Land Use Plan Update-1995

TOWN OF POWELLSVILLE

1.
Town of Powellsville
- Land Use Plan Update
1994,
-- Adopted by the Powellsville Town Council: March 7, 1995
Certified by the Coastal Resources Commission: March 24, 1995
Prepared for-
Powellsville Town Council
Thomas E. Asbell
Ernie Carter
Carl Castello
Wade Watkins, Jr., Mayor
Cynthia Wilson, Town Clerk
Prepared 1hia ---
Powellsville Land Use. Advisory. Committee .
Linda Coley
J. C. Hoggard.
Mattie Watford _
Wade Watkins Jr.
Hein Vuurman
Planning Assistance provided by-
i
k Mid -East Commission
1 Harding square
( Washington, North Carolina 27889
[phone]
Jane Daughtridge, Planner -in -Charge
Mark Johnson, Technical Assistance
Preparation of this report was financed in part by a grant provided by the North Carolina Coastal
Management Program, through funds provided by the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended
which is administered by the Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration.

4.
Town of Powellsville
Land Use Plan Update
1994
Page
I.
Introduction .......................................
1
H.
............................
Background..............................
1
Map 1: Locational Map ............................
2a
M.
Present Conditions
A.
Population ......................................
3
B.
Housing ........................................
4
C.
Economy and Income ...............................
5
D.
Land Use
7
.......................................
1. Existing Conditions .............................
7
Map 2: Existing Land Use ..........................
7a
2. Land Use Concerns:... . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7
3. Development Controls , ...........................
8
E.
Physical.and Cultural- Constraints'_.....:......................
9
Development, Constraints . ;
1. Land Suitability .............................
9
Map 3: Soils . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0. .
9a
2. Carrying Capacity ...........................
12
F.
Assessmant of 1988 Policy Statements .....................
14
III.
1994 Policy Objectives and Implementation Strategies
A.
Resource Protection ................................
20
B.
Resource Production and Management ....................
24 .
C.
Economic and Community Development ...................
26
D.
Storm Hazards
29
...................................
E.
Continuing Public Participation ........................
31
IV. Land Classification
A., Purpose. ........................................ 33
B. Classification Scheme .............................. 0 33
C. Zoning Regulations ................................ 34
D. Intergovernmental Coordination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Exhibit 2: General Classification Characteristics ............ 36
Map 4: Land Classification ......... '................ 36a

TOWN OF POWELLSVILLE
Land Use Plan Update
I. INTRODUCTION
This sketch level land use plan update is funded 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 to assist the Town
of Powellsville in complying with land use planning requirement of the Coastal Area
Management Act (CAMA). The intended purpose of this update is;
1. to further define and refine local policies and issues;
2. to further examine and refine the land classification system and the land classification
map;
3. to assess the effectiveness of the existing land use plan and its implementation;
4. to further explore implementation procedures; and
5. to promote a better understanding of the land use planning process.
Because the purpose of this update reflects. a continued refinement of the initial 1988 CAMA
plan, this update -will: from: time to time. refer back to the original- plan. ;-Many of the. issues
-- included in; the.--previous-,plan are still: applicable'. today. In- addition-Ao.:the. _ previous: issues
covered in the last plan; this up date will also address new issues that were not of major concern
when the previous plan was prepared.:...
If. BACKGROUND
Powellsville is located in the north central portion of Bertie County (Map 1). The Town
is small in geographic size about .29 square miles and has not adopted an extraterritorial
planning jurisdiction. The Town is about a mile south of the Hertford County line, and
i
approximately five miles south of Ahoskie, the trade and population center of Hertford County.
Powellsville is located on a small, low plateau at about 20 feet above mean sea level. The land
slopes away gently on all sides of this plateau to form a ring of swampland and intermittent
wetlands around Town.
Farming has always been important in the Powellsville area. Land in the northeastern
portion of Bertie County was being cultivated even before 1722 when the County was
incorporated. Although clearing and cultivation was occurring, development was widely
scattered throughout the area; many miles often separated farms and plantations.
The first true settlements in the eastern part of North Carolina formed along navigable
waterways. Windsor, the county seat of Bertie County, was incorporated in 1768. Originally
called Gray's Landing, Windsor developed as a small port community on the Cashie River.
1

Winton, on the banks of the Chowan River in Hertford County to the north, was incorporated
in 1787. South of Bertie County lies Beaufort County. Its county seat, Washington, located
on the Pamlico River, was incorporated in 1776. Powellsville is a young community in contrast:
the Town was incorporated in 1919.
The Town has its origins as a crossroads community. In the early nineteenth century,
the Windsor -Pitch Landing Road and the Colerain-Stony Creek Road functioned as major trade
routes in the area. At the intersection of these roads, Wright Powell built the Town's first house
and opened the first business - a store and sawmill operation. The settlement became known as
Powell's Cross Roads. The first post office in the Town was established in 1879 and it is likely
that the name "Powellsville" was adopted at .that time. The first church in Town, the
Powellsville Methodist Church, was built in 1881.
Mr. John Britton was the Town's first postmaster and an important merchant in the
Powellsville area in the community's early years. At the turn of the century, Mr. Britton
constructed a general store in the center of Town. The store was said to be the largest in the
area, carrying everything from "soap to saddles." The old Britton building still stands today,
across the road from its original location. It is currently used as a furniture warehouse. Mr.
Britton is said to have been one of the wealthiest men in Bertie County at the time, owning
several farms in the Powellsville area including the 1,000-acre Oakland Farm.
The railroad brought people and prosperity to Powellsville. In the late 1890s, a rail line
was. laid through the Town connecting Ahoskie and Windsor, and the Town gained importance
as a service center for surrounding. farms. - During the heydays of the railroad, the Town had
more than 15, stores. At this time Mr-Britton's store even had a millinery.department!. As the-::,.
railroad. declined; so too did manylocal.businesses: Feedmills; sawmill farm, supply_stores <.
no longer depended on the_railroadIor.transportationof their.:products.• Trade operations could,.-,-,,-.:
locate -without. regard to proximity . to the railroad. The Town has fewer: residents and fewer.
-- businesses now- then it did when the railroad was the focus of community life.
Much of the data used in this plan will be taken from the 1990 U.S. Census of Population and
Housing. Data also was supplied by State and local agencies.
2

f.__� � ... j....., , � ..
N
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1
i

M. PRESENT CONDITIONS
A. Population
Powellsville is one - of eight incorporated communities in Bertie County. The
County itself occupies about 700 square miles of northeastern Coastal North Carolina.
It is one of the State's largest rural counties. Together, farm and forestland account for
92 % of all land in the County. Most of this acreage is forestland (309,100 acres, 70 %
of total). Urban and built-up areas account for 3 % of all land in the County. Scattered
areas of developed land account for about 18,000 acres or 4% of all land in the County.
Bertie County is part of a five -county planning region comprised of Beaufort,
Bertie, Hertford, Martin, and Pitt Counties. Bertie is the smallest of the five counties
in terms of total population (Tables 1 and 2, respectively). Bertie County's population
is estimated to be about 20,234 persons by July of 1994. This is less than half the
population estimated for Beaufort County and about one -quarter the population estimate
of urbanized Pitt County. Although Hertford and Martin Counties are only slightly
larger in total population, population density in these counties is much greater.
Between 1980 and 1990 Bertie County has lost about three percent (3 %) of it's
population, down from 21,024 persons in 1980 to 20,388 persons in 1990. Hertford and
Martin Counties have experienced a similar lost in population. In contrast, the more
urbanized counties of Beaufort and Pitt have experienced a much greater rate of
growth. Between 1980 and 1990, Beaufort County grew by over 4.7 % while Pitt County
grew by 29%.
Powellsville like most of the Town's in Bertie County lost population between
1980 and., 1990:: Powellsville-population-declined from a. estimated- 320,persons in 1980
to 279 persons in 1990. .The original census count was only 103 persons, which was, -
later adjusted to 279. As a result of this large error, most of the trend information will.
rely on Bertie County data rather than the 1990 census since detailed data is not adjusted.
along with total number counts. Powellsville is one of the smallest towns in Bertie
County. Consistent with the national trend the County's population is aging. Thirty-four
percent of the Bertie County's population is over 45 years of age.
The Town is not subject to seasonal changes in population. Tourists visiting the
area are generally day or overnight visitors.
TABLE 1
REGIONAL POPULATION -1990
Change
Change
Town
1970
1980
1990
70-80
80-90
Beaufort
35,980
40,355
42,283
12.2%
4.7%
Bertie
20,528
21,024
20,388
2.4
-3.02%
Hertford
23,529
23,368
22,523
-.7 %
-3.6 %
Martin
24,730
25,948
25,078
4.9%
-3.35%
Pitt
73,900
83,651
107,924
13.2 %
29.01 %
- Regional Total
178,667
194,346
218,196
8.8 %
12.27 %
3

