CAMA Land Use Plan-1976

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Division of Coastal Management
COASTAL AREA MANAGEMENT ACT
LAND USE PLAN
TOWN OF LONG BEACH, NORTH CAROLINA

A
LAND USE PLAN
FOR THE.
TOWN OF LONG BEACH, NORTH CAROLINA
.Prepared in accord with
State Guidelines for Local Planning in the Coastal Area
Under the Coastal Area Management Act of 1974
Submitted To:
North Carolina Coastal Resources Commission
21 May 1976
The preparation of this report was financially assisted by grants from the
State of North Carolina, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
and the Coastal Plains Regional Commission.

NOTICE TO USERS
All major policy related maps and documents are either included within
the text or attached to the back of the plan. However, due to the expense
and technical limitations required for reprinting some illustrations may
be omitted. Complete copies are available for inspection at the N. C.
Coastal Resources Commission offices in Raleigh or at the local government
offices.

a
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
Purpose of a Land Use Plan
Method of Preparing the Plan
CURRENT CONDITIONS
Population and Economy
Population
Economy
Municipal Finance
Existing Land Use
Residential
Commercial
Public and institutional
Transportation
Current Plans and Regulations
Local Regulations
Current Plans and Policies
Constraints
Physical
Fragile
Community Service Facilities
ISSUES, OBJECTIVES AND STANDARDS
Major Issues and General Alternatives
Development Patterns
Storm Damage
Community Service Provision
Land Use Controls
Priorities for Public Service Facilities
Objectives and Standards
AREAS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN
Introduction
The Estuarine System
The Beach-Foredune System
Page Number
1-1
1-5
SECTION I
I-1
I-1
I-3
1-4
I-8
I-10
i-11
I-11
i-11
I-13
I-13
I-17
i-20
I-20
I-23
I-30
SECTION II
II-1
ii-3
II-4
II-6
II-9
II-11
ii-17
SECTION III
III-1
III-2
III-5
3

TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
i
Pave Number
Hazard Areas
III-5
Inlet Lands and Excessive Erosion Areas
III-6
Coastal Flood Plains
III-7
Public Trust Areas
III-7
FUTURE LAND USE
SECTION IV
The Demand for Land
IV-1
Factors influencing Growth
N-1
Accommodating Future Growth
IV-3
Land Classification System
IV-8
PLAN ADOPTION AND IMPLEMENTATION
SECTION V
Plan Adoption
V-1
Plan Implementation
V-4
Revision of Town Ordinances
V-4
Coordination of Permit -Letting Authorities
V-4
Related Planning Activities
V-6
Periodic Review and Revision of the Plan
V-7
REFERENCES CITED
VI-1
APPENDIX A: Public Participation Program
J

INTRODUCTION
u

a
PURPOSE OF A LAND USE PLAN IN NORTH CAROLINA COASTAL MANAGEMENT
The North Carolina Coastal Area Management Act of 1974 Zchapter
1284 1973 Session Laws (G. S. 113A7 (CAMA) established "....a coopera-
tive program of coastal area management between local and State
governments" whereby "Local government shall have the initiative for
planning."
Enactment of CAMA was based upon findings by the General
Assembly that
"Among North Carolina's most valuable resources are its
coastal lands and waters."
"the estuaries are among the most biologically pro-
ductive regions of this State and of the nation"
"an immediate and pressing need exists to establish a
comprehensive plan for the protection, preservation,
orderly development, and management of the coastal area
of North Carolina."
The CAMAestablishedthe following goals for the coastal area
management system.
"(1) To provide a management system capable of preserving
and managing the natural ecological conditions of the
estuarine system, the barrier dune system, and the
beaches, so as to safeguard and perpetuate their natural
productivity and their biological, economic and esthetic
values;
11(2) To insure that the development or preservation of the
land and water resources of the coastal area proceeds
in a manner consistent with the capability of the land
and'water for development, use, or preservation based
on ecological considerations;
11(3) To insure the orderly and balanced use and preservation
of our coastal resources on behalf of the people of
North Carolina and the nation;
t+'Tis—f.
6

"(4) To establish policies, guidelines and standards for:
(i) Protection, preservation, and conservation of
natural resources including but not limited to
water use, scenic vistas; and fish and wildlife;
and management of transitional or intensely
developed areas and areas especially suited to
intensive use or development, as well as areas of
significant natural value;
(ii) The economic development of the coastal area,
including but not limited to construction, loca-
tion and design of industries, port facilities,
commercial establishments and other developments;
(iii) Recreation and tourist facilities and parklands;
(iv) Transportation and circulation patterns for the
coastal area including major thoroughfares,
transportation routes, navigation channels and
harbors, and other public utilities and facili-
ties;
(v) Preservation and enhancement of the historic,
cultural, and scientific aspects of the coastal
area;
(vi) Protection of present common law and statutory
public rights An the lands and waters of the
coastal area."
The planning processes established by the CAMA include:
(a) State guidelines setting the objectives, policies and standards to be
followed in public and private use of land and water within the coastal
area; and (b) a land use plan for each county within the coastal area.
Following the procedures contained in the CAMA, the Mayor and
r
Board of Town Commissioners of Long Beach declared the intent of the Town
" to prepare a land use plan in accordance with State Guidelines for Local
Planning in the Coastal Area under the Coastal Area Management Act of
1974 (Guidelines) adopted by the North Carolina Coastal Resources on
January 27, 1975, as subsequently amended.
-an
7

The Guidelines mandate that each land use plan contain:
1) A statement of Local Land Use objectives, Policies and
Standards;
4 2) A Summary of Data Collection and Analysis;
3) An Existing Land Use Map;
4) A Land Classification Map;
5) Written text describing and indicating appropriate
development for Interim Areas of Environmental Concern.
A land use plan is one of many elements that constitute a
comprehensive plan for Long Beach. The land use plan expresses the way
the democratically elected representatives of the people think the
finite land area should be allocated to best meet the hopes and aspira-
tions of the people who live and pay taxes in a specific jurisdiction.
A land use plan can only be thorough when health care, education,
transportation, economic development, leisure time, and other components
of a comprehensive plan are tested against the people's goals and
objectives so they can be integrated into the land use element.
Long Beach's land use plan relies upon those data most readily
available and focuses upon the major emphases of the CAM&: development
within the capability of the natural resources. Other topics, such as
water and sewer, roads and streets, and employment are consistent with
issues raised by the public, but are peripheral to establishing a basis
for decision -making with respect to land.
It is Long Beach's intention to utilize the plan as a keystone
for all future town activity. The land use plan is a major step in
comprehensive planning for Long Beach. Matters such as zoning, building

a
codes, Town appearance, and beach maintenance can be based upon the
plan; policy issues, such as annexation, taxes, maintenance of water
quality, health care and employment are preliminarily identified for later
study and decision -making as elements of the Town's comprehensive
planning process.

a
METHOD OF PREPARING THE PLAN
The Long Beach land use plan was developed as an iterative process
among elected and appointed public officials, the public, and
professional resources specialists.
The iterative process: 1) Sampled public recognition of problems
and opportunities in general terms; 2) defined the known physical,
social, and institutional setting; 3) invited the public to participate
in matching problem solutions with the setting by defining objectives
and standards for the Town; 4) projected factors consistent with the
selected.Town goals and the physical restraints; 5) allocated land
according to the projected magnitude of demand and the physical charac-
terestics of the Town; and 6) used the inventory data developed in step
2 to delineate areas recommended as areas of environmental concern with
a list of suggested uses.
Coastal Resources Commission Guidelines emphasize the need to map
three sets of data: existing land use, land classified according to
projected use in 1985, and areas that will be recommended as interim
areas of environmental concern. These Long Beach data were mapped at
a scale of 1 inch = 400 ft. The basic map medium was an aerial photograph
mosaic prepared by Coastal Zone Resources Corporation from N. C. Department
of Transportation 1 inch = 1,000 ft photography taken in December 1974.
The air -photograph maps are easily reproducible and will serve as
a.useful public information tool. Additionally, the reproducible mosaic
is available for use as a base map to support other planning activities
and for implementation of the plan.

Data describing current conditions in the Town were assembled
from numerous federal, state and local government sources, as listed
in References Cited(p VI 1). Where more current or detailed infor-
mation than was available in publications was needed, personal com-
munications with representatives of the publishing agencies and
knowledgeable Town residents were used to complete the data collection
and analysis.
Details of Long Beach's public participation program are
contained in Appendix A.
The CAMA sponsored land use planning in the Town was coordi-
nated with comparable activities conducted by the Brunswick County
Planning Board. No major conflicts between the county and.municipal
plan have surfaced. If in the future, conflicts should arise, provi-
sions of the county plan shall govern except in cases where the
municipal plan imposes greater restrictions upon land use or greater
demands for new development.

SECTION I
CURRENT CONDITIONS
12

POPULATION AND ECONOMY
Population
Estimates of the current population of the Town of Long Beach are
r
` available from several sources; however, the various estimates differ
considerably. The population of Long Beach was reported to be 102 in the
• 1960 U. S. Census of Population; the 1970 population was reported as
493, an increase of 383 percent from 1960 to 1970 (U. S. Department of
Commerce 1973). The U. S. Department of Commerce (1973) estimated the
1973 Long Beach population to be 641, an increase of 30 percent from
1970 to 1973.
The State of North Carolina's Department of Administratidn (DOA)
makes yearly estimates of municipal populations for the purpose of
determining appropriate allocations of state funds. Both DOA and U. S.
Department of Commerce estimates are determined by use of standard
population projection methods based primarily on census data and extra-
polations of historical population growth trends. The DOA estimate of
1974 Long Beach permanent population is 800a, an increase of 62 percent
from 1970 to 1974.
In 1974, the Town of Long Beach conducted a count of all Town
residences in order to adopt a house numbering system. The total num-
ber of permanently occupied residences indicated in this count was
1,439; the total number of residences only seasonally occupied was 479b.
aFrancine Ewing, N. C. Department of Administration, Office of State
planning, personal communication, December 11, 1975.
bTown of Long Beach letter to Postmaster, Southport, North Carolina,
June 11, 1974.

The 1974 permanent population, based on 3.2 persons per residence, was
estimated to be 4,605a.
According to the above figures, the population of Long Beach in-
creased by 940 percent between 1970 and 1974. Town sources attribute
much of this growth to three major factors: 1) In the last few years,
Carolina Power and Light Company's Southport nuclear generating facility,
Pfizer Drug Manufacturing plant and a cosmetic factory located within
7 miles of the Town and many people entering the area as employees of
these firms chose to live in Long Beach; 2) The Town. is receiving an
influx of retirement people, many of whom bought lots and built houses
in the 1950's and are now settling in the Town permanently; and 3) A
large contingent of construction workers is associated with the building
industry, both in Long Beach and in surrounding areas, which has been
stimulated by the recent increase in'industrializationb.
The difference between the DOA and Town of Long Beach 1974 popu-
lation estimates amounts to 3,805 persons. Both DOA and Town sources
recognize the deficiencies of each's method of estimation. DOA pro-
jections ignore the impact of recent industrial location in the immediate
vicinity; the Town's evaluation of a residence's seasonal or permanent
occupancy is difficult to substantiate.
The Town, DOA.and Department of Commerce figures reflect only the
year-round population of the Town; no realiable estimate of seasonal
residency is available for years prior to 1973. According to the U. S.
aTown of Long Beach letter to N. C. Department of Administration, State
Planning Office, August 23, 1974.
bE. W. Morgan, realtor and former mayor; Clarence R. Morrison, realtor;
personal interview, May 21, 1975.
14

Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), the 1973 average summer weekday population
of Long Beach was 9,000 and the summer weekend -day population was 12,000
(U. S. Army Corps of Engineers 1973). There are no specific counts of 1973
seasonal population; the Corps estimates are based on values obtained
from recent water supply studies for the area as well as information
furnished by Town officials and local real estate agents. The Corps
evaluated the rates of development in Long Beach between 1961 and 1970
by comparing the number of residential and commercial structures appearing
on aerial photographs taken in those respective years. There were 389
structures in 1961 and 1,434 in 1970, an increase of 269 percent. But
as with the Town's survey of residential structures, the determination
of seasonal or permanent occupancy is difficult to make. .In addition,
the number of structures serving as single family residences as opposed
to duplexes cannot be determined from aerial photographs, nor can the
average number of persons occupying residential units.
The Town of.Long Beach recognizes the need for accurate population
information on which to base future population needs. The Town has con-
tacted the U. S. Bureau of the Census and is studying the feasibility
of conducting a Census survey in 1976.
Economy
occupations of most of the townspeople center around home building,
sale and maintenance, with .the construction industry accounting for
the largest portion of jobs. Approximately 1,500 - 2,000 residents
_ work in areas outside the Town, commuting mainly to the Carolina Power
and Light plant, various Brown and Root construction sites, and to
4"
!s-

Sunny Point; commercial fishing is also an important source of employ-
ment of permanent residents.
Additional job openings, especially for pier employees, waitresses,
store clerks, and motel operators are -created in summer. Unlike many
beach communities, however, the Long Beach economy does not rely on
tourism.. There is no bank in the Town and there are few professional
services such as doctor and law offices, but Long Beach commerce can
supply most of the day -today shopping needs for its residents. Adequate
grocery and variety stores, beauty and clothing shops are open year-
round and are supported.by local people.
Municipal Finance
The Long Beach Town Budget for fiscal year (FY) 1975-1976 is based
on a total estimated property valuation of $50,000,000 and a tax rate of
$.61 per $100 valuation. The propery valuation in FY 1971-1972 was
$8,572,000 and the tax rate was $1.20. The 483 percent increase in valu-
ation in the last four years is offset somewhat by the 49 percent de-
crease in the tax rate; ad valorem taxes (including back taxes and
penalties) produced a revenue of $105,700 in 1971 and $282yi000 in 1975.
Ad valorem taxes accounted for 47 percent of the General Fund
revenues in the 1971 budget and 61 percent in 1975. Intergovernmental
taxes, such as franchise, ABC, and local sales, are the second largest
source of revenue to the Town, 36 percent in 1971 and 27 percent in 1975.
Table 1-1 lists the sources of revenue in the General Fund Town Budgets
a for the two years, and the percent of total revenue produced..by-each
source.
The cost of general governmenta as a percent of total expenditures
aFor the purpose of analyzing community service finance, general govern-
ment includes all expenditures except those specifically cited here
as service facility expenditures.
16

Table 1-1. Long Beach General Fund Revenues. at
Fiscal Year
Fiscal Year
Source of Revenue
1975-1976
Total
1971-1972
8 Total
Ad Valorem Taxes
282,000
61
105,700
47
(including back taxes and penalties)
Other Municipal Taxes
8,375
2
6,100
3
(including privilege licenses, building
permit fees)
Intergovernmental Taxes
127,998
27
80,298
36
(including franchise, ABC, local
sales, etc.)
Federal -Law Enforcement b
32,066
7
0
0
Assistance Administration (LEAA) .
Water System
14,209
3
32,000
14
Total Revenue
464,648
100
224,098
100
aSource: Town of Long Beach (Adopted) Budgets; 1971, 1975.
bLEAA Grants not available in 1971.

