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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLand Use Plan Update 1993-19934 Nb— � G NN DCM COPY I'll 6A DCM COPY Please do not remove!!!!! Division of Coastal Management O/V ot LAND USE PLAN UPDATE 1993 TOWN OF MURFREESBORO LAND USE PLAN 1993 UPDATE Local Adoption Date: September 14, 1993 CRC Certification Date: September 24, 1993 The preparation of this report was financed in part by a grant provided by the North Carolina Coastal Management Program through funds provided by the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended, which is administered by the Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Town of Murfreesboro Land Use Plan 1993 Update Prepared for: Town Board ----- -- Douglas R. Cox Bill Parker Jack A. Hassell Jacob Ruffin Bill Theodorakis William W. Hill, Mayor Frank R. Cope, Town Administrator Molly Eubank, Town Clerk Prepared by: ---------- Planning Board ---------- Larry Carter Cecil M. Forehand, Jr. Joseph Dixon Felton Murry James Eason Phil Royce Clarence Wynn, Jr. Bynum R. Brown, Chairman With Assistance From: Mid -East Commission P. O. Box 1787 Washington, NC 27889 Planner -In -Charge: Jane Daughtridge Secretary: Linda Roberts Maps prepared by ECU graduate students under the supervision of Scott Wade, Geographic and Planning Department. TABLE OF CONTENTS I. DEMOGRAPHICS A. Population Update 1 B. Housing Update 1 C. Economy Update 1 Implications 2 Figure 1. Location Map 2a Update Tables 1-5 2b Update Table 6 2c Update abler 7-8 2d II. LAND USE A. Existing Land Use 3 B. Recent Development/Future Growth 4 Figure 1B. New Development 4a C. Land Use Concerns 5 D. Development Controls 5 E. Development Constraints 6 Update Figure DI-D2 8a Table El. Soil Characteristics 8b Figure El. Soil Map 8c Table E2. National Register Properties 8d Implications 9 III. 1987 POLICY ASSESSMENT 10 IV. 1993 ISSUES AND POLICY STATEMENTS 17 1. Resource Protection 18 2. Resource Production & Management 23 3. Economic & Community Development 25 4. Storm Hazard 31 5. Public Participation 32 Public Survey Results 34 V. LAND CLASSIFICATION A. Purpose 35 B. Classification Scheme 35 1. Developed 35 2. Urban Transition 35 3. Limited Transition 36 4. Community 36 5. Rural 36 6. Rural with Services 36 7. Conservation 36 C. Intergovernmental Coordination 37 Relationship of Policies to Land Classification 37 MAPS Map 1. Existing Land Use 3a Map 2. Land Use Constraints 6a Map 3. Land Classification 36a DATA COLLECTION & ANALYSIS I. DEMOGRAPHICS A. POPULATION UPDATE Murfreesboro remains the second most populous town in Hertford County. Table 2 shows that the town has been steadily losing residents at a rate of approximately 1.4% per year since 1970. Between 1980 and 1990, 65.1% of the loss in population can be attributed to declines in Chowan College enrollment, described as "group quarters" population in the censuses. This impact points out an important connection between the town and the college. The population is aging, as in most other places in the county and state. Table 3 shows the relative percentages of population in various age groups and compares those percentages to the County and the State. These age cohorts tell an important story about the future growth potential of the town. When the numbers of young people decline compared to the older groups, it is an indication that future trends in population will be negative. The impact of young person population declines has already been felt in Hertford County in the form of consolidation of the schools. From a land use perspective, natural indications are that Murfreesboro may experience little demand for new housing starts except possibly multi -family elderly units to accommodate aging citizens who can no longer maintain independent dwellings. The aging trend will increase demand for health care and security services. Some active recruitment of in -migration from other areas could alter the natural trend. Also the expansion of Chowan College to a full -curriculum 4-year institution may influence future growth in child- bearing age population. College students now make up just under one third of the Town's population, and the school is still one of Murfreesboro's largest land owners. Approximately 700-750 students are now enrolled (1992), compared to 900 reported during preparation of the first land use plan in 1987. This trend is not uncommon among colleges and universities in recent years. B. HOUSING UPDATE The total housing stock grew by 63 units between 1980 and 1990, but the number of vacant units also increased. Single -person households also increased just over 34%, while the total number of households only increased 5%. This may be another indicator of the aging population. Persons per household are decreasing, which helps explain how the population can decrease while the number of households increases. Renter occupied units increased relatively little, implying that the recession did not have as great an impact on the lives of Murfreesboro citizens as on others around the country. However, almost one third of the dwelling units in town are now rental units. Housing conditions appear to have improved, with 73% fewer units reporting incomplete plumbing facilities than in 1980. This is very likely the result of CDBG housing rehabilitation activities. Update Tables 4 and 6 show these and other housing facts. C. ECONOMY UPDATE Update Tables 5 and 6 show economic information. The Murfreesboro workforce decrease by 257 persons between 1980 and 1990; however the unemployment rate improved from 6.3% to 4.0% during the same period. The largest employment sectors for citizens of Murfreesboro are Education Services, Retail Trade, and Manufacturing. Education Services increased 3.2% over 1980, probably as a result of the change in Chowan College from two to four years of study. Even though it remains a strong employment segment, retail trade actually showed the greatest loss as a percent of employment, moving from 20.9% to 15.2% in 1990. A list of manufacturing firms in Murfreesboro is supplied in Update Table 7. Tulloss Industrial Equipment has been dropped from the 1987 list. Ken Packaging came and left during the planning period, and the new additions are fairly small contract sewing, commercial printing and fertilizer concerns. The most striking difference in the tables is the reduction in the number of employees at these firms, although Rose 01 Brothers Paving had a significant increase. Update Table 8 shows major employers, regardless of type of business. Income was up at all levels. Per capita income jumped 59.9% from 1980 to 1990 but still lagged the county, region and state. In constant dollars (i.e., adjusted for inflation), the per capita buying power increase was 5.74%. Average income reported from wages and salaries increased 66.3% while self-employed income (other than farms) declined slightly. This change may indicate that former independent business people are having to go to work for others in order to earn a reasonable living. Poverty status for all persons in Murfreesboro worsened a little but is still better than for the county or the region as a whole. One should note, however, that just over half of the female headed households in town live below the poverty level, while only 10% of the persons 65 and over live in poverty. Retail sales are reported by county (see Update Table 5). Hertford County's 69% increase in retail sales between 1980 and 1990 was second only to Pitt County's increase in Region Q, although it is still ranked third in the region in overall retail sales. Tourism has been rapidly increasing in Murfreesboro over the years. Promoted by the Murfreesboro Chamber of Commerce and the Murfreesboro Historical Association, Inc., several special events have been cultivated to attract growing numbers of visitors. The town's historic resources have long been a draw to the area. MHA offers guided and self -guided tours through the Historic District where seven buildings are open to the public. The Town also has added special events such as the Antiques Fair in the spring and the Watermelon Festival in summer. A progressive dinner through the Historic District at Christmas, known as the Candlelight Christmas is another popular event. The tourists come from a wide variety of areas, but the largest number of out-of-state guests will hail from Virginia. In the 1987 plan, the number of visitors was estimated at 1,500 annually. Today the estimate has grown to 20,000 or more per year. A study known as the Downtown/Waterfront Development Plan and Market Analysis, prepared in 1989 through a CAMA grant addressed many of the Town's strengths and weaknesses with respect to economic opportunity in the downtown area. The promotional events component was discussed in that plan and it would appear that the Town has been working toward implementation. IMPLICATIONS Over the next five years, given current trends, the Town of Murfreesboro is likely to lose a total of 180 persons; however, there is evidence of renewed economic opportunity related to travel and tourism. The town seems to have found its best economic niche as Hertford County's historic and educational center. Continued focus on the Town's historic resources is advisable. Consideration should also be given to long term development of the river resource for recreational purposes. A rebound in the vibrance of small business as well as successful efforts to recruit retirement populations could significantly alter out -migration and slow the trend toward population decline. Based on the employment sector declines between 1980 and 1990, over- reliance on retail trade businesses without the development of new markets would not be in the town's best interest, even though that sector remains a significant employer. Industrial recruitment might focus on small scale operations employing under 100 persons in light of the trend toward down -sizing which has occurred in local industries over the past five years. Figure 1. Location] Map MURFREESBORO, Hertford County, NC c.�.. ' N m WWI 40 1simis IT 03vrdD3 '1N37rr?r ills 'NOi03f ON 3Nvf XI on . 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POPULATION 3.007 ■ ........................................ 2,650 -357 -11.9% .................................. 22,523 9.305 20,798 218.196 6,628,637 URBAN 3,007 2,650 -357 -11.9% 7,041 0 0 90,284 3,335,570 RURAL 0 0 O 0.0% 15,482 9.305 20,798 127,912 3,293,067 ED ATTAINMENT PERSONS 25 S OVER 1.401 1,45B 57 4.1% 14,105 6,085 13,754 133.275 4,253,494 <9TN GRADE 359 258 -101 -28.1% 2,610 1,026 3,316 20,794 539.974 9TH TO 12TN 243 236 .7 -2.9% 3,293 1,356 3,176 25,199 737,773 HS GRAD 249 412 163 65.5% 4,169 2,070 4,002 37,902 1,232,&S SOME COLLEGE 234 182 -52 -22.2% 1,78B 791 1.384 20,392 713,713 ASSOC DEGREE NA 64 64 NA 729 394 669 8,222 290,117 BACH DEGREE 316 177 -139 -44.0% 1,024 315 885 13,581 510,003 NIGHER DEGREE NA 129 129 MA 492 133 322 7,185 229,046 X HS GRAD OR MORE 57.0% 62.7% 5.71 58.1% 60.9% 52.8% 65.5% 70.0% COMMUTE TO WORK 819 $88 69 8.4% 9,284 3867 7903 100,144 3,300,481 TRAVEL TINE(NINS) 12.5 18.6 6.1 48.8% 20.4 33.4 21 20.1 19.8 CIVILIAN LABOR FORCE AGE 16* IN LF 1,245 948 -297 -23.9% 10,152 4;128 8,706 107.972 3,401,495 0 EMPLOYED 1,167 910 -257 -22.0% 9,519• 3,898 8,069 101,546 3,238,414 PERCENT UNEMPLOYED 6.3% 4.0% -2.3% 6.2% 5.6% 7.3% 6.0% 4.8% EMPLOYMENT SECTORS TOTAL EMPLOYED 1,167 910 -257 -22.0% 9.519 3,898 8,069 101.546 3,238,414 AG/FOREST/FISH 3.3% 5.6% .1 2.3% 5.7% 8.5% 7.9% 5.3% 2.8% MINING ABOVE 0.0% NA MA DAIS 0.0% 0.3% 0.1% 0.2% / CONSTRUCTION 8.5% 5.7% 14 -2.8% 6.4% 7.6% 7.0% 6.5% 7.0% MFG.(MON-DURABLE) 7.7% 14.2% -103 6.5X 14.0% 14.2% 18.9% 15.6% 14.9% MFG.(DURABLE) 6.8% 6.8% -106 0.0% 15.1% 17.6% 12.7% 10.6% 11.7% TRANSPORTATION 2.2% 2.6% 56 0.4% 3.6% 3.5% 2.8% 2.2% 3.9% COHIBINIC 9 PUB.UTIL. 0.9% 0.0% 9 -0.9% 1.6% 1.1% 1.7% 1.9% 2.6% WHOLESALE TRADE 4.3% 1.9% -91 -2.4% 2.9% 2.6% 3.3% 3.7% 4.2% RETAIL TRADE 20.9% 15.2% 120 -5.7% 16.7% 13.8% 14.5% 17.2% 16.1% FINANCE/INS/R.EST. 3.1% 4.4% -31 1.3% 2.831 1.8% 1.8% 3.5% 5.1% BUS. 9 REPAIR SIR. 0.8X 1.1% 15 0.3% 1.8% 2.7% 2.1% 2.9% 3.9% PERSONAL SERVICE 2.5% 1.0% .76 -1.5% 3.0% 3.8% 3.3% 2.7% 2.8% ENTA RIC. SERV. ABOVE 0.5% MA MA 0.4X 0.3% 0.2% 0.7% 1.0% HEALTH SERVICES 3.1% 3.5% -104 0.4% 5.7% 5.3% 6.2% 7.8% 7.2% ED. SERVICES 28.8% 32.0% .40 3.2% 11.7% 9.5% 8.1% 11.3% 8.0% OTHER PROF. SERV. 4.0% 6.7% 28 2.7% 4.1% 3.2% 3.0% 4.0% 5.1% PUB. ADMIN. 