1987 Land Use Plan-1988

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DCM COPY DCM COPY
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Division of Coastal Management
TOWN OF MURFREESBORO
1987 LAND USE PLAN

T O W N 'O F M U R F R E E S B O R O
' 1 9 9 •7 L A N D U S E P L A N
t Adopted by the Murfreesboro Town Council February 99 1988
Certified by the Coastal Resources Commission March 259 1988
Prepared for•
'
Murfreesboro Town Council
Douglas R. Cox
'
John Gaitten
Jack A. Hassell
Chester Hill, Jr.
Jacob Ruffin
William W. Hill, Mayor
Alfred W. Green, Town Administrator
'
Prep aced by:
'
Murfreesboro Planning Board
Bynum R. Brown
Ronald Deloatch
'
Joseph Dixon
James Eason
Cecil M. Forehand, Jr.
Felton Murry
A. Keith Wise
Clarence Wynn, Jr.
Planning assistance provided by:
' Mid -East Commission
1 Harding Square
Washington, NC 27889
[phone]
' Robert J. Paciocco, Planner -in -Charge
Libby Anderson, Technical Assistant
Preparation financed in part by:
' A grant provided by the North Carolina Coastal Management
Program, through funds provided by the Coastal Zone Manage-
ment Act of 1972, as amended, which is administered by the
t Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

TOWN OF MURFREESBORO
1907 LAND USE PLAN
CONTENTS
PAGE
I. BACKGROUND
A. Population ................................. 2
B. Housing .................................... 4
C. Economy .................................... 5
II. LAND USE
A. Existing Conditions..... ................. 8
B. Recent Development; Future Growth.......... 13
C. Land Use Concerns .......................... 15
D. Development Controls ....................... 18
E. Development Constraints .................... 21
III. POLICY OBJECTIVES AND IMPLEMENTATION
_ A. Resource Protection ........................ 33
B. Resource Production and Management......... 37
C. Economic and Community Development......... 41
D.* Storm Hazards .............................. 46
E. Public Participation ....................... 51
IV. -'LAND CLASSIFICATION
A. Purpose .................................... 53
B. Classification Scheme ...................... 54
C. Intergovernmental Coordination .........:... 58
Appendix A - State and Federal Regulatory Devices
Appendix B - Proposed U. S. 258 Bypass
Appendix C - Agencies Coordinating Storm Preparedness
Appendix D - Media Releases
Bibliography

ILLUSTRATIONS
Figure
1 North Carolina Counties ........................ 7.5
2 Hertford County Land Use 1986.................. 7.6
3 Regional Population 1980-1985.................. 7.7
4 Population Age Structure 1980.................. 7.8
5 Per Capita Income 1970-1984.................... 7.9
6 Unemployment Rate 1976-1984.................... 7.10
Map
1 Existing Land Use..............................32.3
2 Land Use Constraints ...........................32.4
3 Murfreesboro Area Soils ........................32.5
4 Land Classification............................58.2

TABLES
1 Regional Population ........................... 7.1
2 County Population ............................. 7.1
3 Population Age Structure 1980................. 7.1
4 Housing Characteristics 1980.................. 7.2
S Hertford County Employment 1980............... 7.2
6 Labor Force ................................... 7.3
7 Retail Sales .................................. 7.3
BManufacturing Firms ........................... 7.4
9 Building Permits 1980-1986....................32.1
10 Soil Characteristics....... .................32.1
11 National Register Properties ..................32.2

TOWN OF MURFREESBORO
1987 LAND USE PLAN
'
I. BACKGROUND
Murfreesboro is a town rich in natural and cultural
resources. Early settlers created a strong economy based on
the• area's water resources. From the prosperity that stemmed
from the Town's natural environment, residents created a built
environment of stately homes, offices and commercial buildings,
'
many of which remain to distinguish the Town.
'
The Town celebrates its bicentennial in 1987. The area
was first visited by European explorers in the 16th century and
an expedition from Jamestown, Virginia passed through the region
one hundred years later. European settlers are thought to have
their home Murfreesboro
made in as early as 1710. William
Murfree, an Irish immigrant, established a King's Landing on the
banks of the Meherrin River in the 1700's. Here, a representa-
tive of the English Crown inspected the trade goods passing
through the river port. In 17879 Murfree donated 97 acres of
'
land for the incorporation the
of Town, Murfreesborough, named in
'
his honor.

Water resources played an important role in the Town's
'
history. Today, local
economic although most residents are no
'
longer dependent on the river for their livelihood, water
resources continue to dominate the natural environment.
'
Murfreesboro is located on the southwest bank of the Meherrin
River. College Branch widens to Worrell Millpond just outside
'
the Town's boundary. Extensive areas of and
eastern swamp
wetland border the river in the Murfreesboro area as it flows
southeast through Hertford County.
A. Population
'
Murfreesboro is one of seven incorporated -areas in Hertford
'
County which occupies 362 .square miles of northeastern North
Carolina (Figure 19 pg. 7.5). The County is rural in nature.
'
Together, undeveloped forest and farmland account for over 93% of
all land in the County (Figure 2, pg. 7.6). Urban areas comprise
only 2% of all land while rural developed areas account for about
4.5Y.
In 19859 Hertford County had almost 249000 residents,
ranking number four in population in the five -county region
(Figure 3, pg. 7.7). The County has grown slightly since 1980,
'
increasing in population by just over 2% between 1980 and 1985
(Table 1, pg. 7.1). Recent growth compensates to some extent,
for the population decline noted during the period 1970-1980 when
'
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the County lost about 1% of its 1970 population. In contrast,
during this same period, the region as a whole grew by 9% and the
population statewide increased almost 16%.
Murfreesboro is the second most populous town in Hertford
County though the Town has been slowly losing population since
1970 (Table 2, pg. 7.1). In 1985 the Town had about 2,800
residents, down 7% from a 1980 population of 3,000.
Following the national trend, the population of the Town
is aging. In 19709 almost 8% of the total population was under
five years of age (Table 39 pg. 7.3). By 19809 that percentage
had dropped by half (Figure 4, pg. 7.8). Between 1970 and 1980,
there was little change in the school -age population (5-19'
years). In contrast, during this same period, the percentage of
the population of "childbearing age" (25-44 years) declined from
23 to 18%. The senior population (age 65 and older) increased
from 9 to 11% of the population.
The Town experiences a seasonal change in population though
not to the extent found in other areas in the state, particularly
coastal communities. Murfreesboro is the home of Chowan College,
a private junior college founded in 1848. The school has a
considerable impact on the local economic and social environ-
ments: college students comprises almost one-third the Town's
total population and the school is one of the Town's largest
landowners. Approximately_ 900 students are currently enrolled
3

in the College. About 800 live in residence halls on -campus.
'
Summer enrollment is typically only one -tenth that of the
'
regular term however the College hosts a variety of special
programs and camps throughout the summer months. School offi-
cials estimate that 3,000 to 49000 individuals participate in
programs at the Murfreesboro campus every summer.
to
In addition, tourism in the Murfreesboro area appears
be increasing. Hertford County as a whole realized over three
million dollars in tourism expenditures in 1985. Locally,
tourism is promoted through the Chamber of Commerce and Historic
Murfreesboro, Incorporated. The latter promotes the historic
the Town by tours the historic
resources of offering of area.
'
Over 1,500 visitors are estimated to have visited the Town's
historic sites in 1986.
H. Housing
'
The Town's 1980 was housed among 868 dwelling
population
'
units (Table 4, pg. 7.2). According to the County's building
inspector's records, 99 new units were constructed in
Murfreesboro between 1980 and 1986 (Table 9, pg. 30.1). In 1986
then, the Town is estimated to have had almost 1,000 residential
'
dwelling units. Approximately 85% of all dwellings in the Town
'
are single-family units, about average for the County and the
region as a whole. Over one in four dwellings in the Town are
'
4
1

rental units. In 1980, about 7% of all existing units were
' vacant. Eight percent of all dwellings were without complete
' plumbing, about average for the region. In contrast, for
Hertford County as a whole, only 3% of all units were without
' plumbing. In 1980, single -person households (typically elderly
and young unmarried persons) accounted for almost 25% of all
1 households. Household size in Murfreesboro in 1980 (2.6 persons
' per household) was somewhat smaller than the County and regional
average (3.1 and 2.9 persons per household respectively).
C. Economy
' Wholesale and retail trade enterprises comprise over 30% of
the local employment base (Table 59 pg. 7.2). Government
employment accounts for 23% of Hertford County employment, while
-' manufacturing firms account for about 22%. Although agricultural
operations utilize over 25% of the County's land area, less than
' 1% of total local employment is found in agricultural, forest,
' fishery, or mining enterprises.
County per capita income has risen continuously since
' 1970, through lagging the increase noted for the state as a whole
(Figure 59 pg. 7.9), the per capita income of County residents
' was $8,342. In contrast, statewide, per capita income was
$10,852.

The County's labor force has grown more rapidly than local
employment and so between 1-978 and 1984 a steady increase was
' noted in the County's unemployment rate (Table 6, pg. 7.31.
Recent employment data however indicates employment in Hertford
' County has been increasing following the statewide trend (Figure
6, pg. 7.10). The unemployment rate in 1985 was 7.5% in Hertford
' County and 5.4% statewide, down from 9.1% and 6.7% in 1984
respectively. In 1986, the unemployment rate in Hertford County
' was 7.8%; statewide the rate was 5.3%.
' Hertford County ranked third in the five -county region in
retail sales in 1986 (Table 7, pg. 7.3). Sales in Hertford
tCounty were slightly more that than half that of sales in
Beaufort County and about 20% that of sales in urbanizing Pitt
County. At the same time, sales in Hertford County were 20%
times greater than sales in Martin County in 1985 and about 25%
greater than sales in Bertie County.
' Locally, there are eight major manufacturing firms in
the Town which typically employ anywhere from 1,000 to 1,500
' persons (Table 89 pg. 7.4). Chowan College is a major local
employer, employing about 180 persons, most of these being local
residents. The Murfreesboro Chamber of Commerce lists an
' additional 58 local commercial enterprises as members. These
Chamber members include retail operations, restaurants, and
professional offices. Although the Town has several large
1

emp.l•oyers, most of the jobs offered by these firms require few
skills. Local officials note that skilled and professional
workers demanding high -salaried positions must travel consider-
able distances to find employment.
Implications
- Although the Town has experienced relatively little change
in population in recent years, the need for sound land use
planning is not diminished. Every new residential and commercial
development affects the land and the quality of life in the
Town. Poorly planned or managed development can have irrever-
sible effects on the Town's natural and cultural resources. The
Town has several major employers. Historical evidence has
demonstrated. that business enterprises (particularly firms in the
process of expansion or relocation) appreciate the local ameni-
ties that stem from proper land and services planning. To that
end, experience has shown that in general, the certainty.that
land• use planning and regulation brings, stimulates commercial
development.
7

Table 1
REGIONAL POPULATION
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
' County
1960
1970
1980
%
1985
Change %
70-80
Change
80-85
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Beaufort
36,014
35,980
40,355
43,260
12.2%
7.2%
'Bertie
24,350
20,528
21,024
21,341
2.4%
1.5%
HERTFORD
22,718
23,529
23,368
23,924
-0.7%
2.4%
Martin
27,139
24,730
25,948
26,653
4.9%
2.7%
' Pitt
69,942
73-900
-------------
83,651
95- 862
--------
13 2%
14 6%
Region
180,163
178,667
194,346
211,040
8.8%
8.6%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
State
4,556,155
5'082 059
5,881,766
6,253,951
15 7%
6 3%
Source: U.S Census; N.C.
Office of State Budget and Management
Table 2
'COUNTY POPULATION
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Change
Change
1960
---------
19701980
----
----------------70_80
1985
----_-
8085
Ahoskie
4,583
5,105
4,887
4,936
-4.3%
1.0%
Cofield
n/a
318
465
534
46.2%
14.8%
Como
n/a
211
89
92
-57.8%
3.4%
Harrellsville
171
165
151
150
-8.5%
-0.7%
MURFREESBORO
2,643
3,508
3,007
2,798
-14.3%
-7.0%
Winton
-----------------------------------------------__-----_ -
835
917
100%
24%
Unincorp. area
14,486
13,305
13,944
14,569
4.8%
4.5%
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
' Total County
22,718
23,529
23,368
23,924
-0.7%
2.4%
n/a= not available
Source: Office of State
Budget and
Management
Table 3
'POPULATION AGE
STRUCTURE
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
1970
1980
County
State
----------------------------------------------.---------------------------
No
%
No
%
1980-
1980-
0-4 years
264
7.5%
121
4.0%
7.3%
6.9%
years
1,043
29.7%
1,-054
35.1%
27.8%
25.5%
,5-19
20-24 years
270
7.7%
431
14.3%
8.7%
9.8%
25-44 years
790
22.5%
542
18.0%
23.8%
28.0%
45-64 years
815
23.2%
544
18.1%
20.3%
19.6%
65 and older
326
9 3%
315
10 5%
12 1%
10 2%
Total 3,508 100.0% 3,007 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Source: U.S. Census
1 7.1
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Table 4
HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS 1980
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Murfreesboro
County
Region
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Households
811
-
7,499
-
67,460
-
Single -person Hshlds
184
22.7%
1,518
20.2%
14,083
20.9%
Total Housing Units
868
-
8,150
-
73,810
-
Single-family Units
765
88.1%
6,699
82.2%
57,853
78.4%
Vacant Units
57
6.6%
651
8.0%
6,348
8.6%
Renter Occupied
243
28.0%
2,420
29.7%
23,782
32.2%
Condominium Units
0
-
40
0.5%
412
0.6%
Units w/out plumbing
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
69
7.9%
220
2.7%
7,722
10.5%
Persons/household
2.6
-
3.1
-
3.0
-
Median Value unit
$34,100
-
$30,862
-
-
-
Median Rent
$106
-
$90
-
-
-
Source: U.S. Census
j
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Table 5
HERTFORD COUNTY EMPLOYMENT 1985
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Number of
% Total
State
Employment Sector
------------------------------
Employment
---Employees
Wholesale & Retail Trade
---------------------
2,041
-------%
30.3%
22.5%
Government
11541
22.9%
15.5%
Manufacturing
1,451
21.5%
31.6%
Service Industries
976
14.5%
14.9X
Construction
347
5.1%
5.7%
Transportation, Communications,
171
2.5%
4.8%
Utilities
Finance, Insurance, Real Estate
159
2.4X
4.1%
Agriculture, Forestry,
53
0.8%
1.0%
Fisheries, Mining
---------------------------------------------
Total
6,739
--------------------
100.0%
100.0%
Source: Employment Security Commission of North Carolina
note: employment presented here pertains only to employment
insured under the N.C. employment Security Law
7.2

