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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAMA & Comprehensive LUP 2022E CARTERET OF GAPE LN OA0)74 CAik0V Adopted by the Cape Carteret Boll.of Missio - Certified by the Coastal Resources Commission on N _ l � October 10, 2022 3er 14, 2022 PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK 2 CAPE 0 F 0 p m r ti yCRTN c AaC�`�Q Acknowledgements Mayor Will Baker Board of Commissioners Jeff Waters Steve Martin Mike King Jim Nalitz Don Miller Planning Board Susan Hall (Chair) Neil Fitzpatrick Cameron Watts Paxon Holz Bruce Williamson Sarah Wax Citizen Steering Committee Dave Fowler Charlie Evans Susan Hall Bubba McLean Chris Kalt Courtney Barnhill Vaughan Branch Town Manager Zachary Steffey Town Staff Mike Bishop Heather Leffingwell Barbara Owens Prepared by: Summit Design and Engineering a 3 _ LL._ } - �„ .,x' y' ,•+.. ��• - �� k Its 4' .� �a £i' •'ir 5z�' � •a .� F t.' ���{ '' +.,t,•i �' err.' �". J-; +1' • .. 4' y '•f, . _a, •'f, •� .+. - T'�'��'�' bL. #'•yip '' r 1 , .- •� .44�r' i-1 `. 1' i + •5' .: f�.' 1���'r '�"�{�'• _4. •,. � � 4';y '�.5 � '{' L v-�'i,Lq��-�t_+i�'. v'" •y n^•.k� ''f. LL, �. � Y'- � y � , ' e,'' '�a,y'+,h ',S L + .. 4 -.i L"ir'r `. i �•.i'�''�' i� +},� � _ _i•.. "i't�r. ;,. :..y 'pit-_ �4'�''2' '� ' ''f ' •i i• � mo �F`+, ~ Lam'.'. 1+ ..• . Executive Summary This plan is crafted to satisfy the objectives and criteria of both the Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA) Land Use Planning Requirements (15A NCAC 07B.0701) and the elements of a comprehensive plan as required by NCGS Chapter 160D-501. It is based on a community vision and includes elements ranging from a visionary future land use scenario to strategies to mitigate future storm events and protect water quality as well as human life and property. The Plan will act as a guide for land use decision -making and funding priorities over a twenty year time horizon. CAMA regulations require that land use plans are updated every five years. Cape Carteret's last CAMA plan was adopted in February 2007. The goals of this land use plan are to: • Ensure that future development is in alignment with community vision and does no harm to the natural environment. • Ensure that Cape Carteret reaches its best and brightest future. • Create alignment among community stakeholders about goals and expectations. • Ensure that the Town is prepared for future weather events of increased intensity. • Create a better understanding of the land use planning process. • Create a document that is accessible and usable by all stakeholders. Amendments The Cape Carteret CAMA and Comprehensive Plan was adopted on March 14, 2022. The Plan was certified by the Coastal Resources Commission on June, 8 2022. Any amendments to the Plan will be listed in a table below and the accompanying superseding text will be shown with a strikethrough. CAMA and Comprehensive Plan CRC Certification Date 11-14-22 5 Overview of the Plan........................................................................ 12 1. INTRODUCTION.......................................................................... 14 1.1 What is a comprehensive plan? ................................................ 16 1.2 Why do we need a plan?......................................................... 16 1.3 What is CAMA?...................................................................... 16 1.4 What is 160D?....................................................................... 16 1.5 What does it accomplish?........................................................ 16 1.6 How was it developed?........................................................... 17 1.7 How does this plan work? ........................................................ 17 1.8 Regional setting and context ................................................... 17 1.9 Historical context................................................................... 19 1.10 Coastal Areas...................................................................... 21 1.11 Vision Statement.................................................................. 21 1.12 How does this align with the 2014 Strategic Plan? .................... 21 CONCEPTUAL IDEAS....................................................................... 22 2. COMMUNITY PROFILE................................................................. 24 2.1 Introduction.......................................................................... 26 2.1.1 Significant existing and emerging conditions ....................... 26 2.1.2 Key issues...................................................................... 26 2.1.3 Public Engagement.......................................................... 27 2.1.4 Community Concerns and Aspirations ................................ 30 2.1.5 Vision Statement............................................................ 33 2.2 Existing and Emerging Conditions ............................................ 34 2.3.1 Permanent Population Characteristics ................................. 35 2.3.1-1 Age Characteristics....................................................... 35 2.3.1-2 Population by Sex .................................................... 35 2.3.1-3 Population by Racial Characteristics ............................ 36 2.3.1-4 Vital Statistics......................................................... 37 2.3.1-5 Education Characteristics .......................................... 37 2.3.1-6 Permanent Population Characteristics ......................... 38 2.3.1-7 Veteran Population ................................................... 38 2.3.2 Seasonal population........................................................ 39 2.3.3 Population Growth and Projections .................................... 39 6 � ` 2.4.1 Housing Characteristics.................................................... 43 2.4.1-1 Tenure.................................................................... 43 2.4.1-2 Occupancy Status .................................................... 43 2.4.2 Current Housing Stock ..................................................... 44 2.4.2-1 Building Permit Activity ............................................. 44 2.4.2-2 Median Home Value .................................................. 44 2.5.1 Labor Force.................................................................... 45 2.5.2 Employment by Industry .................................................. 46 2.5.2-1 Military Employment ................................................. 46 2.5.3 Income Characteristics.................................................... 47 3. EXISTING CONDITIONS.............................................................. 48 3.1 Introduction.......................................................................... 50 3.2 Natural Systems.................................................................... 50 3.2.1 Areas of Environmental Concern ....................................... 50 3.2.2 Soil Characteristics.......................................................... 52 3.2.3 Water Quality Classifications ............................................. 55 3.2.4 Flood and Other Natural Hazard Areas ............................... 58 3.2.5 Storm Surge Areas.......................................................... 62 3.2.6 Inlet Hazard Areas.......................................................... 64 3.2.7 Non -coastal Wetlands...................................................... 64 3.2.8 Water Supply Watersheds ................................................ 64 3.2.9 Primary Nursery Areas ..................................................... 64 3.2.10 Other Environmentally Fragile Areas ................................ 66 3.3 Environmental Conditions........................................................ 70 3.3.1 Water Quality Assessment ................................................ 70 3.3.1-1 Surface Water Quality ............................................... 71 3.3.1-2 Shellfishing Waters ................................................... 72 3.3.1-3 Areas with Water Quality Issues ................................. 73 3.3.2 Natural Hazards.............................................................. 74 3.3.2-1 Flood Zones............................................................ 74 3.3.2-2 Storm Surge Inundation ........................................... 74 3.3.2-3 Areas Experiencing Significant Shoreline Erosion ........... 74 3.3.3 Natural Resources........................................................... 75 CAMA and Comprehensive Plan CRC Certification Date 11-14-22 7 : 3.3.3-1 Environmentally Fragile Areas .................................... 75 3.3.3-2 Areas with Incompatible Development ........................ 75 3.4 Existing Land Use.................................................................. 76 3.4.1 Land Use Classifications................................................... 76 3.4.2 Land Use Patterns within Watersheds ................................. 79 3.4.3 Description of Existing Land Uses ...................................... 79 3.4.3-1 Residential.............................................................. 80 3.4.3-2 Commercial............................................................. 80 3.4.3-3 Governmental / Institutional / Community Facilities ...... 80 3.4.3-4 Golf Course............................................................. 80 3.4.3-5 Churches/Cemeteries/Lodges.................................... 80 3.4.3-6 Utilities................................................................... 81 3.4.3-7 Undeveloped / Forestland.......................................... 81 3.4.3-8 Marshland............................................................... 81 3.4.3-9 Water..................................................................... 81 3.4.4 Historic, Cultural and Scenic Areas .................................... 81 3.4.5 Development Trends and Future Land Needs ....................... 81 3.5 Community Facilities.............................................................. 83 3.5.1 Water System................................................................. 83 3.5.2 Wastewater Treatment Systems ........................................ 85 3.5.3 Stormwater System........................................................ 87 3.5.4 Transportation System ..................................................... 89 3.5.4-1 Planned and Programmed Roadway Improvements....... 89 3.5.4-2 NCDOT Functional Classifications ................................ 91 3.5.4-3 Major Streets with Capacity and other Deficiencies ....... 93 3.5.4-4 Traffic Volumes........................................................ 93 3.5.4-5 Impact of Existing Transportation Facilities on Land Use 93 3.5.5 Parks, Recreation and Open Space .................................... 95 3.5.5-1 Public Water/Access Boat Launch ............................... 95 3.5.5-2 Parks and Open Space .............................................. 95 3.5.6 Historic Properties............................................................... 95 3.5.7 Police & EMS Services.......................................................... 97 3.5.8 Schools.............................................................................. 97 of oAPE Qq o m r -i 2�RTH cAR��`�P Land Use Suitability......................................................................... 99 3.6 Land Use Suitibility Analysis .................................................... 99 3.6.1 Vacant Land by Zoning .................................................... 