Land Use Plan Update-1987

x
DCM COPY DCM COPY
lease do not remove!!!!!
I
Division of Coastal Management
LAND USE PLAN UPDATE
PREPARED FOR:
THE TOWN OF NEW BERN, N.C.
By: .
5AVOLLQ FLANNONS
PLANNERS ED LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS
ADOPTED MAY 26, 1987
CERTIFIED BY THE COASTAL RESOURCES COMMISSION
JUNE 4, 1987

LAND USE PLAN UPDATE
New Bern, North Carolina
Prepared by
S L RA PRANK N � ` [1O
PLANNERS C3 LANDSCAPE ARCHRECTs
ROL BOX 1110, Sf. MARYS, GEORGIA 31568
Adopted by.the City of New Bern: May 26, 1987
CRC CERTIFICATION: JUNE 4, 1987
The preparation of this report was financed in part through a
grant provided by the North Carolina Coastal Management
Program, through funds provided by the Coastal Zone Manage-
ment Act of 1972, as amended, which is administered by the
Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

A
K
v
0
CONTENTS Page
INTRODUCTION 1
Local Government Uses
1
Local Land Development Uses
1
Regional Uses
1
State and Federal Uses
1
Plan Summary
2
EXISTING CONDITIONS
4
Existing Land Use
4
Roadways and Transportation
11
Community Facilities
12
Land Use Regulations
18
GROWTH TRENDS
22.
CONSTRAINTS TO DEVELOPMENT
24
Physical and Environmental Constraints
24
Community Facilities Capacity
30
POLICY STATEMENTS
31
Assessment of 1981 Policies
31
Background and Policy Outline
34
Resource Protection
36
Physical Constraints to Development
39
Resource Production and Management
40
Economic and Community Development
40
Storm Hazard Mitigation, Post Disaster Planning
44
Continuing Citizen Participation
48
LAND CLASSIFICATION. - 49

.
EJ
CITY OF NEW BERN
Ella J. Bengel, Mayor
Board of Aldermen
Guy Boyd, Jr. Donald W. McDowell
Robert G. Raynor, Jr. Durward W. Hancock
Mack L. Freeze William Ballenger
Walter B. Hartman, Jr., City Manager
Planning and Zoning Board
Oscar. A. Kafer, III, Chairman
Lemuel S. Blades, III, Vice -Chairman
L.J. Eubank`, Jr. John Pugh
O.E. Evans Ledell Williams
Roland Hill William Dove
Roy Games Julius Jones
Darwin Whittington Susan Moffat
William Creighton Irving Carson
Patricia S. Huff
Michael W. Avery, Director of
Planning and Community Development
Charles H. Kimbrell, Director of Public Works
3

v
List of Maps
Map No.
Title
One
Existing Land Use
Two
Community Facilities
Three
Sewer and Water
Service Areas
Four
Environmental
Determinants
Five
Land Classification
List of Tables
Table No.
Map No.
One
Existing Land Use In
City
Two
Existing Land Use -
ETJ
Three
Existing Land Use -
Proposed ETJ
Four
Existing Land Use -
Developed
Areas
Five
Existing Land Use -
New Bern
Planning Area
Six'
School Enrollment
Seven
Population Trends -
1950-1980
Eight
Building Permits 1981 - 1985
Page
5
13
14
25
51
Page
6
7
8
9
10
17
22
23

INTRODUCTION
The Coastal Area Management Act of 1974 establishes a cooperative
program of coastal area management between local governments and the
State. Land use planning is 'intended to be central to the local
government's involvement, providing local leaders an opportunity to
establish and implement policies to guide the development of their
community.
The New Bern Land Use Plan is an expression of long range planning
goals and major policies which identify how and where development
should take place during the next ten years.
The Land Use Plan is an important policy document at local,
regional, state and federal levels. The users, in addition to the City
of New Bern, are regional councils of government, State and Federal
permitting agencies, and public or private funding and development
groups.
Local Government Uses
The plan provides policy guidance for decisions related to overall
community development, while providing the basis for land development
regulations and capital facilities programming. Planning for the
provision of capital intensive services, such as central sewer and
water, is aided by the Land Use Plan's identification of likely growth
trends and by plan policies which will effect growth.
Local Land Development Uses
Developers, investors and City residents can use the land use plan
as a primary source of information about the community. The plan
provides data and analysis on present development patterns, capacity of
community facilities, population and growth patterns, and physical
limitations to development, all of which are useful in market analyses;
and other feasibility studies. The plan also provides the investor
with information about the community's preferences for development
types, densities, and locations.
Regional Uses
The New Bern Land Use Plan will be used by the Neuse River Council
of Governments for regional planning purposes and in its function as
Regional Clearinghouse (A-95) for State and Federal funding programs.
The local plan indicates to this agency what types of development the
community feels are desirable and where the development should take
place.
State and Federal Uses
Local land use plans are used in the granting or denial of permits
for various developments within the coastal area such as Corps of
Engineers and C.A.M.A. permits. State and Federal agencies must ensure
their decisions consider the policies and land classification system
1

established by this plan. The Coastal Area Management Act stipulates
that no development permit may be issued if the proposed development is
inconsistent with the local land use plan.
Similarly, decisions related to the use of Federal or State funds
within the community and projects being undertaken by state and federal
agencies themselves must also be consistent with the local plan.
Examples include C.A.M.A. grant funds, Community Development Block
Grants and Farmers Home Administration programs.
Plan Summary
New Bern is emerging from a 30 year period (1950-1980) during
which its population declined by 8%. In 1950 about one-third of Craven
County's population lived in New Bern. By 1980 New Bern comprised only
a fifth of the County's population. This trend has apparently reversed
during the past six years. The City now has an estimated population of
about 18,227, more than a 25% increase since 1980.
This recent growth and the prospects for continued development in
and around New Bern has reconfirmed the importance of land use planning
and the central role this update will serve in the City's land use
planning programs.
During the preparation of this plan update, the City identified
the following general developmental concerns:.
o Hurricane planning to guide the City response prior to,
during and following a major storm.
o Area Transportation Systems including the capacity of
existing roads to handle projected traffic volume;
the routing of truck traffic through and around the
City; and freight trains passing through the City
which block intersections for long periods of time.
o Zoning and the effectiveness of the City's ordinance
in managing growth proactively rather than in response
to specific development proposals.
o Preserving the integrity of single family areas by
insuring that encroachment of commercial, industrial,
and other incompatible uses does not occur.
o Encourage the development of single family projects
within the City's jurisdiction. For example, re-
development of Martin -Marietta site for residential
uses utilizing the existing lakes as amenities.
The policies of this plan address these issues in conjunction with
the specific coastal resource management policies required by the
Coastal Area Management Act. These policies are central to the land
use planning process. General policy areas included in this plan are:
E

o Resource Protection
o Physical Constraints to Development
o Resource Production and Management
o Economic and Community Development
o Storm Hazard Mitigation, Post -Disaster Planning
o Continuing Citizen Participation
Finally, this plan's land classification section designates all
areas within the City's jurisdiction as either Developed, Transition or.
Conservation.. The Developed classification covers those areas of the
City that are essentially built out and served with water, sewer and
other City services. The Transition class covers those areas currently
being developed or the areas proposed for development during the ten
year planning period. Conservation areas are so designated because it
is the City's policy that these areas remain in essentially their
natural state.
3

EXISTING CONDITIONS
Background
The existing conditions section of this Land Use Plan presents
brief descriptions of the conditions pertinent to land use in'New Bern.
Sources for Existing Conditions and all other sections of the plan are
generally cited in the course of the text and include the North
Carolina Departments of Natural Resources and Community Development,
Transportation, Cultural Resources, and Administration; the Division
of Marine Fisheries; the Federal Emergency Management Administration;
New Bern officials, and personal observations by Satilla Planning, Inc.
Existing Land Use
New Bern was founded in 1710 by Swiss adventurers at the
confluence of the Neuse and Trent Rivers. It became the site of the
first schools, banks, mail service and newspaper in North Carolina. New
Bern is now predominantly a residential community. Its Central Business
District and outlying commercial facilities serve the entire region
surrounding the City.
Existing land use in New Bern is displayed by Map One. This data
was collected by way of a field survey conducted in December, 1985.
Aerial photography flown in January, 1984 (source: Weyerhauser) was
used to complement the field survey. Field map data was then
transferred to a Base Map provided by the City. Existing land use was
tabulated for the following categories:
o Single Family Residential. This category includes all
predominantly single family areas. Typically, it consists
of traditional single family homes on individual lots, in
some cases, mobile homes and commercial uses such as
offices are included in this category if they are
isolated uses within a single family neighborhood.
o Multi -Family Residential. Apartments, townhouses, public
housing, and other residential uses with more than one
dwelling unit per structure comprise this category.
o Mobile Home Parks. Specific areas providing either
rental spaces or subdivided lots for mobile home
occupancy are included in this category.
o Commercial. The Central Business District, outlying
commercial development along major roads, shopping
centers, motels, and offices comprise this category's
land uses.
o Industrial. Manufacturing, waterfront shipping,
scrap/junk/salvage, mining operations, and similar
intensive land uses are included here.
o Transportation and Utilities. Utility company offices
including system support areas, and the City's wastewater
4

treatment plant, water storage/wells/and treatment plant
are the principal land uses in this category. Road right-
of-way fall within this area but the amount of land
utilitzed has not been measured.
o Public/Institutional. Municipal facilities (city hall,
police, fire) County offices, schools, state offices,
and the hospital make up this category.
o Parks and Open Space. This category consists of City
Parks, recreation areas, and cemeteries.
o Vacant/Agriculture. All undeveloped -vacant land and land
devoted to agriculture (predominantly crops) are included
here.
Table One presents tabulations of Existing Land Use within New
Bern's City Limits. Residential land uses comprise about 42% of all
land within the City. About 85% of this residential area consists of
single famiy homes - over 1,700 acres. Multi -family and mobile home
parks account for 220 and 72 acres respectively. Vacant and
agricultural areas constitute the next largest category - 1,487 acres
or about one third of the land inside the City. There are 736 acres of
Commercial Land use - more than 15% of New Bern's Land area.
Public/Institutional uses account for 234 acres, about 5% of the City's
area. Parks and open space also constitute about 5% of the City - 232
acres. Industrial uses occupy 118 acres or 2.40 of the City's area.
TABLE ONE
Existing Land Use
Within New Bern City Limits - 1985
Land Use Category Acres Percent of Total
Residential 2,061 42.3
Single Family 1,769 36.3
Multi -Family 220 4.5
Mobile Home Parks 72 1.5
Commercial 736 15.1
Industrial 118 2.4
Transportation and
Utilities 8 0.2
Public/Institutional 234 4.8
Parks and Open Space 232 4.8
Vacant and Agriculture 1,487 30.5
TOTAL: .4,876* 100.00
Source: Satilla Plannning, Inc. from December, 1985 Field Survey and
1984 aerial photography.
0