Table 1-2. Long Beach General Fund Expenditures.a
Fiscal Year
Fiscal Year
Cause of Expenditure.
1975-1976
Total
1971-1972
8 Total
General Government
166,478
36
52,429
23
Police Department
174,485
38
45,055
20
Fire Department
13,283
3
9,550
4
(including rescue)
Streets
84,002
18
59,350
27
Health and Sanitation
8,875
1
37,525
17
(including solid waste collection and
-- mosquito control)
cP
Recreation
17,525
4
0
0,
Water Department
0
0
18,991
9
Total Expenditures
464,648
100
222,900
100
aSource: Town of Long Beach (Adopted) Budgets, 1971, 1975.
bFor the purpose of analyzing service expenditures, General Government includes all General Fund
Expenditures other than those listed above.
cThere was no Recreation Department in 1971
dIn 1975 Budget, a Water Fund is separate from General Fund.

has increased since 1971; expenditures for service facilities, except•
the police department, have decreased. Table 1-2 lists the General
Fund expenditures to service facilities and general government as
appear in the FY 1971-1972 and 1975-1976 Town Budgets. The largest
single expenditre in 1975 is allocated to the Police Department; 81
percent of that allocation is for salaries. Salaries and professional
services account for 45 percent of general government expenditures
Allocations for fire protection, street construction and main-
tenance, and health and sanitation have all increased since 1971 but
decreased as a percent of the total budget. It must be noted, however,
that the fire department (including the rescue squad) is a volunteer
organization, and as such requires no expenditures for salaries. Per-
sonnel involved in solid waste collection in 1975 are under the direction
of the head of the street department, and expenses for their salaries
are listed as street department expenses. Salaries actually accounted
for 50 percent of street expenses in 1975 and 79 percent of sanitation.
Overall, a comparison of the budgets for the two fiscal years
shows that the amount of revenue currently available as capital outlay
for future service facility expansion is limited. In the separate water
system budget, totalling $27,000 in FY 1975-1976, 38 percent of the ex-
penditures were contributed to the General Fund; only $291 were allocated
to capital outlay.
4PWE
(j

EXISTING LAND USE
The Town of Long Beach is located on Oak Island, on the southern
coast of Brunswick County. Oak Island is a narrow strip of land between
the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AIWW) and the Atlantic Ocean, stretching
virtually due east -west from the Cape Fear River to Lockwoods Folly
Inlet. The AIWW between the Cape Fear River and the Inlet is an 11 mile
long navigation channel with a minimum depth of 12 feet (ft) (low water
datum). Historic Fort Caswell (the North Carolina Baptist Assembly
Grounds) occupies the eastern tip of the island, with Caswell Beach and
Yaupon Beach located immediately to the west. The Town of Long Beach,
from its border with Yaupon Beach, covers the rest of the island, ex-
tending for 8 miles to the Lockwoods Folly Inlet.
Long Beach is located 5 miles ESE of Southport and 33 miles SE
of Wilmington, the population centers of an area formerly characterized
by farmland, but presently showing signs of industrialization. North of
Long Beach, in both Brunswick and New Hanover Counties, tourist and perma-
nent populations are increasing dramatically. Bald Head Island, the site
of a large new resort/residential development is situated in Brunswick
County across the Cape Fear River from Oak Island.
Long Beach is made up of beaches, dunelands, maritime forests,
fresh and salt water marshes, and longleaf pine -turkey oak forests. For
the purpose of physical description, the Town can be divided into four
sections: .
(1) The first section extends.from the eastern town.line, west
to 47th Street East. From south to north, this area consists of beach and
dunes, ' brackish marshes and ponds, longleaf pine -turkey oak forest, and
along the AIWW, salt water marshes and piles of dredged material. Between

the AIWW and East Yacht Drive, numerous small creeks and canals traverse
the salt marsh; between the dunes and the forest, a small ditch drains
the fresh water ponds. Development in these areas is limited to the
forest and dunelands, with only sparse use made of either of the marsh-
lands.
(2) Between 40th and 47th Streets East, there are virtually
no marshes, either in the north or south; the forest and beach areas
are extensively developed, with roads extending from the dunes to the
AIWW
•(3) The Big Davis Canala and marsh system begin at 40th
Street. North of the canal land is higher and forested, principally
with longleaf pine -turkey oak; immediately south of the canal, is marsh.
The marshland widens progressively westward to the inlet, separating
the development in'the beach area from that in the woods. On Middleton
Avenue, a bridge across the marsh and canal connects the beach and forest
areas. The Big Davis Canal, where sufficiently deep and wide, is used
for water transportation and fishing; the surrounding marshland is
virtually undeveloped at present.
(4) In the vicinity of Pine Island, the marsh/creek network
becomes more complex with the beginning of Montgomery Slough and Eastern
Channel flow westward. In the Pine Landing vicinity, Montgomery Slough
joins Eastern Channel, and the Lockwoods Folly River joins the AIWW;
all then flow out to sea through the Lockwoods Folly Inlet.
aBefore its dredging in the early 1960's, called Big Davis Creek.

The developed or improved land in Long Beach extends the full
length of the island and most of its breadth, with only limited areas,
principally marshland, remaining undeveloped at the present time. Presently,
90% of all new construction in Long Beach is occurring in the wooded areas
with most of the year-round population residing in the wooded area in the
eastern part of town.a Both the permanent and seasonal population densi-
ties decrease progressively westward; while permanent population density
is heavier in the larger, wooded areas of town,.the land area covered most
densely with houses is the first three rows of ocean front lots.
Residential
The existing zoning Ordinance of the Town of Long Beach recognizes
and defines several categories'of .land use within the Town limits. The
Residential Districts include the.bulk of the land area in'the Town,
especially along the beachfront and to the west of 64th Street East, and
permits single family and two-family dwellings. With the recommendations
of the Planning Board and special approval of the Town Commissioners, multiple
family dwellings may also be permitted in the Residential I District.
Limited to the eastern end of town is an area zoned Residential
II or Mixed Residential, in which, in addition to housing units, mobile
homes are permitted. This zone is bounded by the eastern town line and
64th Street East, Oak Island- Drive and East Yacht Drive.
`aE. W. Morgan, realtor and former Mayor, Clarence R. Morrison, realtor;
personal interview, June 25. 1975.
.2z

Commercial
The bulk of the Business District of Long Beach is located
along both sides of Oak Island Drive, between 47th and 65th Streets
East; between 46th and 52nd Streets East, there is.commercial land use
permitted on 2nd and 3rd row beach lots. There is some beach front
Business District located between 46th and 49th Streets East and three
other smaller areas of town zoned for commercial uses. Between 14th
and 16th Streets East and between 27th and 30th Streets East are two
commercial areas, both located around piers; at the NE corner of the
intersection of East Dolphin Drive and MiddletonAvenue, the site of
a proposed shopping center is zoned for commercial use.
The other Business District in the Town of Long Beach is
called Restricted Business and Office. There is only one block of this
District, located near the Town Hall, allowing for the operation of the
telephone office in Town.
Public and Institutional
The public and institutional land uses in Long Beach presently
occur within the Commercial zoning district. The Town Hall, City Garage,
Fire Department; Police Department, and Building Inspector's office ar
all located on Oak Island Drive. Behind the Town Hall is the Town's
public recreation center, Middleton Park, which contains 2 lighted tennis
courts, basketball.courts, and a regulation little league baseball field.
Transportation
There are three main roads running east -west through Long Beach.
Beach Drive provides access to the beach lots between 58th Street East
AS

and the western end of the beach strand, Oak Island Drive runs.through ,
the center of the island and the principal commercial district, from the
eastern town line to Pinner Point; Oak Island Drive provides access to the
inland lots and constitutes a thoroughfare the length of Town. Yacht
Drive forms a broad arc around Town as it runs along the AIWW, providing
access to the waterway lots and their related boating activities. The
principal street in Long Beach with a north -south orientation is Middleton
Avenue, which, with a bridge, connects the three main east -west roads.
Middleton Avenue provides the only land vehicular passage across the Big
Davis Canal and marsh.
In general, .land .uses now present in Long Beach have not resulted
In problems of compatibility; residential/recreation land use is supported
by commercial and institutional facilities. There are no agricultural,
industrial or forestry activities in.conflict with the above uses nor are
any foreseen in the future. Rather, land use problems beginning to
surface in the Town and likely to be augmented in the future involve
more the intensity of various uses, in particular a) the small amount
of commercial and institutional land zoned to support residential/re-
creation activities and b) the undetermined carrying capacity of the
Town's land, water and fiscal resources to accommodate increased land
uses.
40be
-24

CURRENT PLANS AND REGULATIONS
Existing Local Regulations Affecting Land Use in Long Beacha
Plumbing Code
. Effective Date: Not available
Application: For all plumbing installations or alterations
thereto within the corporate limits of the
Town of Long Beach.
Rummary of Provisions
1. Long Beach has adopted'the.North Carolina State Plumbing
Code by reference.
2. An installation fee is to be paid to Town Clerk.
3. Those performing plumbing installation or alteration
must be approved by a Plumbing Inspector.
Repair, Closing and Demoliton of Dwellings Unfit for Human
Habitation
Effective Date: May 21, 1966
Application: The corporate limits of the -Town of Long
Beach.
Summary of Provisions
1. Persons receiving complaint notices allowed to appeal.'
2. Owner may be required to repair, remove or demolish
structure.
3. Non-compliance allows for necessary action by public
officer.
a Source: Town of Long Beach Ordinance, no date.
;rQ

4. Code establishes minimum standards for health, safety
and morals of the Town of Long Beach.
Water System Ordinance
Effective Date: June 21, 1973
Application: All owners of improved property within
the corporate limits and upon or within a
reasonable distance of any water line:
owned and operated by the Town of Long,
Beach.
Provision .
Connection of premises with the Town's water system is
required.
Zoning Ordinance
Effective Date: July 17; 1975,
Application: within the corporate limits of the Town
of Long Beach. .
Summary of Provisions
1. In order to regulate and restrict building location,
height and size, yard and open space size, and density
of population, the Town of Long Beach is divided into
.7 zones.
a. 'Residential Districts 1, 2, 3, and 4.
b. Business District
c. Restricted Business and Office
d. Open Spaces
-3oi4
.26

2. Boundaries of each district are indicated on -the
"Zoning Map" of the Town of Long Beach.
3. A certificate of occupancy from the Building Inspector
must be received before land shall be used or occupied,
or building structurally altered or erected.
4. A Board of Adjustment is established for the purpose
of hearing appeals over decisions of the Building
Inspector and authorizing variances.
5. Applications for a building permit shall be accompanied
by a plat drawn to scale.
6. Requires application for permit from Planning Board before
subdividing or resubdividing.
7. Allows the Board of Commissioners the power to change
the boundaries or regulations herein or subsequently
established. ,
Subdivision Regulations for Long Beach, North Carolina
Effective Date: December 19, 1974 .
Application: All dXvisions.of parcels. -of land 2-.
acres -or larger.in.size into 3 or more
lots where a street right-of-way de-
dication is'involved within the
jurisdiction of Long Beach.
Summary of Provisions
1. Plat to be submitted for approval of Planning Board
must conform to specific requirements.
-Bows .
.27

2. Planning Board to review and take action on the
preliminary plat within 30 days after first considera-
tion.
3. Prior to approval of final plat, subdividers shall
have installed improvements specified or guaranteed
their installation as provided.
4. The final plat constitutes only that portion of the
preliminary plat proposed to be recorded and developed
at that time.
5. Final plats are reviewed by Planning Board. Town
Council then reviews plat and recommendations of the
Planning Board.
6. No construction permits.shall be issued nor town
services or facilities extended to subdivisions until
final plats are approved.
Flood Insurance Ordinance
Effective Date: December 30, 1974
Application: Within those incorporated areas of Long
Beach designated as Special Flood Hazard
Areas by the Flood Maps.
summary of Provisions
1. A building permit is required for any new construction
or substantial improvement of residential and non-
residential buildings in Special Flood Hazard Areas.

2. Requirements for Issuance of Permit - Residential
a. Lowest floor elevated to or above applicable
level of 100-year flood.
b. Assurance that the proposed construction shall be
designed and constructed so as to minimize flood
damage.
3. Requirements for Issuance of Permit - Non-residential
(same as for residential except that flood -proofing
may be substituted for elevation of first floor level)
4. In Coastal High Hazard Areas -Additional Requirements
a. All non -conforming uses on land below. the 100-
year flood level shall not be expanded.
b. Land shall not be developed unless the new con-
struction or substantial improvement shall be
located and designed so as to minimize impact of
abnormally high tides or wind driven waves.
Current Plans and Policies Concerning Land Use in Long Beach
Water and Sewer
1. Comprehensive Water and Sewer Plan - Region "0", Henry
Oesen and Associates, inc., for Cape Fear Council of
Governments, 1972.a
aRegion "0" includes Brunswick, Columbus, Pender and New Hanover Counties.

Recommendation
(A proposed water treatment plant and system located
near Southport would initially provide finished water
for the Town of Long Beach.)
2. Inventory of Facilities - Regional Water Supply and
Wastewater Disposal Study, Wiggins -Rimer and Associates
for Cape Fear Council of Governments, 1973.
Conclusions
a. The Town of Long Beach is in the process of
securing Farmers' Home Administration financing to
expand its water system to serve all its residents.
b. Long Beach is not at this time in the process of
developing public sewage facilities.
c. Continued growth in the area will require a rational,
regional approach to solving wastewater disposal
problems.
Transportation
1. Regional Development Guide Year 2000 - Region "O", Cape
Fear Council of Governments, June 1972.
Recommendations
a. The improvement and extension of US 17 through the
Region.
b. Development of connector linking all Brunswick
County beaches and tieing-in.both ends with US 17.
2. Transportation Needs Study - Region "0", Traffic
Planning Associates, Inc., for Cape Fear Council of

Governments, 1971.
Recommendations
a. Provide a limited access facility generally
parallel to the coast serving the recreation
and population center.
b. From above facility, provide additional con-
nections to the major beaches and inland re-
creation areas with high type secondary roads.
There are no utilities extension or open space and recreation policies in
effect in Long Beach.
90*#
31