3.2% 2.1% 5 -1.1% 4.6% 4.2% 6.2% 3.4% 3.6% INCOME MEDIAN NSNLD $16,203 $19,654 $3,451 21.3% S18,180 S23,406 S18,029 S20,206 126,647 MEDIAN FAMILY S18,946 S30,496 $11,550 61.0% S21,696 S27,829 S21,629 $24,907 $31.546 PER CAPITA $5,570 $8,905 $3,335 59.9% $9,016 S11,561 S8,244 $9,852 S12,885 AVG. INCOME BY TYPE WAGE i SAL S16,437 S27,340 $10,903 66.3% S23,912 S30,336 M/A S25,531 $32,098 . SELF-EMP S19,524 $19.191 ($333) -1.7% $15,220 S26,796 N/A $14,814 $16,698 FARN:SELF-EMP S3,996 $5,500 $1,504 37.6% $13,098 $11,026 N/A $12.475 $9,171 SOC.SEC. $3,859 $7,865 $4,006 103.8% $6,140 $6,502 M/A S6,016 S6,996 PUB. ASSIST $3,060 S3,742 "a 22.3% $3,056 $2,982 M/A $3,038 S3,143 RETIRE MA S9,080 S9,080 MA S7,336 S8,185 M/A S7,570 $8,828 POVERTY STATUS (ALL) 14.3% 17.3% 41 3.0% 25.0% 15.7% 23.6% 23.0% 13.0% FEMALE NSNLO 14.1% 50.8% 50 36.7% 47.6% 32.6% 47.3% 44.4% 31.0% 65 AND OVER 29.5% 10.0% -46 -19.5% 26.8% 22.9% 28.4% 29.6% 19.5% HOUSING UNITS 868 941 73 8.4% 8,870 3,696 8,974 89,973 2,818,193 INCOMP. PLUMBING 89 24 -65 -73.0% 521 406 431 3,108 42,962 PUBLIC M20 854 941 87 10.2% 4,737 2,814 4,658 $6.761 1,843,476 PUBLIC SEWER 785 928 143 18.2% 3,639 82 3.114 42,538 1,403,033 • GATES 9 NORTHAMPTON COUNTIES ARE ADJACENT BUT NOT IN DEFINED REGION WITH HERTFORD COUNTY ADDED AT REQUEST OF TOM SOURCE: 1990 CENSUS STFU CPH-L-82 2C Update Table 7. MURFREESBORO MANUFACTURING FIRMS Employment Firm Product Range B & B Contract Cutters Contract Cutting 1-4 Bullet Printing Commercial Printing 1 - 4 Georgia-Pacific Baskets/Lumber 80 Howell Metal Corporation Industrial Equipment Parts 17 Murfreesboro Machine Shop Fabrication Machinery 40 - 45 Murfreesboro Manufacturing' Sportswear & Piece Goods 155 Revelle Grain Company Feed & Seed 1-4 Revelle Builders of NC Ceco Buildings 20-25 Rose Brothers Paving Asphalt 120-160 Royster Mid -Atlantic Blend Fertilizer 5-9 • Formerly Rollic of NC Source: Hertford County Land Use Plan, 1990 Update and telephone survey, December, 1992. Update Table 8. MURFREESBORO MAJOR EMPLOYERS Firm Business Employees Murfreesboro Manufacturing Sportswear/Piecegoods 155 Rose Brothers Paving Asphalt 120-160 Chowan College Higher Education 150-160 Georgia-Pacific Baskets/Lumber 80 Murfreesboro Machine Shop Fabrication 40-45 Town of Murfreesboro Public Administration 39 I-owe's Building Supplies 24-36 Food Lion Grocer 25-35 Byrd's Food Store Grocer 20-25 Wise's IGA Foodliner Grocer 22 Source: Telephone survey, Mid -East Commission, January, 1993 2d II. LAND USE A. Existing Conditions Only one annexation action has taken place since the 1987 Land Use Plan. The parcel west southwest of town on US 158/258, which is the location of the Food Lion Shopping Center, was annexed in 1991. Distribution and dominance of land uses has changed very little since the last plan. Tulloss Industrial Equipment mentioned as the "second industrial area" in the 1987 Plan, is no longer operating. Rollie of NC, also mentioned, is now called Murfreesboro Manufacturing. Otherwise, the descriptions of land use and existing conditions in Murfreesboro are essentially the same as in the language of the 1987 Land Use Plan, which follows: 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.11, 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 extraterritorial 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/I'ruitt 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. As shown on the Map of Existing Land Use, most of the land within the Town limits has been developed. Residential 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 are single-family structures. The Town does however, 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. 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 Chowan College, and there has been considerable residential development, as well as commercial development, along U. S. 158/258 west of Murfreesboro. 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 portion of 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 Pacific 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. 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. Revelle Builders (building services and supplies), and Murfreesboro Manufacturing (textile products) are located here. 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 extraterritorial 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 extended its commercial area in 1986 by annexing the shopping plaza containing the Byrd's Supermarket, Revco Drugstore, 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 extraterritorialjurisdiction remains undeveloped. Agricultural 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 agriculture. 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. 1180, N. C. 11, and U. S. 158. Although some strip residential development has occurred along these roads, cleared farmland adjoins residential properties. B. Recent Development/Future Growth Since 1987, the majority of new development (26 of 29 permits) has been residential. One commercial permit was issued to the Food Lion Shopping Center (Murfreesboro Market Place) on US 158/258 in the northwestern portion of town. One apartment complex (Chowan Senior Manor) was built to accommodate elderly tenants. Additionally, Riverview School was built just outside of town on US 158 East. Figure B1 shows the location of new development. 1987 1988 1989 5 Residential 3 Residential 3 Residential 1990 1991 1992 3 Residential 1 Commercial 5 Residential 1 Institution 1 MY Res. 6 S/F Res. Source: Murfreesboro Town Manager, Intern Project 4 A y FIGURE BI NEW DEVELOPMENT 1987 - 1992 LOCAT/ON MAP *mew nwdli�„g5 C hohne�� C. Land Use Concerns The two major land use concerns in the Town expressed in the 1987 Plan still are basically valid for this update: 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 Pacific 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's impact on these areas with regard to traffic generated by plant workers and large delivery vehicles has decreased because of significant personnel layoffs; however, noise and occasional odors from processing activities are still a concern. Local officials are also concerned about the commercial development that is extending west along U. S.158/258. Commercial construction was one justification for the annexationsthat occurred along the highway in 1986 and in 1991, 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 nixed 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. This has been a particular concern for Murfreesboro because a major transportation route runs through the town and adds significantly to local traffic congestion. A planned by-pass is nearing construction stage now and is anticipated to resolve the bulk of this problem when completed The project is being built in sections, and at this time, the Department of Transportation's anticipated completion date for Section A (from US 258 W. to SR 1180) is November,1993, while the estimate for Section B (SR 1180 to US 158) is November, 1994. Implications The Town, through its zoning ordinance, should encourage industrial uses to locate in areas appropriate for such development. Industrial uses should be constructed away from environmentally 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, 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. D. Development Controls 1. Regulatory Controls Local Ordinances controlling land use decisions have not changed over the past five years. The town is, however, likely to have adopted sub -division regulations by the time this update is completed. Also, a zoning ordinance update effort is tentatively planned for the summer of 1993. A sign ordinance is in effect and was not listed in 1987. Local Ordinances are as follows: The Murfreesboro Zoning Ordinance; Mobile Home Park Regulations - included in the zoning ordinance; Historic District Regulations - administered by the Historic District Commission; Septic Tank Regulations - enforced in the ETJ by the County, septic tanks are not allowed in the city limits; nuisance ordinance; floodplain regulations - apply to a small area along the Meherrin River. 2. Development Plans The State's Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) lists two projects in the Murfreesboro area which could impact development. These are shown as Figures D1 and D2. Figure D1 is a revised edition of the US 158 Murfreesboro Bypass, described in the 1987 Land Use Plan. The southern route alternative was chosen and the project no longer extends past US 158 east to US 258 north as projected in 1987. Figure D2 is a highway improvement just outside the Murfreesboro jurisdiction which proposes to widen US 158 east all the way to US 13 near Winton. The TIP schedule still shows completion of the initial Bypass in 1996, while the eastern widening project is listed as "Post Year" in the 1991 to 1997 TIP published for 1992 and, therefore, may be a topic of discussion in the next Land Use Plan update. There is speculation that since a new administration is coming into Raleigh and new Highway Commissioners will be taking seats, no new projects will be expedited until those personnel changes take shape. The town experienced a personnel change in the Administrator's office in 1990. The Community Facilities and Public Improvements Plan mentioned in the 1987 Land Use Plan is no longer being used because it was outdated by the time the new administration came in. The Board has changed direction from an expansion philosophy to a maintenance and improvement of existing facilities priority. One current Community Development Block Grant project is under way in town which included streets and water improvements as well as housing rehabilitation in the Revelle Park area. The Hertford County Disaster Relief and Assistance Plan is still in effect for response to natural disasters such as storm events, as well as man-made hazard disasters such as chemical spills or other toxic exposures. While the Town does not have a formal Solid Waste Plan, it now contracts recycling services with a private solid waste contractor. There is once -a -week curbside pick up for all recyclables. The town has also received a permit to develop a yard waste composting site at the end of Carver Street, east of town, just outside the corporate limits. 3. Development Policies Like most small towns in rural areas, Murfreesboro encourages development and deeply respects private land development decisions. However, the town seeks to maintain property values and quality of life for its citizens. A spirit of cooperation and compromise are evident in citizen requests for special exceptions, conditional uses, or zoning map changes. Its policy places control of development in enforcement of the Zoning Ordinance and the Historic District regulations. The Town Administrator and Town Clerk both work closely with the Planning Board/Zoning Board of Adjustment, providing staff functions and advice. 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 categories: physical limitations, fragile areas, and areas of resource potential. Physical Limitations for Development. A variety of factors determine the suitability of land for development. These include 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, 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 Program, the lowest floor of residential buildings must be elevated at or above flood level as 6 1 I� C — , v c,'c"i77 u 9 9 �J- A rmftzi MAP 2 LAND USE CONSTRAINTS AEC � Floodplain IM Steep Slope .,.,.,.;Archaeologically Sensitive Area Public ©Historic. r N 2000 FEET The preparation of this map ' was financed in part through a grant provided by the North Carolina Coastal Management Program, through funds provided by the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended, which is administered by the Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Prepared by the East Carolina University Department of Geography and Planning in cooperation with the Mid —East Commission, May 1993. 6a 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 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 El. As noted on the Mufreesboro Area Soils Map, (Figure El) 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 El). Norfolk -type soils - NoA, NoB, and NoC are the major soil types found in the remainder of the extraterritorial area. Norfolk soils have only slight limitations for building construction and only moderate limitations for septic systems. It is especially important to note soil conditions in the extraterritorial 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 supply until recent years. Northeastern North Carolina 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 water withdrawals in Virginia. The area's aquifer system can be divided in three hydrogeologic 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 have been noted. The water -table aquifer recharges the underlying 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 communities 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 comer 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 three 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, as well as the waters of the tributaries to the Meherrin River. 