Existing land use in the City's extraterritorial jurisdiction
(ETJ) is presented by Table Two. The vast majority of the City's ETJ is
either agricultural or vacant; 3,031 acres or about 73% of the entire
ETJ falls into this category. Residential uses account for nearly all
the balance, 16% or 673 acres. Of this 680 acres, all but 48 acres are
single family homes - 625 acres or 15.2% of the ETJ.
• In addition to the ETJ area that existed at the time the field
survey was conducted (December, 1985) an area of approximately 1163
acres was proposed as an ETJ expansion. Existing land use in this area
is identified by Table Three. Slightly less than 10% of this area or
114 acres is in single family residential use. The balance is: mobile
homes - 29 acres or 2.5%; industrial (the Martin Marietta quarry site) -
442 acres or 38% and vacant/agricultural 578 acres or just under 50%.
TABLE TWO
Existing Land Use
New Bern
Extraterritorial Jurisdiction
1985
Land Use Category
Acres Percent
of Total
Residential
673
16.3
Single Family
625
15.2
Multi -Family
38
0.9
Mobile Home Parks
10
0.2
Commercial
59
1.4
Industrial
234
5.7
Transportation
and Utilities
42
1.0
Public/Institutional
73
1.8
Parks and Open Space
12
0.3
Vacant and Agriculture
3,031
73.5
TOTAL AREA
4,124
100.0%
Source: Satilla Planning, Inc. from December, 1985 field survey and
1980 aerial photography.
7

TABLE THREE
Existing Land Use
Proposed Expansion to New Bern
Extraterritorial Jurisdiction
1985
Land Use Category Acres Percent of Total
Single Family Residential 114 9.8
Mobile Home 29 2.5
Industrial 442 38.0
Vacant/Agriculture 578 49.7
TOTAL AREA: 1,163 100.0%
Source: Satilla Planning, Inc. from December, 1985 field survey and
1980 aerial photography.
Another way to view and analyze New Bern's existing land use
pattern is to examine the net, developable area only excluding vacant,
agricultural lands, water and streets. This analysis is presented by
Table Four. This table demonstrates the residential character of New
Bern - accounting for more than 60% of the City's developed planning
area (City Limits plus ETJ). About 180 of the planning area's developed
land is devoted to commercial uses. This relatively high percentage of
commercial land indicates New Bern's status as a regional commercial
center.
Table Five presents a comparison of 1985 existing land use with
data from the 1981 plan. As indicated, significant overall growth
occurred over the past five years: 1,360 acres were converted from
vacant/agricultural to developed land uses. The overall mix of land
uses remained relatively constant in all land use categories.
An examination of the Existing Land Use Map shows that certain key
features of New Bern's land use pattern stand out as follows:
Residential Land Use. As stated, residential land uses comprise most
of the developed land in New Bern. The original city area contains most
of the City's single family residential neighborhoods with more recent
developments to the southwest, west and northwest. Multi -family
clusters are located within the central city area with newer
developments to the west and northwest. The largest mobile home
concentration is a park located southeast of the South Glenburnie Road
Neuse Boulevard intersection. Another mobile home park is located to
the north of this area, northeast of Neuse Boulevard.
0

TABLE FOUR
Existing Land Use
Developed Areas Only
New Bern, N.C.
1985
Percentage of Land Area
Land Use
Within
Extraterritorial
Planning Area
Category
City
Jurisdiction M
Total M
Residential
60.8
61.6
61.0
Commercial
21.7
5.4
17.7
Industrial
3.5
21.4
7.9
Transportation
and Utilities
0.2
3.8
1.1
Public/
Institutional
6.9
6.7
6.8
Parks and
Open Space
6.8
1.1
5.4
' TOTAL AREA
IN ACRES "
3,389 acres 1,093 acres
4,482.0 acres
Source: Satilla
Planning,
Inc. from December, 1985
field survey and
. 1980 aerial photography.
9

TABLE FIVE
Existing Land Use - Developed Areas
City of New Bern Planning Area (1)
1981 - 1985
Land Use Category
Residential
Commercial
Industrial
Public/Institutional (2)
Total Land Area Developed
Total Land Area Undeveloped
TOTAL - DEVELOPED and
UNDEVELOPED
Percent of Developed Area
1981 1985
590 61%
200 180
60 8%
15% 12%
2,770 acres 4,482 acres
3,819 acres 4,518 acres
6,589 acres 9,000 acres
(1) Includes both area inside City and extraterritorial planning
jurisdiction.
(2) Includes parks, open space, transportation and utilities categories
from Tables One - Four.
Source: Satilla Planning, Inc. from December, 1985 field survey, 1984
aerial photography and'the 1981 Land Use Plan.
Commercial Land Use. New Bern's status as a regional commercial center
is evidenced by the City's commercial land use pattern. The Central
Business District (C.B.D.) remains relatively viable despite
significant strip commercial development along the City's two major
highways - U.S. 17 - west from the C.B.D. and Neuse Boulevard (NC 55),
The shopping mall and associated development at the U.S. 17 and U.S. 70
bypass interchange represent the largest concentration of regional
shopping facilities.
Industrial. There are two dominant industrial areas in New Bern's
planning area: the waterfront industrial area north of the C.B.D. along
the Neuse River and the Martin Marietta quarry to the north. In
addition to these two concentrations, the New Bern area is also home to
a number of significant manufacturing industries including: Hatterais
Yachts, Robert Bosch Power Tools, Maola Dairy Products., Weyerhauser
Co., and several apparel concerns. Carolina Co -Generation has an option
to purchase land from Martin Marietta near Taylor's Creek in the City's
E.T.J. for development of a peat co-generationenergy facility.
However, the land has not been purchased and permits to construct the
facility have not been applied for.
10

Public and Institutional. Craven County Hospital on Neuse Boulevard,
schools in the Craven County School system, Craven Community College,
City and County facilities, State District transportation offices, and
Tryon Palace constitute the most significant uses in this category.
Parks and Open Space. New Bern is fortunate to have nearly 7% of its
developed land area devoted to parks and open space. The land use map
indicates the location of parks, open space and cemeteries throughout
the community with the most significant single facility in terms of
land area being the Lawson Creek Park. Union Point Park is another
important waterfront recreational area. A Swiss Bear task force is
studying possible redevelopment options. In conjunction with the open
space and recreational facilities that are located adjacent to school
buildings (public and institutional category above), New Bern is indeed
unique in amount of land dedicated to this land use category.
Summary. New Bern can be characterized as predominantly a single
family community with regional commercial, industrial/manufacturing,
educational and recreational facilities. Most new residential and
commercial growth is occurring to the west and north west along the
U.S. 17 and Neuse Boulevard (N.C. 55) corridors. New growth is
occurring primarily on lands converted from agricultural uses.
Roadways and Transportation
Street networks in and around a community are important aspects of
future development. Road access can be a key determinant of the
attractiveness of land for various types of land development. There are
also critical reciprocal relationships between roads and land use. On
one hand, the availability of good road capacity and traffic volume
makes the adjoining land attractive for commercial uses that depend on
high visibility and accessibility for economic success. On the other
hand, the overloading of these roads with ill -designed land uses, such
as strip commercial development with no control of curb cuts, can lead
to problems of traffic safety, road capacity and poor visual appearance
that can ultimately detract from the viability of the land uses and
the road itself.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation prepared a
Transportation Plan for a study area including New Bern, Trent Woods,
and Bridgeton, which was adopted in 1978 by all three municipalities
and the Board of Transportation. The plan contains eight recom-
mendations for street and highwayimprovements through the year 2000
based on economic and population growth anticipated during the planning
period. Some of the recommended improvements will be the
responsibility of the municipalities while others will fall on the
Board of Transportation.
The plan identifies seven streets that are expected to be over
capacity by the year 2000. They are: 1) Broad Street Bridge; 2)
Glenburnie Road; 3) Trent Boulevard; 4) U.S. 70 East; 5) U.S. 17 North;
6) Pollock Street; and 7) Oaks Road. Therefore, as stated in the 1981
Land Use Plan, it is crucial that the Thoroughfare Plan
recommendations are implemented in order to prevent insufficient
capacity on these streets.
11

Community Facilities
Community facilities are an important land use planning factor not
only because they can constitute significant land uses in themselves,
but also because the type, location and capacity of these facilities
bear an important reciprocal relationship to the areas they serve and
therefore to most other land use categories.
The location of New Bern's Community Facilities are identified by
Map Two as a full service municipality, the City's facilities are
relatively extensive and include the following (Number indicate
location on Map Two).
1 - Public library
2 - Parking lots
3 - Firemans Museum
4 - Central fire station
5 - Fire prevention office
6- City Hall
7 - Union Point Park
8 - Tryon Palace
9 - Police Station
10 - Kafer Park
11 - Cedar Grove Cemetery
12 - Bern Cemetery
13 - Recreational building
14 - Greenwood Cemetery
15 - Fire station
16 - Neighborhood park
17 - Pearce Field
18 - U.S. National Cemetery
19 - Hebrew Cemetery
20 - Duffyfield School
21 - Stanley White Rec. Center and Tennis Courts
22 - City Warehouse
23 - City Garage
24 - Lawson Creek Park and Landfill
25 - New Bern Sr. High School
26 - Trent Park Elementary School
27 - Craven County Hospital
28 - Craven County Health Department
29 - J.T. Barber Junior High School
30 - Evergreen Cemetery
31 - Oaks Road Elementary School
32 - Glenburnie Park
33 - H.J. McDonald School
34 - Craven Community College
35 - Seth Parrott Park
Water Supply and Distribution. Map Three identifies the system's
general service area and major components including wells, storage and
treatment plants. The City's water is supplied by a well field located
near Cove City, 15 miles west of New Bern. Chlorine and fluoride are
added at the wells. A single water transmission line delivers treated
water to the City where it is pumped into the distribution system. In
12

