1996 Land Use Plan-1997

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TOWN OF NEWPORT, NORTH CAROLINA
FY95/96 LAND USE PLAN UPDATE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
P�ac e
SECTION I: ANALYSIS OF EXISTING CONDITIONS
A. ESTABLISHMENT OF INFORMATION BASE .......................... 1-1
B. POPULATION, ECONOMIC, AND HOUSING CONDITIONS ................ 1-5
1. Population............................................1-5
2. Economic Conditions ..................................... 1-9
3. Housing Characteristics .................................. 1-10
4. Summary .1-12
C. EXISTING LAND USE :.:::::::::: : :::::.:: : ::: : ::::::::::::::: I-13
1. Residential 1-15
2. Commercial...........................................1-15
3. Industrial ............................................ I-15
4. Public Institutional 1-16
5. Transportation and Utilities ................................ 1-16
6. Parks and Open Spaces :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: I-16
7. Vacant 1-16
8. Existing Ordinances and Land Use Controls .................... 1-17
9. Global Transpark ............... . .. . ' ......... • .. • .. 1-20
10. Basinwide Water Quality Management 1-21
�.
D. LAND AND WATER USE COMPATIBILITY ANALYSIS ..................
1. Unplanned Development .................................
1-24
1-24
2.
Changes in Predominant Land Uses ..........................
1-25
3.
4.
Summary...............................I-25
Effectiveness of the 1991 Land Use Plan and Policies .............
1-26
E. DEVELOPMENT CONSTRAINTS: LAND SUITABILITY ..................
1. Topography/Geology....................................
1-26
1-26
2.
Flood Hazard Areas .....................................
1-27
3.
4.
Soils................................................1-29
Manmade Hazards ..............................
1-34
5.
Fragile Areas ......................................... ...
1-34
a. Coastal Wetlands .................................
1-34
b. Public Trust Areas .................................
1-36
C. Historic and Archaeological Sites
1-36
d. 404 Wetlands ....................................
1-36
e. Natural Resource Fragile Areas
1-37
6.
Areas of Resource Potential ........................
1-37
a. Agricultural and Forestlands ..........................
1-37
b. Valuable Mineral Resources ..........................
1-37

C. Public Forests .................................... 1-37
d. Public Parks ...................................... 1-38
e. Public Gamelands .................................. 1-38
f. Private Wildlife Sanctuaries .......................... 1-38
g. Marine Resources ................................. 1-38
F. DEVELOPMENT CONSTRAINTS: PUBLIC FACILITIES ..................
1-39
1.
Water Supply .........................................
1-39
2.
Wastewater Disposal ....................................
1-39
3.
Storm Drainage ........................................
1-41
4.
Solid Waste Disposal ....................................
1-41
5.
Educational Facilities ....................................
1-42
6.
Parks and Recreation ....................................
1-43
7.
Transportation .........................................
1-44
8.
Public Safety ..........................................
1-44
9.
Health Services .........................................
1-44
10.
Electrical Distribution ....................................
1-45
11.
Telephone Service ......................................
1-45
12.
Cable Television Service ..................................
1-45
SECTION II: PROJECTED LAND DEVELOPMENT ANALYSIS
A. PROJECTED DEMAND FOR DEVELOPMENT .........................
II-1
1.
General Discussion .....................................
II-1
2.
Population Projections ...................................
II-1
3.
Housing Trends ........................................
II-3
4.
Commercial and Industrial Land Use .........................
II-4
5.
Transportation .........................................
II-5
6.
Public Land Use ........................................
11-5
7.
Education ............................................
II-5
8.
Water System ............... .... ..................
II-5
9.
Sewer System .........................................
II-6
10.
Storm Drainage ................. ......................
II-6
11.
Solid Waste Disposal ....................................
II-7
12.
Police, Fire, and Rescue Services ...........................
II-7
13.
Redevelopment Issues ...................................
11-7
14.
Intergovernmental Coordination and Implementation ..............
II-8
SECTION III: LAND CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM ........................... III-1
SECTION IV: INTRODUCTION TO POLICY STATEMENTS
A. VISION STATEMENT.........................................IV-3
B. RESOURCE PROTECTION POLICY STATEMENTS ................... IV-3
C. RESOURCE PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT POLICIES ............... IV-7
D. ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ...................... IV-9
E. CONTINUING PUBLIC PARTICIPATION POLICIES .................... IV-16

F. STORM HAZARD MITIGATION,POST-DISASTER RECOVERY,
AND EVACUATION PLANS .................................... IV-17
SECTION'V: RELATIONSHIP OF POLICIES AND LAND CLASSIFICATIONS
A. DEVELOPED CLASS....... .............. V-1
B. URBAN TRANSITION CLASS ................................... V-1
C. CONSERVATION CLASS .................. V-1
D. SUMMARY ................................................ V-1
TABLES
Pa4e
Table 1
Town of Newport and Carteret County, NC Summary of Year -Round
Population Growth by Township and Municipality, 1970-1994 ...
1-7
Table 2
Town of Newport Population Growth and Household
Characteristics, 1970-1994 ............................
1-8
Table 3
Town of Newport Population by Race, 1970-1990 ...........
1-8
Table 4
Town of Newport, Carteret County, North Carolina Selected
Economic Indicators, 1989 .............................
1-10
Table 5
Town of Newport, Carteret County, North Carolina Selected
Housing Affordability Characteristics, 1990 .................
1-11
Table 6
Town of Newport, Carteret County, North Carolina Age of Housing
Units,1990.......................................
1-11
Table 7
Town of Newport 1995 Existing Land Use ..................
1-13
Table 8
Carteret County Watershed Report, Watershed 03020106030020
1-23
Table 9
Town of Newport Soil Series Characteristics ................
1-32
Table 10
Town of Newport Underground Fuel Storage Tanks ...........
1-34
Table 11
Enrollment in Carteret County Schools, 1989-1995 ...........
1-42
Table 12
Town of Newport and Carteret County, NC
Summary of Year -Round Population Growth by Township and
Municipality, 1990-2005 ..............................
II-2
Table 13
Town of Newport Average Annual Population Growth Rate and
Percent Change, 1994-2005 ...........................
II-3
Table 14
Town of Newport Estimated Population Growth and Household
Characteristics, 1994-2005 ............................
11-3

MAPS
Paqe
Map 1 Carteret County Township Map ......................... 1-6
Map 2 Town of Newport Existing Land Use ...................... 1-14
Map 3 Town of Newport 100 Year Floodplain Area 1-28
Map 4 Town of Newport Storm Surge Inundation Areas ............. 1-30
Map 5 Town of Newport Soils Map ............................ 1-31
Map 6 Town of Newport Areas of Environmental Concern and Other Fragile
Areas............................................ 1-35
Map 7 Town of Newport Land Classification Map ................. III-3
APPENDICES
Appendix I Town of Newport Land Use Plan Policies Considered But Not Adopted
Appendix II Town of Newport Land Use Plan. Citizen Participation Plan

SECTION I: ANALYSIS OF EXISTING CONDITIONS
A. ESTABLISHMENT OF INFORMATION BASE
This 1995 Land Use Plan Update for the Town of Newport is prepared in accordance with
requirements of the North Carolina Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA). Specifically, this
document complies with Subchapter 76, "Land Use Planning Guidelines," of the North Carolina
Administrative Code, as amended, September 28, 1995.
This land use plan serves to guide the development of Newport by addressing issues and -
adopting policies that pertain to the town. Specifically, this land use plan provides the
following:
1) an analysis of existing conditions;
2) a projected land development analysis;
3) a summary of public interests and participation;
4) a land classification system;
5) a detailed section on policy statements;
6) an analysis of the carrying capacity of public facilities with a demand/supply
analysis;
7) an analysis of the issues confronting growth and development of the town.
8) , a'summary of 404 wetland areas and issues; and
9) an explanation of the relationship of the policies to the land classification.
This plan update contains a summary of data collection and analysis, an existing land use map,
a policy discussion, and a land classification map. It should be noted that the policy section
of the plan is the most important part of the document. State and federal agencies will use
the local land use policies in making project consistency, funding, and permit decisions. The
713 guidelines require that the following issues be addressed in the plan:
1. Resource Protection
-- Constraints to development (e.g., soils, flood prone areas);
-- Specific local resource development issues relative to areas of environmental
concern designated under 15A NCAC 71-1; and land uses and development
densities in proximity to ORWs;
-- Fragile land areas, including but not limited to freshwater swamps and marshes,
maritime forests, pocosins and 404 wetlands, ORW areas, shellfishing waters,
water supply areas and other waters with special values, cultural and historic
resources, and manmade hazards;
-- Hurricane and flood evacuation needs and plans;
Protection of potable water supply;
The use of package treatment plants for sewage treatment disposal;
-- Stormwater runoff;
-- Industrial impacts on fragile areas;
Development of sound and estuarine system islands;
-- Restriction of development within areas up to five feet above mean high water
that might be susceptible to sea level rise and wetland loss;

-- Upland excavation for marina basins;
-- Damaging of existing marshes by bulkhead installation.
2. Resource Production and Management
-- Local governments shall discuss the importance of agriculture, forestry, mining,
fisheries, and recreational resources to the community;
-- The plan shall contain policy statements on the following resource production
and management issues (if relevant):
a) productive agricultural lands;
b) commercial forest lands;
c) existing and potential mineral production areas;
d) commercial and recreational fisheries, including nursery and habitat
areas, ORWs, and trawling activities in estuarine waters;
e) off -road vehicles;
f) residential, commercial and industrial land development impacts on any
resources; and
g) peat or phosphate mining's impacts on any resources.
3. Economic and Community Development: To include a basic statement of the
community attitude toward growth.
-- Types and locations of industries desired;
-- Local commitment to providing services to development;
-- Types of urban growth patterns desired;
-- Redevelopment of developed areas including relocation structures endangered
by erosion;
-- Commitment to state and federal programs;
-- Assistance to channel maintenance and beach nourishment projects;
-- Energy facility siting and development to include special reference to electric
generating plants, both inshore OCS exploration or development;
-- Tourism;
-- Coastal and estuarine water beach access;
-- Types, densities, location; units per acre, etc., of anticipated residential
development and services necessary to support such development.
4. Continuinq Public Participation
-- Description of means to be used for public education in planning issues;
-- Description of means to be used for continuing public participation in planning;
-- Description of means to be used for obtaining citizen input in developing land
use plan policy statements.
5. Storm Hazard Mitiqation, Post -Disaster Recovery and Evacuation Plans
-- A description of the effects of coastal storms the community will be subject to;
e.g., high winds, storm surge, flooding, wave action, erosion, etc.;
-- A composite hazards map;
-- An existing land use inventory for each of the most hazardous areas;
1-2

-- Policies intended to mitigate the effects of high winds, storm surge, flooding,
wave action, erosion, etc.;
-- Policies intended to discourage development in the most hazardous areas;
-- Policies dealing with public acquisition of land in the most hazardous areas;
-- Policies dealing with evacuation;
-- Post -disaster reconstruction policies.
Listed below are some of the sources and documents utilized during preparation of this Land
Use Plan:
-- Carteret County 1991 Land Use Plan Update
-- Town of Newport 1991 Land Use Plan Update
-- USDA, Soil Conservation Service, Carteret County
-- NCDOT, Planning and Policies Section
-- Town of Newport Staff
-- Carteret County School Board
-- North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management
-- North Carolina Division of Archives and History
-- Flood Insurance Study, Town of Newport
-- Town of Newport Zoning Ordinance
-- Town of Newport Subdivision Ordinance
-- Town of Newport Municipal Code
-- Environmental Impact Statement, Carteret County Wastewater Treatment and
.Disposal, 1988
-- An Assessment of Maritime Forest Resources on the North Carolina Coast,
November 1988
-- North Carolina Division of Community Assistance
- North Carolina Division of Coastal Management
-- North Carolina Department of Economic and Community Development
These sources. were supplemented by "windshield" surveys conducted in September, 1995,
to obtain data on existing land use patterns.
The 1991 Newport plan included policy statements which addressed these five policy areas.
The following provides a summary of the 1991 policies. This is only a summary and not the
complete 1991 policies section. It is also emphasized that these policies are subject to change
for this 1995 land use plan update.
1991 LAND USE PLAN POLICIES SUMMARY
A. Resource Protection
1. Soils and Ground Water Resources
It is the policy of the Town of Newport to use soils as a basis for guiding land development and to
protect its ground water resources.
2. Surface Water Resources and Flood Protection
The Town's policy is to reduce the degradation of surface waters in the area and to protect itself from
the damage of floods and to prevent development in floodable areas.
1-3

3. Fragile Areas, Public Trust Waters, and Forest and Cultural Resources
The Town's policies on these resources are as follows:
a. To preserve its forested land for recreational and aesthetic purposes.
b. To protect and preserve its wetlands, Public Trust, and swamp forests. Appropriate
land uses in these areas are those which are consistent with the standards of CAMA
15A NCAC 7H and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for 404 and Section 10
Permitting Areas. These land uses are usually those that are water dependent such as
fishing piers, docks, and utility easements.
C. To see that the Croatan National Forest is protected and kept in its natural state.
B. Resource Production and Management
1. Town Environment
It is the policy of the Town to keep its small town atmosphere and use its resources to maintain a
pleasing environment.
2. Recreation Resources and Shoreline Access
It is the policy of the Town to encourage a successful recreation program.
3. Agricultural and Mineral Resources
The Town's policy is to protect and preserve prime farmland and to deny mining and quarrying in its
jurisdiction.
4. Flood Prevention and Fishing Resources Protection
The Town discourages development in the flood zone and it desires to protect fish habitats by
improving the water quality of the area.
C. Economic and Community Development
1. Town Settinq
It will be the Town's policy to guide growth so it can continue primarily as a residential community.
2. Town Services
It is the policy of the Town to provide Town services in a planned and controlled manner.
3. Town Appearance
Newport's policy is to allow new development to improve its good appearance.
4. Commercial Development
The Town will promote orderly commercial development.
5. Industrial Growth
Clean, quiet, financially sound industries are encouraged to locate in the Town as long as they do not
adversely affect the surrounding land.
1-4

6. Siting of Industrial Land Use
The policy of the Town is to require industries to locate in properly zoned areas so they will not disturb
surrounding land uses.
7. Strip Development
The policy of the Town is to control and discourage strip development in residential areas.
11. Energy Facility Siting
The Town does not desire the siting of a large energy facility in its jurisdiction.
12. Commitment to State and Federal Programs
The Town supports all appropriate land use programs and desires to work with the state and federal
agencies on community and economic development projects.
13. Shoreline Development
LIt will be the policy of the Town to protect the shoreline from development that could be harmful to the
water quality, but have some areas for public water access.
B. POPULATION, ECONOMIC, AND HOUSING CONDITIONS
1. Population
The Town of Newport has grown steadily since 1970, yet has managed to control growth and
preserve its small-town atmosphere through well -managed annexation and maintenance of a
sound local basic economy. The town is conveniently located to the Carteret County beaches,
Cherry Point MCAS, and expanding commercial activity along the US 70 corridor, but has
managed to avoid many of the adverse impacts of rapid growth experienced by the oceanfront
CAMA counties since 1970. The town's housing stock is generally more affordable than
housing in Havelock and the adjacent beach communities, which increases the town's appeal
for civilian employees and military personnel of Cherry Point and other working households.
The town experienced a moderate population increase of 8.5 % from 1970 to 1980; however,
the population grew from 1,883 persons in 1980 to 2,516 persons in 1990 -- a 34% increase.
From 1990 to 1993, the town's population grew 10.4%, faster than any of the county's non -
beach communities. This rapid growth is largely due to the town's annexation of two phased
residential developments since 1980. There have also been recent additions to the group
population located at the North Carolina Department of Corrections facility located within the
town limits. The following map and table show the location and population of the Carteret
County townships from 1970-1994. The township boundaries in Carteret County serve no
political function. They are simply used as a convenient way of dividing the county for
planning purposes. Historically, they have been used in the delineation of fire and rescue
districts and the assignment of tax parcels. These boundaries remain constant and do not
change as a municipality grows. Therefore, it is not unusual to have an incorporated area with
a city limit or ETJ boundary which crosses into other townships.
1 1-5

COUNTY
CRAVEN
'
GO"',
OCEAN
ATLANTIC
i
i
i
SCALE
1 O 1 2 S 4 MILES
PAMLICO SOUND
�ivct• �
J �'dL°✓.. Q.
Cj
r4 HALLBE
}t• ••TWP.
i.
(S, CARTERET COUNTY
TOWNSHIPS
MAP 1
CAPE LOOKOUT
4q \
�P
a
PO�SMOUTH
� >
TWP.
The preparation of this map Was
financed in part through a grant
_
prcvided by the Nomh Carolina
Coa3101 Management Program•
through funds orovided by the
Coastal Zons Management Act of
1972, as amended. rhich is
administered by the Office of
Ocean and Coastal Resource
84y
Management, Notional Oceanic and
atmospheric Administration.
7
LEGEND
.......
TOWNSHIP BOUNDARIES
•
UNINCORPORATED COMMUNITIES
---
COUNTY BOUNDARY
INCORPORATED AREA AND FORT
MACON NOT UNDER CARTERET
COUNTY PLANNING JURISDICTION
EXTRA -TERRITORIAL JURISDICTION AREAS NOT
UNDER CARTERET COUNTY PLANNING
JURISDICTION -
�����
TOWN OF CEDAR POINT
CORPORATE LIMIT LINE
NOTE: Shockleford Banks. Cape Lookout. Core
Bake, and Portsmouth Island are a part of the
National Seashore System and not under the
ptandng Wsalcilon of Carteret County.
NOTE: THE EMERALD ISLE BEACH CORPORATE
LIMIT LINE EXTENDS L200 FEET INTO BOWE
SOUND AND PARALLELS THE BOGUE SOUND
SHORELINE.
w

1 M MIM M ■r rr W MIM= r M M r W m m
Table 1
Town of Newport and Carteret County, NC
Summary of Year -Round Population Growth by Township and Municipality, 1970 - 1994
Township
Municipality or Area
Year Round Population
Percentage Change
Overall
1970
1980
1990
1994
'70280
180-190
'90294
'70-'94
1) Atlantic
Total Township
814
810
805
803
-0.49%
-0.62%
-0.26% •
-1.37%
2) Beaufort
Beaufort
3,368
3,826
3,808
3,997
13.60%
-0.47%
4.96%
18.68%
Unincorporated Areas
2,779
3,166
4,205
4,644
13.93%
32.82%
10.45%
67.12%
Total Township
6,147
6,992
8,013
8,641
13.75%
14.60%
7.84%
40.58%
3) Cedar Island
Total Township
290
333
385
407
14.83%
15.62%
5.71 %
40.34%
4) Davis
Total Township
456
492
535
553
7.89%
8.74%
3.40%
21.31 %
5) Harkers Island
Total Township
1,639
1,910
2,237,
2,375
16.53%
17.12%
6.18%
44.92%
6) Harlowe
Total Township
762
956
1,190
1,289
25.46%
24.48%
8.31 %
69.15%
7) Marshallberg
Total Township
525
580
646
674
10.48%
11.38%
4.32%
28.36%
8) Merrimon
Total Township
330
426
542
591
29.09%
27.23%
9.05%
79.10%
9) Morehead City
Atlantic Beach
300
941
1,938
2,267
213.67%
105.95%
16.98%
655.67%
Indian Beach
0
54
153
177
N/A
183.33%
15.69%
N/A
Morehead City
5,233
4,359
6,046
6,384
-16.70%
38.70%
5.59%
22.00%
Pine Knoll Shores
0
646
1,360
1,543
N/A
110.53%
13.46%
N/A
Unincorporated Areas
6,396
9,803
10,985
11,485
53.27%
12.06%
4.55%
79.56%
Total Township
11,929
15,803
20,482
21,856
32.48%
29.61 %
6.71 %
83.21 %
10) Newport
Newport
1,735
1,883
2,516
2,778
8.53%
33.62%
10.41 %
60.12%
Unincorporated Areas
2,191
3,586
4,817
5,337
63.67%
34.33%
10.80%
143.61 %
Total Township
3,926
5,469
7,333
8,115
39.30%
34.08%
10.67%
106.71 %
11) Sea Level
Total Township
_ 347
540
773
872
55.62%
43.15%
12.74%
151.15%
12) Smyrna
Total Township
517
637
782
843
23.21 %
22.76%
7.84%
63.1 1 %
13) Stacy
Total Township
257
322
401
434
25.29%
24.53%
8.33%
69.03%
14) Straits
Total Township
1,166
1,520
1,948
2,129
30.36%
28.16%
9.29%
82.58%
15) White Oak
Cape Carteret
616
944
1,008
1,179
53.25%
6.78%
16.96%
91.40%
Emerald Isle
122
865
2,434
2,798
609.02%
181.39%
14.95%
2193.44%
Cedar Point
0
0
628
688
N/A
N/A
9.55%
N/A
Unincorporated Areas
1,758
2,493
2,413
2,379
41.81 %
-3.21 %
-1.40%
35.33%
Total Township
2,496
4,302
6,483
7,044
72.36%
50.70%
8.66%
182.22%
Total Municipalities
11,374
13,518
19,891
21,811
18.85%
47.14%
9.70%
91.76%
Total Unincorporated Areas
20,229
27,574
32,662
34,813
36.31 %
18.45%
6.59%
72.09%
Total County
31,603
41,092
52,553
56,624
30.03%
27.90%
7.75%
79.19%
Sources: N.C. State Data Center; extrapolation of data
for unincorporated
areas by Holland Consulting
Planners, Inc.
1-7