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 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, 7 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 and its tributaries - 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; 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 both agencies are in effect. Under CAMA, joint fishing waters are regulated as estuarine waters; thus CAMA regulations control development along the river and within 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 state Natural Heritage Program has no record of any endangered species or habitats, or rare geologic areas within the planning area. The Town has within its corporate limits, a number of buildings of historic importance and the state Department of Cultural Resources has identified five archaeologically sensitive areas in the planning area. 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-eligiblepropertieswill be proposed for National Register listing. Six properties within the District have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places (Table E2), and a seventh National Register property - the Columns - is located outside the district on the grounds of Chowan College. The Town's Historic District has also been identified as an archaeologically sensitive area; state officials note that 15 archaeological sites have been identified within the district. Four other archaeologically sensitive areas containing a total of 13 sites have been identified in addition; three lie within the Town's corporate limits, 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 with minimal inputs of energy and economic resources, and farming these soils results in the least damage to the environment. As shown on the Murfreesboro area soils map, the region contains a fairly extensive area of the Norfolk soils. These soils are well distributed throughout the planning area, 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 Population growth has been negative in both the Town of Murfreesboro and in Hertford County since 1980; therefore there should be no shortfall in provision of public services. the primary issues related to facilities will be State and Federal regulations which impact the cost of providing these services. M HIGHWAY PROGRAM HERTFORD COUNTY TOTAL PRIOR WORK TYPE SCHEDULE ROUTE/CITY ID NO. LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION EST. YEARS (FUNDING) FEDERAL FISCAL YEAR COST COST EST. COST (THOU) (THOU) (THOU) 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 US 1S8 R•600 • MURFREESBORO BYPASS. (5.0 NILES) FOUR 12E50 800 0 LAME DIVIDED FACILITY ON NEW LOCATION. R(F ) 2300 C(F ) 9750 US 15B R•2583 • M)RFREESBORO BYPASS TO US 13. (6.3 MILES) 15000 R(T � T`4220000 RIGHT HCONSTROF MAY POST YEAR POST YEAR WIDEN EXISTING ROADWAY TO A MULTILANE FACILITY. • INDICATES INTRASTATE PROJECT En ALL SCHEDULES SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS TABLE E1 SOIL CHARACTERISTICS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- _ Limitations For: SOIL ............................................. Buildings WO Septic Runoff Depth to High _ CODE TYPE SLOPE Basements Tanks Potential Water Table(ft) zzzszzzszzziszsz2zsassszasasszzxzzszszzzzzzzzzszzzzzzzzzassszszszzzsisCzizzzzsssszzizsizsiszt.Czzziz3ss 2250 BB Bibb OX Severe Severe Moderate 0.5-1.5 BOB Bonneau loamy sand 0-6% Slight Moderate Low 3.5-5.0 BoC Bonneau loamy sand 6.12% Moderate Moderate Low 3.5-5.0 CaB* Caroline fine sandy loam 2-6% Moderate Severe Moderate >6.0 CrB* Craven fine sandy loam 1-4% Moderate Severe Moderate 2.0-3.0 CrD2 Craven fine sandy Loam 8-12% Moderate Severe Moderate 2.0-3.0 DO Dorovan 0% Severe Severe High +1-0.5 GoA* Goldsboro fine sandy loam 0-2% Moderate Severe Slight 2.0-3.0 GpA Goldsboro -Urban Complex 0-2% Moderate Severe Slight 2.0-3.0 LF Leaf Loam 0% Severe Severe High 0.5-1.5 Ly Lynchburg fine sandy loam 0% Severe Severe Moderate 0.5-1.5 NoA* Norfolk loamy fine sand 0-2% Slight Moderate Slight 4.0-6.0 NOB* Norfolk loamy fine sand 2-6% Slight Moderate Slight 4.0-6.0 NoC* Norfolk Loamy fine sand 6-10% Moderate Moderate Slight 4.0-6.0 Re Rains fine sandy loam 0% Severe Severe Moderate 0.0-1.0 RuA Rumford loamy sand 0-3% Slight Slight Slight >6.0 Se Seabrook loamy sand 0% Severe- Severe Moderate 2.0-4.0 - Tall Tarboro sand 0-5% Severe Severe Low <6.0 Ud Udorthents, sandy 0% (1) (1) (1) (1) WT Winton 12-60% Severe Severe Moderate 2.0-4.0 * indicates prime farm soil (1) soil characteristics vary; on -site -investigation needed Source: Soil Survey of Hertford County, USDA, SCS, July 1984 DEFINITIONS OF LIMITATIONS: SLIGHT: Generally favorable for described activity. Minor limitations only. MODERATE: Not favorable for described use, and special planning, design, or maintenance is required to overcome or minimize limitations. SEVERE: Soils properties or site features are so unfavorable or difficult to overcome that special design, significant increases in construction costs, and possibly increased maintenance will be required. 8b N... ......... Figure El Murfreesboro Area Soils NOA Source: U.S.D.A. , , "Soil Survey of Hertford County North Carolina" Table E2 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 remag 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 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. cowpef-Thompson House 405 North Street Added to National Register in 1992 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. Optbuildings included a bath house. John Wheeler House 403 E. Broad Street House was the only brick dependency in Murfreesboro. =c===oo ��ccs�ea�==oaaoo��a �-so.000=seoa�as==eose=ocas�e=oaaecasc=sa=s.a=aa Source: N. C. Department of Cultural Resources 01 Water Service. According to the 1990 census, all housing units in Murfreesboro are now served with public water. Well capacity has not changed from the 3.5 millions gallons per day (GPD) reported in the 1987 Land Use Plan, and storage capacity is still 575,000 GPD. Water demand, shown at 400,000 GPD in 1987, now averages 313,482 GPD. Sewer Service. According to the 1990 census, 98.6% of all housing units in Murfreesboro are provided with public sewer service. Again, no capacity expansion has taken place since 1987. The system is a land application system with capacity of 476,000 GPD. Average usage in 1987 varied from 250,000 GPD to 650,000 GPD due to severe infiltration problems. An infiltration study was - performed in 1988 and corrections were made to all known problem areas at that time. Current demand now averages 176,067 GPD. Police and Fire Protection. The Murfreesboro Police Department has a staff of 9 officers, including the Chief. This is a ratio of one officer for every 287 persons. The Murfreesboro Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad provides protective services with one paid staff and 20 volunteers for a ratio of 1:123. Public Administration. The Town employs four full time administrativepersonnel. The Town administrator also acts as the zoning administrator and both the Administrator and the Town Clerk provide support for the planning boards. Landfill. The Town relies on Hertford County for landfill capacity. The county is currently. looking fo rsites to build a new landfill since their current permit has expired and they have only two years to comply with new regulations. The Town pays tipping fees of $40 per ton for commercial waste and a flat fee of $60 per household for all residential waste. There has been no indication that this fee schedule will change when the new facility is built, but the Town realizes that increases may be forthcoming. Public Schools. The school system in Hertford County was consolidated in 1989, with one of four elementary schools in the county and a new middle school for the county being located in Murfreesboro. Riverview Elementary teaches kindergarten through fifth grades and Hertford County Middle School teaches grades 6 through 9. Neither of these schools is operating near capacity at this time, and no surges in school age population are anticipated within the next 5 years. Roads. Improvements and proposals in highway service tend to acknowledge the linkages between Hertford County and the Tidewater area of Virginia. Locally, the proposed bypass is still anticipated to alleviate downtown traffic congestion and re-establish a small town atmosphere for shoppers and residents. Murfreesboro maintains local streets and has built one short new street since the 1987 plan. No other major local proposals are under consideration at this time, although the Planning Board has expressed a desire to see the Town extend sidewalks along main thoroughfares. There was great local interest in further developing plans for the Sanford proposal for an Interstate leg connecting the northeasternmost portion of the state to Raleigh through Hertford County. The town has expressed positive sentiment for such a project at recent public hearing, however, all indications are now that no highway will be constructed. Instead, highways 264 and 17 will be improved, missing Hertford County. Implications The existing public facilities are anticipated to be ample for even the most optimistic projection of growth over the planning period. Service personnel are adequate for the current population but would need to be reviewed if the population grows substantially. Solid waste is the area most likely to impact the Town's budget over the next five years. If a high demand water and sewer using industry were to locate in Murfreesboro, the Town would want to re-evaluate this section and address outstanding needs at that time. 9 III. 1987 POLICY OBJECTIVES ASSESSMENT The following is a listing of policy goals the Town adopted in 1987 to protect and manage land use. Included are strategies that the Town intended to implement over the past five years in order to achieve these policy goals. The Planning Board and Town Administrator were asked to identify past strategies which had been pursued by Murfreesboro over the planning period. In all policy categories, there were a total of 64 proposed strategies. The assessment discovered that 56.5 of the strategies have been attempted, giving the Town an overall implementation rate of 88%. A. Resource Protection - 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. Score: 3 There is very little agricultural land use inside the Town limits, and the Town has not actively involved itself with state or federal programs which deal with agriculture. - 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 location, 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. Score: 3 The Town has not experienced pressure for development in its AEC's. - protect the Town's present and future water supply + support state and federal programs that regulate underground storage of hazardous materials. Support regulations that require tightness-testingfor existingtanks and construction standards for new tanks. Immediate removal of leaking tanks should be required. Support establishment of a state fund to stop tank leaks and to clean up affected water supplies. + oppose further groundwater withdrawals by large waterusers in Virginia. 