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, N.O.A.A.
I
�—LIMITS �
i
33
1
LEGEND:
1-PUBLIC LIBRARY
2-PARKING LOTS
3-FIREMANS MUSEUM
4-CENTRAL FIRE STATION
5-FIRE PREVENTION OFFICE
6-CITY HALL
7-UNION POINT PARK
8-TRYON PALACE
9-POLICE STATION
10-KAFER PARK
I 11-CEDAR GROVE CEMETERY
12-BERN CEMETERY
13-RECREATIONAL BUILDING
14-GREENWOOD CEMETERY
15-FIRE STATION
\ 16-NEIGHBORHOOD PARK
\� 17-PEARCE FIELD
\ 18-U.S. NATIONAL CEMETERY
19-HEBREW CEMETERY
20-DUFFYFIELD SCHOOL
21-STANLEY WHITE REC. CENTER &
TENNIS COURTS
22-CITY WAREHOUSE
NEW BERN, N.C.
23-CITY GARAGE
24-LAWSON CREEK PARK & LANDFILL
25-NEW BERN SR. HIGH SCHOOL
COMMUNITY FACILITIES
26-TRENT PARK ELEM. SCHOOL
27-CRAVEN COUNTY HOSPITAL
28-CRAVEN COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
29-J.T. BARBER JR. HIGH SCHOOL
30-EVERGREEN CEMETERY
Prepare sATIUA PLAIINtNG
117 Osborne street
31-OAKS ROAD ELEM. SCHOOL
St. biarysa Georgia
32-GLENBURNIE PARK
33-H.J. MCDONALD SCHOOL
0' 400'000' low24W
34-CRAVEN COMMUNITY COLLEGE
■aoNas oats ltltr, tees
35-SETH PARROTT PARK
l
Community Facilities - North Portion

Community Facilities - South Portion

Ifhe 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 197Z as amended,
which is administered by the Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource -
Management, N.OA.A.
0 s >o
C
M. Gallon W
—LIMITS —
i
k
LEGEND:
SEWER & WATER
DISTRIBUTION AREAS
•••• WATER DISTRIBUTION
AREA
Water System Control/
Central Pumping Plant
`W,
0
..
w •
NEW BERN, N.C.
SEWER & WATER
DISTRIBUTION AREAS
�nwN SAMU PL M "
1oa 17 sonra straat
St. Iliarpti w«o1a
C aoo• aoo' taaa 24W
NwYa Dods imy. I*"
MAP 3
Sewered & Water Distribution Areas -
North Portion

Sewered & Water Distribution Areas -
South Portion

November, 1985, the City had the following customer base:
Customer Categories
Residential, in City
Commercial, in City
Industrial, in City
Residential, outside City
Commercial, outside City
Industrial, outside City
Number of Customers
5,221
664
55
860
33
9
Additionally,the City sells water on a wholesale basis to
Trent Woods and the Neuse River Sewer and Water District. According to
the City's consulting engineers, Finkbeiner, Pettis and Strout, the
average daily water demand in 1983 was 3.06 million gallons per day
(gpd) with a maximum day demand of 5.14 million gpd. The system's
existing capacity is 4.0 million g.p.d. Therefore, average daily demand
is 76.5% of capacity. Peak demand is 128.5%.of capacity.
The City is currently preparing a long range water system
improvements plan. While this plan is not yet in final form, the
following major improvements are under consideration:
o addition of a 5th water supply well.
o improvements to the in City water pumping plant to
increase capacity and system pressure.
o construction of a 500,000 gallon elevated water tank.
The fundamental objections of these improvements are to increase
overall capacity to 5.0 million g.p.d. while providing sufficient
water pressure throughout the water distribution system. A water system
improvement plan is being prepared to identify the capacities necessary
to serve future growth in and around New Bern.
Wastewater Collection and Treatment. The service area of the City's
sewage system and its treatment plant, containing 5,632 customers as of
November, 1985, are identified by Map Three. The City currently
operates a 4 million gallon per day trickling filter type secondary
wastewater treatment plant located at the northern end of Glenburnie
Drive. The plant discharges into the Neuse River. The average daily
wastewater flow is currently about 2.8 million gallons per day. Average
daily flow is therefore 70% of capacity.
However, the City is currently under a moratorium on new
connections and has applied for a special order by consent (soc) from
the N.C. Division of Environmental Management. The moratorium is based
on the City's inability to meet effluent BOD limitations.
The City prepared an interim action plan in April, 1987 to addresE
these deficiencies which includes technical, governmental and
engineering program elements. The Board of Aldermen has given a high
15

priority to this plan which will require expansion and improvements to
existing facilities not shown below.
The City's consulting engineers, Finkbeiner, Pettis and Strout,
Ltd. prepared a master plan for trunk sanitary sewer improvements in
May of 1986. The plan designates a sewer service area which generally
corresponds to the City's extraterritorial jurisdiction (E.T.J.) and
city limits plus areas south to the Trent River. Additionally, the
City has agreed to accept wastewater from the Craven County Industrial
Park which is located about 3 miles west of the current E.T.J.
The plan projects ultimate wastewater flows within the sewer
service area including developments that are not presently served with
sewer. The plan's recommendations include a means of intercepting all
wastewater flows in the service area and transmitting them to the
City's wastewater treatment plan.
The following improvements are recommended by the plan to provide
sewage collection in the designated service area:
Construction of Northwest Interceptor Services
Immediate o Construct common force main to replace flows from multiple
pump stations south of.U.S. 70 bypass; force main to
connect with existing 12 inch gravity sewer at Glenburnie
Road - Elizabeth Avenue intersection; this gravity sewer
flows to a proposed pump station on Oaks Road near Renny's
Creek.
Future - o Replace existing gravity sewer along South Glenburnie from
5-10 years Elizabeth Avenue to Neuse Boulevard with 21"
gravity sewer.
Immediate o Replace existing gravity sewer along South Glenburnie from
Neuse Boulevard to R.R. with 24" gravity sewer.
Immediate o Construct new 27" gravity sewer from above 24" sewer at
R.R. to new pump station at Oaks Road near Renny's Creek.
Immediate o Construct new 20" force main from above pump station to
sewage treatment plant.
The estimated cost of the three "immediate" phases identified
above is $2,050,000. The estimated cost of two future projects is
$275,000.
In addition to the northwest interceptor sewer, the following
improvements are recommended to serve areas to the south that were
annexed during 1984 and potential areas to the South. As indicated,
some of.these recommendtions have either been completed or are now
under construction:
Completed o.Construct 8" force main from existing Red Robin Lane
1986 pumping station which could in the future accommodate
flows from future pumping station serving Pembroke,
16

Old Town and Fox Hollow.
Completed o Construct 8" force main from existing Wilson Creek
1986 pump station which could in the future accommodate flows
from Cypress Shores, Haywood Farms, Manning Park and
Wilson Creek Heights.
Under o Construct 10" force main on Race Track Road (South
Construction Glenburnie) from U.S. 17 to the proposed Greenbriar
development where it will be temporarily connected -
to an existing 8" force main.
Future o Construct 16" force main from above point to proposed
10-20 years 21" gravity sewer at South Glenburnie Avenue and
Elizabeth Avenue (.abandoning existing 8" force main).
Immediate o Construct new 6" force main along R.R. from Trent
Boulevard pump station to existing 12" gravity sewer.
at Third Street and Park Avenue which could in the future
accommodate flows from Highland Park, Fox Hollow and
Country Club Hills.
Finkbeiner, Pettis and Strout, Ltd., is presently preparing a plan
for the City to address its -long-range wastewater treatment needs other
than those mentioned above. The plan --has tentatively identified three
options: 1) expansion of existing plant; 2) sequencing batch reactors;
and 3) Barden PHO process.
Contingent upon final recommendations and the availability of
funds, the City hopes to begin construction of a 5-6 million gallon per
day average design capacity treatment facility in 1988.
Schools. The public school system in Craven County was consolidated
under the Craven County Board of Education in 1981. Enrollments and
capacities for County schools in New Bern's planning jurisdiction are
indicated below for the 1985/86 school year:
TABLE SIX
School Enrollment
1985/86 School Year
School
Albert Banger Elementary (K-4)..
Brinson Memorial Elementary (K-6)
F.R. Danyus Elementary (5)
H.J. MacDonald Middle School (6-8)
J.T. Barber, Junior High School (9)
Jasper Elementary (K-5)
New Bern Sr. High School (10-12)
Oaks Road Elementary (K-4)
Trent Park Elementary (K-4)
West Craven Middle School (6-8)
1985/86 Enrollment Capacity
542
600
750
850
313
425
1,177
1,300
446
600
371
600
1,289
1,300
606
600
553
600
864
1,000
17

Enrollment is generally down from that in 1981 reflecting the
national trend of smaller families and less school age children. As
indicated above, there are no significant capacity problems at the New
Bern schools.
Solid Waste. The City contracts with a private refuse service for the
collection of solid waste which is disposed of at the County land fill.
which has a projected useful life of 12 years. There are no current
plans for expansion of the County landfill. The County is responsible
for continued operations of the land fill including future plans once
the existing facility has reached capacity. Ninety gallon roll out
containers are utilized for residential service with collection twice
weekly. Special pick-up is handled at curbside by call in request.
Commercial pick-up is handled by way of dumpsters. As of December,
1985, there were 6,387 residential and 910 commercial customers.
Craven County is considering the feasibility of solid waste
incineration on a multi -county level as a f.uture method of solid waste
disposal.
Land Use Regulations
The following identifies plans, ordinances and policies relevant
to this Land Use Plan Update:
0 1981 CAMA Land Use Plan. Provides data base information,
development policies and land classification system in accordance
with State regulations for CAMA plans.
o Rules and Regulations of Use of City Docks at Parks. (City Code
Chapter 5) establishes mooring restrictions and no swimming areas.
o Flood Damage Prevention.Ordinance. (City Code Chapter 9 1/2).
Adopted May 24, 1978 in compliance with Federal Flood Insurance
Program, requires elevation and/or floodproofing of construction
relation to the 100-year flood.
o Minimum Housing Code. (City Code Chapter 12). Establishes minimum
standards for: structuralintegrity, plumbing, heating, electrical,
ventilation, and unit sizes.
o Planning and Zoning Board. Includes nine city.residents and 6 ETJ
residents.
o Comprehensive Plan. Required by Chapter.16, Section 25 of the
City Code.
o Tree Committee. (City Code Chapter 16-6). Five member committee
established to advise Board of Aldermen.on planting, growth
and protection of trees on public properties.
o Historic District Commission. (City Code Chapter 16-8). Nine member
commission whose duties are established by the state's general
statutes governing historic districts/commissions.