TABLE 2
BERTIE COUNTY POPULATION -1990
Change
-Change
Town
1970
1980
1990
80-90
80-90
Askewville
Aulander
947
1,214
1,217
28.2 %
.24 %
Colerain
373
284
248
-23.9 %
-15.1 %
Kelford
295
254
204
-13.9 %
-19.6 %
Lston/W'dville
580
671
801
15.7 %
19.3 %
Powellsville
247
320
279
29.6%
-15%
Roxobel
347
278
263
-19.9 %
-5.39 %
Windsor
2,199
2,126
2,056
-3.3 %
-3.29 %
Incorp. Area
5,235
5,374
5,255
3%
-2%
SOURCE: 1990 U.S. CENSUS OF POPULATION
TABLE 3
BERTIE COUNTY POPULATION AGE STRUCTURE
Age Cohort 1980 1990 1995 2000 2005
V'-T _ 1,J04.
5-18 5,482
1,JJJ
4,626
1,1a
4,289
+,..vv
4,416
+,+—•
3,965
19-44 6,831
7,276
7,230
6,586
6,149
45-64 • 4,427a
3,882
4,087.
4,474
5,106
65 and older 2,699` .
2,971'..
3,075
3,031
3,013
TOTAL 21,024 20,388 20,191 19,893 19,570.
SOURCE: N. C. Office of State Planning
B. Housing
Data from the Town's water records indicate that there are 125 housing units in
the Town's limits. The 1990 U. S. Census show that nine percent of the units were
vacant and fifty percent (50) were mobile homes. The average household size is 2.19,
a slightly lower figure than the average for the County as a whole, where on a average
2.74 persons occupy every housing unit. The County did not start tracldng building
permits until July 1985, and according to the County Building Inspector, no building
permits have been issued in Powellsville since 1985.
As the table below indicates Bertie County has a total of 8,331 housing units of
which 919 (11 %) are vacant. Ninety-seven percent of the units are single-family units,
compared to 85 % region -wide. Twenty-three percent (1,909) of all housing units in the
County are renter occupied, a slightly lower percentage than for the Region as a whole
were thirty-two percent of the units are renter occupied.
4

TABLE 4
HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS 1990
Bertie Co.
Percent
Region
# of units
of Region
# of writs
Totalousmg units
8,331
9.3
89,973
Single-family units
8,106
10.6
76,316
Total households
7,412
9.1
81,527
Single -person hshld.
1,797
8.8
20,527
Vacant units
919
6.9
13,398
Renter occupied
1,909
6.7
28,537
Units Wout plumbing
642
20.7
3,108
Persons in household
2.74
3.o
Median value unit
$39,100
-
Mean Rent
$135
-
SOURCE: 1990 U.S. CENSUS
C. Economy and Income
Thirty-eight percent (38 %) of all employed persons in Bertie County are working
in manufacturing operations. Wholesale and retail trade enterprises employ 16 % of all
County residents. Although fanning and forestry is the predominate land use in the area;
only. 11 % . of residents. in .1980 listed employment in farming; forestry; fisheries, or,
mining; operations.°:.The small.number of persons employenn agriculture �is, due -impart
to fewer- small- farms andfarming becoming less labor intensive: The remaining 35
are employed in a:varietyl of fields, such as, education, construction, real estate, etc:
In 1990, the County's labor force was comprised of about.8,903 persons down::,:.. .
from the estimated 10,000 persons in 1986. The unemployment rate in 1990 was 7.0%,
up from 6.1 % in 1986.The State unemployment rate in 1990 was estimated to be at
-- 4.8%. Bertie County has the second highest unemployment rate in the region, only
Martin County with a rate of 7.2 % is higher. The per capita income has continued to
increased from $2,185 in 1970 to $8,392 in 1990. The Region in 1990 had a per capita
income of $9,852.
Perdue Farms is the largest employer in Bertie County. The Perdue operation,
a chicken processing plant, is located in northwestern Bertie County, about three miles
south of Kelford. Many local residents travel to Perdue to work, or into northern
Hertford County to work at Carolina Aluminum. Some workers even travel into
Tidewater Virginia to find employment at the shipyards located in the Norfolk area.
Forty-four percent (44%) of the respondents to the "Citizen Survey" indicated that they
are retired.
5

TABLE 5
BERTIE COUNTY EMPLOYMENT 1990
oTotal
Employment Sector
Employees
Employment
State °.fin
anu actunng
3,111
Wholesale & Retail
1,340
16 %
20 %
Agriculture, Forestry
884
11 %
3 %
Fisheries, Mining
Educational Services
673
8 %
8 %
Construction
380
5 %
7 %
Health Services
348
4 %
7 %
Public Administration
359
4 %
4 %
Finance, Insurance,
201
2 %
5 %
Real Estate
Trans., Communications
134
2 %
6 %
Personal, Entertainment
109
1 %
4 %
Recreational Services
Other Professional and
276
3 %
5 %
Related Services
Unemployed
620
7 %
4.8 %
Not Reported
468
6 %
4 %
SOURCE: 1990 U.S. CENSUS
TABLE 6
REGIONAL LABOR FORCE
Labor
Unemployment
Labor
Unemployment
County
Force
Rate .
Force
Rate
Beaufort
• 1
Bertie
9,240
8.2%
8,903
7.0%
Hertford
12,330
7.9 %
10,165
6.2 %
Martin
12,270
7.8 %
11,947
7.2 %
Pitt
45,560
6.7 %
56,765
5.4 %
Regional o
-
TABLE 7
PER CAPITA INCOME 1970 -1990
COUNTY
Income($)
Income($)
Income($)
Beaufort
2,705
7,104,
722
-- Bertie
2,185
6,207
8,392
Hertford
2,378
6,518
9,016
Martin
2,758
6,581
9,486
Pitt
2,875
7,104
11,642
Average
2,580
6,703,
852

Implications of Population and Economy
Powellsville's population like most towns in Bertie County decreased between 1980 and
1990. The 1990 U.S. Census shows that the 65 and older age cohort in Bertie County
experienced a nine percent increase in population between 1980 and 1990. As the elderly began
to represent a larger segment of the population, land use issues such as proximity of medical
care, location of pharmacists and emergency response time will become increasingly important.
No one responding in the citizens survey reported working in Powellsville. This is a indication
of the lack of businesses and industry in Town.
Powellsville does not face most of the serious land use issues which confront many other
communities in coastal North Carolina. The Powellsville area is not a destination point for
vacationers, nor is it a popular area for second homes. Powellsville is an inland community,
therefore coastal issues such as encroachment into maritime forests, off -road vehicle use,
encroachment into coastal dune fields; channel maintenance and beach nourishment, and marinas
and floating homes are not important issues in the community. Nonetheless, the Town realizes
the importance of land use planning. The Town welcomes new growth yet wishes to preserve
those environmental and social characteristics that make Powellsville an attractive and unique
place to live.
D..-- . LAND USE
1. Existing Conditions.
- The Town encompass an area of approximately .3 square.miles:; The Town:;
does not enforce its zoning ordinance in the M.* _ The Powellsville town limits form
almost a perfect rectangle. North Carolina Highway 42 bisects the community. in one
-- direction; State Route 1321. bisects. it in the opposite direction. As shown on Map #2
entitled "Town of Powellsville Existing Land Use 1994", a majority of lots within the
Town limits has been developed. Residential land use accounts for a majority of the land
use in Town. Most of the residences in the Town are single-family dwellings, there are
however about thirty-five mobile homes. Nineteen of the thirty-five mobile homes are
located in a mobile home park located off of West Main Street. There are seven
institutional uses scattered throughout the Town, which include churches, post office and
Town Hall building.
Most areas outside of Town have remained undeveloped. Much of the area has
been cleared for agriculture, leaving pockets of woodland between open agricultural land.
Residential uses are found scattered along existing roadways, particularly along U.S. 13
west of the existing Town limits, along S.R. 1315 south of Town and N.C. Hwy. 41 east
of Town.
2. Land Use Concerns
The Town has three major land use concerns. A first concern is the condition of
vacant structures including uninhabited houses. To address this concern the Town is
considering adopting a local housing code. Currently, Bertie County is responsible for
7

