2%
155
24.8%
29.3%
32.5%
445-64 years
138
21.0%
153
24.5%
21.2%
19.4%
65 and over
87
13.2%
109
17.5%
14.9%
12.1%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-Total
658
100.0%
624
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
Source: 1980 L 1990 Census, STF1
91

UPDATE TABLE 4
HOUSING DATA
^
CH00041NITY
80-90
County
80-90
Characteristic Comparison
------------------------•-------.....------------------------....--------------------------------•-------•----------.......----
1980
%
19"
%
change
1980
%
1990
%
change
' Total Households
262
100.0%
253
100.0%
-3.4%
14,253
100.0%
16,157
100.0%
13.4%
Single -Person Hshlds
71
27.1%
63
24.9%
-11.3%
3.051
21.4%
3,915
24.2%
28.3%
Total Housing Units
281
100.0%
271
100.0%
-3.6%
17,172
100.0%
19,598
100.0%
14.1%
Single Family Units
202
77.1%
186
68.6%
-7.9%
12,155
70.8%
13,131
67.0%
8.0%
Vacant Units
22
31.0%
18
6.6%
-18.2%
1,539
9.0%
3,441
17.6%
123.6%
Renter Occupied
89
31.7%
99
36.5%
11.2%
3,786
22.0%
4,184
21.3%
10.5%
Mobile Homes
54
19.2%
58
21.4%
7.4%
-----------------------------------------------------•-------------------.......--------•-•-•----------------------------------
Persons Per Hshld
2.86
-
2.4
-
-17.0%
2.92
-
2.58
-
-11.6%
Median Unit Value
$21,600
-
$39,800
-
$4.3%
$31,200
.
S52,600
68.6%
Median Rent
S79
-
S176
-
122.8%
5101
-
S191
-
89.1%
sussuns:szzzszsssszsasszsssszsusszzsszzzszssssszzzzzzzzzzzzzusszazzssssazsssszszas::suss::s:szsussus:zsszsszzszzzxszzzxxzxxxsxs
Source: 1980 i 1990 Census,STF1
i STF3A
2c

UpdMr TfbI0 6
1990 CENSUS
SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS
SAMPLE DATA
1990
1990
1990
1980
1990
ACTUAL
PERCENT
BEAUFORT
TOTAL
TOTAL
l
CHOCOWINITY CHOCOWINITY
CHANGE
CHANGE
COUNTY
REGION 0
STATE
■s■uo■asa■uassuasaasaaaassausussas:aaas-s:aaaasssssasaassuasasaaaaasassasasauss■
POPULATION
658
632
-26
-6.6%
42.283
218,196
6,628,637
. URBAN
658
632
-26
-6.6%
12,960
90,284
3,535,570
RURAL
0
0
0
0.0%
29,323
127,912
3,293,067
ED ATTAINMENT
-
PERSONS 25 i OVER
404
440
36
3.0%
27,827
133.275
4,253,494
<97H GRADE
103
108
5
4.9%
4,369
20,794
539,974
9TH TO 12TH
85
80
.5
-5.9%
5,116
25,199
737,773
NS GRAD
173
185
12
6.9%
9,322
37,902
1,232,868
SOME COLLEGE
30
32
2
6.7%
4,359
_ 20,392
713,713
ASSOC DEGREE
N/A
21
N/A
N/A
1,642
8,222
290,117
BACH DEGREE
13
7
.6
-46.2%
2.144
13,581
510,003
NIGHER DEGREE
N/A
7
N/A
N/A
875
7,185
229,046
% HS GRAD OR MORE
53.5%
57.3%
3.8%
65.9%
65.5%
70.0%
COMMUTE TO WORK
?
306
306
ERR
18,961
100,144
3,300,481
TRAVEL T1ME(MINS)
?
18.5
18.5
ERR
20.9
20.1
19.8
CIVILIAN LABOR FORCE
AGE 16* IN LF
332
322
-10
-3.0%
20,426
107,972
3,401,495
9 EMPLOYED
323
310
-13
-4.0%
19,187
101,546
3,238,414
• PERCENT UNEMPLOYED
2.7%
3.7%
1.0%
6.1%
6.0%
4.8%
EMPLOYMENT SECTORS
TOTAL EMPLOYED
323
310
-13
-4.0%
19,187
101,546
3,238,414
AG/FOREST/FISH
6.8%
1.3%
-18
-5.5%
5.8%
5.3%
2.8%
MINING
ABOVE
0.0%
0
N/A
0.4%
0.1%
0.2%
CONSTRUCTION
2.8%
8.1%
16
5.3%
7.2%
6.5%
7.0%
MFG.(HON-DLNtABLE)
14.6%
12.9%
.7
-1.6%
16.3%
15.6%
14.9%
MFG.(DURABLE)
15.2%
23.5%
24
8.4%
14.0%
10.6%
11.7%
TRANSPORTATION
4.3%
3.5%
.3
-0.8%
2.3%
2.2%
3.8%
COMMUNIC i PUB.UTIL.
3.4%
0.6%
.9
-2.8%
1.9%
1.9%
2.6%
WHOLESALE TRADE
5.0%
0.6%
-14
-4.3%
3.3%
3.7%
4.2%
RETAIL TRADE
22.9%
25.8%
6
2.9%
17.1%
17.2%
16.1%
FINANCE/INS/R.EST.
3.1%
1.3%
.6
-1.8%
3.6%
3.5%
5.1%
BUS. i REPAIR SER.
0.9%
6.5%
17
5.5%
2.7%
2.9%
3.9%
PERSONAL SERVICE
5.6%
3.5%
.7
-2.0%
2.3%
2.7%
2.8%
ENT.E REC. SERV.
ABOVE
0.0%
0
N/A
0.6%
0.7%
1.0%
HEALTH SERVICES
4.0%
3.9%
.1
-0.2%
8.0%
7.8%
7.2%
ED. SERVICES
4.3%
1.9%
-8
-2.4%
7.8%
11.3%
8.0%
OTHER PROF. SERV.
0.6%
5.2%
14
4.5%
3.5%
4.0%
5.1%
PUB. ADMIN.
6.5%
1.3%
-17
-5.2%
3.1%
3.4%
3.6%
INCOME
MEDIAN HSHLD
S10,978
S20,909
S9,931
90.5%
S21,738
$20,206
S26,647
MEDIAN FAMILY
S14,740
S22,656
S7,916
53.7%
S26,010
S24,907
S31,548
PER CAPITA
$4,941
S9,727
S4,786
96.9%
S10,722
S9,852
S12,885
POVERTY STATUS (ALL)
16.6%
20.1%
18
3.5%
19.5%
23.0%
13.0%
FEMALE NSNLD
24.0%
60.7%
11
36.7%
43.1%
44.4%
31.0%
65 i OVER
41.4%
23.2%
.7
-18.2%
HOUSING UNITS
283
290
7
2.5%
.19.598
89,973
2,818,193
NO COMP.PLUMB.
35
18
-17
-48.6%
723
3,103
42,962
PUBLIC H2O
239
271
32
13.4%
6,762
56,761
1,843.476
PUBLIC SEWER
31
17
-14
-45.2%
5,608
42,538
1.403,033
2d

UPDATE TABLE
6
RETAIL SALES
BY COUNTY (S,000)
Pitt
REGION
0
YEAR
BEAUFORT
Bertie
Hertford
Martin
zzsszsszzzssessssssszszzzzszzszssz=zzzzz=sszzz=zzzszszz:szszzzsszszsz=zzzsszz=szs=sz
1980
223,745
50,996
120,747
103,241
462,937
961,666
1981
254.858
54,336
123,021
109,607
516,284
1,058,106
1982
253.037
57,818
133,807
114,041
542,045
1,105,748
1983
249,857
59,865
141,145
116,978
578,543
1,146,688
1984
277,511
61,667
162,367
123.998
694.144
1,319,657
1985
289,045
64,487
166,839
125,435
735,826
1,381,632
1986
304,970
62,961
171,570
130,640
785.624
1,455,965
1987
319.855
63,184
166,013
139,765
846,171
1,534,988
1988
348.588
67,734
182,622
146,880
910,275
1,656,399
1989
344,279
66,165
198,123
159,204
990,693
1,758,464
1990
333,998
62,792
204,101
157,937
960,024
1,718,852
1991
327,764
65,774
195,621
162,168
886,750
1,638,077
%CHG.'81•191
28.6%
21.1%
59.0%
48.0%
71.8%
54.8%
a
BEAUFORT COUNTY RETAIL SALES
1980 TO 1991
360
350
340
330
320
310
300
c
290
F 280
v
270
260
250
240
230
220
1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1989 1989 1990 1991
20

TABLE 7
MAJOR AREA EMPLOYERS
Firm
Product/Service
Employment Range
Choonwiniry Schools
Public Education
128
D&H Red & White
Grocer
15
Fountain Power Boats*
Boat Builders
275
Hardee's Skat-Thru
Restaurant
25-30
Osprey Seafood
Seafood Products
50
Singer Furniture
Furniture Manufacturing
615
Tidewater Equipment
Logging Equipment
20.50
WITN-TV
Communications
65-70
Outer Banks Industries
Metal Fabrication
20-30
Total 9 1213-1263
" Not within the Town's planning jurisdiction
SOURCE. Telephone survey, Mid -East Commission, January, 1993.
2f

LAND USE

II. Land Use
A. Existing Conditions
The Town encompasses an area of about one and a quarter square miles. Including the
extraterritorial area, the Chocowinity planning area covers more than five square miles of Beaufort
County. The planning area is elliptical in shape. U. S. 17 bisects the area into northern and southern
halves. N. C. 33 intersects U. S. 17 in the center of Town and divides the area into eastern and
western halves.
Most of the area within the City limits has been developed. Most development is residential
in nature, however there are also a good many commercial and industrial uses for such a small
community. U. S. 17 eastward from the intersection of N. C. 33 is primarily commercial in nature
although some residential dwellings are found interspersed among commercial operations. Many
businesses have taken advantage of their highway location and have large parking lots fronting the
roadway and fairly large on -premise signs. Along the highway are retail operations: a mobile home
sales lots; gas stations; service enterprises; a dry cleaning establishment; a video rental; and a bank.
The headquarters of WTTN-TV is also located along the roadway. In addition, several large
commercial enterprises are found along N. C. 33 to the north. Just north of the railroad tracks is a
Red and White Grocery; further north along N. C. 33 is Family Dollar Store and an antique store.
A former Food King grocery store is now closed. A number of other commercial areas are found in
scattered locations throughout the planning area.
The Town has a large industrial area adjoining the rail line east of N. C. 33. Norfolk
Southern Railroad has a switching yard and rail station here, and Singer Furniture has a large
manufacturing operation just north of the rail yard between the railroad and Mill Road.
A considerable amount of residential development has occurred outside of Town to the south
along N. C. 33. A large residential area has also developed in the southwest comer of the planning
area along S. R. 1136 and S. R. 1149. There are a number of mobile home developments. Several
of these are within the Town limits: one on North End Avenue; another along N. C. 33 across from
the Red and White food store; and the largest one found off S. R. 1142 south of U. S. 17. The
Crawford Mobile Home Park is in the extraterritorial area on S. R. 1136 and the Harris Acres
development is found just within the extraterritorial area off U. S. 17. There is also a large mobile
home development on S. R.1143 just west of the railroad line. Most residential uses are single-family
dwellings. The planning area does contain one multifamily development. The Mid -East Regional
Housing Authority operates Barnes Court, a 20-unit development, northwest of Town off N. C. 33.
There are a number of institutional areas in the planning area. There are several churches
located both inside and outside the Town limits. The Town Hall, fire department and the U. S. Post
Office are all found on U. S. 17 in the eastern half of Town. On U. S. 17 just west of its intersection
with N. C. 33 is Chocowinity High School (serving grades 6 through 12), and the Chocowinity Primary
School (Grades Pre-K to S) is located in the extraterritorial area on S. R. 1136.
Over ninety percent of the extraterritorial area is undeveloped. Much of this land has been
cleared for agricultural uses and the planning area still contains many active farms. Wooded areas
are found scattered between cleared fields and much of the area south of S. R. 1136 and adjoining
N. C. 33 to the south is wooded. This area is mostly zoned R-1, which allows a wide range of low
density residentialor institutional uses. Any Industrial or commercial enterpriseswill require rezoning
action as land converts from farm uses.
B. Recent Development and Future Growth
There have been few changes in land use since 1986. Scattered residential development has
3