The town's household size decreased appreciably from 1970-1994, as shown in Table 2,
below:
Table 2
Town of Newport
Population Growth and Household Characteristics, 1970 -1994
Population %Increase/Decrease
1970 1980 1990 1994 '70280 '80290 '90294
Total Population 1,735 1,883 2,516 2,854* 8.5% 33.6% 13.4%
# of Households 488 613 853 987* 25.6% 39.1 % 15.7%
Population in Households 1,575 1,685 2,235 2,527* 7.0% 32.6% 13.1 %
Persons per Household 3.23 2.75 2.62 2.57* -14.9% -4.7% -1.9%
In Group Quarters 160 198 281 328* 23.8% 41.9% 16.7%
* Estimate based on 1980-90 growth patterns.
Source: NC State Data Center; Holland Consulting Planners, Inc.
The percentage of male individuals in Newport jumped appreciably from 52.1 % in 1970 to
54.6% in 1990. The number of minority individuals increased significantly since 1970 -- in
particular, from 1980 --1990, when the number of black individuals in the town doubled, and
the number of other minorities grew dramatically. The rapid numerical jump in the black
population is probably the result of two factors--Newport's status as a "bedroom community",
by minority military and civilian personnel attached to Cherry Point MCAS, and migration to
Newport by rural black households attracted by abundant job opportunities in the local
manufacturing economy.
Table 3
Town of Newport
Population by Race, 1970 - 1990
Population %Increase
1970
1980
1990
'70280
'80290
Total Population
1,735
1,883
2,516
8.5%
33.6%
White Population
1,561
1,667
1,966
6.8%
17.9%
Black Population
170
194
405
14.1 %
108.8%
Other Minorities
4
22
145
450.0%
559.1 %
Source: NC State Data Center; Holland Consulting Planners, Inc.
The town's population has not aged as quickly as Carteret County's since 1970, largely
because the town does not attract significant numbers of retirees. The percentage of the
town's total population aged less than 18 decreased from 31.9 % in 1970 to 25.1 % in 1990,
1-8
17
L
1

characteristic of the state as a whole. The percentage of the town's population aged 65 and
older increased only slightly from 8.5% in 1970 to 10.8% in 1990.
In 1990, slightly over a third of the town's population was 21-34 years of age, indicating that
the town's affordable housing is increasingly attractive to single working households and
young married couples who work outside of Newport.
The number of female heads of household (with and without children) in Newport more than
doubled from 1980 to 1990, and over 54% of the town's households were composed of one
or two persons in 1990. Also, only 11 % of the married households enumerated in Newport
in 1990 had children.
rDespite the significant attention given to retirement/seasonal population impacts in the
Carteret County Land Use Plan, it is apparent from land use surveys and discussions with
town officials that these impacts are minimal in the Town of Newport. The town will continue
to have some limited appeal to military retirees from Cherry Point MCAS and Camp Lejeune
due to its affordable housing structure. Seasonal population increases are not expected to
have quantifiable impacts on utility usage or demand for developable land during the ten-year
planning period. The primary population impact during the planning period will continue to be
the growth of the younger working -age population and an attendant demand for apartment
space and affordable homeowner units, including mobile/modular housing.
M
2. Economic Conditions
Newport has a very strong basic economy for a small eastern North Carolina town. The Cross
Creek shirt factory, which has been operating in Newport since 1960, employs approximately
250 workers. A smaller textile manufacturer, Hudson Manufacturing, began operations in
Newport in the late 1980s and currently employs about 40 people. In 1992, Conner Mobile
Homes, at the time the town's second leading employer, stopped operations in Newport.
Fortunately, Veneer Technologies, Inc., took over the Conner facility in 1993 and currently
employs about 110 workers. Since 1992, the National Weather Service has opened an office
in Newport, and Waste Industries, Inc., has opened a branch office that employs about 50
people. The town has a healthy non -basic economy as well, with a large number of
townspeople employed in the retail trade and service industries, both in Newport and along
the US 70 corridor in and around Morehead City, Havelock, and New Bern. Some of the
town's younger wage earners are employed in retail/service establishments located along the
Carteret County beaches, and have profited from the rapid growth of tourism and the
retirement community since 1970. In 1989, a total of 101 Town of Newport residents
worked for the state. The majority of these workers were employed by the Carteret
Correctional Center and the Department of Transportation which are both located in Newport.
These facilities currently employ 73 and 34 employees, respectively. Finally, 13% of
Newport's total labor force was engaged in Armed Services duty in 1989. The military also
employs a relatively high percentage of the Newport civilian labor force compared to the state
as a whole, due to the town's proximity to Cherry Point MCAS and Camp Lejeune.
In 1989, the town's unemployment rate was an extremely low 4.5% (calculated for civilian
labor force only -- the rate would have been significantly lower if the military labor force was
included). Due to recent migration of industry into Newport, it is probable that the
unemployment rate is still significantly lower than the rate for the state, despite the shutdown
1-9

of the Conner facility in 1992. The town's median household income in 1989 ($28,096) was
higher than that for the state as a whole ($26,647) due to the diverse economy, the military
presence, and the relatively low number of households on fixed incomes. In 1989, less than
5% of the town's households had incomes less than $10,000, only 32 households received
public assistance income, and only 58 persons were classified as subsisting below the federal
poverty level.
Table 4
Town of Newport, Carteret County, North Carolina
Selected Economic Indicators, 1989
Town of Carteret North
Newport County Carolina
Median Household Income $28,096 $25,811 $26,647
% of Households with Wage or Salary Income 87.1 % 75.1 % 79.6%
% of Households with Public Assistance Income 3.7% 5.7% 6.9%
% of Individuals Below Poverty Level 2.5% 11.6% 13.0%
Source: N.C. State Data Center; Holland Consulting Planners, Inc.
Of obvious concern to the town during the planning period will be the future status of
operations at Cherry Point MCAS. Substantial expansion or downsizing of that installation
would have an appreciable impact on the economy of Newport, despite the fact that recent
demographic analysis performed for the Craven County and City of Havelock Land Use Plan
Updates estimated that 75% of military/civilian demographic impact associated with expansion
of Cherry Point MCAS would be confined to Craven County. However, the diversity of the
Newport economy and continued attractiveness of the town to younger workers employed in
other locations should continue to ensure relatively low unemployment and a high wage
structure in Newport throughout the next several years, regardless of whether or not a
reduction of military operations at Cherry Point actually occurs.
3. Housing Characteristics
Newport's housing stock grew from 647 units in 1980 to 910 units in 1990 -- a 41 % increase
largely attributable to the annexation of two residential subdivisions during that ten-year
period. Due to the high demand for housing in the town, the vacancy rate is very low. In
1980, the vacancy rate was only 5.2%, and in 1990, 6.0%. By comparison, the state's
housing vacancy rate in 1990 was 10.6%. The town's estimated population growth of
10.4% from 1990-1994 suggests that demand for new housing construction will remain high
throughout the planning period.
The ratio of owner -occupied housing units to rental units in Newport is relatively
ely high. In
1990, 73% of the town's occupied housing units were owner -occupied, compared to 68%
for the state as a whole.
The median value of owner -occupied units in Newport between 1980 and 1990 increased
from $37,700 to $65,900. Median contract rent jumped 170% from $145 in 1980 to $390

in 1990. These dramatic increases underscore the fact that housing -- particularly rental
housing -- has become increasingly less affordable in Newport in recent years. Although rental
housing was cheaper in Newport than in the nearby beach communities in 1990, the town's
rent structure was slightly higher than that of Carteret County and the state as a whole. The
1990 median value of owner -occupied units in Newport was significantly lower than for the
county as a whole (due to the inflated value of oceanfront and soundside units in the beach
communities). However, the median value was slightly higher than the median value for
owner -occupied units throughout the state as a whole.
Table 5
Town of Newport, Carteret County, North Carolina
Selected Housing Affordability Characteristics, 1990
Town of
Carteret
North
Newport
County
Carolina
Median Gross Rent
$390
$385
$382
Median Gross Rent as % of HH Income
27.9%
25.3%
24.4%
Median Value of Owner -Occupied Units
$65,900
$72,600
$65,300
Median Monthly Owner Costs - Mortgaged Units
$654
$649
$655
Source: NC State Data Center; Holland Consulting Planners, Inc.
Only 8% of Newport's housing stock was over 40 years old in 1990, compared to 12% for
Carteret County and 18% for the state as a whole. Over 30% of the housing units
enumerated in Newport in 1990 had been built since 1980. Due to the town's relatively new
housing stock and healthy economy, there are no concentrated areas of substandard housing
within Newport. In 1990, no units were identified as lacking kitchen facilities or complete
plumbing facilities, and over 95% of the housing units in the town limits were served by
municipal water and sewer service.
Table 6
Town of Newport, Carteret County, North Carolina
Age of Housing Units, 1990
Age of
Percentage of Total Housing Units
Town of Carteret North
Structure
Newport
County
Carolina
0-5 years
20.3%
20.0%
16.1 %
6-10 years
11.6%
20.7%
12.5%
11-20 years
30.9%
27.1 %
24.2%
1
21-30 years
11.3%
12.2%
16.7%
31-40 years
17.9%
8.4%
12.8%
41-50 years
4.0%
5.1 %
7.8%
> 50 years
4.0%
6.5%
9.9%
Total
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
ISource: N.C. State Data Center; Holland Consulting Planners, Inc.

The town's housing stock is primarily composed of single-family, detached structures, with
no units in 1990 identified as "condominium" development. The town's multi -unit structures
all contained less than 10 units in 1990, and were classified as multi -unit rental apartments.
Almost 10% of the housing stock in the town in 1990 was classified as mobile home
development. Due to the rapid increase in the cost of new conventional housing in the state's
coastal areas, and the continued demand for affordable housing in the Newport area as
employment opportunities grow, it is expected that the demand for mobile/modular home
development will be a significant planning issue for the town during the next 5-10 years.
4. Summary
-- The Town of Newport experienced rapid population growth from 1980-1994 as a result
of the expansion of Cherry Point MCAS and economic growth in and around the town.
-- Recent (1990-1994) population growth and the continued growth of manufacturing and
service industries in Newport suggests that rapid growth will continue throughout the
1990's.
-- The minority population of the town has grown much faster than the white population
since 1970, particularly during the 1980's.
-- The town's male population is growing faster than the female population.
-- The town's dominant demographic sector is its younger working class population. The
town has relatively few retirees compared to other Carteret County municipalities.
-- The town's average household size is shrinking rapidly. There are relatively high
percentages of married households without "children and single heads of household.
-- The town has a very strong, diverse basic economy, and also is home to many
individuals who contribute to the retail and service sectors in areas outside of Newport,
including the military establishment.
-- The town's consumer economy is almost entirely wage -driven. Very few households
rely on public assistance, and the town's poverty rate is extremely low for a small
eastern North Carolina community.
-- The town has a very low unemployment rate and a relatively high median household
income compared to the county and state as a whole.
-- Newport's housing stock has increased substantially since 1980 due to annexation and
continued demand for housing by incoming working households.
-- The town has experienced dramatic rent increases in the median cost of new owner -
occupied housing and median gross rent. Housing affordability and zoning for
manufactured housing development will be significant planning issues for the town in
upcoming years.
-- The town does not have a significant problem with substandard housing due to its high
percentage of wage earners and its relatively low percentage of older housing units.
1
1
1
1-12

C. EXISTING LAND USE
The 15A NCAC 7B planning requirements specify that existing land use shall be mapped and
analyzed, with particular attention given to:
-- significant land and water use compatibility problems;
-- major problems that have resulted from unplanned development, and that have
implications for future land and water use;
-- an identification of areas experiencing or likely to experience changes in
predominant land uses including agricultural and forestry land being converted
to other uses.
This section of the land use plan responds to this requirement. In addition, the city's current
land use -related ordinances are reviewed and the effectiveness of the 1991 Land Use Plan
policies are assessed.
There are 1,388 acres within the Town of Newport and an additional 4,566 included within
the town's extraterritorial jurisdiction. At the time this plan was prepared, the Town of
Newport was considering annexing approximately 350 acres of undeveloped land. The
majority of this annexation area is located east of U.S. 70 Bypass between Masontown Road
and U.S. 70A. The town has indicated that if this area is annexed, it is likely to be developed
for commercial and industrial use. The land use acreages are summarized in Table 7, and
depicted on the Existing Land Use Map, Map 2.
Table 7
Town of Newport
1995 Existing Land Use
Category
Town of Newport
ETJ
Acreage
% of Total
Acreage
% of Total
Single -Family Residential
556
40.06%
1,115
24.42%
Duplex Multi -Family
22
1.59%
0
0.00%
Mobile Home Park
0
0.00%
199
4.36%
Commercial
49
3.53%
39
0.85%
Industrial
88
6.34%
0
0.00%
Transportation & Utilities
28
2.02%
30
0.66%
Public Institutional
216
15.56%
0
0.00%
Parks and Open Space
12
0.86%
0
0.00%
Agricultural Vacant
417
30.04%
3,183
69.71 %
Total
1,388
100.00%
4,566
100.00%
Source: Holland Consulting Planners,
Inc.
* These acreages represent a generalized
estimate.
1-13

1 1. Residential
In 1990, there were 910 dwelling units located within the Town of Newport. These included:
711 single-family site built structures, 88 mobile homes, 101 multi -family dwelling units, and
10 "other". Since 1990, the majority of the town's residential construction has occurred in
the eastern section of town. The Town of Newport inspections department records indicate
that between January, 1990, and September, 1995, a total of 97 single-family home and 13
mobile home permits were issued for construction within city limits. When combined with the
1990 U.S. Census data, a total of 808 single-family homes and 101 mobile homes, located
on 556 acres, existed in Newport in 1995. This results in a growth rate of 13.6% for single-
family homes and 14.8% for mobile homes over the five-year period.
rDuring the same period, permit data also indicates a substantial growth in residential units
within the Newport ETJ. A total of 42 single-family home and 195 mobile home permits were
issued for construction within the ETJ. Out of the 4,566 acres of land contained within the
ETJ, approximately 24.4% is being utilized for single-family residential purposes. While the
use of mobile homes has increased in recent years, mobile home parks occupy only 4.4% of
the total acreage within the ETJ. It should be noted that a mobile home located on a single
lot is considered a single-family residential land use. Therefore, the seemingly small number
of acres devoted to mobile home parks is not indicative of the number of mobile homes in the
area.
Problems within the residential land use category include the deterioration and overcrowding
of mobile home parks and the increasing need for standard affordable housing.
2. Commercial
The commercial land use category includes 49 acres of land within the city limits of Newport
and 39 acres within the ETJ. The town recently gained approximately 8 acres of commercial
' land with the annexation of the Hostess House Motel. The primary concentrations of
commercial development are located around the old central business district downtown, across
from Newport Elementary on Chatham Street, along Howard Boulevard, and on U.S. 70
Bypass near the Nine Foot Road intersection. Within the ETJ, the majority of the commercial
development is located around the intersection of Masontown Road and U.S. 70 Bypass.
The need for redevelopment or renovation of commercial areas downtown and along Chatham
Street may become necessary for new businesses desiring to located in Newport as the age
of existing commercial structures increases and buildings deteriorate. However, it is expected
that the majority of new commercial development in the area will occur along the U.S. 70
Bypass in the vicinity of the Masontown Road and Roberts Road intersections.
1 3. Industrial
Now that Waste Industries has been annexed by Newport, all industrially developed land lies
' within city limits. Currently, there are 88 acres of land where industrial development has
occurred. This land is located on Roberts Road, Howard Boulevard, and along the railroad.

The Carteret County Economic Development Commission- is aggressively recruiting new
industry. It is expected that this effort may yield results in Newport. Expansion of the town's
industrial base is necessary to provide additional high paying jobs for Newport residents.
4. Public Institutional
Other than agricultural/vacant and single-family residential, the public institutional land
classification is the predominant land use within the Town of Newport. All lands developed
public institutional lie within city limits and occupy approximately 216 acres. This amounts
to almost 16% of the total number of acres within city limits. Some of the structures which
have been classified as public institutional include the state prison, NOAA weather station,
Newport Fire Department, Newport Elementary School, and Municipal Building. As the
Newport population continues to grow, the need to address overcrowding at Newport
Elementary will increase. The school has already been determined severely overcrowded by
the Carteret County school board. The need for additional school facilities in Newport appears
to be the most significant problem within the public institutional land class.
5. Transportation and Utilities
1
The transportation and utilities land classification includes 28 acres of land within city limits
and 30 acres within the ETJ. Relative to the other land classes, transportation and utilities
make up a rather small portion of the total acreage within the city limits and ETJ. This class
includes all Department of Transportation facilities, Town of Newport public works facilities,
and any land used for the provision of electrical services. Right of way acreage for public
streets and the railroad have not been included in the above total. The major issues in this
land use category are the need to re-route Orange Street and Howard Boulevard to eliminate
dangerous turns. This would include the extension of Howard Boulevard straight through the
Newport minipark to connect directly with Chatham Street; the extension of Orange Street
straight through to East Chatham Street, which would eliminate the sharp turn at Mill Creek
Road; and the extension of S.R. 1154, intended to connect U.S. 70 to N.C. 101.
6. Parks and Open Spaces
The parks and open space category includes the Newport minipark, Newport Town Park, and
Babe Ruth Field adjacent to the Newport State Prison. These parks occupy approximately 12
acres and are all located within the city limits. There are currently no problems within the
parks and open space land use category. However, with the steadily increasing population
and decreasing amount of available land within city limits it may prove beneficial to investigate
the possibilities of an additional park in Newport. Although the Newport minipark is quite
small, if it were removed for the purpose of transportation improvements, it would leave only
one park in the vicinity of existing residential areas.
7. Vacant
There are approximately 417 acres of vacant property remaining in the Town of Newport and
approximately 3,183 acres remaining within the ETJ. Approximately 287 acres of the vacant
ME.

land within the city and 1,487 acres within the ETJ are located within the 100 year floodplain.
Thus, approximately 130 acres or less within the city and 1,696 acres within the ETJ may be
available for development.
8. Existing Ordinances and Land Use Controls
The Town of Newport supports planning through a full-time town administrator, a part-time
zoning administrator, and an active planning board. The patterns of past and future
development are greatly influenced by the Marine Corps Air Station and popularity of the
county as a tourism and retirement area.
The 1995 City of Havelock Land Use Plan outlines three potential scenarios for base expansion
at Cherry Point through the year 2005. These included: (1) no additional Cherry Point Marine
Corp Air Station personnel, (2) a low growth scenario resulting from the addition of 2,400
NADEP-related civilian personnel and dependents, and (3) a high growth scenario resulting
from the addition of 12,000 military personnel and dependents associated with the relocation
of F/A 18 Hornet jets to Cherry Point. The plan also estimates that 25% of the new
population would locate outside of Craven County. This would result in approximately 600
people under scenario 2, and approximately 3,000 people under scenario 3, which could
potentially locate in the Newport area. In July, 1995, the Base Realignment and Closure
' Commission announced that the F/A 18 Hornet jets from Cecil Field, Florida, would not be
relocated to Cherry Point. However, the area local governments, including Newport, support
future expansion of the base and anticipate that during the planning period other additional
' personnel will be coming to Cherry Point. Therefore, scenario 3 remains relevant as a
potential growth scenario.
Although, the Town of Newport has no say in the development and/or growth of the base, it
should be noted that the town fully supports future expansions of the facility.
The following provides a summary of the town's land use -related codes and ordinances:
1991 Town of Newport CAMA Land Use Plan Update
In 1991, the Town of Newport land use plan was prepared to satisfy the CAMA
planning requirements set forth in 15A NCAC 7B. The plan established policies
addressing the areas of resource protection, resource production and management,
economic and community development, public participation, and storm hazard
mitigation. The 1991 policies are summarized in the "Establishment of Information
Base" section of this plan.
Town of Newport Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance
In 1979, the Town of Newport Board of Commissioners adopted and republished an
updated subdivision ordinance to replace the original ordinance adopted in 1970. This
ordinance is once again undergoing revision. The new ordinance is expected to go into
1 effect during fiscal year 1996. The following defines the purpose of the ordinance:
"This ordinance is adopted for the purpose of promoting the health,
safety, morals, and general welfare of the community consisting of all
the area within the corporate limits of the Town of Newport and all the
1-17