TOWN OF POWELLSVILLE
EXISTING LAND USE 1994
® Residential i
M Commercial
Institutional
❑ Undeveloped
CIRCUIORs ASAICULTURAL/FORRfTRT LANDS)
" Town omits
One -quarter Mile Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (unoffician
s COMM
1 J j 0 700 1400
c .
i POYYEIL.9VILLE F.I 6 T
1 M Fl1//iM1dQ TMYV �M Nw1�M I
V-�,.-� nwrMa��wwrnamwwa�am
I eMaa"MODED rrw�rwwi NVOWANouw I I' 1Vp/IIONOpMM001fPLatYMY1/YRAOfO
IMtNM/i�Ngll�/lOAl�1lRM I �.�
a�s�aowrwMoaoroa�awo�rrr�rt
'� iwnaraaw�oao��ror�wo�ar«ewnaa =
7a

making all building inspections in Powellsville, however these inspections are limited to
new construction and additions. It is believed by local officials that the presence of these
dilapidated and substandard structures gives visitors a negative image of the community.
- A second concern of local residents is the lack of economic activity in the
Town. If the downtown area experiences a resurgence in activity the entire Town
would benefit. Economic activity in the downtown area would produce more jobs
- for local residents and at the same time share some of the tax burdens of
providing local services. Also by putting vacant buildings into use the appearance
of the area would be improved.
Finally, the land use survey revealed that Town residents are concerned with
severe drainage problems in the Town. Poor drainage in Powellsville is caused by the
flatness of the land and soil type. Poorly drained soils result in higher development costs
and could result in some lands remaining undevelopable.
3. Development Controls
A. Regulatory Controls
- - The Town has few local controls in place to control land development. The Town
adopted a zoning ordinance in 1989 as a result of the initial land use plan. There has
been very little development in the Powellsville since the last plan. Subdivision controls
do not appear necessary at this time, especially since the Town does not practice
extraterritorial planning authority.::: _Because flood prone areas have-not been identified . " - _ .'
by-the:Federal Emergency Management Agency; no floodplain regulations- are:in effect.:
The Bertie-: County Building. Inspector enforces the . N.-C. State Building. Code. -.,As
mentioned in the previous section the Town is considering adopting a housing code to,
facilitate improvement or demolition . of deteriorated structures: The Bertie County
Health Department enforces State regulations for the sifing and installation f septic
tanks. The ability of a property owner to obtain a septic tank permit is the most critical
factor limiting development. The Town has no historic district or historic district
regulations, neither are there any structures in Town listed on the National Register of
Historic Places. Additional State and Federal regulations that control land use and
' development are listed in Appendix A. -
B. Development Plans
The State Transportation Improvement Program does not list any major highway
programs in the Powellsville area occurring in the next several years. However there are
plans for a U.S. Hwy. 17 by-pass around Windsor.
The Town has not officially adopted a Capi Improvements Plan. The Town did
received $600,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding in 1994.
The grant will be used for the following, rehabilitate 21 dwellings, install a total of 3,100
linear feet of water lines and replace or repair twenty failing septic system. The Town
currently has no official recreation lean,.
8

The Powellsville 1988 Initial Land Use Plan was the Town's first attempt to
prepare it's own land use plan. Contained in that 1988 plan is the Bertie Coun
Disaster Relief and Assistance Ply. An assessment of the policies of the previous plan
is included at the end of this chapter.
E. PHYSICAL AND CULTURAL CONSTRAINTS
Development Constraints
1. Land Suitability
Development constraints can be classified into one of three categories: _physical
limitations, fragile areas, and areas of resource potential. Powellsville is fortunate in that
there are few factors constraining the development of land in and around the Town.
Physical Limitations for Development. A variety of physical factors determine
the suitability of land for development. These include soil and subsoil conditions,
topography, potential for flooding, and existing land uses in the surrounding -area: -
Soil Limitations Soil conditions determine the suitability of land for building
construction and for private septic systems. As shown on Map 3, the Powellsville Area
Soils. Map, and in Table 5, the Powellsville area contains. thirteen soil types. Soil types ­ .
Bd, CrA; and Na are the common: soils found mithin� the Town ;limits. These soils ° are:
also found extensively outside of Town.in con j unction with soil types CrB, :DuA; and Le.:: ;.. .
Since the Town does not have a sewage treatment system, all new development in the
-- area is likely to use in -ground treatment for sanitarymaste,disposaL, .: As noted in Table
5, twelve of the area's thirteen soil types have severe limitations for the sitting of septic
tanks. Moreover, local residents note that many existing septic systems have experienced
operating problems. Soils unsuitable for traditional in -ground treatment systems remain
the greatest physical factor limiting development in the Powellsville area.
As in most of eastern North Carolina the land is typically level therefore steep
slopes do not usually prohibit development. The Town is built on a low plateau at 20.5
feet mean sea level. The areas of greatest slope are found on the banks of streams or
intermittent wetlands, and in the immediate Powellsville area, even these slopes are fairly
gentle. Flood -prone areas can also limit development. Powellsville has not been mapped
for floodplain areas by the Federal Emergency Management Agency so it appears that
there are no flood prone areas within the community. Table 8 of this plan gives the soil
limitations of soils in the Powellsville area.
9

MAP 3
POWELLSVILLE AREA SOILS HAP
_
Torn Limits
'
sass
'One-half planning
Scale: 1" = 1,3200
Jurisdiction Coffieial)
Source: USDA, SCS
so1L LEGEND
SYMBOL
WAKE
'
CaA
Carolina fine sandy loan
Ly
Lynchburg fine sandy loam
'
CrA
Craven fine sandy loan
Ildg
Same as erg, see above
'
ere
Craven fine sandy loan
Na
Nahunta silt loam, flat
ere
Craven fine sandy loan
Noe
Norfolk loamy fine sand
IK r•Iru•vo. ar I.Is ..r 1•1 riNr.Cta 1.
gd
gladen fine sandy loan
YI IKa..u. • U•N. r•a•la[D ar IK —1.
CNMI.. C0•S.4 r....CCY.i rraa.M. 1AA
DYA
Same as Crg, see above
,_1 trot'HI aI I.(C0.11Y IYC IYNKCKNI ALL0.S)t. •1 •N1.0I0. "IC. IS •0N1NISSI.ID a. IK
EaA
Eala silt loan
Orr LEE er OCEAN .c COUSI•C rtlarCt N...cuar,
N•1/0Nq OCEANIC •.o •IMSI'A AIC 101IN la•110.
Gt
Grantham site loan
to
Lenoir loam
9a

SOIL TYPE
Bd
BOB
CrB
DK(Dv)
GoA
Ly
NoA
NoB
Ra
TM
WtE
moderate
Bd(Bdw)
BOB(WaB)
CrB(DuB)MdB
DK(Dv)
GoA(GoB)
Ly(Le)
NoA
NoB
Ra
TM
WtE
TABLE 8
SOIL LUMATIONS
SEPTIC TANKS
severe
moderate
severe
severe
severe
severe
moderate
moderate
severe
severe
severe
SEWAGE LAGOON DWELLINGS PLAYGROUND
slight
severe
severe
severe
slight
moderate
severe
moderate
moderate
severe
Severe
severe
severe
slight
slight
severe
severe
severe
moderate
slight
moderate
moderate
slight
moderate
severe
severe
severe
severe
severe
severe
severe
moderate
SOIL SYMBOL KEY
Bladen fine sandy loam
Bonneau loamy sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes
Craven fine sandy loam, 1 to 4 percent slopes
Dorovan muck
Goldsboro sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes
Lynchburg fine sandy loam
Norfolk sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes
Norfolk sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slpoes
Rains fine sandy loam
Tomotley sandy loam
Winton loamy fine sand, 16 to 60 percent slopes
10