o Subdivision Regulations. (City Code Chapter 16, Appendix A.)
Establishes standards for the subdivision of land including:
o platting requirements
o design standards
o utility layout/construction standards
o street paving and drainage standards
o bond or similar guarantee required to insure completion
of improvements
o Zoning Ordinance. (City Code Chapter 16, Appendix B.) The principal
means of regulating land use in New Bern's planning area. All land
falls into one of the following 14 zoning districts:
RA-15 Residential - single family homes with 15,000 square foot
minimum lots
RA-10 Residential - single and two-family homes with 10,000
square foot minimum lot for 1 family dwellings and 15,000 square
feet for 2 family dwellings
RA-10A - Single, two and multi -family dwellings plus RA-10 uses.
Density and lot sizes the same as RA-10.
RA-8 Residential - Single, two and multi -family dwellings with
8,000 square foot minimum for one unit and 12,000 square feet for
two units; multi -family density maximum is approximately 10.6
units per acre (based on a 5 acre -tract).
RA-6 Residential - Single, two and multi -family dwellings,
hospitals, trailer parks with 6,000 square foot minimum lots for
one dwelling, 8,000 for two-familyand a multi -family density of
21.2 dwelling units per acre (based on a 5-acre tract). Trailer
parks are apparently limited to a gross density of 8 units per
acre in accordance with Section 8.2.,d.
0&I Office and Institutional —allows single family dwellings,
boarding houses, offices, colleges, schools and similar uses.
B-1 Central Business District - allows a wide range of commercial
uses including: retail sales, banks, food services, hotels,
motels, offices, limited/small scale manufacturing for sale on
premises, personal services, public buildings, recreational
facilities. Screening/buffer required where district abuts
residential zone.
B-2 Central Business District - All 0&I district uses; most B-1
uses, wholesale businesses, two family dwellings, multi -family
dwellings, offices. Screening/buffer required where district
abuts residential zone.
B-3 Commercial District - Most B-1, B-2 uses, all 0&I uses,
animal hospitals, auto storage and repair, outdoor
advertising, two family and multi -family uses. Screening/buffer
required where district abuts any residential zone.
19

B-4 Neighborhood Business District - all residential zone uses,
offices, retail, outdoor advertising, auto sales lots, trailer
parks, personal services. Uses prohibited: light industrial uses
such as building supply yards, petroleum bulk storage,,auto
storage, junkyards, uses omitting gas, fumes, odors, etc.
B-4A - Neighborhood Shopping Center District - most retail sales
and services permitted - typically within a small shopping
center. Site plan required for rezoning.
I-1 Industrial - manufacturing, processing and related uses
ranging from light to very intense operations.
I-2 Industrial - warehousing, manufacturing and heavy commercial
uses.
Historic District - this zone serves as an "overlay" to
underlying commercial and residential districts thereby
establishing additional requirements and standards
that must be met in addition to the regular zoning district. Uses
are not regulated through the Historic District overlay zone; a
Certificate of Appropriateness must be issued in connection with
exterior alternations to historic structures.
The City's zoning map is maintained and updated by the
Department of Engineering. Current copies are available from that
Department in City Hall.
o Flood Insurance Study - prepared in connection with the City's Flood
Insurance rate map, provides engineering background as to how flood
elevations were established.
o Annexation Feasibility Study - Prepared in December, 1978 the study
identified four general areas for possible annexation. The Mall and
Pinewood areas were subsequently annexed.
o Thoroughfare Plan - Prepared in July, 1978 by the State Department
of Transportation; its recommendations are designed to accommodate
traffic through the year 2000.
o Simmons-Nott Airport Master Plan Update - 1982 plan for
improvements to this facility south of New Bern across the Trent
River.
o Five Points Development and Enhancement Plan - Plan recommends
improvements to: buildings facades, streetscape, traffic circulation
and parking. The end goal is to revitalize this declining commercial
area on U.S. 17 just west of the Historic Central Business District.
o The City has participated in the National Main Streets Program of
the National Trust for Historic Preservation. A Resource Team Report
was prepared for New Bern in July, 1981 outlining design
improvements, promotion methods, economic factors and an overall
organizational structure.
9C

o U.S. 17 Corridor Study - July, 1982 N.C. D.O.T. - recognizes U.S. 17
as the major north -south highway in eastern North Carolina and
recommends priorities for a series of projects consisting primarily
of bridges, bypasses and four lane sections.
21

GROWTH TRENDS
The 1981 Land Use Plan presented the following Table to
illustrate population trends for Craven County and New Bern during
the 30 year period 1950 - 1980.
TABLE SEVEN
Population Trends 1950 - 1980
New Bern, Craven County and Township 8
Twshp. 8
Craven New % of excl. of
County Bern County New Bern
1950 48,823 15,812 32.4 3,140
Twshp. 8 as % of
County (excl. of
New Bern
1960
58,773
15,717
26.7
4,969
8.45
% Chg.
20.4
-0.6
58.3
1970
62,554
14,656
23.4
6,456
10.32
% Chg.
6.4
-6.8
29.9
1980
71,043
14,557
20.5
8,911
12.5
% Chg.
13.6
-0.1
38.0
Source:
1981 Land
Use Plan
and U.S.
Bureau of
the Census.
Although this information will not be updated until the 1990
census is complete, the Office of State Budget and Management estimates
New Bern's population as of July 11 1985, to be 18,227. This addition
of 3,670 persons represents a 25 percent increase from the 1980 census.
The important trends identified by Table Seven and the 1981 Land Use
Plan are:
o Craven County's population has steadily increased over the
past 30 years from 48,823 to 71,043.
o New Bern's population declined over the same period
from 15,812 to 14,557; however, from 1980 to 1985 the City's
population.increased to a historic high of 18,227.
o In 1950, one third of the County's population lived in
New Bern; in 1980, only one fifth of the County's
residents lived in New Bern; in 1984 slightly more than
23% of the County's population lived in the City.
o Significant overall growth during the period occurred in the
area immediately surrounding New Bern (Township 8).
o The trend of overall population decline and the decline in
New Bern's share of overall County population has apparently
reversed since 1980.
22

According to the 1980 census there were 6,388 housing units in New
Bern with an average 2.28 persons in each occupied unit. The following
Table presents building permit data from City records which can be used
to update the 1980 census data.
TABLE EIGHT
Building Permits - New Construction
New Bern Planning Area
1981 - 1985
Dwelling Units
Year Single Family Multi -Family Mobile Homes
1981 76 30 6
1982 21 101 22
1983 64 92 25
1984 54 23 23
1985 59 258 27
TOTAL
UNITS 274 504 103
Total New Residential Units - 1981-1985: 881
Non -Residential
72
36
58
51
37
254
Source: City of New Bern, Public Works Department.
The 881 new housing units identified by Table Eight represent a
14% increase since 1980 bringing the total estimated number of units to
7,269. This estimate may be high because it does not account for any
units that may have been demolished during the same period. Another
trend identified by Table 8 is the type of housing constructed; of the
881 new units 274 or 31% were single family, 504 or 57% were multi-
family, and 103 or 12% were mobile homes. About 200 of the 504 multi-
family are one project - a retirement village. This means that multi-
family units are growing at a faster rate than single family;
conversely, the 1981 land use plan found that single family units
represented 55% of all housing built from 1975 to 1980.
23

CONSTRAINTS TO DEVELOPMENT
Physical and Environmental Constraints
The Environmental Determinants Map identifies three groups of
environmental constraints to development that are relevant to the New
Bern Land Use Plan Update:
o Hazard to life, health, and property
o Resources requiring protection
o Land suitability for urban land use
In addition to those categories, North Carolina's Coastal Area
Management Act identifies and regulates areas of environmental concern
(AEC's). The implications of environmental determinants and State AEC
regulations are discussed below.
Hazard to Life, Health and Property. A hazard assessment for flood
prone areas in Craven County was prepared as part of the County's 1984
Storm Hazard Mitigation and Post Disaster Reconstruction Plan.
Hurricane hazard areas consist primarily of the 100 year flood zone,
which is delineated by the Town's Federal Flood Insurance Program rate
maps, dated: Preliminary - August 8, 1985. This map establishes the
following as the 100-year flood base elevation in and around New Bern:
o Neuse-River : 9 feet above M.S.L.
o Rennys Creek: 9 feet above M.S.L.
o Jack Smith Creek: 9 feet above M.S.L.
o Trent River: 9 feet above M.S.L.
o Lawson Creek: 9 feet above M.S.L.
In addition to the 100-year base flood, the City's August 8, 1985
Flood Study indicates the following still water elevations:
Frequency of Event (1)
10 year flood
50 year flood
100 year flood
500 year flood
Flood Elevation Above Mean Sea Level
6.1
8.3
9.1
10.9
(1) e.g. 10 year storm has a 1 in 10 chance of occurring in any given
year.
A significant portion of New Bern's developed areas lie within the
100-year flood plain as indicated by Map 4. While hurricane storm
surges constitute the primary source of flood hazard, New Bern is also
susceptible to riverrine flooding (rainfall in the Trent and Neuse
River Basins).
The New Bern Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance requires
construction above the 100-year flood elevation. It should be kept in
mind that many areas outside the 100-year flood plain can flood because
of poor drainage and high water table. This type of flooding is
addressed in the category: "Land Suitability for Urban Development."
24

m
0
CD
0
CD
3
m
►
0
=r
M
0
00O 0
0 00 0 010......
0 0
a 00 a 0
00 0 0 000`' •`%
0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0
a 0
00 0 0
a 0 0 00 0 0
0 0
00
00 0 0 0 0 00
0 0 ...
0 0 0
0 0
0 00 00 0
0
0 0 0 0
00 0 00
0 00
0 oll 0 0 . ... .. ....
00 a 00
0 0 0 C.- 0
of
0 0 0 0 Y ........
0 00 , 00 , 0 00
0 000 000 000 a 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
0 00 0 00 0 90 0 0 0 0 f
col 0 0 6 0 0 0 4)
bo 0 cc 0 00 0 0 00 0
% 0 0 0 0
%Q 0 0 0 0 0 0
0,00 0 00 0 00 0 0
0,4 goo o 0
0 08�0 0 0 0 0.*.,.*.:.:.:.:.;:;:;:;:-.:;:;:
0 K
-0 000 0 0 0 0 *,::;�7:,:-:-::::::;:;,.;
O00 0 0
1 0100 0 0 00 0 0 0
00 0 0 , 00 * 00 C, 6 0
0 jo 0 0 0 00 0 0
0 0 M 10
0 0A oe 00 0 0, p a
0 0
..........O 00
0
0 00
0 0 0
C,
00 00 0 10
0 Ogg 0
00 00 X
0
?o0 0 0 0 O 0
00
0 0,0 0 00 0
00
.0 0 0 0 0 0
00 0
00 O 0
00 00 0 0 00g0
0 00 o 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
00 0
00 0 0
00 00 0
0 0 0 0
100 00 0 00 00 0 0 0
O 0 0 D 0
00 0
00 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 Op,-
1 0 00 0 0 4D 00
00
0 0 00
0 00 00 0
1 0 0 0 0
9
0 0
0
1. 0 00 X•
0
AN
0
00
0
0 0 0 is 0
0 0
a 00 a
0 0
0 0 0 0
0 0
0-
......
...
0
000 0 a
00 ..0 0
0- 0
oo4.
.0 0
0 00
0
a 0
X.
0
.0,
:-0
0
0
0 0
00
9 0
0 � I
00 0
- '0 01
0 9 0
0 0
oa
00 0
0 00 0
0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0
0 0
W...
.
0 4
0 w
0
0-4
.40
A00-0*1-.�
'0 Q* 0 00 00
0 0. ex::�D 0
-/,00 0 -.0.0 0
0 0
0 0 0 0 0
X 0 0
0
0
0
-0
0
0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0
......... .. ..... 0 0
0 0
,P'AO *I b 00
0 0 0 0
0 0,
0 , 00 0 4
0, 0� '0 el, . , I
0 0
0', 0 0
2 0 X. 00 0
O'd 0 6. \ - . -
1447, WIN
-0� 0 0
40P
CD
X.
Z 0
CD
0
CD
to
FT
CD
m
It
'16 0 0
co
cr
goo
mm
z
M <
I —
m M
0
z
ZK m
> M
Zz
--I I
>
C/)