If
"R�aft
I r of
O
RR`i�_+"1
R P ��00
,® �♦
I
J
i oo
r �
TOWN OF
� I CHOCOWINITY
a NORTH CAROLNA
MAP 1
EXISTING LAND USE
[—] Undeveloped
r
N
2000 FEET
The preparation of this map was financed in
part through a grant provided by the North
Carolina Coastal Management Program,
through funds provided by the Coastal Zone
Management Act of 1972, as amended, which
is administered by the Office of Ocean and
Coastal Resource Management, National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Prepared by the East Carolina University
Department of Geography and Planning in
cooperation with the Mid —East Commission,
May 1993.
.s a

occurred along existing roads, usually in the ETJ. The Table below shows building permits issued for
new development between 1987 and 1992. This new development accounts for only about 40% of all
building permits issued in the Town's jurisdiction.
Currently the Town offices are located in the fire station. Town officials would like to
construct a Town Hall building on Town -owned land just north of the fire station and develop a
parking area between the proposed Town Hall and the fire station. Similarly, the Town would like
to acquire vacant land to the rear of the fire station for recreational purposes. Assuming funding
could be found, a playground, tennis courts and a ballfield would be constructed.
Local development has been severely limited by lack of septic alternatives; however it is likely
that by the completion of this update the new sewer system will be in place. The Town has an
agreement with the City of Washington whereby Chocowinity will pump its wastewater to the City's
treatment facility for disposal. They expect to be on-line in the April of 1993. With U. S. 17
bisecting the community, the Town would appear attractive for new commercial development.
Similarly, the area appears ripe for residential development, being only about 25 miles from the
growing Greenville area and just across the river from the City of Washington.
Since the 1987 update, the Town has enacted several annexations and an ETJ extension which
takes in portions of Crawford Creek near Chocowinity Bay.
A current proposal for a Food Lion shopping center on US 17 has been approved by the
Town. Additionally, a large residential golf community is planned for development by the
Weyerhauser Corporation on Chocowinity Bay. The development anticipates an 18-hole golf course
surrounded by approximately 850 residential dwellings and a marina. Developers are dealing with the
Town to utilize its wastewater pumping facility to address wastewater needs. The City of Washington
has agreed to treat the community's waste.
TABLE II.B BUILDING PERMITS
1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 TOTAL
Residential
Mobile Homes: 5 5 1 1 - - 12
Conventional Dwelling: 1 1 6 2 2 2 14
Business
Office
TOTAL 6 7 7 3 2 2 27
Source: Beaufort County Building Inspector records
C. Land Use Concerns
Problems with failing septic systems noted in the 1987 Plan are being addressed by the new
sewer system. Many areas, especially in the center of Town, experienced severe problems with septic
failures. Future commercial and industrial development and even large-scale residential development
would be limited without public sewage. The Town anticipates both residential and commercial
growth when the system is in place.
U. S. 17 is a major north/south route in eastern North Carolina. The highway divides the
Town into distinct northern and southern halves. It is difficult for pedestrians to cross the heavily
travelled four lane highway. The highway is a major truck route. Large logging trucks and trucks
4

carrying industrial chemicals create noise, and public safety is a concern should an accident occur.
The highway has also attracted strip commercial development. Many of the businesses along the
highway have large parking lots fronting the roadway. There have been a number of accidents from
vehicles entering and exiting the many driveways along the highway and many signs have been erected
both on and off -premise. While this congestion has been a problem for the Town, there is also
concern that the proposed re-routing of US 17 about S miles west of Washington might have a
detrimental effect on commercial activity in the area. An alternative which left the highway close to
Chocowinity would be more acceptable to the Town. The Town was concerned in 1987 with an area
just outside its extraterritorial boundary to the east where a number of large billboards have been
constructed. This area appeared to be outside the planning jurisdiction of both the Town and the
City of Washington and so no sign controls were in effect. In 1990, the Town extended its ETJ to
meet the one and one half mile jurisdiction of Washington so that no gaps now exist in regulating this
area of billboards.
Local officials are concerned over the possibility of rail accidents at the Norfolk Southern rail
yard since some of the trains carry hazardous materials from industries such as Texasgulf. A chemical
spill could contaminate land and water resources. Should an accident occur, there is risk of explosion
and fire. Public health and safety would be endangered and environmental quality threatened as well.
The Chocowinity Fire and Rescue Squad has received training in handling hazardous material
emergencies.
D. Development Controls
Land development in the. Town is controlled by a variety of local, state and federal
regulations. Plans and policies enacted by the Town, the County and various state agencies influence
local land use decisions as well. For example, State Building Codes and Septic Tank permits are
enforced for the Town by Beaufort County Building Inspector and Beaufort County Health
Department, respectively. Point source wastewater dischargers are controlled by the State Division
of Environmental Management; and dredge and fill activities on 404 wetlands are limited by the US
Army Corps of Engineers.
1. Regulatory Controls
Local ordinances controlling land use decisions are described below.
The Chocowinity Zoning Ordinance was adopted in 1982 and updated in 1989.
Subdivision Regulations adopted in 1988.
Mobile Home Park Regglations are included in the zoning ordinance.
Floodplain Regulations have not been adopted. It is likely that the Town will adopt local regulations
upon receipt of official floodplain maps as the County adopted floodplain regulations in February
1987.
Septic Tank Re 11►u ations in effect are those promulgated by the state and enforced by the County
Health Department.
A Noise Ordinance has been adopted locally.
The State Building Code is enforced by the County Building Inspector.
5

A Housing Code was adopted locally in 1992 in conjunction with a CDBG Rehabilitation grant.
2. Development Plans
The state's Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) lists one project currently under way
that may effect development in the Chocowinity area. It proposes a relocation of US 17 to
approximately five miles west of the City of Washington. Objections have been raised to this proposal
by Washington business people.
The Town has no official Capital Improvement Plan, although local officials are now
considering devising one. The Town received a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for
housing improvements in 1991. The Town currently maintains a playground on land leased from the
High School and a Recreation Committee operates a summer recreation program there. The
committee would like to expand recreational opportunities by acquiring vacant land in back of the
Town's fire station. Facilities to be provided would include playground equipment, tennis courts and
a ballfield. Reconstruction in the event of a natural disaster would be directed by the County's storm
plan Before the Storm in Beaufort County: Avoiding Harm's Way.
An annexation feasibility study was conducted in 1988 which suggested 4 possible areas for
annexation. Two of those four have now been annexed.
3. Development Policies
The Town has no official Utilities Extension Policy. The Town has an unofficial policy not
to extend water service if by doing, water demand will exceed 50% of total production.
The CAMA Land Use Plan lists policies on resource issues within the jurisdiction.
E. Development Constraints
1. Land SuItabilIty
Several physical factors constrain land development in the Chocowinity area.
Physical constraints can be classified into one of three categories: physical limitations, fragile
areas, and areas of resource potential.
Physical Limitations for Development. A variety of factors determine the suitability
of land for development. These include soils and subsoil conditions, topography, potential
for flooding, and existing land uses in the development area.
There are several areas outside of Town subject to flooding. The Federal Insurance
Administration (FIA) has defined the Zone A floodplain as those areas which have a 1% or
greater chance of flooding in any year. In communities such as Chocowinitywhich participate
in the National Flood Insurance Program, the lowest floor of residential buildings must be
elevated at or above base flood level as determined by FIA; non-residential structures can
be flood -proofed instead. Most of the extraterritorial area east of Town toward the river has
been identified as Zone -A floodplain. A long narrow flood -prone area is found outside of
Town adjoining Chapel Branch west of S. R. 1157 and S. R. 1143. To the south of Town,
floodplain adjoins Maple Branch and its tributary, and a fairly large flood -prone area is found
south of S. R.1136 adjoining Chocowinity Creek. Over 95% of the area's Zone -A floodplain
is found outside the Town's corporate limits. The only flood -prone area in Town is found
6

along Maple Branch in the area of Chocowinity High School.
The presence of poor soils can also limit the development of land resources. Soil
conditions determine the suitability of the land for in -ground sewage disposal systems.
Before land can be build -on the stability, bearing capacity, and erodibility of the soil must
also be considered. The major soils found in the Chocowinity area are listed in Table El.
Much of the planning area is comprised of the Craven -type soils SA and SB. These
are moderately well -drained soils on uplands. These soils are highly acidic and permeability
is slow. Leaf loam (85) is another common soil type in the Chocowinity area. This is a
nearly level, poorly drained soil on uplands. Like the Craven soils, Leaf loam soils are very
strongly acidic and have a very slow permeability. All three of these soil types are poorly
suited to urban uses due to their slow permeability and wetness. In fact, slow permeability
and wetness are characteristic of many soils in the area. As shown in Table El, twelve of the
area's 19 soil types have severe limitations for building construction, primarily due to their
wetness. The slow permeability or "tightness" of the area's soils makes the siting of
in -ground sewage treatment systems difficult. According to the Soil Conservation Service,
only three of the area's sixteen soils types are considered suitable for in -ground systems; the
remaining thirteen have been identified as having severe limitations for septic tank absorption
fields. Failing septic systems have been a common problem in the Town. Installation of new
systems, capable of treating waste from commercial or other high -demand uses, have been
a major expense in recent development projects. Until a public treatment plant is constructed
or an alternative to traditional in -ground technology is developed, poor soils will be the major
constraint to development in the Chocowinity area.
The area has no steep slopes that might constrain development. The terrain varies
from flat, flood -prone areas to gently rolling hills. The only man-made hazard that might
impose development constraints is the Norfolk Southern rail line. An accident involving a
train carrying hazardous materials poses severe risks to development that occurs near the rail
line or the switching yard.
Many communities are now adopting regulations to control development in the
recharge area of public water supply wells. A considerable amount of development has
already occurred near one of the Town's two public wells. Residential uses surround the
Town's well off Edgewood Drive. The area around the Town's other well off Hughes Street
is undeveloped. The well is about 200 yards from the rail line. Officials have expressed
concern over possible contamination to water supply in the event of a rail accident.
Fragile Areas. Wetland areas border the planning area on the north and east.
Wetland areas in the northern extraterritorial area are swamp wetlands under the jurisdiction
of the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers. Section 404 of the Clean Water Act specifies that
before any dredging or filling activity can be initiated in freshwater wetland areas, a permit
is necessary from the Corps. Wetland areas are also found adjoining Chocowinity and Sidney
Creeks in the eastern extraterritorialarea. Most of these wetlands, especially those upstream,
are freshwater wetlands under jurisdiction of the Corps. In downstream areas, pockets of
coastal wetlands are found. Coastal wetlands are considered Areas of Environmental
Concern, and development activities in these fragile areas is regulated by the state Division
of Coastal Management. As most of the wetlands within the Town's one -mile jurisdiction are
in upstream areas site specific investigation is necessary to determine the extent and location
of these coastal wetlands.
The North Carolina Natural Heritage Program has identified the lower part of
Chocowinity Creek, north of N. C. 33, as being one of five areas in Beaufort County
containing unique natural communities or rare geologic features. According to state
naturalists, the area is an important transition area from creek to fresh water marsh which
ultimately widens into estuary at the Pamlico River.
The Chocowinity area also holds three structures noted for their historic and/or
OA