Hazard Areas. There are few manmade hazards such as airports, nuclear power
plants and tank farms for storage of flammable liquids in the Powellsville area. There
is a propane storage facility fairly close to the Town which local residents recognize as
a potential threat. The facility is located on U.S. 13, north of Powellsville. The area
is zoned B-1, which is a business district. This business zoning designation should
restrict residential development in the area.
Water Supply Sources and Estimated Quantity and Quality: The Town obtains
its water from two wells. The 1994 Water Supply Plan indicate that the two town wells
draw water from the Upper Cape Fear and Bottom Cretaceous aquifer. Researchers have
noted that large withdrawals from the Cretaceous aquifer near Franklin, Virginia, have
lowered the surface of the lower Cretaceous aquifer unit by nearly 40 feet in the
Powellsville area over the past 20 years. (NOTE: the information on groundwater
supply was taken from the document, "Aquifer Characteristics and Development Potential
in Northeastern North Carolina," Natural Resources and Community Development,
Division of Water Resources, May 1987.)
Areas With 12% Slopg;. There are no areas in Powellsville that have slopes
greater than 12%. Therefore high erosion due to topography is unlikely. Powellsville
is an inland community and there are no bulkheads constructed in the planning area.
Fragile Areas: The Powellsville area has no Areas of Environmental Concern
(AECs) as defined by the State Coastal Area Management Act. According to the State
Division of Parks and Recreation (Natural Heritage Program), there is no record: of any......
rare. or endangered species, ,rare natural communities or geologic features within a one
mile radius of the Town, The Town does, however, have othernatural and cultural
features it believed to be important.
Included among Powellsville's sensitive natural areas is a small area of wetlands
just north of the Town between U.S. 13 and S.R. 1321. Wetland areas are likely to pose
a slight limitation to development in that area. Wetlands provide a vast array of
benefits, many of which society has only recently begun to appreciate and protect.
Inland wetlands furnish vital life -cycle habitat and food for fish and wildlife. Wetlands
have been proven to remove pollutants from degraded waters. At the same time,
wetlands absorb flood -volumes so that flood waters and surges are moderated and
property in downstream areas is protected. Finally, wetlands serve to recharge vital
groundwater supplies. In 1977, Congress amended the Clean Water Act to regulate the
alteration of wetland areas under section 404(b) of the Act; a permit is now required
from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers before certain inland wetland areas are filled.
_. According to the State Division of Archives and History, there are no known
archaeological sites in the Powellsville area. Nor are there any structures of known
historic or architectural significance. Although it has not been identified as such, local
residents believe the Powellsville Methodist Church to be one ' of the areas most
significant buildings. The church, built in 1881, was the first religious structure in the
Town. The simple white, wooden frame structure is considered by many to be the finest
structure in the community.
11

Areas of Resource Potential. State forest and parks, private game preserves, and
areas containing valuable mineral deposits are considered areas of resource potential. No
such areas have been identified in the Powellsville region. Areas containing Prime
Farmland Soils are also considered areas of resource potential, and two of the five soils
in the Powellsville area are considered Prime Farmland Soils by the Soil Conservation
Service. As noted on Map 3 these prime farmland soils include CrA and GoA soils.
About 20% of all land within Powellsville is considered Prime Farmland Soil. Na soils
if properly drained can become prime farmland soils. Na soils account for about 50 %
of all soils in Powellsville. If these wet soils are found to be 404 wetlands, permits
would be required before draining can occur. Prime farmland soils are important for
the following reasons:
(a) Prime farmland is one of several kinds of important farmland defined by
the U.S.D.A.
(b) It is of major importance in providing the nation's short and long range
needs for food and fiber.
- - - (c) The acreage for high quality farmland is limited; the U.S.D.A. recognizes
that government at local, state and federal levels, as well as individuals,
must encourage and facilitate the wise use of our nation's prime farmland.
(d) Prime farmland soils -are those soils that are best suited to producing -food,
feed; forage: and fiber; _:prime. farmland 'soils: have properties aat are: �:-
favorable for the economic production of sustained, high. yields of crops.
(e) Prime farmland soils produce the highest yields with minimal inputs of
energy and economic resources, and farming these soils results in the least
damage to the environment.
If these soils are converted to urban uses on a large scale pressure would be
placed on marginal lands. These marginal lands are generally wet, more erodible,
draughty, or difficult to cultivate and less productive than prime farmland.
2. CarUing Capacity
CAMA regulations require local governments to evaluate how the availability of
public services may limit growth and development.
Powellsville population declined from 320 in 1980 to 279 in 1990 , which
represents a fifteen percent (15 %) declined. If the population continues to decline the
Town should not have any problems providing services to future populations. The
capacity of municipal services are summarized below.
Water Service. Almost all properties within the corporate limits are serviced with
12

public water. In 1992 the Town provided water users with an average of .0668 million
gallons daily. The two wells have a combined safe yield of .288 mgd. Powellsville
water system service population is 672. Approximately 400 of these residents live
outside the Town's limits. -
Sewer Service. The Town does not operate a municipal wastewater treatment
system; all lots are served by private on -site disposal systems.
Public Schools. Powellsville students in grades Kindergarten through five attend
Colerain Elementary School. Students in grades six through eight attend C. G. White
Middle School. Students in grades nine through twelve attend Bertie High School. As
noted in Table 3, Bertie County school -age population (ages 5 through 18 years). is
expected to decline from 4,626 in 1990 to 4,289 by 1995. In contrast, the percentage
of those 65 and older is expected to increase from 2,971 to 3,075 during that same
period.
Roads. Lack of service by a major interstate highway is often cited as one of the
major factors that has restricted growth in northeastern North Carolina. It is unlikely
that this situation will change in the foreseeable future. The Department of
Transportation has plans of making improvements to fifteen miles of US 17 between
Windsor and the Chowan River.
Protective Services..: -Police protection. is provided by the Bertie:County Sheriffs .:.
Department.` Six officers provideopolice.protection:for, the County. > One:of the officers.,
resides in Powellsville and the Town benefits from County coverage on an unscheduled,
but adequate basis.. In an emergency; residents can contact the Sheriffs Office by using.,
the toll free "911" number.
The Powellsville Volunteer Fire Department provides fire protection for the
Town. The Department has two trucks. Emergency medical service is provided by both
the Ahoskie Rescue Squad and the Colerain Rescue Squad. Both of these squad are
volunteer operations and daytime response times are getting progressively worse because
people work outside the area.
k..
Solid Waste. Refuse is collected for the Town by a private contractor on a bi-
weekly basis. Refuse is disposed at the Regional landfill operated by East Carolina
Environmental. The landfill serves twelve counties in northeastern North Carolina. The
regional landfill was designed to operate for twenty years.
Public Administration. Powellsville has two paid employees: a part-time
maintenance/sanitarian and a part-time clerk. The Town is governed by a mayor and
three -member council.
13

F. Assessment of Policies in the 1988 Land Use Plan
Resource Protection
1. Discourage building in areas where land is not physically suitable for
development.
a. Support efforts of the Army Corps of Engineers to control the
alteration of freshwater wetlands through the 404 permitting
program.
. The Town continues to support the efforts of the Army Corps
of Engineers 404 permit program.
b. Support the development of a State program to protect freshwater
wetlands.
- . The Town continues to support State freshwater protection- - - -
programs.
c. Support strict enforcement of the State Environmental Health Code
regarding the operation . and . maintenance.. of . in -ground. sewage .:.
systems.. .
. The Town will inform residents to contact the Health
Department for septic tank permits.
2. Preserve and promote the Town's historic cultural resources.
a. Contact State preservation officials and encourage them to include
the Powellsville Methodist Church on their listing of significant
properties.
. There have not been any structures in Powellsville listed in
the National Register of Historic Places.
b. Support the use of County Tax dollars to help finance a cultural
resource inventory for Bertie County.
. The County did not conduct a cultural resource inventory.
3. Protect the Town's present and future water supply.
14

a. Oppose additional water withdrawals by large water users in
Virginia; support State efforts to work with Virginia officials to
limit groundwater withdrawals.
. The Town continues to oppose large water withdrawals by
major water users in Virginia.
b. Support State efforts to develop a groundwater management plan
for northeastern North Carolina. Support continued monitoring of
groundwater level.
. The Town has adopted a water supply plan, which will be
used by the Department of Water Resources in conjunction
with other local plans to develop a State -Wide Water Supply
Plan.
c. Support strict compliance with regulations addressing underground
storage tanks. Support enforcement of registration rule,
- monitoring and testing rules, and design requirements.
. The Town continues to support strict compliance with
regulations concerning underground storage tanks.
Resource Production and Mana eg ment;..__„_ :. .
1. Protect and enhance agricultural uses in the Powellsville area.
a. Classify agricultural areas outside of Town as Rural on the Town's
Land Classification Map.
. The 1988 Land Classification Map classified all areas outside
of Town as rural.
b. Delineate agricultural areas outside of Town in a Rural zoning
district should the Town adopt a zoning ordinance and an
extraterritorial planning jurisdiction.
. When the Town adopted its zoning ordinance the Rural
Zoning district was not included. All areas outside of Town
were zoned residential.
c. Encourage farmers outside of Town owning ten acres or more to
apply for use -value of their property.
15