Environmental Determinants - South Portion

Other hazard areas are man made hazardous waste facilities.In New
Bern's planning jurisdiction, several manufacturers are either
generators or transporters of hazardous materials. The following list
of Hazardous Waste facilities is from the Craven County Hurricane
Evacuation, Hazard Mitigation and Post -Disaster Reconstruction, June,
1984:
CRAVEN COUNTY HAZARDOUS WASTE FACILITIES
In Flood
Facility Name
•
Primary Use
Location
Hazard Area
AMF Hatteras Yacht
generator
N. Glenbourne Rd.
yes
transporter
Agrico Chemical
Co.
generator
Neuse Blvd.
no
Highway 55W
B&H Construction
Co.
transporter
Highway 70 E
no
Bayliner Marine
Corp.
generator
Highway 17 E
no
transporter
Clark Boat Co., Inc. small Highway 17 E
generator
Encee Chemical Sales small gener- Bridgeton
ator transporter
Fuel Oil Service Co. transporter
Marine Corps Air generator
Station at Cherry storer
Point
Phillips Plating Co. generator
Robert Bosch small
Power Tool generator
Salt Wood Products small
generator
Stanadyne Moen Div. generator
Weyerhaeuser Co. generator
transporter
Windly Street
Cherry Point
Bridgeton
Highway 55 W
Cove City
Craven Industrial
Park
Streets Ferry Road
no
yes
yes
no
yes
no
no
no
yes
Resources Requiring Protection. The New Bern Historic District is
identified under this category by Map Four. New Bern has numerous
structures that have been individually listed on the National Register
of Historic Places. The following is a list of these structures which
are also protected by way of the local historic zoning district.
26

o Attmore-Oliver House
o Blades House
o Bryan House and Office
o Centenary Methodist Church
o Coor Bishop
o Coor-Gaston House
o First Church of Christ Scientist
o Gull Harbor
o Harvey Mansion
o William Hollister House
o Jones -Jarvis House
o Ulysses S. Mace House
o New Bern City Schools Admin-
istration Building (Palmer -
Tisdale House)
o Simpson-Oaksmith-Patterson House
o Eli Smallwood House
o Benjamin Smith House
o Edward R. Stanly House
o Stevenson House (Tryon Palace
Complex)
o York -Gordon House
o Bellair
o Cedar Grove Cemetery
o First and Second New
Bern Academy Building
o Clear Springs Plantation
o First Baptist Church
o First Presbyterian Church
and Churchyard
o Hawks House
o Thomas Jerkins House
o Justice House
o Masonic Temple and Theatre
o New Bern Municipal Building
o Rhem-Waldrop House
o St. Paul's Catholic Church
o Slover-Bradham House (Burn -
side's Headquarters)
o Smith -Whitford House
o John Wright Stanly House
(Tryon Palace Complex)
o Isaac Taylor House
There are also two district areas within New Bern with National
Register designation pending. Also identified by Map Four, these are:
The Riverside Historic District and the Ghent Historic District.
The N.C. Department of Cultural Resources has also determined that an
archaeologically sensitive area exists near the mouth of Scott's Creek
(not within the City's E.T.J.) and that eight underwater archaeological
sites exist in the New Bern Area.
Land Suitability for Urban Development. The recently completed soils
analysis for Craven County was used to develop a general soils map for
the New Bern planning area. Soils were analyzed.according to their
development suitability =or six indicators:
o Frequency of flooding
o Septic tank absorption fields
o Shallow excavations
o Dwellings without basements
o Small commercial buildings
o Local roads and streets
Based on these six indicators, soils were classified on the
Environmental Determinants Map in one of four categories:
o suitable
o moderately suitable; some drainage needed
o marginally suitable if drained
o highly unsuitable,flooding common
27

Suitable. soils:
o Autryville loamy sand
o Conetoe loamy sand
o Norfolk loamy fine sand
o State loamy sand
o Tarboro sand
While most of the soils in New Bern's planning area are classified
as moderately or marginally suitable, Map Four does indicate several
areas in the suitable category including about half the Central Businss
and Historic Districts. Suitable soils generally only have limitations
for shallow excavations. These are also the only soils in New Bern that
are suitable for septic tanks without drainage improvements.
Moderately Suitable Soils:
o Altavista fine sand loam and Urban Land Complex
o Craven silt loam
o Goldsboro loamy fine sand
o Seabrook loamy sand and Urban Land Complex
Moderately suitable soils pose constraints on construction of
buildings and roads which can, in most cases, be overcome by adequate
drainage. However, limitations on septic tanks are severe for this
category. Either central wastewater treatment or substantial site
improvements are required.
Marginally suitable soils:
o Arapahoe fine sand loam
o Bayboro murky loam
o Croatan muck
o Lenoir silt loam
o Leon sand
o Lynchburg fine sandy loam and Urban Land Complex
o Pantego
o Rains fine sandy loam
o Tomotley fine sandy loam
o Torhunta
Marginally suitable soils generally place severe limitations on
any development but are not subject to regular flooding. Substantial
site modifications and/or provision of central sewer would be
necessary to develop sites with these soils..
Highly Unsuitable Soils:
o Dorovan Muck
o Lafitte Muck
o Johnston and Muckalee
These soils have severe limitations in all categories including
frequent flooding.
W

About half of New Bern's Planning area falls within the
marginally suitable area including the areas currently receiving most
of the new growth to the west. These lands can be satisfactorily
converted to urban land uses provided that drainage improvements and
sewer is provided. Additionally, organic material must be removed from
the surface of some soils in the marginal category. It must be
understood, however, that the cumulative effect of development in these
areas can create water quality problems.
Areas of Environmental Concern. Areas of Environmental Concern (AEC's)
are sensitive environmental and cultural areas protected by the Coastal
Area Management Act (CAMA). General categories of these areas are
identified through State guidelines according to the Administrative
Procedures Act, as administered by the Division of Coastal Management.
Special areas of local or regional environmental or cultural
significance can be nominated as AEC's by individuals, groups or
governing bodies. See also N.C.A.C. Section 15-7 for actual state
regulations defining and governing allowable uses in these areas.
AEC's lying within New Bern's jurisdiction include Public Trust
Waters, Coastal Wetlands, Estuarine Waters, and Estuarine Shorelines.
Development or other land and water uses within AEC's generally requir
CAMA permits. The State has established extensive guidelines regarding
activites within AEC's, but generally does not preclude any land use by
right. As part of an effort to share implementation of the Coastal Area
Management Act with local governments, the State's land use planning
guidelines require that local governments identify acceptable land usf�z
within AEC's in their planning jurisdiction. Descriptions of AEC's
within New Bern's jurisdiction are provided below.
o Public Trust Waters
These are legally defined areas of environmental concern
where the public has a right to navigation and recreation.
The primary concern is that uses such as bulkheads and marinas
which must utilize public trust areas, do so without interfering
with the public interest in these areas.
o Coastal Wetlands
Coastal wetlands, or high tide marshlands, are found
adjacent to the Neuse and Trent Rivers in two separate
locations. The largest wetland area adjoins the Trent River. and
Lawson Creek, containing approximately 214 acres. Another
wetland area is located on the western side of the Neuse River
eastward from Woodrow subdivision. The primary plant species ill
both areas is cordgrass (spartina alterniflora).
These marshes provide habitat for wildlife and waterfowl
and act as a deterrent to shoreline erosion and sediment runoff
o Estuarine Waters
Estuarine waters in New Bern's jurisdiction are those arsair
29

of the Neuse and Trent Rivers between the city limits and the
mean high water mark, the high water mark being described as
the clear line impressed on the land adjacent to the rivers.
Generally the New Bern city limits extend about 300 feet from
the high water mark into the Neuse and Trent Rivers. Estuarine
waters are bordered by estuarine shoreline. These waters are
among the most productive natural environments in North
Carolina. Many fish and shellfish species spend all or part of
their life cycle in estuarine waters. The water areas are used
for commercial and recreational navigation, water sports, and
provide aesthetic benefits.
o Estuarine Shorelines
Estuarine shorelines are defined as non -ocean shorelines
which are especially vulnerable to erosion, flooding, or other
adverse effects of wind and water and are intimately connected
to the estuary. The estuarine shoreline encompasses the area
landward along the estuaries, bays, sound and other brackish
waters for a distance of 75 feet from the mean high water level.
There are no specific restrictions within estuarine shoreline
areas. The prime requirement is that all development sub-
stantially preserve natural barriers to erosion. In New Bern's
planning jurisdiction, all shorelines of the Neuse and Trent
Rivers fall within this classification.
Management guidelines and rules for uses for all Areas of
Environmental Concern are described in the most recently amended
version of Section 15-7H of the North Carolina Administrative Code.
These rules are available through Division of Coastal Management
offices,in both Raleigh and Morehead City.
Community Facilities Capacity
Community Facility Capacities are identified and discussed by the
Community Facilities Section (page 12) of Existing Conditions.
30