area within one mile in all directions beyond the town corporate limits
as they now exist and as said town limits shall hereafter be fixed. The
community is divided into districts deemed best suited to carry out the
purposes of this ordinance, in accordance with a comprehensive plan
,
designed for the purpose of (1) promoting the public health, safety, and
general welfare; (2) promoting the orderly growth and development of
the Town of Newport; (3) lessening congestion in the streets; (4)
,
securing safety from fire, panic, and other dangers; (5) providing
adequate light and air; (6) preventing overcrowding of land; (7) avoiding .
undue concentration of population; and (8) facilitating the adequate
provision of transportation, water, sewerage, schools, parks, and other
public requirements. Toward achieving these objectives, there are
hereby established within the districts into which the community is
divided uniform regulations governing the erection, construction,
reconstruction, alteration, repair, or use of buildings, structures, land
and water; such regulations being made with reasonable consideration,
among other things, as to the character of the districts and their
peculiar suitability for particular uses, and with a view to conserving the
value of buildings and encouraging the most appropriate use of land and
water throughout the community."
N.C. State Building Code
Chapter 8 of the Town of Newport Code provides regulatory authority for enforcement '
of the state building codes. The chapter is adopted pursuant to authority granted by ,
North Carolina General Statutes Section 160A-411.
The minimum use standards, provisions and requirements for safe and stable design, '
methods of construction, and usage of materials in buildings and structures erected,
enlarged, altered, repaired, moved, converted to other uses, or demolished, and the ,
equipment, maintenance, use, and occupancy of all buildings and structures in the city
and its extraterritorial area, are regulated in accordance with the terms of the North
Carolina State Building Code.
Minimum Housing Standards
Chapter 8 of the Town of Newport Code also provides regulatory authority for
enforcement of the town's building codes. The ordinance includes the following
finding and purpose:
(a) Pursuant to G.S. § 160A-441, it is hereby declared that there exist in the town and
within its one -mile extraterritorial jurisdiction dwellings which are unfit for human
habitation due to dilapidation; defects increasing the hazards of fire, accidents and
other calamities; lack of ventilation, light and sanitary facilities; and other conditions
rendering such dwellings unsafe or unsanitary, dangerous and detrimental to the health,
safety and morals, and otherwise inimical to the welfare of the residents of the town
and extraterritorial area.
(b) In order to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the residents of the town and '
extraterritorial area as authorized by G.S. § 160A-412 et seq., it is the purpose of this
article to establish minimum standards of fitness for the initial and continued
occupancy of all buildings used for human habitation within the town and its

extraterritorial jurisdiction, as expressly authorized by G.S. § 160A-444 and G.S. §
160A-412 (Ord. of 8-3-82, § 1).
Nuisances
The Town of Newport code provides regulatory authority for enforcement of the town's
Health; Noise; and Junked, Wrecked, and Abandoned Property Ordinances. The
regulations and specifications contained in these ordinances can be found in Chapter
11 of the Newport code.
Flood Prevention and Protection Ordinance
Newport adopted a Flood Prevention and Protection Ordinance in 1988. The ordinance
has the following purpose and objectives:
Purpose: "It is the purpose of this chapter to promote the public
health, safety and general welfare and to minimize public and
private losses due to flood conditions in specific areas by
provisions designed to:
- (.1) Restrict or prohibit uses which are dangerous to health,
' safety and property due to water or erosion hazards, or
which result in damaging increases in erosion or in flood
heights or velocities;
' (2) Require that uses vulnerable to floods, including facilities
which serve such uses, be protected against flood
damage at the time of initial construction;
(3) Control the alteration of natural floodplains, stream
channels, and natural protective barriers which are
involved in the accommodation of flood waters;
(4)
Control filling, grading, dredging, and other development
which may increase erosion or flood damage; and,
(5)
Prevent or regulate the construction of flood barriers
which will unnaturally divert flood waters or which may
increase flood hazards to other lands.
Objectives: The objectives of this chapter are:
(1)
To protect human life and health;
(2)
To minimize expenditure of public money for costly flood
control projects;
(3)
To minimize the need for rescue and relief efforts
associated with flooding and generally undertaken at the
'
expense of the general public;

(4) To minimize prolonged business interruptions; I
(5) To minimize damage to public facilities and utilities such
as water and gas mains, electric, telephone and sewer
lines, streets and bridges located in floodplains;
(6) To help maintain a stable tax base by providing for the
sound use and development of flood prone areas in such
a manner as to minimize flood blight areas; and,
(7) To ensure that potential home buyers are notified that
property is in a flood area."
The town building inspector is designated as the administrator and penalties for
violation of the regulations are established. The FEMA flood insurance program is in
effect throughout the county.
Hurricane Evacuation, Hazard Mitigation, and Post -Disaster Reconstruction Plan 1984
Adopted in 1984 and updated in 1993, this document was prepared with funding from
the North Carolina Division of Coastal Management. The purpose of the study was to
assess the risk factors affecting the county in the event of a hurricane or other major '
storm. Policies designed to lessen the damaging effects of such a storm were adopted.
Evacuation and rebuilding procedures are included.
Public and Private Wastewater Disposal ,
The Town of Newport's public and private wastewater disposal systems are regulated
by the utilities chapter of the city codes. The town aggressively pursues the policy
that central water and sewerage service should be provided to all areas in their
jurisdiction.
Transportation Improvement Program
The North Carolina Department of Transportation prepares and annually updates a ten-
year schedule of highway and road improvements. The program includes major
improvements which will have an impact on the Town of Newport.
9. Global Transpark
In 1991, the state enacted legislation and allocated funds to facilitate the development of the
Global Transpark (GTP). The intent of the GTP is to fully integrate air, rail, road, and sea
forms of transportation to serve the logistics requirements of manufacturing, distribution, '
agribusiness, and transportation related industries throughout the eastern United States.
The GTP has been sited at a large, underutilized FAA airport located in Kinston, approximately
80 miles east of North Carolina's Research Triangle Park and accessible to interstates, rail, and
the Morehead and Wilmington ports. The park will consist of a 5,000 acre international air
cargo -industrial complex centered by two long-range runways of over 11,500 feet each.
-20 '

1
C
Manufacturing and distribution facilities will be located along approximately 10 miles of
customized taxiways and ramps, enabling planes to dock adjacent to manufacturing and
distribution facilities. A computer controlled tram network will move raw materials,
components, and final products within the Transpark and to and from connecting intermodal
transportation systems.
Development of the GTP is being led by three groups - the Global Transpark Authority, the
Global Transpark Foundation, Inc., and the Global Transpark Development Commission. The
Global Transpark Authority is chaired by James B. Hunt, Jr., the Governor of North Carolina,
and is responsible for the planning, development, and operation of the GTP. The Global
Transpark Foundation, Inc., is raising funds through private donations to assist the Authority
with the development of the GTP. It will also play an important role in industrial recruitment.
The Global Transpark Development Commission is a coalition of thirteen counties, of which
Carteret County is a member, that form an Economic Development Zone established by the
General Assembly. The Commission will financially support economic development initiatives
in the member counties to accommodate businesses drawn to the region by the GTP.
The GTP will provide eastern North Carolina with the infrastructure necessary to become a
major center for industry and commerce. The GTP will provide additional jobs which will help
provide economic stability, reducing unemployment and poverty levels in the region. By the
time the Global:Transpark reaches its twentieth year, it is expected to generate about 50,000
direct and indirect jobs. Ultimately, more than 90,000 jobs will have ties to the GTP site.
10. Basinwide Water Quality Management
The North Carolina Division of Water Quality has initiated a basinwide approach to state water
quality management. The overall goal of basinwide management is to develop consistent and
effective long range water quality management strategies that protectthe quality and intended
uses of North „Carolina's surface waters while accommodating population increases and
economic growth.
The State of North Carolina has been divided into seventeen major river basins. For each river
basin, water quality problems are identified and appropriate management strategies developed.
The plan features basinwide permitting of pollution discharges, integration of existing point
and nonpoint source control programs, and preparation of a basinwide management plan
report.
The purpose of the basinwide management plan is to communicate to policy makers, the
regulated community, and the general public, the state's rationale, approaches, and long-term
strategies for each basin. Preparation of a basinwide management plan is a five year process.
In general, this process involves the following five major phases of development:
-- Collecting pertinent water quality and related information,
-- Analyzing the information and targeting problem areas,
-- Development management strategies,
-- Circulating a draft plan for public review and comment, and
-- Finalizing the plan.
1-21

The Town of Newport is located in the White Oak basin. The White Oak basinwide
management plan was submitted for staff review in January, 1996, and received.
Environmental Management Commission approval a year later in January, 1997.
Some of the major issues being addressed in the White Oak basinwide plan are as follows:
Long-term Growth Management
-- Wastewater management (non -discharge, regionalization, ocean outfall).
-- Urban stormwater runoff/water quality.
-- Role of local land use planning.
Shellfish Water Closures
-- Increases in number of acres closed.
-- Examine link between growth and closures.
-- Opportunities for restoration and prevention.
Animal Operation Waste Management
-- Between 1990-1994, swine population in the White Oak Basin more than
doubled.
Nutrients/Toxic Dinoflagellate
-- Reduction in nitrogen and phosphorous levels.
The water quality management issues which are specific to Newport include:
• Improving water quality within the Newport River and Deep Creek.
• Reducing urban stormwater runoff.
• Regulating intensive livestock operations within Carteret County and the town's
planning jurisdiction.
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service has identified 24 watersheds located in
Carteret County within the White Oak Basin. Each watershed has been assigned a fourteen -
digit code for the purpose of identification. Watershed 03020106030020 encompasses all
of the Town of Newport. Significant portions of this watershed overlap areas under Carteret
County jurisdiction. The primary water body for this watershed is the Newport River. Table
8 includes data for this watershed.
1
1-22

Table 8
Carteret County Watershed Report
Watershed 03020106030020
Base and Demographic Information
Estimated Population Person Per Acre
Area
River Primary (Acres) % Chg. Incorporated Area
Basin Water Body 14-digit Code Total Land Water 1980 1990 80-90 1980 1990 Overlapping Wshed
White Oak Newport River 03020106030020 24,366.0 24,345.9 20.1 6,608 8,452 27.9% 0.27 0.35 Newport
Stream Water Quality Use Classes
Primary Class Supplemental Class
Primary Use
of
River Basin Water Body 14-digit Code Class Description % %
Mileage Total
* Mileage Total*
White Oak Newport River 03020106030020
C Freshwater Class C 39.88 100%
* % of total classified stream mileage in watershed.
Source: North Carolina Division of Water Quality.
1-23

D. LAND AND WATER USE COMPATIBILITY ANALYSIS
Due to the Town of Newport's planning efforts and the relatively small population, the number
and severity of land use compatibility problems have been kept to a minimum. However, as
the Town of Newport continues to grow, the challenge to keep land use compatibility
problems to a minimum will become more difficult. It is important that the town be made
aware of existing land use problems as well as potential problems which could develop in the
near future. The following summarizes the major land use compatibility issues within
Newport's planning jurisdiction.
-- Development within the CAMA areas of environmental concern as defined by
15A NCAC 7H must meet or exceed the minimum state standards.
-- "404" wetland areas and associated federal regulations present obstacles to
development. In addition, development may damage valuable "404" wetland
areas.
-- Estimated population growth will place additional demands on the Town of
Newport for municipal services and on the private sector for the provision of
goods, services, and adequate affordable housing.
-- Increasing commercial development of the U.S. 70 Bypass in the vicinity of the
Masontown, Nine Foot, and Roberts Roads intersections.
-- Increased development of mobile home parks and substandard conditions of
several existing parks.
I
-- Military air operations over residential areas.
-- A lack of policy regulating the use of retention and detention ponds.
-- Extension of the Newport and Morehead City ETJs to McCabe Road. '
1. Unplanned Development i
Problems resulting from unplanned development in Newport have been minimized through the
use of zoning and subdivision regulations.. However, prior to these regulations, some
development occurred which caused conflicting adjacent land uses. While conducting the land
use survey needed for the preparation of this plan, two main areas were observed as having
conflicting land uses. ,
The area immediately surrounding Newport Elementary contains the, largest mix of land uses
within the town. Within this area, public institutional, industrial, commercial, and residential ,
land uses can be found, all directly adjacent to the railroad. In particular, one commercial
structure fronting Chatham Street has an additional storage building which extends back to
New Bern Street, adjacent to the Newport Primitive Baptist Church and single-family residential '
homes. Also in this general area, on Mann Street, in between Chatham and the railroad, a
church and a small light industrial facility have been constructed adjacent to one another.
�I
1-24 1

The second area of conflicting land use exists in the Lake Park subdivision. The Simmons
Transfer Company is located on the corner of North Lakeview Drive and West Railroad
' Boulevard adjacent to single-family residential homes. Due primarily to this conflicting land
use, the lots located across from the Transfer Company are undesirable for residential
development.
A more recent case which may have the potential to create a conflicting land use has to do
with the construction of the Grace Baptist Church on Roberts Road. The site which has been
selected for the church is directly adjacent to the already existing Moose Lodge. Several
citizens expressed their concerns that the church might interfere or impede with social
functions at the Moose Lodge. However, in this case, it is anticipated that future conflicts
may be prevented through public hearings where both sides are given the opportunity to
express their concerns and intentions.
During the planning period, the town's greatest problem stemming from the lack of planning
' may be in the area of transportation. As mentioned earlier in the "Existing Land Use" section,
major improvements are needed to improve traffic flow. Howard Boulevard and Orange Street
both need to be re-routed to eliminate dangerous turns.
FI
I�
2. Changes in Predominant Land Uses
The existing land development patterns are expected to continue. However, the following land
use changes may be expected during the planning period:
-- Each year, "404" wetland areas will continue to be lost to either agriculture or
development.
-- Agricultural areas adjacent to Newport town limits will continue to be converted
..to urban areas.
' -- Residential use in the eastern sections of town will increase as the need for
additional housing develops.
-- Additional population growth will continue to impact existing infrastructure
including town water and sewer facilities.
-- Aggressive annexation actions by the Town of Newport are expected to
continue.
' -- Development along U.S. 70 Bypass.
-- Extension of the Newport ETJ along the Highway 70 corridor to McCabe Road.
3. Summary
This summary highlights the land use issues and problems being experienced by the Town of
Newport. It is emphasized that this is only a summary. This plan must be read in its entirety
' to fully appreciate the complexity of the issues confronting the Town of Newport.
-25

The major land use issues confronting the town have been identified during the development
of this plan. The land use issues that must be addressed in the planning process include but
are not necessarily limited to the following:
-- Adoption of a policy concerning retention and detention ponds (policy being
developed).
-- Careful planning of development as to reduce the potential for conflicting land
uses.
-- Improvement of substandard mobile home parks.
-- Expansion of educational facilities.
-- Extension of Howard Boulevard to Chatham Street will adversely affect mini -
park.
-- Extension of Orange Street to East Chatham Street.
-- Regulation of development along U.S. 70 Bypass.
-- Evaluate the possibility of expanding existing park facilities.
-- Increase inventory of affordable housing.
-- The development of "404" wetland areas.
-- Control of development in fragile and other areas of environmental concern.
-- Continued development in the industrial employment sector.
-- Extension of the Newport and Morehead City ETJs to McCabe Road.
-- Possible annexation of approximately 350 acres located southeast of the town's
corporate limit.
4. Effectiveness of the 1991 Land Use Plan and Policies
The policies included in the 1991 land use plan supported enforcement of the 15A NCAC 7H
minimum use standards. However, the policies were generally worded and not specifically
linked to the state's minimum use standards. For this reason, it makes it difficult to judge the
effectiveness of the policies. However, the town's staff and Planning Board has expressed
the, need to have more definitive policy statements.
E. DEVELOPMENT CONSTRAINTS: LAND SUITABILITY
This section of the land use plan focuses on those features of the county's landscape that
pose serious limitations, or in some cases, definite obstacles to development. These areas
may be divided into the categories of physical limitations, fragile areas, and areas with
resource potential. These areas are primarily defined by natural features, and there is very
little subjective choice allowed in determining their locations. These constraints will strongly
influence the preparation of the land classification map.
1. Topo4raphv/Geolo4v
The Town of Newport is located on the North Carolina coastal plain in the central part of
Carteret County. In general, the county's land surface is a plain representing a former sea
floor that has been elevated above sea level in the relatively recent geologic past. The existing
plain slopes toward the Atlantic Ocean at an overall rate of less than three feet per mile, and
the topography is flat and largely swampy. The sea has gradually returned to cover much of
1-26

the low ground in the coastal bays and extends up the streams to form broad estuaries. The
Town of Newport is located entirely within the White Oak River Basin. Surface runoff in the
town and surrounding ETJ is drained by the Newport River, Deep Creek, and Little Deep
Creek.
' The county is underlain by an eastward -thickening wedge of sedimentary deposits of
Pleistocene -age ranging from 2,000 feet thick in the northwest portions of the county to
almost 7,000 feet thick beneath the easternmost sections of offshore strand. It is estimated
that sedimentary deposits beneath Newport range between 3,000 - 3,500 feet thick. Because
of the depth of the surf icial sand/siliceous deposits, little is known of the composition of
underlying deposits. Well logs indicate that shell fragments and calcareous material are
consolidated into a limestone at a depth of less than 120 feet west of Morehead City and at
increasing depths further eastward. Microfossils obtained from some well samples indicate
that the uppermost consolidated limestone is probably part of the Yorktown formation.
2. Flood Hazard Areas
' Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) were prepared for Newport in 1983 by the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The 100-year flood serves as the base flood for the
purpose of floodplain management. The town administers its own flood insurance program
in concert with FEMA. The 100-year flood line represents the level that water would reach
or "rise to" during the flood that may be expected to occur on the average of once during a
100-year period. Thus, there is a 1 % chance of a 100-year flood occurring during any one
' year.
The flood insurance maps do not reflect localized flooding problem areas caused by rain
' storms, poor drainage, drainage obstructions, and level terrain. The town building inspector
is responsible for enforcement of the Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance adopted in 1988.
This ordinance regulates fill and building activities within the floodplain. Map 3 indicates areas
' affected by a 100-year flood.
The dominant sources of flooding in the Town of Newport are storm surge and riverine
' flooding. Storm surge from the Atlantic Ocean propagates up the Newport River and partially
into Deep and Little Deep Creeks; riverine flooding from heavy rainfall occurs on the Newport
River and Deep and Little Deep Creeks. Not all storms which pass close to the study area
' produce extremely high tides. Similarly, storms which produce flooding conditions in one area
may not necessarily produce flooding conditions in other parts of the study area.
North Carolina frequently experiences hurricanes, tropical storms, and northeasters.
' Hurricanes generally pass over a coastal location in a portion of a day, while a northeaster may
blow from the same direction for several days. However, the contribution from northeasters
to the overall storm surge elevations in Newport is insignificant compared to hurricanes.
In 1986, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers prepared maps of coastal North Carolina which
delineated storm surge flooding. The maps were prepared using a computer base model
' named SLOSH, Sea Lake Overlaid Surge from Hurricanes. The model plots hurricane -related
flooding which may result from a number. of characteristics including wind speed, wind
direction, time tide, etc. The following defines the five storm surge categories:
-27

0
Category 1. Winds of 74 to 95 miles per hour. Damage primarily to shrubbery, trees, foliage, and
unanchored mobile homes. No appreciable wind damage to other structures. Some damage to
poorly constructed signs. Storm surge possibly 4 to 5 feet above normal. Low-lying roads
inundated, minor pier damage, some small craft in exposed anchorage torn from moorings.
Category 2. Winds of 96 to 110 miles per hour. Considerable damage to shrubbery and tree foliage;
' some trees blown down. Major damage to exposed mobile homes. Extensive damage to poorly
constructed signs. Some damage to roofing materials of buildings; some window and door damage.
No major wind damage to buildings. Storm surge possibly 6 to 8 feet above normal. Coastal roads
and low-lying escape routes inland cut by rising water 2 to 4 hours before arrival of hurricane center.
' Considerable damage to piers. Marinas flooded. Small craft in unprotected anchorages torn from
moorings. Evacuation of some shoreline residences and low-lying island areas required.
' Category 3. Winds of 111 to 130 miles per hour. Foliage torn from trees; large trees blown down.
Practically all poorly constructed signs blown down. Some damage to roofing materials of buildings;
some window and door damage. Some structural damage to small buildings. Mobile homes
destroyed. Storm surge possibly 9 to 12 feet above normal. Serious flooding at coast and many
' smaller structures near coast destroyed; larger structures near coast damaged by battering waves
and floating debris. Low-lying escape routes inland cut by rising water 3 to 5 hours before hurricane
center arrives.
Category 4. Winds of 131 to 155 miles per hour. Shrubs and trees blown down; all signs down.
Extensive damage to roofing materials, windows, and doors. Complete failure of roofs on many
small residences. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Storm surge possibly 13 to 18 feet above
' normal. Major damage to lower floors of structures near shore due to flooding and battering by
waves and floating debris. Low-lying escape routes inland cut by rising water 3 to 5 hours before
hurricane center arrives. Major erosion of beaches.
Category 5. Winds greater than 155 miles per hour. Shrubs and trees blown down; considerable
damage to roofs of buildings; all signs down. Very severe and extensive damage to windows and
doors. Complete failure of roofs on many residences and industrial buildings. Extensive shattering
of glass in windows and doors. Some complete building failures. Small buildings overturned or
blown away. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Storm surge possibly greater than 18 feet
above normal. Major damage to lower floors of all structures less than 15 feet above sea level.
Low-lying escape routes inland cut by rising water 3 to 5 hours before hurricane center arrives.
' Map 4 indicates the areas in Newport which may be affected by hurricane -generated storm
surge.
3. Soils
The U.S. Soil Conservation Service has identified 23 different soil series which are located
within the Newport city limits and ETJ. Most of the soil types have exhibited severe
restrictions for septic tanks because of wetness hazards or high groundwater levels. Ten out
of the 23 soil series located in Newport have been classified by the Soil Conservation Service
as hydric soils. A hydric soil is a soil which is saturated, flooded, or ponded long enough
during the growing season to develop anaerobic conditions in the upper part. Hydric soils
have a high likelihood of containing 404 wetland areas. The soils located in the Newport area
are identified on Map 5, and their characteristics are summarized in Table 9.
Seventeen of the 20 soil series found in Newport's ETJ exhibit limitations for septic tank
usage or seepage problems. These limitations pose major concerns for residents of the ETJ
who must rely on the use of septic tanks. There is a town -wide sewer system to contend
with the limitations of the soils within the city limits.
-29 _ .