. The Town continues to support this effort by farmers;
d. Support State, Federal and County policies and programs which
encourage diversification of the local agricultural economy.
. The Town continues to support diversification of the local
agricultural economy.
2. Preserve areas of prime farmland.
a. Use the County detailed Soil Survey to identify areas of Prime
Farmland;to the extent feasible, direct development to other areas
and reserve Prime Farmland for agricultural uses.
. This was used in the 1988 land Use Plan to identify areas
with Prime Farmland and classified these areas as rural in
the Land Classification Map.
b. Support State and Federal efforts to .preserve areas of Prime
Farmland.
. The Town has not worked with State and -Federal agencies to .
preserve Prime Farmland.
c. Support State legislative efforts to develop a comprehensive state-
wide program for farmland preservation.
. The Town continues to support State efforts of statewide
farmland preservation.
3. Ensure efficient, environmentally sound agricultural production.
a. Support use of Best Management Practice for land management
and agricultural production.
. Continue to support Best Management Practices in
agricultural production.
b. Work with the soil Conservation Service to encourage participation
in the State's Agricultural Cost Share Program.
. Farmers in the Powellsville area are participating in this
program. Town continue to support local farmers
participation in this important program.
16

Economic And Community Development
1. Support expansion of existing area industries and recruitment of new
industrial and commercial enterprises.
a. Support the efforts of the Bertie County Economic Development
Commission to bring new business into the County.
. The Town does not have any local representatives on this
board. Town officials feel that local representation is vital to
articulate development goals of Powellsville.
b. Support growth of the County Industrial Park near Windsor.
The Town continues to support the growth of the County
Industrial Park but not at the expense of economic
development in and around Powellsville.
c. Publicize opportunities for technical assistance for small businesses
available from groups such as the Mid -East Commission and the
Small Business Center at Roanoke-Chowan. College.
. Once a year the Executive .. Director - of the Mid -East
Commission gives an annual report of commission activities.
2. Provide for the orderly growth of Powellsville and land outside of
Town.
a. Develop and adopt a zoning ordinance.
. The Town has adopted a zoning ordinance.
b. Consider adopting a limited area of extraterritorial jurisdiction and
extending zoning controls into extraterritorial area.
The Town did consider extraterritorial zoning but decided
not to enforce zoning regulations outside the Town's limits
and never formally adopted an ETJ extension of jurisdiction.
The ETJ boundary has already been delineated on the Zoning
Map, so that when and if the Town elects to officially adopt
the extraterritorial jurisdiction and enforce zoning in the ETJ
it will be prepared to do so.
17

c. Consider annexing areas of concentrated development outside of
Town; give priority to areas now serviced with Town water.
. The Town has not annexed any areas since the adoption of
the previous plan.
3. Preserve and enhance the quality of life in Powellsville.
a. Consider developing and adopting a housing code.
. The Town has not adopted an housing code.
b. Consider applying for Community Development Block Grant funds
for housing improvements.
. The Town did apply for and received $600,000 in CDBG
funds to upgrade water lines and rehabilitate substandard
dwellings.
c. Limit the density of new development through zoning regulations.
. The .Town's Zoning Ordinance has only one residential use
designation.. The, ordinance does not distinguish between high:
density: an& low density. residential. The.. density: of. -
development .- is mostly regulated: though.: the septic tank :..
permit process.
Storm Hazards
Storm Hazards Mitigation policies and Post -Disaster and Recoverer Plans
are approved by the EMS Director for Bertie County. Changes from the 1988
plan will be reflected in the section of this plan entitled "Storm Hazard
Mitigation, Post -Disaster Recovery and Evacuation Plan"
1. Reduce the potential for loss of property and human lives through
regulatory controls.
a. Enforce the State building code in all new constructions.
. Bertie County currently enforces the State building codes for
all new construction.
b. Consider adopting a housing code.
18

The Town has not adopted a housing code, however housing
conditions continues to be a very important issue.
2. Increase public awareness of the need for hurricane preparation.
a. Support the "preparedness" program the County Office of
Emergency Management conducts in local schools.
. The Town continues to support this program.
b. Participate in practice drill exercises sponsored by the Office of
Emergency Management.
. The Town continues to participate in drill exercise programs.
Public Participation
1. Solicit citizen input in all planning decisions.
a. Advertise all special Council meetings in the News 'Herald;
emphasize that citizens are invited . and encouraged to attend all.
1= meetings dealing with planning .issues: Periodically. advertize the :.:
Council's regular meeting- date.--..._,.
. Advertisements for special Council meetings are run is the-.
Bertie Ledger.
2. Conduct an annual evaluation of the policies and strategies to see what
progress is being made.
. Did not hold annual evaluation meeting on policies.
a. Involve the public in the evaluation process may encouraging them
to attend the meeting(s) of which the policies and strategies will be
discussed.
19

III. 1994 POLICY OBJECTIVES AND IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES
Powellsville adopted its initial land use plan in 1988. This plan represents an update of
the Town's initial plan. Coastal Area Management Act regulations specify that all land use plans
shall contain policy statements of local policy on land use issues including, but not limited to,
-- the following policy areas: resource protection, resource production and management, economic
and community development, storm hazard mitigation, and continued public participation.
Because no major changes have occurred in Powellsville in the last five years many of the stated
policies of 1988 have not changed.
A. Resource Protection
Farmland, woodland, and areas of freshwater wetlands are the major natural
resources in the Powellsville area. There are no major creeks or rivers, no Areas of
Environmental Concern, no floodplain, and no rare natural or geologic features in the
Powellsville area. No threatened or endangered species are known to inhabit the area.
Nonetheless, the Town appreciates the natural resources, natural areas, the plants and
wildlife that do characterize the area. The Town will not support development that will
have a negative impact on its valued natural resource base.
Cultural resources are also important to Powellsville residents. The Town has a
number of attractive older homes which, while not considered significant historically, are
a valued community amenity: • The. Town. is home to: the gracefu1.1881.-_ Powellsville::
Methodist ..;. Church:.. This . very attractive'. wooden .-structure, -the first, church, in
Powellsville- is one of the Town's most.notable buildings.: The church is currently not
L listed in. the State's inventory of historic and significant properties.
Groundwater supplies Powellsville residents with potable water. The greatest
threat to ground water quality are possible leaking underground storage tanks. Town
opposes activities locally or in other areas, which threaten groundwater quality or
quantity.
k •
Following is a listing of policy objectives the Town has adopted addressing its
sensitive natural resources. Also included is a list of actions the Town will attempt to
take over the next five years in an effort to achieve these policy goals.
1. Constraints To Development
a. Soils
Applicability: The limitations of the area soils associated with the
construction of buildings range from severe to moderate, all of the area's soil
types in Powellsville have severe soil limitations for septic tanks.
20
L