10 support state efforts to develop a groundwater management 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. Score: 2 Murfreesboro experienced a significant problem with leaking underground storage tanks during the planning period. The offending tanks have now been removed. The Town has not sought participation In groundwater protection or capacity use area projects. - 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. N/A 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. Score: 1 There has been lack of interest in strict enforcement of the Historic District Ordinance In recent years, although the Historic sites and events have been supported by the Town. Since the Town does not regulate sub -divisions, there has been no review of subdivision proposals. - 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 severe limitations. + in areas experiencing septic failures outside of Town, investigate the possibility of servicing with sewers. Score: 4 Only land development in the ETJ would require septic tanks, and the Town has supported State regulation requirements, as well as extension of facilities to areas needing assistance. B. Resource Production and Management - 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 11 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. Score: 4 - 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. Score: 2 - protect and enhance commercial and recreational fishing activity in the Meherrin River + support and comply with local, state and federal efforts to improve commercial and recreational fisheries. + 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 pollution. These include the Agricultural Cost Share Program and the Conservation Provisions of the 1985 Farm Bill. + publicize the recreational fishing opportunities available in the area in regional tourism brochures. Score: 5 The Town generally has supported these efforts. - 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. + 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. Score: 3 12 - ensure efficient, environmentally sound agricultural production + support use of Best Management Practices for agricultural 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 Score: 3 - 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. Score: 1 At the time of this update, the Town is working on development of subdivision regulations, but none have been adopted over the planning period. C. Economic and Community Development - 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 Community 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. Score: 3 In 1989, the Town produced a Downtown/Waterfront Development Plan and Market Analysis which was partially funded by a CAMA grant. Many of the suggestions In this plan have been pursued. - provide for the orderly growth of areas within Murfreesboro and within the one -mile planning jurisdiction + revise and adopt subdivision regulations. 13 + 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. 1/2 consider revising zoning ordinance to prohibit further commercial strip development along U. S. 158/U. S. 258. Review the ordinance for adequacy of sign regulations 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 7B.0200. Developed areas within the Town should he classified Urban. Developed 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. Score: 5.5 The sign regulations have been amended over the planning period, but no attempts have been made to prohibit strip commercial development. - 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. . Score: 2 - 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. Score: 2 Waterfront projects for public access are of continuing interest to the Town. A State boat launch area has been added, and discussions continue for reasonable projects which would enhance the public's use of the river. - provide for adequate housing for all community residents + continue to apply for funding for local housing improvements under the Community Development Block Grant Program. 14 + support development of low and moderate income housing in the Murfreesboro area. Score: 2 The Town is completing a CDBG revitalization grant at this time. - 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. Score: 3 The Town has supported the new events Initiated over the planning period. The paddlewheel showboat Idea in circulation at the time of the last plan has never come to fruition. D. Storm Hazards 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. Score: 3 protect natural areas sensitive to storm hazards + classify AECs as Conservation on the Town's Land Classification Map. Score: 1 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. Score: 1 The Town Is not aware that exercises have been held. E. Public Participation solicit citizen input in all planning decisions + advertise all Council and Planning Board meetings in the News -Herald: emphasize that 15 citizens are invited and encouraged to attend all meetings dealing with planning issues. Score: 1 apprise the public of planning issues as they develop + report important planning and community development issues, decisions, and developments to the News -Herald; propose feature articles for especially important issues. Score: 1 16 IV. ISSUES AND POLICY STATEMENTS The formulation of specific policy statements regarding growth and growth management objectives is probably the most important contribution of this land use plan update. The evaluation of the present population conditions, the condition of the land and water resources in the Murfreesboro planning area, and the existing methods of policy enforcement sometimes suggests the need to modify policy to accommodate changes in local conditions. The Coastal Resources Commission requires that policies be addressed in five categories: Resource Protection Resource Production and Management Economic and Community Development Storm Hazard Mitigation Citizen Participation Each policy category is intended to cover all issues associated with growth for the Town in the coming years. The guidelines were prepared to accommodate a wide range of conditions found in communities in coastal North Carolina. Because of this, not all issues addressed by the guidelines are directly applicable to Murfreesboro. The policy statements for 1993-2003 are the results of recommendations, local input, and the Planning Board's experience in the Town's jurisdictional needs. These statements define the problem or opportunity, possible alternatives for action, the selected alternatives, and the means to implement those alternatives. Some of the issues are of great importance. Others are only vaguely applicable at this time. The Coastal Area Management Act provides a mechanism for amendments to local plans if conditions change in such a way that new local directions are desirable. There are three basic approaches which may be taken for resource issues: Preservation, Conservation, and Unregulated. For Resource issues, the Town will choose one of these approaches. A Preservation approach attempts to prohibit use altogether in order to save the resource in its natural state for future generations to enjoy. This approach requires adoption and strict enforcement of protective laws. An example might be prohibiting development in a known habitat for endangered species. If applied to private property, such restrictiveness is subject to legal challenge as a "taking" of property rights; however, the courts have ruled favorably in cases where public purposes were well defined. Other preservation strategies might involve public acquisition of property or negotiated easements for public use. A Conservation approach attempts to use resources sparingly in order to prolong their usefulness over a long period of time. This approach uses regulations, restrictions, and incentives to control the rate or the way in which a resource is used. In a sense, it controls the supply regardless of the demand. Economic pressures are a fact of life for all communities and for the citizens therein. A realistic assessment of the existing resources and the rate at which the locality can afford to lose them will guide strategy choices in this type approach. An unregulated approach supports use of resources in an uninhibited way in direct response to market forces. It has a relatively short-term focus and relies on the availability or development of substitutes when the resource is depleted. This approach thrives in the absence of regulation or enforcement, and may be desirable where resources are overabundant or substitutes are readily available. Any of these approaches is an alternative open to Murfreesboro as it explores policy options. For policy categories other than resource -oriented issues, these approaches may not be appropriate. In those cases, the policy statements have been written to convey general attitudes on a given issue. 17 1993 POLICY STATEMENTS 1. RESOURCE PROTECTION The Murfreesboro Planning Area is blessed with water resources and abundant prime farmland soils, providing economic and recreational opportunities for man and habitat areas for herring and shad. a. Constraints to Development. (1) Soil limitations are found primarily in floodprone areas, and in areas outside the Town limits where municipal water and sewer service is not available. Septic tank suitability is generally a problem in the low-lying floodprone areas near the Meherrin River and Worrell Mill Swamp and in scattered locations in the southwest section of the ETJ. The Town is subject to a the Federal Flood Insurance program which shows floodprone areas adjacent to the river and swamp. Development in these areas must be situated above flood level, in order to qualify for flood insurance and to meet the Building Code requirements. Present development in the flood prone areas is limited. The Town owns about 400 acres of the floodplain and is in the process of acquiring a large plot in the northeast section of the ETJ for its wastewater land application site. (2) The options are preservation, conservation, and unregulated. Prohibiting all development is not a desirable option; however, health and property risks make an unregulated approach an unacceptable choice also. (3) The approach shall be conservation. The policy shall he to support and strictly enforce Federal, State, and local regulations governing septic tank Installation or otherwaste treatment alternatives and building requirements In floodprone areas. (4) The policy shall be implemented through local attention to State guidelines for proper operation of land application wastewater systems, by strong support for County enforcement of septic tank siting regulations, and by strict enforcement of the local zoning ordinance. The Town will also work with potential developers to encourage sewer line extension to areas experiencing septic problems. b. Local Resource Development Issues Relative to Areas of Environmental Concern (AECs). (1) Murfreesboro natural AECs are the Meherrin River and its shoreline and tributaries, including wetland areas. There are no Outstanding Resource Waters within the Murfreesboro jurisdiction. As mentioned in a.1 above, the Town holds most of the AEC shoreline acreage. (2) Options are preservation, conservation, and unregulated. (3) The approach shall be conservation. The Town recognizes that floodplains and wetlands possess the values of groundwater recharge and discharge, 18 floodwater alteration, nutrient and waste retention and transformation, habitat protection, and recreation enhancement; and that these values make floodplains and wetlands worthy of protection for ecological and economic reasons. At the same time, the Town would like to better utilize its river resource for economic development purposes relating to recreation and tourism. The policy shall be . to support current Federal, State, and local restrictions with regard to development in areas of environmental concern. The Town discourages industrial development near Areas of Environmental Concern. (4) Implementation shall occur through strict enforcement and coordination of local zoning restrictions to protect the public trust waters and estuarine shoreline; and through support of CAMA permit issuing and Corps of Engineers wetlands restrictions. C. Other Hazardous or Fragile Land Areas. (1) The Murfreesboro planning area has freshwater swamps and marshes, 404 wetlands, groundwater supply areas, historic resources, and man-made hazards (bulk fuel storage) to consider with regard to allowable land use in hazardous or fragile areas. There are no maritime forests, outstanding resource waters, commercial shellfishing waters or pocosins in the jurisdiction. The Town has an active Historic Properties Commission and a vibrant Historic District. The Town does not feel that Military Operating Area is an issue for them. It would not be directly effected by OCS gas and oil exploration, although there is general opposition to such a high risk environmentally hazardous industry developing along the coast most commonly used for ocean recreation in this area. (2) Options include Preservation, Conservation, and Unregulated. Since the listing above contains different types of sensitivity, the policy options for each may vary. (3) The general approach for all fragile or hazardous area policies is conservation. Manmade hazards are. currently recognized in the local zoning ordinance related to industrial uses. Historic sites are regulated locally by the Historic District Ordinance. Water supply areas are currently adequate from the standpoint of quantity, quality, and apparent land use Impacts since the supply Is derived from deep aquifer groundwater. The policy for swamps, marshes, and 404 wetlands is Preservation. Only water - dependent uses are appropriate. (4) Implementation shall occur through enforcement of the local zoning and historic district ordinances, and support of State and Federal regulations. The Town will closely