Physical
CONSTRAINTS
There are certain areas of Long Beach where development would be
either especially costly or likely to cause undesireable consequences
because of the inherent characteristics of the land and water. The
permeability of soils, their susceptibility to flooding, and their biologi-
cal productivity can and have exerted influence upon the choice of land
areas that can most economically, and with the least risk and uncertainty,
be put to various uses.
Flooding
The U. S. Geological Survey (USGS) and Corps, under U. S. Flood
Insurance Administration contracts, are mapping Flood Prone Areas. The
purpose of these maps, as stated on each map, is to "show administrators,
planners and engineers concerned with future land developments, those
areas that are subject to flooding." The flood prone areas shown on these
maps have a 1 in 100 chance on the average of being inundated during any
year. Flood Prone Area maps have been completed by USGS to date at 1"=2,000'
scale for only a limited part of Long Beach.
The Corps has conducted a'study of storm flood levels in the
Long Beach area in order to assess the need for flood protection measures.
According to the Corps, a storm with an occurrence frequency of once in
100 years will produce a surge level of approximately 12.50 ft msl (U. S.
Army Corps of Engineers 1973).
There are a few developed areas of the Town that are subject to
ponding during periods of heavy rains; in some cases soil conditions are
lumb
3a

such that percolation and heavy runoff are seasonally very slow; in other
cases, poor alignment of streets and roads results in low spots that
collect and hold water. For example, there are parts of Beach Drive, par-
ticularly between 40th and 20th Streets West and around 46th Street East,
where improper road construction causes ponding.
Soils
According to the U. S. Soil Conservation Service (SCS) General
Soil Map for Brunswick County (1969), there are three soil associations
present within the Town of Long Beach, each with its particular charac-
teristics and degrees of suitability for various purposes. The Coastal
Beach -Dune Sand Association is found in the dunelands in Long Beach,
extending inland for various distances along the coast. Deposited by both
existing and past wind and water action, this soil is often found
forming inland sand dunes and ridges as well as foredunes. It is a fine
to coarse sand, excessively drained, with varying amounts of marine life
deposits. The sands of the Coastal Beach -Dune Sand Association, princi-
pally because of their rapid drainage, are classed as having moderate
to severe limitations for septic tanks because of their frequent inability
to filter wastewater in large quantities, particularly as found in areas
of high population density. Further limitations of these soils are usually
associated with their proximity to the ocean and susceptibility to flooding.
The Capers Marsh (fresh and salt) Association, characteristically
very poorly drained and subject to frequent storm and tidal overflow, is
found in several locations in Long Beach. This association is formed by
both the deposition of silts, sands, and clays in the slowly moving waters
of the estuary and by the build-up of organic debris that is entrapped by
vegetation growing in it. The wetness and regular flooding of the Capers
soils render them generally unsuitable for septic tank fieldsi the Capers

soils also tend to have low traffic supporting capacity so they are poorly
suited to support buildings, roads, and streets.
The third soil association found in Long Beach is the Lakeland-
Rimini-wagram, consisting of sand or loamy sand surfaces with sand to
sandy clay loam subsoils. The soils of this association are found under-
lying relatively high forested (or formerly forested) areas of the town,
and vary from well to excessively well drained. The limitations of this
association for septic tanks tend to be severe only in instances where a
high water table forms a water supply; in this case, contamination of
that water supply could easily result. There are moderate limitations
to use of these soils for foundations due to the moderate bearing strength
of the Lakeland soils.
Land in Long Beach is virtually level. Slopes exceeding 12.
percent are confined to dunelands and should not in themselves represent
a contraint on development.
Sources of Water Supply
Groundwater comprises the sole source of water supply for both
public and private water systems in Long Beach. The most important
groundwateraquifer'in the area is the Castle Hayne limestone formation.
which lies south of Route 17 in Brunswick County and east of the Lock
woods Folly River (Wiggins -Rimer and Associates 1973). Water levels in
the Castle Hayne range from 15-25 feet below the surface with wells in
it yielding up to 250 gallons per minute (Wiggins -Rimer and Associates
1973). According to the study, recharge to the Castle Hayne in this
area is accomplished directly by rainfall; therefore, water supplies
would be easily subject to contamination from the surface.
IMM
3�

Fragile a
Wetlands
Within the Town of Long Beach there are numerous creeks,
channels and ponds which, with their adjacent marshlands, comprise
valuable brackish and saltwater wetland areas. By virtue of the AIWW
and Lockwoods Folly inlet, the flow of all the creeks and channels
in Long Beach is interconnected to'a certain degree. For the purpose
of description, however, the wetland areas can be divided into four
sections, three saline systems and one brackish.
In southeastern Long Beach, a brackish pond and marsh system
otcure immediately behind the frontal dunes, from 58th Street East
across the Yaupon Beach town.line. The ponds are drained by a small
canal which flows westward into the Big Davis Canal. The overall wet-
ness of the pond area, its susceptibility to overwash from the ocean, and
the high erosion rates of the beaches in this area have probably con-
tributed to its present undeveloped status. The pond area is important
to the Town both for the prime waterfowl habitat it provides and for
its potential value as a natural scenicrecreation resource.
The three remaining wetland areas of Long Beach are saline .
marshes and tidal flats characterized by the very poorly -drained Capers
soil and dominant vegetation of marsh grasses
For the purpose of better defining their significance, tidal
marshes can be divided into two categories; low tidal and high tidal
allo complex natural areas, areas sustaining remnant species or unique
geologic formations, registered natural landmarks, archeologic or
historic sites have been identified in Long Beach.
Inds
35-

fined as that consisting primarily of
Spartina alterniflora and usually subject to unundation by the normal
rise and fall of lunar tides (N. C. Coastal Resources Commission 1975).
The particular significance of the low marsh is based on its high yield
to the estuarine waters of organic detritus, which serves as a primary
food source for various species of finfish and shellfish, such as
-menhaden, shrimp, flounder, oysters, and crabs. The roots and rhizomes
of Spartina alterniflora serve as waterfowl food, and the stems as wild-
life nesting material. Low tidal marshes also help to retard shoreline
erosion (N. C. Coastal Resources Commission 1975).
High tidal marshland is subject to occasional flooding by tides,
including wind tides, and is characterized by a variety of marsh grasses,
including Juncus roemerianus and various species of Spartina. The high
marshes also contribute to the detritus supply of the estuarine system
and support a diversity of wildlife types, they function as effective
sediment traps and as a further deterrent to shoreline erosion.
The Elizabeth River -Dutchman Creek -Dennis Creek estuarine
complex extends from the extreme northeastern end of Long Beach to the
south and west of Southport. This complex is characterized by oyster .
flats, worm and clam flats, and highly productive low salt marsh which
contributes significantly to the food base of many types of estuarine
communities (U. S. Army Corps of Engineers 1973).
Beginning at 40th Street East and extending westward to
Montgomery Slough, the Big Davis Canal estuary separates the wooded
residential areas of Long Beach from the ocean front lots. The Big
Davis system is characterized by both low and high marsh species in-
cluding small shrubs along its southern boundary.
36

The Big Davis Canal estuary grades into the Montgomery Slough -
Eastern Channel-Lockwoods Folly Inlet estuary complex in the vicinity of
Pinner Point. Eastern Channel is shallow and deposited mud and sand form
a plug restricting water movement into and out of the channel area; as a
result, the sands and muds are often exposed at low tide (U. S. Army
Corps of Engineers 1973). Montgomery Slough is deeper, with a network of
shallow tidal creeks and wide areas of what the study calls ".cordgrass
marsh." The slough area is classified as a primary nursery area by the
State of North Carolina Division of Commercial and Sports Fisheries,
signifying that the area is never opened to commercial fishing because
of potential danger to estuarine resources (U. S. Army Corps of Engineers
1973). The Lockwoods Folly Inlet area is characterized by broo dxpanses
of mud flats, exposed at low tides and covered by intertidal oysters and
broad expanses of regularly flooded low salt marsh.
Portions of the Lockwoods Folly Inlet, Montgomery Slough, and
the Big Davis Canal estuaries are controlled by the State of North Caro-
lina as Oyster Management Areas. The state regularly places shell in
this area to furnish suitable "attachment material" for oysters (U. S.
Army Corps of Engineers 1973).
Estuarine waters
The estuarine waters that surround the coastal wetlands in
Long Beach are some of the most productive natural environments in the
area and support many finfish and shellfish species for all or part of their
life cycles. According to the statuatory definition, estuarine waters in
North Carolina include all of the waters of the Atlantic Ocean within
its boundaries, and all the waters of the bays, sounds, rivers, and tribu-
taries thereto seaward of the dividing line between Commercial Fishing
20M
37

Waters and Inland Fishing Waters; the dividing line between these waters
has. been established for each body of water by agreement between the N. C.
Department of Conservation and Development (now DNER) and the N. C.
Wildlife Resources Commission LG. S. 113-229(n)(217. All of the surface
waters in Long Beach are within Commercial Fishing Waters and, as such,
are designated estuarine waters of North Carolina.
Public Trust Areas
The State of North Carolina supports the traditional public rights
of access to and use of lands and waters designated Public Trust Areas for
purposes, such as navigation, fishing,and recreation. Public Trust Areas
include estuarine waters, navigable water bodies to their "ordinary" high
water marks, and all lands beneath these waters. The state allows
appropriate private development within Public Trust Areas, provided the
development is not detrimental to public trust rights.
J
Ocean Beaches.'
Long Beach has approximately eight miles of ocean shoreline with
an average beach width of 66 ft (U. S. Army Corps of Engineers 1973). The
ocean beahces consist of unconsolidated soil material without vegetative
covering; they are characteristically of a larger soil particle size and
lower slope than the adjacent sand dunes into which they grade. The
character of the sand deposits on ocean beaches is dynamic in nature, re-
sponding to fluctuations in the forces which cause their deposition and
erosion. Tidal action, littoral currents, and storms cause a continual
movement of sand both along the beach and between the dunes and deeper
ocean waters. The resultant changes in beach morphology cause the shoreline,
theoretically demarking the confluence of land and water, to shift to the
point of being virtually undefineable.
According to the Corps, the shoreline from 58th Street East to
the Yaupon Beach town line is characterized by an absence of back shore
1VOG
Sal

dunes and a high degree of shore erosion; between Lockwoods Folly inlet
and 58th Street East, the dune line is hummocky, offering some degree of
shore protection.
The ocean beaches are the most valuable natural recreational
resource in Long Beach, and are extensively utilized as such. The Corps
(1973) estimated 1973 average summer daily beach use in Long Beach to be
6,300 visitor days on weekdays, 8,400 on weekend days, with a total
annual visitor demand of 825,930.
Sand Dunes
Sand dunes are valuable both for their esthetic appeal and for
the protection they afford the beach and the land behind them. Where
stabilized by vegetation, a foredune can act as a temporary buffer to
the erosive effects of storm wave action. For the most part, however, dunes
are relatively unstable land features over time and as such, are hazardous
areas.for the location of permanent structures.
in August 1970, the Corps of Engineers surveyed Long Beach
and produced a topographic map with a 2 ft contour interval at 1"=400'
scale; from this map, the height and condition of the foredunes along the
Town's beach can be compared. At the southeastern edge of Long Beach, near
Lockwoods Folly Inlet, the foredunes are irregular (do not form a distinct
duneline) but from 14-22 ft above msl. From this area to the Long Beach Pier,
the irregularity continues but heights are generally 10-14 ft above msl,
with only isolated dunes rising to 20 ft above msl. A distinct but low
foredune line begins near the Long Beach Pier and continues to the vicinity
of the Ocean Crest Pier; a distinctive duneline appears again between 29th
low

and 58th Streets East. Along the remainder of the Long Beach coast,
the foredunes are low and irregular, with virtually no dune development
between 58th Street East and the Yaupon Beach town line.
Excessive Erosion Areas
"Storm erosion of beaches and dunes of the North Carolina coast
has always occurred, but it has not been a serious economic problem until
recently when increased development of beach front property has taken
place" (Knowles et al 1973). Knowledge of the patterns of coastal erosion
is essential to the safe and productive development of a coastal region.
The continual erosion and accretion occurring along a beach
result in a gradual change in the location of both the high water and
dune lines over time; excessive erosion and accretion, as accompany large
storms, can affect a change in the location of these lines very rapidly.
In the course of a large storm, great quantities of beach and dune sand
can be eroded from a site and replaced by subsequent accretion, with no
net erosion resulting. Structures situated on these sands, however, once
removed, are seldom replaced intact. Planning for safe development of
beach front property must take into account both long term erosion trends,
established from historical records, and the probability of extensive
shorter term erosion losses predictable by scientific study.
A study of erosion and accretion rates on the Long Beach shoreline
between 1938 and 1972 reports net accretion of the duneline occurring
between 1966 and 1972, but net erosion of the dune and high water lines
over the total 34 years. Table 1.3 compares recent with long term rates
of change in Long Beach.
Mu"
40

Table 1-3. Mean annual rates of change (feet per year), 1938-1972a in
Long Beach.
1966-1972 1938-1972
High water line 0.4 erosion 0.9 erosion
Dune line
2.3 accretion 0.6 erosion
a Source: Wahls, H. E., 1973. A survey of North Carolina Beach Erosion
by Air Photo Methods, North Carolina State University Center
for Marine and Coastal Studies, Raleigh.
The Corps (1973) reports a current average shore recession in
Long Beach of 3.6 ft per year. The Corps study divides the Long Beach
shoreline into the following two sections: Section I - Lockwoods Folly
Inlet east to 58th Street East, a distance of 37,200 lineal ft; Section
II - 58th Street East to the Yaupon Beach town line, a distance of 6,400
lineal ft. The beach area lost to erosion annually averages 3.074 acres
in Section I and .529 acres in Section II.
The amount of dune erosion that will take place during a storm
of a given frequency depends on several factors, primarily the storm surge
level, the height and massiveness of the dune, and the distance of the dune
from the mean water line (Knowles et al 1973). In Long Beach, the calculated
recession from the toe of the dune during a storm with an expected frequency
of once in 25 years is approximately 142 ft (Knowles et al 1973).
S0M
40

Erosion and accretion occur normally along the shorelines of
estuarine marshland in Long Beach, but generally to a much lesser degree
.than along its beaches. Erosion in the channels and along the AIWW
is often accelerated by the wake of motor boats; accretion in these
waters is accelerated when sands and silts, carried by streams from the
mainland, settle out in the calmer waters of the sounds. Costly bulk -
heading of canal front property and maintenance of navigation channels is
often required for developments in these areas.
Community Service Facilities
The provision of community service facilities in Long Beach is
complicated by several factors. Geographically Oak Island is isolated
from the rest of Brunswick County, being connected to the mainland only
by the Oak Island Bridge. The bulk of Brunswick County is rural, with
isolated areas of industrial growth and urbanization. County -wide
community facility planning must.take into account the needs of the
majority of the county; county -wide facilities are generally centered
around the larger urban and industrial centers. Recommendations for a
county -wide solid waste collection and disposal system (Cape Fear Council
of Governments 1972) virtually ignore the needs of the Oak Island communi-
ties and suggest collection routes that do not cross the Oak Island
Bridge. A County waterline extends south to the bridge, but dead ends
without crossing the waterway. The Brunswick County School and health
systems serve island residents, but schools, hospitals and clinics are
all located on the mainland.
lag*
Z( )-

Oak Island is approximately eleven miles long; Long Beach extends
for eight miles. The major concentrations of both permanent population
and commercial activity are located in the eastern part of town; the
extension of municipal services to these areas presents few problems.
But there is permanent and seasonal residential and commercial development
throughout the western part of the Town at densities often too low to
make the delivery of services cost effective. The length of the Town
requires the maintenance of two fire stations in order for all parts of
the jurisdiction to be within the required three road miles from a
station. Solid waste collection equipment must make long rounds in order
to serve outlying areas of population.
The substantial seasonal changes in the Town's population cause
additional problems in the planning, distribution and maintenance of Town
services. Water and sewer facilities must be designed to serve a peak
population in summer, but serve,•most of the year, a smaller year round
population. Equipment required for the operation of fire and police pro-
tection and solid waste collection is too costly to let stand idle in
winter months, but must be sufficient in number to handle increased use in
summer.
Solid Waste
Solid waste collection in Long Beach is conducted by the Town;
the landfill for solid waste disposal is operated by Brunswick County. The
1974 N. C. Department of Human Resources "Rules and Regulations... for
Solid Waste Disposal" require that vehicles or containers used for the
AM*
Zia

collection and transportation of garbage be covered, leakproof, durable
and of easily cleanable construction. The Long Beach Sanitation Depart-
ment operates three compactor -type trucks (two side loaders and one rear
end loader) all of which meet those regulations. Sanitation Department
personnel include five men who pick up garbage house to house twice each
week.
The location of the landfill, approximately eight miles north of
Oak Island, requires long drives to the disposal site in addition to the
distance traveled throughout the Town. The increased population in
summer necessitates additional trips to the landfill to dispose of in-
creased solid waste loads.
In 1975 approximately $40,000 of the General Fund was allocated
to the Sanitation Department; 79 percent of that allocation went for
salaries, 9 percent for capital outlay and the rest for operations,
maintenance and repair. The future solid waste collection needs for Long
Beach cannot yet be estimated; few records of solid waste volumes have
been kept in the area either on a total or per capita basis. If the
long Beach Sanitation Department were to keep accurate records of volumes
it collects (in both summer and winter months), future solid waste collec-
tion needs could be established and planned for.
Fire Protection -Emergency Rescue
Fire protection in Long Beach is provided by the Long Beach
Volunteer Fire Department. The Department is funded by an annual appropriation