1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
i
1
1
1
1
1
i
1
MAP 4
STORM SURGE INUNDATION AREAS
CATEGORY 1-2 SURGE AREA
•
'�' �''' •'' '''
CATEGORY 3 ADDITIONAL SURGE AREA,
CATEGORY 4-5 ADDITIONAL SURGE AREA
0 2
1 2
I-30
The preparation of this map was financed in part
through a grant provided by the North Carolina
Coastal Management Program, through funds
provided by the Coastal Zone Management Act
of 1972, as amended, which is administered by
the Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource
Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration.

Table 9
Town of Newport
Soil Series Characteristics
Depth to Flooding
Map Seasonal High Frequency
Symbol Soil Series Slope Water Table (surface) Dwellings Streets & Roads Septic Tanks
(ft.)
AaA
Altavista loamy fine
sand
Ag
Augusta loamy fine
sand
Ap*
Arapahoe fine sandy
loam
AuB
Autryville loamy sand
ByB
Baymeade fine sand
CrB
Craven silt loam
CnB
Conetoe loamy sand
DO* Dorovan muck
GoA Goldsboro loamy fine
sand
HB* Hobucken muck
KuB Kureb sand
Ln* Leon sand
Ly Lynchburg fine sandy
loam
0-2 %
nearly
level
0-2 %
0-6 %
1-6%
1-4 %
0-5 %
nearly
level
0-2 %
<2%
0-6 %
0-5 %
nearly
level
1.5-2.5
1.0-2.0
0-1
>5
4-5
2-3
>6
-0.5-1
1.0-1.5
none
moderate wetness
none
severe wetness
rare
severe wetness,
flooding
none
moderate wetness
none
moderate wetness
none
moderate wetness
none
moderate wetness
frequent
severe flooding,
ponding, low
strength
none
moderate wetness
frequent
severe flooding,
ponding
none
slight
rare
severe wetness,
weak subsoil,
flooding
none
severe wetness
1-32
moderate wetness
moderate wetness
severe wetness,
flooding
moderate wetness
slight
moderate wetness
moderate wetness
severe ponding,
flooding
moderate wetness
severe flooding,
ponding
slight
severe wetness,
weak subsoil,
flooding
severe wetness
severe wetness
severe wetness
severe wetness
seepage
severe, poor filter
moderate wetness
moderate wetness,
seepage
severe ponding,
flooding
moderate wetness
severe flooding,
ponding
severe, poor filter
severe wetness, weak
subsoil, flooding
severe wetness

TABLE 9 (Continued)
Depth to
Flooding
Map
Seasonal High
Frequency
Symbol
Soil Series
Slope
Water Table
(surface)
Dwellings
Streets & Roads
Septic Tanks
(ft.)
MA*
Masontown mucky
nearly
-0.5-1
frequent
severe flooding,
severe flooding,
severe flooding,
loam
level
ponding
ponding
ponding, poor filter
Mn
Mandarin sand
nearly
1.5-3.5
none
severe wetness
moderate wetness
severe wetness, poor
level
filter
Mu*
Murville mucky sand
nearly
-1-1
none
severe ponding
severe ponding
severe ponding, poor
level
filter
NoB
Norfolk loamy fine sand
2-6%
4-6
none
moderate wetness
moderate wetness
moderate wetness,
seepage
On
Onslow loamy sand
nearly
1.5-3.0
none
moderate wetness
moderate wetness
severe wetness
level
Pa*
Pantego fine sandy
0-2%
0-1
rare
severe wetness
severe wetness
severe wetness
loam
Ra*
Rains fine sandy loam
nearly
0-1.0
none
severe wetness
severe wetness
severe wetness
level
Se
Seabrook loamy sand
0-2%
2-4
rare
severe wetness,
severe wetness
severe wetness,
seepage
seepage
Tm*
Tomotley fine sandy
nearly
0-1
none
severe wetness
severe wetness
severe wetness
loam
level
To*
Torhunta fine sandy
0-2%
0-1
rare
severe wetness,
severe. wetness,
severe wetness,
loam
ponding
ponding
ponding
* Delineates hydric soils
Source: U.S. Soil Conservation Service.
1-33

1
1 4. Manmade Hazards
Manmade hazards located within Newport and its ETJ are limited to underground fuel storage
,i tanks. These tanks are listed in Table 10 along with their locations and types of fuel stored.
1
I
Table 10
Town of Newport
Underground Fuel Storage Tanks
Tank
B & B Equipment Co.
C-Co Mini Mart
DOT Maintenance YD U.S. 70
E-Z Chek Food Mart
East Carolina Builders
George Chemali
Handy House #3
Handy House #7
Pelitier General Store
Pender Park Fuel Market
Shop N Bag Conv. Store
Snak-N-Pak #2
Source: Division of Water Quality.
1 5. Fragile Areas
Location
39 Chatham Street
5647 Highway 70
Route 3, Box 953
Route 2, Mill Creek
P.O. Box 1300, Hwy 70W
Route 1, Box 19
Hwy 70 & Roberts Road
Chatham Street
Highway 58 North
Pender Park Campground (NC 24)
300 E. Chatham Street
Route 4, Hwy 70 East
Type of Fuel
Gasoline
Gasoline, Kerosene, Diesel
Fuel Oil
Gasoline
Gasoline, Diesel
Gasoline
Gasoline
Gasoline, Kerosene, Diesel
Gasoline, Kerosene
Gasoline, Kerosene, Diesel
Gasoline
Gasoline, Kerosene, Diesel
Fragile areas are areas which could easily be damaged or destroyed by inappropriate,
' unplanned, or poorly planned development. These areas include both Areas of Environmental
Concern (AECs) and Natural Resource Fragile Areas as shown on Map 6. Most of the inland
fragile areas are located away from high growth areas. However, there are many conflicts in
' the coastal/shoreline areas of the county between development and AECs and fragile areas.
a. Coastal Wetlands
The coastal wetlands are generally delineated on Map 6, Areas of Environmental
Concern. Within the town's planning jurisdiction coastal wetlands can be found primarily on
the north side of the Newport River from the Atlantic and East Carolina Railroad overpass
extending east to the town's ETJ. However, it is emphasized that the specific locations of
coastal wetlands can be determined only through on -site investigation and analysis. Coastal
wetlands are defined as salt marshes regularly- or irregularly -flooded by tides, including wind
' tides, provided this shall not include hurricane or tropical storm tides. This area contains
some, but not necessarily all of the following marsh plant species: Cordgrass, salt marsh,
Black Needlerush, Glasswort, Salt Grass, Sea Lavender, Bulrush, Saw Grass, Cat -tail, Salt
Meadow Grass, and Salt Reed Grass. The coastal wetlands are vital to the complex food
chain found in estuaries. They provide marine nursery areas and are essential to a sound
commercial fishing industry. Coastal wetlands also serve as barriers against flood damage and
control erosion between the estuary and uplands.
1 I-34

1!
Ib. Public Trust Areas
Public trust areas are all waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the lands thereunder from
the mean high water mark to the seaward limit of state jurisdiction; all natural bodies of water
subject to measurable lunar tides and lands thereunder to the mean high water mark; all
' navigable natural bodies of water and lands thereunder to the mean high water level or mean
water level as the case may be, except privately -owned lakes to which the public has no right
of access; all water in artificially created bodies of water containing significant public fishing
resources or other public resources which are accessible to the public by navigation; and all
waters in artificially created bodies of water in which the public has acquired rights by
prescription, custom, usage, dedication, or any other means. In determining whether the
public has acquired rights in artificially created bodies of water, the following factors shall be
� considered:
(1) the use of the body of water by the public,
(2) the length of time the public has used the area,
(3) the value of public resources in the body of water,
(4) whether the public resources in the body of water are mobile to
the extent that they can move into natural bodies of water,
(5) whether the creation of the artificial body of water
required permission from the state, and
(6) the value of the body of water to the public for
navigation from one public area to another public
area.
These areas are significant because the public has rights in these areas, including
navigation and recreation. The public trust areas also support valuable commercial and sports
fisheries, have aesthetic value, and are important resources for economic development.
All waters within Newport's planning jurisdiction are public trust waters.
C. Historic and Archaeological Sites
The Town of Newport and ETJ does not contain any historically significant sites which
are currently on the National Register of Historic Places, or being studied for inclusion.
However, there are areas which have been determined to have archaeological significance
located along the western shoreline of the Newport River. Specific site locations are not
available for release to the general public (see North Carolina General Statute 70-5). Anyone
undertaking land -disturbing activities in these areas should contact the North Carolina
Department of Cultural Resources, Division of Archives and History.
d. 404 Wetlands
404 wetlands are areas covered by water or that have water-logged soils for long
' periods during the growing season. Plants growing in wetlands are capable of living in soils
lacking oxygen for at least part of the growing season. Some wetlands, such as swamps, are
obvious. Others are sometimes difficult to identify because they maybe dry during part of the
year. Wetlands include, but are not limited to, bottomlands, forests, swamps, pocosins, pine
savannahs, bogs, marshes, and wet meadows.
1 1-36

Section 404 of the Clean Water Act requires that anyone interested in depositing
dredged or fill material into "waters of the United States," including wetlands, must apply for
and receive a permit for such activities.
Map 6, Fragile Areas, provides a general delineation of wetlands areas. Within the
town's planning jurisdiction, 404 wetland areas are primarily located along the Newport River
and Deep Creek. A more detailed map provided by the Division of Coastal Management will
be left on file, and available for public review, at the Carteret County Planning Department.
This map is much too detailed to be reduced and included in the land use plan. However, the
specific locations of wetlands areas must be determined through specific on -site analysis by
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington District Office.
Wetlands are a significant natural resource because they provide recharge areas for
groundwater; serve as filter traps for sediment, pesticides and other pollutants; provide non-
structural flood control; buffer against shoreline erosion; serve as buffer zones between upland
activities and valuable aquatic systems; and provide habitats for numerous furbearing animals,
endangered species, and other wildlife.
e. Natural Resource Fragile Areas
Natural resource fragile areas are generally recognized to be of educational, scientific,
or cultural value because of the natural features of the particular site. Features in these areas
serve to distinguish them from the vast majority of the landscape.
These areas include complex natural areas, areas that sustain remnant species,
pocosins, wooded swamps, prime wildlife habitats, or registered natural landmarks. In the
vicinity of Newport, there are fragile natural areas located within the hardwood swamps of the
Newport River, Deep, and Little Deep Creeks.
6. Areas of Resource Potential
a. Agricultural and Forestlands
Approximately 60% of the total land in the city limits and the extraterritorial jurisdiction
may be classified as agricultural vacant. This land is primarily agricultural and forestlands.
Although a large portion of this land lies within the 100-year floodplain, and is not suitable for
development, it is important to determine how much of this resource the town wishes to
devote to future development.
b. Valuable Mineral Resources
The Town of Newport contains no deposits of sufficient size for commercial mining
operations.
C. Public Forests
The Town of Newport borders the Croatan National Forest. This forest offers the most
coastal environment of any national forest located in the eastern United States. Excellent
opportunities exist for camping, hiking, swimming, boating, hunting, and fishing. In addition,
the forest includes extensive 404 wetland areas.
1
1-37

1 d. Public Parks
There are no major regional park facilities located within Newport's planning
jurisdiction. The town currently maintains the Newport Community Park, Newport Mini Park,
and Babe Ruth Field.
e. Public Gamelands
Other than the Croatan National Forest, there are no public gamelands located in the
Newport area.
f. Private Wildlife Sanctuaries
There are no regionally or locally significant private wildlife sanctuaries located in
Newport.
g. Marine Resources
The most significant marine resource areas in Newport are the anadromous fish
spawning areas designated along the Newport River. An anadromous fish migrates up river
from the sea to breed in fresh water.
The North Carolina Division of Water Quality assigns water quality classifications to all
waters of the State of North Carolina. The classifications are based upon the existing or
contemplated best usage of the various streams and segments of streams within a basin, as
determined through studies, evaluations, and comments received at public hearings. The
classifications for fresh waters are as follows:
Class WS-I: waters protected as water supplies which are in natural and undeveloped
watersheds; point source discharges of treated wastewater are
permitted pursuant to Rules .0104 and .0211 of this Subchapter; local
programs to control nonpoint source and stormwater discharge of
pollution are required; suitable for all Class C uses;
Class WS-11: waters protected as water supplies which are generally in predominantly
undeveloped watersheds; point source discharges of treated wastewater
are permitted pursuant to Rules .0104 and .0211 of this Subchapter;
local programs to control nonpoint source and stormwater discharge of
pollution are required; suitable for all Class C uses;
Class WS-III: waters protected as water supplies which are generally in low to
moderately developed watersheds; point source discharges of treated
wastewater are permitted pursuant to Rules .0104 and .0211 of this
Subchapter; local programs to control nonpoint source and stormwater
discharge of pollution are required; suitable for all Class C uses;
Class WS-IV: waters protected as water supplies which are generally in moderately to
highly developed watersheds; point source discharges of treated
wastewater are permitted pursuant to Rules .0104 and .0211 of this
Subchapter; local programs to control nonpoint source and stormwater
discharge of pollution are required; suitable for all Class C uses;
1-38

Class WS-V: waters protected as water supplies which are generally upstream and 1
draining to Class WS-IV waters; no categorical restrictions on watershed
development or treated wastewater discharges are required, however,
the Commission or its designee may apply appropriate management
requirements as deemed necessary for the protection of downstream
receiving waters (15A NCAC 213 .0203); suitable for all Class C uses;
Class B: primary recreation and any other usage specified by the "C"
classification;
Class C: aquatic life propagation and survival, fishing, wildlife, secondary
recreation, and agriculture.
All waters within Newport and its ETJ are classified by the DEM as Class C. In addition,
surface waters (streams, lakes, or estuaries) are rated as either fully supporting (S), support -
threatened (ST), partially supporting (PS), or nonsupporting (NS) by the Division of Water
Quality Section. The terms refer to whether the classified uses of the water (such as water
supply, aquatic life protection and swimming) are being fully supported, partially supported,
or are not supported. For instance, saltwaters classified for commercial shellfish harvesting
(SA) would be rated as fully supporting if bacterial levels in the water were low enough to
allow harvesting. However, if fecal coliform bacteria levels were too high to allow shellfish
to be harvested, but not too high to prevent swimming, then the waters would be rated as
partially supporting since they only support the swimming. If the waters were impacted to the
point that even swimming was disallowed, the waters would be rated as nonsupporting.
Partially supporting (PS) waters have been identified within Newport's planning jurisdiction.
All waters of the Newport River and Deep Creek are classified as PS waters.
F. DEVELOPMENT CONSTRAINTS: PUBLIC FACILITIES
1. Water Supply
The Town of Newport's water treatment system serves a population of approximately 2,850.
In addition to residential dwellings, water is supplied to commercial, industrial, and institutional
facilities. The top five water uses consist of 2 commercial and 3 institutional facilities. The
Hostess House and the Hendrick Laundromat are the top commercial users, and the State
Prison, Broman's Rest Home, and Newport Elementary School were the top institutional users.
Currently, only three industries are served by the town. Two of these industries are clothing
apparel factories and the other is a producer of veneer products. These industries use a
minimal amount of water compared to the above listed users. The system is presently
pumping an average of 285,000 gallons per day. The system has a 1.6 million gallon per day
pumping capacity. There are currently no deficiencies or pressure problems. However,
residents and businesses in the ETJ are not served by Newport's water system.
2. Wastewater Disposal
The residents of Newport rely on a town -wide wastewater system for sewage disposal. This
system consists of approximately 12 miles of sewer lines with seven pumping stations. Most
of the system has been in place for 20 to 30 years. Due to the age of the system, infiltration
poses a significant problem during the planning period.
-39

The city's current wastewater treatment plant has a permitted capacity of .5 million gallons
per day and provides advanced treatment for approximately 3,960 persons. The plant
currently discharges at a rate of .275 million gallons per day. However, due to more stringent
It requirements established by the current NPDES permit, and an increasing population, the
town's wastewater treatment plant must be improved and expanded.
In July, 1994, the Carteret County Interlocal Agency (CCIA) was formed to address the need
for regional sewage collection in the county. All nine incorporated municipalities within the
county, including Newport, are voting members of the agency. The task assigned to this
agency was that of determining if land application methods for wastewater treatment and
disposal were viable alternatives for the municipalities in Carteret County. Funding was
obtained from state, county, and local sources; the scope of work was defined; feasibility
study bids were let; and the firm Camp, Dresser & McKee was chosen to perform the study.
As a result of the CCIA's efforts, major state funding was also granted for a long-term regional
wastewater study for Carteret, Craven, Onslow, and Pamlico counties which would be
undertaken during the same approximate time frame as the CCIA study.
The Interlocal Agency study has now been completed and the results and findings of the study
generally conclude that land application treatment and disposal methods alone cannot feasibly
meet the wastewater disposal needs of all of Carteret County's municipalities. Under current
state and federal guidelines, there is simply not enough suitable land area available in Carteret
County to handle the projected wastewater volume. However, the study does conclude that
land application in conjunction with existing treatment and disposal facilities could be a
feasible alternative provided state permitting allows for such a system.
At the present time, the CCIA is overseeing Phase II of the study funded in part through a
Division of Coastal Management regional planning grant. This study is intended to examine
the possibilities of increasing the permitted discharge at each of the three existing wastewater
treatment plants. In addition, this study will focus on funding scenarios for the construction
of a county -wide sewer system. Due to complications caused by Hurricane Fran, this study
has gone over schedule and is not expected to be complete until August, 1997.
The findings of the Four County Regional Task Force Study were unveiled in August, 1996.
In this study, six separate scenarios were examined for the treatment and disposal of
wastewater for the four -county area. These scenarios are as follows:
-- Status quo. This plan calls for improving existing treatment plants and
continuing to rely on septic tanks in unincorporated areas.
�" -- Consolidation of existing facilities with continued surface water discharge
(streams). Similar to the first option, this also would call for the upgrade of
existing facilities to handle independent package systems.
-- Ocean outfall discharge. This plan has two alternatives, both with multiple
treatment plants. Alternative one calls for one ocean outfall (a pipe which
carries treated wastewater miles into the ocean). Under the proposal, the pipe
would be somewhere in the Swansboro area. Alternative two calls for two
points of ocean entry, one near Swansboro and one north of Cape Lookout.
Maximum water reuse. The key concepts under this proposal are golf course
irrigation, wetlands restoration and forest land application. Secondary reuse
potential includes agricultural irrigation, landscape irrigation, and industrial
1 1-40

reuse. Under this proposal, in the extreme long-term, the water may be
reclaimed for a drinking source or used for deep well injection to provide a
saltwater barrier in the aquifer.
-- Maximum use of natural systems. This proposal calls for a surface discharge
system -that relies primarily on land application or constructed wetlands as
means of effluent polishing (the purifying of treated wastewater).
-- Three service areas. This calls for breaking the four -county area into three
groups: Onslow County and Carteret coastal communities, Craven County and
the remainder of Carteret County, and Pamlico County. Discharge limits of
wastewater would be restricted to current permitted flow with an emphasis on
improving water reuse. Septic tanks would continue to be used extensively in
unincorporated areas.
Each of these scenarios had an associated cost of between $700-$800 million. Since the
completion of this study, the Four County Regional Task Force has returned to its governing
body seeking permission and funds to continue their efforts. If successful, the next goal of
the task force will be to establish a Wastewater Authority.
At the time the Four County study is completed, both the Interlocal Agency and the Regional
Task Force will meet with state officials to review the findings of both studies and what
options and alternatives may be permitted for both short-term and long-term strategies for the
treatment and disposal of area wastewater.
3. Storm Drainage
The Town of Newport experiences occasional flooding and runoff from heavy rains. Although
heavy rainfall can cause flooding in the Newport River, Deep, and Little Deep Creeks, major
problems normally only occur during northeasters. These northeasters can create a storm
surge from the Atlantic Ocean which propagates up the Newport River.
4. Solid Waste Disposal
In 1993, the Carteret County landfill, located on Hibbs Road, shut down operations and
stopped the acceptance of waste material. By 1994, the county had met a)1 of the necessary
requirements and the closure was made official. The day after the Hibbs Road landfill stopped
accepting waste, the new Tri-County landfill was opened. The Tri-County landfill is operated
by the Coastal Regional Solid Waste Management Authority (CRSWMA). The management
authority is a board of directors appointed by Carteret, Craven, and Pamlico counties' Boards
of Commissioners. There are seven board members. Pamlico and Carteret counties each have
two board members, and Craven County is represented by three. The fundamental idea
behind this regional approach is that one large landfill is less expensive to construct and
operate than three individual landfills. The landfill is located in Craven County near Tuscarora.
The present site will be expanded by approximately 400 acres and modified to meet new
federal and state regulations regarding environmental safeguards.
In unincorporated parts of Carteret County, trash disposal is handled almost entirely by
individual household/business transport to one of twelve greenbox sites owned or leased by
the county. Waste Industries, a private waste disposal contractor, is responsible for picking
up solid waste from all of the county greenbox sites and transporting it to the Tri-County
1-41