99 3.6.2 Acreage of Vacant Land ................................................... 99 3.6.3 Vacant Land Suitable for Development Based on Environmental 99 3.7 Analysis of Current Land Use Plan ............................................ 99 3.7.1 Consistency of Existing Ordinances with the Current Land Use PlanPolicies......................................................................... 102 3.7.2 Adoption of the Current Implementation Measures ............ 102 3.7.3 Effectiveness of the Current Policies ................................. 102 4. LAND USE PLAN MANAGEMENT .................................................. 104 4.1 Introduction........................................................................ 106 4.2 Public Access....................................................................... 107 4.3 Land Use Compatibility......................................................... 108 4.4 Infrastructure Carrying Capacity ............................................ 110 4.5 Natural Hazard Areas........................................................... 111 4.6.Water Quality...................................................................... 112 4.7 Transportation..................................................................... 114 4.8 Housing.............................................................................. 116 4.9 Community Facilities............................................................ 117 4.10 Economic Development....................................................... 118 5. FUTURE LAND USE AND CONCEPTUAL IDEAS ............................. 120 5.1 Future Land Use Categories ................................................... 122 Protectthe Town........................................................................... 124 DirectDensity............................................................................... 126 Walkable Main Street..................................................................... 128 Multi -Use Path............................................................................... 132 6. GOALS AND IMPLEMENTATION.................................................. 134 6.1 Introduction........................................................................ 136 6.2 Guide for Land Use Decision Making ....................................... 136 6.3 Continuing Planning Projects ................................................. 136 CAMA and Comprehensive Plan CRC Certification Date 11-14-22 9 LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES Figure 1: Population By Age 2010-2019 Page 35 Figure 2: Population By Sex Page 35 Figure 3: % Male/Female Population By Age Page 36 Figure 4: Population by Race Page 36 Figure 5: Birth, Death & Natural Increase Rate 2015-2019 Page 37 Figure 6: Educational Attainment for Population 25 and Over Page 37 Figure 7: Current Permanent Population Growth 1990-2020 Page 38 Figure 8: Veteran Population Page 38 Figure 9: Seasonal Population Growth Page 39 Figure 10: Carteret County Population Growth 2010-2020 Page 39 Figure 11: Regional Population Growth 1980-2019 Page 40 Figure 12: Proj. Population Growth for Carteret County 2020-2050 Page 41 Figure 13: Proj. Population Growth for Cape Carteret 2020-2050 Page 41 Figure 14: Occupancy By Tenure Page 43 Figure 15: Occupancy Status Page 43 Figure 16: Housing Units By Type Page 43 Figure 17: Single Family Residential Building Permits over 5 Years Page 44 Figure 18: Median Housing Value Page 44 Figure 19: % of Persons Over Age 16 Not in Labor Force Page 45 Figure 20: Employment By Industry Page 46 Figure 21: Per Capita Income & Median Household Income Page 47 Figure 22: Enrollment in White Oak Middle School 2009-2021 Page 97 Table 1: Soils in Cape Carteret Planning Jurisdiction Page 54 Table 2: North Carolina Water Quality Classifications Page 56-57 Table 3: Description of Hurricane Categories Page 62 Table 4: Storm Surge Flooding Page 62 Table 5: White Oak Subbasin Page 70 Table 6: Existing Land Use By Type and Acreage Page 76 Table 7: Road Capacity/2040 Estimates within Town Page 93 Table 8: Cape Carteret Public Schools Average Daily Membership Page 97 10 LIST OF MAPS RegionalContext............................................................................. 18 ExistingWetlands............................................................................ 51 Existing Soils Classifications.............................................................. 53 Environmental Constraints - FEMA Flood Zones .................................... 59 Environmental Constraints - Areas of Frequent Flooding ........................ 60 Environmental Constraints - Elevation Changes with Areas of Flooding .... 61 Category 1-5 Storm Surge/SLOSH Map ............................................... 63 Fish Nursery Areas.......................................................................... 65 Natural Heritage Protection Areas ...................................................... 67 Areas of Biodiversity........................................................................ 69 ExistingLand Use............................................................................ 77 ExisitingZoning Map........................................................................ 82 Water Service Area.......................................................................... 84 Wastewater Service Area.................................................................. 86 Stormwater System......................................................................... 88 Functional Classifications.................................................................. 92 Road Deficiencies............................................................................ 94 Town Parks/Boat Landings................................................................ 96 Vacant Land By Zoning....................................................................100 Vacant Land By Acreage..................................................................101 FutureLand Use.............................................................................123 FutureDensity Map.........................................................................127 Walkable Main Street.......................................................................129 Existing and Proposed Multi -Use Path................................................133 APPENDICIES Appendix A: Matrix of Required Elements...........................................142 Appendix B: Vision Statements.........................................................148 Appendix C: Survey Results Summary...............................................149 Appendix D: Green Stormwater Infrastructure....................................150 Appendix E: SLOSH Maps (Categories 1-5 Storm Surge/SLOSH).............151 Appendix F: Main Street/Town Center Concept....................................157 CAMA and Comprehensive Plan CRC Certification Date 11-14-22 11 Overview of the Plan This plan is crafted to meet both the requirements of the Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA) and the Comprehensive Plan requirement of NCGS Chapter 160D. Readers accustomed to reading land use plans will find that it is a hybrid of typical CAMA and Comprehensive Plans. Required elements of a land use plan are outlined in CAMA's Land Use Planning Requirements (15A NCAC 07B.0701), and this plan is organized to adhere to that format. In addition to the recommendations required by CAMA about Public Access, Land Use Compatibility, Infrastructure Carrying Capacity, Natural Hazard Areas, and Water Quality, there are additional recommendations about Housing and Economic Development, which are common in comprehensive plans. Transportation, Water, Wastewater, and Stormwater are all included in the Community Facilities recommendations, per the CAMA outline. Beyond the required elements, this plan is a manifestation of the community's vision for the future and a pathway to reach that vision. It will act as a guide for land use decisions and funding priorities and a reference for all Town stakeholders, from elected and appointed officials to property owners, residents and potential developers. Close adherence to this plan (and its future updates) will ensure that Cape Carteret continues to be a great place to live, work, and visit, and evolves to be even better. The diagram on the facing page depicts the relationships between CAMA, NCGS Chapter 160D, the Town's development regulations (Unified Development Ordinance or UDO), and life in Cape Carteret. 12 WHAT'S THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN STATE LAW, THE LAND USE PLAN, THE UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE, AND REAL LIFE IN CAPE CARTERET? Chapter 160D of NC General Statutes a a� a a 'C U G ° a �o F•��h art a 2 ooc��e��S .�a'� Cosa\ Pub/ic/Stakeholder input eCaC�eCe� Water quality, economic development, tourism, flooding, sewer, traffic Unified ` Development Ordinance (Zoning + Storm water + Planning Board + Development Processes) ® Counties Subject to CAMA = Counties Subject to 160D s4 l0 00 �- 74 %O„ o° c",20 �p'f0a�i 7� 7s Wf XO 0 Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA) Ilk Development Process Affects funding decisions on local, state and federal levels Must fit with future land use designation I SUMMIT DESIGN AND ENGINEERING SERVICES 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 What is a comprehensive plan? 16 1.2 Why do we need a plan? 16 1.3 What is CAMA? 16 1.4 What is 160D? 16 1.5 What does it accomplish? 16 1.6 How was it developed? 17 1.7 How does this plan work? 17 1.8 Regional setting and context 17 1.9 Historical context 19 1.10 Coastal Areas 21 1.11 Vision Statement 21 1.12 How does this align with the 2014 Strategic Plan? 21 14 ` �► r'=' ;: ," � �'� ��� `'% ; ,, fir( ;: ;� Yam.. IIF .:a+ti ''� * �'' - f1'=A' fui:'�...=YF:►i� 3 - �- _i�1 -. ,�, `' , '7R ,� �- ` - ��� 1,.`'y(��y� �r''; "� >�: v '"• ,ems :�;`'� '••-,� 1 -• T • �.. • �y��'".-�.il'tr:�� •(SLR' _ _ i �s 4pr OWN iv IdT AN .._..� AP i lip elcome to the Cape Carteret Community ParkIlk . 't h 1.1 What is a comprehensive plan? The Comprehensive Plan is a long range guiding policy document for Cape Carteret to use in its decision -making about land use, transportation, and a variety of other topics related to public interests in the built environment and quality of life in the community over the next approximately twenty years. However, this document is not set in stone once adopted. This plan is to be reviewed to determine if it needs updating, making it a "living" document that is subject to change over time depending on shifts, new trends, or desired changes in goals and objectives. 1.2 Why do we need a plan? The previous Town "Core Land Use Plan" was adopted on February 19, 2007. Since this time, new regional growth, flooding, and other issues have impacted the Town. While plans are guiding documents, they are to be continually updated. Additionally, the North Carolina State legislature has required that all localities maintain a comprehensive plan in order to enact Zoning laws (explained later in this chapter). Without planning documents, it is difficult to justify or even make decisions regarding the Town's growth and development. Unplanned development can lead to conflicts and diminished quality of life. 1.3 What is CAMA? The Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA) was passed by the North Carolina General Assembly in 1974 to protect the state's coastal areas. Cape Carteret is required by the law, as a coastal community, to include additional information related to the environment and land use, as well as have the plan certified by the North Carolina Department of Environmental quality for compliance. This plan has been crafted to meet the CAMA requirements. 