POLICY STATEMENTS
Assessment of 1981 Policies
The 1981 Land Use Plan presented policies under major
headings of Resource Protection, Physical Constraints to
Development, Resource Production and Management, Economic and
Community Development, Continuing Public Participation and
Special Issues. The purpose of this section is to assess the
progress that was made since adoption of the 1981 plan in
implementing its policies. This assessment, in turn, provides
a basis for formulation of this plan's revised and updated
policy statements.
Resource Protection
o Estuarine System. The Plan identified the Areas of
Environmental Concern: Estuarine Waters, Estuarine
Shorelines, Coastal Wetlands and Public Trust Areas.
Policies based on subchapter 7H of State C.A.M.A.
regulaions restricted uses in these areas to those
meeting local development codes (zoning, flood plain
ordinance, etc.) and C.A.M.A. regulations. These
local and state policies have been enforced
consistently over the past five years.
Physical Constraints to Development.
o Septic Tank Suitability. Policy was to permit .
development only where adequate wastewater disposal
was available. The County, which is in charge of
permitting septic tanks, agreed not to issue such
permits in New Bern's jurisdiction without receiving
a valid City zoning permit. This policy continues to
be enforced.
o Storm Drainage. The City requires adequate
provisions for storm drainage; this continues to be
enforced through its subdivision regulations.
o Flood Hazard Areas. All new development is to comply
with the City's Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance.
This policy continues to be enforced.
o Cultural and Historic -Resources. The City's Historic
Zoning District was adopted in 1980. This
comprehensive section of the City's zoning ordinance
continues to be successfully enforced. Appendix B of
the Zoning Ordinance sets forth recommended
archaeological safeguards for the historic district.
o Manmade Hazards. The Zoning Ordinance restricts the
location and storage of such materials and continues
to be enforced.
31

Resource Production and Management
o Mineral Production Areas. Plan reorganized the
Martin -Marietta limestone quarry on the north side
but did not consider it a current planning/land use
issue and therefore did not adopt a policy.
o Off -Road Vehicles. Policy considered but not
adopted; not considered an issue requiring action.
o Commercial and Recreational Fisheries. Plan
expressed concern over declining fisheries and water
quality but no specific policies were adopted.
Economic and Community Development.
o Types and Location of Industries Desired. Policy
consisted entirely of existing zoning regulations
which were consistently enforced.
o Local Commitment to Providing Services to
Development. The City code stipulates specific
policies for providing water and sewer to
development. Annexation is required for water and
sewer service in unincorporated areas. The policies
continue to be enforced.
o Redevelopment of Developed Areas. New Bern has long
been committed to redevelopment. The City continues
to emphasize redevelopment through participation in
the Community Development Block Grant program, Main
Street, support of the Historic New Bern Foundation
and Swiss Bear. The most significant redevelopment
project since the last plan update was completion of
the 100-room waterfront hotel complex.
o Commitment to State and Federal Programs. New Bern
continues to support state and federal programs and
has successfully utilized C.A.M.A. and the Community
Development Block Grant Program to implement local
projects and programs such as the Lawson Creek Park
and Community Revitalization programs.
o Assistance to Channel Maintenance. The City
continues to support channel maintenance in the Neuse
and Trent Rivers.
o Types of Growth Desired. "The location of urban
growth within New Bern's jurisdiction has not been an
issue This was the finding of the 1981 plan and no
policy statement was made.
o Energy Facility Siting and Development. No policy
for energy facilities due to remote possibility of
location in area; this policy area focused on the
32

coal train issue. The City has been successful in
limiting coal trains to two per day which it
considers to be an acceptable level.
o Tourism/Beach and Waterfront Areas. Previous plan
policies recognized the Historic District as the most
significant tourist resource. Recreational access to
the Trent and Neuse Rivers was identified as an
ongoing priority. The addition of lodging
accommodations downtown was a stated priority and a
100-room waterfront hotel is now open. The city
continues to develop public water access through
improvements to existing waterfront parks (with
boatramps) and development of the Lawson Creek
Waterfront Park.
Continuing Public Participation
o Public Education and Continuing Participation. The
Planning Board was charged with the responsibility of
maintaining ongoing public participation. The
Planning Board, itself composed of 'citizen planners'
geographically representing New Bern's citizenry,
continues its meetings and utilizes the media as the
primary means of informing the public of its ongoing
planning activities.
Special Issues
o Neuse River Water Quality. Friends of the Neuse,
Inc. formed in 1980. Premise: "the effective clean-
up of the Neuse River will have to start at home."
o Waterfront Development. Objectives: "Pedestrian
Park" to run along the water's edge from the city
park at the U.S. 17 Bridge to the Union Point urban
renewal site; develop Lawson Creek Park; develop
marina on the Trent River. Each of these objectives
is either complete or under development. The city
continues its strong commitment to the Historic
District and redevelopment of waterfront areas.
o Annexation/Shopping Center. Annexation Study
completed --four general areas identified. The mall
and Pinewood areas annexed. City continues policy of
only providing water and sewer outside the city in
conjunction with annexation. Ongoing analysis of
E.T.J. and future annexation continues as part of
long range water and sewer programming and land use
planning.
33
P.

Background and Policy Outline
The City of New Bern has adopted the following policies
to address land use planning and development issues which
will affect its planning jurisdiction during the next ten
years. These policies establish a systematic means of
evaluating specific development proposals or other actions -
affecting the City's land and water resources. If a proposed
project, development or other activity would violate the
intent of these policies, action to prevent its construction
or implementation will be taken by local, state and federal
government agencies.
1. Resource Protection
a. The Estuarine System
(1) Estuarine Waters
(2) Estuarine Shorelines
(3) Coastal Wetlands
(4) Public Trust Areas
b. Storm Water Runoff
C. Marina Development
d. Floating Home Development
e. Potable Water Supply
2. Physical Constraints to Development
a. Septic Tank Suitability
b. Package Treatment Plants
C. Storm Drainage
d. Flood Hazard Areas
e. Cultural and Historic Resources
f. Man -Made Hazards
3. Resource Production and Management
a. Forest and Agricultural Lands
b. Mineral Product Areas
c. Off -Road Vehicles
d. Commercial and Recreational Fisheries
4. Economic and Community Development
a. Types and Locations of Industries Desired
b. Local Commitment to Providing Services to Development
c. Redevelopment of Developed Areas
d. Commitment to State and Federal Programs
e. Assistance to Channel Maintenance
f. Types of Growth Patterns Desired
g. Energy Facility Siting and Development
h. Tourism --Beach and Waterfront Areas
34

5. Storm Hazard Mitigation and Post -Disaster Recovery
6. Continuing Public Participation
a. Public Participation During the Plan Update
b. Means for Public Education on Planning Issues
C. Means for Continuing Public Participation
35

1. RESOURCE PROTECTION
a. The Estuarine System. The Areas of Environmental Concern
(AEC's) within New Bern's planning jurisdiction are all
components of the Estuarine System. These AEC's, as
described by the Constraints to Development Chapter (page
23 ), are: 1) estuarine waters; and 2) estuarine
shorelines of the Neuse and Trent Rivers, Jack Smith Creek,
Lawson Creek and Renny's Creek to points inland where ocean
tides no longer affect these water bodies; 3) coastal
wetlands; and, 4) public trust areas. All shorelines below
Wilson's Creek on the Trent River and Pitch Kettle Creek on
the Neuse River are defined as Estuarine Shorelines and
subject to applicable policies and regulations. The State
Policy Statements for AEC's offer protection for New Bern's
fragile and significant environmental resources through
CAMA permitting procedures. In accordance with those
policies set forth in subchapter 7H of the State CAMA
regulations, New Bern adopts the following policies
concerning AEC's in its jurisdiction.
(1) Estuarine Waters. In recognition of the importance of
estuarine waters for the fisheries and related
industries as well as aesthetics, recreation, and
education, New Bern shall promote the conservation and
quality of this resource. Activities in the estuarine
water areas shall be restricted to those which do not
permanently or significantly affect the function,
cleanliness and circulation of estuarine waters.
Appropriate uses are restricted to those such as
marinas, piers, docks, boat ramps, bulkheads and aids
to navigation that will prompt the public's interest in
maintaining the critical Areas of Concern.
(2) Estuarine Shorelines. The City recognizes: the close
association between estuarine shorelines and adjacent
estuarine waters; the influence shoreline development
has on the quality of estuarine life; and the damaging
processes of shorefront erosion and flooding to which
the estuarine shoreline is subject.
Suitable land uses are those compatible with both the
dynamic nature of estuarine shorelines and the values
of the estuarine system.
Residential, recreational, commercial and industrial
land uses are all appropriate types of use along the
estuarine shoreline provided that:
a. All CAMA permitting requirements are met;
b. All terms of the New Bern Zoning Ordinance are met;
c. The construction of impervious surfaces and areas
36

not allowing natural drainage is limited to only
the minimum amount necessary to adequately serve
the development;
d. Development meets requirements of the City's Flood
Damage Prevention Ordinance;
e. Development must be consistent with Downtown
Development and Redevelopment Plan.
(3) Coastal Wetlands. Activities in coastal wetland areas
shall be restricted to those which do not significantly
affect the unique and delicate balance of this
resource. Suitable land uses include those giving
highest priority to the protection and management of
coastal wetlands, so as to safeguard and perpetuate
their biological, social, economic, and aesthetic
values to establish a coordinated management system
capable of conserving and utilizing coastal wetlands as
a natural resource essential to the functioning of the
entire estuarine system. Highest priority of use shall
be allocated to the conservation of existing coastal
wetlands. Second priority shall be given to those uses
that require water access and cannnot function
elsewhere.
Acceptable land uses may include utility
easements, fishing piers, docks, marinas and bulkheads,
provided that any such use conforms to applicable
C.A.M.A. permit standards.
(4) Public Trust Areas. In recognition of certain land and
water areas in which the public has certain established
rights and which also support valuable commercial and
sports fisheries, have aesthetic value, and are
resources for economic development, New Bern shall
protect these rights and promote the conservation and
management of public trust areas. Suitable land/water
uses include those which protect public rights for
navigation and recreation and those which preserve and
manage the public trust areas in order to safeguard
and perpetuate their biological, economic, social, and
aesthetic value, e.g. dredging, bulkheading, jettying.
b. Storm Water Runoff. Development in the vicinity
of coastal waters can pose a serious threat to the
estuarine system through the rapid discharge of pollutants
washed off of impervious surfaces via storm water..
Impervious surfaces include streets, parking lots, and
rooftops.
New Bern will promote the use of best available management
practices to minimize the threat of pollution from storm
water runoff for developments in close proximity to coastal
waters. Examples of these practices include using pervious
37