TABLE E1
SOIL CHARACTERISTICS
Limitations For:
SOIL
Buildings WO
Septic
Runoff
Depth to High
CODE
TYPE SLOPE
Basements
Tanks
Potential
Water Table(ft)
ssssssssasssassassssass::::asssssssasssaassssssasssazsssssssssssazasassssasssassssssssasssaaasssssaaaasass
43
Altavista fine sandy loam
0-2%
Severe
Severe
Moderate
1.5 - 2.5
47
Bonneau loamy sand
0-6%
Slight
Moderate
Low
3.5.5.0
50
Craven fine sandy loam
0-1%
Moderate
Severe
Moderate
2.0-3.0
58*
Craven fine sandy loam
1-4%
Moderate
Severe
Moderate
2.0-3.0
Sc
Craven fine sandy loam
11-12%
Moderate
Severe
Moderate
2.0-3.0
37
Conetoe loamy sand
0-5%
Severe
Slight
Low ,
>6.0
902
Currituck Muck
OX
Severe
Severe
High
+1-1.0
940
Dorovan
0%
Severe
Severe
High
+1-0.5
4A,6A*
Goldsboro fine sandy loam
0.2%
Moderate
Severe
Slight
2.0-3.0
85
Leaf loam
0%
Severe
Severe
High
0.5-1.5
52
Lenoir Loam
0%
Severe
Severe
High
1.5-2.5
44
Lynchburg fine sandy loam
0%
Severe
Severe
Moderate
0.5-1.5
98
Mucklee loam
0%
Severe
Severe
High
0.5-1.5
84
Rains fine sandy loam
0%
Severe
Severe
Moderate
0.0-1.0
48
Seabrook loamy send
0-2%
Moderate
Severe
Slight
2.0-4.0
2A
State sandy loam
0-3%
Slight
Moderate
Slight
4.0-6.0
7
Tarboro sand
0-5%
Severe
Severe
Low
<6.0
86
Tomotley fine sandy loam
0%
Severe
Severe
High
2.0-4.0
10D
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Winton fine sandy loam
12-25%
Severe
Severe
Slight
2.0-4.0
* indicates prime farm soil
Source: Soil Survey of Beaufort County (Draft)
7a

architectural significance. The State Department of Cultural Resources has identified Trinity
Episcopal Church, the Bright House, and the Colonial James Reading Grist House as being
important historic structures in the Chocowinity area. Trinity Church is thought to be the
fifth oldest church in North Carolina. It was built for Nathaniel Blount in 1773 on his return
from England and ordination into the Anglican ministry. The church was constructed in a
simple colonial style and features a fan -shaped window over the front. Blount served as
rector of the church for 43 years. To protect the structure from vandalism, the church was
moved from its original location outside of Town on N. C. 33 to inside the city limits in 1938.
State officials have no record of any archaeological sites in the Chocowinity area, however
a complete survey of the region has never been conducted.
Areas of Resource Potential. State forests and parks, private game preserves, and
areas underlain with valuable mineral deposits are considered areas of resource potential.
No such areas have been identified in the Chocowinity region. However, a very large portion
of the land in the extraterritorial jurisdiction is comprised of prime farmland soils. In the
Chocowinity area, soil types AtA, CrA, CrB, GoA, and StA are considered prime farmland
soils, and areas containing these soils are considered areas of resource potential. Prime
farmland soils produce the highest yields with minimal inputs of energy and economic
resources. Farming these soils usually results in the least damage to the environment.
Agronomists note that prime farmland is of major importance in providing the nation's short
and long range needs for food and fiber. Yet the acreage of high -quality farmland is limited
and so preservation of prime farmland has become an important objective national
agricultural objective. Agricultural officials are attempting to discourage development on
prime farmland. The Farmers Home Administration will not loan money for projects where
building will occur on areas of prime farmland. Agricultural planners agree that development
should be directed to areas of non -prime soils and that areas of prime farmland are best
reserved for agricultural purposes.
2. Facility Limitations
As a community grows, service demands increase. More police and fire protection
may be needed; additional classrooms or schools may be necessary. Demand for public water
and sewer service increases. Planning for future service demands helps to avoid shortfalls in
the provision of public services. Development can be severely constrained when the demand
for vital services such as water and sewer, exceeds supply.
Chocowinity has grown in recent years only as a result of annexation. It is
anticipated that the Town will grow slowly but steadily over the next decade. Increases in
Beaufort County as a whole between 1990 and 2000 are projected at just under 5%.
Chocowinity will not likely exceed that prediction in terms of new growth.
Water Service. Over 99% of all properties within the corporate limits are serviced
with public water. Many residents in the extraterritorial area are also served by the Town's
system. Water mains have been extended east and west of Town along N. C. 33 and south
of N. C.1178 to the Mid -East Regional Housing Authority Project. On N. C. 33 water mains
extend west to S. R. 1143 and north to serve the Evergreen Estates subdivision. On M C.
33 to the east, water service extends to Gray Road (S. R. 1143) and then south to
Chocowinity Primary School. In -town improvements to the system are scheduled as the Town
plans to loop the system in the area of Mill Street and Moore Lane.
The capacity of the Town's two wells total 363,000 gallons per day (gpd). Demand
now averages 141,835 gpd, or about 183 gpd per person. The Town has two storage tanks;
storage capacity totals 225,000 gallons.
The Town appears to have an adequate supply of water to serve demand. Even
assuming a usage increase to accommodate the proposed Cypress Landing development on
8

Chocowinity Bay, current water well capacity would be adequate, although storage capacity
would be short of a full day's supply. Location of a new water -consumptive industry could
dramatically increase demand. Should such an industry propose to locate in the area, the
Town should begin a study to locate a new well site and plan for expansion of its storage
capacity.
Sewer Service. The Town has entered into a partnership situation with the City of
Washington to supply public wastewater treatment needs. During the course of this update,
the Town should begin operation of this system. Each existing septic tank will be provided
with a pump to move wastewater from the tank to the trunk line, which will then be pumped
to Washington for treatment. New development will still be required to install a septic tank,
but it will not be subject to the usual Health Department permitting requirements, so
minimum lot sizes may be reduced for future development served by the sewer line. A major
limiting factor for new development will be the contract agreement between the Town and
the City. A capacity of 120,000 gpd has been committed to Chocowinity, with an option to
purchase an additional25,0000 gpd at an additional charge, but until the Town actually goes
on line, no one is sure what the current demand will be. Engineering estimates range from
100,000 gpd to the full 120,000 gpd. A major improvement project at the Singer Furniture
factory could significantly impact capacity reserves, if in fact such reserves exist. Washington
has also agreed to amend the capacity clause if necessary, should the Town allow the
proposed Weyerhauser development on Chocowinity Bay to tap into the Town's lines.
Public Schools. Chocowinity pupils attend Beaufort County Schools located in
Chocowinity. Chocowinity Primary School (the Gray Road School) now serves grades K-5.
Renovations were made to increase capacity for adding fifth graders in 1989. Chocowinity
High School now serves students in grades 6-12. Enrollment in'86287 slightly exceeded the
design capacity and this school was also renovated in 1989.
Protective Services. The Town employs one full-time policeperson. This individual
works a rotating shift with the schedule determined by expected demand. Calls are
dispatched through the County Sheriff's Department, however the officer can also be accessed
from the Town Hall. The County Sheriffs Department provides backup assistance as
necessary and covers the area when the local officer is off -duty. The need for increased
police protection has been identified as an important local concern.
Fire protection is currently provided by a volunteer department. The Chocowinity
Volunteer Fire Department maintains three volunteer fire stations: one located within the
town limits at the Town Hall, one. at Blounts Creek, and the third at Wilmar. The depart-
ment has a membership of approximately 37 persons. The Department maintains an
inventory of 11 pieces of fire -fighting equipment; five pieces are located in the Chocowinity
station. The Chocowinity Rescue Squad is located in the Blounts Creek station.
Public Administration. The Town employs a full-time Clerk and a full-time Director
of Public Works. Three employees (1 full-time and 2 part-time) assist the Director of Public
Works. One part-time employee assists the Town Clerk.
Roads. Lack of service by a major interstate highway is often cited as one of the
major factors that has limited growth in northeastern North Carolina. It is unlikely that this
situation will change in the foreseeable future given the limited federal funding available for
highway construction.
Highway facilitiesin the Chocowinity areawill be able to accommodate the increased
demand projected for the next decade. Particularly if the proposed repositioning of U.S.17
takes place as pictured in the current Transportation Improvement Plan, Chocowinity could

be negatively effected. The Town has concerns about moving this
important highway any more than about 2 miles off its current route. The highway slits the
Town into two distinct hemispheres, and has posed certain hazards to small town life. It is
the major north -south route in the area and is two-lane for most of its length, but within
Chocowinity the road widens to four -lanes. Entering the highway from unsignalized
intersections can be hazardous and a number of accidents have occurred within the planning
area. Pedestrian movement is difficult. Although local officials have expressed their concerns
to state transportation officials, no plans for signalization have been announced. Nevertheless,
the highway is an economic asset which the Town does not wish to lose altogether.
Implications
The Town is expected to grow at a slow rate over the next decade. The Town's public water supply
is likely to be able to meet the demands of the next decade without major improvements. Public schools and
highway capacity also appear suitable to serve local needs for the next five years. In areas such as police, fire,
and public administration, the Town realizes additional personnel and equipment may be needed to service
demand as the community grows. The Town's public wastewater system may or may not provide sufficient
capacity for new residential and industrial growth. This should be reviewed within one year after the Town
comes on-line. Water storage capacity may also be a limitation to future growth in the long run. For the next
five years however, storage capacity appears adequate to serve projected demand.
10

1987 POLICY ASSESSMENT

III. 1987 POLICY ASSESSMENT
A review and evaluation of the 1987 policy statements and implementation strategies indicates an
overall implementation rate of 93%. This record is highly commendable for such a small town. Under the
Economic and Community Development issues, all but one of the implementation strategies has been carried
out over the planning period. This shows that the Town is attempting to fully utilize its plan for the
betterment of the community. For "grading" purposes, we have simply calculated the total number of
implementation strategies identified in the 1987 plan and determined the percentage of those strategies which
the Planning Board believes have been carried out over the planning period. Below are the results of this
evaluation:
A. Resource Protection
- preserve and protect local water resources and wetland areas
encourage developers to leave a 100 ft. open space buffer between development and water
or wetland; consider requiring buffers in subdivision regulations.
+ encourage developers to design projects so that runoff from project site is minimized;
consider setting maximum runoff standards in subdivision regulations.
+ support use of private package treatment plants only if plant design and a plan for plant
maintenance is approved by the State Department of Environmental Management (DEM).
+ classify wetland areas as Conservation on the Land ClassificationMap; for planning purposes,
the Town will consider its inland wetlands as Areas of Environmental Concern.
+ continue efforts to obtain necessary funding and permits for construction of a public
wastewater treatment system.
+ consider alternatives to a surface water discharge system in design of the Town's wastewater
treatment plant. Investigate the possibility of using a land application system in conjunction
with agricultural uses in the extraterritorial area.
Score: S The Town has not encouraged buffer requirements which exceed State or Federal
requirements.
• protect and enhance water quality in the Pamlico River and its tributaries
+ support the Environmental Protection Agency's Albemarle -Pamlico Estuarine Study.
+ support education efforts and enforcement of the ban on phosphate - containing laundry
detergents.
- support expansion of the Agricultural Cost Share Program to include the counties of the
upper Tar drainage area.
Score: 2 The Town is not aware of a movement taking place to expand the Agricultural Cost
Share Program into the upper Tar drainage area, and it has not Initiated such a
movement on its own. This strategy was probably a bit ambitious at the time,
11

nevertheless, we have scored a minus for this Item.
- protect the Town's present and future water supply
+ support state and federal programs that regulate underground storage of hazardous materials.
Support regulations that require tightness-testingfor existingtanks and construction standards
for new tanks. Immediate removal of leaking tanks should be required.
Support establishment of a state fund to stop tank leaks and to clean up affected water
supplies.
+ support groundwater monitoring by the DEM. Review information on local groundwater
levels. Should significant declines in groundwater levels be noted, urge DEM to limit
withdrawals. Municipal uses should be given priority over industrial uses.
support state mapping of groundwater resources and recharge areas; support efforts to
develop a groundwater management program for the state.
Score: 2 Again, the Town Is not aware of efforts needing local support which deal with
mapping of groundwater resources and recharge areas; nevertheless, we have graded
a minus for this Item.
- protect unique natural and cultural resource areas
+ classify the area within 100 feet of Chocowinity Creek north of N. C. 33 as Conservation on
the Land Classification Map.
+ investigate having Trinity Episcopal Church placed on the National Register of Historic
places.
Score: 2 There has been discussion regarding Trinity Church, but no decision has been made
as to the practicality of placing it in the National Register of Historic Places.
- discourage development In areas where land Is not physically suitable for development
+ support enforcement of the County's floodplain ordinance in the extraterritorialjurisdiction.
+ support strict enforcement of the State's Environmental Health Code regarding the siting of
in -ground septic systems; continue strict enforcement in unsewered outlying areas after a
public waste treatment system is constructed.
+ encourage County Health officials, state environmental officials, and Soil Conservation
Service (SCS) officials to work together to identify and develop alternatives to traditional
in -ground septic systems.
+ use the SCS's detailed soil survey to identify areas of poorest soils for septic systems; in
subdivision regulations, require large lots in areas of poorest soils unless lot will be serviced
by sewer.
Score: 4
- preserve and protect Areas of Environmental Concern
12