1.4 What is 160D? Chapter 160D is legislation passed in 2020 by the North Carolina General Assembly that requires all localities in the state to draft a comprehensive plan in order to comply with 160D. Without a comprehensive plan, localities may no longer enact their zoning laws. In addition to all of the aforementioned reasons it is a good idea to have an up-to-date comprehensive plan, the state now requires it. This plan has been crafted to meet the comprehensive plan requirements of Chapter 160D. 1.5 What does the plan accomplish? The Comprehensive Plan accomplishes a common goal for the community to align its decisions with. Actively used comprehensive plans can build expectations and trust between the community, developers, and local leaders and achieve a higher quality of life for the community by addressing its problems collectively. 16 OF CAPE C9 3 A O m F -1 4- 0�TH C 1.6 How was it developed? The plan is a distillation of public input and visioning, input from elected and appointed officials, public agencies, and consultant recommendations to develop into a common vision for the future of the Town including what shape development may take, and what improvements are needed. That input is then weighed with demographic and environmental data to make realistic recommendations for the Town's future. 1.7 How does this plan work? For Residents: Community members can utilize the plan to understand the direction the Town intends to pursue, giving input and feedback as necessary. The Comprehensive Plan works as an active document that encourages people to get involved. For the Planning Board and Board of Commissioners: The plan will give guiding policies to evaluate land use and transportation decisions related to land development applications. For the Town government: The plan helps set priorities for capital investment and for managing growth and development in the Town. For developers: The plan gives clear expectations on what the Town's vision for the future is and what kinds of development may more easily move through the land development application process. 1.8 Regional setting and context To understand Cape Carteret, it is important to understand the Town's location within the greater regional context. Cape Carteret is one of 11 incorporated towns in Carteret County. The Town offers an attractive location on Bogue Sound with good schools and land available for future growth. The relationship with other nearby tourist destinations including Emerald Isle and other Bogue Banks beach communities is essential to understanding Cape Carteret. CAMA and Comprehensive Plan CRC Certification Date 11-14-22 17 i ralmin Town of Cape Carteret I Sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin, Intermap, increment P Corp., GEBCO, USGS, FAO, NPS, NRCAN, GeoBase, IGN, Kadaster NL, Ordnance Survev, Esri Japan, METI, Esri China (Hong Kong), (c) OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS User Community In. 1.9 Historical context In 1954, a group of developers purchased twelve miles of land at the western end of Bogue Bank from Anita Fort Maulick. That property would become the Town of Emerald Isle. One of those developers, William Britton McLean also purchased property on the mainland from Mrs. Maulick, which extended from Highway 24 to the Bogue Sound. Additional land purchases followed to create Cape Carteret, which today has a total area of 2.7 square miles. The Town's main thoroughfare is W.B. McLean Drive, named in recognition of Mr. McLean after his death in 1986. In 1957, Mr. McLean recorded the first subdivision in the southeast portion of town as Bayshore Park. In 1958, he recorded 'old' Cape Carteret which extended from Anita Forte Drive to Highway 58. The "e" on Forte was a mistake on the map and was never corrected. The two most recent subdivisions are Star Hill North, which is nestled along the Croatan National Forest and Ardan Oaks near the Western Carteret Public Library. Both were developed in 2005. The Town of Cape Carteret was officially incorporated in 1959 and soon after, the Cape Carteret Police Department was established. In 1961, the State of North Carolina began a daily ferry service between Bayshore Park and Emerald Isle. The ferry service continued until the completion of the B. Cameron Langston Bridge in 1971. Old Ferry Park on LeJeune Road, dedicated in 2021, marks the location of the original ferry. White Oak Elementary School opened in 1964 and has undergone significant expansions to meet the communities' growing population, its most recent in 2017. In 1968, McLean and his partners, George Fulton Spell and William Arthur Shackelford Jr. opened Star Hill Golf and Country Club. The Star Hill and Country Club Point subdivisions surround the golf course. The name Star Hill is derived from local folklore that claims a meteor came crashing to Earth some thousands of years ago, carving out a lake as well as pushing the earth up into a thirty-foot mound that the locals would come to call Star Hill. In 1973, McLean began developing the shopping center near the intersection of North Carolina Highways 24 and 58. The Carteret Crossing Shopping Center now includes an upscale supermarket, drug stores and a bank, as well as several restau- rants and specialty shops. The shopping center also includes a doctor's office, an optician, an audiology specialist, and a veterinary office. Lowes Home Improvement opened in 2007 and sits adjacent to the shopping center. By 1974 the town had ad- opted zoning regulations that largely remain in effect today. In 2021, the Board of Commissioners adopted a Unified Development Ordinance in accordance with North Carolina General Statute (NCGS) 160D. CAMA and Comprehensive Plan CRC Certification Date 11-14-22 19 Historical context (Continued) Cape Carteret is an active community for all ages. In 1998, Golfin' Dolphin opened behind the shopping center followed by MacDaddy's in 2008. This family entertainment complex now includes a driving range, miniature golf, sky trail, bowling alley and arcade. Also in 1998, a gym and aquatics center opened on Taylor Notion Road and in 2003 the Western Carteret Public Library opened nearby. Cape Carteret is home to several churches and exceptional preschools. The Town hosts a number of festivals throughout the year including the annual Crystal Coast Watermelon Festival. The Sounds on the Sound concert series and Movies In the Park draw families from the surrounding communities. Each Thanksgiving morning, the Turkey Trot 5K Run brings hundreds of runners to Cape Carteret. Through the hard work and diligence of the community, Cape Carteret has an uninterrupted walking and biking trail that extends from the public library on Taylor Notion Road, down to the intersection at Highway 24 and continues along the entire length of Cape Carteret on W.B. McLean Drive (Hwy 24) to the shopping center. The Town plans to extend the trail into a five kilometer closed loop. From the beginning, recreation in Cape Carteret has always centered on the beautiful waters of Bogue Sound. Among the Town's thirteen parks, nine are sound front and include a public boat ramp, fishing piers, and picnic areas. In 2021, a new kayak park opened on Pettiford Creek, a tributary to the White Oak River. It accommodates twenty vehicles and has a concrete sidewalk to the launches. Paddlers can enjoy miles of unspoiled shoreline teeming with wildlife including manatees, alligators, deer, and cranes. The Town of Cape Carteret is committed to safeguarding our natural resources and maintaining the living landscape on the water, along the shoreline and inland. As a result of those efforts, Cape Carteret has been recognized as a Bird Sanctuary and a Bee City, USA. 20 of CAPE C9 o m r _1 2OR -N C AaO�`�P 1.10 Coastal Areas North Carolina's coastal communities are an essential part of the State's identity, economy, future. These coastal areas are also the most vulnerable to increased weather events. In order to maintain a healthy environment, a safe place for people to live, and a healthy tourism economy, good planning and prompt plan implementation is necessary to guide communities toward the best possible future. 1.11 Vision Statement The "Vision Statement" is a distilled message from community input about the future. This statement acts as an overall goal to be achieved and is intended to be aspirational. The vision is as follows: "In 2045, Cape Carteret is a model for resiliency, sustainable growth and development in a changing environment. By developing a well -designed, mixed - use Town Center to support local businesses and provide an anchor for the local community, the County, and seasonal visitors, the community will see only minor disruption from storm events and the resilient built environment will recover quickly from major storm events as a result of its compact design and careful planning. The Town will be an ideal place for residents of all ages to thrive, offering walking and biking to daily activities." 1.12 How does this align with the 2014 Strategic Plan? In 2014, the Town created a draft strategic plan to prepare itself for the future. Though not adopted, the document has influenced the creation of this plan, which deals more with land use management rather than governance, although it additionally covers some overlapping themes. CAMA and Comprehensive Plan CRC Certification Date 11-14-22 21 Complete Bike, Walking Trail Address Noise and Light Pollution Consider Negah�,--e Eff ect can oas(al Area Overpass/Roundabout Deeded at 4�5 [Minimize Visibility of Commercial Structures Prowida l ccycling I✓ve�3ts ]deep Familyr�lacafion Atmosphere Install Speed BurnpsrC;amcras on 24 Infrastructure Improvements Needed Local Culture becoming less Local Limit Growth Impacts on Water Quality More Shopping Opportunities Fo qtj fkcGrants to ompl t �� d �i� tr ils Ail ,4�e' T .ice resence of ;1111C jS�iLi i Don'tLqrye� it por PROW irresponsibly Provide a Plan for wmxa-gemen More Crosswalks Dredge Petiford eerwCidents Log Park nd Reg Keepofl,9r mmunicatioitown Charm Feel Limit Sprawl Make Town Aesthetically Pleasing Continue to get input fro><•rl ciW-enConvenient Plano for Kids to Play Provide Frequent Yard Waste Pick "^*'�°^ "� "` Pothole Repairs Necess r r LimitCommercial D v lopm ntl ongestion Plan FuturtBevclapment in KGs in xuill�i+�i8sian' I%"'s ldonLily Decrease in Population Density Needed Fit3ishing Patti "vouid incrcase'E7affie to Laval Businesses ,ter ;Tplat Fix the Fond ��� Umr� Stgrtwc�s svin create TrsfiiL� nigMrna�e t =r� v#rn rien; too Involved 11 1"1 Fn toy rl 1 SF�iIY4ddress tin lss>aes ontov,�ards s�arld p Renj,rj Thin c =_[ SbaBes�tyiR JL st1 uctk.