monitor water quality and quantity and modify the zoning requirements in the well field area if necessary to include a buffer around well sites. d. Hurricane and Flood Evacuation Needs (1) This topic is covered in greater detail in Section 4 of this chapter. Very little of the Town's jurisdiction is flood prone, elevations are generally about 19 75 feet above sea level. Hertford County is considered a destination point for locations to the north and east in case of hurricane. (2) Options include preparation of an evacuation plan specific to the Murfreesboro jurisdiction; adoption of the evacuation plan described in the Hertford County Land Use Plan; or making decisions on evacuation issues when and if the occasion arises, (3) Hurricane and flood evacuation needs will adhere to procedures described In the Hertford County Emergency Management Plan if the need arises. e. Means of Protecting Potable Water Supply (1) A safe and adequate supply of drinking water is important to Murfreesboro, but this issue is not in jeopardy at this time. The groundwater supply is adequate in quality and quantity for the present and any anticipated growth during the planning period. During the last plan, a large pulp mill in Franklin, Virginia was causing significant drawdowns in the aquifer. There have been no recent studies, but one is getting under way at the Division of Water Resources. The "North Albemarle" study will do modelling over the next four to five years to try and determine large industrial impacts on water levels. Drying wells could be a significant issue in the future, and this study should be closely followed (2) The options with regard to land use impacts are preservation, conservation, and unregulated. A preservation approach would disallow all development within a specified radius of public water recharge areas. This approach might require public purchase of those lands, and is probably not feasible for the Town in terms of both cost and benefit. An unregulated approach would allow any and all development according to market demand regardless of its impact on groundwater supply. Obviously, this approach is unacceptable. (3) The approach shall be conservation. The policy shall be to protect potable water supplies from negative land use impacts. (4) Implementation could occur through close monitoring of water quality and quantity and modification of the zoning ordinance to include a buffer requirement around well sites if a need arises. The Town will also try and gain access to information coming out of the North Albemarle Study. f. Use of Package Treatment Plants for Sewage Disposal (1) No individual systems other than septic tanks are currently operating within the Town's jurisdiction. Any dense residential development or large industry outside the municipal service area would probably be required to consider some package alternative. Package treatment facilitiespresent certain issues of concern for local government: local water quality (where is the system discharging) and ongoing finance and upkeep of the system (who pays to keep it properly operating after the sale of land). 20 (2) Options with regard to package treatment plants are limited to policies equal to or more restrictive than those imposed by the State since the Divisionof Environmental Management, Water Quality section would be the permit issuer for such facilities. (3) The Town's policy on any future proposals shall be to discourage the use of package treatment plants in favor of extending municipal service to the area of need as long as excess capacity exists In facilities. (4) This policy shall be implemented through a requirement for developers to tap onto the municipal wastewater system unless the developer can show that such a requirement is significantly more costly to property owners than a package plant adequate to meet the need. In such a situation, the Town would rely on State and Federal standards for safe operation and maintenance requirements. g. Stormwater Runoff and Its Impact on Coastal Wetlands, Surface Waters, or other Fragile Areas. (1) Stormwater runoff can be offensive to fragile areas because it is likely to contain toxic oil, grease, rubber, and other petroleum products washed from road surfaces during rainstorms, as well as pesticides and fertilizers from yards or agricultural uses, and eroded soils which contribute to turbidity, interrupting plant growth in shallow waters. Urban stormwater runoff inside the Town is channeled directly into the Town's wastewater system. Agricultural runoff from farms in the northern portion of the ETJ may affect the river; however, the Division of Environmental Management reports that there have been no fish kills and no compliance problems on the Meherrin during the planning period. (2) Options include greater control of impervious surfaces, careful assessment of current impact, or continue existing procedures. (3) The chosen policy shall be to continue existing procedures until a need is shown based on negative impacts. (4) Implementation shall occur through enforcement of the zoning regulations which limit impervious surfaces allowed in residential areas. h. Marina and Floating Home Development and Dry Stack Storage Facilities for Boats (1) The Town has no commercial marinas as defined by CAMA within its jurisdiction at this time. There are no dry stack storage facilities or floating home development to date. Marina development would be desirable if precautions were taken to protect water resources. (2) Options are limited to policies which are at least as restrictive as or more restrictive than those imposed by the State in Title 15, Subchapter 7H, Section .0108(b)(5) of the North Carolina Administrative Code. (3) The policy shall be conservation. The Town desires protection from random marina development along its waterfront, but supports such development 21 as is appropriately placed in the floodplain areas along the northern run of the river. The Town supports CAMA regulation of marinas. Dry stack storage facilities would be regulated by the local zoning ordinance and may be acceptable under certain conditions. Dry Stack facilities would be subject to local zoning restrictions. Floating home development does not apply at this time but an amendment to this plan would be considered if the Issue arises within the planning period. The Town would not categorically prohibit such development at the local level. (4) Implementation shall occur through strict enforcement of the local Toning ordinance and subdivision regulations and support for strict enforcement of State and Federal regulations. i. Industrial Impact on Fragile Areas (1) The industry which presently impacts on fragile areas is Georgia -Pacifies wood products plant which discharges into the river and affects the Historic District. No new industrial development would be permitted in such close proximity to fragile areas according to the current zoning scheme. (2) Policy options include close scrutiny of proposed new industries in or near fragile areas through requirement of environmental impact statements prior to issue of building permits in or near fragile areas, or reliance on State and Federal standards for industrial development which impacts wetlands. (3) The policy shall be conservation. (4) Implementation shall occur through support of existing State, Federal, and local requirements. No additional action is deemed necessary. j. Development of Sound or Estuarine System Islands (1) THIS ISSUE DOES NOT APPLY. k. Restriction of Development within Areas Up to Five Feet Above Mean High Water That Might Be Susceptible to Sea Level Rise and Wetland Loss (1) THIS ISSUE DOES NOT APPLY. L Upland Excavation for Marina Basins (1) By CAMA standards, the highest preference for marina development site alternatives is "an upland site requiring no alteration of wetlands or other estuarine habitats and having adequate water circulation to prevent the accumulation of sediment and pollutants in boat basins and channels." Other alternatives, in rank order, are upland sites requiring dredging only for access, a deepwater site away from primary nursery areas and requiring . no excavation, and open water sites requiring excavation of unproductive areas. (2) Policy options are limited to requirements which are at least as restrictive 22 as, or more restrictive than, State standards. (3) The policy shall be conservation. The Town would encourage upland excavation for marina development In order to preserve the public trust waters for public use. (4) Implementation shall occur through general support of CAMA actions taken with regard to this standard. The local government will not impose additional restrictions. In. Damage to Existing Marshes by Bulkhead Installation (1) THIS ISSUE DOES NOT APPLY. 2. RESOURCE PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT In the Murfreesboro planning jurisdiction, agriculture is an important activity, but it is anticipated that land conversion will be taking place in the southern portion of the jurisdiction near the by-pass currently under construction. There are scattered prime farmland soils throughout the jurisdiction. No commercial forestry operations are within the jurisdiction any longer, but Georgia-Pacific is a major employer in the Town. There are also small commercial fishing operations, usually gill net operations. Recreational water use for boating and fishing represents a significant natural resource in this area. a. Productive Agricultural Lands (1) Agricultural production in the ETJ plays an significant but diminishing role in the economy. Prime farm soils are scattered throughout the planning area. (2) The options are preservation, conservation, and unregulated. Prime farmlands might be held out of lands available for development, but this approach would unfairly penalize farmers. A conservation approach would restrict allowable uses on productive farmlands and discourage conversion to other uses. An unregulated approach would allow a variety of uses according to the locally adopted zoning ordinance and would facilitate conversion from farmland to other uses as a growth mechanism for the Town. It should be noted that Farmers Home Administration loans are not approved for projects which convert prime or important farmlands to other uses. (3) The policy shall be moderate conservation. Conversion of farmland to appropriately zoned new uses would not be opposed by the Town. (4) Implementation shall occur through continued enforcement of the local zoning ordinance. 23 b. Commercial Forest Lands (1) There are no commercial forestlands within the Murfreesboro planning area. Though the Town is positively influenced by this industry, it is not a policy issue for the Town in terms of land use. THIS ISSUE DOES NOT APPLY. C. Existing and Potential Mineral Resource Areas (1) Sand mining is an economic presence outside the planning jurisdiction. Peat mining does not apply. THIS ISSUE DOES NOT APPLY. d. Commercial and Recreational Fisheries (1) A limited amount of commercial fishing does occur on the Meherrin River. These operations are usually gill net operations and the catch is most often Herring. Recreational fishing is popular in the area and is considered an important source of economic opportunity. (2) Options are preservation, conservation, or unregulated. However, State agencies do regulate this resource such that full-scale unregulation is not feasible. Since this resource has important commercial and recreational appeal in this area, a preservation approach would also be very unpopular locally. (3) IMe approach shall be conservation. 