+ prohibit development in coastalwetland AECs that does not meet the management objectives
of 15 NCAC 71-1.0203. Any development in these areas must meet the use standards in 15
NCAC 711.0208. The location, design, and construction of any project in an AEC must give
highest priority to conservation of these sensitive natural areas.
+ classify AECs as Conservation on the Town's Land Classification Map.
Score: 2
B. Resource Production and Management
- protect and enhance agricultural uses in the Chocowinity area
+ classify agricultural areas outside of Town as Rural on the Town's Land Classification Map.
+ consider starting a farmers market in downtown Chocowinity; work with other area towns to
develop markets in every community in which all County farmers could participate.
+ to the extent feasible, design betterment systems for public improvements that avoid
imposition of costs on agricultural property whose agricultural use will not benefit from those
improvements.
+ support educational efforts and state and federal programs which encourage diversification
of the local agricultural economy.
+ encourage farmers owning parcels of 10 or more acres to apply for use -value assessment.
Score: S The Chocowinity community has been heavily rooted in agriculture and has taken
great care to encourage and protect these uses.
- preserve areas of prime farmland
+ use the County's detailed Soil Survey to identify areas of prime farmland; to the extent
feasible, direct development to other areas and reserve these soils for agricultural uses.
+ support state and federal efforts to preserve areas of prime farmland.
+ support development of a state comprehensive program for farmland preservation.
Score: 3
- ensure efficient, environmentally sound agricultural production
+ support use of Best Management Practices for agricultural land use and production.
+ work with the Soil Conservation Service to encourage participation in the State's Agricultural
Cost Share Program.
+ support the Conservation Provisions of the 1985 Farm Bill:
13

conservation reserve
conservation compliance
sodbuster
swampbuster
Score: 3 Many of the farmers in the jurisdiction take advantage of the agricultural programs
available through State and Federal agencies.
- discourage development that will have adverse impacts on the area's productive natural resources
+ support mining activity only if project demonstrates that prime agricultural lands and air and
water quality will be preserved.
+ require identificationof prime farmland soils in subdivision regulations; in subdivision review,
suggest that areas of prime farmland be left as open space.
Score: 2 The mining issue was of concern during the last planning period, but no proposals
have come forward; nevertheless, the Town strongly supports caution with regard to
mining activities.
C. Economic and Community Development
support expansion of existing industry and recruitment of new industrial and commercial enterprises
+ work with existing industrial firms and enterprises interested in locating in the area to ensure
that the proposed sewage treatment plant has capacity for future industrial expansion.
+ support groups such as the Mid -East Commission, the Regional Development Institute, and
the Small Business Institute at East Carolina University, which provide assistance to new and
small businesses and to economic development projects.
+ encourage reuse, or redevelopment if appropriate, of vacant commercial parcels in the
downtown area.
Score: 3 Growth capacity was a topic of consideration when the Town was negotiating with
the City of Washington to provide sewer treatment. The Town has always been a
great supporter of the regional resources available to its government or Its citizens.
Adaptive reuse of the existing commercial buildings as well as some residential
conversion to commercial along Hwy.17 has been evident over the planning period.
provide for the orderly growth of areas within Chocowinity and land outside of Town
+ review the Town's zoning ordinance to ensure regulations are adequate to control increasing
development over the next five years; give special attention to signage, landscaping, and use
regulations along U. S. 17; revise ordinance as necessary.
+ develop and adopt subdivision regulations.
+ conduct annexation feasibility study to determine suitable areas in which to initiate
annexation proceedings. Give priority to developed areas already provided with public water.
14

+ extend the Town's extraterritorial boundary along U. S. 17 to meet Washington's one -mile
extraterritorial boundary.
Score: 4 More diligently than many larger towns In the region, Chocowtnity has pursued
these strategies to facilitate orderly growth.
provide for adequate housing for all community residents
+ continue to apply for funding for local housing improvements under the Community
Development Block Grant Program.
+ consider developing and adopting a housing code.
Score: 2 The Town Is currently Implementing a CDBG Community Revitalization grant and
has adopted the State housing code as a part of that program.
preserve and enhance the quality of Ilfe in Chocowinity
+ develop a public facilities complex. Acquire land adjoining the fire station; construct a new
Town Hall and develop recreational facilities that include a playground, tennis court, and
ballfield.
+ work with the County to develop an emergency preparedness plan for accidents involving
hazardous or explosive substances on U. S. 17 or on the Norfolk -Southern rail line.
+ contact state transportation officials to discuss the feasibility of installing traffic controls at
designated locations along U. S. 17.
+ formulate capital outlay plan so that a new Town well can be constructed within the next five
years if necessary.
Score: 4 Land has been acquired and plans developed for a new town hall facility. The
playground project has been discussed but the Town is hesitant to take on the
liability of such a facility at this time. The School playground is utilized as a public
play facility. Attention and training has been provided with regard to the railroad
hazard potential and the proper ways to handle such emergencies. Traffic lights have
been requested for many years, with no results. The Town monitors the need for
well construction and is prepared to respond to the need as It arises.
promote and enhance tourism opportunities
+ participate in regional efforts to promote tourism in eastern North Carolina.
+ support location of tourist and recreational services along U. S. 17; encourage high -quality
proposals; consider revising landscaping, setback, parking, and signage requirementsin zoning
ordinance.
support the concept of initiating a paddlewheel showboat to tour the North Carolina coast;
work with proponents to ensure that Washington will be a stopping -point along proposed
route.
Score: 2 The paddlewheel showboat was an Idea being bantered about In 1987 which has
F1;7

never come to fruition in the area. Since the Town has no water access area, no
efforts have been made toward this project and no special support has been
mustered for the dinner cruise ship which made a Washington stop.
D. Storm Hazards
reduce the potential for storm damage
+ support enforcement of the County's floodplain ordinance in the extraterritorial area.
+ enforce the state building code in all new construction.
+ consider adopting a housing code.
+ consider adopting subdivision regulations that include special provisions for development
within wetland and flood -prone areas.
Score: 4
protect natural areas sensitive to storm hazards
+ classify Chocowinity Creek north of the N. C. 33 bridge as Conservation on the Town's Land
Classification Map.
Score: 1
increase public awareness of the need for hurricane preparation
+ support the "preparedness" program state and local emergency management officials conduct
in local schools.
+ work with state officials to plan and conduct an area -wide hurricane evacuation exercise.
Score: 2
E. Public Participation
solicit citizen input in all planning decisions
+ advertise all Council and Planning Board meetings in the Daily News; emphasize that citizens
are invited and encouraged to attend all meetings dealing with planning issues.
Score: 1
apprise the public of planning issues as they develop
+ report important planning and community development issues, decisions, and
developments to the Daily News; propose feature articles for especially important
issues.
Score: 1
16

1993 ISSUES & POLICY STATEMENTS

IV. POLICY STATEMENTS
A. Resource Protection
The Town is located in the heart of Beaufort County. The 827 square mules of the County is rich in
natural resources. The Town is less than three miles from the Pamlico River, the County's most valuable
natural, aesthetic, and economic resource. Coastal wetlands border the County's estuarine waters, freshwater
swamps and marshes are found adjoining inland waters and in low-lying inland areas. Freshwater wetlands
comprise a large portion of the Town's northern extraterritorial jurisdiction.
The Town acknowledges that the County's natural resources, particularly its water resources, are the
reason that many people have chosen to live, work, and recreate in the County and within Chocowinity itself.
To a very great extent, residential and commercial development, in fact, the general quality of life in the
County and in Chocowinity depends on maintaining the quality of the area's ground and surface waters. The
Town supports all local, state, and Interstate efforts to preserve and enhance the quality of the area's valuable
water resources.
Streams, creeks, freshwater wetlands, and limited areas of coastal wetlands are the major natural areas
found in the Chocowinityplanning region. The Town will not support development that significantly degrades
the quality of these surface waters and wetlands or has adverse effects on their use as habitat for fish and
wildlife. The Town also has natural hazard
floodplain areas. The Town will not support development in areas with natural hazards unless such
development fully complies with all applicable development controls.
The Town encourages new development and welcomes new industrial and commercial concerns. The
Town supports all development that protects natural areas and In turn, enhances the quality of life for local
residents. It Is important that natural and cultural resources be protected from the impacts of development
during construction and over the long term.
Groundwater resources supply Chocowinity residentswith water. Planners and local officials have only
recently begun to understand the sensitivity of this valuable resource. New local development should not have
negative impacts on local groundwater quantity and quality. The Town will not support development and
activities locally and In other areas that may cause future shortfalls In groundwater supply or pose severe
risks to the quality of underground waters.
Following is a listing of policy goals the Town has adopted to protect its natural resources. Included
are strategies that the Town will attempt to implement over the next five years in an effort to achieve these
policy goals.
(1) Constraints to Development:
(a) Soils
(i) Area soils have moderate to severe limitations for development over about
90% of the jurisdiction. The septic situation has stimulated the Town to seek
alternatives for its citizens, and during the writing of this plan, a public wastewater
system will go online. The system still requires septic tanks but adds pumps to the
tank which move effluent to public conduits which flow into the City of Washington's
treatment system. In theory, this should allow future development to occur on
smaller lots.
(ii) The chosen alternative is under way at this time.
(iii) The policy shall be to fully support the present partnership with the CIty of
Washington for wastewater treatment.
(iv) Implementation shall occur through closely monitoring the Town's demand
and negotiating for any additional capacity needs.
(b) Floodprone Areas
17

(i) Most of the ETJ east of Town is covered in freshwater swamp and is not
suitable for development. The branches and streams in the north and south sections
of the jurisdiction are also somewhat floodprone.
(ii) Alternatives include local creation of ordinances which limit development
in these areas; support for county, state, or federal restrictions on development in
these areas; or resistance to any restrictions on development.
(iii) The policy shall be to support state building codes and federal flood
insurance restrictions on development In floodprone areas.
(iv) The Town relies on the County building inspector for strict enforcement of
the state building code and the Federal Flood Insurance Program.
(c) Steep Slopes - DOES NOT APPLY
(d) Septic Tank Use - SEE STATEMENT UNDER SOILS
(2) Outstanding Resource Waters - DOES NOT APPLY
(3) Other hazardous or Fragile Areas:
(a) Freshwater swamps and Marshes
(i) Most of the northeastern ETJ is comprised of freshwater swamps and
marshes. In 1989 the Town extended its ETJ specifically to place unregulated
portions of this swamp area under its zoning jurisdiction for protective purposes.
(ii) Alternatives are limited to those which comply with state and federal
restrictions.
(iii) The policy shall be to help protect swamp and marsh areas from
inappropriate development.
(iv) Implementation shall occur through periodic review of the local zoning
scheme, strict enforcement of the zoning ordinance, and support for state and federal
restrictions on destruction of swamps and marshes.
(b) Maritime Forest - DOES NOT APPLY
(c) Pocosins - DOES NOT APPLY
(d) 404 wetlands
(i) The Army Corps of Engineers regulates dredge and fill activities in 404
wetlands. There has been much discussion about the Corps' designation methods for
wetlands and even the least likely appearing sites have on occasion been determined
to meet the criteria for 404 wetlands. In Chocowinity, the most likely sites will be
located in the floodprone areas.
(ii) Alternatives are limited to actions which are at least as restrictive as the
State's.
(iii) The policy shall be to support all development which complies with federal
controls.
(iv) Implementation shall occur through strict enforcement and periodic review
of local zoning and subdivision requirements, and through general support of the
18