�L�l1OPfR$ Issu L Cfoncci-aU{ : on i epairfiMaint riance of Current items No CDrnmercial E3Lsinesses in Resident al Areas CONCEPTUAL IDEAS This plan has a lot of details in its pages. It is not necessary to digest them all to understand the key aspects of the Plan. If you take nothing else away from your reading of this document, know that there are four main concepts that define this plan, which are a direct result of feedback received from residents. For more details on these concepts, please see pages 120-129. For more details on public engagement, see Section 2.1.3 and Appendices B and C. v 22 ` PROTECT THE TOWN Address flooding in existing problem areas and mitigate future damage by providing for innovative stormwater management facilities in new and existing developments. Encourage the protection of mature vegetation and prohibit development in wetland areas. DIRECT DENSITY Direct density by carefully allowing wastewater utility capacity in select areas, such as the new "main street." Permit only low -density residential development with septic fields in low-lying, flood -prone areas. WALKABLE "MAIN STREET" Through the development of a new walkable "main street" town center, redefine the Town's main street from Highway 24 to the new street. This will provide additional commercial and residential capacity with the opportunity to foster local small businesses. Highway -oriented uses would remain restricted towards the highway corridor. ENHANCE BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN CONNECTIVITY The Town has already completed multiple pieces of a multi -use trail connecting all areas of Cape Carteret along NC 58, NC 24 and Taylor Notion Road. Complete the multi -use trail utilizing external funding to connect the community with safe walking and bicycle paths. Provide for safe connections to all parts of Town through safe crossings along Highway 24 and Taylor Notion Road. CAMA and Comprehensive Plan CRC Certification Date 11-14-22 23 2. COMMUNITY PROFILE 2.1 Introduction 26 2.1.1 Significant existing and emerging conditions 26 2.1.2 Key issues 26 2.1.3 Public Engagement 26 2.1.4 Community Concerns and Aspirations 30 2.1.5 Vision Statement 33 2.2 Existing and Emerging Conditions 34 2.3.1 Permanent Population Characteristics 35 2.3.1-1 Age Characteristics 35 2.3.1-2 Population by Sex 35 2.3.1-3 Population by Racial Characteristics 36 2.3.1-4 Vital Statistics 37 2.3.1-5 Education Characteristics 37 2.3.1-6 Permanent Population Characteristics 38 2.3.1-7 Veteran Population 38 2.3.2 Seasonal population 39 2.3.3 Population Growth and Projections 39 2.4.1 Housing Characteristics 43 2.4.1-1 Tenure 43 2.4.1-2 Occupancy Status 43 2.4.2 Current Housing Stock 44 2.4.2-1 Building Permit Activity 44 2.4.2-2 Median Home Value 44 2.5.1 Labor Force 45 2.5.2 Employment by Industry 46 2.5.2-1 Military Employment 46 2.5.3 Income Characteristics 47 24 II���"ni�lU I!;81'; I luVlllll .l'�Illll 1� 9 2.1 Introduction This plan is crafted to satisfy the objectives and criteria of both the Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA) Land Use Planning Requirements (15A NCAC 07B.0701) and the elements of a comprehensive plan as required by NCGS Chapter 160D-501. It is based on a community vision and includes elements ranging from a visionary future land use scenario to strategies to mitigate future storm events and protect water quality as well as human life and property. The following section outlines specific demographic information in the community, including population, housing, and economic characteristics. These topics establish a baseline understanding of where the community is today. 2.1.1 Significant existing and emerging conditions Like all North Carolina coastal communities, Cape Carteret is affected more every year by flooding, storm surges and tides. Global climate change will continue to exacerbate these issues, and increased development and impervious surface reduces the community's ability to be resilient. Population has been rising as more and more people move to the Town for the high quality of life, and that is expected to continue. Cape Carteret's challenge is to find a way to accommodate that growth while keeping the small town feel, ameliorating the existing flooding issues, and protecting the natural environment. 2.1.2 Key issues Public Access: Public access in Cape Carteret is adequate, with access provided through the boat launches at Manatee Street and on Pettiford Creek. Land Use Compatibility: The town is maintaining existing low density residential uses in low lying areas and encouraging all new growth towards higher ground with more compact and sustainable design to improve environmental conditions. Infrastructure Carrying Capacity: The Town has not experienced carrying capacity issues, but plans to make decisions on development aligned with infrastructure improvements. Natural Hazard Areas: The Town seeks to mitigate damage in Natural Hazard Areas by maintaining a lower density of existing homes and encouraging new growth towards more suitable areas. Water Quality: Aging septic systems in lower lying existing residential areas in the Town's southern portion need better maintenance and monitoring from the Town and local property owners to protect water quality. 26 of pAPE C9 2 9� o m r _1 2OR -H C AaO�`�P 2.1.3 Public Engagement As described in the Vision Statement, Town stakeholders have provided consistent input that decades into the future the Town should be safe, attractive, welcoming, and that residents and visitors alike will know when they are in Cape Carteret, as opposed to surrounding localities. Community input and vision was collected throughout 2021 via a survey, public meetings, tabling at Town events, stakeholder interviews, resident Vision Statements, and through the Planning Board and Steering Committee, who acted as advisors and liaisons throughout the plan process. At the outset of the planning process, a website was created specifically to host information about the plan, draft documents, and other materials. The website had a form through which stakeholders could submit their Vision Statements for Cape Carteret's future. These Vision Statements were combined and further refined by the Planning Board and Steering Committee to create the Plan's Vision Statement found on page 35. The Town wanted the statement to reflect stakeholder visions and also be aspirational and forward -thinking. A stakeholder survey was published and made available online through SurveyMonkey as well as in paper format, which was kept at Town Hall and circulated by Planning Board and Steering Committee members. In addition to the online solicitation of input, there were tabling events at the Watermelon Festival and Sounds by the Sound, and a public open house in the Cape Carteret Community Park. The collected Vision Statements can be found in Appendix C, "Community Vision Statements." The results of the stakeholder survey can be found in Appendix C, "Survey Results Summary." Further information was collected via an online, interactive map that asked people to input concerns about flooding, infrastructure needs, and more, that is now incorporated into this plan. For those people who preferred not to use an online map, the same information was collected via a large -format map in the Town Hall lobby and from paper maps distributed via Town Hall in the lobby or at meetings. All of the information collected through the public input process is used to inform this plan's recommendations. CAMA and Comprehensive Plan CRC Certification Date 11-14-22 27 HOME PLAN OVERVIEW RESOURCES PUBLIC MEETINGS MAPSOCIAL FEEDBACK CONTACT •1V.�I ' [• FEEDBACK FORM The images on this page show (clockwise from top of page): the Comprehensive and CAMA Land Use Plan website, which was used to post draft documents and collect vision statements; the online interactive map which was used to collect geographically -based input including areas of flooding; and the poster version of the map which was available to the public in the lobby of Town Hall. The image on the facing page shows a flier which was posted around town to solicit input. W 1i :I Sig, Hill Golf Club 44 R• `����R�I � .. dk aF'O inL�f l Point PLEASE PROVIDE INPUT ON y r," WN° T F-U-T-U- R I E I Cape Carteret is currently engaged in updating the Comprehensive/CAMA Land Use Plan, a road map to the future which will guide land use decisions and public funding priorities for the coming decades. ot#941 Use this link or the QR code below to access the Plan website to review the proposed VISION, fill out information on MARSOCIAL, fill out the resident survey, and more! 2 0 ■❑ https://www.capecarteretplan.com/ WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU.... Please review the proposed Vision by using the QR code to the left or the website address. was VOICE MATTERS July 28, 2021 CAMA and Comprehensive Plan CRC Certification Date 11-14-22 29 2.1.4 Community Concerns and Aspirations The Cape Carteret community is invested in the Town and in its future. In recent years there has been both new commercial and residential development, and flooding has become a significant issue in nearly all areas of the Town. Residents want more services like restaurants, stores, professional and medical offices, as well as a sewer system for commercial areas. Many people expressed strong opinions that while they do want more commercial options, they do not want more highway commercial development like neighboring towns. They want a cohesive town design aesthetic. Several people expressed a desire to have a strong delineation between commercial and residential areas. Residents want more parks and recreation areas and safe ways to walk and bike. They want to keep a small town feel while still allowing growth. Residents are concerned about flooding and want these issues to be addressed. They want any new development to be responsible and to keep the aspects of the small town that they already love about Cape Carteret. The word bubbles below show some direct quotes from vision statements. "Mahe towvu cowtvvterc�aL areas wt.ore' eas�L� accessi Ue btu fivdshiv�'O paths and tra l,Ls.11 30 "Fawtii� friendl. , safe town with events, parks, rest2ur2vk,ts, 2 wt.ain street, ester access, qn6, aualitu� infrastructure to support Urowth." '...best p ra ct�ces of sto rvwt. water wt,itig2tEow av,ol fLoocl -DrevevLti ovt,." "To I2eep a swt.alL towvt, feed avt,c{ het i&ot be seLf�sh about shar�v q with other foLl"s who wish to be art of this area." of pAPE C9 2 9� o m r _1 2OR -" C AaO�`�P The word cloud below shows themes from vision statements and open-ended survey questions. Common themes include keeping the small town feel, protecting the natural environment, addressing infrastructure issues, and controlling growth. Complete Bike[ Walking Trail mall"Into n Url i.'�,irq De igix Stnr-day 'd Address Noise and Light Pollution Consider Negative Effect on Coastal Area Overpass/Roundabout Deeded at 24/5 h+linimize Visibility of Commercial structures l�r.} ripe f .r. vclin— EvUl.t r , beep Family. -Vacation Atmospherc install Speed BL. r:'j_-::'-.:'' -i 11.'-r .:.7 ..: Infrastructure Improvements Needed Local Culture bccaminy less Local Impacts on Water Quality Limit Growth More Shopping Opportunities Focus s,okjGrants to Cornpl t, �', dr i tails �' j,1'0L;e i)C0. 0t'i I rat tl6, 1 *?qq[a 46� Fri r.�7'nr�8 woe 90'�d a44pk f 't de�e1r�ren�1r More Cresswall�s PLvvide a Ian for Starmivater P anageme�i Dredge ltifr eCo T►d)idnts Dog Park Keepz5 7 abork r Town Charm Feel Limit Sprawl Make Town Aesthetically Pleasing Continue to get input frexn cati/ells Convenient Place for lids to Play Provide Frequent Yard Waste Pick ��°^ �� 4•� Pothole Repairs I:� s r Limit Commercial D ve[opm rltl tinge tion Pinn FutureDevalpprrlent in K&E ing xuiihkii85ivn otr'_. ]den LiLy Decrease 11� Population DensityNeeded Fit�ishing Path �voutd ncrcase EYaffio to i Lfci3] Businesses � t i Fix the roads n5 Um 6r3 StaibuL..,_ agj:_:cievreT: iYit nighlrns:e f=+"•+µ[Li r.i,- lt}C} lrLvolvetl Maintain Fundin%to Ch IS Address 1 T-affrc Issues on 4 towards Islanandscal§nvironment Preservation Renair IIL structu�r pl$ s Conccntrat;; on repair?Niaintonance Of C .went itci-i- NO CDmrnercial Businesses in Residential Areas Vision Statement themes CAMA and Comprehensive Plan CRC Certification Date 11-14-22 31 � - 1. .