Table 6
COUNTY LABOR FORCE
---------------------------------------------------------
Labor
Total
Unemployment
Rate
'
Year
------
Force
--
Employed
County
--- -----
State
-
1974
10,530
9,940
5.6%
4.5%
1975
10,360
9,610
7.2%
8.7%
'
1976
11,360
10,690
5.9%
6.2%
1977
12,020
11,140
7.3%
5.9%
1978
11,610
10,910
6.0%
4.3%
1979
11,850
11,010
7.1%
4.8%
'
1980
12,310
11,360
7.7%
6.5%
1981
11,770
10,850
7.8%
6.4%
1982
1983
11,740
11,700
10,780
10,610
8.2%
9.3%
9.0%
8.9%
1984
11,830
10,750
9.1%
6.7%
1985
9,750
9,020
7.5%
5.4%
'
------19869,670
--- -------
--------------------------------
8,920
7.8%
5.3%
Source: Office of
State Budget and
Management;
updated by
Employment Security Commission
Table 7
RETAIL SALES ($,000's)
---------------------------------------------------------
County
Fiscal Year
---------------------------------------------------------
Beaufort
Bertie
HERTFORD
Martin
Pitt
1975
135,562
36,101
76,279
73,027
278,382
1976
159,530
40,880
87,539
82,899
318,493
1977
177,795
43,819
100,540
93,249
349,637
1978-
191,566
46,491
102,848
93,359
372,759
1979
219,683
52,440
108,696
97,633
426,912
1980
223,745
50,996
120,747
103,241
462,937
1981
254,858
54,336
123,021
109,607
516,284
1982
258,037
57,818
133,807
114,041
542,045
1983
249,857
59,865
141,145
116,978
578,843
1984•
277,511
61,667
162,367
123,998
694,144
1985
289,045
64,487
166,839
125,435
735,826
1986
---------------------------------------------------------
314,513
62,199
169,259
137,241
831,083
Chg. 75-85
113.2%
76.6%
90.6%
71.8%
164.3%
Source: Office of State Budget and Management (1975-84)
and N.C. Department of Revenue (1985, 1986)
7.3

Table 8
'
MANUFACTURING FIRMS
as of 4/87
'
------------------------------------------------
Firm
-----------------------------------------------------------
Product
7----------
Employment Range
Georgia Pacific
Wood products
345-355
Howell Metal Corp.
Industial equip.
10-19
'Murf.
Machine Shop
Machinery parts
15-25
Revelle Ag Products
Feed, seed
20-30
Revelle Builders
Butler Buildings
10-20
of NC
Textile prod
265-275
'Rollic
Rose Bro. Paving
Asphalt
25-35
Tulloss Ind -Equip
Indstrl repair
10-14
---------- -------------------------------------------------
"Hertford
Source:
County Land Use Plan
Update 1986",
Mid -East
Commission, 1986, updated
by
Murfreesboro
Planning Board
1
7.4

m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m
c
Figure 1
N. C. Counties
I
Source: Office of State Budget and Management

Figure 2
Herford County
Land Use 1986
Crop/pasture
Urban (2.3%)
Rural developed (4.57.)
-est (66.9%)
Source: Office of State budget and Management

V
V
N
'0
c
a
U)
3
0
r
I,
Figure 3
Regional Population
1960-1985
l00
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Pitt
r
Beaufort
Martin
HERTFORD
Bertie
1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985'
Source: U.S. Census; Office of State budget and Management

1.5
1.4
1.3
1.2
1.1
1
0.9
0.8
0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0
Figure 4
Population Age Structure
MURFREESBORO
0-4 years 5-19 years 20-24 years 25-44 years 45-64 years 65 and older
I%/ �\ • : •
Source: U.S. Census

V
to
Per Capita Income
1970-1984
14
13
12
11
10
n 9
c
y 8
0
t
7
6
5
4
3
2
10,852
9,8
8,655
8,342
7,10 491 7,737
,
5,777
4,860 5,898
4,241 4,824
4,125
3,461
1970 1972 1974 1976 1978
❑ Hertford County
Source: Office of State Budget and Management
1980 1982 1984
+ State

as
v
C
0
E
0
V Q
0
E
m
C
D
Figure s
Unemployment Rate
1976-1986
14.0%
9.0%
8.0%
7.0%
6.0%
5.0%
4.0%
3.0%
2.0%
1.0%
0. 0%
County I
State I
1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986
Year
Source: Office of State Budget and Management, and
Employment Security Commission

II. LAND USE
' A. Existing Conditions
The Town limits encompass an area of about 1.7 square
miles. Including the one -mile extraterritorial jurisdiction,
the Murfreesboro planning area covers about 8 square miles of
Hertford County. U. S. 158/258 bisects the Town into northern
' and southern halves. A major north/south route in the area,
N. C. 119 forms parts, of the Town's eastern boundary. All
the major highways that traverse the Town intersect in the east
central section of the community. Here, U.. S. 158 and 258
divide. From this intersection, U. S. 158 continues east toward
Winton and U. S. 258 continues north into Virginia.
In 1986 the Town boundaries were extended into the extra-
territorial jurisdiction. On U. S. 158/258 to the west, the
Town -.annexed a fairly large area which'included the Howell Metal
operation, the new shopping plaza containing Byrd's Supermarket
and a Family Dollar Store, and a residential neighborhood in the
Jay Trail/Truitt Street area. The Town also acquired a large
residential area by annexing the Roanoke-Chowan Regional Housing
Authority (RCRHA) project and the new residences that have been
constructed across from the project on State Route (S.R.) 1157.
The 1986 annexation also extended -the Murfreesboro town limits
south on N.C. 11 to include the Fox Ridge townhouse development
and Whitely's BBQ.
11

As shown on the Map of Existing Land Use (pg. 32.3), most
of the land within the Town limits has been developed. Residen-
tial uses predominate, however the Town has an extensive area of
commercial development along Main Street and two large industrial
'
areas have developed in the northern half of the Town. The
Town's oldest buildings are found in the north central area of
'
the community near the river. The Murfreesboro Historic District
occupies an area of about six square blocks, bounded by Wynn,
Williams, and Second Streets. Many notable historic structures
in the area are found north of Broad Street between Sycamore and
Fourth Streets.
Most residential dwellings in Murfreesboro (about 88% of
all units) are single-family structures. The Town does however,
1
have two major multifamily developments. The oldest, the RCRHA
'
project, contains 50 multifamily units. The Fox Ridge townhouse
development off N. C. 11 was constructed in the early 1980's.
This project contains 32 multifamily units.
The planning area contains six mobile home developments;
five are located in the extraterritorial area. Within the Town
limits on U. S. 158 is the Murfree Trailer Court. Southwest of
the Town is found the Westwood Mobile Home Park on S. R. 1157
and the Deerfield Mobile Home Park on S. R. 1182. The Woodbridge
Mobile Home Park and the Buena Vista Trailer Park are found on
' S. R. 1300 north of Murfreesboro. Maney's Neck Mobile Home Park
' is found northeast of Town across the river on U. S. 258.
1 9

Although most residential development has occurred within
' the Town limits, there has also been considerable development in
' the extraterritorial area, particularly in the southern half of
the Town. A few homes have been built along S. R. 1179 south of
I
Chowan College, and there has been considerable residential
development, as well as commercial development, along U. S.
'
158/258 Murfreesboro.
west of
'
The Town has a number of churches of all denominations,
and several public buildings including the Roberts -Vaughan
Village Center, the Murfree Center, and the Town Hall. The
largest institutional use in the Town is Chowan College. The
'
college owns a large area of land in the southcentral of
portion
'
Town between Union Street and Lakeview Drive. The college
maintains a number of buildings including dormitories, academic
'
and administrative buildings, and an athletic complex. In 1982
the college constructed a new Graphic Arts Center.
Three major industrial areas are found within the Town.
'
The oldest industrial area is found near the river. Georgia
Pac.i.fic has its large wood processing operation at the east end
of Broad Street between East and Third Streets, and its holdings
extend north of Broad Street almost to the river. Royster
Mercantile Company, a fertilizer distributor, also has a large
retail distribution warehouse along the river at the north
end of Hart Street.
10

As the Town developed, industry expanded inland away from
'
the river. A second major industrial area in the Town is found
'
along Broad Street between Winder and Lawrence Street. The
area extends north along Commercial Street and east along
Darlene Street and is home for a number of industries including
Tull.os Industrial Equipment (selling and servicing industrial
'
equipment), Revelle Builders (building services and supplies),
and Rollic of North Carolina (textile products).
The third industrial area within the Town, recently
'
acquired through annexation, is the Howell Metal Corporation
operation (producer of industrial equipment parts) on U. S.
'
158/258 on the western edge of the Town.
There are several scattered industrial areas in the extra-
,
territorial jurisdiction including an old cement -mixing plant on
'
U. S. 158/258 and Rose Brothers sand and gravel operation off
U. S. 258 near the river.
Commercial areas have developed both inside and outside
the .town limits. Main Street between First Street and West
Street is
dominated by commercial uses although some residential
uses remain. The downtown commercial area extends one block
north and south of Main Street in some places, and a few scat-
tered commercial uses are found in other areas of the Town.
The Town recently extended its commercial area by annexing the
shopping plaza containing the Byrd's Supermarket, Revco Drug-
' 11

store, and the Family Dollar Store. Outside the Town boundary
along U. S. 158/258 there are several commercial uses, and two
commercial enterprises (restaurants) are found north of the Town
along U. S. 258.
Although there has been considerable development in the
extraterritorial area along existing roads, most land within the
Agricultural
extraterritorial jurisdiction remains undeveloped.
uses predominate. The planning area has one large tract of
commercial forestland on the east side of U. S. 258 north of the
river. This tract, owned by the Union Camp Corporation, extends
north of the municipal wastewater treatment plant almost to the
one -mile boundary, and extends southeast to the river. Scattered
areas of woodland are found surrounding residential areas and
between tracts cleared for agriculture.
The remainder of the extraterritorial area has been
cleared for farmland, and much of it is still used for agri-
'
culture. The vast majority of land north of Murfreesboro along
'
S. R-. 1302 (Wynn Street) and S. R. 1300 is used for farming.
Excluding the development that has occurred on the west side of
S. R. 1300, cleared agricultural land is broken only by scattered
clumps of woodland. Other large areas of agricultural land are
found along S. R. 11809 N. C. 11, and U. S. 158. Although some
strip residential development has occurred along these roads,
cleared farmland adjoins residential properties.
12

1
1
1
1
H. Recent Development; Future Growth
Although the Town has lost population since 19809 Murfrees-
boro has experienced a moderate amount of residential and
commercial development in the past five years. Nationwide and
in Murfreesboro as well, household size is decreasing; more
dwellings are needed to house even a stable population.
As shown in Table 9 (pg. 32.1), 38 new single-family
dwellings have been constructed in the Murfreesboro area since
1980. The rate of multifamily development has been almost twice
the rate of single-family development. In many areas, although
the rate of development will vary somewhat depending on economic
factors such as interest rates, typically, the rate of single-
family construction will be fairly steady. In contrast, the rate
of multifamily development will fluctuate widely. As shown in
Table 91 although twice as many multifamily units were construct-
ed as single-family units, permits for multifamily dwellings were
issued in only two years. In 19809 29 permits were issued for
construction in the RCRHA project on S. R. 1157. No permits were
issued for multifamily construction again until 1985 when 32
permits were issued for construction of the Fox Ridge project on
N. C. 11.
Most new residential development in the Murfreesboro area
has occurred in the southern half of the planning area. Resi-
dential development has occurred primarily in three places: in
the Maple Street/Edgewood Drive area; in the Jay Trail area, west
13

of Spring Avenue; and on S. R. 1157 near the RCRHA project.
Recent commercial development has occurred primarily along U. S.
158/258 in the western part of the Town and in the western
ext.r.aterritorial jurisdiction.
Local officials expect future development to follow the
pattern established in recent years. Residential development is
likely to continue in the southern half of the planning region.
Development in this area will be further stimulated by con-
struction of the U. S. 258 bypass. State transportation offi-
cials have been considering a Murfreesboro bypass for a number
of years and the project has now been listed on the State's
1987-1995 Transportation Improvement Program. Both a northerly
and a southerly route are being considered by state transporta-
tion planners. The Town has gone on record as supporting a
northernly routing of the highway. Planning for the nine
million dollar project is scheduled to begin in 1987 with
construction starting in early 1991. Should the northern route
be selected, it is likely that residential development in the
southern half of the Town, and especially in the southern extra-
territorial area, will increase. Developers can then be certain
that the bypass will finally be constructed (increasing access
to and from the area), and that investments in the southern half
of the community will not be threatened by highway construction.
Upon completion of the project, commercial development is likely
14

1
to occur where the bypass intersects major highways such as N. C.
11 and U. S. 158. In the meantime, unless regulatory controls
' are changed, strip commercial development is likely to continue
west along U. S. 158/258.
u
C. Land Use Concerns
There are two major land use concerns in the Town:
industrial development along the river in the northeast corner
of the Town, and strip commercial development along U. S.
158/258 at the western end of Town in the extraterritorial
jurisdiction.
Murfreesboro developed as a port community on the banks of
the Meherrin River. Industrial and commercial uses can still
be found near the river, 200 years after incorporation of the
Town. Georgia Pacific, the Town's largest employer, has a large
wood processing operation at the east end of Broad Street; the
company's landholdings extend northeast to the river. The
Murfreesboro plant makes wooden baskets and crates. The Georgia
Pac*i'fic facilities include a milling plant, several warehouses,
and lumber and equipment yards. The industrial area is located
just south of the river, adjoins, a residential area and a
cemetery, and is close to the Town's Historic District. The
plant impacts these areas with traffic generated by plant workers
(about 350) and large delivery vehicles; with noise; and occa-
sionally with odors from processing activities.
15
1

Local officials are also concerned about the commercial
development that is extending west along U. S. 158/258. Recent
commercial construction was one justification for the annexation
that occurred along the highway in 1986. Strip development along
major highways, whether residential or commercial, is a concern
in many communities. Strip -type development creates traffic
hazards: through and turning traffic are often mixed in an
unacceptable fashion. Such development is often unsightly, and
can land -lock parcels with no highway frontage. In general,
strip development is considered a poor use of land resources.
Imalications
The Town, through its zoning ordinance, should encourage
industrial uses to locate in areas appropriate for such develop-
ment. Industrial uses should be constructed away from environ-
mentally sensitive areas such as water and wetlands. In general,
residential, historic, and commercial areas should be buffered
from. industrial zones. The impacts of industrial development
vary -depending on the specific type of development proposed.
Therefore, the Town might wish to consider performance -based
standards, rather than use district regulations in controlling
industrial development.
Strip development can also be controlled through zoning
regulations. The Town encourages new development and often,
16

commercial enterprises desire a visible location along major
thoroughfares. Without prohibiting such development altogether,
the Town can control such development to regulate access and
egress, landscaping, and signage. It is this way, highway
development can be made as safe and aesthetically pleasing as
possible.
17