'Ile policy shall be to encourage commercial and recreational fishing of local waters and to support State agency regulations with regard to commercial operations. (4) Implementation shall occur through local promotion of recreational and commercial Fishing. e. Off -Road Vehicles (1) These vehicles have no impact in areas of concern to CAMA and therefore no policy is required. THIS ISSUE DOES NOT APPLY. f. Development Impacts on Resources (1) The water is an important resource for Murfreesboro. It provides a habitat for fish and other wildlife, a recreational advantage to area residents, and a tourist or retirement incentive to people from other places. Adjacent wetlands also provide a "filter" for pollutants. Virtually every use of land exerts some impact on the water. Therefore, as growth occurs, the impact increases. Economic necessity drives the Town's willingness to grow and this is not likely to change within the ten-year planning period. The Town has provided a municipal water and sewer system which, if properly operated, minimizes negative impacts on both man and nature. Since the Town now owns much of the estuarine shoreline and floodprone area, its ability to 24 protect this resource is enhanced. Plans for utilization of some of this area for the Town's spray field system could have a significant impact on water quality; however, the town will adhere to strict State requirements which govern these systems. This includes requirement of a 400 foot buffer area along the river. The industry located adjacent to the river has not been cited for discharge violations in several years. Agricultural Best Management Practices are encouraged in the area to minimize impacts of nutrients and pesticides. Murfreesboro coexists reasonably well with its environment. The Town's Historic District is also an important resource which brings many visitors to the area. (2) Policy alternatives must recognize the unique and sensitive character of the area and the inevitable impact of development on any resources. Policy should be based upon the best possible blend of avenues for allowing growth of all types while minimizing negative impacts. (3) The policy shall be conservation. The Town is interested in utilizing its resources by exercising careful management. (4) Implementation shall occur by regular review of existing and proposed development and update of the local zoning ordinance, historic district ordinance, and subdivision regulations as necessary to keep development requirements effective. g. Peat or Phosphate Mining's Impact on Resources (1) THIS ISSUE DOES NOT APPLY. 3. ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT An analysis of the present conditions of the population and economy of the Murfreesboro planning area reveals no major changes in the economic atmosphere since the last update. Murfreesboro, a town 200 years old in 1987, is considered by.preservation officials to be one of North Carolina's "greatest cultural treasurers". In addition to its historic resources, the Town is home to several large industrial concerns and to Chowan College, a private educational concern which converted from a two-year junior college to a four-year system in 1990. The Town values its historic and institutional resources and supports all efforts to preserve, promote and expand them. The overall community development strategy focuses on strengthening and promoting the Town's historic character. 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. Development of any kind that will have unmitigatable adverse impacts on the river or the Town's historic resources will not be supported. The Town is committed to maintaining and enhancing the quality of life in Murfreesboro. The Town supports reuse of existing structures and redevelopment in areas where 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 following section outlines growth policies which have an impact on land use decisions. These policies define the goals Murfreesboro has set for where it would like to be in the next ten years. Particular issues related to growth and the town's commitment to economic development are discussed below. 25 a. Types and locations of Industries Desired (1) 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. 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. (2) The alternatives are to encourage any and all industry; to encourage only limited industrial development, or to discourage industry from locating in the planning area. (3) The policy shall be to encourage and support a wide variety of industrial development to enhance the economic base of the Town. In light of the poverty and unemployment rates, limitingor discouragingindustrywould not serve the best interest of our citizens. (4) This policy will be implemented by critical review by the Planning Board and Board of Adjustments of all proposals for industrial development which requires a conditional use permit or by the Planning Board and Town Council for rezoning actions involving industrial proposals. The Town will also support efforts by the Chamber of Commerce, the Hertford County Industrial Developer, and the Committee of 100 to the extent feasible. Additionally, the Town supports existing State and Federal restrictions and regulations related to safety and responsibility. b. Local Commitment to Providing Services (1) Currently, 100 percent of the area's residents are hooked up to the water system and nearly 99 percent are connected to the public sewer system. Even if use per person increased 50 % over the planning period, the town's current water capacity would support a total population of over 19,000 persons, and its sewer would support more than 4,600 total persons. Murfreesboro acknowledges that some of its soils are not conducive to septic tank usage and the optimal solution to this problem is to provide wastewater treatment service to all residents in the planning area. When new development cannot be accommodated within the Town, the Town will support development in appropriate locations outside of Town and when feasible, will provide public services. (2) The alternatives are to take active steps to extend water and sewer to all habitable structures in the jurisdiction and to plan and budget for orderly extension into areas expected to experience development over the next five years; to support the development of an industrial park which would be provided services in lieu of considering all industrial requests; or to wait until a request is made before considering service extensions. 26 (3) The policy shall be to consider service extension proposals on a case -by -case basis. (4) The Town is not in a position to finance costly infrastructure extensions in the absence of development pressure. The Town will also support and continue to apply for grant funding such as CDBG or economic development projects which involve extension of services. c. Types of Urban Growth Patterns Desired (1) Land within the Town has been developed for 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 agricultural and low density residential uses. (2) The alternatives are to create incentive programs for development which encourage the desired uses to occur in the desired areas; to rely on the current zoning map and ordinance to establish urban patterns for growth; or to accommodate random, unrestricted growth patterns. (3) The policy shall be to rely on the local zoning ordinance for guiding urban growth into areas classified as "Developed" or "Urban Transition" on the Land Classification Map. (4) Implementation shall occur through strict enforcement of the adopted zoning ordinance and updates of local ordinances as necessary. d. Redevelopment of Developed Areas (1) Murfreesboro's policy on redevelopment of developed areas has been demonstrated over the past five years. The Town has been awarded Small Cities Community Development Block Grants to improve substandard housing within its jurisdiction. Also, the Town appreciates historic preservation. The Town wishes to continue programs such as these over the next five years. Downtown revitalizationhas been encouraged for the past several years, and a significant amount of progress has been made toward this goal. The Town still feels committed to this effort. Very few structures in the planning area would be affected in the event of a severe storm. In this case, all structures would be rebuilt according to the zoning ordinance. (2) The alternatives are to support redevelopment; to limit redevelopment; or to discourage redevelopment. (3) The policy shall be to support prudent redevelopment. Since little of the jurisdiction is subject to destruction in a severe storm, there is not great concern about redeveloping developed areas. 27 (4) New development is required to meet current building codes and the local flood ordinance requirements. These standards increase safety and reduce potential loss in the future. The same would be true for non -conformities which were rebuilt. The Town's Zoning ordinance also provides guidance and restriction as to allowed uses and patterns of redevelopment. e. Commitment to State and Federal Programs (1) The Town of Murfreesboro is receptive to State and Federal Programs which provide improvements to the Town. Murfreesboro will continue to fully support such programs that provide necessary resources to meet identified community needs that complement the economic and community development goals of the Town, such as the N.C. Department of Transportation Road and Bridge Improvements program, the Erosion Control program, carried out by the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service and the Soil Conservation Service, Community Development Block Grant Program, Sedimentation and Pollution Control requirements of the Division of Land Resources, etc. The Town supports the efforts of these agencies, including the implementation of Best Management Practices to mitigate soil loss through erosion. Funding is still available through the state's Agricultural Cost Share Program for projects which will reduce agricultural runoff. The Forest Incentive Program provides funds and technical assistance for farmers to replant areas where trees have been timbered. Murfreesboro supports the Army Corps of Engineers 404 Wetlands program as it relates to the planning area. The military has historically been an important asset to the economy and quality of life in eastern North Carolina. Parts of Hertford County are included in existing Military Operating Airspace (MOA), but Murfreesboro does not experience significant inconvenience from this. Murfreesboro has no policy on expansion of the MOA. . The Town participates in CDBG community revitalizationgrants to improve housing conditions, and citizens have utilized the Small Business Administration loan programs available in the area. Additionally, the Town is upgrading public facilities to meet new ADA requirements, they provide back door grabage pick up for elderly residents, if necessary, and they support and assist elder activities at the Walter Reed House in conjunction with the Area Agency on Aging. . (2) Alternatives include complete commitment to State and Federal programs; limited support of these programs; or opposition to the programs. (3) The policy will be commitment to state and federal programs. The Town supports state and federal programs that will assist the Town in attaining Its goals for resource protection and community development. (4) The Town will continue to support and enjoy the advantages of higher agency programs which can enhance the quality of life for local area residents. Some of those programs are geared toward individuals, and the Town has limited direct interaction in those cases. To the extent possible, the Town will partner with state and federal agencies to enforce restrictions or review projects which impact the planning area. 28 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 homes in the area and so the Town has adopted no official policy on their use. (2) An alternative would be to seek funding to build a public fishing pier or public beach park on land already owned (3) The policy shall be to promote current access points to the best of the town's ability and to apply for develoment funds In the future, If the opportunity arises. (4) Implementation will occur through monitoring the use of facilities and by encouraging local property owners to continue donating undevelopable properties to the Town for public purposes. j. Types, Densities, Location, Units per Acre of Anticipated Residential Development and Services to Support This Development (1) Overly dense development is not a problem in Murfreesboro, nor is it anticipated to become a problem during the next ten years. Within the past five years, the land use trends have shown residential growth to occur in existing residential areas. Murfreesboro would like to see continued development in areas which are best able to accommodate growth and where support services, like sewer and water, are feasible and practical to provide. Close review of the zoning patterns around the Highway 258 by-pass will assure proper development patterns along that major transportation route. The Town has no sites which are suitable for landfills. They are dependent on the county to provide such a site. The existing County facility in operating on an expired permit in anticipation of developing a new site which meets state and federal standards. In the County, recycling efforts are intensifying and the number of permanent sites is increasing. Tipping fees will impact the cost of providing solid waste disposal in the future. (2) Alternatives include close review of proposed development projects to assure appropriate density of development. The