� r r t } � ..: p �1 � ��}.: rIIR i�l 2.1.5 Vision Statement "'In 2045, Cape Carteret is a model for resiliency, sustainable growth and development in a changing environment. By developing a well -designed, mixed -use Town Center to support local businesses and provide an anchor for the local community, the County, and seasonal visitors, the community will see only minor disruption from storm events and the resilient built environment will recover quickly from major storm events as a result of its compact design and careful planning. The Town will be an ideal place for residents of all ages to thrive, offering walking and biking to daily activities." CAMA and Comprehensive Plan CRC Certification Date 11-14-22 33 2.2 Existing and Emerging Conditions The following section paints a demographic portrait of Cape Carteret's population. The data involved is required by CAMA's Land Use Plan Elements, 5A NCAC 0713.0702. 34 of CAPE C9 o m r _1 2ORTH C AaO�`�P 2.3.1 Permanent Population Characteristics 2.3.1-1 Age Characteristics This chart, or age cohort diagram, shows Cape Carteret's population divided by detailed age group compared from 2010 (blue) and 2019 (orange). There is a noticeably lower percentage of the population aged 20 to 29 compared to other cohorts. There is also a noticeably lower percentage of age 20 to 59 in the Town in 2019 compared to other age brackets. This shows that more youth and work age individuals have moved out of Cape Cateret in the past 10 years. Population by Age 2010 & 2019 80 and Over 70 to 79 60 to 69 50 to 59 40 to 49 30 to 39 20 to 29 10 to 19 Under 9 Years 0.00% 2.00% 4.00% 6.00% 8.00% 10.00% 12.00% 14.00% 16.00% 18.00% ■ 2019 ■ 2010 Figure 1: Cape Carteret Population by Age &Sex Source: American Community Survey 2010, 2019 2.3.1-2 Population by Sex The demographic shift between 2010 and 2019 has remained generally the same as the population increases, however there is a notable increase in the amount of school aged children residing within the Town, particularly under 9 years old. To the right, the chart shows that the 56.05% male to female ratio in Cape Carteret is 56% female to 44% male, which is much more skewed than the national average of approximately 50.5% female to 49.5% male. This may be due to larger margin of error common in smaller sample sizes. 2019 Pop. by Sex 43.95% ■ Male ■ Female Figure 2: Cape Carteret Population by Sex Source: American Community Survey 2019 CAMA and Comprehensive Plan CRC Certification Date 11-14-22 35 % Male/Female Population By Age 30.75% Under 18 years School age 5.6% 1.2% 18-24 years college age 44.5% A 25-64 years working age 23.7% 1 ■ % Male ■ % Female 2.3.1-3 Population by Racial Characteristics 65+ years retirement age Figure 3: Cape Carteret Population by Age & Sex Source: American Community Survey 2019 According to 2019 data, an estimated 97% of Cape Carteret's population is white, with 1% being Black or African American, 1% are two or more races, with small numbers (less than 1% combined) reporting as Asian, Native American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander or some other race. The Census reports Hispanic/Latino heritage separately from race; an estimated 7.4% of Cape Carteret residents identify as Hispanic or Latino. White: 2.331: 97% Figure 4: Source: American Community Survey 2019 36 in American; 21; 1% Indian and itive; 7; 0% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander; 0; 0% OF pAPE C9 2 9� 3• A o m r � 20RTNEcARo�`�P 2.3.1-4 Vital Statistics The chart below shows birth and death rates at the County level via the North Carolina State Center for Health Statistics, which reports that the birth rate was 8.0, death rate was 12.2, and the natural increase of population was -4.3. Carteret County's annual growth rate is reported to be approximately 0.05%, which supports the negative rate of natural increase "dragging down" the growth. Carteret County (Selected Vital Statistics for 2015-2019) Birth Rate 8.0 Death Rate 12.2 Natural Increase -4.3 Figure 5: Carteret County Birth, Death, and Natural Increase Rate 2015-2019 Source: North Carolina State Center for Health Statistics 2.3.1-5 Education Characteristics Educational Attainment for Population 25 and Over Post -grad Bachelor's Degree Some College High School Less Than High School , 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% Figure 6: Cape Carteret Educational Attainment Source: American Community Survey 2019 Cape Carteret has high levels of educational attainment, with a large majority of residents having "some college" or higher experience. By comparison, 94% of Americans have a high school diploma, while 49% have an associates degree and 39% have a bachelor's degree. Educational attainment among 25- to 29-year-olds in the United States has risen at every level by as much as 80% since 2000. The 9% of Americans who earn a master's degree or higher increase their employability by less than 3%. CAMA and Comprehensive Plan CRC Certification Date 11-14-22 37 2.3.1-6 Permanent Population Characteristics The permanent population of Cape Carteret is 2,403 and has grown quickly from 1990 to 2019, compared to its Carteret County neighbors, the Town of Bogue and Emerald Isle. 4,500 4,000 3,500 3,000 2,500 2,000 1,500 1,000 500 Current Permanent Population Growth Characteristics 1990 2000 2010 2020 (as of 7/20) Cape Carteret Emerald Isle --e—Bogue Figure 7: Population Growth 1990-2020 Source: U.S. Decennial Census 1990, 2000, 2010, 2020 2.3.1- 7 Veteran Population Population Estimates Estimates of Veteran Population Pre -World War II only Between Korean War and World War II only Between Vietnam Era and Korean War only Between Gulf War and Vietnam Era only World War II, no Korean War, no Vietnam Era Korean War and World War II, no Vietnam Era Korean War, no Vietnam Era, no World War II Vietnam Era and Korean War and World War II Vietnam Era and Korean War, no World War II Vietnam Era, no Korean War, no World War II Gulf War (8/1990 to 8/2001) and Vietnam Era Gulf War (8/1990 to 8/2001), no Vietnam Era Gulf War (9/2001 or later), and Gulf War (8/1990 to 8/2001), and Vietnam Era Gulf War (9/2001 or later) and Gulf War (8/1990 to 8/2001), - no Vietnam Era Gulf War (9/2001 or later), no Gulf War (8/1990 to 8/2001), no Vietnam Era Total Figure 8: Period of Military Service for Civilian Veterans 18 Years and Over Source: American Community Survey 2019 5 Year Estimates Detailed Table (B21002) 2.3.2 Seasonal population Seasonal Population estimates are difficult to track, yet they can have profound implications on the coastal regions of North Carolina, which experience a seasonal influx of tourists. Seasonal Population % Increase in Population Cape Carteret 227 10.419: Estimated Seasonal Population Total: The North Carolina Department of Transportation published a seasonal estimate in 2019 in order to distribute funds from the Powell Bill Allocation Funds. This reported seasonal population increase used rigorous methodology and has been included in this report to give guidance on a key piece of population movement. 2.3.3 Population Growth and Projections 12,000 10,000 8,000 6,000 4,000 0.8% 2,000 18.8% Atlantic Beach Beaufort ■ 2010 1,495 4,391 ■ 2020 (as of 7/20) 1,776 4,425 5.3% 16.3% 18.3% 9.5% . 9 0 1 Bogue Cape Carteret Cedar Point Emerald Isle 684 1,279 3,655 749F'n,917 1,513 3,847 *This number differs from the reported permanent population because it is using the 2020 Population estimate 2)630 Figure 9: Seasonal Population Growth Source: NCDOT 14.2% 8.3% 0.0% 22.6% 24.1% � 0 Indian Beach Morehead City Newport Peletier Pine Knoll Shores 112 8,661 4,150 644 1,339 112 9,891 4,494 799 1,642 Figure 10: Towns in Carteret County Population Growth Source: U.S. Census 2010, 2020 Population Estimates Cape Carteret has experienced a similar growth in population as some of its incorporated neighbors of Carteret County, growing by 16.3% between 2010 and 2020 rising from a population of 1,917 to 2,230. CAMA and Comprehensive Plan CRC Certification Date 11-14-22 39 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 10.0% 0.0% Regional Population Growth (1980-2019) Cape Carteret am= Carteret County ■ 1980-1990 1990-2000 0 2000-2010 0 2010-2019 A& North Carolina 1980-1990 1990-2000 2000-2010 2010-2019 Cape Carteret 7.3% 19.6% 58.2% 25.4% Carteret County 27.9% 13.0% 11.9% 5.0% North Carolina 12.7% 21.4% 18.5% 10.0% Figure 11: Regional Population Growth Source: U.S. Census 2010, 2020 Population Estimates Between 2000 and 2010, population increased at a faster rate than Carteret County and this trend has continued at a slower rate through 2010 to 2019. These percentages appear large due to the Town's generally small population, and they reveal that the town has been growing more rapidly than the County and State itself. Ell of pAPE C9 2 9� o m r _1 2ORTH C AaO�`�P Carteret County Forecasted Population Growth (2020-2050) 100,000 90,000 80,000 70,000 60,000 50,000 40,000 30,000 20,000 10,000 0 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 2045 2050 Figure 12: Carteret County Projected Population Growth Source: North Carolina Office of State and Budget Management Population projections are available at the County level through North Carolina's Office of State and Budget Management. The projection shows that the County's growth will continue at a slow and steady rate rising from 71,352 in 2020 to 76,159 by 2030, and 86,439 by 2050. 4,500 4,000 3,500 3,000 2,500 2,000 1,500 1,000 500 0 Cape Carteret Forecasted Population Growth (2020-2050) 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 2045 2050 Values Forecast Lower Confidence Bound — —Upper Confidence Bound Figure 13: Carteret County Projected Population Growth Source: North Carolina Office of State and Budget Management CAMA and Comprehensive Plan CRC Certification Date 11-14-22 41 Estimated Permanent Population Growth 2010 2015 2020* 2025 2030 2035 2040 2045 2050 1,917 2,223 2,403* 2,662 2,910 3,158 3,406 3,654 3,902 Forecasting population growth beyond 2020 is important for planning for land use and transportation decisions, however, it is a difficult process to ensure that there is accuracy given the amount of variables that can impact population growth or loss over time. Because this report has been using the 2019 ACS data, it has been utilized in place of the true 2020 estimate to allow for consistent time spacing. If growth stays on trend in Cape Carteret, the population will likely reach 3,902 by 2050. If we account for NCDOT's estimated seasonal growth (+227), the increase is shown below. Estimated Seasonal Population Growth 2010 2015 2020* 2025 2030 2035 2040 2045 2050 2,144 2,450 2,630 2,889 3,137 3,385 3,633 3,881 4,129 These projections show a 62% increase in permanent population between 2020 and 2050, and a 57% increase in seasonal population in the same time. 42 of pAPE C9 2 9� o m r _1 2OR -H C AaO�`�P 2.4.1 Housing Characteristics Households, as defined by the Census Bureau are comprised of one or more people living together. This includes families related by birth, marriage, or adoption, as well as other combinations of people, such as roommates. 