Alternatives: Adopt no regulations at this time; work with County Health
Department.
Policy: Discourage building in areas where land is not physically suitable for
septic systems.
Strategy: Support strict enforcement of the State Environmental Health Code
regarding the installation, operation, and maintenance of in -ground sewage
treatment systems.
b. Floodprone Areas
Applicability: Powellsville has not been mapped for floodplain areas by the
Federal Emergency Management Agency so there are no official flood zones.
However a small wetlands area exists north of Town between U.S. 13 and
S.R. 1321.
Alternatives: Do nothing and let the Army Corps of Engineers handle these
matters; amend the Town's Zoning Ordinance to include a overlay flood zone.
Policy: Discourage development in areas that may be endangered of flooding. : .
Strategy #1: Classify the wetland area- north °of Town conservation: on the::
Land Classification Map.
Strategy #2: Support the efforts of the Army Corps of Engineers to control
the alteration of freshwater wetlands through the 404 permitting program.
2. Local Resource Development Issues Relative to AEC's
Applicability: DOES NOT APPLY
3. 404 Wetlands
Applicability: The Army Corps of Engineers regulates the development or
alteration of 404 wetlands. There has been much debate concerning what is
considered wetlands. The most likely site for wetlands is located north of
Town between Hwy 13 and S.R. 1321.
Alternatives: Adopt local regulations which are as restrictive as the state and
federal regulations; do not adopt any new regulations concerning this issue.
21

Policy: Rely on the Army Corps of Engineers efforts to regulate these areas.
Strategy: Report development activities on any land believed to be wetlands
4. ORW's
Applicability: DOES NOT APPLY
5. Shellfish Waters
Applicability: DOES NOT APPLY
6. Cultural and Historical Resources
Applicability: There are no structures listed in the National Register of
Historic Places. The Town however does have structures that local residence
view as important to the community.
Alternatives: Pursue methods of encouraging owners of older properties to
preserve them; develop a historical overlay district.
Policy: Support the preservation of the Town's historic and cultural resources.........
Strategies:: Continue to. work with property.owners; of older structures in
Town to ensure structures -are properly maintained.
7. Maritime Forest .
Applicability: DOES NOT APPLY
8. Pocosin
Applicability: DOES NOT APPLY
9. Hurricane and Flood Evacuation Plans
Applicability: This topic is discussed in great detail in the following section.
- Powellsville operates under the adopted Bertie County Disaster Relief and
Assistance Plan. The County's Emergency Management Coordinator is
responsible for developing and conducting exercises to test the effectiveness
of the plan.
Alternatives: Follow the guidelines of the Bertie County Emergency
Operation Plan.
22

Policy: Support all efforts and actions outlined in the Bertie County Disaster
Relief and Assistance Plan.
Strategy: Work with the County 's Emergency Management Coordinator to
test evacuation procedures.
1 R • - • _ -• .• ••
Applicability: Powellsville receives all its potable water from two
underground wells. Underground water could become contaminated from
leaking storage tanks pollutant infiltration.
Alternatives: Let appropriate State agencies handle all water quality issues;
cooperate with state agencies to enforce existing water quality standards.
Policy: The policy shall be to protect the Towns water supply.
Strategy #1: Report the location of underground storage tanks to the
appropriate State agency.
Strategy #2: Update the "Town of Powellsville Water Supply Plan" every
five years as required by G.S..143-355(1).
11. Use of Package Treatment Plants
Applicability: DOES NOT APPLY
12. Stormwater Runoff
Applicability: Stormwater runoff associated with agricultural practices and
residential development could have a detrimental effect on plant and animal
life in the Powellsville area. Pesticides and herbicides used in many
agricultural practices could be washed into creeks and ponds during rainy
periods. There are no phosphate or peat mining in Powellsville.
Alternatives: Amend existing zoning ordinance to limit development densities
in erosion prone areas; work with soil conservation officials to encourage
farmers to use BMP's.
Policy: Reduce the amount of pollutants being washed into creeks and ponds.
Strategy #1: Encourage new home builders to leave undisturbed as much of
the natural vegetation as possible.
23

Strategy #2: Encourage farmers to use best management practices to reduce
the amounts of chemicals used in agricultural production.
13. Marina and FloatingHomes
omes
Applicability: DOES NOT APPLY
14. Industrial Impacts on Fragile Areas
Applicability: DOES NOT APPLY
15. Development of Sound and Esturine System Islands
Applicability: DOES NOT APPLY
16. Restriction of Development within areas up to five feet above mean high
water that might be susceptible to sea level rise and wetlands loss
Applicability: DOES NOT APPLY
17. Upland Excavation For Marina Basins -_
Applicability:.:. DOES NOT APPLY-
18. Damaging of Existing Marshes BBulkhead Installation,
Applicability: DOES NOT APPLY
B. RESOURCE PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT
Much of the soils in the Powellsville planning area are undeveloped or are in agricultural
or forestsay Craven fine sandy loam (CrA) soils can be found in the northern portions of the
Powellsville planning area. These CrA soils are considered prime farmland soils by the U.S.
— Soil Conservation Service.
Bertie County's fertile agricultural land is considered the area's most valuable natural
= resource. The Town encourages the use of land outside of Town for agricultural production and
will support efforts to increase the viability of the County's agricultural economy. The Town
would also like to limit the negative impacts farming operations could have on other uses in the
area.
Approximately seventy percent (70 %) of the land area in Bertie County is forest. There
are commercial forestry operations in the County. The Town will support commercial forestry
operations that will not have a negative impact on the environment.
24

There are no water bodies in the Powellsville area capable of supporting a commercial
fishing operation. -There are no mining or mineral production activity taldng place in the
Powellsville area. Powellsville does not have any local recreational facilities to sponsor organize
sporting activities.
-- The following is a list of policy goals that the Town has adopted concerning resource
production and management. Included are strategies that the Town will pursue to implement
these policies.
1. Productive Agricultural Lands
Applicability: Much of the land outside of Town is used for agricultural or
forestry purposes. Prime farmland land is scattered throughout this area with
concentrations just north of Town.
Alternatives: Amend zoning map to zone all areas outside of Town agricultural;
Support State, Federal and County policies and programs which encourage
diversification; Encourage farmers outside of Town to apply for use -value of their
property.
Policy: Encourage agricultural diversification and encourage farmers outside of
Town to apply for use -value of their property:'
Strategy-11: ' Inform: farmers of .the tax .advantages in applying for use -value .
i
assessment..
Strategy #2: Support the efforts of farmers that choose to diversify:
2. Commercial Forest Lands
Applicability: DOES NOT APPLY
3. Existing and Potential Mineral Production Areas
Applicability: DOES NOT APPLY
4. Commercial and Recreational Fisheries: Including Nursery and Habitat Areas.
ORW's and Trawling Activities in Estuarine Waters.
Applicability: DOES NOT APPLY
5. Off Road Vehicles
Applicability: DOES NOT APPLY
25

6. Residential Commercial and Industrial Development Impact on Any Resource
Applicability: Powellsville like much of Bertie County has been losing
population. The lack of a public sewage treatment facility is the biggest deterrent
to growth. However local officials recognize that if growth does occur it could
have an effect on the resources in the area. Any kind of development could
increase the amount of surface water run -off -and erosion.
Alternatives: Restrict development densities; support development at any cost
to the environment.
Policy: Support State requirement of erosion control plans for developments
involving more than one acre of land.
Strategy: Contact the Land Quality Section, Division of Land Resources when
any development disturbs more than one acre of land.
7. Peat or Phosphate Mining, s Impacts on Any Resource
Applicability: DOES NOT APPLY
C. ECONOMIC: AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.
Powellsville is a small - community with . a: population of about 272. The .:
i_ population has declined by,15 % since 1980. Powellsville is no longer a center for social
and economic activities as it once was. Powellsville has become largely a residential:=.
bedroom community. Powellsville residents now work, shop, and recreate in larger
communities in Bertie County and elsewhere.
Nonetheless, people enjoy living in Powellsville. In recent years retired persons
have moved to the area because of its small-town atmosphere. As reflected in the
"Powellsville Citizen Survey" many of the Town's residents would like to see
Powellsville grow. Many residents realize that if the Town grows local job opportunities
will increase.
The Town would support businesses moving into some of the vacant buildings
- in Town. Businesses moving in buildings that are currently vacant will not only increase
the tax base and give local job opportunities it will also improve the aesthetics of the
community. The Town would support commercial development along Hwy 42 and S.R.
- 1321. Any new development should not have negative impacts on the area's natural
resources or on existing urban development.
The following is a listing of policy objectives the Town has adopted to provide
26