($600) from the County, annual allocations from the Town General Fund
($13,286 in 1975) and fund raising projects sponsored by the volunteers.
Town allocations are used for the purchasing of equipment, utilities and
gas; County and fund raising projects provide for the upkeep on equipment
and buildings. The Town owns all equipment; the Department controls its
use.
The Fire Department serves the whole municiple jurisdiction by
means of two fire stations; both are located on Oak Island Drive, one
between 46th and 47th Streets East, the other between :Ast.and 2nd Streets
East. Fire calls (and.rescue squad calls) ring emergency phones in 26 homes
of volunteers and set off a siren system that can be heard throughout the
Town.
The Long Beach Fire Department personnel are all (33) volunteer,
pledged to duty at a moment's notice. Fire equipment includes a 1971 Ford
with a 1000 gallons per minute (gpm) pump and 750 gallons tank; a 1957 211
ton firetruck with a 500 gallons tanks and 500 gpm pump; and a 1943
International 232 ton military truck with a 1200 gallons tank.a All equip-
ment is reported to be in good condition.
The Long Beach Volunteer Fire Department has been given a fire
protection insurance rating of 9A by the'North Carolina Fire Insurance
Rating Bureau. According to the Cape Fear Council of Government's
Alternatives for Improving Fire Protection in Region 10111 (1974), it is
aJohn Berry, Town Manager, Personal Communication, list of Fire Department
Equipment.
NOW
1/5`

the Town's lack of an adequate water system that prevents the Department
from receiving a better rating. The existing public water system covers
only the first three blocks of beach front property. There are eight
hydrants in the beach area connected to 4 inch water pipes, but there are
no pipes or hydrants in high value business districts.a The expansion of
the municipal water system to serve the whole Town could provide better
fire protection to the townspeople, thereby lowering the insurance rating
and the cost of insurance premiums.
The Long Beach Volunteer Rescue squad is operated in conjunction
with the Fire Department. Rescue Squad equipment includes a 1974 Dodge
van ambulance, a 1969 Chevrolet ambulance, and a 1968 Oldsmobile 4-wheel
drive ambulance. In addition, the Town maintains a 16 ft.flat bottom
fiberglass motorboat,. a 1948 military jeep, and a 1963 Willis (civilian)
jeep. Rescue Squad equipment is capable of handling water related emer-
gencies, such as drowning and boating accidents, as well as land
emergencies; but there are no doctors practicing in the Town and emergency
victims must be taken to Southport.
Police Protection
Police protection and law enforcement in Long Beach is one of
the Town's most costly services. General Fund allocations to the Police
Department in 1975 amounted to 38 percent of the total General Fund
expenditures. The financial assistance provided by the Law Enforcement
Assistance Administration (LFAA) in 1975 alleviated some of the pressure
a Town of Long Beach "Report of Fire Conditions" to the Commissioner of
Insurance, Raleigh, N. C., 1975.
46

on the Town budget; LEAA appropriations totalled $32,066, or 18 percent
of the Police Department Expenditures. Salaries account for 81 percent
of the Police Department budget; auto supplies and capital outlay for
equipment are the next two major expenses.
The Long Beach Police personnel include 10 patrolmen year round
with 3 auxiliary officers hired in the summer tourist season. Police
force equipment includes 5 patrol cars;' 3 marked and 2 unmarked.
Water and Sewer
In order to make an "Inventory of Facilities --Regional Water
Supply and Wastewater Disposal Study," Wiggins -Rimer and Associates (1973)
sent questionnaires to municipalities in Region 'O' concerning water
supply and sewage treatment facilities. The report indicates the reply
to the questionnaire'from the Town of Long Beach was incomplete.
The Town of Long Beach has four wells with a combined pumping
capacity of .81 million gallons per day (mgd). The wells are: number 1
at 39th Street East and East Ocean Hwy., numbers 3 and 4 at Middleton
Avenue and East Ocean Hwy., and number 2 at 27th Place West and Pelican
Drive. Well number 1 is a six inch well, 181 ft deep, with a pumping
capacity of 150 gpm; number 2 is a six inch well, 145 ft deep, with a
150 gpm capacity; number 3 is an eight inch well, 165 ft deep, with a
200 gpm capacity; and number 4 is an eight inch well, 165 ft deep, with a
175 gpm capacity. Mains from the wells to the beach area are 8 inches in
diameter; lines running along the beach front are 4 inches.a
aJohn Berry, Town Manager, Personal Communication, map provided.
iV=
4?

The water system currently serves only the first three blocks
of beach front development; there are approximately 500 connection to
the water system. There are no water meters to monitor total flows or
individual water usage, thus neither average nor peak summer water con-
sumption is known.
In 1975 CZRC made a count of residential buildings in the Town;
results of the count show a total of 2,273 residential structures. The
total number of water using public and business structures such as
restaurants, shops and marinas is not known. It can nonetheless be
assumed that only about 20 percent of the Town's buildings are connected
to the public water system; the remaining 80 percent rely on private water
supplies from individual wells.
According to Wiggins -Rimer and Associates (1973), there are
adequate quantities of ground water in the area but some problems with
high iron and calcium content have been encountered. The inadequacy of
the public system is a problem in fire protection; a lower insurance
rating could only be achieved by extension of the system to serve the
whole town.
There are no public waste water disposal facilities in Long
Beach; sewage disposal is achieved by individual subsurface disposal_
methods, either septic tanks or privies. Soil conditions vary in the
Town from the wetness and high water table characteristic of the Capers
soil, to the excessive drainage of the Newhan sands, to the Lakeland-
Rimini-Wagram soils underlying the higher forested areas of Town. The
y'�

suitability of these soils for septic tanks differs in different locations,
but ultimately depends everywhere on population density. The soils in
Long Beach overlie the shallow water table aquifers from which some drinking
water supplies are drawn; contamination of these water supplies is a
serious potential problem.
There are currently few problems with water supply or surface
water contamination in Long Beach. Population density throughout most of
the Town is still relatively low, and little development at all has occurred
on the highly unsuitable Capers soils. The continued use of septic
ta�ks,on small lots, however, will in the future create overloaded condi-
tions.
Recreation
The beaches and waterways in Long Beach constitute the principal
recreation facilities of the Town. Waterfront land is in private ownership
but public access to the waterways and beaches is provided by the Town.
There are 44 N-S streets whose dedicated rights -of -way extend to the high .
water line of beaches; there are approximately.750 ft between each right-of-
way providing ready access to the public. The Town maintains three boat
ramps on the waterway providing both pedestrian and boat access to
waterway recreation activities.
There is currently one municpally owned recreation area in the
Town, Middleton Park, located behind the Town Hall. Park facilities
include two lighted tennis courts, basketball courts and a lighted regula-
tion "Little League" baseball field. In September 1974, H. A. Templeton, Jr.,
f-jor
4j

representing National Development Corporation in a special meeting of
the Town Board of Commissioners, offered as a gift to the Town a 165
acre tract of marshland to be used for park development. The tract of
land is bounded on the east by 40th Street East, on the west by
Middleton Street, on the north by Big Davis Canal, and on the south by
the southern boundary of the marshline. Tentative plans for the marsh-
land area call for development of an open "salt marsh museum" of marine
and aquatic life, and construction of foot bridges across the marsh
for views of natural marsh habitat. The deed to the property has not yet
been transferred to the Town, and development of the park area,is not
yet underway.
In 1974 the Town of Long Beach established a Recreation Depart-
ment; previously, the development of public recreation facilities was
operated by volunteers interested in developing year round recreational
activities. In 1975, budget allocations to the Recreation Department
constituted four percent of the total General Fund Expenditures. Fifty-
nine percent ($10,300) of the Recreation Department expenditures for the
year is allocated for capital outlay; 12 percent for slaries (lifeguards).
(No Areas with Resource Potential as defined in the CRC
Guidelines have been identified in Long Beach.)

SECTION II
ISSUES, OBJECTIVES AND STANDARDS
.J (

MAJOR ISSUES AND GENERAL ALTERNATIVES
The permanent population of Long Beach increased by 383 percent
between 1960 and 1970, and probably more between 1970 and 1974.
No comparable estimates of the increase in vacationing residents
is available, but the tremendous growth in tourism throughout the
North Carolina beach areas between 1960 and 1975 would suggest high
growth rates of seasonal population as well.
Long Beach was originally developed as a summer resort area. Until
recently, the lack of employment bases, the relative inaccessibility of
the town, and the limited community services have precluded substantial
year-round residency. The seasonal nature of vacation activities con-
tinues to produce a much higher summer population; but in the last few
years, Long Beach has also become the permanent residence of many
people employed in nearby industries and of retired persons who formerly
just visited in summer.
There are now three distinct segments of the Long Beach population -
younger family units, retirees, and vacationers -- each of which has
differing interests in the future of the town. As the population of
the town has increased, so has the need for public services such as
solid waste collection and police and fire protection, and for commer-
cial support facilities such as shopping areas, restaurants and motels.
But the public and commercial service facilities desired by the dif-
ferent segments of population often differ both in kind and extent.
The town's financial and human resources are under constant pressure
to keep pace with the increasingly diverse needs of its populace.
-enema
6i�L

Questionnaires were distributed throughout the town (see Appendix
A) to appraise local views of major problems, needs and objectives.
There was substantial concensus of opinion on the principal attractions
of the town; it is the recreation resource value of the beaches and
waterways, the uncrowded living conditions, and open space that draw
people to Long Beach. But the increase in demand for living space has
put increasing pressure on the town's physical resources to absorb more
intense land use. Roadways have been carved out of woodlands, shrub
and grass vegetation removed to accommodate construction, and soils in
some areas pushed close to the limit of their ability to filter waste-
water. The esthetic and recreational value of the beaches and water-
ways have suffered from, increased use, with resultant beach litter,
dune damage, and channel erosion and siltation. Economic losses have
been incurred as well - privately in the form of beach front property
losses and publicly in the form of reconstruction of roads - as a re-
sult of development situated in areas prone to damages from erosion and
storms.
The development industry of Long Beach has responded to the in-'
crease in demand over the years with the subdivision of large parcels of
land into small lots. Most land use problems that have occurred in Long
Beach, such as the loss of property to erosion, the obstruction of
navigation channels by siltation, and extensive hurricane damages, are
the direct result of attempts to develop the existing land surface beyond
its inherent capacity for that development. Development does not cause
hurricanes, erosion or siltation; but inappropriate development acti-
vities can accelerate the damage caused by these natural phenomena and

create new problems such as overcrowding, contamination of water supplies,
and the general degradation of the natural resources on which the town
is based.
Develorment Patterns
The grid road pattern developed throughout the town, and the sub-
division of virtually all the developable land into rectangular lots
have been and will continue to be the major determinants of land use in
Long Beach. There are presently a total of 12,274 platted lots (11,825
zoned residential and 449 commercial) within the 7.3 square mile juris-
diction. Many lots in each of the many subdivisions have already been
sold to private individuals. Lots sold may not yet be built upon; but
their separate individual ownership limits the town's ability to change
the direction of development even though problems with the existing
development pattern are recognized.
Some of the problems Long Beach now faces could perhaps have been
avoided with more careful planning for the growth which has occurred.
Long Beach development began in the early 1940's with the construction
of Beach Drive and single family cottages on the beach front. By the
early 1950's, Beach Drive was extended westward to Lockswood Folly Inlet
and several rows of cottages were situated along the shore. The natural
foredune line is poorly developed in most areas and has been charac-
terized by erosion throughout the town's history. By 1975 a total of
2,688 ocean front lots has been developed, from 58th Street east to
a0cean front lots here refer to those lots platted south of East
Pelican Drive, the Big Davis Canal and Eastern Channel.

the tip of the inlet, with little regard for the inadequacy of the
frontal dune system to protect them. The area is "in a. hazardous
geographic zone with respect to movements of Atlantic Coast hurri-
canes" according to the Corps (1973) but commitments have been made
to maintain beach front roads despite the constant assault on them
by erosive ocean currents.
Storm Damage
In October 1954, Hurricane Hazel hit Long Beach, causing
virtually total destruction of all ocean front development. "There
was hardly a vestige of human habitation on the Brunswick County
shore following Hurricane Hazel" states the Corps (1973), with predic-
tions that "had development been complete in the area, it would also
have been totally destroyed." Not only were buildings lost, but
roads as well. The inlet land was breached in the vicinity of what
is now 57 Place West, making a separate island of the last 1.2 miles
of ocean front property. The probability of frequent recurrence of
a hurricane.with Hazel's destructive force is slight; but the pro-
bability of recurrence of hurricanes with lesser.but still damaging
winds and waves is high.
An historical study of Locakwoods Folly inlet's migration shows
that significant changes have occurred in the position and width of
the inlet between 1935 and 1972. Net inlet migration over the years
has been in a westward direction, but movement eastward of 171 feet
occurred between 1961 and 1966 (Langfelder et al. 1974). The erosive
currents of the inlet, Eastern Channel and the ocean continually
change the configuration of the inlet lands. Erosion of the Beach
TAWS
Ss

Drive shoulder and roadbed has necessitated realignment of the west
end of the road several times over the years; the waters of Eastern
Channel are now again abutting the road shoulder.
• The path of inlet migration during a large storm is unpredictable
but can be expected to follow the course of least resistence in closest
proximity of main watercourses. According to the Corps (1973) "there
exists some speculation that there is a natural propensity for the
inlet to be located 3,000 to 5,000 feet east of its present location
so that the inlet would be closer to the mouth of the Lockwoods Folly
River." During Hurricane Hazel, a new inlet was cut directly west of
the mouth of the Lockwoods Folly Raver. The 1859 coast survey locates
the inlet at a position about 3,000.feet east* of its present location.
After the new inlet's opening in 1954, the suggestion was made that
the existing Lockwoods Folly Inlet be closed and the new inlet be
allowed to develop. However, the majority of local interests were
opposed to the idea; and at their request the Corps closed the new
inlet in 1958. Rapid development of the area began again soon after
1958 and has proceeded in the same manner ever since.
There are risks inherent in the ownership of beach property due
to weather patterns and the changeable nature of the environment.
Some degree of shoreline erosion must be expected to occur over time,
new inlets open whete once there was solid land, and the high winds
and waves of hurricanes cannot be avoided. But to a certain extent,
damages from these forces can be reduced by the proper design and
location of roads and structures and by care taken to avoid the de-
struction of natural protective features.
.56