Town currently contracts a local recycling plan. (3) The policy shall be to encourage appropriateness of density and location with regard to residential development and to discourage dense development outside the range of public water and sewer service, which generally encompasses the areas classified as "Developed" or "Urban Transition". Periodic review of the overall zoning scheme will identify any areas which may be experiencing land use conversion or which may require amendment. (4) Implementation shall occur through close review of any sub -division proposals (after adoption of sub -division regualtions) which would tax municipal services, and continued support for the local recycling plan. The zoning map should be periodically reviewed for inconsistencies or the emergance of undesirable patterns of use. 30 f. Assistance to Channel Maintenance and Beach Nourishment Projects. (1) Ills issue does not apply. g. Energy Facility Siting and Development (1) Electric generating plants are regulated by State and Federal agencies and are usually sited in very rural areas. Any potential project would be subject to local zoning regulations, however it is believed that the likelihood of such a proposal in the Murfreesboro jurisdiction is very remote. The Town might support such development outside the corporate limits, but desires to review any request on a case -by -case basis. Offshore and inshore exploration for possible oil or natural gas is an issue elsewhere in North Carolina but is believed to present no significant impact on the Murfreesboro planning area; however, since Dare County is a frequent vacation destination point for many Murfreesboro residents, there is interest in seeing the area protected from high risk offshore drilling. (2) Alternatives might include specifically disallowing or allowing generating plants in any of the zoning districts or making a statement of protest or support for off -shore drilling. (3) The policy for energy facilities shall be to consider any proposal on a case - by -case basis. No formal statement is being made on offshore drilling. (4) Implementation shall occur through strict enforcement of the local zoning ordinance with regard to allowable uses in the planning jurisdiction. h. Tourism (1) The Town is committed to increasing tourism in the area. Efforts to increase tourism have involved work with the Chamber of Commerce and the Historic Properties Commission to increase the number of promotional events each year. Developing the river resource for more active public use is a future goal. The Town supports the efforts of the state and local agencies who work with these projects. (2) Alternatives might include taking a more active role in promotions of existing events or development of new events to attract tourists to the area. (3) The policy shall be to continue present levels of support for tourism in the area. (4) Implementation shall occur through cooperation with local and State agencies and businesses promoting the area and through long range efforts to enhance public access along the Meherrin River. i. Coastal and Estuarine Water/Beach Access (1) The Town values the Meherrin River for the recreational and aesthetic W 4. STORM HAZARDS North Carolina is well-known for the hurricanes and tropical storms that batter its coastline and the tornados that ravage inland areas. Typically, the bulk of hurricane storm damage occurs in coastal areas and Hertford County is not considered one of the 13 coastal counties at greatest risk. Hurricanes and tropical storms have, however, caused severe damage inland areas in the.recent past. Thus, even inland counties and their local municipalities must effectively plan for storm hazards. This section summarizes the actions Hertford County and the Town of Murfreesboro have undertaken to protect residents and resources from the damaging effects of hurricanes and other major storm events. A. 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 could be 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 adjoining the western bank of the Meherrin is subject to flooding. Floodplain areas also border the Town to the east, adjoining Worrells Mill Swamp. Flood -prone areas are moderately threatened by damaging forces such as high winds and flooding, and to a lesser extent, by erosion and wave action. The Town is fortunate in that all areas in the community severely threatened by damage from storms are basically undeveloped. As shown on the Map of Existing Land Use, farming and forestry activities predominate in the northeastern extraterritorial 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 restaurant -type operations are also found in the flood -prone area on the west side of U. S. 258. B. Evacuation and Reconstruction In 1980, Hertford County adopted a plan to guide the actions of various local officials in the event of a major storm occurrence 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 exercises 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 of County Commissioners, the mayors of all municipalities in the County (including Murfreesboro), and the County Emergency Management Coordinator. A Support Group provides personnel and material resources 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 containing mobile homes or areas of dilapidated housing - which would be evacuated during Condition 1. These are areas of unsubstantial housing and mobile home parks where storm damage could be especially severe. Four of these eight problem areas He within the Murfreesboro planning region. The County Evacuation Plan has identified Wise's Mobile Home Park, Woodridge Mobile Home Park, Fieldcrest 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 School on U. S. 158 east of Murfreesboro, or to Hertford County Middle School on N. C. 11 south of Town. 31 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 assessment. Should 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 with similar health and safety problems in the future. 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 Board will act as an advisory group. It is likely that reconstruction would take place in the same locations as before. CAMA permitting officers will be included in 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 conformance with applicable state and local development controls including the state building code and the Town's zoning ordinance - including local floodplain regulations. . . C. Mitigation Murfreesboro has a limited amount of low-lying area associatedwith local tributaries, but for the most part, the Town would be high and dry in a coastal storm. The greatest potential for local damage would be in the form of wind or erosion. The Town strictly enforces its fire codes and performs regular maintenance on fire hydrants in anticipation of hazard situations. It has also recently cut down trees near power lines to try and avert power outages during storm events. The National Flood Insurance Program requires structures built in flood prone areas to be elevated above the 100 year flood stage, and the Town supports enforcement of this requirement. D. Coordinating Agencies The state and federal agencies involved in coordinating local storm hazard mitigation and hurricane preparedness activities are listed at the end of this section. E. PolIcy Objectives The Town acknowledges that the Murfreesboro area is somewhat subject to storms that threaten the health, safety, and welfare of its residents and the integrity of its natural and cultural resources. In an effort to plan for such natural storm disasters and to safeguard local residents, resources, and property, the Town has adopted the following 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. continue maintenance of protective infrastructure such as fire hydrants. periodically remove tree limbs that interfere with power lines. protect natural areas sensitive to storm hazards classify AECs as Conservation on the Town's band 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 if held by the Office of Emergency Management. 32 S. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION The preparation of Murfreesboro'sUnd Use Plan was the responsibilityof the Murfreesboro Planning Board. A workshop session introducing Board members to the planning process was held on October 6,1992 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 and devised a survey form for distribution to civic groups and the general public. A survey was prepared and made available to the public through civic organizations and at the Municipal Building. The response rate was 40% and the results of this survey are shown at the end of this section. The Board also used the media to encourage attendance at Planning Board meetings and to inform residents of the work the group was involved in. Articles summarizing the information and issues discussed at each Board meeting were submitted to the paper for publication. There are no pressing development issues for the Town at this time, and like many small communities, the citizens of Murfreesboro did not choose to attend public meetings in the absence of dynamic issues. 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 1993 Land Use Plan. Following the example of the current planning program, soliciting public input will be a primary goal of all future planning endeavors. The Planning Board and the Council recognize the importance of keeping the citizenry informed of current planning concerns and of receiving the comments and concerns of local residents. Thus, the Town has adopted the following policy objectives: solicit citizen input In all planning decisions Coordinate all Council and Planning Board meetings with the News -Herald representative assigned to Murfreesboro: emphasize that citizens are invited and encouraged to attend all meetings dealing with planning issues. apprise the public of planning issues as they develop report important planning and community development issues, decisions, and developments to the News -Herald: propose feature articles for especially important issues. 33 PUBLIC SURVEY RESULTS The Town of Murfreesboro conducted a public opinion survey to help determine priorities for policy issues. One hundred surveys were made available. The Town received forty responses. The scoring below represents a weighted score which assigned each priority a value and tallied all answers for each question into an overall total score. Values were as follows: 4=111gh priority, 3=Medlum Priority; 2=Low Priority; 1=Unimportant Now RANK SCORE 1. Actively recruit and expand any kind of industry. 149 2. Expand cultural and recreational facilities. 141 3. Assure safe and adequate city water supply. 140 4. Develop river resources for business and pleasure. 128 5. Recruit businesses primarily to the downtown area. 126 6. Recruit only non-polluting industries. 123 7. Encourage new residential development inside city limits. 122 8. Improve solid waste management/recycling efforts. 116 9. Protect the river from pollution and overdevelopment. 110 9. Promote services and facilities for the elderly. 110 11. Improve pedestrian walkways throughout town. 101 12. Upgrade and expand Town streets. 96 13. Limit development near wetlands and areas of environmental concern. 95 14.. Support development of shopping centers along highways. 93 15. Emphasize Historic Preservation. 92 16. Protect prime farmland from conversion to other uses. 89 17. OTHERS (Write In):Promote recreational facilities: development of waterfront (travel & tourism), p lower the crime rate: improve historic district as well as downtown: encourage new residential development outside the city limits: restrict farming to rural areas only expand city limits alone Rte.158 to benefit from new four -lane: purchase nronerty alone new by-pass for industrial park 34 V. 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. Seven broad categories of land classification have been developed for use by local governments in the update process to be delineated on the Town's Map of Land Classification. 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 to accommodate additional growth and development, and areas it believes would be better left in a rural condition. The classifications reflect proposed future land uses and attempt to link land use, policy objectives, and implementation actions. B. 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. Of the seven possible classifications, only four apply to the Murfreesboro Planning Area. Neither Limited Transition, Community, nor Rural with Services was selected to describe land classification here. 