1
I
1
1
landfill. Two greenbox sites are located in the Newport area, one on Hibbs Road and the other
on Tom Mann Road. In addition, Waste Industries provides curbside pickup for residents
residing within the Town of Newport. In general, the greenbox compaction system has been
adequate to serve waste disposal needs in the Newport area over the past several years.
5. Educational Facilities
The Carteret County Board of Education receives federal, state, and county assistance. In
FY95-96, the county school system will receive $12.1 million in county assistance. The
county school system serves the entire county and currently includes fourteen (14) schools:
three high schools, three middle schools, and eight elementary schools. The following table
provides a comparison of county school enrollment in 1989 and 1995.
Table 11
Enrollment in Carteret County Schools, 1989-1995
Atlantic Elementary
Beaufort Elementary
Beaufort Middle
Broad Creek Middle
Cape Lookout High (new)
Morehead Elementary [11
East Carteret High
Harkers Island Elementary
Morehead Elementary at Camp Glenn (new)
Camp Glenn Elementary [21
Morehead City Middle*
Morehead City Primary (new)
Newport Elementary*
Smyrna Elementary
West Carteret High*
White Oak Elementary
Total
1989 1995 Change
162
181
+19
679
530
-149
353
374
+ 21
686
838
+ 152
N/A
47
N/A
593
N/A
N/A
749
782
+ 33
204
170
-34
N/A
390
N/A
587
N/A
N/A
568
666
+ 98
0
823
+ 823
864
954
+ 90
437
366
-71
1,431
1,521
+90
547
636
+89
7,859 8,278 +419
* Indicates schools attended by Town of Newport residents.
[1l Since 1989, Morehead Elementary has closed and the building reopened as a new alternative high school called Cape
Lookout. Pre-K-3 is now served by the new Morehead City Primary and grades 4-5 by Morehead Elementary at Camp
Glenn. Therefore, no conclusions may be drawn by examining a change in enrollment from 1989-95.
[2) Since 1989, Camp Glenn Elementary, serving grades K-2, has closed and has since reopened as Morehead Elementary
at Camp Glenn serving grades 4-5. Therefore, no conclusions may be drawn by examining a change in enrollment from
1989-1995.
Source: Carteret County Board of Education.
Table 11 indicates that overall county school enrollment in Carteret County grew by 419
individuals from 1989-1995. Enrollment at Newport Elementary increased by a total of 90
1-42

students. This growth in public school enrollment is more than twice that experienced
between 1984-1989. During the early 1980s, public school enrollment in the county actually
decreased, so this steady growth in enrollment could be interpreted as a shift back toward
public school as opposed to private. However, private schools have also experienced steady
growth in enrollment, just not to the same extent as public schools.
Carteret County's continued devotion toward improving education is evidenced by the recent
passage of a $29 million bond referendum in November, 1994. The bond provides $6.2
million for educational technology. This includes the purchase of instructional computer
equipment and software, and the networking of the county's fourteen schools. The majority
of that equipment has been purchased and received by the schools, and the networking
project will be completed in the fall of 1996.
The remaining bond money will fund construction and renovation projects. A new high school
and a new elementary school will be constructed in the western part of the county. An option
has ben exercised on 90 acres off Highway 24 and final state approval for purchase should
be received in the spring of 1996. Plans call for both schools to be built on the same site with
natural buffers separating them.
Community expectations for the Carteret County School System are high. The overwhelming
support for the bond referendum and the arrival of a new superintendent have set a
challenging course for this system. Carteret County schools strive for excellence in education
and continue to innovatively address student needs. A five-year strategic plan provides
direction for the school system beyond the year 2000. Called a blueprint for action, that plan
will soon be revised and long-range plans will be extended through 2010. The plan was
developed by a team of parents, business leaders, teachers, retirees, school administrators,
support and classified school staff, and board of education members.
Cape Lookout High School is the system's newest school. It opened in January, 1995, and
is an alternative school offering small class sizes and individualized instruction. It is attended
by students who are having difficulty in the traditional school setting.
The county's voluntary year-round school pilot program was extended another two years
based on its success. Students at Newport Elementary School attend four nine -week quarters.
During the three-week breaks, enrichment and remediation programs are offered. The year-
round program is run along with a traditional calendar program at Newport Elementary.
Geographically, growth is occurring in the western end of the county. Student populations
continue to decrease on the eastern side of the county. West Carteret High, Morehead
Middle, Broad Creek Middle, and Newport Elementary are severely overcrowded. West
Carteret High did get some relief when a new two-story, 21-classroom addition opened in
August, 1995.
6. Parks and Recreation
Due to the proximity to coastal waters, the Town of Newport offers an abundance of
recreational activities. Boating, swimming, scuba diving, water skiing, surfing, fishing,
camping, and hunting may be pursued all within a few miles drive. The Croatan National
Forest, located just to the northwest of Newport, provides an abundance of open space for
public recreation.
-43

In addition to the above recreational resources, the Town of Newport maintains three parks.
The Newport Community Park, located on Howard Boulevard, next to the town library, offers
a ball field, picnic area, and play apparatus. The Newport Minipark, although quite small, adds
to the aesthetic appearance of downtown. This park is well maintained and contains a variety
of shrubs and flowers. Babe Ruth Field, located on Orange Street next to the State Prison,
is primarily used for little league baseball games and provides additional open space.
7. Transportation
At the present time, the Town of Newport does not have a thoroughfare plan. The
Department of Transportation, Statewide Planning Branch, had started an initial assessment
of construction priorities for the town. However, interest for the preparation of the plan
diminished, and work ceased. Statewide Planning has indicated a willingness to resume work
if the Town of Newport wishes to pursue the matter. The major transportation improvements
which should be discussed in the plan include the extension of Howard Boulevard straight
through the Newport minipark to connect directly with Chatham Street; the extension of
Orange Street straight through to East Chatham Street, which would eliminate the sharp turn
at Mill Creek Road; and the extension of S.R. 1154, intended to connect U.S. 70 to N.C. 101.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation's Transportation Improvement Program (TIP),
which includes projects through the year 2001, has identified the extension of S.R. 1.154 as
being scheduled for a feasibility study. Following completion of the study, the project may
be programmed for funding. Once funded, the project will be scheduled for planning, design,
right-of-way, and construction. However, the planning phase of this project would not be
scheduled prior to the year 2002.
8. Public Safety
The Newport police department staffs 4 full-time, sworn police officers. There are no part-
time or civilian employees in the police department. According to town officials, the police
department does not have plans to hire any additional personnel during the next budget year.
The fire department staffs 2 full-time paid firefighters/EMTs, 40 volunteer firefighters, and 25
volunteer EMTs. The fire chief also works as a volunteer. There are currently no plans to add
any paying positions to the department. However, additional expansion of volunteers may be
needed.
9. Health Services
All hospital needs are treated at Carteret General Hospital in Morehead City, approximately 10
miles away. This full -service facility offers 117 beds and has recently undergone a major
expansion to accommodate new operating -rooms for both in -patient and out -patient services.
Carteret General's surgical team performs more than 4,000 surgical procedures per year. The
facility is staffed with approximately 400 full-time employees.
Naval Hospital Cherry Point is also a significant major medical provider in the area. On
October 1, 1994, a new three-story, 201,000 square foot structure was dedicated as the new
Naval Hospital Cherry Point. This facility is equipped with several outpatient clinics, 23 beds
for in -patients, a state-of-the-art emergency room, and a family medical unit. It employs 452
1-44

persons, 120 of whom are civilians, 75 of whom are military officers, and contracts several
important services to private consultants.
In addition, there are private medical clinics and physicians operating within the town. These
facilities include Newport Family Practice, Broad Creek Family Wellness Center, Carteret
Family Practice Clinic, and Med-Center One. The Town of Newport also offers housing
alternatives for the elderly. The recently constructed Americare of Eastern Carolina and
Broman's Rest Home both operate'in Newport.
10. Electrical Distribution
The Town of Newport is provided electrical service by Carolina Power and Light. Electrical
distribution appears to be adequate to serve the town's existing needs. There have not been
any reported "brown outs."
11. Telephone Service
Telephone service is provided by Sprint Carolina. There are approximately 1,200 customers
in Newport. There are no service deficiencies.
12. Cable Television Service
Cable television service is provided to the residents of Newport by Time Warner Cable, Inc.,
of Newport. There are currently 808 customers.
1-45

SECTION II: PROJECTED LAND DEVELOPMENT ANALYSIS
A. PROJECTED DEMAND FOR DEVELOPMENT
1. General Discussion
In this section, recent trends in the Town of Newport's population and housing characteristics
j, will be utilized to project population growth and housing characteristics in the town. The
continuing migration into Newport is expected to have progressively greater impact on land
use issues throughout the next ten years.
Continued development in Newport will strain the capacity of the existing transportation
system; increase demand for municipal supplied water and wastewater and solid waste
disposal; and place increasing demands on school facilities, recreational facilities, police and
fire departments, and administrative/regulatory agencies. The basic demand for housing -- in
particular, affordable housing -- will be an important need to be addressed by the town in the
jcoming decade.
2. Population Proiections
Based on Coastal Area Management Act planning guidelines, population projections prepared
by the Office of State Planning are the appropriate data to be utilized in projecting year-round
population for Newport from 1994-2005. In Table 12, "Summary of Year -Round Population
Growth by Townships and Municipality", the figures for the year 1990 and 1994 have been
taken directly from the Office of State Planning data. The growth rate in population between
1990-1994 was determined and extrapolated to provide the 2000 and 2005 estimates. These
estimates are based on the assumption that the relative growth rate will remain the same from
1994-2005 as experienced between 1990-1994.
11

Table 12
Town of Newport and Carteret County, NC
Summary of Year -Round Population Growth by Township and Municipality, 1990 - 2005
Township
Municipality or Area
Year Round Population
Percentage Change
Overall
1990
1994
2000
2005
'94= 00
100-105
'94205
1) Atlantic
Total Township
805
803
799
796
-0.49%
-0.35%
-0.84%
2) Beaufort
Beaufort
3,808
3,997
4,351
4,600
8.85%
5.72%
15.08%
Unincorporated Areas
4,205
4,644
5,467
6,045
17.71 %
10.58%
30.16%
Total Township
8,013
8,641
91818
10,645
13.61 %
8.43%
23.19%
3) Cedar Island
Total Township
385
407
448
477
10.11 %
6.46%
17.23%
4) Davis
Total Township
535
553
587
611
6.15%
4.08%
10.48%
5) Harkers Island
Total Township
2,237
2,375
2,634
2,816
10.90%
6.91 %
18.56%
6) Harlowe
Total Township
1,190
1,289
1,474
1,604
14.37%
8.84%
24.48%
7) Marshallberg
Total Township
646
674
726
763
7.75%
5.06%
13.20%
8) Merrimon
Total Township
542
591
683
747
15.54%
9.46%
26.46%
9) Morehead City
Atlantic Beach
1,938
2,267
2,846
3,252
25.52%
14.30%
43.47%
Indian Beach
153
177
222
254
25.39%
14.24%
43.24%
Morehead City
6,046
6,384
7,017
7,462
9.91 %
6.34%
16.88%
Pine Knoll Shores
1,360
1,543
1,886
2,127
22.21%
12.78%
37.82%
Unincorporated Areas
10,985
11,485
12,420
13,078
8.15%
5.30%
13.88%
Total Township
20,482
21,856
24,390
26,173
11.60%
7.31 %
19.75%
10) Newport
Newport
2,516
2,778
3,269
3,614
17.66%
10.55%
30.08%
Unincorporated Areas
4,817
5,337
6,312
6,997
18.26%
10.86%
31.09%
Total Township
7,333
8,115
91580
10,611
18.05%
10.75%
30.75%
11) Sea Level
Total Township
773
872
1,056
1,186
21.16%
12.28%
36.05%
12) Smyrna
Total Township
782
843
958
1,039
13.61 %
8.42%
23.18%
13) Stacy
Total Township
401
434
497
541
14.40%
8.85%
24.52%
14) Straits
Total Township
1,948
2,129
2,468
2,706
15.91%
9.65%
27.10%
15) White Oak
Cape Carteret
1,008
1,179
1,499
1,724
27.16%
15.02%
46.25%
Emerald Isle
2,434
2,798
3,480
3,959
24.36%
13.77%
41.49%
Cedar Point
628
688
800
879
16.33%
9.87%
27.81 %
Unincorporated Areas
2,413
2,379
2,316
2,271
-2.66%
-1.92%
-4.53%
Total Township
6,483
7,044
8,095
8,834
14.92%
9.13%
25.41 %
Total Municipalities
Total Unincorporated Areas
Total County
19,891 21,811 25,369 27,870 16.31% 9.86% 27.78%
32,662 34,813 38,840 41,673 11.57% 7.29% 19.70%
52,553 56,624 64,209 69,543 13.40% 8.31 % 22.82%
Sources: N.C. State Data Center; extrapolation of data for unincorporated areas by Holland Consulting Planners, Inc.
III-2
owt E' OW Im am' so W dK" Awl;

Based on Table 13, the average annual population growth rate for the town, unincorporated
areas, and total township should continue to be positive, but will grow at a decreasing rate
V during the planning period. This trend is outlined in Table 13, below.
Table 13
Town of Newport
Average Annual Population Growth Rate and Percent Change, 1994-2005
1994-2000
2000-2005
194200 to '00205
Newport
2.94
2.11
-39.34%
Unincorporated Areas
3.04
2.17
-40.09%
Total Township
3.01
2.15
-40.00%
Source: Office of State Planning and Holland Consulting Planners, Inc.
Despite the expected decrease in growth rate, the annual population growth rate in Newport
will still be considerably higher than the state as a whole over the next ten years. The
Newport annual growth rate between 1994-2005 is expected to'be 2.73% as compared to
0.97% for the state over the same period. By the year 2005, the. Town of Newport is
expected to have reached a population of 3,614.
3. Housing Trends
The housing forecasts provided in Table 14, below, have been calculated with the assumption
that the ratio between the population residing in households to total population will remain
constant through the year 2005. In addition, the declining rate in the number of persons per
household is also expected to remain constant.
Table 14
Town of Newport
Estimated Population Growth and Household Characteristics, 1994-2005
1994 2000 2005
Total Population 2,778 3,269 3,614
# of Households 960 1,166 1,321
Population in Households 2,468 2,904 3,210
Persons per Households 2.57 2.49 2.43
In Group Quarters 310, 365 404
Source: Office of State Planning and Holland Consulting Planners, Inc.
Table 14, above, indicates that between the years 1994-2005, approximately 361 new homes
will need to be constructed to meet the needs of the growing population. If the average lot
size in Newport is .5 acres, then approximately 181 acres of land will be needed for this new
residential construction. A total of approximately 3,600 acres of vacant land lie within
Newport and its ETJ, of which approximately 1,774 acres lie within the 100-year floodplain.

When this floodplain acreage is subtracted from the total acreage of vacant land, it results in
a total of 1,826 acres of land available for development. This amount of vacant developable
land is more than adequate to meet housing needs throughout the planning period. The
majority of future residential development is expected to continue in the eastern section of
town and to the west along Roberts Road.
Specific actions which may be considered by the Town of Newport to improve housing
conditions have been included in the Economic and Community Development section of the
town's policy statements, page IV-12.
4. Commercial and Industrial Land Use
Significant changes in Newport's commercial land use patterns are not expected to occur
during the planning period. Commercial acreage currently makes up only 3.5% of the total
acreage within the town limits and .9% of the total acreage in the ETJ. The majority of
commercial development is expected to continue downtown, along Chatham Street and along -
the U.S. 70 Bypass near the intersections of Nine Foot Road and Masontown Road. As
mentioned earlier in the Existing Land Use section of this plan, the need for redevelopment or
renovation of commercial areas downtown and along Chatham Street may become necessary
for new businesses desiring to locate in Newport as the age of existing commercial structures
increases and buildings deteriorate.
The Carteret County Economic Development Commission is recruiting new industry to the
area. It is expected that this effort may yield results in Newport. In addition, the anticipated
future development of the Global TransPark may act to stimulate industrial growth in all of
eastern North Carolina. The addition of high paying industrial jobs would prove beneficial to
the local economy.
The following summarizes the factors which should influence commercial and industrial growth
in Newport: . bi
-- Newport should continue to provide sound infrastructure including water,
sewer, and electrical service.
-- Newport should continue to have good regional accessibility, especially highway
access.
-- The Town of Newport will work to prevent future land use compatibility
problems.
-- Expansion of military personnel at Cherry Point and increases in the industrial
base would stimulate commercial development.
-- Aggressive industrial recruitment efforts of the Economic Development Council.
1
I I-4

1 5. Transportation
The major transportation issues confronting Newport during the planning period are listed
below:
-- Completion and adoption of a town thoroughfare plan.
-- Coordination with NCDOT to ensure that town streets are adequately
maintained and upgraded.
-- Extension of Howard Boulevard to Chatham Street.
-- Extension of Orange Street to East Chatham Street.
-- Extension of S.R. 1154, intended to connect U.S. 70 to N.C. 101.
-- Careful planning of commercial and industrial development along U.S. 70
Bypass. Strip development should be avoided and service roads required.
-- Improve pedestrian access and foster pedestrian -friendly environment.
6. Public Land Use
Public land use is not expected to change substantially during the planning period. No
significant construction or land acquisition is anticipated. The town will continue to maintain
and improve its existing public facilities. In particular, the town will focus on improving the
quality of its infrastructure systems which include water and sewer.
7. Education
It is expected that the Carteret County School Board will have to address overcrowding
problems at Newport Elementary School during the planning period. According to the Carteret
County School Board, this school currently has 954 students enrolled and is currently
operating at above capacity. This may become a land use issue if additional land is needed
for expansion or the location of an additional school. The current plans to construct a new
elementary and high school in the western part of Carteret County, along Highway 24, will
not affect land use in Newport.
8. Water System
The Newport water system is presently pumping an average of 285,000 gallons per day. The
system has a 1.6 million gallon per day pumping capacity and a 350,000 gallon storage
capacity via two elevated storage tanks. Due to the projected growth in population and the
possibility of base expansion at Cherry Point, several improvements to the water system may
be needed. In the Town of Newport Water Supply Plan, the following improvements have
been identified:

-- enlargement of the water treatment plant;
-- rehabilitation of the older sections of wastewater collection lines;
-- addition of another elevated storage tank;
-- installation of an emergency power system at the water treatment facility; and
-- the possible addition of a fifth well.
Since these improvements are very costly and may take some time to fund and complete, the
town may benefit in the mean time through the implementation of a water conservation
program. Such a program might include, but not be limited to, the following:
-- Educate students of water conservation practices and the importance of saving
water;
- Place limitations on the watering of lawns; and
-- Use of water conservation devices such as faucet aerators.
9. Sewer System
In addition to the water treatment improvements, the Town of Newport Water Supply Plan has
also identified future wastewater improvements/needs. The wastewater treatment facility is
currently discharging at an annual daily rate of .275 million gallons per day. The plant has a
permitted capacity of .5 million gallons per day.
As the town grows, the current wastewater plant will need to be expanded. However, prior
to this, infiltration problems need to be corrected through the slip lining and/or replacement
of old sewer mains. A private consultant has been contracted to study this problem. At the
present time, wastewater sludge disposal is the town's main concern. The town is presently
looking to acquire a sludge storage facility and additional drying beds. Land application of
sludge material has been determined to be the best means of disposal.
10. Storm Drainage
Management of stormwater runoff will remain an important issue in the Town of Newport.
There is a direct connection between land use, stormwater runoff, and water quality.
Improvement of water quality in the Newport River and adjoining tributaries is important to
both the tourist and fishing industries in the county. Urban development, industrial, and
agricultural runoff are all contributors to water pollution. There is no single culprit. The
primary impact on stormwater runoff in Newport results from residential construction and
agricultural uses.
As urban development continues in Newport's planning jurisdiction, so will the construction
of impervious and semi -permeable surfaces, and the potential for surf icial water contamination
will increase. Given that fact, the town may choose to reevaluate its current regulations
regarding impervious surfaces. For example, the town may choose to limit the total area
covered by impervious surfaces on a given lot to 20% of the total lot area or under some
circumstances allow stabilized soil parking lots. It is also recommended that the town strongly
support existing Division of Water Quality regulations (15 NCAC 2H.1000) during the planning
period. The town should also participate in and contribute to studies of storm drainage
undertaken by public and private agencies, support United States Department of Agriculture
W.