To be successful, storm and erosion protection measures must be
practiced throughout a hazard area, as one man's efforts to protect
his property can be thwarted by the negligence of neighbors. The
elevation of buildings on pilings to a level above the level of breaking
waves can prevent storm wave damage; but the erosion of sands on which
the building is situated can cause the collapse of a structurally
sound building that is located too close to the moving water. Homes
can be stivated sufficiently far inland to be safe from actual wave and
erosion damage, but may remain susceptible to the battering ram action
of flying debris from the breaking up of other structures not so well
situated. A gap in the duneline on one lot can initiate floodpdnd
erosion damage on adjacent lots. The risk of damage from a new inlet's
opening is borne equally*by public and private facilities located on
the oceanfront.
The health and safety of human life, the protection of property,
and the preservation of those natural resources which make beach areas
both attractive and economically productive must be primary matters of
local public policy. To be appropriate, development of beach areas
must consider not only the immediate return on the private investment
dollar, but also the long-range impact on community resources, values,
and welfare.
Community Service Provision
• Earlier planning for growth in Long Peach could have prevented
many of the problems the town has encountered in attempting to provide
efficient community servicei1acilities. Facilities designed ahead of
iir6

time to meet anticipated future demands can generally be installed at
a lower unit cost than those that are designed to catch up with a de-
mand that already exists. Developed land is more expensive than un-
developed and the cost of condemnation proceedings to obtain public
land for municipal services increases as the value of the land to be
condemned increases.
Public Water Supply
In the course of Long Beach development, a public water system
was established. A total of four wells have been drilled behind the
beachfront lots with lines extended along Beach Drive from 58th Street
East -to the 70th Street West inlet land. But development of Long
Beach has spread westward to the AIWW, and throughout the woodland
area private wells must still be used. Most of these wells rely on
relatively shallow sources of ground -water, as water levels in the
surficial sands are generally 50 to 10 feet below the surface. The
density of development continues to increase in the woodlands, espe-
cially in the northeastern Mixed -Residential section of town. The
quantity of ground -water pumped from the underlying aquifers is in-
creasing at the same time as the quantity of wastewater that must be
filtered by overlying soils is increasing. There is currently little
information available on either the quality of private domestic water
supplies or on the continued safe yield of the aquifers as their source.
Responses to Long Beach questionnaires (see Appendix A) indicate
concern.on the part of town property owners and permanent residents
that the water system be expanded to serve the whole jurisdiction.
260f
38

The availability of good quality public water is seen as the primary
limiting factor for safe future growth in the town. The combined
pumping capacity of the four municipal wells and the safe yield
of their source are both known. But as neither the average nor maxi-
mum daily use of the system can be estimated, the number of connections
that can be safely added is undetermined. More feasible in the long
run than expanded use of the existing source of municipal water would
be the extension of the county water main across the AZWW and into
the Oak island communities.
Sewage Disposal
Septic tanks are currently the only method of sewage disposal
in the town, despite the severe limitations for septic tanks of the
Capers-Newhan soils. Year-round population density is still relatively
low and peak seasonal use of the area is short. There has been no
indication yet that sewage effluent from Long Beach is causing pollu-
tion problems in either the adjacent Class SA estuarine waters or the
shallow water table wells. But pollution of estuaries and shallow
aquifers, from incomplete nitrification of wastewater, would likely
result if population density were to contine to increase rapidly.
The new N. C. Department of Human Resources regulations proposed
to govern new septic systems would preclude any new construction in
parts of Long Beach, and the erection of higher density buildings
most anywhere in the town. The basic issue is the choice between
continued reliance upon individual systems and the installation of a
municipal sewer system. Connection to sewer lines would not only
allow for higher population density in the future, but would relieve
AMMB
S(

problems caused by any presently malfunctioning septic systems.
The natural biological activities and filtration capacity of the
soils and estuarine waters can be expected to eliminate any existing
pollution in surface or ground -waters over a period of years if the
sources of those pollutants are eliminated or reduced to tolerable
levels.
Land Use Controls
in 1966, the Town of Long Beach enacted a building code ordinance
for the Town and established a Building inspector to enforce it. The
purpose of the building code was to decrease the incidence of fire and
accidents, to ensure adequate ventilation and sanitary facilities and
to eliminate structural defects. In 1959, the Town enacted a zoning
ordinance in order to lessen congestion in streets, 'prevent the over-
crowding of land, avoid undue congestion of population and to facili-
tate the adequate provision of public services. But both ordinances
were passed after substantial land subdivision and development has
occurred and street alignments had been.made. The substance of both
ordinances is the requirement of adherence to only minimum standards
deemed necessary to meet stated ordinance objectives.
Parking and Traffic Congestion
The Long Beach Zoning ordinance requires buildings in residential
areas to be set back at least 30 feet from the front property line and
the provision of one parking space for each family unit. In the
business district, a building setback of 40 feet is required, but
parking spaces are not. As a result, there is a severe lack of off-
street parking areas in the town and parking on the road shoulder
lORI
60

is usually necessary even in busy commercial areas. Dedicated streets
in Long Beach are all two -laved, even Beach Drive which serves as the
Town's main thoroughfare. Traffic congestion is particularly a pro-
blem during the busy summer tourist season and its associated hazards
are augmented by the lack of.sidewalks and pedestrian crosswalks.
Unsightly Development
Neither the Zoning Ordinance nor the building code of Long Beach
deals directly with the visual quality of development. The use and
size of signs and billboards are regulated in residential areas, but
on commercial property no controls exist. There are currently no regu-
lation's to minimize the removal of vegetation in wooded areas nor con-
cerning the screening off of unsightly parts of commercial establish-
ments. The development of commercial areas has been conducted by
numerous individuals over the years with the result of little unifor-
mity in style or quality. Commercial areas designated by the Zoning
Ordinance are generally in the form of strip development along East Oak
Island Drive rather than concentrated into malls or shopping centers.
Concern has been indicated by all segments of the Long Beach
population that the visual quality of the Town be improved and physical
amenities be preserved; that future development be planned and land
use ordinances be enforced. The establishment of a municipal body.
charged with coordination and implementation of future planning, per-
mit issuance and ordinance enforcement would help to insure adherence
to the standards set for future development.
AGE"
46t

Priorities for Public Service Facilities
To a great extent, the kinds of public services that are now and
will in the future be demanded in Long Beach, as well as the ability
to pay for those services, depend on the overall character of the
Town. Long Beach continues to function in summer as an ocean resort.
Resort communities have the particularly troublesome problem of trying
to meet with a small permanent population the needs of a population
that is seasonallyfour or five times as large. Much of the year-
round population relies upon the spending of the seasonal (vacation)
population for its livelihood; conversely, the seasonal population re-
lies upon the year-round population to provide the commercial services
it demands, such as shopping, dining, and lodging, and to operate
public services, such as police and fire protection. The unevenness
of the population through the year limits expanison of tourist based
commercial facilities and causes some businesses in the town to close
during the off-season; it is a major problem to the public sector for
providing community facilities and services. Facilities and personnel
sized to meet the demand of seasonal residents and visitors exceed by
far what is necessary to meet off-season demand. The commercial acti-
vity created by vacationers directly benefits the Town financially but
does not provide adequate revenue to support major service facilities
such as sewage treatment plants and public water supplies. Property
taxes, which constitute the major source of revenue to the Town, are
paid by both resident and absentee property owners who often have
different views as to how tax money should be spent.
asm
6.2—

The lack of commercial activity is viewed as an advantage to
much of the Long Beach vacation population who want to see the small
beach town atmosphere with its slow pace continue. The limited
amount of public service is often viewed as an acceptable price to
pay for outdoor recreation -oriented vacations. The commercial faci-
lities vacationers most need are restaurants, grocery stores, gift
shops and boating and fishing facilities which the Town now supplies.
Some need for additional recreational facilities is stated, but for
the most part vacationers indicate a desire for limited growth of
commerce.
Many permanent residents of Long Beach, on the other; hand, con-
sider the lack of specialty and general merchandise shops -- a banku
a drug store, department stores, and the like -- to be a major pro-
blem in the Town; many would like to see a growth of commercial
activity both to supply consumer needs and to provide more year-round
employment opportunities. The lack of professional services, such as
doctors, dentists and lawyers, is a problem to permanent residents as
is the distance to neighboring hospitals, schools and libraries. An
increase in public and commercial recreational facilities that re-
main open year-round would receive widespread support from many perma-
nent residents, though perhaps little from vacationers.
The needs and wants of the retired population of the Town are
akin in some respects to those of permanent resident families, but
in other ways to those of vacationers. Many present retirees bought
property in Long Beach long ago and for years visited the Town in.
SinfiR

0
summer. They chose the area for retirement for much the same reason
as they had previously chosen it for vacations. The quality of
schools and job opportunities are of little concern to them, but
their need for adequate health care facilities, year-round recreation
activities and transportation service has increased. Many retired
persons live on fixed incomes, however, and would have difficulty
meeting increased taxes to pay for large-scale increases in municipally
.financed services.
Analysis of the Long Beach Town Budget indicates a very limited
supply Of municipal capital available for service facility expansion.
Some increase in tax base (thereby, increase in revenue) could be ob-
tained by an increase in' the Town's commercial activity. But the low
density development desired for the future will preclude substantial
increase in municipal revenues, and the scope of services that the
Town will be able to offer will by necessity be limited.
As long as the Long Beach population consists of separate elements
with differing desires for the kinds of growth to be encouraged in the
future, compromises will have to be made in designations of future land
uses and the establishment of community service priorities. But before
such designations can me made, the desired and feasible overall land
use intensity must be determined. Community service facilities can be
designed to be adaptable to seasonal pupulation changes; summer vaca-
tion activities, if held within the physical and economic limitations
• of the town to support them, can occur conformably with the activities
of the year-round residential population. But in order for service
facilities to be designed, traffic to be estimated, and recreational
6cF

activities to be planned, the future population to be accommodated -
the permanent and seasonal population density - must be established.
Within the 7.3 square mile (4,672 acre) Long Beach jurisdiction
there are approximately 3,211 acres of non -march or beach land suit-
able for development; 85 of these acres are zoned for commercial uses,
3,126 for residential. Given the extention of a public water system
to serve the whole town, the physical limiting factor for future
development within the developable area of the town will be soil
limitations for septic tanks. The State of North Carolina has established
no minimum lot sizes for residences with septic tanks; but the divi-
sion of Environmental Management's new septic tank regulations and their
"Technical Guide for the Evaluation of Proposed Sites for Soil Absorp-
tion Systems of Sewage Disposal" imply a need for an average residential
lot size of as much as 20,000 square feet or 1/4 commercial acre in
Long Beach. Full development of the developable residential acreage
of the town, at an average lot size of 1/4 acre, would allow for a total
of 11,504 lots. There are currently 11,825 platted residental lots with
an average size of .24 acres. There are currently approximately 2,000
residential structures (including mobile homes) in Long Beacha. Assuming
one structure per lot and, again, an average of 1/4 acre lots, Long
Beach has reached nearly 20 percent of its physical capacity for develop-
ment.with septic tanks.
`3The Town of Long Beach counted 1,918 residences in 1974. CZRC counted
_ 2,273 residential structures including transient commercial lodging
facilities in 1975; the number of these structures that serve as
multi -occupancy buildings is unknown.
65`

It should be emphasized that the above figures represent averages
only and are based on assumptions of physical land suitability that
can only be verified by individual site evaluation. The soils, topo-
graphy, and proximity to surface and ground -waters in some parts of
the town would allow for the safe use of septic tanks on lots smaller
1hanl/4 acre; in other areas larger lot sizes could conceivably be
required. While the average lot size is currently very close to 1/4
acre, there are some areas where lots are larger and others where lots .
are much smaller. Unfortunately, in most cases it was marketability
which determined-lthe.size lots developed; there was often little corre-
lation between individual lot size and land suitability.
The above discussion has dealt primarly with building density in
Long Beach; population density, though related, is a somewhat different
matter. In order to plan effectively for community services, the popu-
lation expected to occur in the future must be projected; but as the
townspeople have certain rights of self-determination, the population
they desire to achieve must be evaluated. Future goals can best be
achieved by understanding the forces which would promote the former,
and establishing policies and standards to change those trends, where
necessary, in order to achieve the latter. -
Responses to the Citizens Questionnaire (see Exhibit A-2) show
that Long Beach townspeople consider septic tanks to be one of the
four major problems of the town. The lack of crowded living conditions
was cited as the primary advantage to living in Long Beach. There is
a strong desire for both permanent and vacation population increases
490*6

to occur slowly and for that increase to be accommodated without an
increase in overall density. There is overwhelming concern that no
multi -story buildings be allowed and that multiple occupancy dwellings
(duplexes, apartments, and condominiums) be limited.
The current (1975-76) population of Long Beach has yet to be
determined; therefore, neither the past rate of growth nor reasonable
population projections can be established. The N. C. Department of
Administration (DAO) formulates population projections. But according
to DOA's Francine Ewing a, projections for Long Beach cannot be re-
leased at this time. The Town of Long Beach has initiated the con-
ductance of a survey by the U..S. Bureau of Census. Permanent resident
and seasonal population projections for the next 5, 10, 20, and.25
years; based on growth goals and -historic trends,.wAl be formulated
upon completion of the Census survey.
aPersonal communication, December 11, 1975.
SW- 6
67

OBJECTIVES AND STANDARDS FOR LONG BEACH
ADOPTED March 11, 1975
Objective: It is to be the policy of Long Beach to promote development
of the Town at a rate commensurate with the goals of the
Townspeople and the capacity of the physical and economic
resources of the Town to support it.
Standards: 1. In order to determine its current population, the Town
will petition the U. S. Bureau of the Census to survey
permanent population and will request commercial establ-
lishments to record the average and maximum n6bet,of
vacationers per day using Town lodging facilities in
summer.
2. Projections for future population will be based on a
growth rate equal to the average calculated growth per
year between 1960 and 1976, or a doubling of population
from 1975 to 1995, whichever is lower. Community ser-
vices, including facilities for water supply and sewage
treatment, road construction and maintenance,and police
and fire protection will be planned for the projected
1995 population needs.
3. The desires of the Townspeople for low density develop-
ment will preclude development at higher gross densities
than are currently permitted by Town ordinances and the
erection of any high-rise (over three stories) buildings
in the future.
-36Mi4
Gs-

4. The Town will petition the North Carolina Divisions of
Health services and Environmental Management to study
the quality and quantity of existing local sources of
water supply. Until the public water system has been
expanded to serve the whole Town, development may be
influenced by the amount that can be safely accommodated
by existing groundwater sources.
5. Long Beach plans to study the feasibility of establishing
a.public sewer system. Until installation of such a
system, development may be influenced by the amount which
can be accommodated by subsurface disposal methcdr`with-
out causing degradation of surface or groundwater quality.
6. The Town will seek to inventory existing Town business
activities and encourage the location of new enterprises
that will meet the demands for shopping and recreation
facilities and increase year-round employment opportuni-
ties for Long Beach residents.
objective: It will be the policy of Long Beach to promote that quality
of development which will offer the maximum reasonable
enhancement of the natural and economic resources of the Town..
Standards: .1. The Town will require strict adherence to the provisions
of its building .code and dune protection, zoning and flood
insurance ordinances and will establish policies necessary
to protect the aesthetic and protective nature of the dune
system.
2. In order to alleviate traffic congestion along the Town's
main thoroughfare part of Oak, Island Drive will be de-
veloped as a four -lane boulevard with a landscaped median.
64

3. The Town will encourage the concentration of new com-
mercial areas into mall centers with adequate parking
spaces and landscaping.
4. The Town will attempt to improve the visual quality of
all development by requiring the screening of unsightly
parts of commercial areas from the view of the road.
Objective: It will be the policy of Long Beach to promote the safe and
enjoyable utilization'of the Town's recreational resources.
Standards: 1. The Town will maintain a balanced recreational program
for its residents and vacationers. In order to promote.
recreational use of its waterways consistent with the
ecological conditions of -the estuarine system, the Town
will maintain boat launching ramps along the AIWW and
will seek establishment of a public marina.
2. The use of motorized vehicles on the beach strand is
prohibited.
3. Efforts will be made in road alignment and construction to
accommodate safe bicycle and pedestrian traffic particu-
larly on the north side of Beach Drive and in the vicinity
of recreation facilities.
4. The Town will make efforts to reduce the incidence of
litter by enforcing the litter ordinance and establishing
a beach clean-up program.
70