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. This policy is reiterated in 1993. By applying the Developed classification to all areas within Town, local officials 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 outside the city limits classified Developed is the area adjacent to the southeast corporate limits on the east side of N.C. Highway 11. A Community Development Block Grant completed by the county provided Murfreesboro water and sewer service to this subdivision and to Hertford County Middle School. 2. Urban Transition Urban Transition areas adjoin the Developed area and delineate areas of existing or anticipated high density development outside of the Town's corporate limits. Public water and in some places, public sewer, extends to service areas of certain Transition zones. At this time no area designated Urban Transition is currently serviced throughout with public water or public sewer. It is likely however, that Urban Transition zones will be those areas given priority when the Town extends water and/or sewer service. In its policies, the town has stated that extension of services will be considered on a case -by -case basis outside the current service area. 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 Town 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 Urban 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 expansion of the Town's residential area. A considerable amount of development has already occurred in the Carver Park and U. S. 15808 Urban Transition area. However a good deal of land remains open and available for development and planners expect development of these areas to continue - the Carver Park area primarily for residential uses and the U. S. 158/258 area for a mix of residential, 35 EXHIBIT 1 LAND CLASSIFICATION DEVELOPED Areas meeting the intent of the Developed classification are currently urban ... where minimal undeveloped land remains, and have in place ... the usual municipal or public services. Urban in character includes mixed land uses, i.e., residential, commercial, industrial, institutional and other uses at high to moderate densities. URBAN TRANSITION Areas meeting the intent of the urban transition classification are presently being developed for urban purposes or will be developed within the next five to ten years ... going from lower intensity uses to higher intensity uses and as such will eventually require urban services. Examples ... include lands included within municipal extraterritorial planning boundaries and areas being considered for annexation. LIMITED TRANSITION Areas meeting the intent of the limited transition classification will experience increased development during the planing period. They will be in a state of development necessitating some municipal type services ... will provide controlled low density residential development ... on lands with physical limitations for development or areas near valuable estuarine waters or other fragile natural systems. COMMUNITY Areas meeting the community classification are presently developed at low densities suitable for private septic tank use ... clustered residential and/or commercial land uses ... and provide a* local social sense of "community" ... in a rural landscape. RURAL Areas meeting the intent of this classification are appropriate for or presently used for agriculture, forestry, mineral extraction, and other uses, that due to their hazardous or noxious nature, should be located in a relatively isolated and undeveloped area. Population densities will be very low. RURAL WrM SERVICES Areas meeting the intent of this classification are appropriate for very low intensity residential uses where lot size is large and where the provision of services will not disrupt the primary rural character of the landscape... most development is supported by a closed water system ... to avert a known or anticipated health problem in a predominantly larger agrarian region. CONSERVATION Areas meeting the intent of the conservation classification include Areas of environmental concern such as public trust waters, estuarine waters, coastal wetlands, etc. as identified in 15 NCAC 7H ... other similar lands, environmentally significant because of their natural role in the integrity of the coastal region . K�� commercial, and industrial uses. The transportation corridor associated with the Highway 258 southside by- pass may experience pressure for conversion of land use once the by-pass is in place; however, since it is to be a limited access situation, the Town has not reclassified the area as urban transition at this time. One section, formerly classified as Community on SR 1157 and SR 1166, has been reclassified to Urban Transition. 3. Limited Transition No areas have been designated as Limited Transition in the Murfreesboro Planning Area. 4. Community A small area outside of Town on the west side of S. R. 1166 was shown in the Community classification in 1987. The area was residential in nature with densities generally lower than across the roadway in the area designated Transition at that time. While this is still the case, the nature of this area does not really meet the intent of the Community Classification since it is more urban than rural, and it has been reclassified as Urban Transition. S. Rural The Rural Classification encompasses most of the land outside of Town. As noted on the 1987 Land Classification Map, the Rural class was divided into three subclasses to reflect existing land uses - Rural General, Rural Agriculture, and Rural Forestry. For this 1993 update, the Rural Forestry class has been eliminated since Union Camp has now donated the former. tree farm for public purposes. 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, although the policies section does not discourage conversion of land from agricultural to urban purposes. The large area shown as Rural Forestry in 1987 appeared in the northeast corner of the extraterritorial area and has now been reclassified as Rural General. This area generally denotes the area the town will use for spray fields. The rest of the Rural General subclass encompasses a mix of low density residential uses, agricultural land, and scattered areas of woodland. The Town appreciates the rural character of these outlying areas and has classified these areas Rural in an attempt to maintain an open, low density arrangement. 6. Rural with Services There are no areas in the Murfreesboro Planning Area which meet the intent of the Rural with Services classification. 7. 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. The 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 provides, and has classified the river and its shoreline Conservation in an effort to protect this resource of local and regional importance. 36 ►�. , ,. :.i 0���'�-_ AGENCIES COORDINATING STORM PREPAREDNESS NORTH CAROLINA DIVISION OF COASTAL MANAGEMENT State Office: Division of Coastal Management Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources P.O. Box 27687 Raleigh, North Carolina 27611 (919)733-2293 Field Office: Division of Coastal Management Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources 1424 Carolina Avenue Washington, North Carolina 27889 (919)946-6481 NORTH CAROLINA DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT State Office: Division of Emergency Management Department of Crime Control and Public Safety 116 West Jones Street Raleigh, North Carolina 27611 (919)733-3867 Regional Office: Area Emergency Management Coordinator NC Division of Emergency Management P.O. Box 424 Winton, North Carolina 27986 (919)358-1621 FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY National Office: Federal Emergency Management Agency 500 C Street, SW Washington, DC 20472 Public Information: (202)287-0300 Publications: (202)287-0689 Regional Office: Federal Emergency Management Agency Region IV 1375 Peachtree Street, NE Atlanta, Georgia 30309 Public Information: (404)881-2000 Disaster Assistance Program: (404)881-3641 Flood Insurance Program: (404)881-2391 FEDERAL REGULATORY DEVICES AGENCY Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Defense Coast Guard, Department of Transportation Geological Survey, Bureau of Land Management, Department of Interior Nuclear Regulatory Commission Federal Energy Regulatory Commission LICENSES AND PERMITS • Permits required under Sections 9 and 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act 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 • Permits for bridges, causeways, pipelines over navigable waters; required under the General Bridge Act of 1946, and the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899, • Permits required for offshore drilling, Approvals of OCS pipeline corridor rights -of -way • Licenses for siting, construction and operation of nuclear power plants; required under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, and Title II of the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 • Permits for construction, operation and mainte- nance of interstate pipeline facilities required under the Natural Gas Act of 1938 • Orders of Interconnection of electric transmission facilities 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 01 AGENCY STATE REGULATORY DEVICES LICENSES AND PERMITS Department of Environment, • Permits to discharge to surface waters or operate Health, and Natural Resources, wastewater treatment, plants or oil discharge Division of Environmental permits; NPDES permits (G.S. 1432-215) Management • Permits for septic tanks to be used for industrial purposes (G.S. 143-2153) • Permits for withdrawal of surface or groundwaters in capacity use areas (G.S. 143-215.108) • Permits for air pollution abatement facilities and sources (G.S. 143-215.108) • Permits for construction of complex sources; e.g., parking lots, subdivisions, stadiums, etc. (G.S. 143-215.109) • Permits for construction of a well over 100,000 gals/day (G.& 87-88) Department of Environment, • Permits to dredge and/or fill in estuarine Health, and Natural Resources, waters, tidelands, etc. (G.S. 87-88) Division of Parks and Recreation Department of Environment, • Permits to undertake development in Areas Health, and Natural Resources, of Environmental Concern (AEC) Division of Coastal Management (G.S. 113A-118) NOTE: Minor development permits are issued by local government. Department of Environment, • Permits to alter or to construct a dam Health, and Natural Resources, (G.S. 143-215.66) Division of Land Resources 0 Permits to mine (G.S. 74-51) STATE REGULATORY DEVICES, continued ` AGENCY LICENSES AND PERMITS r Department of Environment, • Permits to drill an exploratory oil Health, and Natural Resources, or gas well (G.S. 113-391) Division of Land Resources, continued • Permits to conduct geographic exploration (G.S. 113-391) • Sedimentation erosion control plans for any land -disturbing activity of over one contiguous acre (G.S. 113A-54) • Permits to construct an oil refinery Department of Administration • Easements to fill where land 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 facility that furnishes water to ten or more residences (G.S. 130-160.1) 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 development in the Murfreesboro region. It is hoped that the objectives set forth in the Town's Land Use Plan will enhance the land 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 implemented as the Town develops over the next five years. RELATIONSHII' OF POLICIES TO LAND CLASSIFICATION All development which occurs within the Murfreesboro Planning Area is subject to the local zoning regulations and State Building Codes enforced for the town by the Hertford County Inspections Office, as well as other local ordinances. So to some extent, we could say that all policies in all classification areas are controlled by local enforcement efforts. Such a statement points out what an essential land use component the zoning ordinance can be in small communities, as well as the importance of keeping the ordinance and map updated to reflect current conditions and philosophies. Policies to support and control development in the Developed and Urban Transition classes primarily rely on enforcement of local ordinances and management of local initiatives for implementation. There is also support for the state and federal programs which can provide infrastructure, economic development, public access or improved housing conditions in areas with these classifications. Policies which influence the Rural and Conservation classes are largely left to higher levels of government supervision. The town supports state and federal regulatory action as well as voluntary programs such as Best Management Practices (BMP's) for protection of its resources. 37