' D. Development Controls
Land development in the Town is controlled by a variety of
' local, state, and federal regulations. Plans and policies
enacted by the Town, the County, and various state agencies
' influence local land use decisions as well.
1. Regulatory Controls
' Local ordinances controlling land use decisions are
'
described below. State and federal regulations that control
land uses are listed in Appendix A.
The Murfreesboro Zoning Ordinance was updated in 1986. To
increase compliance with local zoning regulations, one of
the amendments made in 1986 made the Town Administrator
'
the local zoning administrator. Now, before building
permits are issued by the County, persons seeking to
develop in Murfreesboro must present a zoning permit
issued by the Town to show compliance with the local zoning
'
ordinance.
Subdivision Regulations has been written for the Town but
'
have not been adopted.
Mobile Home Park Regulations are included in the zoning
'
ordinance,
Floodplain Regulations are in effect in the small area of
'
the Town subject to flooding along the Meherrin River.
A Historic District Ordinance is administered by the
Town's Historic District Commission.
'
Septic Tank Regulations (Article 10 of the North Carolina
Administrative Code) are enforced in the extraterritorial
area. Over 99% of all units in the Town are serviced by
'
sewers. Septic tanks are not permitted within the City
limits.
'
A Nuisance Ordinance is in effect.
18

' 2. Development Plans
' The State's Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) lists
two projects in the Murfreesboro area. The first is the U. S.
' 258 Murfreesboro bypass. Current development plans show the
five -mile bypass taking a southerly route around the Town
'
(Appendix B) although in the past, both southerly and northerly
routes had been considered. Local officials have noted that a
northerly route would be consistent with the current development
'
pattern of the community and would have less environmental
impact. Thus, in the summer of 1986 the Town issued an official
'
statement of support for a northerly routing. The proposed
'
highway will be two lanes on a four lane right-of-way. The
project is expected to cost over nine million dollars with
'
construction scheduled to begin in 1992. Also appearing in the
state's TIP is replacement of the U. S. 258 bridge over the
'
Meherrin River. This project is scheduled to begin in 1989 with
an estimated cost of almost four million dollars.
The Town's current Community Facilities and Public Improve-
ment s Plan was prepared in the early 1980's and is now being
updated by the Town Administrator. The Town has applied annually
for Community Development Block
Grant (CDBG) funds and in 1986
'
the Town received a $650,000 CDBG grant for housing improvements
in two areas of the community. Should the Town experience a
'
major natural disaster, activity before, during, and after the
' 19

I
storm event will be directed by the Hertford County Disaster
' Relief and Assistance Plan.
3. Development Policies
'
In July 19879 The
Town formally adopted a utilities
extension_ policy which had
been local policy, unofficially,
for a number of years.
Hook-up to public services is now
mandatory if the property
lies within 200 feet of the service.
'
Out-of-town customers pay
a higher rate than in -town users.
Almost all developed properties
within the Town limits are
serviced with water and sewer.
Outside the Town, both the
'
Carver Park subdivision and
the River School on U. S. 158 are
served with water and sewer.
The Town plans to extend water and
'
sewer service west outside
the Town limits on U. S. 158 in the
' summer of 1987.
This is the Town's first comprehensive land use plan.
' Planners did not analyze previous land use policies in developing
the..1987 plan as no official development policies had ever been
' promulgated. Until adoption of this plan, most land development
decisions had been made based solely on private considerations
and the Town's zoning ordinance.
1 20

E. Development Constraints
1: Land Suitability
' Compared to other areas of the state, there are few
physical factors constraining land development in Murfreesboro.
' Land use constraints can be classified into one of three categor-
ies:_ physical limitations, fragile areas, and areas of resource
' potential.
Physical Limitations for Development. A variety of
factors determine the suitability of land for development.
These include soil and subsoil conditions, topography, potential
for flooding, and existing land uses in the development area.
As shown on the Map of Land Use Constraints (pg. 32.4)9 the
'
Murfreesboro region has a small area along the Meherrin River and
Worrells Mill Swamp which is subject to periodic flooding. The
'
Federal Insurance Administration (FIA) has defined the Zone A
floodplain as those areas which have a 1% or greater chance of
'
flooding in any year. In communities such as Murfreesboro which
participate in the National Flood Insurance Programs the lowest
floor of residential buildings must be elevated at or above flood
level as determined by FIA; non-residential above base flood
level as determined by FIA; non-residential structures can be
flood -proofed instead. In the Murfreesboro area, a narrow Zone A
floodplain is located along both banks of the Meherrin River in
the northeast corner of the planning area. The 100-year flood-
'
..
'
21

n
C�
1
I I
1
1-1
plain also extends south from the river along Worrells Mill
Swamp. A small portion of this flood -prone area is located
within the Town limits with the major portion located in the
extraterritorial area.
The presence of poor soils and steep slopes also limit the
development of land resources. Soil conditions determine the
suitability of the land for in -ground sewage disposal systems.
Before land can be build -upon the stability, bearing capacity,
and erodibility of the soil must also be considered. The major
soils found in the Murfreesboro area are listed in Table 10 (pg.
32.1). As noted on the Mufreesboro Area Soils Map (pg. 32.5),
within the Town limits, soils types GpA, GOA, and the Norfolktype
soils predominate. Within the corporate limits, soil type GpA
identifies developed urban land. Dorovan soils are poorly
drained organic soils on floodplains and are found in the
extraterritorial area along the river. These soils are poorly
suited for urban or recreational uses, and are considered.poor
soils for crop or pastureland as well. Dorovan soils have severe
limitations for building construction and for the location of
septic systems. Moreover, at certain times of the year, the high
water table is above the soil surface'in some places (note "plus
sign" in "depth to high water table" column in Table 10).
Norfolk -type soils - NoA, NoB, and NoC are the major soil
types found in the remainder of the extraterritorial area.
W

Norfolk soils have only slight limitations for building construc-
tion and only moderate limitations for septic systems. It is
especially important to note soil conditions in the extraterrito-
rial area where public sewage is not available.
'
Winton soils are well drained soils on bluffs along rivers
and major tributaries. In the Murfreesboro area Winton soils
'
are found in the west side of the river on the bluff above the
river's floodplain. The topography of this area limits its
development potential. Slopes in, this area are steep and
'
generally are greater than 12%.
The Town obtains its water from groundwater resources. The
extensive groundwater reservoirs of the state's Coastal Plain
region were considered a relatively unlimited source of water
Northeastern North Carolina
supply until recent years. and
southeastern Virginia share an aquifer system. Studies have
documented that groundwater levels have been declining for a
number of years. The largest declines have been noted in the
groundwater layer serving a large portion of Hertford County and
are attributed to relatively large withdrawals in Virginia.
water
The area's aquifer system can be divided in three hydrogeo-
logic units: the Cretaceaus aquifer system; the Teritiary
aquifer system; and the water -table aquifer. The Cretaceaus
aquifer provides Hertford County with much of its groundwater
and is the aquifer in which the largest water level declines
1 23

1
L
11
1
have been noted. The water -table aquifer recharges the underly-
ing artesian aquifer units. In the Winton area, this layer lies
close to the surface in many soils and is very vulnerable to
pollution from septic tanks, industrial and municipal waste
disposal, landfills, and agricultural activities.
In an effort to protect public water supplies, many communi-
ties are now regulating development in the recharge area of
public wells. Development has already occurred near two of the
Town's three public wells and to date, has produced no water
quality problems. The Town's downtown commercial area lies just
south of the Sycamore Street well. Residential uses adjoin both
the Town's well at the intersection of Spring Avenue and S. R.
1157 and the Town's third well off S.• R. 1180 in the southwest
corner of the extraterritorial area.
Fragile Areas. The Murfreesboro area is rich in natural
and cultural resources. The extent and location of these
resources should be considered as development decisions are made.
The Murfreesboro area• has two Areas of Environmental
Concern (AECs): the waters of the Meherrin River and the
river's shoreline - up to 75 feet of its mean high water level.
The Coastal Area Management Act of 1974 (CAMA) established
the Coastal Resources Commission (CRC) and specified that the
CRC identify and designate "areas of environmental concern" -
AECs. AECs are areas with natural or cultural resources which
are of statewide concern. Four categories of AECs have been
24

1
J
developed: the estuarine system; the ocean hazard system; public
water supplies; and natural and cultural resource areas. It has
been determined that unregulated development in these areas have
a high probability of causing irreversible damage to public
health, property, and the natural environment. Thus, the CRC
has developed guidelines for development in these areas.
According to the guidelines established by the CRC, most projects
in AECs require a CAMA permit. "Minor" development permits
(generally projects altering less than 20 acres or involving
structures less than 60,000 square feet) are issued by a local
permit officer. "Major" development permits are issued by the
Division of Coastal Management.
The AECs in Murfreesboro are part of the estuarine system.
Four types of natural areas are included in this system:
estuarine waters, public trust areas, coastal wetlands, and
estuarine shorelines. Public trust areas are water and submerged
lands in the coastal region where the public has traditionally
had the right of use, including the right of navigation. All
navigable waterways in the coastal areas - including the Meherrin
River - are considered public trust AECs.
The shoreline of the river is also considered an AEC. For
management purposes, all water in the state has been classified
into one of three categories - inland fishing water, where
fishing is regulated by the Wildlife Resources Commission;
25

1
coastal fishing water, where fishing activity is under the
'
jurisdiction of the Marine Fisheries Commission; and joint
fishing waters, where regulations developed by agreement of
Under fishing
both agencies are in effect. CAMA, joint waters
are regulated as estuarine waters; thus CAMA regulations control
development along the river and with 75 feet of the mean high
'
water level - the "estuarine shoreline."
Aside from the region's two AECs, no unique areas have
'
been identified. The Natural Heritage Program has
state no
'
record of any endangered species or habitats, or rare geologic
areas within the planning area. The Town has within its corpo-
rate limits, a number of buildings of historic importance and the
state Department of Cultural Resources has identified five
'
archaeologically sensitive areas in the area.
planning
'
The Town's National Register Historic District currently
occupies an area of about six square blocks north and south of
Main Street• between Winder and Fourth Streets. State historic
officials expect that the District will be enlarged in the near
future and that a number of other individually -eligible pro-
'
perties will be proposed for National Register listing. Six
properties within the District have been listed on the National
Register of Historic Places (Table ll, pg. 32.2)9 and a seventh
National Register property - the Columns - is located outside the
'
district on the grounds of Chowan College. The Town's Historic
1 26

District has also been identified as an archaeologically sensi-
tive area; state officials note that 15 archaeological sites
have been identified within the district. Four other archaeolog-
ically sensitive areas containing a total of 13 sites have been
identified in addition; three lie within the Town's corporate
limi-ts, the third lies in the extraterritorial area. Two areas
which have a high probability for archaeological sites have been
identified in the extraterritorial area.
Areas of Resource Potential. Most of the planning area
outside the City limits is currently used for agricultural
purposes. According to the U. S. Department of Agriculture,
much of that land is prime farmland. Agricultural officials
have observed that prime farmland will be of major importance in
providing the nation's short and long range needs for food and
timber. To that end, conservation of prime farmland has become
a national objective and is an important state agricultural
goal --as well.
. Prime farmland is defined by its current use (urban,
built-up, and water areas cannot be considered prime farmland)
and by the soils that comprise it. In Murfreesboro the CaB,
GOA, NoA, NOB, and NoC soils are considered prime farmland
soils. These soils have properties that are favorable for the
production of sustained high yields of crops. According to
agricultural officials, these soils produce the highest yields
27

' with minimal inputs of energy and economic resources, and
farming these soils results in the least damage to the environ-
ment. As shown on the Murfreesboro area soils map, the region
con-t'ains a fairly extensive area of the Norfolk soils. These
' soils are well distributed throughout the planning areal with
the majority being found in the extraterritorial area.
' Areas of resource potential also include state parks,
' forest and wildlife preserves; private game preserves; and areas
of valuable mineral deposits. The Murfreesboro. planning area
' contains no public or private natural resource areas and no
known mineral deposits.
2. Facility Limitations
-As a community grows, service demands increase. More
police and fire protection may be needed; additional classrooms
or schools may be necessary. Demand for public water and sewer
service increases. Planning for future service demands helps
' avoid shortfalls in provision of public services. Development
can be severely constrained when the demand for vital services
such as water and sewer, exceeds supply.
Population growth in Hertford County and in Murfreesboro in
' particular has been slow in recent years. Between 1970 and 1985,
' the County has grown by less than 2%. Most growth during this
28

period occurred in outlying areas outside of towns; Murfreesboro
lost about 20% of its population during this period.
The population of the Town is likely to remain steady over
the -next five years or increase very slightly. Annexation of
tseveral
residential areas in the extraterritorial area in 1986
brought about 300 persons within the city limits. In 1986 the
'
Town had about 39100 residents. Unless a new major employer
locates nearby or Chowan College experiences a significant in
enrollment, it is unlikely the Town's population will exceed
39500 by 1990.
Water Service. Almost all properties within the corporate
'
limits are serviced with public water. Water mains have been
extended outside of Town to the Carver Park subdivision and the
River View School the Town
and plans on extending service west
on U. S.158/U. S. 258 in the summer of 1987.
Murfreesboro is a water -rich community. The Town's three
wells have a capacity of 3.5 million gallons per day (gpd).
Storage capacity is 5759000 gpd. Water demand now averages
about 4009000 At some future date, the Town's
gpd. storage
capacity may have to be increased. Water supply however,
should not limit growth in the forseeable future.
'
Sewer Service. Sewer service is also provided to almost all
developed properties within the Town limits and the Carver Park
and ,River View School as well.
1 29

Murfreesboro has a land application wastewater treatment
system with an estimated capacity of 4769000 gpd. The Town has
a fairly serious problem with infiltration of water from outside
the- system. Thus system demand is fairly weather -dependent.
Average daily demand varies from about 2509000 gpd during dry
weather to about 650,000 gpd during wet periods.
By correcting infiltration/inflow problems within the
system, local demand could almost double and still be accommo-
dated by the existing treatment plant. The Town is currently
investigating expansion of the system's spray fields and in
late 1987 will begin an inflow study. Until infiltration
problems are controlled however, the capacity of the Town's
treatment system may be the greatest limitation to future
growth.
Public Schools. The capacity of county schools will not
constrain development in the foreseeable future. As noted below
all schools are currently being used well below capacity.
School
River View
Murfreesboro Middle
Murfreesboro High
TOTAL
0
Enrollment '86-87
640
385
470
1,495
30
Capacity % Capacit
750
85
675
57
1,000
47
2,425
62
11