Best Management Practices for croplands, and work closely with the Division of Marine
Fisheries to protect primary and secondary nursery areas. The primary nursery areas are
located in the Newport River and its tributaries. Caution should be taken to protect these
areas from surficial water contamination.
11. Solid Waste Disposal
The new tri-county landfill, as mentioned earlier (p. 1-38), opened in 1993. The current site
is permitted by the Division of Health Services through the year 1997. By June, 1998, the
current site will have reached its allowed capacity. An Environmental Impact Study for site
expansion has recently been submitted to the state for review. The plan calls for the purchase
of approximately 400 acres of land adjacent to the current site, after which modifications will
be made to meet all federal and state regulations regarding environmental safeguards. With
this expansion, the landfill is expected to serve the waste disposal needs of Carteret, Craven,
and Pamlico counties through the year 2020. The twelve greenbox sites currently serving the
unincorporated parts of Carteret County are expected to be adequate through the five-year
planning period.
12. Police. Fire, and Rescue Services
The Town of Newport has four sworn police officers. This represents a ratio of one police
officer per each 700 in population. This is significantly higher than the state municipal
average of 1.5 officers per 1,000 persons. Based on the state average, a total of five officers
(one additional) should be provided. in 2005.
The fire and rescue facilities are currently considered adequate to serve the city's needs during
the planning period. However, during the planning period, additional volunteers may be
needed.
13. Redevelopment Issues
The Town of Newport's greatest continuing redevelopment issue will be the preservation and
renovation of housing for its low -to -moderate income families and individuals. While housing
conditions improved during the'80s and early'90s, substantial problems still exist. The town
will undertake the following in support of residential development:
-- Support applications for North Carolina Community Development housing
f rehabilitation funds.
-- Support applications for North Carolina Housing Finance Agency home
improvement funds.
-- Investigate the development and enforcement of a minimum housing code.
Newport is not subject to major coastal storm damage. Convectional storms and tornadoes
pose a greater threat. However, some wind damage could result from the inland movement
of a major hurricane. Flooding of the Newport River, Deep, and Little Deep Creeks is also

possible in the event of a northeaster. While storm related damage is not a significant
redevelopment issue, the town will support the reconstruction of all storm destroyed
structures when reconstruction complies with all current local, state, and federal regulations
and the policies contained in this plan.
14. Intergovernmental Coordination and Implementation
This plan was reviewed by the Carteret County Planning Department prior to certification by
the Coastal Resources Commission. In addition, the town participated in an intergovernmental
meeting on August 21, 1996, which was attended by representatives of Carteret County and
the municipalities within the county. The purpose of the meeting was to identify issues of
common concern. This review was provided to help ensure consistency of this plan with
Carteret County's planning efforts. Intergovernmental coordination and cooperation will
continue through the ten-year planning period. This will be essential to accomplish effective
planning for public facilities, thoroughfare projects, community facilities, housing needs, and
environmental protection. The Town of Newport Planning Board will be responsible for
ensuring adequate coordination with Carteret County and other government entities as
required.
y
1
1
I I-8

SECTION III: LAND CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
The CAMA regulations require the establishment of a specific land classification system to
support the local government's policy statements. This system should reflect developing land
use patterns within a community. The CAMA 15A NCAC 7B regulations state:
"The land classification system provides a framework to be used
by local governments to identify the future use of all lands. The
designation of land classes allows the local government to
illustrate their policy statements as to where and to what density
they want growth to occur, and where they want to conserve
natural and cultural resources by guiding growth."
The 15A NCAC 7B requirements provide for the following land classifications: developed,
urban transition, limited transition, community, rural, rural with services, and conservation.
In applying these classifications, Newport should carefully consider where and when various
types of development should be encouraged. Additionally, the areas of environmental concern
requiring protection should be identified and mapped. Each applicable land classification must
be represented on a land classification map.
The following land classifications will apply in Newport's jurisdiction:
DEVELOPED: Areas included in the developed land classification are currently urban in
character, with no' or minimal undeveloped land remaining. Municipal types of services are
in place or are expected to be provided within the next five to ten years. Land uses include
residential, commercial, industrial, and other urban land uses at high or moderate densities.
Residential densities will be allowed consistent with the town's zoning ordinance. The
following provides the required density and minimum lot sizes for the town's residential zoning
districts which include density requirements:
District Minimum Lot Size Density
R-6 Residential Single -Family and Two -Family 6,000 SF Not to exceed 10
families per acre
R-20 Residential -Agricultural District 20,000 SF 10 families per acre
R-20A Residential Single -Family District 20,000 SF 2 families per acre
URBAN TRANSITION: Areas included in the urban transition classification are presently being
developed for urban purposes, or will be developed in the next five to ten years. These areas
should eventually require complete urban services within the planning period. The urban
transition areas include mixed land uses such as residential, commercial, institutional,
industrial, and other uses approaching high to moderate densities. Residential densities will
be allowed consistent with the town's zoning ordinance. The required density and minimum
lot sizes for the town's residential zoning districts which include density requirements have
been provided above in the description of the Developed Land classification.
III-1

CONSERVATION: The following areas of environmental concern are included in the
conservation classification:
Natural Resource Fragile Areas: These areas include the hardwood swamps of the
Newport River, and Deep and Little Deep Creeks. Development which meets the
minimum use standards of 15A NCAC 7H, the Newport zoning ordinance, and the
policies contained in this plan shall be allowed in areas classified as coastal wetlands.
404 Wetlands: This classification includes concentrated areas of 404 wetlands which
meet the wetlands definition contained in Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. Only
uses consistent with the policy statements section of this plan will be allowed. In all
areas of the town's planning jurisdiction considered by the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers to be 404 wetlands, the applicable federal regulations shall apply.
Coastal Wetlands: This classification includes all areas of marsh subject to regular or
occasional flooding by tides, including wind tides. However, tidal flooding is
understood not to include hurricane or tropical storm tides. The existence of coastal
wetlands must be determined by the Division of Coastal Management. Development
which meets the minimum use standards of 15A NCAC 7H, the Newport zoning
ordinance, and the policies contained in this plan shall be allowed in areas classified as
coastal wetlands.
Public Trust Waters: All public trust waters are included in this classification. All
waters in Newport's planning jurisdiction are classified as public trust areas as
described by 15A NCAC 7H.0207. Except for floating structures and prohibition of
signage in public trust waters policies, the Conservation policies are not more
restrictive than the use standards included in 15A NCAC 7H.
The land classifications are delineated on Map 7. The land classification map allows for the
development of Newport's planning jurisdiction during the next five to ten years.
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I SECTION IV: INTRODUCTION TO POLICY STATEMENTS
This plan identifies issues dealing with growth, development, and the environment. This
section of the plan is intended to provide policies which will address growth management and
protection of the environment. The policies should be based on the objectives of the citizens
of Newport and satisfy the objectives of the Coastal Resources Commission. The policies
should not restrict healthy, environmentally sound development essential to Newport's future
well being.
It should be emphasized that the policy statements are extremely important and have a
day-to-day impact on businesses and individual citizens within Newport's planning jurisdiction.,
The statements have an impact in three areas:
- CAMA minor and major permitting as required by N.C.G.S. 113A-118 prior to
undertaking any development in any area of environmental concern.
I-- Establishment of local planning policy.
-- Review of proposed projects requiring state or federal assistance or approval to
determine consistency with local policies.
For the issuance of CAMA permits within areas of environmental concern, the state's
minimum acceptable use standards are defined by 15A NCAC 7H. A local unit of government
must adopt policies which are, at a minimum, equal to and consistent with the state's
minimum use standards. Newport may adopt policies which are more stringent than the
minimum use standards. For example, the state standards allow marinas to be located within
primary nursery areas if some minimum conditions are met. Newport could adopt a policy
stating that marinas will not be permitted within primary nursery areas (This is only an
example, not a recommendation). If this were to occur, a CAMA permit for marina
construction in a primary nursery area would not be issued. IT IS CRUCIAL THAT A LOCAL
GOVERNMENT UNDERSTAND THE IMPACT OF ITS POLICIES WITHIN AREAS OF
d ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN.
The second area of land use plan application is that of establishing policies to guide the
jurisdiction's local planning. This may apply both within areas of environmental concern where
CAMA regulations apply and in non-CAMA regulated areas of the county. Under North
Carolina legislation, land use plans are not regulatory controls. Non-CAMA related
recommendations must be implemented with local land use ordinances such as zoning or
subdivision ordinances. If this plan recommends that the average residential density should
be three dwelling units per acre within a particular area, then that density must be achieved
through local zoning ordinance or other regulatory control. (This should not be confused with
the interaction of the land use plan with the CAMA regulations and 15A NCAC 7H use
standards.)
The final area of application is that of "Consistency Review." Proposals and applications for
state and federal assistance or requests for agency approval of projects are normally reviewed
against a jurisdiction's land use plan to determine if the project is consistent with local
policies. Inconsistencies of a project with local policies could serve as grounds for denial or
IV-1

revision of a project. For example, an individual or agency may request state or federal
funding to construct a 30-unit low -to -moderate income housing project. If the proposed
location of the project is within an area in which this land use plan states that the residential
density should not exceed two dwelling units per acre, the project may be judged to be
inconsistent with the local land use plan.
The Coastal Resources Commission requires all governments to specify stated development
policies under each one of five broad topics as specified by 15A NCAC 7B.. These topics
include:
-- Resource Protection
-- Resource Production and Management
-- Economic and Community Development
-- Continuing Public Participation
-- Storm Hazard Mitigation, Post -Disaster Recovery, and Evacuation Plans
During 1995 and 1996, the NCAC 7B CAMA planning guidelines were revised. The revised
guidelines included new requirements for the development of policy statements. These
changes included the following policy statement additions:
-- A general vision policy statement describing the type of
community that the local government would like to become
within the next ten years.
-- A basic statement as to the community attitude toward resource
protection.
-- A policy addressing the protection of wetlands identified as being
of the highest functional significance on maps supplied by the
Division of Coastal Management.
-- A policy addressing moorings and mooring fields.
-- A policy addressing water quality problems and management
measures designed to reduce or eliminate local sources of surface
water quality problems.
-- A statement as to the community attitude toward resource
production and management.
-- A policy addressing commitment to state and federal programs,
including housing rehabilitation, community development block
grants, housing for low and moderate income level citizens,
water and sewer installation, and rural water systems.
-- A policy addressing assistance to interstate waterways.
Based on the analysis of existing conditions and trends, suggestions from the town's citizens,
and substantial input and guidance from the Town of Newport Planning Board, the policies in
the following sections have been formulated to provide a guide for regulating development
IV-2
i

within Newport's planning jurisdiction. Policies which were considered, but not,adopted, are
provided in Appendix I.
A. VISION STATEMENT
Newport desires to develop as a balanced community with continued residential, business, and
industrial growth. The town will pursue an annexation policy, expanding the town's corporate
limits when financially feasible and requested by residents of the area to be annexed. The
town's extraterritorial jurisdiction will be expanded to include the maximum allowable area.
The town's primary objective will be protection of its residential areas from noxious and/or
conflicting land uses. It is also a priority of the town to carefully control growth and
development which is expected to occur along the U.S. 70 Highway corridor.
In summary, Newport desires to achieve the following:
-- An economically sound tax base and job opportunities
-- A healthy social and educational structure
_= An optimum living and working environment
Conservation of natural areas
-- Maintain character of the community
B. RESOURCE PROTECTION POLICY STATEMENTS
Community Attitude on Resource Protection
The Town of Newport is supportive of resource protection, in particular preservation of
conservation areas as defined by this plan. All 15A NCAC 7H minimum use standards will be
supported, or in some cases exceeded, by the policies contained in this plan.
Physical Limitations
Soils
To mitigate septic tank problems and other restrictions on development posed b soil
9 P P P P Y
limitations, Newport will:
(a) Enforce, through the development and zoning permit process, all current regulations
of the N.C. State Building Code and the N.C. Division of Health Services relating to
building construction and septic tank installation/replacement in areas with soils
restrictions.
(b) Coordinate all development activity with appropriate Carteret County and state
regulatory personnel, and in particular with the Carteret County Sanitarian when septic
tank permits are required.
j(c) Cooperate with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the regulation/enforcement of the
404 wetlands permit process.
IV-3

(d) Support the development of central water and sewer systems in all areas of the town's
planning jurisdiction.
Flood Hazard Areas
(a) Newport will continue to coordinate all development within the special flood hazard
area with the town's Inspections Department, North Carolina Division of Coastal
Management, FEMA, and the U.S. Corps of Engineers.
(b) Newport will continue to enforce its existing zoning and flood damage prevention
ordinances and follow the storm hazard mitigation plan contained herein.
Groundwater/Protection of Potable Water Supplies
Newport's policy is to conserve its surficial groundwater resources by supporting CAMA and
N.C. Division of Water Quality stormwater run-off regulations, and by coordinating local
development activities involving chemical storage or underground storage tank
installation/abandonment with Carteret County Emergency Management personnel and the
Groundwater Section of the North Carolina Division of Water Quality. The Town of Newport
Building Inspections Department will coordinate building inspections with state and federal
regulations governing underground storage tanks and will endeavor to advise building permit
applicants of those regulations.
Manmade Hazards
(a) Newport will support the technical requirements and state program approval for
underground storage tanks (40 CFR, Parts 280 and 281), and any subsequent state
regulations concerning underground storage tanks adopted during the planning period.
(b) With the exception of fuel storage tanks used for retail and wholesale sales, Newport
opposes the bulk storage of fuel or other manmade hazardous materials within any
areas not zoned for industrial usage. The town's zoning ordinance will be revised to
support this policy.
(c) The Town of Newport opposes the disposal of any toxic wastes, as defined by the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Listing of Hazardous Substances and Priority
Pollutants (developed pursuant to the Clean Water Act of 1977) within its planning
jurisdiction.
Stormwater Runoff
(a) Newport recognizes the value of water quality maintenance to the protection of fragile
areas and to the provision of clean water for recreational purposes. The town will
support existing state regulations relating to stormwater runoff resulting from
development (Stormwater Disposal Policy 15 NCAC 2H.001-.1003) through
enforcement of the town's subdivision ordinance.
(b) Newport supports control of agricultural runoff through implementation of U.S. Soil ,
Conservation Service "Best Management Practices" program.
11
IV-4

(c) Newport will support the development of a comprehensive town -wide stormwater
drainage plan.
(d) The Town of Newport will consider revising its zoning and subdivision ordinances to
reduce the areas covered during development by impervious surfaces. This will reduce
stormwater runoff. Changes may include, but not necessarily be limited to:
-- Stabilized but not paved parking lots.
-- Paving with "grass stones" (paving blocks which have open areas to allow
passage of water).
-- Strip paving of streets.
Cultural/Historic Resources
(a) Newport shall coordinate all housing code enforcement/redevelopment projects with
the N.C. Division of Archives and History, to ensure that any significant architectural
details or buildings are identified and preserved.
(b) Newport will coordinate all county public works projects with the N.C. Division of
Archives and History, to ensure the identification and preservation of significant
archaeological sites.
Industrial Impacts on Fragile Areas
(a) Industrial development which can comply with the use standards specified by 15A
NCAC 7H, the Town of Newport zoning ordinance, and federal regulations may be
located within conservation classified areas. Newport aggressively encourages the
development of industry. The town does not want any policies contained within this
plan to prohibit industrial development which meets all applicable state and federal
regulations.
(b) The Town of Newport, in cooperation with Carteret County, will continue to support
an active industrial recruitment program, seeking low pollution, light manufacturing
industries and those which do not require large commitments of water and/or sewer.
The town will discourage any agricultural or industrial development which requires large
groundwater yields for operation.
Miscellaneous Resource Protection
Package Treatment Plant Use
(a) The town does not support the use of private package sewage treatment plants within
the town limits. However, in the ETJ, in special cases where the use of private
systems is the only available option, the town may permit the use of private systems
only if the associated development meets the following criteria:
• The said development is consistent with the town's policies and
ordinances.
I IV-5

• The system meets or exceeds the state and federal permitting
requirements.
• The project will have no adverse impacts beyond its boundaries.
• The perpetual operation and maintenance of the system is guaranteed
without obligation to the town in any way.
(b) ' Newport supports requirement of a specific contingency plan specifying how ongoing
private operation and maintenance of the plant will be provided, and detailing
provisions for assumption of the plant into a public system should the private operation
fail or management of the system not meet the conditions of the state permit (see
policy (d) soils).
(c) Any request for the approval of a private package treatment facility must be
accompanied by environmental assessments or, if required, environmental impact
statements and documentation of assurances that all applicable state and federal health
requirements will be satisfied. Prior to the preparation of an Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS), a report will be prepared which examines the possibilities for
wastewater disposal alternatives. This report will follow the prescribed format outlined
in the Division of Water Quality's Guidance for Evaluation of Wastewater Disposal
Alternatives: Proposed Discharge. When an EIS is determined necessary, it will be
prepared in accordance with 15 NCAC 1 D.0201.
(d) All development and subsequent construction of wastewater facilities shall be
consistent with the regulations set forth by the Newport zoning and subdivision
ordinances in conjunction with the adopted land use plan.
(e) Newport allows the discharge of package treatment plant effluent into 404 wetland
areas.
Marina and Floating Home Development
Because of shallow water depth, marina and floating home development has not been an issue r
within Newport's planning jurisdiction. However, the town would oppose the location of
floating structures within its jurisdiction.
Mooring Fields
Because of shallow water depth, mooring fields are not an issue within Newport's planning
jurisdiction.
Development of Sound and Estuarine Islands I
A policy on the development of sound and estuarine system islands is not applicable to
Newport.
Bulkhead Construction
Newport supports the construction of bulkheads as long as they fulfill the use standards set
,
forth in 15A NCAC 7H.
IV-6

ISea Level Rise
The Town of Newport will implement the following policies to respond to sea level rise:
(a) The Town of Newport will continuously monitor the effects of sea level rise and update
the land use plan policies as necessary to protect the town's public and private
properties from rising water levels.
(b) The Town of Newport will support bulkheading on the mainland to protect its shoreline
areas from intruding water resulting from rising sea level.
Water Quality Management
(a) Newport supports addressing the following issues in the development of the White Oak
Basinwide Management Plan:
Long-term Growth Management
-- Wastewater management (non -discharge, regionalization, ocean outfall).
_= Urban stormwater runoff/water quality.
Role of local land use planning.
Shellfish Water Closures
Increases in number of acres closed.
-- Examine link between growth and closures.
-- Opportunities for restoration and prevention.
Animal Operation Waste Management
-- Between 1990-1991, swine population located in the White Oak River Basin
more than doubled.
Nutrients/Toxic Dinoflagellate
Reduction in nitrogen and phosphorous levels.
(b) The Town of Newport will undertake a review of all local land use regulation
ordinances to determine if revisions should be undertaken to respond to specific water
quality management problems.
(c) The Town of Newport will pursue development and adoption of a local ordinance to
regulate swine production. The town is also in favor and fully supports adoption of
such an ordinance by the county.
C. RESOURCE PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT POLICIES
■ Community Attitude Toward Resource Production and Management
Newport will implement policies which support resource production and management. All
policies will meet or exceed 15A NCAC 7H minimum use standards. Resource production
should not be allowed to adversely affect Newport's conservation areas.
I IV-7

Recreation Resources
(a) Subject to available funds, the Town of Newport supports a comprehensive recreational
program to provide a broad range of recreational facilities for its citizens and will work
cooperatively with Carteret County to provide a year-round recreation program.
(b) The town will seek donations of land, bargain sales, or grant funds in order to obtain
sites suitable for development as recreational facilities.
Aquaculture
The Town of Newport supports the development of aquaculture and mariculture facilities.
Off -Road Vehicles
The town supports existing policies and/or regulations directed at the management of off -road
vehicles on public land. The existing policies are dictated by the National Forestry and Wildlife
Commission, and as stated, the town fully complies with and supports these policies. The
town does not have policies directed at regulating off -road vehicles.
Solid Waste
(a) Newport supports a regional multi -county approach to solid waste management.
(b) Newport favors the siting of recycling centers, transfer stations, and solid waste
collection sites within all land classifications except those within the conservation
category when the facility(ies) is(are) consistent with the Town of Newport zoning
ordinance. A,
Productive Forestlands
(a) Newport supports federal protection and management guidelines directed at
preservation of the Croatan National Forest.
(b) The town supports promotion of public awareness of forestry Best Management
Practices in the area, while encouraging the private forestry industry to implement such
practices to the benefit of their natural resource production activities.
Productive Agricultural Lands
Newport supports and encourages use of the U.S. Soil Conservation Service "Best
Management Practices" program.
Marine Resource Areas
(a) The Town of Newport supports the use standards for public trust areas as specified in
15A NCAC 7H.0207.
(b) Newport reserves the right to comment on the individual policies and requirements of
the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries.
IV-8

(c) The town will support enforcement of current state, federal, and local regulations to
improve water quality.
Residential, Commercial, and Industrial Development Impacts on Resources
(a) Residential, commercial, and industrial development which is consistent with local
zoning and meets applicable state and federal regulations will be allowed in
conservation areas.
(b) Newport opposes the construction of any signs, expect public regulatory signs, in
public trust areas.
D. ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Community Attitude on Economic and Community Development
Newport desires to expand its economic base. A reasonable policy of annexation will be
maintained. Newport will support growth and development at the densities specified in the
land classification definitions. In guiding development, the following locational guidelines will
be supported:
• Encourage renovation of commercial areas downtown and along
Chatham Street.
r• Encourage location of new commercial/retail uses in vacant commercial
buildings downtown.
• Encourage new residential, commercial, and recreational development to
take the form of infill in the downtown area as prescribed by the
subdivision and zoning ordinances.
• Continue to support and fund development of affordable housing in the
Newport area.
• Continue to encourage a variety of choice in existing neighborhoods
through a balance of preservation, rehabilitation, and new development.
• Continue to ensure enforcement of housing construction and
maintenance codes. Explore alternatives to demolition of substandard
r housing.
• The town emphasizes the importance of locating new economic
development in and around the existing urban area where public
infrastructure and systems can be reasonably extended.
• Continue to support growth and development of the Cherry Point Marine
Corps Air Station.
IV-9