or semi -pervious materials, such as turfstone or gravel,
for driveways and walks; retaining natural vegetation along
waterfront areas to retain its natural filtering
properties; and allowing storm water to percolate into the
ground rather than discharging it directly to coastal
waters. The City will consider amending its zoning and
subdivision ordinances to address storm water management
issues. Specific considerations will include:
o special minimum lot sizes adjacent to water areas;
o special setbacks adjacent to water areas;
o the use of conservation zones adjacent to water
areas;
o the submission of water management plans for
large scale developments; and
o proper site planning for waterfront development
including vegetated buffers and the use of
-pervious materials for drives and parking.
Alternatively, the City will consider adoption of a
comprehensive stormwater runoff control ordinance.
C. Marina Development. Marinas can impact surrounding land
and water areas in many ways. Recognizing this, the State,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers have placed extensive limitations on the
alteration of natural systems in conjunction with marina
development.
The City recognizes the positive recreational and economic
aspects of marina development and will support proposals
that are consistent with the City zoning ordinance, this
plan, and other applicable plans, policies and ordinances.
The City will consider amending its zoning ordinance to
specifically address marinas; this will include a
definition, development standards and treatment as
a special or conditional use in appropiate zoning
districts.
d. Floating Home Development. Overnight tie-up at City owned
docks is prohibited by Chapter 5 of the City Code.
Floating Home Development may be appropriate as part of an
approved marina development provided such proposal meets
and is consistent with all applicable plans, policies and
ordinances.
e. Potable Water Supply. New Bern's water supply is provided
by deep wells located in Cove City, about fifteen miles
west of the City. The water is piped to New Bern and fed
into the City's water distribution system. The Cove City
wells are supplied by the Black Creek aquifer which is
W

recharged in the Piedmont area of the state. A regional
groundwater study, sponsored by the U.S. Geological Survey
and area local governments, is currently being prepared.
Once finalized, the recommendations of this study will
serve as the basis for management of the city's groundwater
resources.
2. PHYSICAL CONSTRAINTS TO DEVELOPMENT.
a. Septic Tank Suitability.
A wastewater disposal ordinance has been adopted by
Craven County, and, through coordination with New Bern,
zoning and building inspection officials, land development
is permitted only when adequate wastewater disposal (septic
tanks, sewer) is provided. The County will not issue a
wastewater disposal permit in New Bern's jurisdiction
without first receiving a zoning permit from New Bern.
The City's subdivision ordinance also provides an
opportunity to address sewage disposal problems before land
is platted for development. This ordinanance requires the
subdivider to give evidence that adequate wastewater
disposal methods will be provided throughout the
subdivision.
B. Package Sewage Treatment Plants. The City may permit the
use of private package sewage treatment plants if the
associated development is consistent with the City's plans
and policies; the system meets state and federal permitting
requirements; the project will have no inverse impacts
beyond its boundaries; and, perpetual operation and
maintenance of the system is guaranteed without obligation
to the City in any way.
C. Storm Drainage. New Bern's location in the low coastal
plain of the east coast causes drainage to be a significant
problem for most development within its jurisdiction. It
is the City's policy to ensure that adequate provision has
been made for the drainage of surface water as part of its
subdivision regulations.
d. Flood Hazard Areas. All development within the City's
jurisdiction shall be in compliance with the New Bern Flood
Damage Prevention Ordinance (City Code Chapter 9 1/2).
e. Cultural and Historic Resources. A local historic zoning
district was enacted by the City of New Bern in 1980. The
district prescribes various architectural standards for
properties in the historic zoning district. In addition
there are a number of properties on the National Register
of Historic Places, which are protected by Federal
statutes.
39

f. Man -Made Hazards. Bulk storage of flammable and explosive
materials is restricted to several districts which are
defined in Section 9-30 of the New Bern City Code. A plat
identifying the districts defined in 9-30 is on file in the
City Clerk's Office for public review. In addition, the
zoning ordinance requires above ground storage tanks to be
located no less than 100 feet from the nearest property
line. See page 25 for a list of known hazardous waste
facilities in Craven County.
3. RESOURCE PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT
a. Forest and Agricultural Lands. Although the forestry and
agricultural industries are important parts of the regional
economy, very little land is used for agricultural or
forest production in New Bern's planning area. Lands which
are presently used for agricultural or forest production
will provide needed space for urban development in the
future. New Bern does not consider it necessary to adopt
policies to prevent conversion of these lands to urban use.
b. Mineral Production Areas. One area in New Bern's planning
jurisdiction has been identified as a productive mineral
site, the Martin -Marietta Company limestone quarry on the
west side of N. Glenburnie Road. The quarry is important
because it provides limestone for a multi -county area. It
is located in an area which is relatively undeveloped and
has not caused problems with adjoining land uses. The
limestone quarry has not been a land use issue and is not
considered an issue now. Since mining operations are
regulated by the State and Federal governments, New Bern
finds a policy on mining inappropriate and unnecessary.
c. Off -Road Vehicles. The City will consider an ordinance to
prohibit the operation of off -road vehicles on City
property.
d. Commercial and Recreational Fisheries. These fisheries are
not major components of New Bern's economy. However, the
city recognizes their importance to the coast overall and
encourages the preservation and expansion of fishery
industries, particularly sport. The City's Resource
Protection Policies covering estuarine waters, estuarine
shorelines, coastal wetlands, and public trust areas, will
be enforced recognizing that habitat must be preserved for
all life cycle stages.
4. ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
The New Bern Zoning Ordinance establishes the types of
development which are encouraged and permitted within the
planning area. In addition, New Bern has a Community
Development Block Grant program aimed at neighborhood
improvements and a downtown revitalization program. The County
40

has a full time industrial recruiting organization and an
industrial park with vacant land space available is located
near New Bern. It has been demonstrated before that existing
facilities are sufficient to service new developments.
a. Types and Locations of Industries Desired. Sections 5.12
and 5.13 of the New Bern Zoning Ordinance contain a listing
of industries permitted in New Bern's planning
jurisdiction. Industrial uses such as boat manufacturers,
food processors, lumberyards, and pharmaceutical producers
are allowed. The alternative locations for industrial uses
are presented on New Bern's zoning map. Present zoning
policy relative to industrial uses is considered
satisfactory.
b. Local Commitment to Providing Services to Development.
Existing policy for provision of water and sewer services,
as stated in Section 19-19, 19-20 and 19-21 of the New Bern
City Code, requires a prospective developer to install
water and sewer according to City specifications and at the
developer's expense unless the City chooses to pay the
expenses. Prior to connecting with New Bern's water and
sewer system, the owner of the property if it is located
outside the city limits, must submit a petition requesting
annexation into the New Bern city limits. After the water
and sewer lines are installed they are conveyed to the City
for maintenance. A number of annexations have been adopted
as a result of this policy.
c. Redevelopment of Developed Areas. Commitment to
redevelopment has long been a high priority in New Bern.
Community Development Block Grant funds have been used for
housing rehabilitation, demolition of dilapidated
structures, and improvements in City services such as
streets, storm drainage, recreation facilities, and
sidewalks. New Bern remains committed to a continuation of
this program.
New Bern was among the first five cities in the state
to receive approval for the Main Street Demonstration
Program. The overall goal of this program is to encourage
economic development within the context of historic
preservation. The July 1981 Resource Team Report by the
National Main Street Center, National Trust for Historic
Preservation presents findings and recommendations for
Downtown New Bern.
A special tax district, covering the Central Business
District, has been established to provide additional monies
for public improvements in the downtown. New Bern's staff
provides technical assistance to merchants and property
owners. The City has received an Urban Development Action
Grant (UDAG) to assist in the construction of a 100-unit
hotel on the waterfront with associated support facilities.
The City adopted a local historic zoning district which
41

establishes architectural guidelines intended to preserve
and enhance the character of the historic district.. Private
groups, such as the New Bern Preservation and Swiss Bear,
Inc. are also active in redevelopment and preservation
projects. In fact, Swiss Bear, Inc. has provided for a
full time downtown revitalization manager.
There are approximately two blocks of undeveloped city
owned land on New South Front Street. New Bern supports
and will pursue preparation of a plan for the development
of this area.
d. Commitment to State and Federal Programs. New Bern has
demonstrated its commitment to State and Federal programs
through participation in a number of programs in the recent
past. New Bern has achieved several CAMA program
objectives with its HUD sponsored Community Development
Block Grant program. Drainage and stabilization
improvements to the Jack Smith Creek Watershed and
improvements to Lawson Creek park, including a public boat
ramp, were a direct result of New Bern's CDBG program.
State improvements to U.S. 70 were supported by the
City while continued coordination with State highway
improvement goals are insured by New Bern's Thoroughfare
Plan, which is jointly adopted by the City and State.
The City will continue its support of State and Federal
programs including Community Development Block Grant and
Housing programs.
e. Assistance to Channel Maintenance. The Neuse and Trent
Rivers have always played an important part in New Bern's
development. New Bern supports state and federal efforts to
maintain channels for navigation; further, the city
supports private maintenance of channels in connection with
approved upland use.
f. Types of Growth Patterns Desired. The New Bern Zoning
Ordinance serves as the primary tool for managing growth
patterns, while the provision of water and sewer services
also has an impact on where growth occurs. Development
densities and locations are specified by the Zoning
Ordinance. Sites for single and multi -family residential
development, commercial, and industrial development are
provided within the planning area. In addition, with water
and sewer services available throughout the City limits and
by making them available to developments adjacent to the
City limits, an incentive is provided to develop these
areas.
Despite the availability of water and sewer inside the
City, most of the recent growth in the New Bern vicinity
has taken place south and southwest of the New Bern
planning jurisdiction. An important factor in developing
these areas was their accessibility to recreational and
42-

aesthetic amenities, such as the New Bern Golf and Country
Club and the Trent River. A substantial amount of this
development has been provided with City water service,
acting as additional encouragement to develop in the area.
The City will continue its policy of encouraging
development in and adjacent to its city limits through
enforcement of its zoning ordinance and policies governing
water and sewer extensions.
g. Energy Facility Siting and Development. Proposed energy
facilities will be evaluated for consistency with the
city's zoning ordinance, the policies of this plan, and
other applicable development standards.
It is the City's policy that no more than two (2)
trains per day pass through New Bern to or from the Port ac
Morehead City. Further, it is the city's policy that it be
notified 24 hours'in advance of the transport of any
hazardous materials by way of train through its
jurisdiction and that no train block any intersection for
more than five (5) minutes.
h. Tourism/Beach and Waterfront Access. Perhaps the greatest
tourist impact on New Bern results from the motoring public
passing through the City on trips to coastal beaches.
However, the City's numerous historic sites, coupled with
river access and downtown revitalization, promise increased
tourist activity. In the past New Bern has promoted
historic preservation, among other reasons, as one means of
increasing tourist interest. Automobile and pedestrian
tours of New Bern's historic areas are on the increase,
with groups such as the Historic New Bern Foundation
sponsoring tours of private homes and businesses.
Continuing downtown revitalization efforts are also
expected to attract increased numbers of "tourist"
customers.
Development of a 100-room hotel on the waterfront
through the UDAG program is aimed at downtown
revitalization while increasing public water access.
Further, the city will require pedestrian walks along the
entire waterfront as part of individual development plans.
The development of Lawson Creek Park and proposed
improvements at Union Point will further accomplish the
city's objective of improving public water access
facilities.
43