2.4.1-1 Tenure 9.96% 90.04% ■ Owner Occupied ■ Renter Occupied Figure 14 Housing by Occupancy Source: American Community Survey 2019 2.4.1-2 Occupancy Status 20 (24' The Town has 79.09% of its housing units occupied and about 20.91% remain vacant. 9.96% of occupied homes are renter occupied, and 90.04% are owner occupied. The amount of unoccupied housing, which numbers at 247, this may be because these homes are secondary homes to the owners or are used as )off vacation rental units. (934) Figure 15: Cape Carteret Occupancy Status ■ Occupied ■ Vacant Source: American Community Survey 2019 CAMA and Comprehensive Plan CRC Certification Date 11-14-22 43 2.4.2 Current Housing Stock There are currently 934 households in Cape Carteret, with an average of 2.57 people per household. This is consistent with national and state averages. The median year housing in Cape Carteret was built was 1995. There are a total of 1,181 available housing units in Cape Carteret, of which 1,040 units or 88% are either Single -Family Attached or Detached Homes, and 141 units or 12% are Manufactured Homes. Other than two 4-unit condominium units, there are no multi -family units in the Town. 2.4.2-1 Building Permit Activity 14 Between 2016 and 2021 there were 64 building 12 permits issued for single 10 family homes. There were none for multi -family 8 units. 6 4 IA 0 2.4.2-2 Median Home Value The Median Single Family Residential Building Permits 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 Figure 17: Cape Carteret 5-Year Building Permits Source: Carteret County Western Planning Office Home Value of Median House Value Cape Carteret is $261,600, which is $400,000 about average for $350,000 the area. However, $300,000 it is higher than that of North Carolina $z5o,000 and Carteret County. $200,000 Home values on $150,000 Emerald Isle or other coastal areas $100,000 that have access to $50,000 the water tend to be considerably higher. $0 Cape Cedar Point Peletier Emerald Isle Carteret Carteret County Figure 18: Median House value Source: American Community Survey 2019 North Carolina 0 pAPE C9 3 A o m r I 2ORTH C Aaov 2.5.1 Labor Force The Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR) is the percentage of all people of working age who are either working or actively seeking work (Employed + Unemployed). Cape Carteret's LFPR is 51.5%, which is below the national 2019 rate of 63.6%, and slightly below the state average of 58.4%. (U.S. Census ACS 2019 Table DP03) These rates incorporate the 16 to 19 years and both 65 to 74 years and 75 years and older, which bring down the average participation rate. The total number of those employed living in Cape Carteret is 811. 60.00% 50.00% 40.00% 30.00% 20.00% 10.00% 0.00% % Of Persons Over 16 Years Not In Labor Force Cape Carteret Cedar Point Emerald Isle Carteret County North Carolina Figure 19: % Not in Labor Force Source: American Community Survey 2019 Nearly half (48.5%) of Cape Carteret's population over 16 is not in the labor force. Those persons considered not in the labor force consist of students, retired residents, seasonal workers, or people performing unpaid family work. Cape Carteret has a higher percentage of people not in the labor force than it neighboring Towns, Carteret County, and North Carolina. CAMA and Comprehensive Plan CRC Certification Date 11-14-22 45 2.5.2 Employment by Industry 26.9% of Cape Carteret is employed in Educational services, and healthcare and social assistance, the next highest percentage being Construction at 15.3% and Retail Trade at 12.9%.The town does not appear to be too heavily dependent on one source of employment, which is favorable in times of economic shifts. Employment by Industry, 2019 Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, and mining a.Q% Construction 15.3% Manufacturing 1.8% Wholesale Trade 0.6% Reta 11 Trade 12.9% Transportation and Warehousing, and Utilities 5.9% Information 1.1% Finance and Insurance, and real estate and rental and leasing 5.7% Professional, scientific, and management, and administrative and waste management services 9.9% Educational services, and health care and social assistance 26.9% Arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation and food services 7.6% Other services, except public administration 3.9% Public Administration 8.3% Figure 20: Employment by Industry Source: American Community Survey 2019 2.5.2-1 Military Employment Cape Carteret is in close proximity to military installations, including the Marine Corps Auxiliary Landing Field, or Bogue Field, the United States Coast Guard Station on Emerald Isle, the large Marine Corps base at Camp Lejeune, Cherry Point, Atlantic Field, and other offices and recruiting stations. It is likely that there are Cape Carteret residents employed by the military, however, they are counted by the Census at their "home of record" and are not easily identified by military employment. The 2020 Census, which has not been released as of the time of this report, will begin to count members of the military where they are stationed. Below, the American Community Survey collects estimates of the veteran population. There are a total of 248 veterans estimated in Cape Carteret. inl of pAPE C9 2 9� o m r _1 20R -H C AaO�`�P 2.5.3 Income Characteristics Cape Carteret's per capita income is lower than neighboring Emerald Isle and Cedar Point, however, the median household income is higher. The area has considerably higher incomes than the state of North Carolina. The reason for this discrepancy is maybe due to the presence of people not currently drawing an income from a job. Per capita income is the mean income computed for every man, woman, and child in a particular group including those living in group quarters. It is derived by dividing the aggregate income of a particular group by the total population in that group. This measure is rounded to the nearest whole dollar. $90,000 $80,000 $70,000 $60,000 $50,000 $40,000 $30,000 $20,000 $10,000 $0 Per Capita Income & Median Household Income Cape Carteret Emerald Isle Cedar Point North Carolina ■ Per Capita Income ■ Median Household Income Figure 21: Per Capita Income & Median Household Income Source: ESRI Business Analyst CAMA and Comprehensive Plan CRC Certification Date 11-14-22 47 3. EXISTING CONDITIONS 3.1 Introduction 50 3.2 Natural Systems 50 3.2.1 Areas of Environmental Concern 50 3.2.2 Soil Characteristics 52 3.2.3 Water Quality Classifications 55 3.2.4 Flood and Other Natural Hazard Areas 54 3.2.5 Storm Surge Areas 62 3.2.6 Inlet Hazard Areas 64 3.2.7 Non -coastal Wetlands 64 3.2.8 Water Supply Watersheds 64 3.2.9 Primary Nursery Areas 64 3.2.10 Other Environmentally Fragile Areas 66 3.2.11 Additional Natural Features of Concern 66 3.3 Environmental Conditions 68 3.3.1 Water Quality Assessment 68 3.3.1-1 Surface Water Quality 69 3.3.1-2 Shellfishing Waters 70 3.3.1-3 Areas with Water Quality Issues 70 3.3.2 Natural Hazards 72 3.3.2-1 Flood Zones 72 3.3.2-2 Storm Surge Inundation 72 3.3.2-3 Areas Experiencing Significant Shoreline Erosion 72 3.3.3 Natural Resources 73 3.3.3-1 Environmentally Fragile Areas 73 3.3.3-2 Areas with Incompatible Development 73 3.4 Existing Land Use Analysis 74 3.4.1 Land Use Classifications 74 3.4.2 Land Use Patterns within Watersheds 76 3.4.3 Description of Existing Land Uses 77 3.4.3-1 Residential 77 3.4.3-2 Commercial 78 3.4.3-3 Governmental / Institutional / Community Facilities 78 48 3.4.3-4 Golf Course 78 3.4.3-5 Churches / Cemeteries / Lodges 78 3.4.3-6 Utilities 79 3.4.3-7 Undeveloped / Forestland 79 3.4.3-8 Marshland 79 3.4.3-9 Water 79 3.4.4 Historic, Cultural and Scenic Areas 79 3.4.5 Development Trends and Future Land Needs 79 3.5 Community Facilities 81 3.5.1 Water System 81 3.5.2 Wastewater Treatment Systems 83 3.5.3 Stormwater System 85 3.5.4 Transportation System 87 3.5.4-1 Proposed Roadway Improvements 87 3.5.4-2 NCDOT Functional Classifications 89 3.5.4-3 Major Streets with Capacity and other Deficiencies 91 3.5.4-4 Traffic Volumes 91 3.5.4-5 Impact of Existing Transportation Facilities on Land Use Patterns 91 3.5.5 Parks, Recreation and Open Space 93 3.5.5-1 Public Water / Access Boat Launch 93 3.5.5-2 Parks and Open Space 93 3.5.6 Historic Properties 93 3.5.7 Police & EMS Services 95 3.5.8 Schools 95 3.6 Land Use Suitibility Analysis 97 3.6.1 Vacant Land by Zoning 97 3.6.2 Acreage of Vacant Land 97 3.6.3 Vacant Land Suitable for Development Based on Environmental Contraints 97 3.7 Analysis of Current Land Use Plan 97 3.7.1 Consistency of Existing Ordinances with the Current Land Use Plan Policies 100 3.7.2 Adoption of the Current Implementation Measures 100 3.7.3 Effectiveness of the Current Policies 100 CAMA and Comprehensive Plan CRC Certification Date 11-14-22 49 3.1 Introduction Cape Carteret is located in a scenic and sensitive natural environment. Life in Town affects the natural environment and is in turn effected by natural systems. Runoff from streets, parking lots, and lawns finds its way into Pettiford Creek, Deer Creek and Bogue Sound. Subchapter 7B .0702(c)(2) requires that the land use plan describe and analyze the natural features and environmental conditions within the Cape Carteret planning jurisdiction and to assess their capabilities and limitations for development. 3.2 Natural Systems 3.2.1 Areas of Environmental Concern Areas of Environmental Concern (AECs) are identified as properties that include coastal wetlands, estuarine waters and public trust areas, and the estuarine shoreline. Coastal wetlands are any marshes subject to regular or occasional flooding by lunar or wind tides. Estuarine waters are defined as all the waters of the Atlantic Ocean within the boundary of North Carolina and all the water of bays, sounds, rivers, and tributaries thereto seaward of the dividing line between coastal fishing waters and inland fishing waters. Public trust areas include waters and submerged lands in the coastal region where the public has rights of use and/ or ownership, including rights of navigation and recreation. The estuarine shoreline AEC in Cape Carteret is: • all shorelands within 75 feet landward of the mean high water level, or normal water level, of the estuarine waters, and • for those shorelands adjacent to Outstanding Resource Waters (ORW) in the Wester Bogue Sound, 575 feet landward of the mean high water level, or normal water level, of the estuarine waters. AEC areas in Cape Carteret are located primarily in the Pettiford Creek vicinity and along the Bogue Sound and Deer Creek shorelines. They include estuarine waters, public trust waters, estuarine shoreline, and coastal wetlands. All of these areas are subject to stricter regulations that control development and priority is given to their conservation. CAMA standards for estuarine shoreline development require that • the development will not cause significant damage to estuarine resources • the development not interfere with public rights of access to or use of navigable waters or public resources; • the development preserve and not weaken natural barriers to erosion; • impervious surfaces not exceed 30 percent of the lot area located within the AEC boundary; • the development comply with state soil erosion, sedimentation, and stormwater management regulations; and • the development comply with the CAMA Land Use Plans. 50 e.e- ° o PaaKaaE � ; ' ♦ 4 � �� Y-: LL s���x� s: • -x J a qr � o M • + ice• . c _ owe m oa � y • • .