Water Supply
1
(a) The Town of Newport supports the following improvements to its water supply
system:
-- enlargement of the water treatment plant;
-- rehabilitation of the older sections of water distribution lines;
-- addition of another elevated storage tank;
-- installation of an emergency power system at the water treatment facility; and
-- the possible addition of a fifth well.
(b) The town will allow the installation of private wells for irrigation only through the
NCDEM permit process.
(c) The town will extend water services beyond its extraterritorial area if an adequate
demand for service exists.
(d) The Town of Newport supports the construction of lines to and through conservation
areas to serve development which meets all applicable state and federal regulations.
(e) Newport is aware that inappropriate land uses near well fields increase the possibility
of well contamination. Land uses near groundwater sources are regulated by the North
Carolina Division of Water Quality through NCAC Subchapters 2L and 2C.
(f) The Town of Newport supports all efforts to secure available state and federal funding
for the construction and/or expansion of public and private water systems.
Sewer System
(a) Newport will support the development of central sewer service throughout its
incorporated area and its unincorporated planning jurisdiction.
( Port b) New supportsdischarge of effluent into 404 wetland areas.
the 9
(c) The town supports all efforts to secure available state and federal funding for the
construction and/or expansion of public and private sewer systems.
(d) The town will rehabilitate older sections of wastewater collection lines as needed.
(e) The town will support treatment of waste in either a centralized Carteret County
sewage treatment system or a regional, four county treatment system. In the absence
of a County or Four County Regional treatment plant/system, the Town of Newport will
continue development of its own waste treatment system and treatment plant. The
town will also investigate and support other cost effective options which may be
available such as: contracting with another municipality for the treatment of a portion
of its sewage and/or contracting with the Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station for the
treatment of a portion of its sewage.
IV-10

ISolid Waste
(a)
Newport supports Carteret County's participation in a regional multi -county approach
to solid waste management. This includes disposal of waste in the Tri-County Regional
Landfill.
(b)
The town will support efforts to educate people and businesses on waste reduction and
recycling. The town vigorously supports recycling by all users of the Tri-County
Landfill and supports setting up practical collection methods and education efforts to
achieve a high degree of county -wide recycling.
(c)
Newport supports the siting of recycling centers within commercial and industrial
zoning classifications.
Stormwater
(a)
Newport will cooperate with the NCDOT, the North Carolina Division of Water Quality,
and other state agencies in mitigating the impact of stormwater runoff on all
conservation classified areas. The town will support the Division of Water Quality
stormwater runoff retention permitting process through its zoning permit system by
verifying compliance prior to issuance of a zoning permit.
(b)
The town will attempt to apply for grant funds, and utilize Powell Bill funds, to improve
stormwater drainage systems associated with existing rights -of -way.
(c)
The town will develop a comprehensive master drainage plan.
Energy Facility Siting and Development
(a) There are no electric generating plants located in Newport's planning jurisdiction. The
town will consider the need for establishing energy facilities on a case -by -case basis,
judging the need for development against all identified possible adverse impacts.
(b) Newport has some concerns over offshore drilling.. In the event that oil or gas is
discovered, Newport will not oppose drilling operations and onshore support facilities
for which an Environmental Impact Statement has been prepared with a finding of no
significant impact on the environment. Newport supports and requests full disclosure
of development plans, with mitigative measures that will be undertaken to prevent
adverse impacts on the environment, the infrastructure, and the social systems of
Newport and Carteret County. The town also requests full disclosure of any adopted
plans. Offshore drilling and the development of onshore support facilities may have
severe costs for the county and its municipalities as well as advantages. The costs
should be borne by the company(ies) which profits from offshore drilling and onshore
support facilities.
Redevelopment of Developed Areas
The most significant redevelopment issue confronting the Town of Newport through 2000 are
housing rehabilitation, commercial redevelopment, and reconstruction following a major storm.
IV-11

During the planning period, the town will attempt to address its redevelopment needs by
implementing the following:
(a) The town may apply for Community Development Block Grant Community
Revitalization/Housing Development and North Carolina Housing Finance Agency funds.
(b) All redevelopment efforts will be coordinated with the Town of Newport Planning
Department and Planning Board.
(c) Promote funding for downtown revitalization and implementation in an effortto attract
new development to the central business district.
(d) The town will be pro -active in pursuing state and federal assistance and other methods
of funding to be utilized for revitalization and other improvements as deemed
appropriate.
(e) The Storm Hazard Mitigation, Post -Disaster Recovery, and Evacuation Plan provides
policies for responding to hurricanes or other natural disasters. Those policies address
reconstruction needs. The town will allow the reconstruction of any structures
demolished by natural disaster when the reconstruction complies with all applicable
local, state, and federal regulations.
Estuarine Access
Newport supports the state's shoreline access policies as set forth in NCAC Chapter 15A,
Subchapter 7M. The town will conform to CAMA and other state and federal environmental
regulations affecting the development of estuarine access areas. The town will consider
development of a detailed shoreline access plan during the five-year planning period.
Affordable Housing
In order to support housing development, the town will do the following:
(a) Support low to moderate income housing.
(b) Apply for Community Development Block Grant Community Revitalization and North
Carolina Housing Finance Agency funds.
(c) Review the town's zoning and subdivision ordinances regarding possible impediments
to the construction of affordable housing. Items to be considered may include, but not
be limited to: planned unit developments, zero lot lines, cluster housing, increased
density, revised subdivision design standards, and reduced yard setback requirements.
(d) Strict enforcement of the town's minimum housing code.
(e) Pursue state and federal funding of projects to improve and increase moderate income
housing.
(f) Support state and federal programs which assist with housing rehabilitation.
IV-12

(g) When economically feasible, the Town of Newport will extend water and sewer lines
to serve new residential developments.
Community Facilities
During the planning period, Newport will develop a community services/facilities plan (as a
stand-alone document, not as an expansion of this plan), which will define existing
deficiencies in police protection, fire protection, local administrative buildings, public
recreational facilities, public shoreline access, and public parks. This plan will not address
school system needs. The plan will prioritize needs and make specific recommendations
concerning financing and budgeting the high priority needs.
Types and Locations of Desired Industry
Newport desires to achieve responsible industrial development which will not adversely affect
the natural environment or the quality of established residential areas. Large vacant areas
exist within the town's planning jurisdiction which have the potential for industrial
development.
The following industrial development policies will be applied:
(a) Industrial sites should be accessible to municipal/central water and sewer services.
(b) Industries which are noxious by reason of the emission of smoke, odor, dust, glare,
noise, and vibrations, and those which deal primarily in hazardous products such as
explosives, should not be located in Newport.
(c) Industrial development and/or industrial zoning should not infringe on established
residential development.
Commitment to State and Federal Programs
Newport is generally receptive to state and federal programs, particularly those which provide
improvements to the town. The town will continue to fully support such programs, especially
the North Carolina Department of Transportation road and bridge improvement programs,
which are very important to the Town of Newport.
Examples of other state and federal programs that are important to and supported by Newport
include: dredging and channel maintenance by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; federal and
state projects which provide efficient and safe boat access for sport fishing; public beach and
coastal waterfront access grant funds; and community development block grants, housing for
the elderly, moderate income housing, housing rehabilitation, and North Carolina Housing
Finance Agency housing improvement programs.
Assistance in Channel Maintenance
Newport continues to support state and federal efforts to maintain channels for navigation.
The town also supports the private maintenance of channels providing that such action is in
accordance with all local,.state, and federal environmental regulations.
IV-13

Assistance in Interstate Waterways
Newport is not adjacent to or affected by the Intracoastal Waterway.
Tourism
Newport will implement the following policies to further the development of tourism:
(a) Newport will support North Carolina Department of Transportation projects to improve
access to the town and Carteret County.
(b) Newport will continue to support the activities of the North Carolina Division of Travel
and Tourism; specifically, the monitoring of tourism -related industry, efforts to promote
tourism -related commercial activity, and efforts to enhance and provide shoreline
resources.
Transportation
(a) Newport supports implementation of the following land transportation improvements:
-- SR 1247 is Chatham Street (Old Highway 70). This street needs to be
widened, curbed, and guttered.
-- SR 1183 (Church Street) needs widening with improved drainage.
-- SR 1124 (Nine Foot Road), SR 1756 (Lake Road, part Craven County), and SR
1154 (Mill Creek Road) all need widening and resurfacing.
-- Construct driveway connection on Highway 70E approximately 250' from
Roberts Road intersection for industrial growth.
-- Completion and adoption of a town thoroughfare plan.
-- Coordination with NCDOT to ensure that town streets are adequately
maintained and upgraded.
-- Extension of Howard Boulevard to Chatham Street.
-- Extension of Orange Street to East Chatham Street.
-- Removal of traffic islands and installing turn lanes at the intersection of Nine
Foot Road/Howard Boulevard with U.S. 70 Bypass.
-- Careful planning of commercial and industrial development along U.S. 70
Bypass. Strip development connecting directly to U.S. 70 should be avoided
and service roads required.
-- Improve pedestrian access and foster pedestrian -friendly environment.
IV-14

-- Does the town need more land in the zone class requested? I
-- Is there other property in the community that might be more appropriate
for this use?
-- Is the request in accordance with the town plan?
-- Will the request have a serious impact on traffic circulation, parking
space, sewer and water services, and other utilities?
-- Is there a possibility ossibility that the request, as proposed, will result in
9
lessening the enjoyment or use of adjacent properties?
-- Will the request, as proposed, cause serious noise, odors, light, activity,
or unusual disturbances?
-- Does the request raise serious legal questions such as spot zoning,
hardship, violation of precedents, or need for this type of use?
E. CONTINUING PUBLIC PARTICIPATION POLICIES
As the initial step in the preparation of this document, Newport prepared and adopted a
"Public Participation Plan." The plan outlined the methodology for citizen involvement (See
Appendix II). Public involvement was to be generated through public information meetings,
advertising in local newspapers, establishment of a land use planning advisory committee to
work with the Board of Commissioners and Planning Board on the development of the plan.
A public information meeting was conducted at the outset of the project on September 5,
1995, at 7:30 p.m., in the Newport Municipal Building. Also, a description of the land use
plan preparation process and schedule was published in the Carteret County News and Times.
Subsequently, meetings of the Board of Commissioners, Planning Board, Advisory Committee t
were held on: October 23, 1995; February 26, 1996; and April 22, 1996. All meetings were
open to the public. The Board of Commissioners conducted a public information meeting for
review of and comment on the plan on August 20, 1996. The meeting was advertised in the
Carteret County News and Times on August 4, 1996.
The preliminary plan was submitted to the Coastal Resources Commission for comment on
August 23, 1996. Following receipt of CRC comments, the plan was amended, and a formal
public hearing on the final document was conducted on June 3, 1997. The public hearing was
advertised in Carteret County News and Times on April 30, 1997. The plan was approved by
the Newport Board of Commissioners on June 3, 1997, and submitted to the Coastal
Resources Commission for certification. The plan was certified on July 25, 1997.
Citizen input will continue to be solicited, primarily through the Planning Board, with advertised
and adequately publicized public meetings held to discuss special land use issues and to keep
citizens informed. I
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Land Use Plan/Zoning Ordinance Coordination
The Town of Newport Planning Board and Board of Commissioners will consider the following
in deliberation of all zoning petitions:
a) All uses which are allowed in a zoning district must be considered. A decision
to rezone or not to rezone a parcel or parcels of property cannot be based on
consideration of only one use or a partial list of the uses allowed within a zoning
district.
b) Zoning decisions will not be based on aesthetic considerations.
c) Requests for zoning changes will not be approved if the requested change will
result in spot zoning. Spot zoning is a form of discriminatory zoning whose sole
purpose is to serve the private interests of one or more landowners instead of
furthering the welfare of the entire community as part of an overall zoning plan.
Although changing the zoning classification of any parcel of land to permit a
more intensive use could possibly constitute spot zoning, the test lies in its
relationship to the existing zoning pattern and guidelines of the local
comprehensive plan. Spot zoning is based on the arbitrary and inappropriate
nature of a rezoning change rather than, as is commonly believed, in the size
of the area being rezoned.
d) Zoning which will result in strip development will be discouraged. Strip
development is a melange of development, usually commercial, extending along
both sides of a major street. Strip development is often a mixture of auto -
oriented enterprises (e.g., gas stations, motels, and food stands), truck -
dependent wholesaling and light industrial enterprises along with the once -rural
homes and farms that await conversion to commercial use. Strip development
may severely reduce traffic -carrying capacity of abutting streets.
e) The concept of uniformity will be supported in all zoning deliberations.
Uniformity is a basic premise of zoning which holds that all land in similar
circumstances should be zoned alike; any different treatment must be justified
by showing different circumstances.
f) Zoning regulations will be made in accordance with the Town of Newport
Comprehensive Plan and designed to lessen congestion in the streets; to secure
safety from fire, panic, and other dangers; to promote health and the general
welfare; to provide adequate light and air; to prevent the overcrowding of land;
to avoid undue concentration of population; and to facilitate the adequate
provision of transportation, water, sewerage, schools, parks, and other public
requirements. The regulations shall be made with reasonable consideration,
among other things, as to the character of the district and its peculiar suitability
for particular uses, and with a view to conserving the value of buildings and
encouraging the most appropriate use of land throughout the Town of Newport
planning jurisdiction.
g) Specifically, the Planning Board and Board of Commissioners should ask the
following questions:
IV-15

F. STORM HAZARD MITIGATION, POST -DISASTER RECOVERY, AND EVACUATION
PLANS
The purpose of a storm hazard mitigation plan is to assist a town or county in managing
development in potentially hazardous areas through establishing storm hazard mitigation
policies and to reduce the risks associated with severe storms and hurricanes by developing
post -disaster reconstruction/recovery policies. The following provides the Newport Storm
Hazard Mitigation, Post -Disaster Recovery, and Evacuation Plan.
STORM HAZARD MITIGATION POLICIES
The effect of storm related flooding in Carteret County is discussed on pages 66 and 67 of
the Land Use Plan, and areas subject to flooding are shown on Map 7, page 68. The most
severely affected section of the county during a major storm would be the "Down East" area
where a Category 3 storm would inundate over fifty percent of eastern Carteret County.
However, all developed areas of Carteret County are subject to wind damage. In a severe
storm, over fifty percent of the county's developed areas could be subjected to flood damage.
Hazard mitigation, or actions taken to reduce the probability or impact of a disaster could
involve a number of activities or policy decisions. The starting point, however, is to identify
the types of hazards (including the relative severity and magnitude of risks), and the extent
of development (including residential, commercial, etc.) located in storm hazard areas.,
Hurricanes are extremely powerful, often unpredictable forces of nature. The four causes of
fatalities and property damage are high winds, flooding, wave action, and erosion. Two of
these, high winds and flooding, apply to Newport.
a. High Winds
High winds are the major determinants of a hurricane, by definition, i.e., a tropical disturbance
with sustained winds of at least 73 miles per hour. Extreme hurricanes can have winds of up
rto 165 miles per hour, with gusts up to 200 miles per hour.
These winds circulate around the center or "eye" of the storm. Although the friction or impact
r of the winds hitting land from the water causes some dissipation of the full force, there is Still
a tremendous amount of energy left to cause damage to buildings, overturn mobile homes,
down trees and power lines, and destroy crops. Also, tornadoes are often spawned by
hurricane wind patterns. Wind stress, therefore, is an important consideration in storm hazard
mitigation planning.
b. Flooding
The excessive amounts of rainfall and the -"storm surge" which often accompany hurricanes
can cause massive coastal and riverine flooding causing excessive property damage and
deaths by drowning. (More deaths are caused by drowning than any other cause in
hurricanes.) Flooding can cause extensive damage in inland areas, since many areas of
Newport have low elevations. Approximately 40% of Newport's total area is subject to storm
related flood damage. Consideration of potential flood damage is important to Newport's
efforts to develop storm mitigation policies.
IV-17

C. Policy Statements: Storm Hazard Mitigation 1
In order to minimize the damage potentially caused by the effects of a hurricane or other major ,
storm, Newport proposes the following policies:
High Winds I
Newport supports enforcement of the N.C. State Building Code. The town will
continue to enforce the State Building Code on wind resistant construction with design
standards of 110 mph wind loads. I
Flooding
Newport is an active participant in the National Flood Insurance program and is
supportive of hazard mitigation elements. The town is participating in the regular
phase of the insurance program. This program is administered locally by the Newport
Building Inspections Department. Newport also supports continued enforcement of the
CAMA and 404 Wetlands development permit processes in areas potentially
susceptible to flooding. When reviewing development proposals, the town will work
to reduce density in areas susceptible to flooding. In addition, the town will encourage
the public purchase of land in the most hazardous areas.
Mitigation Policies Related to Redevelopment of Hazard Areas After a Storm i
Reconstruction of damaged properties in Newport after a storm will be subject to the
following:
The North Carolina Building Code requires any building damaged
in excess of 50 percent of its value to conform with code
requirements for new buildings when repaired. (This will be
particularly beneficial in the event of wind damage.)
The Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance requires that all existing
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structures must comply with requirements related to elevation
above the 100-year floodplain elevation and floodproofing if they
are substantially improved. A substantial improvement is defined
as "any repair, reconstruction, or improvement of a building, the
cost of which equals or exceeds 50 percent of the market value ,
of the building either before the improvement or repair is started,
or before damage occurred if the building has been damaged."
Evacuation Plans
The town will coordinate evacuation planning with all county agencies and
municipalities. Newport will encourage motels, condominiums, and multi -family
developments (five or more dwelling units) to post evacuation instructions that identify
routes and the locations of available public shelters. The town in conjunction with
Carteret County will update an evacuation route map annually. Copies will be kept at
the County Administration Building in Beaufort for free distribution to the public.
IV-18

Implementation: Storm Hazard Mitigation
' (a) Newport will continue to enforce the standards of the State Building Code.
(b) The town will continue to support enforcement of State and Federal programs
which aid in mitigation of hurricane hazards, including CAMA and the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers 404 permit process, FEMA, as well as local
ordinances such as zoning and flood damage prevention regulations.
(c) The town will discourage high density development in high hazard areas through
implementation of the town's Zoning, Subdivision, and Mobile Home Park
Ordinances.
' (d) Newport supports the public acquisition of high hazard areas with state and
federal funds when voluntary acquisition can be accomplished. The town
discourages condemnation of land for this purpose.
(e) Developed structures which were destroyed or sustained "major damage" and
which did not conform to the town's building regulations, zoning ordinances,
and other storm hazard mitigation policies, i.e., basic measures to reduce
damage by high winds, flooding, wave action or erosion, must be repaired or
redeveloped according to those policies. In some instances, this may mean
relocation of construction, or no reconstruction at all. Building permits to
restore destroyed or "major" damaged structures which were built in
conformance with the town's building code and town storm hazard mitigation
policies shall be issued automatically. All structures suffering major damage will
be repaired according to the State Building Code and town Flood Damage
Prevention Ordinance. All structures suffering minor damage, regardless of
location, will be allowed to be rebuilt to the original condition prior to the storm.
POST -DISASTER RECONSTRUCTION PLAN AND POLICIES
a. Introduction
A post -disaster plan provides a program that will permit a local government to deal with the
aftermaths of a storm in an organized and efficient manner. The plan provides the
' mechanisms, procedures, and policies that will enable a local community to learn from its
storm experiences and to rebuild the community in a wise and practical manner.
IA post -disaster reconstruction plan encompasses three distinct reconstruction periods:
The emergency period is the reconstruction phase immediately after a storm.
The emphasis is on restoring public health and safety, assessing the nature and
extent of storm damage, and qualifying for and obtaining whatever federal and
state assistance might be available.
The restoration period covers the weeks and months following a storm disaster.
The emphasis during this period is on restoring community facilities, utilities,
IV-19

essential businesses, etc., so that the community can once again function in a
normal manner.
The replacement reconstruction period is the period during which the '
community is rebuilt. The period could last from months to years depending on
the nature and extent of the damaged incurred.
It is important that local officials clearly understand the joint federal -state -local procedures for
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providing assistance to rebuild after a storm so that local damage assessment and
reconstruction efforts are carried out in an efficient manner that qualifies the community for
the different types of assistance that are available. The requirements are generally delineated
in the Disaster Relief Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-288) which authorizes a wide range of financial and
direct assistance to both local communities and individuals. The sequence of procedures to
be followed after a major storm event is as follows:
1. Local damage assessment teams survey storm damage within the community.
2. Damage information is compiled and summarized and the nature and extent of
damage is reported to the North Carolina Division of Water Quality. ,
3. DEM compiles local data and makes recommendations to the Governor
concerning state action.
4. The Governor may request a Presidential declaration of "emergency" or "major
disaster." A Presidential declaration makes a variety of federal resources
available to local communities and individuals.
5. Federal Relief assistance provided to a community after an "emergency" has
been declared typically ends one month after the initial Presidential declaration.
Where a "major disaster" has been declared, federal assistance for "emergency"
work typically ends six months after the declaration and federal assistance for ,
"permanent" work ends after 18 months.
Federal disaster assistance programs previously provided aid for communities to rebuild in the
same way as existed before the disaster occurred. This policy tended to foster recurring
mistakes. However, recent federal policy has started to change the emphasis of disaster
assistance programs. Specifically,
-- Executive Order 1198 (Floodplain Management) directs all federal agencies to
avoid either directly or indirectly supporting future unwise development in
floodplains (e.g., through sewer grants in locations that foster floodplain
development.)
-- Section 406 of the Disaster Relief Act can require communities, as a
prerequisite for federal disaster assistance, to take specific actions to mitigate
future flood losses.
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The town has been provided a comprehensive listing of the Federal Disaster Assistance
Programs that may be available following a major storm. The programs identified fall into the
categories of Temporary Housing, Individual Assistance, and Assistance to Local and State
Governments. The listing is comprehensive and therefore all the programs listed may not be
applicable to Newport.
The remainder of this chapter presents recommended recovery procedures in the general
sequence of response by the town. While damage assessment (Sections B and C) will be the
first operations conducted by the town after a disaster, it should be realized that the
recommended recovery operations (Section D) will begin simultaneously. The remainder of
this chapter is, therefore, organized as follows:
1. Procedures that Newport should follow to carry out its damage assessment
program to meet all federal and state requirements including organization of the
damage assessment team and recommended damage assessment procedures.
2. An overall organizational framework for restoration operations after the
emergency period.
3. Replacement/reconstruction policies that the town should adopt to insure that
future development that does occur in local hazard areas is constructed in a
manner consistent with sound land use planning, public safety considerations,
and existing and evolving federal and state policy.
b. Organization of Local Damage Assessment Team
A local damage assessment team should include individuals who are qualified to give reliable
estimates of the original value of structures, an estimated value of sustained damages, and
a description of the repairs. Additionally, the logistics involved in assessing damage in
unincorporated sections of the town after a major storm will necessitate the organization of
several damage assessment teams in Newport. The following are recommended team
members.
Public Property Survey Team
Town Department Head(s)
Professional Engineer
Architect *
Sheriff's Deputy (driver)
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Business and Industry Survey Team
Tax Assessor
Building Inspector
Industrial/Commercial Real Estate Broker
Chamber of Commerce Representative
Architect *
Sheriff's Deputy (driver)
IV-21