5. STORM HAZARD MITIGATION AND POST -DISASTER RECOVERY AND
EVACUATION PLANS
The primary policies of these plans are part of the Land
Use Plan and are summarized below. See also the separate plan
document for additional information.
a. Storm Hazard Mitigation
Storm Hazard Mitigation planning in New Bern is
addressed through the City's existing development
regulations. Being inland, New Bern is not sus-
ceptible to .the magnitude of damage that can be
expected to occur directly on the coast. Never-
theless, much of New Bern is susceptible to storm
damage, particularly flooding. About a third of
the City is within the 100-year flood plain. The
City would also be subject to wind damage from a
major storm passing directly through the New Bern
area. In general, the City's existing mitigation
policies meet the requirements for hazard
mitigation planning outlined in Before the Storm.
Specifically:
1. The Town's policies support and are consistent
with State policies and regulations for develop-
ment in Areas of Environmental Concern.
2. All new development must conform with the
provisions of the N.C. Building Code.
3. The City's floodplain development policies
conform with all Federal and State
requirements.
4. The City does a good job of controlling mobile
home developments in order to minimize hazard
damages. Mobile homes are restricted to a
specific district and must conform with
elevation and other requirements.
b. Post Disaster Reconstruction
The City's Post Disaster Reconstruction Plan -was developed
as -part of this land use plan update. It is organized in
the following sections:
o Introduction
o Organization of Local Damage Assessment Team
o Damage Assessment Procedures:and Requirements
o Organization of Recovery Operations
o Recommended Reconstruction Policies
The following provides a summary of the Plan's most im-
portant provisions and policies from each of these five
sections:
44

(1) Introduction. Defines plan purpose and use; identifies
3 distinct reconstruction periods: Emergency, Restor-
ation, and Replacement/Reconstruction. Outlines se-
quence of procedures to be followed to meet State and
Federal Disaster Relief regulations: 1) Assess storm
damage and report to County; 2) County compiles and
summarizes individual community reports; 3) State
compiles County data and makes recommendation to the
Governor; 4) Governor requests Presidential declara-
tion; 5) Federal relief programs available.
(2) Organization of Local Damage Assessment Team.
Outlines personnel available; establishes team
members; designates a team chief.
(3) Damage Assessment Procedures and Requirements.
The purpose of this phase is to rapidly determine
immediately following a storm disaster: 1) number
of structures damaged; 2) magnitude of damage by
structure type; 3) estimated total dollar loss;
and 4) estimated total dollar loss covered by
insurance. To accomplish this, the Plan estab-
lishes four categories of damage: 1) destroyed. -
(repairs over 80% of value); 2) major (repairs over 30%
of value); 3) minor (repairs under 30% of value); and
4) habitable (repairs under 15% of value). A color
coding system in conjunction with County tax maps is
recommended for this phase of damage assessment.
Total damage in dollars is estimated by taking the
County tax valuations times a factor to make
prices current and then factoring these figures
according to the above damage classifications. Es-
timated insurance coverage is made by utilizing
information as to average coverage obtained from
insurance agencies on an annual basis.
(4) Organization of Recovery Operations. The Mayor and
Board of Aldermen assume the duties of a
Recovery Task Force with the City Manager
being responsible for day to day activities.
o Establish overall restoration schedule
o Set restoration priorities
o Determine requirements for outside assistance
and request such assistance when beyond
local capabilities
o Keep appropriate County and State officials
informed using Situation and Damage Reports
o Keep the public informed
o Assemble and maintain records of actions
taken and expenditures and obligations incurred
o Proclaim a local "state of emergency" if
warranted
45

o Commence cleanup, debris removal and utility
restoration activities.
o Undertake repair and restoration of essential
public facilities and services in accordance
with priorities developed through situation
evaluations.
o Assist individual property owners in obtaining
information on the various types of assistance
that might be available from federal and
state agencies
A schedule outlining tasks and general time frames
is provided in the plan.
(5) Recommended Reconstruction Policies. The policies
outlined are for the Mayor and Board of
Aldermen to consider after a storm occurs. It
is not practical to determine at this time
what specific responses are appropriate. The
following policy areas are discussed:
o Permitting. Permits to restore previously con-
forming structures outside AEC's issued auto-
matically. Structures suffering major damage
allowed to rebuild to original state but must
be in compliance with N.C. Building Code, zoning
and Flood Hazard Regulations. Structures with
minor damage allowed to rebuild to original state
before the storm. Structures in AEC's allowed to
rebuild only after determination has been made as
to adequacy of existing development regulations
in these special hazard areas.
o Utility.and Facility Reconstruction. Water
and sewer system components repaired or
replaced must be flood -proofed or elevated
above 100-year flood levels.
o Temporary Development Moratorium. To be consid-
ered after major storm damage for AEC's if existing
regulations appear inadequate to protect structures
from storm damage.
C. Hurricane Evacuation Plan
Evacuation procedures for the City of New
Bern fall under the umbrella of the Craven County
Hurricane Evacuation Plan of June, 1984. The
following summarizes this plan as it pertains to
New Bern.
1. Designated Evacuation Shelters. All of the
public schools in New Bern were designated
Evacuation Shelters (see page 46 for list
with student capacities). Of the ten public
schools in New Bern, the 1984 plan
recommended eliminating four schools due to
potential susceptibility to flooding. The six
remaining schools are (student capacity):
46

o Banger Elementary (600)
o Brinson Elementary (850)
o Jasper Elementary (600)
o MacDonald Middle School (1,300)
o New Bern High School (1,300)
o Trent Park Elementary* (600)
* Secondary shelter or support for
MacDonald Middle School.
2. Identification of Evacuation Routes. The
County plan focuses on major routes; in the
City of New Bern, local roads will be
utilized. A route system is not designated
for City residents to individual shelters.
Route 70 serves as the major route into New
Bern from the east and west; it has no
apparent flooding problems. U.S. 17 may
experience flooding in certain areas
southwest of the City. -
3. Procedural and Organizational
Responsibilities. The County Plan states
that the N.C. State Highway Patrol is
responsible for traffic control on the State
Highway system. The plan recommended
assignments for County Sheriff's Department
staff to monitor roadways for flooding
problems. Additionally, coordinative
assignments should be made between City
police forces, Sheriff's deputies and the
State Patrol.
The shelters are to be staffed by the
Red Cross, County Health Department and
County Social Services Department. Public
awareness and warning issuance
recommendations of the 1984 plan included:
o mailing summary copies of the
evacuation plan with tax bills (the
City could do this as well)
o including summary copies of the
plan as a supplement to the
Sunday paper at the beginning
of hurricane season.
o publishing a one page generalized
map for distribution.
47

6. CONTINUING PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
a. Public Participation During the Plan Update. A Committee
of the New Bern Planning Board in conjunction with City
staff supervised the preparation of this land use plan
update. Representing a wide variety of social, business,
cultural and other interests, they reviewed each section of
this plan in draft form from their collective and
individual perspectives. The Plan reflects their views and
knowledge of the needs of the City. Through each committee
member the various segments of the community were
represented. Specific means to notify the general public
were utilized in the most cost effective and generally
acceptable manner. Meetings open to the public were held on
the following dates during the preparation of the land use
plan update:
October 8, 1985
November 20, 1985
December 17, 1985
January 29, 1986
April 23, 1986
June 3, 1986
August 5, 1986
August 19, 1986
August 20, 1986
b. Means for Public Education on Planning Issues. As this
plan suggests, the next decade will pose numerous
challenges to the decision -makers of the City. The problems
they will face will have long lasting implications. The
need to better understand these issues, to know the
alternatives and to reduce uncertainty, will require a
better partnership between elected officials and citizens.
While the local media will continue to be heavily
utilized for public education it will be through working
relationships with groups, such as the Friends of the Neuse
and neighborhood groups, that public education will be
encouraged and promoted. This type of education program
should do much to develop an informed citizenry and a
better prepared group of elected officials.
c. Means for Continuing Public Participation. The objective
will be to focus on narrowly defined issues. The means for
continuing public particiation will be to encourage public
attendance at Planning Board and Board of Aldermen meetings
and use of the local media as a means of public awareness.
��

LAND CLASSIFICATION
The Land Classification Map differentiates between development -
oriented areas and areas which have been set aside for natural resource
protection purposes.
New Bern's land classification designations are consistent with
the State Land Use Planning Guidelines (NCAC 15, Subchapter 7B). The
majority of New Bern's land area has been classified as "developed"
while the majority of the Town's extraterritorial jurisdiction is
classified as "transition". Coastal Wetlands and estuarine water areas
have been placed in the "conservation" category. The classifications
were based. on the following descriptions:
Developed
This classification is intended to provide for continued intensive
development and redevelopment of existing areas that are at or
approaching the following densities:
0 500 dwelling units per square mile, or
o Three (3) dwelling units per acre, or
o Where a majority of lots are 15,000 square feet or
less, and which are currently served by public water,
sewer, recreational facilities, police and fire protection.
Transition
The intent of the transition classification is to provide for
future intensive urban development at the densities specified above
under the developed classification. These are or will be served with
the same urban services as those areas in the developed land
classification.
Conservation
The purpose of the conservation class is to provide for the
effective long term management and protection of significant, limited
or irreplaceable areas. Management is needed due to the natural,
cultural, recreational, scenic or productive values that are of both
local and regional significance.
The Conservation class in New Bern is applied to lands that
contain:
o AEC's including but not limited to public trust waters,
estuarine waters, coastal wetlands, etc. as identified in
NCAC Section 15 - 7H; and
o Other similar lands, environmentally significant because of
their natural role in the integrity of the coastal region and
which include, but are not limited to, major wetlands, areas
49

that are fragile or hazardous for development and necessary
as wildlife habitat or areas that have a high probability for
providing necessary habitat conditions.
Relationship of Policies and Land Classification
The policies contained in this plan reflect the views of the City
that growth over the ten year planning period -will be much the same as
it has been in the past. New Bern's growth potential must become inner
directed as well as encourage a better utilization of vacant land. The
Economic and Community Development policies express several ways that
this type objective can be accomplished.
Major new development is projected to occur in the transitionally
classed lands. The recent experience with historic preservation
suggests that the City can continue to expect urban infill to occur.
Both the developed and transition classes are expected to continue the
trend of relatively intense development. The conservation class will be
regulated through the use of the CRC guidelines and development will be
limited to those water dependent uses such as marinas and docks.
M

Land Classification - North Portion

r
w
a
n
a)
cn
0
w
0
CD
0
c
0
0