Objective: Recognizing that at some time in the future additional access
to the Town may be required, the Town of Long Beach has
formally recommended to the North Carolina Department of
Transportation that the feasibility of constructing a second
bridge connecting Long Beach with the mainland be studied.
A i
%/

SECTION III
AREAS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN

INTRODUCTION
Section I of the Land Use Plan describes physical characteristics
of the land and water in Long Beach and specific areas of the Town
in which many kinds of development would be either especially costly
or likely to cause undesirable consequences. Some of these charac-
teristics, such as the soils' high water table, susceptibility to
flooding and low bearing strength, constrain development primarily
because of the high costs involved in adapting the land for use:
In parts of the Town, intensive development, as for urban, trans-
portation or recreational use, would not necessarily endanger the
inherent value of the resource, but would require excessive public
or private expenditures for construction, maintaining..access, dis
posing of waste products, or assuring adequate drainage.
In some parts of the Town, however, the undesirable consequences
that could result from uncontrolled or inappropriate development are
not limited to monetary costs. In particularly valuable or fragile
areas, misuse of the land or water can cause degradation of the
site's biological, visual, or economic resource value. In parti-
culary hazardous areas, poorly located, designed or constructed
development can increase the risk of property loss or endanger the
health and safety of people using it. In these areas, designated
Areas of Environmental Concern, the Town is establishing specific
standards for use and development of each area category in order to
ensure that development proceeds in a manner consistent with the
capability of the land and water to sustain it.
•'l�iir
73

Ultimately, as required by the 1974 North Carolina Coastal
Area Management Act, the North Carolina Coastal Resources Commission
(CRC) will designate Areas of Environmental Concern throughout the
coastal counties and will designate permit letting authorities to
regulate land use within these areas. The following categories
and standards are to serve both as guidelines for Town Plan implemen-
tation and as recommendations to the CRC for consideration as State
Areas of Environmental Concern.
The Estuarine System
The estuarine waters, marshes and mudflats, as defined in
G. S. 113-229 and G. S. 113-230, are of primary importance to the
Town and the North Carolina coastal area because of their economic,
scenic, and recreational resource value. Tidal marshes and estua-
rine waters cover extensive areas of the municipal jurisdiction;
serving as a primary food source for numerous fish and shellfish
species, they contribute tremendously to the biological productivity
of the area. The major waterways function as transportation corri-
dors for commercial and sport boating activities. The Big Davis
estuarine system,which extends the length of the Town,is unsurpassed
as a scenic resource, supporting a diversity of waterfowl and
subtle vegetation patterns characteristic of the coastal area.
The authority for regulating the use and modification of the
estuarine resources has for a number of years rested with state and
• federal permit letting agencies. But until recently, the degree of
regulation exercised was slight and the criteria for permit letting
2004
74{

did not include consideration of the ecological balance in the estuarine
system. Approvals for marshland dredging and filling were often as not
a mere formality and sometimes granted after the fact. The increasing
awareness of the damaged caused by these activities, however, has re-
sulted in much stricter review now of permit applications.
The only kinds of new development that can: be. justified in
the estuary are those that require water access and cannot function any-
where else. Piers, docks and marinas, for instance, connecting water -
oriented with upland activities, may be considered appropriate if their
need in the area can be demonstrated and their specific location and
design can be shown to be the most suitable alternative. The Town re-
cognizes, however, that while a pier or dock itself does not necessarily
cause degradation of the value of the estuary, the activities involved
,in constructing:it may. For that reason, the highest reasonable standards
of construction will be required for any construction in the area.
Within the estuarine area in the Town are islands of various sizes
and origins which, though not marshland or estuarine waters in the strict
sense, are a valuable part of the estuarine system. The islands contri-
bute particularly to the scenic value of the estuary by adding topographic .
relief and plant diversity which provide habitat for a variety of wildlife
species. Some of them are significantly large and stable to accommodate
some degree of development without endangering.the surrounding estuarine
resources. But the islands are properly a part of the estuarine system,
included within the areas mapped as coastal wetlands; they are, therefore,
• designated as Areas of Environmental Concern, and the development of any
of them will be reviewed on a case -by -case basis.

Complex Natural Areasa
There are ponds located in the southeastern part of town which,
because their natural drainage patterns have been altered, are no
longer subject to regular tidal flooding. Nonetheless, the ponds,
with the immediately surrounding marsh land, support native plant
and animal communities and provide habitat conditions which have
remained essentially unchanged by human activity. The ponds are a
valuable scenic and biological re urce, any development in which will
be reviewed on a.case-by-case basis.
The Beach-Foredune System
The Atlantic shoreline of Long Beach is characterized by sandy
beaches, backed by a low, irregular foredune. The beaches are the
primary attraction of the outer banks for the residents and thousands
of vacationers who visit in the summer. The foredunes are a valuable
scenic attraction and a temporary buffer to the erosive effects of
storm induced wind and waves. The dynamic nature of the beach-
foredune complex, however, precludes safe structural development on it
since that development, and the construction activities involved, en-
danger both the scenic and protective value of the resource and the
roads and buildings situated inland.
aBecause this category of fragile area and proposed Interim Area of
Environmental Concern has recently been redefined by the CRC, the pond
• area can now be considered a complex natural area.
76

Because, however, of the recreational use of the beaches and
the necessity for adequate access to them, allowances will be made
for the provision of structural accessways across the dune provided
that utmost care is exercised in their location and construction to
prevent damage to the dune and the vegetation growing on it. Allow-
ances will also be made for the erection of safety facilities such
as lifeguard chairs, and for necessarily water -oriented recreational
structures such as fishing piers.
Hazard Areas
The North Carolina outer banks, as a marketable piece of real
estate, is the most valuable area of the coast, sought after for second
homes, residences and vacation sites, and for business enterprises to
support these uses. But the outer banks as a geologic feature is a
dynamic, perhaps transient, land form. The same forces of wind, water
and.time which caused the creation of the banks' various features con-
stantly modify these features both in location and extent. Problems
are encountered when the made -made structures developed to accommodate
their use and enjoyment are built to be static and permanent despite
their location in an ever changing environment.
Inlet Lands and Excessive Erosion Areas
The only realistic compromise between expensive combat with the
forces of nature and complete surrender to their supremacy is develop-
ment of only the more stable parts of the whole in a manner which those
parts can accommodate. The particularly hazardous areas of the Town
. are designated Areas of Environmental Concern because of the importance
of protecting the health, safety and rights of the people who live,
77

visit and own property there. Any new development in these areas will
be strongly discouraged and, unless demonstrated to be directly in
the public interest, will not be supported by public funds. In par-
ticular, coastal inlet lands and oceanfront property with a high
probability of incurring excessive erosion are unsuitable locations for
the placement of structures used for housing, institutional purposes,
transportation or commerce, and are considered of too high a risk to
warrant further public investments into roads, sewer and water lines
and other such facilities.
Because of limited data and some inconsistencies in available
'data, the inland extent of .oceanfront property subject to excessive
erosion in Long Beach is unknown. For that reason, only a dynamic
zone (referred to on AEC map as Ocean Erodible) can be established at
this time to warn prospective buyers of oceanfront property of its
hazardous location. All construction in this dynamic zone will be
required to meet at least the minimum standards of the North Carolina
Building Code and conform to the standards of the Federal Insurance
Administration for coastal high hazard areas.
Coastal Flood Plains
Much of the municipal jurisdiction is within a U. S. G. S. desig-
nated Flood Prone Area, susceptible to inundation during severe storms..
In order to reduce both flood damage and the cost of flood insurance,
all construction in coastal flood prone areas will be required to meet
the Federal Insurance Administration standards for coastal high hazard
areas.
bbiln* '
.S2-

Public Trust Areas
Long Beach supports the traditional public -rights of access to
and use of lands and waters designated Public Trust Areas for pur-
poses including navigation, fishing and recreation. The Town both
supports and encourages the development of commercial recreation
facilities, especially those that promote the use and enjoyment of
its waterways. But to the degree authorized by statute, the Town
will require some provision for public access in new developments
in Public Trust Areas and will prohibit any development which unduly
restricts public access to and use of these areas.
It is obvious from the outset that protection of Areas of En-
vironmental Concern in the Town cannot be accomplished without
some consideration of land uses in areas immediately adjacent. The
estuarine system along the Long Beach coast, for instance, is only
part of the system extending eastward into Yaupon Beach and west-
ward to Holden Beach. Long Beach's regulatory authority to prevent
pollution and siltation can be extended only throughout its political
jurisdiction. Circulation patterns in the water that transports silt
and pollution, however, function without regard to political boundaries.
Plate 2 delineates theapproximate location of various categories
of municipally designated Areas of Environmental Concern.a It must
be emphasized, however, that these delineations are not sufficient
for most regulatory purposes because of the.necessarily small map
scale and because, in most cases, on -site evaluations will•be necessary
in order to determine the precise boundary of a particular category
aSome other categories of land and water have been proposed by the
CRC for consideration as AEC's. Because of inadequate data, these
other areas are not included here at this time.

of land or water. But the Town encourages anyone involved in or
contemplating a change in land use in the Town to use this map as a
guideline for interpreting municipal and state.policy and for pre-
dicting the possible effect of public policy on particular parcels
of land.
pNone
cJ "

SECTION IV
FUTURE LAND USE

THE DEMAND FOR LAND
A reliable forecast of the amount of growth to be expected over
the next 10 or 20 years in Long Beach has not been made at this time
because of the lack of acceptable data on current population and pre-
vious rates of growth. However, a certified Census count was begun on
March 29, 1976; the growth goal calls for a doubling of population from
1975 to 1995.
Factors Influencing Growth
Expectations for continued growth in Long Beach over the next 20
years are based heavily on the rapid growth of the town for the past
20 years, particularly between 1970 and 1975. The seasonal population
growth resulted at least partially from nationwide affluence and in-
creased disposable income; the recent permanent population growth re-
sulted primarily from the location of major industry in the vicinity.
Long Beach is located in close enough proximity to Brunswick County's
metropolitan and industrial growth centers to remain susceptible to
suburban spillover in the future, should growth in those areas continue.
The long-term effects the current economic recession and rising price
of gasoline will have on the town's future development cannot be pre-
dicted at this time; but it can be assumed that the general economic
slowdown will at least temporarily affect both the second home building
and tourist business in the town and the location of industry nearby
The primary limiting factors for continued growth in Long Beach
relate to the availability of public water supplies and sewage disposal
facilities. The town, with county assistance, is seeking to expand

its water system to serve the whole jurisdiction. A preliminary engi-
neering study is now being made of the feasibility of extending the
county water main across the Oak Island Bridge and subsequent in-
stallation of water lines throughout the Long Beach jurisdiction. Pre-
liminary plans call for public water line extension first to a) all
ocean front lots (which already have public water lines), b) the mixed
residential (R-2) section in the northeast part of town, and c) trunk
lines along East Oak Island Drive to Middleton Avenue, with trunk lines
down 56th Street East, 40th Street East and Middleton Avenue. The re-
maining sections of town will be supplied with public water as soon as
financially possible.
Long Beach also plans to study the feasibility of establishing
a public sewer system. Outside financial assistance will almost
certainly be required for construction of a sewage treatment facility
as well as sewer line installation. Partial federal and state funding
could conceivably be granted through the Federal 201 Wastewater
Facility Planning and State Clean Water Bond Act programs. However,
the availability of adequate funds in either of these programs now or
in the future is uncertain at best.
The soils in Long Beach have moderate to severe limitations for
septic tanks. There is no indication that the septic tanks in use in
the town are causing pollution problems at this time, either of
estuarine surface waters or ground water supplies. Population densities
throughout the town remain relatively low all year and peak seasonal
use of the area is short. There are other coastal areas, however, with
similar soil characteristics supporting higher density development,
where shellfish waters have been closed to harvesting and ground water
ram
S4

supplies found to be contaminated from subsurface wastewater disposal
systems' malfunctioning in supersaturated soils. Most of the town
of Long Beach continues to rely on shallow wells for domestic supplies.
The potential for pollution of these water supplies and of the SA
estuarine waters surrounding the town cannot be overemphasized.
The amount of residential and commercial land use which could be
safely accommodated by septic tanks in Long Beach cannot realistically
be determined at this time. it can only be assumed that some of the
anticipated growth.could be accommodated without degradation of the town's
resources, but that at some undetermined point, the capacity of land
and water resources would be exceeded. For that reason, failure to
find means to install both public water lines and an adequate sewerage
system could appreciably delay some of the growth which is expected.
Accommodating Future Growth
Residential
From a comparison of the count of platted lots in Long Beach with
the number of residential structures now occupying lots, it can be
estimated that the.town's developed residential acreage is only about
20 percent occupied at this time. Such an estimation assumes that
only one structure will be built on each lot. There should be, in any
case, more than enough residential land developed into lots available
to accommodate the growth expected to occur by 1995.
There are platted lots that have not yet been built upon in all
of. the town's residential zoning districts. in all districts except
one, only single family dwellings are permitted; in Residential Dis-
trict 1 (beach front) duplexes can be permitted if connected to the

municipal water supply. Construction, including the location of mobile
homes where permitted, is limited to single family detached dwellings
of no more than 35 ft in height for several reasons, including 1) the
necessity for adequate space to accommodate individual septic tank
filter fields and private wells, 2) the limitations of firefighting
equipment, especially water pressure, to deal with fires in buildings
exceeding 35 ft in height, 3) the size and shape of most residential
lots, designed initially to accommodate single family units or duplexes,
and 4) the general desire on the part of townspeople to maintain low
density development.
Until public water and sewer facilities become operational, the
kinds of housing units that can be built will remain limited, and the
arrangement of houses on lots will retain a basic rectangular grid
pattern with uniform setbacks; yard sizes and the like. It is con-
ceivable, however, that after installation of the public facilities, a
larger variety of housing types could be allowed, and adjoining lots
could be grouped together to allow greater flexibility in the arrange-
ment of structures.
Commercial
The total amount of land that will be needed in the future for
commercial uses to support residential growth will depend on the kinds
of commerce sought and the extent to which the town will function as
a commercial center. It can be assumed, however, that even if com-
mercial activity were limited to only residential and tourist support
facilities, more land would be needed than is currently zoned for
Gt!

commercial uses. of the 3,211 acres of land suitable for development,
only 85 acres (3 percent) are zoned for commercial use, while 3,126
(97 percent) are zoned Residential. There are no minimum sizes for
commercial lots, so commercial land could conceivably be developed at
very high densities in order to allow its maximum use. There is,
however, a 35 ft limit on the height of commercial structures.
Most of the land in the town zoned for commercial uses is located
along the main thoroughfare, Oak Island Drive. Problems are already
being encountered with heavy traffic and the lack of offstreet parking,
even though much of the commercial land is not yet built upon. Many
buildings in the main business district are located too close to Oak
Island Drive to facilitate four-laning the street there as is planned
to be done elsewhere. For that reason, the town plans to revamp its
zoning districts in the near future towards a better proportion of com-
mercial to residential acreage and, in particular, towards development
of at least one commercial mall complete with adequate parking and
landscaping.
Transportational
The road network for Long Beach is almost entirely developed at
this time; but while there are roads connecting all parts of the town,
there is no hierarchy designed into the system to accommodate heavier
traffic along major roads. The town plans, therefore, to study the
feasibility of four-laning Oak Island Drive and to develop any other
thoroughfares deemed necessary in light of the zoning redistricting.
Public and Institutional
Concurrent with the reapportioning of commercial/residential
IMEMG

lands, the town will assess the need for land to support municipal
functions. In particular, a site for a sewage treatment facility
will likely be necessary in the future as will land that can be used
for other municipal and public service functions. If the amount of
land needed to meet foreseeable future needs can be assessed soon,
and that land obtained, various public functions could be concentrated
into a municipal complex allowing for more efficient governmental
operation in the future, and ultimately, lower public land costs.
Public Recreational Land
Long Beach is developing a balanced recreation program combining
extensive resource based activities such as boating, swimming and
fishing, with more intensive organized activities such as baseball,
basketball and tennis. There are at this time no publicly -owned and
operated beach areas or marinas in the town; but the town is increasing
the number of structural public accessways to beaches and waterways
and plans to make more safety and sanitation facilities available.
Since the'town is virtually completely subdivided, little provision
can be made in the Subdivision Regulations to require open spaces to be
left for public recreation. The estuarine marsh system of the town,
however, is all zoned Open Spaces; owners of land within the Open
Spaces District are encouraged to make arrangements with the town to
allow parts of this land to be developed for public recreation.
Facilities in the municipal park are continually being improved
and new recreation activities are being developed. The high cost of
land in the town, however, and the high priority placed on establish-
ing other municipal services immediately, reduces the feasibility

of the town's acquiring additional parkland in the near future. Efforts
will be made, however, to acquire additional land for recreation as
• soon as such acquisition becomes feasible.