Consolidation of Ahoskie and Murfreesboro High Schools has
Proponents
been proposed in the past. note that a large consoli-
dated school would increase the quality of education in the
County by offering an expanded curriculum and increasing social
'
and athletic opportunities. In May 1987 the County Board of
Education announced tentative plans to consolidate the County
'
High Schools the Middle Schools. Officials to
and plan. use
Ahoskie High School as the County's central high school and the
Murfreesboro High School as the consolidated middle school.
Roads. Lack of service by a major interstate highway is
often cited as one of the major factors that has limited growth
'
in northeastern North Carolina. It is that this
unlikely
situation will change in the foreseeable future given the current
lack of federal funding.
'
State highway improvements in the Murfreesboro area will
effect local development to some extent. The Murfreesboro U. S.
258 bypass will help alleviate downtown congestion and facilitate
traffic movement to Virginia's growing Tidewater area when the
project is completed in the mid-1990's. Downtown highway
'
projects scheduled for 1987 also help ease traffic problems.
The Main Street/Wynn Street intersection will 'be widened to
'
accommodate tractor -trailers which frequently utilize the
intersection. Trucks currently must make such wide turns into
Wynn Street that vehicles on Wynn Street are often forced to
'
31

back-up to allow trucks
to complete the turn. State transporta-
tion officials also
plan to add a turn lane at the Chowan Plaza
Shopping Center on U.
S. 158/0. S. 258 on the west side of Town.
'
Implications
Given the slow rate
of growth anticipated in the next five
'
the
years, capacity
of the local public facilities will meet
'
future demands. The
capacity of the Town's sewage treatment
system is likely to
be the greatest limitation to future growth
'
unless problems with
infiltration/inflow are remedied.
1
32

'
Table 9
BUILDING PERMITS 1980-1986
-----------------------------------------------------
Single- Multi-
Commercial/
Year Family Family
Industrial
Institutional
"
-=---------------------------------------------------
1980 5 29
2
1
1981 5 0
3
1
1982 5 0
0
1
1983 8 0
6
0
1984 5 0
3
0
1985 5 32
4
2
1986 5 0
2
2
-----------------------------------------------------
Total 38 61
20
7
Source: compiled by Mid -East
Commission
from County
'
Building Inspector
records
'
Table 10
SOIL CHARACTERISITICS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Limitations for:
Soil
Buildings w!o
Septic
Runoff
Depth to High
Code Type
SIope
Basements
Tanks
Potential
Water .Table (ft)
---------------------------------
------
------ M-----
-}--------------------
Bg Bibb
OX
Severe
Severe
Moderate
0.5 1.5
BOB Bonneau loamy sand
0-6X
Slight
'Moderate
Low
3.5 - 5.0
BOC Bonneau loamy sand
6-12X
Moderate
Moderate
Low
3.5 - 5.0
'
CaB f CaroIine fine sandy loam
2-6%
Moderate
Severe
Moderate
> 6.0
CrS f Craven fine sandy loam
1-41
Moderate
Severe
Moderate
2.0 - 3.0._
CrD2 Craven fine sandy loan
8-12X
Moderate
Severe
Moderate
2.0 - 3.0
'
DO Dorovan
OX
Severe
Severe
High
+1 - 0.5
GoA f Goldsboro fine sandy loan
0-2%
Moderate
Severe
Slight
2.0 - 3.0
GpA Goldsboro -Urban complex
0-2X
Moderate
Severe
Slight
2.0 - 3.0
'
LF Leaf loam
OX
Severe
Severe
High
0.3 - 1.5
Ly Lynchburg fine sandy loam
OX
Severe
Severe
Moderate
0.5 - 1.5
'
NoA f Norfolk loamy fine sand
NoB f Norfolk loamy fine sand
0-27.
2-6%
Slight
Slight
Moderate
Moderate
Slight
Slight
4.0 - 6.0
1.0 - 6.0
NoC f Norfolk loamy fine sand
6-10%
Moderate
Moderate
Slight
4.0 - 6.0 .r.,
Ra Rains fine sandy loam
01
Severe
Severe
Moderate
0.0 - 1.0
1
RuA Rumford loamy sand
0-31.
Slight
Slight
Slight
> 6.0
Se Seabrook loamy sand
OX
Severe
Severe
Moderate
2.0 - 4.0
Tag Tarboro sand
0-5%
Severe
Severe
Low
< 6.0
'
Ud Udorthents, sandy
OX
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
WT Winton
12-60%
Severe
Severe
Moderate
2.0 - 4.0
'
f indicates prime farmland soil
(1) soil characteristics vary; on -site investigation needed
1
Source: Soil Survey of Hertford County, U.S.D.A., S.C.S.,
July 1994
32.1

Table 11
NATIONAL REGISTER PROPERTIES
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SITE LOCATION DESCRIPTION
-----------------------------------------------------------------------=----------
Murfreesboro National
Downtown Murfreesboro,
National Register
Register Historic
generally between Winder
Historic District
District
and Lawrence Streets
north and south of Main
Street.
Myrick-Yeates-
327 W. Main Street
Finest example of Albert
Vaughan House
Gamaliel Jones' . Greek
Revival houses remaining
in Murfreesboro.
Freeman House
200 E. Broad Street
Original Academy building.
Academy eventually become
Chowan College.
The Columns
Jones Drive
Built to replace the
Chowan College
original Academy building,
the building has been
4
used as a chapel, class
rooms, offices and
dormatory for Chowan
College. Multiple
additions have been made
`
to the exterior since
construction; interior
has been remodeled.
Melrose
100 E. Broad Street
Originally a side gable
house reoriented to face
south. Large side and
rear Greek Revival
additions made; classical
porch and side chimneys
added.
Myrick House
402 Broad Street
Exterior is stable and
unaltered except for
remains of replacement
porch.
32.2

William Rea Store
E. Williams Street
One of oldest commercial
buildings in North
'
Carolina. Circa 1790
ship chandler's shop. In
'
1803 a law office was
attached.
Roberts -Vaughan
130 E. Main Street
Federal house was enlarged
House
during Greek Revival
'
period. Pedimented
portico also added. Much
of the older section
'
remains unaltered.
Outbuildings included a
bath house.
tJohn
Wheeler House
403 E. Broad Street
House was the only brick
dependency in
Murfreesboro.
Source: N. C. Department
of Cultural Resources
t
32.21

`s MURFREESBORO
NORTH CAROLINA
1
EXISTING LAND USE ►; , �
J.
•`J
\ - - �� ••• - Prepared by the YSd-East Cocmlasion
//. •:ashin 11n:
SeptemberG1987ro
�Cbf
o eSC 0 2jt East St•
Oil
NN. n �•y;,. •Jr.�.,-
---'_'- ' -'- .• ll Y fD tt r � :'; � '1� `::• a�.,aT Jy ;'r -M!!%s"�
En cn
Broad St. _ _ S,
Main St.=
::::::::::
i
- .ti
........
Y /
•Y• eat
-_ =p
a-r
•::' ••i:::' •` - •jai �J _
a� 1
rill •Y. � /.
- I
� d
'= _ ..-v�i'Cc�1c• ?1 :•: .�.•t.: >��`�.kdp,1 ep •.�•::.• .`.y �l���l.l _
/ �: .:�.;1 _:::. s., •ya<c�� uj. "c7tc' /� .`a '�yd;'lc7r..
1 5 - `_ t .v �. •:: J:.r.G:::.a:v�:. �s,..a uJ •�:' y:: Z _ �� • �, A•r•t4'il •'r � .
} `.j7.C.ir ,t.::.v-•�'�;a•X•:••}?:r:: ••.: phg4�:?� \ .5ia1"-�'�"�nSa_
ii _ � /::ftC•'�1.�;�:•::.:#.:;:;`15�•'S;S:i:.y:?'::: 4v0!�S .'�:i�'• n �"_ \•,G,.��:'e° 'h1Y
• 1� __� - 'i :;�z.- `.�y::::: �:�•iti:.`•: _•.. 'I: :; �ah4i111L,`i' "...�.- �;._ .-�e.,.?� :1
Residential
•',f; 1. .:�• •.'. .!/.' ,g �1 / 1'
` Commercial
S.R. 1157
_ 11j Industrial
Institutional
Th. prevaration of this sev was financed is
Dart through a arant Drovided b7 the Northt' ` �,�.f `' •��•••• , r�
Carol lna Coastal ltma[esent pro[ras.
through funds Drovided by the Coastal Zone •� ,, ' \ Transport., Utilities
Caaa[ewent Aet of 1972, as awended, which . , ®®®
ss adst-istered b7 the Olfite of Ocean and •\ \
1 -
Coastal Rssoure. Managawent. National S.
R• 11g2 i ; .� - 1
Oceanic and AtwsDherle Adwlalstratioa. • 1� `•� f
;�;\. '��/ _—.•- � 1 �� � ,I � � Undeveloped
41
'►,
�_• '� ��:.� '1 ,1' •'ram \ 1 -- J ' / / '
1 32.3

LAND USE CONSTRAINTS
I
Z 6
�<
7
::Y:
��`
Y-_
.^
1
�'
........... ...... -* ......... .. . ..................::
i
.....................:::::: .. ... ....................:
t. ......................... ..
�..
• - C:Ct..
........ ..i
J
1
J ::Z�... ::r•:
:1 ^r :i:
:/
a
1
/"
`.
— •,
d�CZ
1 _ i Main St.
51
Jf
The ;,re -ration of this say waa financed in _ - �\l. = _-_ - _-. - - `' 1P
yart through a [rant ytovided t7 'the North
Caron na Coastal rana[ement Program. i.` ,� li _
through fends yro.ided by the Coasts .one _ _ _
Maaa[e...
I Ae- of :972. as amended. which ' 1
is
administered b7 the Office of Ocean and \
Coastal Resource ana[e7 neat. National -� • \ 1J� Ii
'O1
ceanic and Ataosyheric AdmiAlatrat:On. `•� 1
-' rI $ R• 17�1 _tV
MURFREESBORO
NORTH cCAROLINA
Prepared by the Mid -East Commission
Nashingtan• North Carolina
September 1987
AEC
Floodplain
Steep Slope
�i
Public Well
Historic District
Historic Structure
Archaeologically Sensitive Area
32.4

U
Map 1
Murfreesboro Area Soils
Source: U.S.D.A., S.C.S., "Soil Survey of Hertford County North Carolina"

III. POLICY OBJECTIVES
' A. Resource Protection
' The Town is located on the western bank of the Meherrin
River. The River was important in the early development of the
Town and continues to be a valuable recreational, aesthetic, and
environmental resource of statewide concern. The Town values
' this resource and supports local, state, and interstate efforts
to preserve and enhance the quality of its waters.
The River and its shoreline are Areas of Environmental
' Concern. The Town's policy and management objectives for these
Areas of Environmental Concern are those stated in the North
' Carolina Administrative Code (15 NCAC 7H.0203):
t - "to give the highest priority to the protection and
coordinated management of these areas, so as to safeguard
' and perpetuate their biological, social, economic, and aesthetic
values and to ensure that development occurring within these
AECs is compatible with natural characteristics so as to minimize
the likelihood of significant loss of private property and
' public resources." In accordance with this overall objective,
' the Town will permit only those land uses which conform to the
general use standards of the North Carolina Administrative Code
' (15 NCAC 7H.0209). for development within the Estuarine System.
In general, the Town, will only support water -dependent uses
' along its fragile river shoreline.
11
1 33

The Town has other natural areas which to varying degrees,
'
limitations to development. Floodplains, steep slopes and
pose
'
soil-s unsuitable for septic systems are found in some places in
and around Murfreesboro. The Town will not support development
'
in areas with natural hazards or in places where development may
have negative impacts on historic or archaeologic resources.
The -Town encourages new development and welcomes new indus-
trial and commercial concerns. The Town supports all development
that protects natural areas and in turn, enhances the quality
'
of life for local residents. It is important that natural and
cultural resources be,protected from the impacts of development
'
during construction and over the long term.
'
Groundwater resources supply Murfreesboro residents with
water. Planners and local officials have only recently begun to
understand the sensitivity of this valuable resource. Reports
indicate that relatively large water withdrawals in recent years
'
has caused a substantial decline in the level of underground
reserves. Groundwater across the state is threatened by the more
than 37,000 underground storage tanks that officials estimate may
'
have leaks. New local development should not have negative
impacts on local groundwater quantity and quality. The Town
'
opposes development and activities in other areas that may cause
future shortfalls in groundwater supply or pose severe risks to
'
the quality of underground waters.
j
1 34

1
Following is a listing of policy goals the Town has adopted
' to protect its natural resources. Included are strategies that
the Town will attempt to implement over the next five years in
an effort to achieve these policy goals.
- protect and enhance water quality in the Meherrin River
- support current state and federal efforts to preserve
the Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds.
- encourage strict enforcement of all water quality
regulations by the State's Department of Environmental
Management.
- support state and federal programs such as the state's
Agricultural Cost Share Program which attempts to
'
reduce non -point agricultural run-off.
- ensure proper functioning of the Town's wastewater
'
treatment system: apply for state and federal funding
to correct infiltration problems.
- preserve and protect Areas of Environmental Concern
- prohibit development in AECs that does not meet the
management objectives of 15 NCAC 7H.0203. Discourage
all development in the Town's AECs which is not
water -dependent.
'
- permit development in AECs only if such development
meets the use standards in 15 NCAC 7H.0209. The loca-
tion, design, and construction of any project in an
'
AEC must give highest priority to the conservation of
the river and its shoreline and to protecting public
rights of navigation and recreation.
'
- classify the Meherrin River and shoreline areas less
than 50 feet in elevation as Conservation on the
Town's Land Classification Map.
- protect the Town's present and future water supply
- support state and federal programs that regulate
'
underground storage of hazardous materials. Support
regulations that require tightness -testing for existing
'
tanks and construction standards for new tanks.
7
L
35

' Immediate removal of leaking tanks should be required.
Support establishment of a state fund to stop tank
' leaks and to clean-up affected water supplies.
oppose further groundwater withdrawals by large water -
users in Virginia.
support state efforts to develop a groundwater manage-
ment program for northeastern North Carolina; consider
delineating a groundwater protection district around
well -fields and adopting appropriate use regulations.
' - encourage the state Department of Environmental
Management to designate northeastern North Carolina
as a Capacity Use Area.
- protect the Town's.historic and cultural resources
support the Murfreesboro Historical Association in
their efforts to preserve, enhance, and promote the
historic resources of the community.
' - support strict enforcement of the Historic District
Ordinance.
- when reviewing subdivision proposals, note location of
project in relation to archaeologically sensitive
areas in planning area. If plan shows potential
conflicts, encourage redesign of project or request
'
detailed archaeologic survey.
- discourage development in areas where land is not physically
'
suitable for development
- continue participating in the Federal Flood Insurance
Program and enforce the Town's Floodplain Ordinance.
'
- support strict enforcement of the state's Environmental
Health Code regarding the siting of in -ground septic
'
systems.
- consider the suitability of soils for septic tanks
'
when developing a subdivision ordinance. Require
large lots in areas with limitations.
severe
- in areas experiencing septic failures outside of Town,
investigate the possibility of servicing with sewers.
1
36