Army Corps of Engineers'. decisions on wetlands.
(e) Outstanding Resource Waters - DOES NOT APPLY
(f) Shellfishing Waters - DOES NOT APPLY
(g) Water Supply Areas
(i) No surface water is used, but groundwater is drawn from two wells. No
problems have been encountered with water supply, which appears to be adequate
for the planning period. The Town does intend to provide water to the Weyerhauser
development "Cypress Landing" which is under way outside the jurisdiction. In the
early stages of development, the town's water supply should be completely adequate
to accommodate both the Town and Cypress Landing. As that subdivision develops,
the issue of water supply should be closely monitored.
(ii) The alternatives are to maintain current wells for safety and adequacy of
public water supply or to begin to identify potential new well sites to accommodate
future growth.
(iii) The policy shall be to maintain current wells for safety and adequacy of
public water supply.
(iv) Implementation shall occur through strict adherence to State water quality
standards and regular, careful monitoring of water use as the Town attempts to
provide a water supply for Cypress Landing.
(h) Manmade hazards
(i) Bulk fuel storage facilities are located outside the town's ETJ in an isolated
rural location. Any new facility would be subject to the town's Zoning Ordinance.
There are no airports within the jurisdiction. Military operating areas (MOA's) do
impact the town and some low altitude overflights were noted. The town's only
objection to military operating area is with regard to potential interference of
commercial flights in the City of Washington. OCS exploration does not directly
impact the Town, but there is general support for economic growth opportunities in
Eastem North Carolina, provided they are carried out under strict environmental
controls and safety restraints.
(H) Alternatives are to rely on State and Federal agencies for protection in these
areas; to rely on local land use controls for protection; or to support an unregulated
approach in these areas.
(iii) The policy shall be to support all State and Federal regulations related to
these hazardous activities and to rely on local zoning to control bulk fuel storage
hazards.
(iv) Implementation shall occur through strict enforcement of the local zoning
ordinance and general support for all applicable State and Federal requirements.
(4) Hurricane & Flood Evacuation Needs & Plans
(i) The Town relies on the Beaufort County evacuation plan for its hurricane
19

and flood evacuation needs.
(5) Protecting Potable water supply
--SEE COMMENTS UNDER WATER SUPPLY AREAS--
(6) Package Wastewater Treatment Plants
(i) There are currently no package treatment plants for wastewater disposal in
Chocowinity, and none are anticipated now that the wastewater alternative is in
place. Soils are poor for septic tanks in much of the jurisdiction.
(ii) Alternatives are to allow or to discourage package treatment plants in the
jurisdiction.
(iii) The policy shall be to discourage any proposals for package treatment
plants In favor of extension of existing sewer lines when feasible.
(iv) Implementation would occur on a case -by -case basis to determine the
feasibility of public sewer extension.
() Stormwater runoff & its impacts on coastal wetlands, surface waters, or other fragile areas.
(a) Agricultural, residential and peat or phosphate mining runoff.
(i) Agricultural runoff and residential runoff follow natural drainage patterns
throughout the jurisdiction, generally moving northwest to southeast. Phosphate or
peat mining runoff would not apply here.
(ii) Alternatives are to initiate a stormwater runoff program; to encourage Best
Management Practices for farms inside the jurisdiction; or to disregard stormwater
runoff at this time.
(iii) The policy shall be to encourage agricultural Best Management Practices
as they can be applied within the planning jurisdiction and to address stormwater
runoff In the local sub -division ordinance.
(iv) Implementation shall occur through strict enforcement of the local sub-
division ordinance including close review of all preliminary plats and periodic review
of the ordinance itself to determine if amendments are needed to appropriately
handle the stormwater runoff in Chocowinity.
(8) Marina & floating home development; dry stack storage
(i) DOES NOT APPLY
(9) Industrial impacts on fragile areas
(i) Industries in the Chocowinity jurisdiction include the Norfolk -Southern
Railroad, Osprey Seafood Processors, Singer Furniture Manufacturing Company, and
20

Outer Banks Industries, a metal fabricating operation. The railroad is believed to
present a significant potential hazard in the event of chemical or other noxious spills,
and the railroad tracks run through a large portion of the forested wetlands in the
eastern ETJ. None of the other facilities represent a major threat to fragile areas
in the jurisdiction.
(ii) Alternatives include exclusion of industrial uses; regulation of industrial uses;
or unregulated industrial uses.
(iii) The policy shall be to rely on EPA standards and railroad safety
requirements to mitigate the risks involved In this industry and to rely on local
zoning for appropriate placement of Industrial site for the least possible impact on
fragile areas.
(iv) Implementation shall occur through strict enforcement of local caning
requirements, including periodic review and update of the ordinance as needed, and
general support for State and Federal safety requirements with regard to the
railroad.
(10) Development of Sound or Estuarine Islands
(i) DOES NOT APPLY
(11) Restriction of Development within areas up to S' above mean high water
(i) DOES NOT APPLY
(12) Upland excavation for marina development
(i) There are no marinas within the jurisdiction at this time and only limited
opportunity for any future marina development.
(ii) Alternatives would include support for upland excavation; insistence on
upland excavation; or discouragement of upland excavation for marina development.
(iii) The policy shall be to support the concept of upland excavation for marina
development when feasible rather than infringing on public trust waters to
accommodate such development.
(iv) Implementation shall occur through support for the Division of Coastal
Management's marina development priority.
(13) Damage to existing marshes by bulkhead installation
(i) This issue might only apply in the ETJ at the Cowpen Landing Subdivision
on Chocowinity Creek, where limited marshland may exist. This issue is not
significant at this time.
(ii) Alternatives are limited to those which are at least as restrictive as the
State's requirements.
(iii) The policy shall be to rely on State and Federal regulations for bulkheads.
(iv) Implementation shall occur through support for the existing CAMA
requirements regarding bulkheading in marsh areas.
21

B. Resource Production and Management
Many of Chocowinity's manufacturing, retail, and service enterprises are directly or indirectly involved
with resource development. A considerable number of local residents rely on the area's natural resources -
its water, land, and mineral resources - for their livelihood
Agricultural lands are one of County's prime productive resource areas. Much of the County's
farmland and about one quarter of the farmland in the Chocowinity area is considered prime farmland by
agricultural officials. In 1984, 128,600 acres of land was harvested for crops, with the County ranking 7th in
the state for total harvested cropland. The County ranked 18th in the state in the poundage of peanuts
produced in 1984, ranked fifth in the amount of com bushels produced, and ranked second in the bushels of
soy beans produced
Most of the land within Chocowinity'sTown limits has been developed for urban uses, however a large
portion of the land outside of Town is used for agriculture. The Town encourages the use of rural areas for
agricultural production and will support all efforts to ensure the viability of the area's agricultural economy.
The Town is especially concerned with preserving areas with prime farmland soils. At the same time,
agricultural uses should not have negative impacts on local natural resources such as Chocowinity Creek and
associated wetlands, or on resources of statewide concern such as the Pamlico River and its tributaries. The
Town supports diversification of the local agricultural economy. Truck (produce) farms, and farming for fish
and shellfish (aquaculture) are encouraged and will be supported.
No commercial forestry operations operate within the Town. Silvacultural activity is, however, evident
in areas east of Chocowinity. The Town supports the presence of the lumbering industry in the area and
encourages expansion of commercial forestry and wood processing operations if these will have no significant
impacts on residential areas and local natural resources.
The streams and creeks in the Chocowinity area are not large enough to support commercial fishing
activities. However, commercial and recreational fishing are both very important in the County as a whole.
In 1985 over 5 million pounds of seafood was caught by commercial fishing operations in Beaufort County.
This figure has fluctuated considerably downward since that time but was back to the 5.5 million pound level
by 1990. The County ranked fifth out of the 20 coastal counties in seafood landings and sixth in the number
of commercial licenses issued. A commercial seafood processor is located at the easternmost edge of
Chocowinity's planning jurisdiction on Highway 17. The Town supports local, state, and federal efforts to
Improve the quality of the region's fisheries. Improving both the recreational and commercial fisheries Is
encouraged and will be supported.
There are currently no areas in the Chocowinity planning region where mining or other mineral
production activities are taking place. However, over 4,000 acres of land to the east of Chocowinity is devoted
to mining activities. The effects of phosphate mining on the County's natural resources has been a concern
for a number of years. That concern appears to be increasing as reports of stresses on the river increase. The
Town will support new or expanding mining activities In the area only If that activity can be shown not to
have long term negative impacts on the area's land, air, and water resources.
Following is a listing of policy goals the Town has adopted to protect and manage its productive
natural resources. Included are strategies that the Town will attempt to implement over the next five years
in an effort to achieve these policy goals.
(1) Productive Agricultural Lands
(i) Prime farm soils are present in the jurisdiction and some land is still under
tillage inside the town limits.
(ii) Alternatives are to protect agricultural lands; to regulate agricultural lands;
or to do away with agricultural land uses in the jurisdiction.
(iii) The policy shall be to allow conversion of agricultural lands to more
appropriate urban uses throughout the jurisdiction.
22

(iv) Implementation shall occur though strict enforcement of local zoning and
sub -division regulations.
(2) Commercial Forest lands
(i) THIS ISSUE DOES NOT APPLY
(3) Existing & potential mineral production
(i) THIS ISSUE DOES NOT APPLY
(4) Commercial & recreational fisheries:
(a) nursery & habitat areas
(i) There are no designated nursery areas within the jurisdiction and few water
access points. It is suspected that Chocowinity Creek and Crawford Creek may be
habitat areas for certain species of fish. Recreational fishing does occur in these
creeks, but not at a scale which requires attention at this time. THIS ISSUE DOES
NOT APPLY.
(b) ORW's
(i) THIS ISSUE DOES NOT APPLY
(c) trawling activities in estuarine waters
(i) THIS ISSUE DOES NOT APPLY
(S) Off -road vehicles
(i) THIS ISSUE DOES NOT APPLY
(6) Residential, Commercial, and Industrial Land Development Impacts on any Resources
(i) At this time, the Town is prepared to accommodate any reasonable estimate
of new development over the five year update period. Because the wastewater
alternative partnership with the City of Washington has not yet come online as of
this writing, it is not fully known what the town can expect with regard to excess
capacity for future development, but this is not anticipated to be a severe limitation
within the planning period. Water supply is abundant at this time, and stormwater
runoff does not appear to pose significant water quality problems. Local zoning
patterns will determine the proximity of new development to fragile areas.
(ii) Alternatives are to strengthen sub -division ordinance with regard to a
developer's responsibility for provision of infrastructure or to monitor future
development to determine any individual or cumulative impacts on local resources.
(iii) The policy shall be to rely on current local ordinances and State or Federal
protective regulations to adequately mitigate development impacts on resources.
(7) Peat or phosphate mining impacts on any resources
(i) The only mining operation in the area is the Texas Gulf facility in Aurora.
This is too far downstream to have direct environmental impacts on Chocowinity,
other than the potential water drawdown from the Castle Hayne aquifer. This has
not had an impact on the Town's water supply to date. The feasibility of future
mining activities within the planning jurisdiction has been discussed in the past, but
is unknown. THIS ISSUE DOES NOT APPLY AT THIS TIME, but should be
revisited if conditions merit as future land use plan updates occur.