for economic and community development.
1. Tykes and Location of Industries Desired
Applicability: The expansion of existing businesses and the recruitment of
new industries and commercial enterprises are of major importance to local
officials. All respondents to the citizen survey reported that they would like
to see the Town grow to some degree. Industrial uses may be located away
from the center of Town so as not to adversely effect surrounding land uses.
Alternative: Amend the Zoning Map to allow industrial uses only along
major' transportation corridors; allow industry to locate anywhere.
Policy: The policy shall be to support industrial location based on the needs
of the industries and possible environmental impact.
Strategy: Work with existing State and Federal agencies regulating industrial
pollution control standards.
2. Local Commitment to Providing Services to Development
Applicability: The Town currently provides water to all areas in the Town:
limits.. Water is also provided to about four -hundred (400) persons outside- of.;.
Town... Powellsville can provide water to future developments outside of Towne
if a grant can be obtained to put down the necessary; water lines.
Alternatives: Alternatives include pursuing grant money to extend services . .
outside of town.
Policy: Allow out of Town water users to connect to the Town system.
Strategy: Charge out of town residents double rates for water services, where
water is available.
3. Redevelopment of Developed Areas
Applicability: Powellsville applied for and received a $600,000.00 grant to
— rehabilitate substandard housing and eliminate blighted conditions throughout
the project area. The areas identified for redevelopment include NC 42, Snow
Avenue and Wynne Street Ext. Town will make every attempt to improve the
quality of life for its citizens.
Alternatives: Alternatives include to continue to pursue grants to rehabilitate
depress areas; demolish dilapidated buildings.
27

Policy: Town policy shall be to rehabilitate substandard housing and upgrade
local services.
Strategy: The Town will continue to pursue grant funding to address the
community development needs of the Town.
4. Commitment to State and Federal Programs
Applicability: The Town of Powellsville support State and Federal programs
_ which improve the quality of life for its residents. Town officials are concern
about the lack of funding to implement these programs. Un-funded mandates
put a hardship on small towns like Powellsville.
Alternative: The alternatives are to encourage the State and Federal
governments to give financial support for mandates; totally disregard all un-
funded programs.
Policy: Powellsville will support all State and Federal programs, especially
those that improve the quality of life for its citizens.
Strategy: Voice concerns to State officials about un-funded mandates.
5. Assistance to Channel Maintenance And Beach Nourishment Projects.:.;
Applicability: DOES NOT APPLY . .
6. Enerev Facilitv Sittine And Develoomen
Applicability: The location of energy facilities are regulated by state
agencies. Because Powellsville is an inland community offshore exploration
is not a local concern. If oil becomes in short supply alternative sources of
energy may become more important.
Alternatives:. Alternatives may include amending the zoning ordinances so
that generating plants are not allowed at all; or developing land use
regulations restricting generating plants to particular areas.
Policy: The Town will encourage the location of generating plant in
appropriate areas.
Strategy: Support the location of generating plants in rural sparsely populated
areas.
28

7. Tourism
Applicability: Powellsville itself is not a destination of tourists. However
some tourists may pass through on their way to Virginia. Tourists also pass
through Powellsville to view the regionwide Historic Albemarle Tour program
which encompasses eighteen counties in northeastern North Carolina.
Alternatives: The Town could support the efforts of the Albemarle Tour
Program.
Policy: Continue the current level of support for the Historic Albemarle Tour
Program.
Strategy: Implementation shall occur by making literature about the Historic
Albemarle Tour available at Town Hall .
8. Coastal And Estuarine Water Beach Access
Applicability: DOES NOT APPLY
9. Tvnes Densities. Location. Units per Acre of Anticipated Residential-.:... -
Development And Services to Support Development. _. �-:--.. 1. 1.
Applicability:,:: Because= of the lack: of a public.- sewage: treatment .' facility .:
development. densities will be determined by. the septic tank permitting process.
High density development is unlikely without a public sewer system.: It is very:
difficult to get aseptic tank permit from- the Bertie County Health Department
due to sever soil limitations.
Alternatives: Allow densities to be determined by the amount of land
required to receive a septic tank permit.
Policy: The policy shall be to allow septic tank requirements determine
development densities.
Strategies: Implementation shall occur by supporting the septic tank
permitting program of the Bertie County Environmental Health Department.
D. STORM HAZARDS
The Storm Hazard Mitigation, Post -Disaster Recovery and Evacuation Plan, for the
1988 plan was.submitted to the Bertie County Emergency Management Coordinator for
review. All recommended changes have been incorporated in this update. North
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Carolina is well ]mown for the hurricanes and tropical storms that batter its coastline and
the tornados that ravage inland areas. Typically, the bulk of hurricane storm damage
occurs in coastal areas. Hurricanes and tropical storms have however, caused severe
damage in inland areas in the past. Thus, even inland counties and their local
municipalities must effectively plan for storm hazards. This section summarizes the
actions Bertie County and the Town of Powellsville has undertaken to protect residents
and resources from the damaging effects of hurricanes and other major storm events.
Hazard Areas
The Powellsville area has no major creeks or rivers, or floodplain areas as identified by
the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that will pose a threat during a major
storm event. Powellsville has no Areas of Environmental Concern. High winds pose the
greatest storm threat in the Powellsville area. Falling trees and blowing debris could severely
damage property and threaten human safety. Heavy rains also pose risks. Although there are
no official FEMA-mapped floodplain areas within the community, drainage ditches have been
dug throughout most of the Town and there are several low-lying areas where water collects
during normal rains. The heavy rain encountered with a major storm event will quickly fill
drainage channels and low spots, and localized areas of flooding are likely to develop.
Evacuation and Reconstruction-.
Bertie County adopted an Emergency Operation Plan in 1994.: Powellsville is under the:
jurisdiction of this plan. The Bertie, County. Plan isfairly broad in scope, covering man -made,: -
as well as natural disasters. .
The County's Emergency Management Coordinator has the responsibility of developing
and conducting exercises to test the evacuation plan and will coordinate the action of local
emergency services and operations during a storm event. The County has five designated
emergency shelters. Powellsville residents would be directed to the Colerain Elementary School
in the event of an emergency.
When damages are experienced, reentry will be based upon damage assessments and any
response operations in progress. The County Tax Supervisor is to serve as County Damage
Assessment Officer and carry out the County's Damage Assessment Plan. Should damage from
a storm be especially severe, the County has the authority to impose a temporary moratorium
on all development in the area. Such a measure would be used only if damage to a particular
- area is very serious and if redevelopment of the area in the same manner would pose residents
with similar health and safety problems in the future. Recovery operations will be in accordance
with Section Q of the Bertie County Emergency Operation Plan. After emergency operations
to restore public health and safety and initial damage assessment are completed, the Powellsville
Town Council will assume responsibility for ensuring orderly repair and rebuilding in the Town.
The Town advocates the following schedule for staging and permitting repairs and construction
in Powellsville: first priority --replacement of essential services such as power, water, telephone,
30