B. Resource Production and Management
'
Murfreesboro is located the Hertford
at western edge of
'
County, in the heart of rural northeastern North Carolina.
Directly or indirectly, many residents are involved in the
'
development of the County's natural resources. Crop and pasture-
land accounts for 26% of all land in the County. Forestland,
'
is forestland, for 67%
much of which used as commercial accounts
'
of all land in Hertford County.
Agricultural lands are the County's prime resource areas.
'
Much of the County's farmland is considered prime farmland by
agricultural officials. In 1984, 479300 acres of land was
'
harvested for crops, with the County ranking 34th in the state
1
for total harvested cropland. The County ranked 29th in the
state in the amount of corn bushels sold in 1984, and ranked
fourth in the poundage of peanuts produced.
Most of the land within Murfreesboro's Town limits has been
' developed for urban uses, however most of the land outside of
' Town.is used for agriculture. The Town encourages the use of
adjoining rural areas for agricultural production and will
' support all efforts to ensure the viability of the County's
agricultural economy. The Town is especially concerned with
' preserving areas with prime farmland soils. At the same time,
agricultural uses should not have negative impacts on other
natural resources such as the Meherrin River or its tributaries
I
or on historic or archaeologic resources.
�
37

There are large areas of commercial forestland within and
adjoining the Murfreesboro planning area. The Town's largest
'
employer is Georgia Pacific, a national timber and wood products
firm. The Town supports the presence of the lumbering industry
'
in the area. The Town will support expansion of commercial
forestry and wood processing operations if these will have no
impacts local fisheries,
major adverse on other resources such as
'
surface and groundwater, and historic structures. In all cases
the Town desires that cleared areas be replanted as soon as
'
possible.
.. In years past, a moderate amount of commercial fishing
'
in the County in the Murfreesboro The
occurred and area. spring
'
herring fishery traditionally has been an important local
activity for commercial and recreational fisherman alike.
'
Degradation of the river by industrial, urban, and agricultural
uses has had severe impacts on the quality and quantity of the
river's fishery. Currently, most fishing that in the
occurs
'
Meherrin is for recreational purposes. The Town supports local,
state, and federal efforts to -improve the quality of the region's
'
fisheries. Improving both the recreational and commercial
fisheries is encouraged.
' There are currently no areas in or around Murfreesboro where
' mining or other mineral production activities are taking place.
The Town will support mining and quarrying activities only if
�
38

those activities can be shown to have no adverse impacts on the
Town's agricultural and water resources.
' Following is a listing of policy goals the Town has adopted
to protect its productive natural resources. Included are
' strategies that the Town will attempt to implement over the next
five years in an effort to achieve these policy goals.
- protect and enhance agricultural uses in the Murfreesboro area
- classify agricultural areas outside of Town as rural
'
on the Town's Land Use Classification Map; specify a
rural/agriculture subclass.
- to the extent feasible, design betterment systems for
public improvements so that agricultural property
whose agricultural use does not benefit from those
improvements is not charged for such improvements.
- consider starting a farmers market in downtown
Murfreesboro; work with other area towns to develop
'
markets in every community in which all County farmers
could participate.
'
- support diversification of the local agricultural
economy.
- encourage farmers owning parcels of ten or more acres
'
to apply for use -value assessment.
- protect commercial forest lands
'
- delineate areas of commercial forestland on the Town's
Land Classification Map and classify them as rural;
'
specify a rural/forestry subclass.
- encourage owners of parcels 20 or more acres in size to
'
apply for use -value assessment.
- protect and enhance commercial and recreational fishing activ-
ity in the Meherrin River
'
- support and comply with local, state and federal
efforts to improve commercial and recreational fisher-
ies.
'
39

- support efforts to
increase boat access to the Meherrin
'
and its tributaries.
- support the
Environmental Protection Agency's
'
Albemarle -Pamlico
Estuarine Study.
- support state and
federal programs which attempt to
'
reduce non -point
cultural Cost Share
pollution. These include the Agri-
Program and the Conservation
Provisions of the
1985 Farm Bill.
'
- publicize the
recreational fishing opportunities
available in the area
in regional tourism brochures.
'
- preserve areas of prime farmland
- use the County's detailed Soil Survey to identify
'
areas of prime farmland; to the extent feasible,
direct development to other areas and reserve these
areas for agricultural uses.
1
- support state and federal efforts to preserve areas of
prime farmland.
- support development of a comprehensive state program
'
for farmland preservation. Support legislation that
proposes to study programs existing in other areas and
to develop appropriate programs and techniques for use
'
in North Carolina.
- ensure efficient, environmentally sound agricultural production
- support use of Best Management Practices for agricul-
tural production.
- work with the Soil Conservation Service to encourage
participation in the state's Agricultural Cost Share
Program.
- support the Conservation Provisions of the 1985 Farm
Bill:
'
conservation reserve
conservation compliance
'
sodbuster
swampbuster
�
40

- discourage development that will have adverse impacts on the
area's productive natural resources
support mining activity only if project demonstrates
that prime agricultural lands and water quality will
be preserved.
adopt subdivision regulations that require prime
farmland soils to be identified; in subdivision
review, encourage areas of prime farmland to be left
as open space.
C. Economic and Community Development
Murfreesboro, a town 200 years old in 1987, is considered
by preservation officials to be one of North Carolina's "great-
est -cultural treasurers". In addition to its historic resources,
the Town is home to several large industrial concerns and to
Chowan College, a private junior educational concern.
The Town values its historic and institutional resources
and supports all efforts to preserve, promote and expand them. A
proposed overall community development strategy focuses on
strengthening and promoting the Town's historic character.
The Town supports expansion of existing industries and
welcomes new commercial and industrial concerns to the
Murfreesboro area. However, new industrial development should
not have negative impacts on the natural environment or the
area's historic and cultural resources. New commercial and
industrial development should enhance the quality of life for
local residents.
41

I
1
New and expanding industrial uses are encouraged to locate
on available industrial land away from the Meherrin River and
historic areas. The Town encourages the location of "clean"
non-polluting industries, and those that provide both technical
and especially professional.positions. Given the recreational and
cultural opportunities available in and around.Murfreesboro,
additional tourist enterprises such as bed and breakfasts,
restaurants, and retail shops would be welcomed. These would
also then serve students and visitors at Chowan College. Develop-
ment of any kind that will have adverse impacts on the river or
the Town's historic resources will not be supported.
Land within the Town has been developed for urban uses,
primarily residential in nature. Outside of Town, the area is
rural; agricultural uses predominate. The Town appreciates this
pattern of development. To that end and to provide for the
efficient delivery of public services, the Town will encourage
new development demanding urban services to. locate within the
city.limits and attempt to reserve outlying areas for agricult-
ural and low density residential uses. When new development
cannot be accommodated within the Town, the Town will support
their development in appropriate locations outside of Town and
when feasible, will provide public services.
The Town is committed to maintaining and enhancing the
quality of life in Murfreesboro. The Town supports reuse of
42

11
7
existing structures and redevelopment in areas were reuse is not
feasible. The Town supports improving its existing housing
stock, as shown by its current participation in the Community
Development Block Grant Program, and supports new construction,
especially development that will serve the housing needs of the
elderly and of low and moderate income groups.
•- The Town values the Meherrin River for the recreational and
aesthetic amenities it supplies. The Town supports increasing
access to the River and will support development of marinas in
the Murfreesboro area if developed in accordance to state
guidelines. Marinas providing public access would be especially
welcomed. There are few floating hbmes in the area and so the
Town has adopted no official ppolicy on their use. The Town
supports state and federal programs that will assist the Town in
attaining its goals for resource protection and community
development. These include but are not limited to public access
programs, programs for conserving prime farmland and preserving
water quality, highway improvement programs, community develop-
ment programs, and programs which assist in preserving historic
and archaeologic resources.
Following is a listing of policy goals the Town has adopted
to provide for community growth and for the economic development
of the Town. Included are strategies that the Town will attempt
to implement over the next five years in an effort to achieve
these policy goals.
43

- support expansion of existing industry and recruitment of new
'
industrial and commercial enterprises
develop an overall plan for community revitalization.
Appoint an ad hoc committee to develop a revitalization
strategy. Include members of the Council, Planning
Board, Historic Commission, Murfreesboro Historical
Association, Chamber of Commerce, and Industrial
Development Commission among others. Focus efforts on
preserving, enhancing, and promoting the Town's
historic and cultural resources.
- solicit technical assistance from groups such as the
small business center at Roanoke-Chowan College, the
Mid -East Commission, and Northeast North Carolina
Tomorrow, which can provide information and staff
assistance for new and small businesses and economic
development projects. Promote these groups within the
business community.
- support Chowan College in any plans it may propose for
'
expansion locally.
- provide for the orderly growth of areas within Murfreesboro
and within the one -mile planning jurisdiction
'
- revise and adopt subdivision
regulations.
'
- continue to issue zoning permits locally.
- review zoning map and ordinance as plans for U. S. 258
bylass progress. Consider effects of commercial
'
rezoning along the highway on downtown commercial
areas; consider developing highway overlay zone.
- revise zoning districts to assure that sufficient
space is available for industrial expansion in the
Commercial Street area; do not expand industrial
'
district near the river.
- consider revising zoning ordinance to prohibit further
commercial strip development along U. S. 158/U. S.
258. Review the ordinance for adequacy of sign regula-
tions and access controls.
- on the Town's Land Classification Map, classify areas
within a one -mile radius of Murfreesboro according to
the guidelines of 15 NCAC 78.0200. Developed areas
within the Town should be classified Urban. Developed
ri
44
1

1
areas outside of Town which are currently or are
expected to be served by water and/or sewer should be
classified Transition. Agricultural and forest land
should be classified Rural. Areas of Environmental
' Concern and other sensitive natural or cultural
resource areas should be classified Conservation.
- preserve and enhance the quality of life in Murfreesboro
consider applying for state and federal funds under
the Main Street Program to improve the downtown area
and enhance the historic character of the local
business district.
- support the social and cultural events at Chowan
College.
- increase public access to the Chowan River
work with the Murfreesboro Historical Association
to develop a public access area long the river.
Should additional land be needed, contact the Division
of Coastal Management for assistance in funding land
acquisition.
' - consider contacting the state Office of Water Resources
for assistance in funding a waterfront project through
their Civil Works Projects Program.
- provide for adequate housing for all community residents
- continue to apply for funding for local housing
improvements under the Community Development Block
Grant Program.
- support development of low and moderate income housing
in the Murfreesboro area.
- promote tourism locally and throughout northeastern North
Carolina
' - support the Murfreesboro Historical Association in
promoting the Town's historic and cultural resources.
' - participate in local and regional efforts to promote
tourism in northeastern North Carolina.
support the concept of initiating a paddlewheel
showboat which would tour coastal North Carolina;
express desire for making Murfreesboro a stopping -point
along proposed route.
45

D_ Storm Hazards
'
North Carolina is for the tropical
well-known hurricanes and
storms that batter its coastline and the tornados that ravage
inland areas. Typically, the bulk of hurricane storm damage
'
occurs in coastal areas. Hurricanes and tropical storms have
however, caused severe damage inland areas in the past. Thus,
'
inland their local
even counties and municipalities must effec-
tively plan for storm hazards. This section summarizes the
actions Hertford County and the Town of Murfreesboro have under-
taken to protect residents and resources from the damaging
effects of hurricanes and other major storm events.
1. Hazard Areas
In the Murfreesboro region, areas adjoining the Meherrin
River and areas subject to flooding along local streams are those
areas most threatened by a major storm event. As shown on the
Map of Land Use Constraints, the river and its shoreline is an
Area of Environmental Concern. This sensitive area is severely
'
threatened by damage due to flooding, erosion, wave action, and
high winds. In addition this area has been designated a Zone A
'
floodplain by the Federal Insurance Administration. Most of the
extraterritorial area on the east side of the river and land
radjoining
the western bank of the Meherrin is subject to flood-
ing. Floodplain areas also border the Town to the east, adjoin-
ing Worrells Mill Swamp. Flood -prone areas are moderately
1 46
L�

threatened by damaging forces such as high winds and flooding,
and to a lesser extent, by erosion and wave action.
The Town is fortunate in that all areas in the community
severely threatened by damage from storms are basically undeve-
loped. As shown on the Map of Existing Land Use, farming and
forestry activities predominate in the northeastern extraterrior-
tial area. However limited residential development has occurred
in the floodplain area along U. S. 258. Maney's Neck -Mobile
Home Park is found in the flood -prone area on the west side of
U. S. 258 and a small subdivision has been developed adjoining
' the mobile home park. Just north of this residential area near
the river, is a sand and gravel operation. Two restuarant-type
operations are also found in the flood -prone area on the west
' side of U. S. 258.
2. Evacuation and Reconstruction
' In 19809 Hertford County adopted a plan to guide the
actions of various local officials in the event of a major storm
occurence in the County. Murfreesboro is under the jurisdiction
of this plan, (the Hertford County Hurricane Evacuation and
Shelter Plan,) which was revised in January of 1987. Two groups
' have been formed to implement the plan. A Control Group exer-
cises overall direction and control of hurricane evacuation
operations and reconstruction activities immediately after the
storm event. This group is composed of the chairman of the Board
47

of County Commissioners, the mayors of all municipalities in the
' bounty (including Murfreesboro.), and the County Emergency
Management Coordinator. A Support Group provides personnel and
material resouces for the actions requested by the Control Group.
The Support Group also provides direction to personnel engaged in
operations and provides data and recommendations to the Control
Group. This group has 26 members including the Murfreesboro
Town Manager, the Chief of Police, and the Chief of the
Murfreesboro Fire Department.
The Evacuation Plan details the duties and responsibilities
' of each member of the Control and Support Group as a storm event
unfolds. Five levels of increasing preparedness (Conditions
4-0) are outlined; a "Reentry" stage constitutes a sixth. The
plan identifies eight "potential problem areas" - areas contain-
ing mobile homes or areas of dilapidated housing - which would
be evacuated during Condition 1. These are areas of unsubstan-
tial housing and moible home parks where storm damage could be
especially severe. Four of these eight problem areas lie within
the Murfreesboro planning region. The County Evacuation Plan
has identified Wise's Mobile Home Park, Woodridge Mobile Home
Park, Deerfield Mobile Home Park and Maney's Neck Mobile Home
Park as being severely threatened by wind damage. Residents of
these areas would be evacuated during Condition 1, early -in the
storm event. Evacuees would be moved to either the Riverview
1 48

rI
L
School on U. S. 158 east of Murfreesboro, or to Murfreesboro High
School on N. C. 11 south of Town.
Reentry into affected areas will be directed by the Control
'
Group. Upon reentry, the County Tax Assessor, a member "of the
Support Group, will assemble personnel and conduct a damage
Should
assessment. damage from a storm be especially severe, the
'
County has the authority to impose a temporary moratorium
on all development in the area. Such a measure would be used
'
only if damage to a particular area is very serious and if
redevelopment of the area in the same manner would pose residents
health in future.
with similar and safety problems the
After emergency operations to restore public health and
safety and initial damage assessment are completed, the Town
Council will assume responsibility for ensuring orderly repair
and rebuilding in the Town. The Planning Hoard will act as an
'
CAMA be included in
advisory group. permitting officers will
'
redevelopment planning for areas where CAMA permits would be
necessary. The Town advocates the following schedule for
staging and permitting repairs and construction in the Town:
first priority - replacement of essential services such as power,
'
water, sewer, telephone, and roadways; second priority - minor
' repairs; third priority - major repairs; fourth priority - new
development. All repairs and new development will be in conform-
ance with applicable state and local development controls
1 49

e
' including the state building code and the Town's zoning ordinance
' - including local floodplain regulations.
3. Coordinating Agencies
' The state and federal agencies involved in coordinating
local storm hazard mitigation and hurricane prepardness activi-
ties are listed in Appendix C.
4. Policy Objectives
The Town acknowledges that the Murfreesboro area is subject
' to storms that threaten the health, safety, and welfare of its
residents and the integrity of its natural and cultural re-
sources. In an effort to plan for such natural storm disasters
and to safeguard local residents, resources, and property, the
Town has adopted the following storm hazard policy objectives.
' - reduce the potential for storm damage
- enforce the Town's floodplain ordinance.
' - enforce the state building code in all new
construction.
consider adopting a housing code.
- protect natural areas sensitive to storm hazards
classify AECs as Conservation on the Town's Land
Classification Map.
- increase public awareness of the need for hurricane
' preparation
support the "preparedness" program the County
Office of Emergency Management conducts in local
- schools.
participate in the storm evacuation exercise held
each year by the Office of Emergency Management.
50