Private Dwelling Survey Team I
Two teams, depending upon capacities and plans of Cape Carteret and Newport:
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Tax Assessor
Building Inspector
Residential Real Estate Broker
Building Contractor *
Sheriff's Deputy (driver)
*Community
volunteers if available.
The Emergency Management Coordinator should immediately undertake a recruitment effort ,
to secure the necessary volunteers and to establish a training program to familiarize the
members of the damage assessment team with required damage classification procedures and
reporting requirements. It is suggested that the town assume the responsibility for developing ,
and implementing a training program for both county damage assessment teams and the local
damage assessment teams that the towns establish. In establishing the teams, it must be
recognized that it might be very difficult to fill certain positions, such as the building contractor
position, because the services of individuals with such skills will likely be in great demand after
a storm disaster. A commitment from the Home Builders Association may be a way of
guaranteeing needed assistance. Additionally, the Emergency Management Coordinator should
establish an active "volunteer file;" volunteers should have standing instructions where to
automatically report following a storm. Damage assessment forms and procedures should be
prepared now and distributed to volunteers as part of the training program. ,
C. Damage Assessment Procedures and Requirements
Damage assessment is defined as rapid means of determining a realistic estimate of the
amount of damage caused by a natural or manmade disaster. For a storm disaster, it is
expressed in terms of 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.
After a major storm event, members of the Damage Assessment Team should report to the
Emergency Operations Center for a briefing from the Emergency Management Coordinator.
One way to effectively deploy teams to areas where damage seems to be concentrated would
be to have prearranged commitment from the Marine Corps to provide for a helicopter in
reconnaissance of storm damage within the town for the Emergency Management Coordinator
in order to establish field reconnaissance priorities. The Civil Air Patrol may also appropriately
provide assistance during the damage assessment phase.
The extent of damage will depend on the magnitude of the storm and where landfall occurs
along the Atlantic coast. Because of the potentially large job at hand, the limited personnel
resources available to conduct the assessments, and the limited time within which the initial
assessment must be made, the first phase of the assessment should consist of only an
external visual survey of damaged structures. A more detailed second phase assessment can
be made after the initial damage reports are filed. I
The initial damage assessment should make an estimate of the extent of damage incurred by
each structure and identify the cause (wind, flooding, wave action, combination, etc.) of the ,
IV-22

' damage to each structure. This first phase assessment should be made by "windshield"
survey.
Damaged structures should be classified in accordance with the suggested state guidelines as
follows:
' -- Destroyed (repairs would cost more than 80 percent of value).
-- Major (repairs would cost more than 30 percent of the value).
-- Minor (repairs would cost 30 percent or less of the value, but the structure is
currently uninhabitable).
' -- Habitable (some minor damage, with repairs less than 15 percent of the value).
Note: CAMA regulations consider a structure to be destroyed if damaged more than 50% of
its value, and a CAMA permit will be required for reconstruction of such structures.
It will be necessary to thoroughly document each assessment. In many cases, mail boxes and
other information typically used to identify specific structures will not be found.
Consequently, the Damage Assessment Team must be provided with tax maps (aerial
' photographs with property line overlays), other maps and photographic equipment in order to
record and document its field observations. Enough information to complete the Damage
Assessment Worksheet must be obtained on each damaged structure.
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The second phase of the Damage Assessment Operation will be to estimate the value of the
damages sustained. This operation should be carried out in the Emergency Operations Center
under the direction and supervision of the Emergency Management Coordinator. A special
team consisting of county tax clerks, tax assessment personnel, and other qualified staff
should be organized by the Emergency Management Coordinator. This team should then be
incorporated into this Damage Assessment Plan.
In order to estimate total damage values, it will be necessary to have the following information
available for use at the Emergency Operations Center:
-- A set of property tax maps (including aerial photographs) identical to those
utilized by the damage assessment field team.
-- Town maps delineating areas assigned to each team.
-- Copies of all county property tax records. This information should indicate the
estimated value of all commercial and residential structures within the town.
Because time will be of the essence, it is recommended that the town
immediately commence a project listing the property values of existing
structures in unincorporated areas of the town on the appropriate lots of the
property tax maps that will be kept at the Emergency Operations Center. While
somewhat of a tedious job, it should be manageable if it is initiated now and
completed over a 2 to 3 month period. The information will prove invaluable
if a storm disaster does occur. This set of tax maps should be updated annually
prior to the hurricane season.
IV-23

An alternative method that would be less accurate but perhaps more practical due to the time '
constraints would be to utilize median housing values from the 1990 census or derived from
the county's tax digest. A simple chart could be devised for use in the field that presents ,
median values for houses and mobile homes by township. This chart could include the
multiplying factors to avoid the need for actual math calculations in the field. Because there
are significantly less commercial and industrial structures than homes, this portion of the
assessment could still be made utilizing the first method above.
The flood insurance policy coverage for property owners in flood hazard areas should be
updated before each hurricane season. This can be accomplished in concert with the local
mortgage institutions. Annual updates should be disseminated to each town and kept
available in the Emergency Operations Center for estimating the value of sustained damages
covered by hazard insurance. '
In order to produce the damage value information required, the following methodology is
recommended: '
1. The number of businesses and residential structures that have been damaged within
the town should be summarized by damage classification category. ,
2. The value of each damaged structure should be obtained from the marked set of tax
maps and multiplied by the following percentages for appropriate damage classification
category:
-- Destroyed - over 80%
--Major Damage - over 30%
-- Minor Damage (uninhabitable) - 30% or less
--Habitable - 15%
3. The total value of damages for the town should then be summarized.
4. The estimated value loss covered by hazard insurance should then be determined by:
1) estimating full coverage for all damaged structures for situations where the average
value of such coverage exceeds the amount of damage to the structure; and 2) '
multiplying the number of structures where damage exceeds the average value of
insurance coverage by the average value of such coverage.
5. Damage assessment reports should be obtained from each municipality and the data
should then be consolidated into a single town damage assessment report which
should be forwarded to the appropriate state officials.
6. Damage to public roads and utility systems should be estimated by utilizing current ,
construction costs for facilities by lineal foot (e.g., 10' water line replacement cost =
X$/L.F.).
The Damage Assessment Plan is intended to be the mechanism for estimating overall property
damage in the event of a civil disaster. The procedure recommended above represents an
approach for making a relatively quick, realistic "order of magnitude" damage estimate after
a disaster. This process will not provide. the required information within the time constraints
if organization and data collection are not completed prior to the storm event. '
IV-24 I

d. Organization of Recovery Operation
' Damage assessment operations are oriented to take place during the emergency period. After
the emergency operations to restore public health and safety and the initial damage
assessments are completed, the state guidelines suggest that a Recovery Task Force to guide
restoration and reconstruction activities be created to guide restoration and reconstruction
' activities during a post -emergency phase which could last from weeks to possibly more than
a year. The responsibilities of the Task Force will be:
' 1. Establishing an overall restoration schedule.
2. Setting restoration priorities, in advance, by definition.
3. Determining requirements for outside assistance and requesting such assistance when
beyond local capabilities. (Predisaster agreement, procedures, contact persons, should
be defined before the disaster event.)
4. Keeping the appropriate state officials informed using Situation and Damage Report.
5. Keeping the public informed.
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6. Assembling and maintaining records of actions taken and expenditures and obligations
incurred. Standardized forms should be developed in advance and kept on file at the
EOC.
7. Proclaiming a local "state of emergency" if warranted.
8. Commencing cleanup, debris removal and utility restoration activities which would
include coordination of restoration activities undertaken by private utility companies.
9. Undertaking repair and restoration of essential public facilities and services in
accordance with priorities developed through the situation evaluations.
10. Assisting private businesses and individual property owners in 1) obtaining information
on the various types of assistance that might be available from federal and state
agencies, 2) in understanding the various assistance programs, and 3) applying for
such assistance. When a major storm does eventually hit Newport and major damages
occur, consideration should be given to establishing a Community Assistance Team
within the appropriate town department to carry out the above functions as long as
there is a need to do so.
In Before the Storm, a sequence and schedule for undertaking local reconstruction and
restoration activities is presented. The schedule was deliberately left vague because specific
reconstruction needs will not be known until after a storm hits and the magnitude of the
damage can be assessed. The following sequence of activities and schedule is submitted as
a guide which should be considered by the Recovery Task Force and reviewed as necessary
after the damage assessment activities are completed.
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Activity
Time Frame
1)
Complete initial damage assessment.
Immediately after storm passes.
2)
Complete second phase damage
Completed by second week after
assessment.
the storm.
3)
Prepare summary of reconstruction policies
Completed one week after second
and master reconstruction schedule.
phase damage assessment is
completed.
4)
Decision with regard to imposition of
One week after second phase
temporary development moratorium.
damage assessment is completed.
5)
Set reconstruction priorities and prepare
Completed one week after summary
master reconstruction schedule.
of reconstruction needs is
completed.
6)
Begin repairs to critical utilities and
As soon as possible after disaster.
facilities.
7)
Permitting of reconstruction activities for
One week after second phase
all structures receiving minor damages not
damage assessment is completed.
included in development moratorium areas.
8)
Permitting of reconstruction activities for
Two weeks after second phase
all structures receiving major damages not
damage assessment is completed.
included in development moratorium areas.
9)
Initiate assessment of existing mitigation
Two weeks after second phase
policies.
damage assessment is completed.
10)
Complete reevaluation of hazard areas and
The length of the period for
mitigation policies in areas subjected to
conducting reevaluations and
development moratorium.
receiving input from the state
should not exceed two months.
11)
Review mitigation policies and
Two months after temporary
development standards for areas subjected
development moratorium is
to development moratorium and lift
imposed. (Subject to change based
development moratorium.
on circumstances encountered.)
12)
Permit new development.
Upon suspension of any temporary
development moratorium.
e. Recommended Reconstruction Policies
It is recommended that the Newport Task Force consist of the following individuals:
• Mayor
A Town Administrator
• Emergency Management Coordinators
• County Tax Appraiser
• Town Inspections Department
IV-26

' The following policies have been designed 1) to be considered and adopted by the Newport
Board of Commissioners prior to a storm; and 2) implemented, as appropriate, after a storm
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occurs.
Permitting
1. Building permits to restore structures located outside of designated AEC areas that
were previously built in conformance with local codes, standards, and the provisions
of the North Carolina Building Code shall be issued automatically.
2. All structures suffering major damages as defined in the town's Damage Assessment
Plan shall be repaired or rebuilt to conform with the provisions of the North Carolina
Building Code, the Newport Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance, Newport Zoning
Ordinance, the Bogue Banks Land Protection Ordinance, Group Housing Ordinance, and
Mobile Home Park Ordinance.
3. All structures suffering minor damage as defined in the Newport Damage Assessment
Plan shall be permitted to be rebuilt to their original state before the storm condition,
provided non -conforming use regulations of the zoning ordinance are met.
4. For all structures in designated AECs and for all mobile home locations, a determination
shall be made for each AEC as to whether the provisions of the N.C. Building Code, the
state regulations for Areas of Environmental Concern, the Newport Flood Prevention
Ordinance, and Newport Mobile Home Park Ordinance appeared adequate in minimizing
storm damages. For areas where the construction and use requirements appear
adequate, permits shall be issued in accordance with permitting policies 1, 2 and 3.
For AECs where the construction and use requirements do not appear to have been
adequate in mitigating damages, a Temporary Development Moratorium for all
structures located within that specific AEC shall be imposed.
5. All individual mobile homes located in mobile home parks sustaining some damage to
at least 50% of their mobile homes in the park shall be required to conform with the
provision of the Newport Mobile Home, Mobile Home Park and Travel Trailer Park
Ordinance, and the town's Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance regardless of whether
such park is currently subject to these ordinances.
6. Permits shall not be issued in areas subject to a Temporary Displacement Moratorium
' until such a moratorium is lifted by the Newport Board of Commissioners.
Utility and Facility Reconstruction
1. All damaged water and sewer systems (both public and private) shall be repaired so as
to be elevated above the 100-year floodplain or shall be floodproofed, with the
methods employed and the construction being certified by a registered professional
engineer.
2. All damaged roads used as major evacuation routes in flood hazard areas shall be
repaired so as to be elevated at least one foot above the 100-year floodplain elevation.
IV-27

3. All local roads that have to be completely rebuilt shall be elevated so as to be above '
the 100-year floodplain elevation.
Temporary Development Moratorium ,
Under certain circumstances, interim development moratoriums can be used in order to give
a local government time to assess damages, to make sound decisions and to learn from its '
storm experiences. Such a moratorium must be temporary and it must be reasonably related
to the public health, safety and welfare. '
It is not possible to determine prior to a storm whether a temporary development moratorium
will be needed. Such a measure should only be used if damage in a particular area is very
serious and if redevelopment of the area in the same manner as previously existed would '
submit the residents of the area to similar public health and safety problems. The Newport
policy regarding the proclamation of temporary development moratoriums shall be to:
Require the Newport Recovery Task Force to assess whether a Temporary
Development Moratorium is needed within one week after the damage
assessment process is completed. Such an assessment should clearly
document why such a moratorium is needed, delineate the specific uses that
would be affected by the moratorium, propose a specific schedule of activities
and actions that will be taken during the moratorium period, and establish a ,
specific time period during which the moratorium will be in effect.
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SECTION V: RELATIONSHIP OF POLICIES AND LAND CLASSIFICATIONS
As required by 15A NCAC 7B planning guidelines, the Newport land use plan must relate the
policies section to the land classification map and provide some indication as to which land
uses are appropriate in each land classification. The Town of Newport's zoning ordinance is
consistent with the land classification map and supports the distribution of land uses shown
on that map.
A. DEVELOPED CLASS
Newport's primary growth should continue to occur within the corporate limits and along U.S.
70. The most rapid growth may be expected along the U.S. 70 corridor between Newport and
Morehead City. Those areas are classified as developed. These areas will require basic urban
services. The developed class is specifically designated to accommodate intense development
and land uses, including single and multi -family residential, commercial, industrial parks and
open space, community facilities, and transportation. Population densities will remain
moderate at an average of approximately two persons per acre. The greatest demand for
urban services will exist within this classification. The classification is located in and adjacent
to the corporate limits and along the U.S. 70 corridor.
B. URBAN TRANSITION CLASS
Urban transition areas will provide lands to accommodate future urban growth within the
planning period. The average development densities will be less than the developed class
densities. Development may include mixed land uses such as single and multi -family
residential, commercial, institutional, industrial, and other uses at high to moderate densities.
Urban services may include water, sewer, streets, police, and fire protection. The urban
transition class is located in the portions of the town's ETJ which are not classified as
developed. During the planning period, population density may be expected to increase.
C. CONSERVATION CLASS
The conservation class is designated to provide for effective long-term management of
significant limited or irreplaceable areas which include Areas of Environmental Concern.
Development in the conservation areas should be restricted to uses which satisfy 15A NCAC
7H use standards and the Town of Newport zoning ordinance. Except for policies opposing
the location of signage in public trust waters and the prohibition of floating structures, the
Conservation class policies and standards included in this plan are not more restrictive than
the 15A NCAC 7H minimum use standards.
D. SUMMARY
The Town of Newport enforces both zoning and subdivision ordinances. The zoning ordinance
is consistent with this land use plan and includes seven separate zoning categories. The
developed and urban transition land classes are appropriate locations for the following zoning
categories: R20 Residential Agricultural, R15 Residential Single Family, R6 Residential One
& Two Family, RO Residential Office and Apartment, CD Commercial Downtown, CH
Commercial Highway, MU Manufacturing.
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APPENDIX I
TOWN OF NEWPORT LAND USE PLAN
POLICIES CONSIDERED BUT NOT ADOPTED
B. RESOURCE PROTECTION POLICY STATEMENTS
Industrial Impacts on Fragile Areas
-- Newport will not permit industrial development in any areas which are classified as
conservation.
Miscellaneous Resource Protection
Package Treatment Plant Use
-- Newport does not support the construction of package treatment plants within its
planning jurisdiction.
C. RESOURCE PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT POLICIES
Residential, Commercial, and Industrial Development Impacts on Resources
-- Except as otherwise permitted in this plan, residential, commercial and industrial
development should not be allowed in areas classified as conservation.
D. ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Energy Facility Siting and Development
-- Offshore drilling is not an issue within Newport's planning jurisdiction.

11
APPENDIX II
TOWN OF NEWPORT
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION PLAN
PREPARATION OF LAND USE PLAN
FISCAL YEAR 1995-96
The Town of Newport has received a FY95-96 Coastal Area Management Act grant for the
update of its existing Land Use Plan. Adequate citizen participation in the development of the
Plan is essential to the preparation of a document responsive to the needs of the citizens of
Newport. To ensure such input, the following citizen participation program will be utilized by the
town.
The Board of Commissioners will work with the town's planning consultant to ensure that the final
product will survey existing land use, identify policies, recommend strategies/actions, and identify
Areas of Environmental Concern. The plan will focus on issues expected to occur during the
planning period, including infrastructure needs, housing needs, transportation planning, and
environmental. A completely new land classification map will be provided. Specifically, the
planning consultant and the Board of Commissioners will be responsible for ensuring
accomplishment of the following:
— Establishment of policies to deal with existing and anticipated land use issues.
-- Preparation of a land classification map.
-- Preparation of hurricane mitigation and post -disaster recovery plans and policies.
— Assessment of opportunities for participation in state and federal programs.
— An updated Land Use Plan based on an effective citizen participation process.
The following schedule will be utilized:
1. September, 1995 — complete identification of existing land use problems, develop
socioeconomic base data, and review community facilities needs.
2. September, 1995 — Conduct initial meeting with the Town of Newport Board of
Commissioners, and have the Citizen Participation Plan adopted.
3. September, 1995 -- The Board of Commissioners will conduct a public information
meeting. The meeting will be advertised in a local newspaper. The town will specifically
discuss the policy statements contained in the 1991 Town of Newport Land Use Plan.
The significance of the policy statements to the CAMA land use planning process shall
be described. The process by which the Town of Newport will solicit the views of a wide
cross-section of citizens in the development of the updated policy statements will be
explained.
4. October, 1995 - May, 1996 -- Continue preparation of a draft Land Use Plan and conduct
meetings with the Newport Planning Board.
5. June, 1996 - Present complete draft sections of the plan and preliminary policy
statements to the Newport Board of Commissioners.

6. July, 1996 — Review draft Land Use Plan with Board of Commissioners, conduct a public
information meeting for review of the proposed plan, and submit draft of completed Land
Use Plan to the Department of Environment, Health and Natural Resources staff for
review and comment.
7. Following receipt of Coastal Resources Commission comments (estimate October or
November, 1996) — Present proposed Land Use Plan to Board of Commissioners for
adoption, and conduct a formal public hearing.
All meetings of the Town of Newport Planning Board and Board of Commissioners at which the
update of the Land Use Plan will be discussed will be advertised in a local newspaper in a non-
legal ad section. In addition, public service announcements will be mailed to local radio stations
and posted in the Municipal Building. All meetings will be open to the public. The town will
encourage and consider all economic, social, ethnic, and cultural viewpoints. No major
non-English speaking groups are known to exist in Newport.
8/29/95