LAND CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
The North Carolina Land Policy Council has established a Land .
Classification System for localities to use to identify the most appro-
priate general uses of various kinds of land. The town's Land Classifi-
cation Map (LCM) produced from the Land classification System will .
serve as a local government tool for informing state and federal autho-
rities, as well as local residents and property owners, on where and at
what density growth is desired, and of areas for which new or amended
land use regulations will be established.
The Land Classification System categories would perhaps be more
applicable to more urbanized places with more diverse land uses than
Long Beach. Moreover, the system was established to deal with projected
increases in permanent population, rather than seasonal population
which in Long Beach is much higher. The population density needed to
warrant the "Developed" or "Transitional" category, for instance, though
applicable for the summer season, exceeds the highest densities found
in the town in winter. Strict application of the defined criteria for
each category, therefore, is impossible; but the system, when adapted
to the town's needs, can be used for its intended purpose.
The Land Classification System includes the following five cate-
gories of land:
1. Developed - Lands where existing population density is
moderate to high and where there is a variety of land
uses which have the necessary public services.
apme

2. Transitional - Lands where local government plans. to
accommodate moderate to high density development during
the following ten-year period and where necessary public
services will be provided to accommodate that growth.
3. Community - Lands where low density development is
grouped in existing settlements or will occur in such
settlements during the following ten-year period and
will not require extensive public services now or in the
future.
4. Rural - Lands whose highest use is for agriculture,
forestry, mining, water supply, etc., based on their
natural resource potential. Also, lands for future
needs not currently regognized.
S. Conservation - Fragile, hazardous, and other lands
necessary to maintain a healthy natural environment
and necessary to provide for the public.health, safety,
and welfare.
Three of the above categories are applicable to Long Beach
Transitional, Community, and Conservation.
The Conservation class includes the town's estuarine areas
(except for the brackish pond area) and the ocean beaches. Designation
as Conservation indicates the municipal policy determination that
• services, including water and sewer lines and paved streets, will
not be extended into these areas.
-Pro-e
s

The Transition class covers those parts of the town where densities
by 1985 will necessitate public service extension and appropriate de-
velopment will be supported as necessary by public funds. In particular,
the Transitional class includes those parts of the town to which public
water lines will be extended by 1985. (Planning for a sewer system has
not yet proceeded to the point that areas expected to be connected to
the sewer system by a given date can be identified).
The Community class covers the remaining parts of the town where
the density of development should remain sufficiently low that sewer
and water lines will not be needed by 1985.

0
SECTION V
PLAN ADOPTION AND IMPLEMENTATION

9
PLAN ADOPTION
As authorized by the Town Council, the Long Beach Land Use Plan
was prepared by the Town Planning Board with technical assistance pro-
vided by Coastal Zone Resources Corporation. Current economic, social
and environmental conditions in the town were assessed; major land use
issues were addressed; and alternative policy measures which could be
used to solve existing and deter potential problems were studied.
During this process, public opinion was'solicited, obtained and evalu-
ated, and used as a primary.determinant of future objectives, standards
and policies.
fn order to ensure that the Long Beach plan would be compatible
with provisions and policies of the Brunswick County Plan, activities
of the respective planning groups were closely coordinated. A regular
part of the agenda for town planning meetings included reports of
planning progress in adjacent municipalities and the County. Repre-
sentatives of the Town and -county Planning Boards met to discuss
concurrent water system planning activities as well as those directly
related to CAMA planning.
The preliminary draft of the Land Use Plan, including recommended
policies, was submitted in February 1976 to Town Council for review.
On March 3 and 11, 1976, the Planning Board and elected officials
discussed at length the issues involved and their implications for
future growth and land use in the town. From these review sessions
and subsequent studies of alternatives, the proposed plan and policies
for future development of the town were developed.
9

In order that the essential elements of the Plan, including its land
use poliicies, objectives and standards, be available to all interested
persons, a Synopsis of the Plan is being prepared. The Synopsis will
include the Land Classification Map and examples of the Existing Land
Use and Areas of Environmental Concern delineations, with an explanation
of how additional information can be obtained upon request.
The sequence of events yet to come, before final adoption and im-
plementation of the Plan, includes:
1. Joint City/County Public Hearing -- On May 6, 1976, a joint
public hearing, in which the Brunswick County and. municipal
plans will be presented will be held in Southport. The pur-
pose of the joint hearing is to allow the planning bodies of
each jurisdiction to acquaint each other with plans and
policies and to assure compatibility among the various plans.
2. Municipal Public Hearing -- on May 7, 1976, the Town of Long
Beach will hold a public hearing in order to receive cam:
ments from residents and property owners on the proposed
Land Use Plan and Synopsis. Comments and suggestions made
in the public hearings will be carefully reviewed; necessary
changes in the Plan and Synopsis will be made before their
formal adoption by the Town.
3. Transmission to the Coastal Resources Commission -- By May
21, 1976, a certified copy of the Adopted Plan will be sent
to the Coastal Resources Commission for its review and
approval.
-VW

• At least 30 days before the Town's public hearing, copies of the
completed plan with maps will be placed in the Town Hall for public
review and inspection. Notice of both public hearings and of the
availability of the Plan for review will be made in newspapers dis-
tributed locally.
Following adoption of the Plan and its approval by the Coastal
Resources Commission, copies of the full Plan will be available for
study in the Town Hall and County Courthouse. Copies of the Plan and/
or any of its maps can be obtained from the Town Hall, at cost, upon
written request. The synopsis will be mailed to all recorded property
ovMots bf the Town; additional copies of the Synopsis will be colds
available free of charge upon written request.

PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
The second phase of the CAMA planning process involves implementation
of the Land Use Plan. The town's adoption of its Plan constitutes a
formal declaration of land use policies, but many of the standards pro-
posed for meeting objectives require either some revision of existing
town ordinances or enactment of new ordinances in order to become effec-
tive. Related planning activities, as for water and sewer systems and
parks and recreation, are also involved in plan implementation.
The major elements of the implementation phase of the Laruirse
Planning Process in Long Beach are summarized as follows:
Revision of Town Ordinances
In order to canry'out policy objectives, some revision of the_town's
Zoning.Ordinance, Subdivision Regulations, Building Code, Sand Dune
Protection Ordinance and Environmental Impact Statement Ordinance may be
necessary. Specifically, provisions will be made for:
1. assuring that all construction will meet applicable
standards of the Federal Insurance Administration, adhering
to municipal policies of protection of Areas of Environmental
Concern,
2.' requiring the screening of unsightly parts of commercial areas
from the view of the road,
3. establishing a method of warning prospective property buyers
of the town's policies of service provision to hazard areas.
-Coordination of Permit -Letting Authorities
The 1974 Coastal Area Management Act provides for local

permit -letting agencies to be established for minor development permits re-
quired in Areas of Environmental Concern (AFC's). In order to qualify .
for AEC permit -letting authority, a local jurisdiction must first declare
its intent, then prepare a Local Management Plan acceptable to the
Coastal Resources Commission (CRC). The CRC is currently establishing
criteria for local implementation and enforcement programs including
elements that will be required for approval of a Local Management Plan.
The CRC emphasizes the value of coordinating the activities of
various local regulatory authorities, such as building and septic tank
inspections, subdivision plat approvals, and sedimentation and erosion
control program approvals, with the AEC minor development permit -letting
authority. Such coordination could simplify the permit -letting process
for both the jurisdiction and applicants involved and could reduce local
governments costs of reviewing various kinds of applications. The CRC
criteria being developed will also allow for City -County coordinated
permit -letting authorities.
Therefore, part of the implementation phase of planning in Long
Beach will be development of the aforementioned Local Management Plan.
aThe term: "Minor Development" means any development other than a major
development. The statutory definition of Major Development is "any
development which requires permission, licensing, approval, certifi-
cation of authorization in any form from the Environmental Management
Commission, the Health Services Commission, the State Departments of
Natural-and'Economic Resources or Conservation and Development, the
State Department of Administration, the North Carolina Mining Com-
mission, the North Carolina Pesticides Board, or the North Carolina
Sedimentation Control Commissions or which occupies a land or water area
in excess of 20 acres; or which contemplates drilling for or excavating
• natural resources on land or under water; or which occupies on a single
parcel a structure or structures in excess of a ground area of 60,000
square feet."

Related Planning Activities
The Town has contacted the U. S. Bureau of the Census and has
begun steps necessary to conduct a town census. The town will request
cooperation from commercial establishments in assessing average and
maximum seasonal populations. Upon completion of these surveys, the
Town will formulate population projections to utilize in all planning
activities.
As called for in the Objectives and Standards of the Plan, the
Town Planning Board will study the feasibility of establishing bicycle
paths and a beach clean-up program.
The town will initiate a Commercial Needs Study (Federal 701 plan -
ping funds have been requested for this purpose) in order to carry out
necessary zoning redistricting. The study will assess both the future
commercial land needs in the town and the kinds of business enter-
prises whose location in the town should be encouraged. Upon completion
of the zoning redistricting, the' town will seek assistance from the..
State Department -of Transportation in establishing a thoroughfare plan.
Section 208 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments
of 1972 (PL92-500), as well as other sections of this law, is designed
to achieve water quality which "provides for the protection and propa-
gation of fish, shellfish, and wildlife and provides for recreation in
and on the water" by July 1, 1983. Section 208, more specifically, is
designed to plan ways to reduce all types of pollution in specially
designated areas to the 1983 level and to set up a management agency to
guarantee achievement and maintenance of the 1983 water quality level.
Areas in North Carolina having complex water quality control problems
have been designated by the Governor as priority 208 Planning Areas.

The Governor's designations include Long Beach as well as the rest
of Brunswick County. The town will coordinate the 208 planning efforts
with the County as soon as adequate funds became available; in the
meantime, the town will petition the North Carolina Divisions of En-
vironmental Management and Health services to assist in a study of the
quality of existing domestic water supplies, to be coordinated with
the Division of Marine Fisheries monitoring of estuarine water quality.
Periodic Review and Revision of the Plan
In order to make land use planning an on -going, effective process,
the Town Planning Board, in its regular monthly meetings and at
special meetings as needed, will consider any upgrading or revision of
the Plan deemed necessary. The Planning Board will make an annual
report of the recommendations to Town Council; the full Land Use Plan
will be reviewed by each incoming Board of Commissioners (biennially);
results of recreation, transportation and commercial needs, studies
will be incorporated into the Land Classification Map in order to pro-
duce a more complete portrayal of future land use.

SECTION VI
REFERENCES CITED

References Cited
Cape Fear Council of Governments. 1972. A solid waste management plan
for North Carolina planning region "0". Cape Fear Council of
Governments. Wilmington, N. C. 90 pp.
Cape Fear Council of Governments. 1974. Alternatives for improving fire
protection in region "O". Cape Fear Council of Governments.
Wilmington, N. C. 159 pp.
Knowles, C. E., Jay Langfelder and Richard McDonald. 1973. A preliminary
study of storm -induced beach erosion for North Carolina. Center for
Marine and Coastal Studies Report No. 73-5. North Carolina State
University. Raleigh, N. C. 14 pp.
Langfelder, Jay, Tom French, Richard McDonald and Richard Ledbetter. 1974.
A historical review of some of North Carolina's coastal inlets.
Center for Marine and Coastal Studies Report No. 74-1. North
Carolina State University. Raleigh, N. C. 40 pp.
N. C. Coastal Resources Commission. 1975. State guidelines for local
planning in the coastal area under the coastal area management act of
1974. N. C. Coastal Resources Commission. Raleigh, N. C. 72 pp.
U. S. Army.Corps of Engineers. 1973. General design memorandum -- phase
Ii hurricane -wave protection -beach erosion control-Yaupon Beach and
Long Beach. U. S. Army Engineer District. Wilmington, N. C.
U. S. Department of Commerce. 1973. U. S. census of population 1970 --
Characteristics of the population-- North Carolina. U. S. Government
Printing Office. Washington, D. C.
U. S. Soil Conservation Service. 1969. General soil map and interpreta-
tions for Brunswick County, North Carolina. U. S. D. A. Soil
Conservation Service. Raleigh, N. C.
Wiggins -Rimer and Associates. 1973. Inventory of facilities -regional
water supply and wastewater disposal study. Cape Fear Council of
Governments. Wilmington, N. C.
�6 /

APPENDIX A

APPENDIX A:PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROGRAM
The Long Beach Planning Board, with the concurrence and support
of Mayor Herman E. Joyce and the Board of Town Commissioners, actively
sought and utilized public views in preparing the land use plan. The
planning process was open to all persons with an interest in Long Beach,
including resident and non-resident taxpayers and vacationers.
The Public Participation Program consisted of the following
activities:
1) Appointing a Planning Board representing the interests
of the community. The Planning Board members are
Rosetta Short, Chairman
Ward Foster, Vice -Chairman
Walter Reinheimer, Secretary
Morris Ferrell
Otto Maehl
Don McNeill
Richard Sage
Jack Ward
2) .Conducting public information meetings.
In order to obtain the widest possible input from all of the
Town's population, the Long Beach Planning Board arranged neighborhood
public information meetings beginning with the Spring of 1975 and extending
throughout the summer. The meetings were scheduled at night in order to
be convenient to both permanent residents and vacationers. Notices of
the meetings were placed in the Town Hall and local stores.
163