E. Public Participation
' The preparation of Murfreesboro's Land Use Plan was the
responsibility of the Murfreesboro Planning Board. A workshop
tsession introducing Board members to the planning process was
held in December of 1986 and the group agreed to incorporate land
use planning activities within their regular meeting schedule.
At their first meeting, the Planning Board agreed that
soliciting public input would be an important goal of the
' planning process. The Board discussed conducting a -public
survey. Ultimately the group agreed that since the Town was not
' currently facing any major development issues, their efforts
'
would be better spent in other actions. Instead of seeking
public input through a survey, the Board decided
to utilize the
'
media to encourage attendance at Planning Board
meetings and
to inform residents of the work the group was
involved in.
'
Notices Board were to
local radio
of all meetings submitted
a
'
station (WBCG) for broadcast. Similarly, all
meetings were
advertised in the Hertford County News -Herald,
and articles
'
summarizing the information and issues discussed
at each Board
meeting were submitted to the paper for publication.
Copies of
'
all radio public service announcements and articles
submitted to,
'
or appearing in the News -Herald are included in Appendix D.
1
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' The Planning Board and the Town Council will be the primary
' groups through which public input will be accepted as the
planning program continues over the next five years. The
' Planning Board will continue to meet monthly to assist the
Council in implementing the strategies for attaining policy
objectives on resource protection, production, and economic and
' community development proposed in the 1987 Land Use Plan.
Following the example of the current planning program, soliciting
' public input will be a primary goal of all future planning
endeavors.
' The Planning Board and the Council recognize the importance
' of keeping the citizenry informed of current planning concerns
and of receiving the comments and concerns of local residents.
Thus, the Town has adopted the following policy objectives:
- solicit citizen input in all planning decisions
' - advertise all Council and Planning Board meetings
in the News -Herald: emphasize that citizens are
invited and encouraged to attend all meetings
dealing with planning issues.
- apprise the public of planning issues as they develop
- report important planning and community develop-
ment issues, decisions, and developments_ to the
' News -Herald; propose feature articles for espe-
cially important issues.
1
1 S2

1
IIV. LAND CLASSIFICATION
' A. Purpose
Murfreesboro has adopted a system of land classification and
' an official Land Classification Map to assist local officials in
attaining policy objectives in the areas of resource protection
' and production, and economic and community development. Four
' broad categories of land classification have been developed and
are delineated on the Town's Map of Land Classification (pg.
' 56.2). The map sets out a proposed development pattern for
the Murfreesboro planning region. Based on this classification
' scheme, the Town has designated areas it believes are appropriate
t to accommodate additional growth and development, and areas it
believes would be better left in a rural condition. The classi-
fications reflect proposed future land uses and attempt to link
land use, policy objectives, and implementation actions.
' This is the Town's first Land Classification Map. Until
certification of this plan, the Town had been under the jurisdic-
tion of Hertford County's 1986 Land Use Plan and Classification
' Map. If the County's and the Town's classification maps are
compared,_some inconsistencies are evident. In general however,
' density classifications are consistent, e.g. Rural Classifica-
tions adjoin Community areas, and it is likely that any discrep-
ancies will be resolved when the County updates its plan.
1
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u
IB. Classification Scheme
The Town's land classification scheme is based on the
guidelines for land classification outlined in the Coastal Area
' Management Act's Land Use Planning Guidelines. The general
characteristics of each class are outlined in Exhibit 1..
' 1. Developed
' The Developed classification encompasses all land within the
corporate limits of the Town. In its 1987 Land Use Plan, the
' Town stated that it will encourage new development to locate
within the city limits whenever possible. By applying the
' Developed classification to all areas within Town, local offi-
cials are attempting to facilitate this pattern of development.
At the same time, the Developed classification reflects the
' existing pattern of service provision, as all areas within the
city limits are serviced by public water. The only area within
' the city limits not classified Developed is the area bordered
(approximately) by S. R. 11799 Chowan Street, and N. C. 11.
Most of this area is undeveloped in woodland or agricultural
' use. One exception is land in the vicinity the Fox Ridge
development and Murfreesboro High School and this area was only
' recently brought within the city limits as a result of a 1986
annexation.
' 2. Transition
' Transition areas adjoin the Developed area and delineate
areas of existing or anticipated high density development
1
' 54

outside of the Town's corporate limits. Public water and in
some places, public
sewer, extends to service some areas of
certain Transition
zones. At this time no area designated
'
Transition is currently serviced throughout with public water
or public sewer.
It is likely however, that Transition zones
will be those areas
given priority when the Town extends water
and/or sewer service.
As shown on
the Land Classification Map, the Town has
'
three distinct areas
designated Transition: the area between S.
R. 1179 within the
city limits; the area outside of Townn which
includes the Carver
Park subdivision and River View School; and
an area adjoining
U. S. 158/258 west of Town and extending
north, east of S. R.
1166. Although there is currently little
development in the Transition area along N. C. 11, local planners
believe development
activity in this area will increase, given
'
its location along
the highway and the gradual southward expan-
sion of the Town's
residential area. A considerable amount of
in the Carver Park U. S.
development has already
occurred and
158/258 Transition
area. However a good deal of land remains
open and available
for development and planners expect develop-
ment of these areas
to continue - the Carver Park area pri-marily
for residential uses and the U. S. 158/258 area for a mix of
residential, commercial, and industrial uses.
1
55

3. Community
A small area outside of Town on the west side of S. R. 1166
is shown in the Community classification. This area is currently
residential in nature and densities here as generally lower than
across the roadway in the area designated Transition. The
Community area extends west along S. R. 1157 to encompass the
Westwood Mobile Home Park and the single-family residential
development which has occurred along the highway.
4. Rural
The
Rural
Classification encompasses most
of the land
outside of
Town.
As
noted on the Land Classification
Map,
the Rural
class
has
been divided into three
subclasses to
'
reflect existing
land
-
uses Rural General, Rural
Agriculture,
'
and Rural
Forestry.
The Rural Agriculture area
encompasses a
large area
north
of Town between S. R. 1300 and the
river. This
area is almost exclusively devoted to agricultural uses and the
Town supports its continued use for agricultural operations over
' the next five years.
' A large area of Rural Forestry appears in the northeast
corner of the extraterritorial area. This area generally
denotes the Union Camp tree farm.
' The Rural General subclass encompasses a mix of low density
residential uses, agricultural land, and scattered areas of
I
woodland. The Town appreciates the rural character of these
1
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Ioutlying areas and has classified these areas Rural in an
' attempt to maintain an open, low density arrangement.
5. Conservation
' The Conservation Class designates areas in the Murfreesboro
planning region the Town believes should be kept undeveloped in
' a natural condition. The Conservation designation has been
applied to the Meherrin River and most of its shoreline up to 75
feet from the high water line. Specifically, shoreline areas
less than 50 feet in elevation within 75 feet of the mean high
water line are classified Conservation. A 50 foot elevation
level is included as a limit for the Conservation designation as
the western bank of the river has a steep bluff within 75 feet
of the shoreline. In contrast to low-lying areas, Town officials
' do not feel it is necessary to restrict development in this area
to protect environmental quality, given its high elevation.
tThe river is an Area of Environmental Concern. Its waters
' are considered Joint Fishing Waters by the state Division of
Marine Fisheries and so the river's shoreline is also an area of
special environmental concern. The Town values the river for
the aesthetic, recreational, and commercial amenities it pro-
' vides, and has classified the river and its shoreline Conserva-
tion in an effort to protect this resource of local and regional
' importance.
1 57

C. Intergovernmental Coordination
'
The Town's Land Classification Map
has been designed to
guide the actions of private developers
and public agencies at
all levels of government, in activities
affecting land develop-
ment in the Murfreesboro region. Many of
the planning objectives
set forth in the Town's Land Use Plan
the land
will
enhance use
'
goals of neighboring communities, the County,
and the coastal
region as a whole. The Town will work
with the various public
'
groups noted in this plan to ensure that
the planning objectives
and policy actions adopted, as part of
this plan will be imple-
mented as the Town develops over the next
five years.
r
1
'
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EXHIBIT 1
LAND CLASSIFICATION
Developed Purpose - provide for continued intensive develop -
Class ment
Land Uses - mixed: residential, commercial, indus-
trial
Services - usually all urban services provided:
water, sewer, police, fire, etc.
Density - 3 or more dwelling units(du)/acre
Lot Sizes - usually small, in some areas averaging
as little as 159000 sq. ft.
Transition Purpose - provide for future intensive development
Class Land Uses - mixed
Services - water and sewer both usually present or
anticipated; police and fire protection
usually provided
Density - usually 3 or more du/acre
Lot Sizes - usually small, many times averaging
20,000 sq. ft.
Comment - usually adjoins Developed Class
Community Purpose - provide for clustered, low density
Class arrangement (crossroads community)
Land Uses - mixed
Services - sometimes water; no sewer
Density - usually 2 du/acre or less
Lot Sizes - generally 207000-30,000 sq. ft.
Rural Purpose - agriculture and very low density residen-
Class tial
Land Uses - farming, forestry, residential
Services - none
Density - generally greater than 1 du/acre
Lot Sizes - not applicable
Conservation Purpose - resource protection
Class Land Uses - AECs and other sensitive natural areas
Services - none
Comment - land basically to remain undeveloped or
developed only under controlled condi-
tions
58.1

Appendix A
' STATE RE(A.JLA1 ORY DEVICES
----------------- ---------------------------------------------------
Agency Licenses and Permits
Department of Natural Resources - Permits to discharge to
and Community Development surface waters or operate
Division of Environmental wastewater treatment
Management plants or oil discharge
permits; NPDES Permits,
(G. S. 143-215).
'
- Permits for septic tanks -
to be used for industrial
purposes (G. S. 143-215.
- Permits for withdrawal
of surface or ground
'
waters in capacity use
areas (G. S. 143-215.15.
- Permits for air pollution
'
abatement facilities and
sources (G. S. 143-215.)
108).
- Permits for construction
of complex sources; e. g.
'
parking lots, subdivis-
ions, stadiums, etc.
(G.S. 143-215.109).
'
- Permits for construction
of a well over 100,000
gallons/day (G. S.
'
87-88).
'
---=--------------------------------------------------------------
Department of Natural Resoue rcs
- Permits to dredge and/or
and Community Development
fill in estuarine waters,
Division of Parks and Recreation
tidelands, etc. (G. S.
'
113-229).
Department of Natural Resources
- Permits to undertake
'
3nd Community Development
development in Areas of
Division of Coastal Management
Environmental Concern
(G. S. 113A-118).

1
1
--------------- ------ -
Agency
Licenses and Permits
-- - --------------- ---------- ---------------------------------------
NOTE: Minor development
'
permits are issued by
local government.
Department of Natural Resources
- Permits to alter or to
and Community Development
construct a dam (G. S.
Division of Land Resources
143-215.66).
-
- Permits to mine (G. S.
74-51).
- Permits to drill an
'
explanatory oil or gas
well (G. S. 113-391).
- Permits to conduct
'
geographical exploration
(G. S. 113-391).
'
Sedimentation erosion
control plans for any
land disturbing activity
of over one contiguous
acre (G. S. 113A-54).
DeVlar-tment of Natural Resources
- Permits to construct an
'
:and Community Development
oil refinery.
'
Department of Administration
- Easements to fi11 where
lands are proposed to be
raised above the normal
high water mark of
navigable waters by
filling (G. S. 146.6
-----------------------------------------
-----(c))---- -----------------
Department of Human Resources
- Approval to operate a
solid waste disposal
'
site or facility (G. S.
130--166 . 16) .
- Approval for construction
'
of any public water -
facility that furnishes
'
water- to ten or mor-C�
residencies (G. S.
130-160.1)

IFEDFRAL FIF.--GHLATORY DEVICES
'
Agency
Licenses and Permits
Army Corps of Engineei-s
- Permits required under
Department: of Defense)
Sec t i on 9 and 10 of the
'
Rivers and Harbors of 1899;
permits to construct in
navigable waters.
'
- Permits required under
Section 103 of the Marine
-
Protection, Research and
'
Sanctuaries Act of 1972.
- Permits required under
Section 404 of the Federal
'
Water Pollution Control Act
of 1972; permits to undertake
dredging and/or. filling
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
activities.
Co,3st Guard
- Permits for bridges, cause -
(Department of
ways, pipelines over navigable
Transportation)
waters; required" under the
General Bridge Act of 1946
and the Rivers and Harbors
'
Act of 1899.
' Geological Survey = Permits required for off -shore
Bureau of Land Management drilling.
(Department of Interior) Approvals of OCS pipelines
corridor rights -of -ways.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
' Nuclear- Regulatory Commission - Licenses for siting, construc-
tion and operation of nuclear
power plants; required under
the Atomic Energy Act of 1954
and Title II of the Energy
Reorganization Act of 1974.
Federal Energy Regulatory Permits for construction,
Commission operation and maintenance of
interstate pipeline facilities
required under the Natural
Gas Act of 1938.

Agency
Licenses and Permits
Federal Energy Regulatory
Orders of Interconnection
of
Com-Ti is i o n
electric transmission faci
1 i•--
ties under Section 202 (b)
of
the Federal Power Act.
- Permission required
for
abandonment of natural
gas
pipeline and associated
facilities under Section
7C
(b) of the Natural Gas Act
of
1938.