C. Economic and Community Development
Chocowinity is a small community, but for a town of its size, it has a large employment base: Singer
Furniture and various other enterprises within a two mile radius, over 900 persons work in or near
Chocowinity. Many of these jobs are low -skill, low wage positions. The Town supports expansion of its
existing industries and commercial enterprises and welcomes new industrial and commercial firms into the
area. The Town supports the County's efforts to attract new industry into the region. However, new
industrial development should not have negative impacts on the natural environment or on the area's historic
and cultural resources. New commercial and Industrial development should enhance the quality of life for
local residents.
Commercial enterprises servicing the needs of residents and local workers would be appropriate types
of new commercial development. There are currently several vacant buildings in the city limits and the Town
encourages reuse of these commercial structures. Tourist and recreational enterprises would be a welcome
addition to the Town. Industrial development which -would provide both technical and professional positions
would be appropriate for the Chocowinity area. The Town will provide services to new Industrial development
when possible and will seek assistance from the County when necessary.
Most of the land within the town limits has already been developed. The Town supports
redevelopment of parcels when dilapidated structures can be removed and replaced by higher and better uses.
To provide for the efficient delivery of services, the Town encourages new industry to locate in the city limits.
When new development cannot be accommodated within the Town, the Town will support development In
appropriate locations outside of Town and when feasible, will provide public services. Negotiations are under
way with the Weyerhauser COmpany for the Town to provide drinking water to the Cypress Landing
development on Chocowinity Bay. With the wastewater disposal alternative on line, the Town moves into a
favorable position to plan for new industrial development. The Town would appreciate contact from
developers considering projects in the Chocowinity area so that adequate capacity can be reserved in
negotiations with the City of Washington.
The Town is committed to maintaining and enhancing the quality of life in Chocowinity. The Town
supports improvements to existing housing stock, and supports new construction as well, especially
development that will serve the housing needs of the elderly and of low and moderate income groups.
The Town values regional resources such as the Pamlico River and its tributaries for the recreational
and aesthetic amenities they supply. The Town supports state and federal programs that will assist the
community in attaining its objectives for protecting and managing these and other resources, and for assisting
in community development efforts. These include, but are not limited to, public access programs, programs
preserving water quality, highway improvement programs, economic and community development programs,
water and sewer improvement programs, and programs which assist in preserving historic and archaeologic
resources.
Following is a listing of policy objectives the Town has adopted to provide for community growth and
for the economic development of the Town. Included are strategies that the Town will attempt to implement
over the next five years in an effort to achieve these policy goals.
a. Types and locations of Industries Desired
(1) The Town supports expansion of existing industries and welcomes new
commercial and industrial concerns to the Chocowinity area. However, new
industrial development should not have negative impacts on the natural
environment or the area's historic and cultural resources. New commercial
and industrial development should enhance the quality of life for local
residents. The Town encourages the location of "clean" non-polluting
industries, and those that provide both technical and especially professional
positions.
24

(2) The alternatives are to encourage any and all industry; to encourage only
limited industrial development, or to discourage industry from locating in
the planning area.
(3) The policy shall be to encourage and support a wide variety of Industrial
development to enhance the economic base of the Town.
(4) This policy will be implemented by critical review by the Planning Board and
Board of Adjustments and Town Council of all proposals for industrial
development. Additionally, the Town supports existing State and Federal
restrictions and regulations related to industrial safety and responsibility.
b. Local Commitment to Providing Services
(1) By the time this plan is adopted 100 percent of the Town's residents will be
hooked up to the public sewer system and 99 percent are connected to the
water system. Even if use per person increased 50% over the planning
period, the twn's current water capacity would support a total population
of over 1,300 persons. A reasonable picture of its sewer use will not be
known until later. The Town provides one full time police officer, and the
volunteer fire department has 37 volunteers.
Chocowinity acknowledges that the majority of its soils are not conducive to
septic tank usage and hopes that the current alternative for wastewater
treatment service will alleviate this problem. When new development cannot
be accommodated within the Town, the Town will support development in
appropriate locations outside of Town and when feasible,will provide public
services.
(2) The alternatives are to take active steps to extend water and sewer to all
habitable structures in the jurisdiction and to plan and budget for orderly
extension into areas expected to experience development over the next five
years; to support the development of an industrial park which would be
provided services in lieu of considering all requests; or to wait until a
request is made before considering service extensions.
(3) The policy shall be to consider service extension proposals on a case -by -case
basis and to expand local protective services as funding becomes available.
(4) The Town is not in a position to finance costly infrastructure extensions or
personnel additions in the absence of development pressure. The Town will
also support and continue to apply for grant funding such as CDBG or
economic development projects which involve extension of services.
C. Types of Urban Growth Patterns Desired
(1) Land within the Town has been developed for mixed urban uses. Outside of
Town, the area is rural; agricultural uses predominate. The Town
appreciates this pattern of development. To that end and to provide for the
efficient delivery of public services, the Town will encourage new
development demanding urban services to locate within the city limits and
attempt to reserve outlying areas for agricultural and low density residential
Fid

uses.
(2) The alternatives are to create incentive programs for development which
encourage the desired uses to occur in the desired areas; to rely on the
current zoning map and ordinance to establish urban patterns for growth;
or to accommodate random, unrestricted growth patterns.
(3) The policy shall be to rely on the local zoning ordinance for guiding urban
growth Into areas classified as "Developed" or "Urban Transition" on the
Land Classification Map.
(4) Implementation shall occur through strict enforcement of the adopted
zoning and subdivision ordinances and updates of local ordinances as
necessary.
d. Redevelopment of Developed Areas
(1) Chocowinity's policy on redevelopment of developed areas has been
demonstrated over the past five years. The Town has been awarded Small
Cities Community Development Block Grants to improve substandard
housing within its jurisdiction. The Town wishes to continue programs such
as these over the next five years. Very few structures in the planning area
would be affected in the event of a severe storm. In this case, all structures
would be rebuilt according to the zoning ordinance.
(2) The alternatives are to support redevelopment; to limit redevelopment; or
to discourage redevelopment.
(3) The policy shall be to support prudent redevelopment. Since little of the
jurisdiction is subject to destruction in a severe storm, there is not great
concern about redeveloping developed areas.
(4) New development is required to meet current building codes and the local
flood ordinance requirements. These standards increase safety and reduce
potential loss in the future. The same would be true for non -conformities
which were rebuilt. The Town's Zoning ordinance also provides guidance
and restriction as to allowed uses and patterns of redevelopment.
e. Commitment to State and Federal Programs
(1) The Town of Chocowinity is receptive to State and Federal Programs which
provide improvements to the Town. Chocowinity will continue to fully
support such programs that provide necessary resources to meet identified
community needs that compliment the economic and community
development goals of the Town. Of particular significance is the N.C.
Department of Transportation Improvement Plan. The Town will support
these programs and will honor financial assistance requests when financially
able and when the proposed project is in compliance with the Town's goals
for economic development.
The Erosion Control program, carried out by the Agricultural
Stabilization and Conservation Service and the Soil Conservation Service, is
especially important to the farming community in the planning area. The
26

Town supports the efforts of these agencies, including the implementation
of Best Management Practices to mitigate soil loss through erosion.
Funding is still available through the state's Agricultural Cost Share Program
for projects which will reduce agricultural runoff. The Town will work with
District Soil and Water Conservation officials to encourage farmers to apply
for the 75% funding of conservation projects. The Forest Incentive Program
provides funds and technical assistance for farmers to replant areas where
trees have been timbered. In addition, the Town has established a policy to
encourage the use of a vegetative buffer between all development and
surface water bodies to reduce the sediment load from entering the riverine
system. Chocowinity supports the Army Corps of Engineers 404 Wetlands
program with reservations as to designation methods.
The military has historically been an important asset to the economy
and quality of life in eastern North Carolina. There has been on -going
debate over the expansion of the Military Operating Airspace (MOA) over
Beaufort County. Chocowinity is not opposed to high altitude flyovers but
has reservations about low flying maneuvers which could place the
population in jeopardy or interfere with local air traffic. Noise levels are an
additional concern but are generally -considered a way of life in this area.
The Town participates in CDBG community revitalization grants to
improve housing conditions, and citizens have utilized the Small Business
Administration loan programs available in the area. The regional Area
Agency on Aging attempts to provide for the growing elderly population on
behalf of the Town.
(2) Alternatives include complete commitment of State and Federal programs;
limited support of these programs; or opposition to the programs.
(3) The policy will be general commitment to state and federal programs.
(4) The Town will continue to support and enjoy the advantages of higher
agency programs which can enhance the quality of life for local area
residents. Some of those programs are geared toward individuals, and the
Town has limited direct interaction in those cases. To the extent possible,
the Town will partner with state and federal agencies to enforce restrictions
or review projects which impact the planning area. The town would consider
distributing information regarding issues such as vegitative buffers or
conservation measures to persons seeking zoning permits if such information
is made available to them.
f. Assistance to Channel Maintenance and Beach Nourishment Projects.
(1) This issue does not apply.
g. Energy Facility Siting and Development
(1) Electric generating plants are regulated by State and Federal agencies and
are usually sited in very rural areas. Any potential project would be subject
to local zoning regulations, however it is believed that the likelihood of such
a proposal in the Chocowinity jurisdiction is small.
27

Offshore and inshore exploration for possible oil or natural gas is
an issue elsewhere in North Carolina but is believed to present no significant
impact on the Chocowinity planning area, but the Town supports the
concept if exploration is conducted under strict safety restraints.
(2) Alternatives might include specifically disallowing or allowing generating
plants in any of the zoning districts or making a statement of protest or
support for off -shore drilling.
(3) The policy shall be to consider any proposal for electric generation on a
case -by -case basis.
(4) Implementation shall occur through strict enforcement of the local zoning
ordinance with regard to allowable uses in the planning jurisdiction.
h. Tourism
(1) The Town is interested in increasing tourism in the area. The Town
supports the efforts of the state and local agencieswho work with these pro-
jects.
(2) Alternatives might include taking a more active role in promotions of nearby
events or development of new events to attract tourists to the area.
(3) The policy shall be to continue present levels of support for tourism in the
area.
(4) Implementation shall occur through cooperation with local and State
agencies and businesses promoting the area.
i. Coastal and Estuarine Water/Beach Access
(1) Chocowinity does not have a water access point for the public at this time.
There are limited possibilities since the only navigible waters are located in
the ETJ, adjacent to swamp forest. The Town could possibly apply for an
Access Grant through the federal Urban Waterfront Redevelopment
program to assist in site acquisition.
(2) An alternative would be to seek funding to build a public fishing pier or to
investigate the possibilities of acquiring a boat ramp facility through the NC
Wildlife Commission.
(3) The policy shall be to Investigate future possibilities for public access and
to apply for funds if the opportunity arises and a location presents itself.
(4) Implementation will occur through encouraging local property owners to
consider donating undevelopableproperties to the Town for public purposes.
28

j. Types, Densities, Location, Units per Acre of Anticipated Residential Development
and Services to Support This Development
(1) Overly dense development is not a problem in Chocowinty, nor is it
anticipated to become a problem during the next ten years. Within the past five
years, the land use trends have shown residential growth to occur in existing
residential areas and some limited commercial development. The town would like
to see continued development in areas which are best able to accommodate growth
and where support services, like sewer and water, are feasible and practical to.
provide.
The Town has no sites which are suitable for landfills. They are dependent
on the county to provide such a site. The current County facility's permit expired
in 1992. Currently there is investigation into a regional landfill concept. In terms
of sheer land area, the County landfill site has an estimated capacity to last another
ten years. Regulatory requirements will surely necessitate improvements to the
facility if it is used over the long term . In the County, recycling efforts are
intensifying and the number of permanent sites is increasing.
(2) Alternatives include close review of proposed development projects to assure
appropriate density of development. The Town might consider development
of a local recycling plan.
(3) The policy shall be to encourage appropriateness of density and location
with regard to residential development and to discourage dense development
outside the range of public water and sewer service, which generally
encompasses the areas classified as "Developed" or "Urban Transition"on
the Land Classification Map.
(4) Implementation shall occur through close review of any sub -division
proposals which would tax municipal services, and through consideration of
developing a local recycling plan.
D. Storm Hazards
North Carolina is well-known for the hurricanes and tropical storms that batter its coastline and the
tornados that ravage inland areas. Typically, the bulk of hurricane storm damage occurs in coastal areas.
Hurricanes and tropical storms have however, caused severe damage in estuarine and inland areas in the past,
as evidenced in Beaufort County. The storm of 1913 raised the water level of the Pamlico River to a height
of 10 feet in the City of Washington, inundating the community and surrounding area. Similar storms in 1933
and 1938 caused considerable damage to waterfront communities, and major storms occurred in 1954, 1955,
1960, and 1970. In March of 1993 a serious winter storm with high winds and fluctuating tides hit the area,
causing major power outages and a large number of downed trees. The Chocowinity area was not as hard hit
by this storm as most of the surrounding area.
In 1984 the County adopted a storm hazard mitigation plan, Before the Storm in Beaufort County:
Avoiding Harm's Way. The plan provides information on areas in the County at risk from storm damage,
outlines policies on storm hazard mitigation, presents a detailed plan for evacuation of the County should a
storm event occur, and includes a reconstruction plan to guide rebuilding after the storm. Chocowinity is
under the authority of this plan. The County's storm hazard mitigation plan was the source of the following
information on storm hazards, evacuation procedures, and the policies on reconstruction which the Town will
follow after a storm disaster. A complete copy of this plan is available for review at the Beaufort County
29