Despite conscientious effort by the Planning Board, attendance
at the meetings was very poor and the neighborhood meetings were abandoned.
The Planning Board continued to hold its regularly scheduled
monthly meetings, open to the public, throughout the summer. The Board
continually addressed the major issues confronting the Town and studied
alternative means of solving problems.
3) Formulation and distribution of Questionnaires and
Tabulation of Responses:
Early in the planning process,.the Planning. Board formulated
questionnaires designed to determine the nature of the major land use
idsUes in the Town. The Citizens Questionnaire (See Exhibit A-1) asked
for an assessment of the major problems and advantages of the Town, general
growth goals for the future, and desired means for accomplishing chosen
goals. The Questionnaire was distributed in neighborhood meetings and
in a local newspaper (editions of the Wilmington Star News, delivered to
Long Beach. The volume of response to the Questionnaire was poor, but the
candid answers of those responding were enlightening. Tabulations of the
Citizens Questionnaire are attached as Exhibit A-2. While the number of
responses was too small to be considered a concensus of Town opinion, the
information gained from them allowed the Planning Board to direct itself
to more specific issues in its next attempt.
�Q�

1 as

EXHIBIT A-1
LONG BEACH CITIZENS QUESTIONNAIRE
The Long Beach Planning Board and the City Commissioners are
preparing the Coastal Area Management Plan for Long.Beach. Your
Planning Board and Commissioners are vitally interested in the
comments and suggestions you and other citizens have and are
inviting you to become involved in preparing the plan. Your help
will aid us in making a plan for Long Beach's future which is based
on your own,goals'and interests.:
This.questionnaire is the first step in the'continuing process
of getting,the.citizens involved. You will be keptinformed of
the progress we are making and will be invited to other meetings
as they are -scheduled.
Please take the time to fill out this brief questionnaire
and hand it in at the end of the neighborhood meeting or mail to:
Mr. Otto Maehl
P.O. Box 582
Long Beach; N. C.
278-6433
1. What do you think are the four major problems in Long Beach
today?. (Indicate priority by numbering 1, 2, 3, and,4.)
Lack of housing, especially during the summer.
Poorlyconstructed housing
Lack of year.round employment opportunities
Poor roads and.traffic control facilities
Lack of good shopping areas
Inadequate educational opportunities
Poor access to beaches
Lack of public beach areas

Lack of community recreational facilities (parks, golf
courses, tennis courts, boat access points)
Lack of cultural opportunities (drama, cultural arts, etc.)
• Problems with septic tanks
Problems with solid waste
Beach erosion
Unsightly. development
Flooding or drainage
Inadequate.parking
Other (explain)
2. What do you think are the four major advantages to living in
Long Beach today? (Indicate priority by numbering 1, 2, 3,
and 4.)
Good supply of quality housing
Low taxes
Good opportunities for business
Lack of crowded living conditions
Closeness to beaches
Attractiveness of outdoor activities
Good schools
Low cost of living
Clean air and water
Tourist support economy
3. In the next 5 to 10 years, would you prefer to see the
permanent Long Beach population? (Mark one)
Increase rapidly
Increase slowly
� d'7

Remain the same
Slightly decline
Decline significantly
4. In the next 5 to 10 years, would you like to see the.tourist trade and
seasonal residents (as measured by numbers of motels, restaurants,
camping areas, recreation areas, and summer homes) to?. (Mark one)
Increase rapidly
Increase slowly
Remain the same
Slightly decline
Decline significantly
5. If you desire population to increase, how should the increase be
accommodated? (Mark one or more)
Permit use of .smaller lot sizes
Permit multi -story buildings
Increase multiple occupancy structures
Limit new development to the existing permitted densities on available
undeveloped land.
other; Explain
6. If the population of Long Beach increases, there will be an increase
in pressure for commercial areas. Do you think that this growth should
be regulated? _yes, _� no. If yes, how
7. What would you like Long Beach to be like next year, five years from
now, or 10 years from now?
S. Please make any additional comments or suggestions which would help us
to plan for the future of Long Beach.
Thank you
/0J Otto Maehl, Chairman
*Long Beach Planning Board

TAB[
109

Exhibit A-2. Tabulation - Long Beach Citizens Questionnaire
Question 1. Four Major Problems
First_ Second Third Fourth Total Four
Choices No.a Wt.b No. Wt. No. Wt. No. Wt. Wt. Problems
Lack housing
1
4
4
Poor construction
2
8
2
6
2
4
3
3
21
Lack employment
1
4
1
3
2
4
11
Poor roads & traffic
2
6
1
2
4
4
12
Lack shopping
3
12
3
9
2
4
2
2
27
Inadequate education
4
16
3
9
4
4
29
4
Poor access to beaches
4
12
1
2
1
1
15
' o Lack public beach
1
4
4
8
2.
2
14
Lack comm. recreation
1
4
1
3
2
4
1
1
12 .
Lack cultural
2
8
2
6
3
6
20
Septic tanks
3
12
5
15
2.
4
1
1
32
3
Solid waste
1
4
1
3
1
2
1
1
10
Beach erosion
5
20
3
9
3
6
1
1
36
2
Unsightly develognent
5
20
3
9
5
10
3
3
42
1
Flooding or drainage
1
2
1
1
3
Parking
4
4
4
Other: Town Board
5
20
20
Zoning enforcement
1
4
1
3
7
Taxes
1
3
3
No. indicates number of times
listed.
bWt. indicates weight,.i.e.,
number of
times
listed multiplied
by 4
for first,
3 for second,
2 for third,
or 1 for fourth choices.

Exhibit A-2. (Continued)
Question 2. Four Major Advantages
First
Second
Third
Fourth
Total
Four
Choices
No. Wt.
No.
Wt.
No.
Wt. No.
Wt.,
Wt.
Problems
Supply housing
1
2.
1
1
3
Low taxes
2 8
1
2
1
1
11
Business opportunities
1
3
3
Lack crowded living
11 44
8
24
3
6
1
1
75
1
Closeness beaches
10 40
8
24
1
2
1
1
67
2
Outdoor activities
2
6
7
14
8
8
28
4
Good schools
0
1^ Low cost living -
2
4
3
3
7
Clean air & water
5 20
6
18
5
10
5
5
53
3
Tourist economy
allo. indicates number
of times listed.
bWt. indicates weight,
i.e. the number
of
times
listed
multiplied
by
4 for -first, 3 for
second, 2 for
third, or 1 for fourth choices.

Exhibit A-2. (Continued)
Ouestion 3. Permanent Po:
Increase rapidly
Increase slowly
Remain the same
Slightly decline
Decline significantly
Question 4. Tourist Trade
Increase rapidly
6
Increase slowly
19
Remain the same
3
Slightly decline
0
Decline significantly
4
Question 5. increase Accommodated
Smaller lot sizes -1
Multi -story buildings 3
Multiple occupancy structures 1
Existing densities 15
Question 6. Growth Regulation
yes 29 no 4
how: zoning 11 planning 7
landscaping 1 careful selection new businesses 3
Question 7. Long Beach in Future
(sample of responses)
More business opportunities furnishing good employment.
Growth not be at expense of attractions - oaks of Oak Island, closeness
to uncluttered beaches, low housing density.
Attractive, clean resort for families; profitable place for all support
services required in a resort and living area.
A nice, decent, moral, quiet place to relax and enjoy yourself.
As close as possible to today with low density population increase.

Exhibit A-2.. (Continued)
estion 8. Comments and Sua4estions
(sample of responses)
Special fishing rates for senior citizens.
More attention given to year-round residents.
Avoid trying to be either a honky-tonk, a "retirement village", or a
Bald Head -Hilton" type of place.
Stop arguing among yourselves.
Consolidate with Yaupon.
Keep our waters and land clean of pollution and don't let the marshes
be destroyed.
No multi -story building.
Beautification at campgrounds.
Encourage M.D.'s and veterinarians to come to Long Beach.

0
EXHIBIT A-3
(SECOND QUESTIONNAIRE)
11�

I
In August of 1975, the Planning Board formulated a new
questionnaire asking opinions on those issues which had surfaced as the
major issues facing the Town (see Exhibit A-3). In order to assure its
wide distribution, the Taxpayers Questionnaire was mailed to all property
owners on record (approximately 5800). Approximately 1000 question-
naires (17 percent) were returned. The responses were tabulated by the
Planning Board; the tabulations are shown as Exhibit A-4.

Exhibit A-3.
TOWN OF TANG BEACH
P.O. BOX 217
LONG BE ACH, N,C. 23461
Dear Taxpayer:
The Long Beach Planning Board is currently devising a land use plan as
required by Cbastal Area Management Act of ]974. We are taking this means
o ask all individual taxpayers of Long Beach to give us their ideas on how they
..ould like the.Town to be developed. We feel that since you own property at
Long Beach, you should have a say in how the Town develops over the next
5 - 20 years. 'Your ideas will be carefully condidered regardless of the
ize of your property.
Water will soon be available to the Town from the County, Would you like to
ee a plan submitted to allow is the Town to implement it by phases? y.
XES H NO
2. How would you like a to pay for it?
. Assessment b. Revenue Bonds (pd for from water income)
.-Mould you li a s�trirct enforcement of the present Ordinance that all structures
be in good repair or force condemnation proceedings?
'ES NO
. Sh- odd an area a re -zoned -to allow construction of an amusement park?
YES NO.
Would you lice to see the Town of Long Beach acquire a public beach area
ad provide sanitary facilities and life guards?
YES NO
6, S.Fould the growth of Long Beach be aimed at promoting permanent residents
r primarily vacation homes? .
.armanent Vacation
7. Should the commercial areasbe located in mall centers with parking and
andscaping , instead of strung out along the highway?
:a^ NO
9. In the projected 15 year plan, would you like to see Oak Island Dr
.'Dulevarded with a landscaped median and bicycle paths?
,ES NO
9.'The dunes are one of our areas of greatest environmental concern. Would
you like to see stricter enforcement of existing dune ordinance?
'..35 NO

EXHIBIT A-4.
TABULATION LONG BEACH PROPERTY OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE
1,7

Exhibit A-4. Tabulation Long Beach Property Owners Questionnaire.
Total
Question
Response 6
Total
Response
8 Total
Responses
1.
Water
Yes
No
808
95
44
5
852
2.
Payment -water
Assessment
Revenue
Bonds
51
6
864
94
915
3.
Zoning
Yes
No
enforcement
911
92
82
8
993
4.
Amusement
Yes
No
park
473
48
522.
52
995
5.
Public beach
Yes
No
654
65
346
35
1000
6.
VaCAtion vs.
,permanent
473
47
347
34
1015
195
19
7.
Nall centers
Yes
No
873
87
129
13
1002
B.
Boulevard .
Yes
No
602
70
264
30
866
9.
Dune
Yes
No
ordinance
903
95
52
5
955

Addendum
Corrections and Additions to Town of Lona Beach Land Use Plan
a
Page I-3, paragraph 2 --
Add to end of paragraph:
"On March 29, 1976, the Bureau of.the Census conducted a survey
of the Town's permanent resident population. The preliminary.
-results of that survey show the 1976 population to be 1654."
Page I-4 --
The first paragraph under.the heading Municipal Finance is re-
written as follows:
"The Long Beach Town Budget for fiscal year (FY) 1975-1976 is
based on a total estimated (at 100 percent) property valuation
of $80,000,000 and a tax rate of $.61 per $100 valuation. The
property valuation in FY 1971-1972 was $8,572,000 (at 50 percent)
and the tax rate was $1.2b.. Ad valorem taxes (including back
taxes and penalties) produced a revenue of $105,700 in 1971 and
$282,000 in 1975."
Page I-15 --
Under the subheading Subdivision Regulations for Long Beach, North
Carolina, the "Application" is redefined as follows:
"All divisions of parcels of land, with certain exceptions, into 2 or
more lots where a street right-of-way dedication is involved within
• the jurisdicton of Long Beach."
• Page I-18
The description of water and sewer plan number 2 by Wiggins -Rimer
and Associates is deleted (since it is an inventory rather than a
plan). In its place, the following plans are inserted:

2. Engineering Report -- Water Distribution.System; Town of
Long -Beach, North Carolina, Pierson and Whitman, Inc., Consulting
• Engineers, Raleigh, N. C., 1974.
Recommendation
The Town's publicwater system'should.be expanded to serve the whole
jurisdiction.
3. Engineering Report -- Water Distribution System, Town of Long
Beach, North Carolina, Pierson and Whitman, Inc., Consulting
Engineers, Raleigh,,N. C. 1976.
Readmmendations
a. The Town's public water system should -be expanded in phases.
Phase I should include the beach area and the eastern part of the
town west to Middleton Avenue; Phase.II should include the rest of
the town.
b. The Town should attempt.to obtain Farmers' Home'Administration
financing.
On April 21,-1976, the Town of Long Beach submitted'its application
to the Local Government Commission. On May 5, 1976, the Town
Council passed a resolution to.hold a public referendum on floating
a general obligation bond for the water system. The -referendum is
scheduled for June 29, 1976.
Page I-38 --
In the first paragraph, the sentence beginning "Tentative plans..."
and ending with "...natural marsh habitat." is deleted.
Page V-4 --
Under Revision of Town Ordinances delete subparagraph 3.
)LO

Index to Table of Contents (based on Standard Format)
Long Beach Land Use Plan
Subject
Section
Pages
I. Introduction
1
1-6
II. Description of Present Conditions
I
1-37
A. Population and Economy
I
1-7
B. Existing Land Use
I
8-12
1. Map
Attached
2. Analysis
Z
1, 12
C. Current Plans, Policies and Regulations
Z
13-19
1. Plans and Policies
17-19
2. Local Regulations
I
13-17
3. Federal and State Regulations
N/A
ILZ. Public Participation Activities
Appendix
A
A. .Identification and Analysis of major
land use issues
II
1-16
1. The impact of population and
economic trends
ZI
1,
2, 11-16
2. The provision of adequate housing
and other services
II
6-8
3. The conservation of productive
natural resources
II
2, 3
4. The protection of important
natural environments
II
4, 5
5. The protection of cultural and
historic resources
N/A
B. Alternatives considered in the develop-
ment of the objectives, policies and
standards
II
11-13
C. Land use objectives, policies and
standards for dealing with each identi-
fied major issue
11
17-20

C
Subject Section
D.
A brief description of the process
used to determine objectives,
policies and standards, emphasizing
public participation '
E.
A detailed statement outlining the
methods employed in securing Public*
participation, and the degree of
participation achieved and the
results obtained.
IV. Constraints
A.
Land Potential
1. Physical Limitations
2. Fragile Areas
3. Areas with Resource Potential
B.
Capacity of Community Facilities
1. Identification of existing water
and sewer service areas
2. Design capacity of existing water
treatment plant, 'sewer treatment
plant, schools and primary roads
3. The percent utilization of water
and sewer plants, schools and
primary roads.
V. Estimated Demand
A.
Population and Economy
1. Population
2. Economy
B.
Future Land Needs
C.
Community Facilities Demand
1. Ten-year population projection
used to determine facilities demiutd
2. Consideration of the type and coat
of services needed to accommodatt3
projected populations
1?-2
II
I
I
I
I
Pages
2
Appendix A
20
20-30 .
20-22
23-30
N/A
I 30-38
I 35-37
I
F_4
30-38
30-38
II 14-16
IV 1-2
IV 3-7
N/A
II 6-8

Subject
Section Pam
3. Consideration of the ability of
the local economy to finance service
expansion
ii 13
VI. Plan Description
A. Description of the Land Classification
System
IV :8
B. Projected population growth allocated
to Land classes based on local objectives
IV 3
C. Gross population densities used to
allocate -Transition and Community
Classifications
N/A
D. Land Classification Nap
Attached
VII. Summary
A. Discussion of the manner of data assembly,
Introduction;
analysis, and a statement of major
following each
conclusions
subsection
B. Discussion of the application of the
data to the plan's formulation
V 1, 2
VIII. City -County Plan Relationship Defined
Introduction;
V 1