1 -
Appendix B
Proposed U.S. 258 Bypass
U
1
' Source: N.C. "Highway Improvement Program Maps 1987-1995"
note: Town has gone on record (July 1987) as supporting a
northerly routing of bypass.
1

n
Ll
Appendix C
AGENCIES COORDINATING STORM PREPAREDNESS
N. C. Division of Coastal Management
State Office: Division of Coastal Management
Department of Natural Resources and
Community Development
P. O. Box 27687
Raleigh, NC, 27611
[phone]
Field Office: Division of Coastal Management
Department of Natural Resources and
Community Development
108 South Water Street
Elizabeth City, NC 27909
( 919 ) 308-1558
P.I. C. Division of Emergency Management
(also includes National Flood Insurance Program Information)
State Office: Division of Emergency Management
Department of Crime Control and Public
Safety
116 West Jones Street
Raleigh, NC 27611
[phone]
Regional Office: Area Emergency Management Coordinator
N. C. Division of Emergency Management
Beaufort County Courthouse
Washington, NC 27889
[phone]
Federal Emergency Management Agency
National Office: Federal Emergency Management Agency
500 C Street, S. W.
Washington, D. C. 20472
Public Information - [phone]
Publications - [phone]

Regional Office: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Region IV
1375 Peachtree Street, N. E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30309
Public Information - [phone]
Disaster Assistance
Program - [phone]
Flood Insurance
Program - [phone]
1
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Appendix D
Media Releases
THE NEWS HERALD
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1986
AHOSKIE, NORTH CAROLINA
Murfreesboro to get land use plan
ML'R.10j'EE'S110R0 By
December of next,Vear, the Plann-
ing Board hopes to -have in place,' a
master land use plan for the town.
The Planning Board met Dec. 2 to
begin the process in accordance with
the guidelins of the state's Coastal
Area Management Act (CAMA).
Adopted in 1974, CAMA specifies
.that the states 20 coastal counties
prepare land use plans and that
plans be updated every five years.
Municipalities such as Murfreesboro
have the option of preparing CAMA
plans. Planning for communities
which have chosen not to prepare
their own plans is done through
county land use plans. Local of-
ficials in Murfreesboro this year
opted to participate in the CAMA
process.
Bob Paciocco, executive director
of the Mid -East Commission. met
with the planning board to introduce
the members to the planning pro-
cess. Paciocco impressed upon them
the purpose of the plan and the im-
portance of their role in the process.
Ruth Leggett, from the state
Department of Natural Resources
and Community Development,
discussed the history of the plans
and noted that particular attention
will be given in this year's plans to
water quality and storm hazard
mitigation. Leggett also presented a
general outline of the plan, noting its
importance as a tool for guiding
growth and development in the town
over the next five years.
Special emphasis was placed on
the importance of public participa-
tion throughout the update process.
Notices will be placed in the
News -Herald so the public will know
when meetings will be held and what
will be discussed during the
meetings. All meetings will be open
to the public and all interested
citizens are encouraged to attend. .
Regular planning board meetings
will be held on the first Tuesday of
-each month. The next meeting will
be at i p.m. in the town hall Jan. 5.

'
PUBLIC
SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Libby Anderson - 946-8043
The Murfreesboro
Planning Board will meet on Tuesday,
January 6 to begin work
on the Town's Land Use Plan. The meeting
will be held at I pm in
the Town Hall. The public is invited and
'
encouraged to
attend.
1

they-��-
For Hertford County and The Roanoke-Chowan Area
Wednesday, December 31,1986
Planning board will discuss
socioeconomic statistics
MURFREESBORO — The plann- according to guidelines set out as
ing board will discuss current part of the state's Coastal Area
socioeconomic conditions in Mur- Management Act t CAMA 1.
freesboro at its meeting at 1 p.m. The CAMA land use plan will be
Tuesday. used to guide growth and develop -
Among the topics on the agenda ment in Murfreesboro over the next
are population, housing and fiveyears.
economic data which will be con- Tuesday's meeting is open to the
sidered in developing a land use plan public, with all interested citizens
for 1987. The plan will be prepared encouraged to attend.

Mid -East Commission
P . 0. Drawer 1707
Washington, NC 27801?
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
'
FOR MORE INFORMAL ION: L.Abby Anderson - 946-801#3
'
5TAT I5T I CS ON LOCOL PnPI_ILF,T I01'J A1,,1D ECONOJ1 JY DISCUSSED
'
Murfreesboro - The Murfreesboro Planning Board met on Tuesday,
January 6 to review current statistics on population, housing,
and economy in Murfreesboro and Hertford County. The meeting
:aas the second in a series of meetings the Planning Board WiIl
hold to prepare the Town's firt master Land Use Plan. The plan
'
will be prepared according to the guidelines of the State's
Coastal Area Management Act and will serve as a guide to direct
growth and development in the Town over the next five (5) years.
Planners noted that Murfreesboro's population has been
'
slowly declining since 1970. A similar situation has been noted
in most other towns in Hertford County and population figures
indicate most new growth in the County has occurred in outlying
'
,Areas. Figures issued by the Office of State Management suggest
a 1985 County population of almost 24,000 persons. About 2,800
'
to be the Town
persons were estimated residing within of Murfree-
sboro in 1995, down from a 1980 population of about 3,000
pErson_i.
The Planning Board's next meeting will be on Tuesday,
'
February 3 at 1:00 in the Town Hall. At this Planning
pm meeting

'
Board members wi11 review existing land uses in the -town and
discuss any identified conflicts in existing uses. Meetings are
'
open to the public and all interested citizens are invited to
attend.
1

the News-2ieralb
For Hertford County and. The Roanoke-Chowan Area
Wednesday, January 28. 1997
Planning boards
will discuss
Land Use Plans
WINTON — Local land use plann-
ing is- well underway in Hertford
County.
Tuesday, planning boards in both
Murfreesboro and Winton will meet
to discuss progress on local plans.
In Murfreesboro, the Planning
Board will review current land uses
in the town and discuss any existing
or potential conflicts in land uses.
The Winton Planning Board will
discuss current socio-economic con-
ditions In the County as well as in the
town. Both Murfreesboro and Win-
ton are preparing plans in ac-
cordance with the guldellnes'of the
State's Coastal Area Management
Act (CAMA). For Murfreesboro,
this will be the town's first land use
plan; Winton is updating a plan
prepared in 1981.
Planning board meetings in both
communities are open to the public
and all Interested persons are en-
couraged to attend.' The Mur-
freesboro Planning Board will meet
at 1 p.m. Feb. 3 in the Town Hall.
The Winton- Planning Board will
meet at 7 p.m. Feb. 3 In the Winton
Town Hail.

1
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1
1
1
1
1
1
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1
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Libby Anderson - 946-8043
The Murfreesboro Planning Board will meet on Tuesday,
February 3 to continue its work in preparing the Town's first
Land Use Plan. The agenda for Tuesday's meeting will include a
review of current land uses in the Town. The meeting will be
held at 1 pm in the. Town Hall. The public is invited and
encouraged to attend.

1
MID -EAST COMMISSION
P. O. DRAWER 1787
' WASHINGTON, NC 27889
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR MORE INFORMATION: Libby Anderson - 946-8043
' LOCAL DEVELOPMENT PATTERNS REVIEWED
IMurfreesboro - Industrial development along the river and
adjoining residential areas, and commercial strip development
along Route 158/258 were identified by the Planning Board as the
two major land use concerns facing Murfreesboro. The Murfrees-
boro Planning Board met Tuesday, February 3 to review current
'
land uses in the Town and identify and discuss conflicts in land
uses. The meeting was the third the Board has held as part of
its work in preparing a land use plan for the Town.
The Board noted that although the Town has undergone
little change in population since 1970, new development has
'
occurred. Between 1980 and 19869 almost 100 permits were issued
for residential development and 20 permits were issued for
'
commercial industrial New development
or structures. residential
has occurred in the southern half of the Town and in the southern
portion of the Town's extraterritorial jurisdiction. New
'
commercial development has occurred primarily in the western
part of the Town along Route 158/258. Planners concµrred that
'
areas of future will be determined by the the
growth route of
proposed Route 258 bypass. The state's current transportation

plan shows the bypass taking a southerly route around Murfrees-
boro, just within the Town's extraterritorial boundary. Earlier
plans for the bypass had proposed routing the highway north of
the community.
'
As part of its planning effort, the Board also discussed
conflicts in existing land uses in the Town. Industrial develop-
ment near residential and environmentally sensitive areas, and
strip highway development were identified as the Town's two
'
major land use concerns. Planners agreed that the best locations
'
for future industrial growth would be areas away from the river
and from residential areas. A map of existing land uses in the
'
Town shows that a considerable amount of land meeting these
specifications is available in the Commercial Street area. It
'
that
was also noted many of the concerns over highway commercial
'
development (traffic hazards, aesthetic concerns and the like)
could be addressed through the Town's Zoning Ordinance.
The Board will continue its work on Murfreesboro's Land
Use Plan at its meeting on Tuesday, March 3 at 1:00 pm. The
'
public is invited and encouraged to attend.

' Mid -East Commission
P.O. Drawer 1787
Washington, NC 27889
' For Immediate Release
' For More Information: Libby Anderson - 946-8043
' Public Service Announcement
.he Murfreesboro Planning Board will meet in the Town Hall at
' 1:00 March = to continue its work in preparing the Town's first
use plan. The Winton Planning Board will also meet March
at 7:00 in the Winton Town Hall to continue its work. in
' UIDd::Ati rig the Winton land use plan. Both meetings are open to
the public and interested citizens are encouraged to attend.
t .
1
1

Zhe Nevis - leral.b
For Hertford County and The Roanoke-Chowan Area
Monday, March 2,1-%7
Planning boards
set meetings
The Murfreesboro Planning Board
will meet at 1 p.m. March 3 in the
Town Hall to discuss constraints to
land development. This will be the
town's first comprehensive land use
plan.
Also on that date, the Winton
Planning Board will meet at 7 p.m.
in the Winton Town Hall to review
current land uses in the town and
discuss any existing or potential
conflicts in land uses.
Both towns are preparing plans in
accordance with the guidelines of the
State's Coastal Area Management
Act (LAMA).

I
the Veiv%-3eralb
For Hertford County and The Roanoke-Chowan Area
Wednesday, April 1,1987
Planning board identifies.
development constraints
MURFREESBORO —
Floodplains, steep slopes and poor
Boils limit development In some
places In the Murfreesboro area.
Planning board members learned of
these and several other constraints
to local land development during a
special meeting last week.
The meeting was the third In a
series the board will hold this year
as it prepares a comprehensive land
use plan for the town. The plan is be-
ing prepared in accordance with the
guidelines of the state's Coastal
Area Management Act (LAMA).
The board is being advised by Libby
Anderson of the Mid -East Commis-
sion.
State guidelines specify that con-
straints to land development be
identified. Land use.constraints are
classified Into one of three
categories: physical limitations,
areas of resource potential and
fragile areas.
Floodplains are considered a
physical limitation to development.
Planners noted much of the ex-
traterritorial area northeast of town
Is subject, to flooding and there is
also a small area of floodplain
bordering on Worrell's Millpond.
Poor soils can. also be a physical
barrier to development, especially
In areas not serviced by public
sewers. In reviewing a detailed soils
map of the area, planners were ad-
vised soils with severe limitations
for development are found in only a
few places in the Murfreesboro sec-
tion. At the same time, the board
observed the planning area has an
abundance of soils which are con-
sidered "prime farmland soils" by
agricultural experts. It was pointed
lout that when possible, areas wiVi
'these soils should be reserved for
agriculture.
The board will continue its work
on the land use plan at their next
meeting at 1 p.m. April 7 in the
municipal building. The agenda for
this meeting, which is open to the
public, will Include a review of en-
vironmentally sensitive areas and of
the town's historic and ar-
chaeologi car resources.

For Hertford County and The Roanoke-Chowan Area
Friday, April 3,1987
0
Two towns plan
land use meetings
Planning boards in Murfreesboro
and Winton will meet Tuesday to
continue their work in preparing
local land use plans.
The Murfreesboro Planning Board
will meet at 1 p.m. April 7 at the
Town Hall and Winton Planning
Board will meet at 7 p.m. April 7 in
the Town Hall.
These meetings are open to the
-public and board members en-
courage interested persons to at-
tend.
Both towns are preparing land use
plans in accordance with the
guidelines of the state's Coastal
Area Management Act (CAMA).
Winton Is updating a plan
prepared in 1981 while the Mur-
freesboro Planning Board is prepar-
ing the town's first comprehensive
land use plan.
At earlier meetings socioeconomic
conditions. existing land uses and
land use concerns were reviewed.

Mid -East Commission
P. O. Box 1787
Washington, NC 27889
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FOR MORE INFORMTION - Libby Anderson - 946-8043
Public Service Announcement
The Murfreesboro Planning Board will meet in the Town Hall at
1:00 pm April 7 to continue its work in preparing the Town's
first land use plan. The Winton Planning Board will also meet
April 7 at 7:00 pm in the Winton Town Hall to continue its work
in updating the Winton land use plan. Both meetings.are open to
the public and interested citizens are encouraged to attend.
The topic of both meetings will be "Constraints to Land Develop-
ment".

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The Ve
For Hertford County and The Roanoke-Chowan Area
"Wednesday, April 15,1987 I
Constraints to development
reviewed by Winton
and Murfreesboro
WASHINGTON — Planning infiltration problems.
Board's in Murfreesboro and Winton The Murfreesboro and Winton
met Tuesday, April 6, to discuss con- Planning Boards will meet again,
straints to future land development. May 5. The Murfreesboro Board
Poor. soils, the presence of meets at 1.00 in the Town Hall: the
floodplains and state -regulated Winton Board meets at 7:00 in the
Areas of Environmental Concern Winton Town Hall. Interested
may constrain development In some citizens from both communities are
areas of both communities planners encouraged to attend.
noted. — -
Both boards are currently working
to prepared land use plans for their
communities. At previous meetings.
current Information on population.
economic;conditions, and l,act.diusv
were analyzed. Both Murfreesboro
and Winton are preparing plans in
accordance with 'the guidelines of
the State's Coastal Area Manage-
ment Act (CAMA) .
Physical factors such as soils.
floodplains, and aquifer rechange
areas could limit development in
certain places in both communities
. _ planners noted. ,The capacity of
public services such as water and
sewer systems has limited develop-
ment in sortie communities Mur-
freesboro planners observed..Mur-•.
freesboro is fortunate to be water -
rich officials noted: the town has
adequate water supply to meet de-
mand well Into the 1990's and pro-
bably beyond.
In contrast. the capacity of the
Town's wastewater treatment
system may pose some limitations
to future development unless actions
are taken to cot rect system infiltra-
tion Orobiems. The capacity of the
treatment plant I§ more than ade-
'Guate to treat average system de-'
mand planners noted..
However in periods of wet
weather, storm water enters the
system 'and system demand may
double, even triple, and exceed
capacity. The Town is currently in-'
vestigating alternatives to correct

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Mid -East Commission
P. O. Box 1787
Washington, NC 27889
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FOR MORE INFORMATION - Libby Anderson - 946-8043
Public Service Announcement
The Murfreesboro Planning Board will meet in the Town Hall
at 1:00 pm May 5 to continue its work in preparing the Town's
first land use plan. The Winton Planning Board will also meet
May 5 at 7:00 pm in the Winton Town Hall to continue its work in
updating the Winton land use plan. Both meetings are open to the
public and interested citizens are encouraged to attend. Both
boards will begin developing policies on resource protection and
community development.