and roadways; second priority --major repairs; third priority --minor repairs; fourth priority --new
development. All repairs and new development will be in conformance with applicable State and
- local development controls including the State building code and the Town's zoning ordinance
(currently proposed). Development outside of Town in floodprone areas must comply with the
County floodplain ordinance.
Coordinating Agencies
The State and Federal agencies involved in coordinating local storm hazard mitigation
and hurricane preparedness activities ' are listed in Appendix B.
Policy Statements
The Town acknowledges that the Powellsville area is subject to storms that threaten the
health, safety, and welfare of its residents and the integrity of its natural and cultural resources.
In an effort to plan for such natural storm disasters and to safeguard local residents, resources,
and property, the Town has adopted the following storm hazard policy objectives.
1. Reduce the votential for loss of property and human lives through regulatory
controls. .
a.. Enforce the, State building _code in all new construction",-.
b. Consider adopting a housing code.
2. Increasepublic awareness of the need for hurricane preparation.
-- a. Support the "preparedness" program the County Office of Emergency
Management conducts in local schools.
b. Participate in practice and drill exercises sponsored by the Office of
Emergency Management.
E. CONTINUING PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
At the beginning of this update the Land Use Planning Committee adopted a
"Citizen Participation Plan" . This plan included the following elements.
a. Review and approval of the land use plan by the Town Board of
Commissioners who are elected by the citizens.
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b. Conduct an opinion survey to solicit public opinion.
c. Give news interviews of the Land Use Planning Committee activities.
d. All meetings are open to the public.
e. Hold public hearing once draft is completed
L Hold public hearing prior to the adoption of the Powellsville CAMA Land Use
Plan.
The survey results are included on page 32a.
In order for the public to fully participate in the planning process, the citizens of the
Town must be educated concerning planning. Public education can be accomplished by holding
a round table discussion on planning issues. Planning Board members may also attend a one
week course at the Institute of Government in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
The general public will be kept informed of planning decisions by reporting all important
issues and decisions to the Bertie Ledger. In addition, the Town Board is considering
publishing a monthly newsletter which would announce meeting schedules and other issues of
interest to the citzens..
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Exhibit E.1
CITIZEN SURVEY RESULTS
The Planning Committee conducted a citizen survey to ask basic questions about the services and
conditions particular to Powellsville. A total of 27 responses was gathered, representing about 21% of the
households in Town. The results of the survey are as follows:
" 1.
How long have you lived in Powellsville?
a) Less than 5 years 5
b) 6-10 years 3
-
c) 11-20 years 6
d) 20+ years 13
2.
Are you retired? 11 employed? 14 unemployed? 2
If employed, where do you work?
a) Bertie County 4
b) Hertford County 6
c) Virginia 2
d) Powellsville 0
3.
Do you own or rent your home? a) own 22 b) rent 3
Is your home a mobile home? yes 1 no 24
4.
How many persons in your.household are in the -following age groups:.: "
a) 0-4 years: 5
b) 5-18 years 10
c) 19-35 years 7
r .
d) 36-64 years 24
e) 65+ years 11
5.
How would you rank the drainage of the land in Powellsville?
—
a) Poor 23
b) Fair 3
c) Good 0
".
d) Excellent 0
. 6.
How would you rank the following services?
_
Excellent Good Fair Poor
No opinion
Fire Protection: 21 3 1 0
2
-
Police Protection: N/A N/A N/A 5
1
Water: 18 1 4 3
0
Garbage Collection: 19 6 2 0
0
7.
How do you feel about growth in Powellsville? Would you like to see it:
a) stay the same 1
b) grow a lot . 23
—
c) grow a little 3
32a

IV. LAND CLASSIFICATION
_-- A. Purpose
Powellsville has adopted a system of land classification and an official Land
Classification Map to assist local officials in attaining policy objectives in the areas of
resource protection, resource production, and economic and community development.
Four broad categories of land classification have been developed and are delineated on
the Town's Map of Land Classification.
The Map sets out a proposed development pattern for the Powellsville area.
_ Based on this classification scheme, the Town has designated areas it believes are
appropriate to accommodate additional growth and development, and areas it believes
should be left in a rural condition. The classifications reflect existing and proposed
future land uses and attempt to link land use, policy objectives, and implementation
actions.
If the County's and the Town's Classification Maps are compared, some
inconsistencies are evident. On the County's Classification Map, all of Powellsville is
classified Developed. All areas adjoining the Town are classified as Transition. As the
Powellsville Map has been drawn at a much larger scale, the area could be classified in
more detail. Note that although the Town currently has not officially adopted -an
extraterritorial jurisdiction, local officials have chosen to classify land up to one-half mile
outside of Town according to the local classification scheme.. The Town takes this -
positionstrictly. as a statement of preference but understands that -policies stated..in this
plan have. no :validity. outside: their legally, defined corporateboundaries: att this time.:: ; . -
B. Classification Scheme.
The Town's land classification scheme is based on. the guidelines for. land -
classification outlined in the Coastal Area Management Act's Land Use Planning
Guidelines. The general characteristics of each class are outlined in Exhibit 1.
1. Developgd
The Developed classification encompasses much of the land within the corporate
limits of the Town. This classification reflects the existing and proposed development
pattern for the community. All properties within the Town limits are currently served
with public water. Garbage collection, police and fire protection, and all local public
- administrative services are also provided in the Developed area. The Town would prefer
that new development locate in Town rather than in the rural outlying areas. By applying
_ the Developed classification to all areas within Town, local officials are attempting to
facilitate this pattern of development. The only areas within the Town limits not
classified Developed are lands north of N.C. 42. These areas are currently undeveloped,
in woodland or agricultural uses. These lands appear as Transition on the Land Classi-
fication Map.
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2. Urban Transition
Transition areas adjoin the Developed area and delineate areas of existing or
anticipated high density development outside of the Town's corporate limits. A private
community water system currently serves Transition areas along N.C. 42 and along S.R.
1321, the Harrellsville Road. Although at this time the Town has no plans to extend its
own water system, to serviced Transition areas are those areas that would likely receive
service should water extensions ever be proposed.
As shown on the Map of Land Classification, Transition areas adjoin the major
thoroughfares entering and leaving the Town --along U.S. 13, N.C. 42, and S.R. 1321.
A good deal of development has already occurred in these Transition areas. Residential
development extends southeast outside of Town along N.C. 42. Scattered residential
development is found along S.R. 1321 and U.S. 13. At the intersection of U.S. 13 and--
N.C. 42, several commercial and industrial uses have developed.
Development is expected to continue in these areas —residential development along
N.C. 42 and S.R. 1321, and a mix of commercial and residential development along
U.S. 13.
3. Rural with Services
The Rural class encompasses most of the land outside of Town.. These are areas,
of scattered residential development, = farmland, and.woodland... The Town supports the
continued. use -of these.areas for. agricultural and :low density residential, uses
4. Conservation
The Conservation class - denotes areas which; ,- due - to - their environmentally
sensitive nature or the hazards they pose to development, should be kept undeveloped.
There are few places in the Powellsville area where natural hazards occur. According
to the U.S. Geological Survey topographic maps, a limited area of intermittent wetland
occurs just north of the corporate limits. This area is shown as Conservation on the
Land Classification Map. This is a low-lying area, less than 18 feet above mean sea
level. This area would be wet at certain times of the year and would be subject to
flooding in times of heavy rain. Development in this area poses hazards to the developer
and to the environment and so the area has been designated Conservation on the Town's
Map of Land Classification.
C. Zoning Regulations
The Town currently has a zoning ordinance as an additional planning tool to assist
-- in the positive controlled development of its environs. Such an ordinance complements
this Plan in ensuring protection for areas that are sensitive to development.
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D. Intergovernmental Coordination
The Town's Land Classification Map has been designed to guide the actions of
private developers and public agencies at all levels of government, in activities affecting
land development in the Powellsville area. Many of the planning objectives set forth in
the Town's Land Use Plan will enhance the land use goals of neighboring communities,
the County, and the coastal region as a whole. The Town will work with the various
public groups noted in this report to ensure that the planning objectives and policy actions
adopted as part of this plan will be implemented as the Town develops over the next five
years.
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EXHIBIT 2
LAND CLASSIFICATION
General Characteristics of the Classes
DEVELOPED Purpose -
provide for continued intensive
CLASS
development
Land Uses -
mixed: residential, commercial,industrial
Services -
usually all urban services provided: water, garbage collection,
police fire, etc.
Density -
high, 3 or more dwelling units (du)/acre
Lot Sizes -
usually small, in some areas averaging less than 20,000 sq.ft.
TRANSITION Purpose -
provide for future intensive
CLASS
development
Land Uses -
mixed
Services -
water service usually present or anticipated; police and fire
protection usually provided (if provided in Developed Class)
Density -
fairly high, usually 3 or more du/acre
Lot Sizes -
usually small, many times averaging 20,000 sq.ft.
Comment -
usually adjoins Developed Class
RURAL Purpose -
agriculture and very low density
CLASS
residential
Land Uses . -
farming,. forestry, . residential .
Services: _
none.
Density -
generally greater -than.l du/acre
Lot Sizes . -
not applicable
CONSERVATION ' . Purpose -
resource protection
CLASS Land Uses -
wetlands, floodprone lands and
other sensitive natural areas
Services -
none
Comment -
land basically to remain undeveloped or developed only under
controlled conditions
(INCLUDES AGRICULTURAL/FORESTRY LANDS)
36