Department of Emergency Management,112 W. Second Street in Washington.
1. Hazard Areas
The flooding, wave action, and erosion associated with hurricanes and other major storms severely
threaten three categories of land in the County: Areas of Environmental Concern, areas subject to flooding,
and areas with highly erodible soils. TWo types of AECs are found in the Chocowinity area: public trust
areas (navigable waterways), and coastal wetlands - found in the area of Chocowinity Creek, north of the N.
C. 33 bridge. Flood -prone areas, as shown on the Map of Land Use Constraints, are found adjoining
Chocowinity Creek, Maple Branch, and Chapel Branch, and in the wetlands bordering U. S. 17 in the
northern extraterritorial area. Flood -prone areas are moderately threatened by damaging forces such as high
winds and flooding, and to a lesser extent, by erosion and wave action. Areas with highly erodible soils in the
County are shown in Exhibit 1. As noted, a major portion of the Chocowinity area contains soils suseptible
to erosion.
The Town is fortunate in that most areas in the community severely threatened by damage from
storms are undeveloped. Comparing the Map of Existing Land Use with areas subject to flooding as
delineated on the Map of Land Use Constraints, most development in Chocowinity has occurred on high
ground, away from creeks and wetland areas. Although the County's hurricane plan identifies over 6,000
structures at risk from storm damage in the County as a whole, only one structure in the Chocowinity area
is noted as being threatened by storm damage.
Hazards from flooding, wave action, and erosion are limited primarily to land adjoining streams and
creeks and to waterfront areas, however the Chocowinity area and the entire County is threatened by the high
winds associated with a major storm event. As noted in the County's hurricane plan, the County is susceptible
to annual extreme fastest wind speeds of between 120 and 130 miles per hour. (The annual extreme
designation means that there is an one percent or greater chance of that speed being equalled in any one
year.)
2. Evacuation and Reconstruction
Exlu'bit 2 outlines the evacuation routes that County residents, workers, and visitors would utilize in
the event of a storm disaster. Capacity analyses contained in the County's evacuation plan indicates that these
routes are adequate for evacuation purposes unless the routes are inhibited at critical "surge inundation points"
as described in Exhibit 3. Preliminary evacuation times at selected inundation points appear in the County's
1984 evacuation plan. Subsequent to adoption of the County's plan, emergency management officials began
working to develop more precise estimates. Revised estimates of evacuation times are expected to be issued
in August 1987 and will be available through the County's Department of Emergency Management.
Rebuilding in Chocowinity after a major storm occurrence will be guided by the Beaufort County
Disaster Relief and Assistance Plan which was adopted in September of 1982. Those sections of the plan most
pertinent to post -disaster reconstruction are Annex F - Beaufort County Damage Assessment Plan; Annex G
- Disaster Assistance Center Plan; Annex H - Disaster Assistance Program Summary, and Annex J - Beaufort
County Plan for Temporary Housing. The County's storm hazard mitigation plan notes that the damage
assessment procedures outlined in Annex F - purpose, organization, concept of operation and articulation of
responsibilities - appear adequate to serve local needs after a storm disaster.
The County has outlined a schedule for staging and permitting repairs following a major storm event.
Chocowinity will follow this schedule as detailed below:
repair and rebuild essential services such as electricity, water and sewer - first.
repair other public facilities as necessary for shelter.
use a triage (or worst damage last) approach to staging the reconstruction effort. Those
properties with little damage should be permitted immediately, if they comply with permit
requirements already. Next, those with moderate damage meeting permit requirements,
followed by those with moderate damage requiring permit decisions. Those with extensive
30

damage requiringpermit decisions or demolition decisions should receive treatment last since
their work would more likely interfere with the reconstruction of essential public utilities and
facilities.
The County has the authority to impose a temporary moratorium on all development in the area
should damage from a storm be especially severe. The Town advocates use of such a moratorium is damage
to a particular area is very serious and if redevelopment of the area in the same manner would pose area
residents with similar health and safety problems in the future.
The County's Recovery Task Force will oversee the reconstruction process throughout the County and
address any policy questions that might arise. The Task Force will work with state and federal representatives
such as the Interagency Regional Hazard Mitigation Team and the Section 406 Hazard Mitigation Survey and
Planning Teams. The local Recovery Task Force will provide information and guidance to state and federal
recovery efforts and play an advocacy role in decisions regarding state and federal disaster assistance.
Members of the County's Recovery Task Force include the County Commissioners, the County Engineer and
Building Inspectors, the County Manager, the managers and engineers of each municipality, (in the case of
Chocowinity, the Mayor and the Town Engineer), the County Emergency Management Coordinator, and the
Director of the County Health Department.
All repairs and new development done as part of reconstruction efforts will be done in accordance
with applicable state land use regulations and the Town's development controls. The Board of County
Commissioners will direct implementation of the policies and procedures outlined in the County's reconstruc-
tion plan. The Town Council will assume responsibility for ensuring that this plan is carried out in an orderly
manner in Chocowinity. The Planning Board will act as an advisory group to the Council in a matters
affecting land use and redevelopment.
3. Coordinating Agencies
The state and federal agencies involved in coordinating local storm hazard mitigation and hurricane
preparedness activities are listed in Appendix B.
4. Policy Objectives
The County acknowledges that the Chocowinity area is subject to storms that threaten the health,
safety, and welfare of its residents and the integrity of the area's natural and cultural resources. In an effort
to plan for such natural storm disasters and to safeguard local residents, resources, and property, the Town
has adopted the following policy objectives.
reduce the potential for storm damage
support enforcement of the County's floodplain ordinance in the .extraterritorial area.
enforce the state building code in all new construction.
protect natural areas sensitive to storm hazards
classify Chocowinity Creek north of the N. C. 33 bridge to its mouth and all wooded
swampland in the ETJ as Conservation on the Town's Land Classification Map.
Increase public awareness of the need for hurricane preparation
support the "preparedness" program state and local emergency management officials conduct
in local schools.
work with county officials to plan and conduct possible hurricane evacuation exercises in the
future.
31

0
EXHIBIT I
LNWA
S W A UK
qM
-IML
Aft
LMr
0-0. C— v�
AD
LW A.
W
PARK
Ile ,.. A 44- is
us -4
7P
4
SAY
C
A . I
1W
-)r7j
C S N
6—A
FRODITILK SOILS
Key: Arens with particularly erodible L
soils and water table between 18" & 24-.
For site -specific locations, see maps in the Soil
Conservation office, 102 E. 2nd Bt.. Washington, He
Sours: Reproduced from the 1987
Chorowinity hand Ubi! Plan Update 16
31a

Exhibit 2
gb 4 �--- M�Tf 5Ei SfELTE71 USTU+4
GZ
J AN
• � , Jam✓ t � ' IIIGKORT �
• q l� TH
HURRICANE EVACUATION �•., 33 Y ' ' •'
ROUTES AND SHELTERS ' • Q 6 �9 ` �g63
BEAUFORT COUNTY AURORA 33
NORTH CAROLINA
for description of slielter sites © and f
.� evacuation routes, see following pages
Source: Before the Storm in Beaufort County:

EXHIBIT 2
BEAUFORT COUNTY
HURRICANE EVACUATION ROUTES AND SHELTERS
AREA
ROUTES
SHELTER
1
West end of Washington take nearest route to
Eastern Elementary
15th Street, then east on 15th Street. East
School, 264 East
end of Washington take nearest route to
and Hudnell Street
Charlotte Street, north on Charlotte to 264,
(shelters also
east on 264.
noted at 7 and 8)
2
Washington Park and east of Washington Park
Beaufort County
to Broad Creek, take Brick Kiln Road to 264,
Community College
west on 264.
Bunyan
Upper Goose Creek, Duck Creek, west Side of
Beaufort County
Bath Creek take nearest route to 264 then
Community College
west on 264.
Bunyan
3
East side Bath Creek, St. Clair Creek, North
Bath High School
Creek, Pamlico Beach, Wright Creek, Jordan
Creek, take 92 to Bath.
4
Pungo Creek nearest route to 264, 264 east
Pantego Jr. High
to Pantego. Leechville, Belhaven take 264
School
west to Pantego.
5
Whichards Beach S. R. 1166 to U. S. 17,
Ch000winity High
U. S. 17 south to Ch000winity. Chocowinity
School
Bay to Blounts Creek Bay, nearest route to 33,
then 33 west to Chocowinity.
6
Hickory Point S. R. 1946 to 1942,1942 to
Aurora High School
1940, 1940 to Aurora. South Creek. Spring
Creek 1912 to Aurora, Campbell Creek west
on 33.
Township 4 (Goose Creek Island) Pamlico
Aurora High School
County, take State Road 33 to Aurora. If
Aurora shelter is filled then continue on
33 to Chocowinity.
7
Take nearest route to Pinetown.
Pinetown Elementary School
8
Residents from eastern area of County
Chocowinity Primary
(southside of river) take nearest route
School
to 33 then west to Chocowinity.
9
Overflow PantegotBelhaven area.
Beaufort County
Elementary School
10
These shelters will not be utilized
Wilkinson Junior High
in a hurricane threat to Beaufort
School and Belhaven
County due to rising water. May be
Elementary School
used as needed for other disasters.
32

EXHIBIT 3
SURGE INUNDATION POINTS
Major
Evacuation Area Evacuation Routes Critical Points
Belhaven U.S. 264 Bypass Stretch of 264 .25 miles on either side
of lower Dowery Creek culvert near
intersection of SR 1709.
Portion 1 miles east of the Intersection
with NC 99 in Belhaven, to that
intersection.
Business 264
Portion inside Belhaven.
US 264 Bypass
Portion 1.5 miles on either side of
Cuckolds Creek Bridge toward
Pantego.
NC 99
From intersection with 264 in Belhaven
to Sidney Crossroads, over the
Pantego Creek Bridge, the Pungo
Creek Bridge.
Ransomville NC 99
Portion from Pungo Creek Bridge to
Sidney Crossroads, over the Jack
Creek Bridge.
Portion from the St. Clair Creek Bridge
to a point approximately 1 mile east of
SR 1734 (to Bayview).
The Back and Bath Creek Bridges at
Bath.
Bunyan/River SR 1300 Portion of State Road 1300 that feeds
Road area 264, and all State Roads that feed SR
1300, from Broad Creek to Washington
(through Washington Park) across
Runvons Creek Bridge on Park Drive in
Washington.
US 264
32a
Portion .25 miles on either side of
Runvons Creek Bridge.