� � . i ea o �e •■ r • • � r o ° y �, ■ Legend • �• ,� : E : 3 Town of Cape Carteret Boundary r US Fish & Wildlife Service - Wetlands � � a •. ♦ w ■ • �� t s WETLANDS TYPE +♦ ■ • j w a— F-1 Estuarine and Marine Deepwater 1 b /; ' • • 1 ti' ♦ o Estuarine and Marine Wetland 3 , r p -. Freshwater Emergent Wetland • •■ ♦ a _ Freshwater Forested/Shrub Wetland gill Q 8 • •; F-7 Freshwater Pond v _ Lake Riverine ° • ;fit " � ♦ ' • ' ®+" ■ .• .8 o The Coastal Resources a • c %a Commission rules define Coastal Wetlands as any marsh ° ` * • '„ • s w & in the 20 coastal counties ■ `• ti ■ . _- (including Carteret County ` • v ` . ,. ' ,, ; • and therefore, Cape Carteret) r• r rft• i . �•' ' + ` that regularly or occasionally • • , • ' ` • floods by lunar or wind tides. p ; ; • + .r. Non -Coastal Wetlands as those • 3 1• • ; • +• F r�i •� ` ` • ' • , , ,, a areas that are inundated or ; •. • • p saturated by surface or ground i•ti: .y •. • �.. . water at a frequency and ee ,, • . . . ; duration to support, and that °°°� '``• ` • �- + ' ' •' under normal circumstances • \ •• do support, a prevalence of • • . • • . • • vegetation typically adapted for • life in saturated soil conditions. �• ,�\�r( 4 �+ a\ <( �� Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service jk° •� � + � J i National Wetlands Inventory December 2021 `-Y—/.. ` . • • - 0 175350 700 1,050 7.400 \�1 ---.--..�• �- -®Feet �' - SUMMIT Source: Soil types in Carteret 51 CAMA and Comprehensive Plan CRC Certifica County based on Natural Resources Conservation Service maps; 2021. Specific CAMA development standards for AECs can be found in 15 NCAC 7H. Additional use standards for development projects within the ORW estuarine shoreline include (i) having no stormwater collection system and (ii) providing a buffer zone of at least 30 feet from the mean high water line. Development within the designated Areas of Environmental Concern is restricted by CAMA regulations and development guidelines. 3.2.2 Soil Characteristics The majority of soils in Cape Carteret's planning jurisdiction are hydric soils. Hydric soils often contain an abundance of moisture and generally lack oxygen. According to the Soil Survey of Carteret County, North Carolina, soils such as Leon sand, Wando fine sand, and Hoboken muck are the predominant soils and they are hydric. Other soils that are not entirely hydric yet include hydric soils or have wet spots are: Kureb sand, Baymeade fine sand, and Seabrook fine sand. All of these soils present limitations to development, particularly, where a septic system is needed. Generally, many soil limitations can be overcome with special engineering considerations. For instance, a severe limitation precluding septic systems can be overcome by extending public sewer to the affected area. While engineering can often work around problems presented by soil conditions, there are soils and habitats that are not suited for development regardless of engineering capabilities. Soil conditions should be taken into consideration when planning for land use. Generally, most of the soils in the Cape Carteret planning jurisdiction have limitations for many urban uses due to wetness, low strength, and restricted permeability. One hundred percent of the Cape Carteret planning jurisdiction contains soils that are rated as having severe limitations for septic tank absorption fields. Site -specific soil analyses are required by the Carteret County Environmental Health Services to evaluate the suitability of a particular parcel for a septic system. Centralized sewer facilities are needed to support intensive urban development. The table on page 54 describes the soils within the Cape Carteret planning jurisdiction and the specific limitations for septic system use. Hydric soils are soils that formed under conditions of saturation, flooding, or ponding long enough during the growing season to support the growth and reproduction of hydrophytic vegetation. Hydrophytic vegetation along with hydric soils and wetland hydrology are considered the three essential characteristics of wetlands. Consequently, the presence of hydric soils is one indicator of probable wetlands locations. The precise location of wetlands must, however, be determined through field investigation. More detailed data regarding the criteria for defining hydric soils as well as information regarding measures for mitigating particular soils limitations can be obtained at the local office of the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Based on information from the Carteret County Soils Survey, the soils in Cape Carteret may provide limitations for the density of development that is possible without using an alternative to septic tank designs. 52 °°d 01 �y O o a e Legend o p d n pflo 6 m „ � q o a a � d � o s' a � 1 Town of Cape Carteret a 0 a a s . j Boundary Soils Classifications RvR - RgvmPAfIA fine ❑ ° o J sand, 1 to 6 percent slopes P aQ - CH -Carteret sand, ,+ frequently flooded awnux - $p^ AP 0 ° CL Carteret sand, low, _o •, frequently flooded HB - Hobucken muck, frequently flooded a B - KuB - Kureb sand, 0 to 6 LJ 3 O °o u0 percent slopes 4 O O p ❑ =0 71 � Ln -Leon sand ° ° p ° - Mu - Murville muck per} y sand A °o P 0a Nd - Newhan fine sand, ° ■ - dredged, 2 to 30 percent o 4 slopes OQd Qb MSe - Seabrook fine sand a J °ao WaB - Wando fine sand, n o O to 6 percent slopes ° urce: Soil types in Carteret unty based on Natural Resour es ` C*nervation Service maps; 2021. • • NN _.-_••--------- 0 175350 700 1,050 1,400 •------------_--�--MAY 2021 ®Feet CAMA and Comprehensive Plan CRC Certification Date 11-14-22 53 ByB Baymeade fine sand-1 to 6 percent slopes -------------------------------------------------------------------- Carteret sand, frequently flooded Carteret sand -low -frequently flooded -------------------------------------------------------------------- Hobucken muck -frequently flooded -------------------------------------------------------------------- Kureb sand-0 to 6 percent slopes -------------------------------------------------------------------- Leon sand -------------------------------------------------------------------- Murville mucky sand Newhan fine sand-dredged-2 to 30 percent slopes -------------------------------------------------------------------- Seabrook fine sand Wando fine sand-0 to 6 percent slopes Water 261.9 ------------------ 8.71 31.84 ------------------- 43.94 ------------------ 593.52 ------------------ 171.5 ------------------ 7.05 39.82 ------------------- 98.6 519.89 397.76 12% ------------------- 0% 1 % ------------------- 2% ------------------- 27% ------------------- 8% ------------------- 0% 2% ------------------- 5% 24% 18% Severe: poor filter ------------------------------------ Severe: flooding/ponding/poor Severe: flooding/ponding/poor ------------------------------------ Severe: flooding/ponding ------------------------------------ Severe: poor filter ------------------------------------ Severe: wetness/poor filter ------------------------------------ Severe: wetness/poor filter Severe: flooding/ponding I ------------------------------------ Severe: wetness/poor filter Severe: poor filter CH CL HB KuB Ln Mu Nd Se WaB W Totals 1 2174.53 1 100% 3.2.3 Water Quality Classifications All surface waters in North Carolina are assigned a water quality classification by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality(DEQ). Classifications are designations applied to surface water bodies that define the best uses to be protected within these waters, as required by the Clean Water Act. The most common primary classification within North Carolina is Class C, which protects waters for the propagation of aquatic life and for secondary recreation. Other primary freshwater classifications provide for additional levels of protection for uses consisting of water supplies (Class WS-I through Class WS-V) and for primary recreation (Class B). Saltwater primary classifications are denoted as SC, SB, and SA. In addition to the primary classification, one or more supplemental classifications may be assigned to specific surface waters to provide additional protection to waters with special uses or values. North Carolina's supplemental classifications include NSW (nutrient sensitive waters), Tr (trout waters), HQW (high quality waters), ORW (outstanding resource waters), and SW (swamp waters). All primary and secondary water quality classifications are described in the following table. Within the Cape Carteret area, Deer Creek and Bogue Sound are classified as SA/ORW, and Pettiford Creek is classified as SA/HQW. Development in areas of sensitive watersheds involves additional standards that can be located in 15A NCAC 04B .0124. North Carolina is required to assess water quality under Section 303(d) and 305(b) of the federal Clean Water Act. Every two years an "Integrated Water Quality Report" must be produced. The 2020 Integrated Water Quality report identifies Pettiford Creek as exceeding the criteria of a Category 4 impaired waterbody. This Category 4 means that a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) program, which is a calculation of the maximum pollutant a waterbody can receive to still meet standards, is not necessary to meet water quality standards, although the quality is still impaired. Deer Creek and the Bogue Sound areas within Cape Carteret are listed as 303(d) impaired waterways. This means a TMDL program is required in order to meet water quality standards. The presence of fecal pollutant impairs these shellfish growing areas. CAMA and Comprehensive Plan CRC Certification Date 11-14-22 55 Classification I Best Usage of Waters C Aquatic life propagation and maintenance of biological integrity (including fishing, and fish), wildlife, secondary recreation, agriculture and any other usage except for primary recreation or as a source of water supply for drinking, culinary, or food processing purposes. All freshwaters shall be classified to protect these uses at a minimum. ----------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- B Primary recreation (which includes swimming on a frequent or organized basis) and any other best usage specified for Class C waters. •----------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WS I - WS V Source of water supply for drinking, culinary, or food -processing purposes for those usersdesiring maximum protection of their water supplies and any best usage specified for Class C waters. Classification I Best Usage of Waters SC Aquatic life propagation and maintenance of biological integrity (including fishing, fish and functioning primary nursery areas (PNAs)),wildlife, secondary recreation, and any other usage except primary recreation or shellfishing for market purposes. SB SA Primary recreation (which includes swimming on a frequent or organized basis) and any other usage specified for Class SC waters. Shellfishing for market purposes and any other usage specified for Class SB or SC waters. Classification Best Usage of Waters HQW High Quality Waters. Waters which are rated as excellent based on biological and physical/chemical characteristics through Division monitoring or special studies, native and special native trout waters (and their tributaries) designated by the Wildlife Resources Commission, primary nursery areas (PNAs) designated by the Marine Fisheries Commission and other functional nursery areas designed by the Marine Fisheries Commission. NSW Nutrient Sensitive Waters. Waters that experience or are subject to excessive growths of microscopic or macroscopic vegetation. Excessive growths are growths which the Commission determines impair the use of the water for its best usage