Mid -East Commission
' P. 0. Box 1787
Washington, NC 27889
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
' FOR MORE INFORMATION - Libby Anderson - 946-8043
Policy Planning Sessions Set
Planning Boards in Winton and Murfreesboro will meet
Tuesday, May 5 to begin developing policy statements on future
land development. Both Boards are currently preparing land use
plans according to the guidelines of the state's Coastal Area
Management Act (CAMA). State guidelines specify that local
' plans address a number of policy areas including resource
protection, resource production and management, and economic and
community development.
' Development along shoreline areas, development in and
around sensitive natural, historic and archaeological areas,
river access, tourism, and community revitalization are some of
' the issues that will be reviewed. In Winton, planners will
also discuss the capacity of local community facilities and
their relationship to future development. Both meetings are
' open to the public and interested citizens are encouraged to
attend. The Murfreesboro Planning Board meets at 1:00 pm in the
Town Hall. The Winton Planning Board meets at 7:00 pm in the
Winton Town Hall.

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Mid -East Commission
P. O. Box 1787
Washington, NC 27889
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FOR MORE INFORMATION - Libby Anderson - 946-8043
Planning Board Develops Policies on Resource Protection
Murfreesboro - Murfreesboro planners approved five policies
for protecting the area's natural resources at their meeting May
5. The policies will be included in the Town's land use plan.
The Planning Board has been working on preparing a land use plan
for the Town since December of last year. The Board is now
beginning to formulate policy goals for land development in the
Murfreesboro area. The Murfreesboro Land Use Plan is being
prepared in accordance with the guidelines of the State's
' Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA).
Board members approved five policies for resource protection
and a number of strategies to attain each policy objective.
Protecting and enhancing water quality in the Meherrin River
should be a major local goal planners agreed. To attain this
objective, planners suggested that the Town should encourage
strict enforcement of water quality regulations by the State
Department of Environmental Management and support programs such
as the Agricultural Cost Share Program which help reduce pollu-
tion from agricultural operations. Preserving and protecting
Areas of Environmental Concern and protecting the Town's present
and future water supply should also be included as important
local goals planners agreed. Similarly, planners included
protection of the Town's historic and cultural resources in
their list of policy statements. As a fifth objective, planners
recommended that the Town adopt a policy to discourage develop-
ment in areas where land is not physically suitable for develop-
ment. Planners urged that the.Town continue participating in the
Federal Flood Insurance Program and that strict enforcement of
the State's Environmental Health Code was necessary in the
extraterritorial area where septic tanks are used.
The Planning Board will address policies in the areas of
Resource Production and Management, and Economic and Community
Development at their next meeting on June 2. All interested
persons are encouraged to attend. Meetings are held at 1:00 pm
in the Murfreesboro Town Hall.

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Mid -East Commission
P. O. Drawer 1787
Washington, NC 27889
!
May 27, 1987
1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FOR MORE INFORMATION - Libby Anderson - 946-8043
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Public Service Announcement
Planning Boards in Murfreesboro and Winton will
meet on
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Tuesday, June 2 to continue working on local land
use plans.
The Murfreesboro Board meets at 1:00 pm in the Town
Hall. The
Winton Board meets at 7:00 pm in the Winton
Town Hall.
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Interested persons are urged to attend.
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the Nets-lijeralb
For Hertford County and The Roanoke-Chowan Area
Friday, May 29, 1987
Moro, Winton
Planning Boards
to meet
The Murfreesboro Planning Board
will meet at 1 p.m. June 2 in the
town hall to continue working on
local land use plans.
At 7 p.m. June 2, the Winton
Planning Board will meet in the
town hall to review the town's
current land classification map and
discuss what changes, if any,
should be made in this year's plan.
Both meetings are open to the
public.

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For Hertford County and The Roanoke-Chowan Area
Wednesday, June 17.1987
Land management
policies -outlined
MURFREESBORO — The Im-
peanuts produced.
portance of farming and forestry ac-
Forest -related operations are also
tivities to the Murfreesboro area has
. important activities locally and
been recognized by Its planning
county -wide, according to the board
board.
...members. A policy was adopted to
At their most recent meeting,
'protect commercial forestland and
planning board members agreed on
.: discourage development that will
six policies In the area of resources
have adverse Impacts on the area's
production and management.
productive natural resources such
Noting that one of every four acres
as farm and forest land.
of land in the county is cropland or
These policy objectives will be in -
pastureland, the board urged the
cluded in the land use plan the Mur-
town to adopt policies to protect, and
freesboro board Is preparing. The
enhance agricultural uses In the
plan, being prepared according to
Murfreesboro area and to preserve
, the guidelines of the State's Coastal
prime farmland areas.
Area Management Act, will be the
Emphasizing the importance of
. town's first comprehensive land use
farming locally, board members
plan.
observed that in 1984 Hertford Coun-
The.work will continue when the
ty ranked 29th in the state in the
board meets at 1 p.m. July 17 in the
amount of corn bushels sold and
town hall. The meeting is open to all
ranked fourth in the poundage of
interested inddividuals.

Mid -East Commission
'
P. O. Box 1787
Washington, NC 27889
June 30, 1987
'
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FOR MORE INFORMATION - Libby Anderson - 946-8043
'
Public Service Announcement
The Murfreesboro Planning Board will meet on Tuesday, July
'
7 to continue working on the Town's land use plan. All interest-
ed persons are encouraged to attend. Meeting begins at 1:00 pm
in the Town Hall.
1

Mid -East Commission
' P. O. Box 1787
Washington, NC 27889
June 30, 1987
' FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - -
FOR MORE INFORMATION Libby Anderson 946-8043
Murfreesboro Planners to Meet
The Murfreesboro
Planning Board
will
meet on Tuesday, July
7 to finalize policy
objectives for
inclusion in the Town's
'
1987 Land Use Plan.
The Board has
been
working since December -
to prepare a land use
plan for the Town in
accordance with the
guidelines of the
State's Coastal
Area
Management Act (CAMA).
' The -Planning Board has been compiling information on existing
land uses, constraints to development, and socioeconomic data,
and is now entering the final stages of the Planning process. At
' Tuesday's meeting the Board will also begin to prepare a land
classification map for the Murfreesboro area. The Planning Board
meets at 1:00 pm in the Murfreesboro Town Hall. All inter-
ested persons are encouraged to attend.
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M
102re zne ' �t � - 3eralb
For Hertford County and. The Roanoke-Chowan Area
Wednesday, July 22,1987
Council members to get land classification plan
MURFREESBORO — The Mur-
freesboro Planning Board com-
pleted several months of work by ap-
proving a land classification scheme
for the town and its extraterritorial
area.
Planners met July 7 to finalize
policy objectives on economic and
community development, public
participation. and storm hazard
mitigation. therehy completing the
major elements of the Town's first
CAMA Land Use Plan.
The Coastal Area Management
Act (CAMA) was adopted in 1972 in
an effort to protect the state's fragile
coastal area. CAMA requires com-
prehensive land use planning in all
20 of the state's "coastal counties"
(of which Hertford is one). and op-
tional land rice planning by local
municipalities. Most local govern-
ments have elected to participate in
the CAMA planning process; this
will be Murfreesboro's first com-
prehensive land use plan.
The Town Council will review the
preliminary Land Use Plan at its
Aug. 25 meeting. Upon Council ap-
proval of the Planning Board's
work. the plan will be submitted to
the state for review and comment.
A public hearing and final adop-
tion of the plan is scheduled for late
fall. The Council's Aug. 25 meeting is
open to the public. The Council
meets at I p.m. in the Town Hall. In-
terested persons may obtain a copy
of the draft plan from the hiid-East
Commission. P.O. Box 1787.
Washington. N.C.

'
Mid -East Commission
P. O. Box 1787
'
Washington, NC 27889
September 29 1987
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FOR MORE INFORMATION - Libby Anderson - 946-8043
Public Service Announcement
The Murfreesboro Town Council will meet Tuesday, September 8 to
review the Town's preliminary Land Use Plan. All interested
persons are encouraged to attend the Council meeting which
begins at 1:00 pm in the Murfreesboro Town Hall.

the NNeva's-Seralb
For Hertford County and The Roanoke-Chowan Area
Friday. September, 4.1987
Council to review
Land Use Plan
MURFREESBORO -- The
Murfreesboro Town Council will
review the town's preliminary Land
Use Plan at its Sept. 8 meeting.
At the meeting, the Planning
Board will receive the Council's
comments on its preliminary
planning efforts. Contingent upon
Council approval, the plan will
then be sent to state officials for
review and comment.
A public hearing and final
adoption of the plan is scheduled for
late fall. The meeting begins at 1
p.m. in the town hall.

n
For Hertford County and The Roanoke-Chowan Area
M'Fborb co un ci/approves
preliminary Land Use Plan-
MURFREESBORO — Council
members in Murfreesboro Tuesday
adopted a Preliminary Land Use
Plan.
The plan, submitted by Mrs. Libby
Anderson of the Mid -East Commis-
sion, is a preliminary draft, she said.
"We need your approval today so we
can send the plan to Raleigh where it
will be gone over with a fine-toothed
.comb, " she told council members.
She said she was sure state of-
ficials would recomend some
changes, which would be made.
Mayor Billy Hill told the board he
had not had time to read "the thick,
complicated document" but said if
council members felt comfortable
enough to approve It he would go
along with them.
Councilman Doug Cox commend-
ed Mrs. Anderson on the job she had
done and said he feels the plan will
provide "us with a useful tool. I feel
comfortable enough to approve It,"
he said.
John Gaitten, another eouncil
member, said the plan seems
reasonable and logical.
Mrs. Anderson told council that
the county and some towns are more
familiar with the plan since they
have had It for several years and
this is the first one for Murfreesboro.
"There are no hidden meanings,
Just recommendations," she added.
The planning board, she continued,
has given the plan its approval.
The plan provides information to
new residents, developers and sets
Iut Ideas about areas that can be
eveloped extensively. She pointed
out that the plan does recommend
that land now in use for agriculture
and forestry be preserved.
"Do you feel too restrictive as far
as development relates to
agriculture and forestry?" Gaitten
asked.
"This is only a five-year plan,"
Mrs. Anderson said. "It can be
changed if It appears too restric-
tive."
Cox pointed out that the plans
'Shows the U.S. 158 bypass on the
south side of the town "when we
have gone on record as supporting it
on the north side."
Mrs. Anderson said this could
easily be changed.
Cox then made a motion to ap-
prove the preliminary plan. There
was a second from Gaitten and the
vote was unanimous.
In other action, council held two
public hearings on rezoning. One In-
volved mobile homes and the other
was a piece of property owned by
G.D. Phillips Jr.
Up until Tuesday, the town's R-
20MH zone provided for family -type
dwellings Including shingled double -
wide modular and mobile homes.
The amendment to the ordinance
allows placement of all mobile
homes that were constructed since
1970. It stipulates that the tongue
and axle must be removed from the
mobile home and it has to be placed
on a foundation.
Council agreed to rezone the
Fieldcrest Subdivision (Phillips'
property) from R-20MH to R-15MH.
It was noted that the planning board
had determined that the rezoning
would not adversely affect existing
homes.
Council also approved a budget
amendment to provide for paying
the electrical expenses for the Mur-
free Center and the old town hall.
Wednesday
September 9, 1987

• 8 Friday, January 1, 1988 The News -Herald
NOTICE OF
PUBLIC HEARING
TOWNOF
MU RFR EESBORO CITIZENS
The Town of Murfreesboro will
receive public comment on the
Town's 1987 LAMA Land Use Plan
on Tuesday. February 9 at 1:00 p.m.
In the Murfreesboro Town Hall. The
plan outlines policies on land use and
development that the Town will
follow over Me next five years and
Classifies land in the Town and the
extraterritorial area according to
the guidelines of the state's Coastal
Area Management Act (LAMA).
Copies of the plan are available for
review at the Murfreesboro Town
Hall from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.,
Monday through Friday.
The Honorable WILLIAM W.
HILL. Mayor, Town of Mur-
freesboro
HC 01 01

BIBLIOGRAPHY
11
Hertford County Office of Emergency Management, Hertford County
Hurricane Evacuation and Shelter Plan. Winton, NC, January
1987.
1 Historic Murfreesboro, Incorporated, "Historic Murfreesboro
North Carolina."
1 Mid -East Commission, "Hertford County Land Use Plan Update."
1986.
News Herald, "Bottleneck to be Eased at Murfreesboro at
Murfreesboro Corner." 26 November 1986.
News Herald, "Officials Look at Past, Future." 2 January 1987. North Carolina Department of Commerce, 1985-86 Directory Manufac-
turing Firms. Raleigh, 1984.
' North Carolina Department of Commerce, Division of Travel and
Tourism, "1985 North Carolina Travel Study." Raleigh, May
' 1986.
North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources, Division of
' Archives and History, Correspondence, 28 January 1987.
North Carolina Department of Natural Resources and Community
Development, Division of Parks and Recreation, Correspond-
ence, 1 December 1986.
North Carolina Department of Natural Resources and Community
Development, Division of Environmental Management, "Interim
' Report on Groundwater Conditions in Northeastern North
Carolina." Raleigh, November 1977.
North Carolina Department of Transportation, Transportation
Improvement Program. December 1986.
' Office of State Budget and Management, Profile North Carolina
Counties. Raleigh, Seventh Edition 1986.
t Office of State Budget and Management, "North Carolina Municipal
Population 1985." Raleigh, September 1986.
Office of State Budget and Management, Statistical Abstract North
Carolina State Government. Raleigh, Fifth Edition 1984.
Telephone Interview, Darrell Nicholson, Registrar Chowan College,
' 17 December 1986.

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U. S. Department of Agriculture, Soil
Conservation Service, Soil
Survey of Hertford County North
Carolina. July 1984.
U. S. Department of Commerce, Bureau
of the Census, 1970 Census
of Population. Washington,
D. C. Government Printing
Office, March 1983.
U. S. Department of Commerce, Bureau
of the Census, 1980 Census
1
of Population. Washington,
D. C. Government Printing
Office% October 1983.
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