Major
Evacuation Area Evacuation Routes Critical Points
Washington US 264 Area inside the flood hazard area
inside Washington (that is, the area
from an imaginary line drawn from the
intersection of Oak Drive and Hillcrest
Drive due west to where it would
intersect US 17, south to and including
the Pamlico River Bridge (lower half of
city).
South Creek NC 33 From the Pamlico County line to
Campbell Crossroads, including
crossing the Smith Creek Bridge and
the Campbell Creek Bridge.
Chocowinity NC 33 From the Chocowinity city limits to the
Pamlico River Bridge.
SR 1166 Entire road from Oak Point to US 17
Intersection, and all feeder roads.
32b

E. Public Participation
The preparation of Chocowinity'sLand Use Plan was the responsibilityof the Chocowinity Planning Board.
The Planning Board, a five -person group appointed by the Town Council, represents a wide range of ages,
backgrounds, and interests. A workshop session introducing Board members to the planning process was held
in November 23, 1992 and the group then agreed to meet on the first Monday of each month to work on the
plan. A work schedule of public meetings held as part of the land use planning program was approved on
December 7.
At their first meeting, the Planning Board agreed that soliciting public input would be an important
goal of the planning process. The Town's 1981 Land Use Plan recommended that the Town conduct a public
survey every five years to provide citizen input for subsequent land use plan updates. No survey was
conducted in 1987 because of time and expense. The Planning Board prepared a citizen questionnaire and the
Planning Board personally attempted to encourage public participation. While many residents were willing
to discuss the issues with Planning Board members, only S responses were received of the 100 surveys available
for distribution. Word-of-mouth was perhaps the most effective communication method utilized to keep the
public informed. As issues arose, Planning Board members would informally contact local citizens involved
in those issues for information. Notices of Board meetings and anticipated topics were submitted to the
Washington Daily News.
The Planning Board and Town Council will be the primary groups through which public input will be
accepted as the planning program continues over the next five years. The Planning Board will continue to
meet monthly as needed to assist the Council in implementing the strategies for attaining policy objectives on
resource protection, production, and economic and community development proposed in the 1993 Land Use
Plan. Following the example of the current planning program, soliciting public input will be a primary goal
of all future planning endeavors.
The Planning Board and the Council recognize the importance of keeping the citizenry informed of
current planning concerns and of receiving the comments and concerns of local residents. Thus, the Town
has adopted the following policy objectives:
solicit citizen input In all planning decisions
advertise all Council and Planning Board meetings in the Daily News • emphasize that
citizens are invited and encouraged to attend all meetings dealing with planning
issues.
apprise the public of planning issues as they develop
report important planning and community development issues, decisions, and
developments to the Daily News; propose feature articles for especially important
issues.
33

LAND CLASSIFICATION

LAND CLASSIFICATION

V. LAND CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
The land classification system is a tool to identify the anticipated land uses within a planning area.
The land classification map, the culmination of the land use planning effort, designates specific areas for
certain types of development activities. It provides a uniform method of analysing how the planned use of
land interacts with environmentally sensitive areas during the development process of the Town. The land
classification system promotes an understanding of the relationships between various land use categories and
the need to develop policies to accommodate these relationships. The focus is to evaluate the intensity of land
utilization and the level of services required to support that intensity. According to the CAMA guidelines:
"The land classification system provides a framework to be used by local governments to identify the
future use of all lands. The designation of land classes allows the local government to illustrate their policy
statements as to where and to what density they want growth to occur, and where they want to conserve
natural and cultural resources by guiding growth." (7B.0204) (b)
The CAMA guidelines include seven general land use classifications for the land classification map:
Developed, Urban Transition, Limited Transition, Community, Rural with Services, Rural, and Conservation.
Their definitions are ranked according to the intended intensity of land uses within them. Areas classified as
"Developed" require the traditional level of services associated with urban areas. 'Transition" areas (both
"Urban Transition" and "Limited Transition") should include areas developing or anticipating development
which will eventually require urban services. Lower density areas which will not require services should be
classified as "Community". Areas classified as "Rural" should be reserved for low intensity uses such as
agriculture, forestry, mineral extraction and widely dispersed housing. Public water and sewer will not be
provided in rural areas except to avert health hazards. The purpose of the "Conservation" class is "to provide
for the effective long-term management and protection of significant, limited or irreplaceable areas". Public
or private services, like water and sewer, should not be provided in this land classification.
The seven land classifications and land classification map are intended to serve as a visual definition
of the policies stated in this plan. Only five of the possible classifications were deemed appropriate in the
Chocowinity planning area at this time, and they are discussed below. The changes identified are in response
to current events such as the extension of Town boundaries and the ETJ during the planning period, as well
as the potential impact of the Weyerhauser development proposal on Chocowinity Bay.
A. DEVELOPED
The Developed land classification is intended for continued intensive development and redevelopment
of urban areas. It includes areas already developed as urban in character and include mixed land uses such
as residential, commercial, industrial, institutional and other uses at high to moderate densities. Town services
including water, sewer, public roads and police and fire protection are provided within the Developed class.
In the planning area, the land located within the Town limits is classified as Developed. When the
alternative wastewater system is online,100 percent of the structures within this boundary will be served by
sewer service. Ninety-nine percent of the residents are provided water service.
B. URBAN TRANSITION
The Urban Transition class is categorized by the lands providing for intensive urban development
within the ensuing ten years. These areas will be scheduled for provision of water and sewer in the future.
They will also serve as the overflow sites for development when additional lands are needed to accommodate
growth. They will eventually become a part of the urban area.
The Urban Transition classification includes the area located in the eastern and southeastern sections
of Town nearest to the transportation routes, and currently used for agricultural land and light residential
34

development. Trends over the past five years have shown most of the Town's residential growth occurring in
scattered locations around the ETJ in proximity to Highway 33. Generally, these areas are reasonably well
suited for future development if water and sewer lines are extended. The land use analysis showed that the
soils within the transition areas are generally unsuitable for septic tanks. Portions of this area adjacent to
creeks will be floodprone.
In light of the Cypress Landing development proposal which will be located on Chocowinity Bay
outside the planning area, it is now anticipated that future development pressure will shift to the Highway 33
area south of Highway 17.
The relationship between the Developed and Urban Transition classes is important in a predominantly
rural area like eastern Beaufort County. Local land use planning efforts and public investments will be
targeted to the land within these classes. Available vacant land within the developed class should be
considered for development prior to using public dollars within to extend services to the transition classes.
C. LEMMI) TRANSITION
There are several areas in the Chocowinity Planning Area which have been classified as Limited
Transition. Because of the presence of a large mobile home park, the area formerly shown as "Transition"
to the west of Highway 17 in the southwest quadrant of the planning area was expected to experience the
greatest amount of development pressure in the 1987 Land Use Plan. Some new development has occurred
in this area, but not to the extent expected, so this area is being reclassified as Limited Transition.
Additionally, we expect that the Cypress Landing development may generate new development interest in
Chocowinity. While the major transportation corridors are being classified as Urban Transition, it is likely
that some low density residential development may be spawned in areas in the northeast quadrant of the
planning area, adjacent to the Conservation Classification, such as the pre-exisiting Cowpen Landing sub-
division at the mouth of Chocowinity Creek, or in other areas with limitations for development such as the
Gray Road area in the southeast quadrant of the planning area. The town is not opposed to such
development and will make every effort to help developers tap into any public service systems needed to
sustain low density development on the fringe of conservation areas.
D. CONMUNITY
The "Community" classification is usually characterizedby a small cluster of mixed land uses in a rural
area which do not require municipal services. It usually serves to meet the housing, light shopping,
employment and public services needs of a rural area. The Community classification typifies crossroads areas
along primary and secondary roads. In the Chocowinty planning area, there are no areas classified as
"community".
E. RURAL WITH SERVICES
There are no areas in the Chocowinity Planning Area which have been designated Rural with Services.
F. RURAL
The "Rural" classification is designed for undeveloped areas which may be used for low intensity,
non -urban uses. Urban services are typically not needed in the Rural class due to the dispersion of
development within these areas. Generally, these are lands identified as appropriate locations for agricultural
production, mineral extraction, or forestry activities, as well as noxious or large scale uses which are best
conducted in relative isolation. Areas with significant limitations to make development hazardous or
35

economically unfeasible should also be placed in the Rural classification.
Some of the land outside the town limits falls into this classification. Presently, this land is used for
agriculture and forestry activities, but is not restricted to these uses. Spillover development from the
transition and developed classes will be welcomed. The Town has no special restrictions on development in
this area.
G. CONSERVATION
The "Conservation" class provides for the effective long term management of significant, limited or
irreplaceable resources. This includes, as a minimum, all of the statutorily defined AECs. In Chocowinity,
this involves public trust waters, and forested wetlands. There are no estuarine waters or shorelines by virtue
of the fact that creeks in the planning area are inland waters. The boundaries include that portion of
Chocowinity Creek area shown as Conservation on the 1987 Land Classification Map as well as the wooded
swamp areas now included in the ETJ on either side of Highway 17 in the northeast section of the planning
area.
The Conservation class does not imply "non-use". It is intended to provide for careful and cautious
management of the uses allowed in it. Preservation, on the other hand, implies total restriction of all uses
in an effort to keep the natural environment intact. Through conscientious management, the Conservation
class requires all uses to be as unoffensive as possible. The intention of the Conservation class is to strike a
balance between careful long-term management of sensitive natural and cultural resources and the freedom
of landowners to utilize their property to its best use.
The Town of Chocowinity supports the State's restriction of uses in the Conservation class to uses
such as:
1. Water -oriented uses such as docks, piers, mooring pilings, bridges and bridge
approaches if shown not to cause a detriment to the AEC or Conservation lands.
2. Necessary utility service lines, such as water, sewer, electrical, natural gas, etc., when
demonstrated that the lines will not terminate on the land designated as
Conservation and the environmental integrity of the Conservation area will not be
violated.
3. Bulkheading, when construction of bulkhead can be conducted without significantly
altering the ecological system, and in compliance with existing federal, state and local
regulations.
4. Revetments, culverts, groins and navigational aids.
5. Marinas, provided that they are in compliance with size and water quality
requirements set by state.
36

RELATIONSHIP OF POLICIES AND LAND CLASSIFICATION
As required by the Coastal Resources Commission, this plan must discuss the manner in which the
policies developed in the Policy Statements section will be applied to each of the land classes. In addition,
an identification must be made of the types of land uses which are appropriate in each class.
DEVELOPED AND URBAN TRANSITION CLASSES
Recent trends have shown that most of the growth in the Chocowinity planning area is occurring in
the outer ETJ on the fringes of the Town limits. This is the area where basic services such as water, sewer
and community support services are available or might be feasible within the planning period. These classes
are designed to accommodate all intensive land uses, including residential, commercial, industrial, trans-
portation and community facilities. Hazardous or offensive uses, such as land application systems, electrical
generating facilities, airports, and noxious industries will not be permitted in these classes.
LIMITED TRANSITION CLASS
The Limited Transition Class has been identified to allow for low density residential development
which may come under pressure to convert from agricultural to urban uses over the ten year planning period
in areas adjacent to the sensitive Conservation Class. The Town's policies do not support random extension
of services but take a case -by -case approach to any such proposals.
RURAL CLASS
The rural class is the broadest of the land classes and is designated to provide for low intensity uses
including agriculture, forest management, and mineral extraction. Residences may be located within the rural
class where urban services are not required and where natural resources will not be permanently impaired.
Offensive land uses, such as land application systems and airports will be limited to this class. The Town's
policies do not discourage conversion of rural land to urban uses, and in fact, somewhat encourages the
transition. Prior to such conversion, the policies encourage the use of "Best Management Practices" to
mitigate the potential conflicts between urban and rural uses.
CONSERVATION CLASS
The Conservation Class is designed to provide for the effective, long-term management of significant
limited or irreplaceable areas including Areas of Environmental Concern. Development in the estuarine
system should be limited to uses such as piers, bulkheads, marinas, and other water -dependent uses (See
description of Conservation classification above). Policy statements under Resource Protection and Resource
Production and Management address Chocowinity's concern for development in fragile areas. The protection
of natural resources, is reflected in each policy statement, but the Town primarily relies on State and Federal
regulations for this protection.
37