as determined by the classification applied to such waters. ORW Outstanding Resource Waters. Unique and special surface waters of the state that are of exceptional state or national recreational or ecological significance that require special protection to maintain existing uses. SW Swamp Waters. Waters which are topographically located so as to generally have very low velocities and other characteristics which are different from adjacent streams draining steeper topography. Tr Trout Waters. Waters which have conditions that shall sustain and allow for trout propagation and survival of stocked trout on a year-round basis. Idds014 56 Saltwater Quality Characteristics Erosion and Sedimentation Control TClassification Best Uses I Rules Shellfish Harvest Areas • Commercial shellfish (SA) harvesting; • Primary recreational activities; and SC Best Uses • All SA waters are HQW. High Quality Waters (HQW) Outstanding Resource Waters (ORW) • Excellent quality saltwater • All SA waters, ORW, and PNAs are also HQW • Excellent quality saltwater; and • Outstanding Fish Habitat or fisheries; or • High existing recreation; or • Special Federal or State designation; or • Part of a State/National Park/Forest; or • The Sedimentation Control Commission has as many as 5 increased design standards for projects in all HQW zones. See Sedimentation Control Rules for Design Standards in Sensitive Watersheds (15A NCAC 4B.0124). • The Sedimentation Control Commission has as many as 5 increased design standards for projects in all HQW zones. See Sedimentation Control Rules forDesign Standards in Sensitive Watersheds (15A NCAC 4B.0124). • The Sedimentation Control Commission has as many as 5 increased design standards for projects in all HQW zones. See Sedimentation Control Rules for Design Standards in Sensitive Watersheds (15A NCAC 4B.0124) Stormwater Control" Low Density Option High Density Option • 30' minimum • Systems must control runoff buffer. from 1.5" of rainfall and be • 25% maximum designed for 85%TSS removal. built -upon area. • Refer to Stormwater Management Rules 15A NCAC 2H .1000 for specific design information. • Stormwater management measures are the same as the primary classification requirements. • Refer to the Stormwater Management Rules for specific stormwater control requirements in the 20 coastal NC counties. • New developments located within 575' of the mean high water level of ORW class waters must meet, at a minimum, the Low Density Options specified in the Coastal Stormwater Management Rules for SA class waters. Specific stormwater control strategies for protecting ORW class saltwaters are developed during the process to reclassify waters with the ORW 3.2.4 Flood and Other Natural Hazard Areas The 100-year floodplain is land subject to a one percent or greater chance of flooding in any given year. Generally, the parcels adjacent to the shorelines of Bogue Sound, Deer Creek, and Pettiford Creek are the areas within the 100-year floodplain. The floodplain surrounding Deer Creek is the most expansive area of floodplain and reaches inland from the sound across NC Highway 24. Approximately 20 percent of the Cape Carteret planning area is within the 100-year floodplain. An additional 4 percent of the town's planning area is within the 500-year floodplain. Flood Zones are depicted in the map on the next page. National Flood Insurance Program repetitive loss claims in Carteret County are in the range of $2.5 million to $25 million according the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Insurance Administration. The definition of a repetitive loss property used by the Federal Insurance Administration is: "any insured structure with at least two flood insurance losses, each of at least $1,000, in any rolling 10-year period". During this 10-year period, Cape Carteret had 9 repetitive loss properties with 23 reported losses at a cost of $1,345,602. As part of the public input process, data was gathered by residents entering information on an interactive online map. The maps on pages 59 and 60 show points where residents denoted areas of flooding, overlaid with stormwater infrastructure and elevation. As expected, the majority of reported flooding occurs in the areas of lowest elevation, but there are flooding issues all over town. The Town of Cape Carteret adopted updated State model Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance in June of 2020. of pAPE C9 2 9� o m r _1 2OR -H C AaO�`�P Jifil 111111 Ili I I � \ ' - � \ //////_ 1 _ _, �/////� �•-i �'� i 0 P 0 a Legend � \ F°'ftwE � • � Carteret Boundary o - oL1 Areas of Flooding •��� o Effective Flood Zones Flood Zones j. 0.2 PCT ANNUAL CHANCE FLOOD HAZARD AE - Base Flood Elevations VE - Coastal Areas with a 1 % or Greater Chance of Flooding &Additional Hazard - - w -- - Associated with Storm Waves z X -Areas of Minimal Fllood Hazard/Above 500-year Flood Level j r - U � OPEN WATER Flood Frequency Flood frequency in Carteret County, NC according to NOAA \ / i Flood Prone Areas A / Based on Repetitive Loss Claims Filed with 1 `i•L—M�r f/ A FEMA • '4 ' e • i 1 m �• Y' w� 4 Source: Federal Emergency - Management Agency(FEMA) in conjunction with North Carolina Department of Emergency • Management(NCDEM); stakeholder input via map. social • • N 0 175350 700 1,050 1,400 MAY 2021 ®Fea ®SUMMIT •1 N e �o��EH ao,o / Legend ir��Town of Cape Carteret Boundary 1 Areas of Fbodim oCI'' L1 Cape Carteret Elevations LL Sea Level ! High 45.324 • • Low-5.4960Ir z 1 III 1 r1� s 1 J � i E Source: Open Source Data - NC OneMap; Public Input via map. social N A 0 175350 700 1.050 1,400 o ®Feei MAY 2021 ® SUMMIT CAMA and Comprehensive Plan CRC Certification Date 11-14-22 3.2.5 Storm Surge Areas The Maps delineating hurricane surge inundation areas have been provided to Cape Carteret by the Division of Coastal Management. Storm surge is the rise in sea level caused by water being pushed towards land by hurricane winds. The storm surge inundation areas are based upon National Hurricane Center model maps and have been recompiled by the North Carolina Center for Geographic Information and Analysis. Surge inundation areas have been mapped to illustrate the extent of hurricane -induced flooding based upon slow moving (forward velocity less than 15 mph) and fast moving (forward velocity greater than 15 mph) category 1 and 2, category 3, and category 4 and 5 hurricanes. Storm surge areas for fast moving hurricanes are shown in the map on the opposite page. The areas subject to storm surge inundation delineated on this map are based upon the most intense storm intensity and storm speed. Approximately two- thirds of the Cape Carteret planning jurisdiction land area is subject to flooding from a storm surge. More detailed storm hurricane surge maps are available for review in the offices of the Town of Cape Carteret Town Clerk. Flooding as well as high winds would impact the Cape Carteret area during a major coastal storm. The table below describes the impact of the various categories of hurricanes. While the identified hurricane storm surge inundation areas resulting from Category 1 and 2 hurricanes often parallel the 100-year flood hazard area shown in Figure 2, there are some additional portions of Cape Carteret that are particularly subject to more intensive hurricane -induced flooding. Such areas are generally located south of Pettiford Creek and between NC Highway 24 and Bogue Sound. The Star Hill Golf Club vicinity is the only area projected to remain above the storm surge of major hurricanes. Table 3 and Table 4 delineate storm surge flooding by hurricane category and the acres inundated. See Appendix E for SLOSH maps by category. 62 Table 4 Storm Surge Flooding Category Acres Inundated %of Total Planning 41 Jurisdiction of CAPE C9 0 A o m r � 2oRTH C F OSH refers to Sea, Lake Overland Surges from rricanes. This map depicts the storm surge areas affected by a Category 1 through 5 Hurricane. V$ r ;V A� QAO� Legend I: 3 Town of Cape Carteret Boundary NOAA SLOSH Mapping Storm Surge (< s ft above ground) - Category 1 - Category 2 Category 3 r - r W Category 4 no . ' , I I -Category 5 Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration(N OAA) /National Hurricane Center(NHC) C � 00 Ri C � �.�•- •- • ..�••�..�.. . ...� - 0 1]5350 MA®Feet Y 2021 m Wi ff CAMA and Comprehensive Plan CRC Certification Date 11-14-22 63 3.2.6 Inlet Hazard Areas The "Inlet Hazard Area Boundary, 2019 Update: Science Panel Recommendations to the North Carolina Coastal Resources Commission" does not mention any inlet hazard areas in Cape Carteret. The closest inlet hazard area is Bogue Inlet at Emerald Isle 3.2.7 Non -coastal Wetlands Non -coastal wetlands include all other wetlands not classified as coastal wetlands. These non -coastal wetlands are not covered by CAMA regulations (unless the Coastal Resource Commission designates them as a natural resource AEC) but are protected by the Clean Water Act. Consequently, the US Army Corps of Engineers is responsible for regulating these '404' wetlands. Authorization must be obtained from the Corps prior to disturbing such wetlands. As with coastal wetlands, the precise location of non -coastal wetlands can only be determined through a field investigation and analysis. However, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, through its National Wetlands Inventory, has identified the general location of wetlands. The National Wetlands Inventory Maps are available from the US Department of the Interior and the NC Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, Division of Soil and Water Conservation. The wetlands maps are not intended to be utilized for regulatory purposes. The Pettiford Creek vicinity is the area where freshwater wetlands are primarily found in Cape Carteret. Wetlands are shown in the map on page 51. 3.2.8 Water Supply Watersheds or Wellhead Protection Areas. There are no public water supply watersheds or Wellhead Protection Areas in the Cape Carteret planning jurisdiction. 3.2.9 Primary Nursery Areas Primary Nursery Areas (PNA) are identified by the Marine Fisheries Commission. PNA areas have been designated by the State as being highly productive for juvenile habitat of marine species. The North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries is responsible for preserving, protecting, and developing Primary Nursery Areas for commercially important finfish and shellfish. The NC Marine Fisheries Division has identified the portion of Pettiford Creek downstream of Starkey Creek as the only primary nursery area within the Cape Carteret planning area. There are no Primary Nursery Areas identified in the inland waters of the Cape Carteret planning area under the Wildlife Resource Commission jurisdiction. •, of CAPE C9 o m r _1 2OR -N C AaO�`�P J ♦ + F---tea• - -� h - y. N _ _ .. _ I --.f... V Gales Creek r f0 ,Y E � ' � � 1 - Broad Creek .0103 12 a e 0103 12 b aai�n ` Pettiford Creek 5 Sanders Creek nrl _ .010312fi fi..r f .010312c N •�rl i .9 11'r""� Goose Creek + .0103 12 d 4k, CHERRY I i U S VIRHARY R d T _ --r}FWnfirry i� 1 0103 12 . a Archer Creek " ,., 4 i k I 336 ' 3 5 334 i 334 333 ` 1 This map was produced by the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) — program. Informational data used to create this map were collected from �.v f federal, state, county, and private organizations. This map is a general guide to assist the public and is for illustrative purposes only. While every effort is made to keep this map accurate and up-to-date, it is not intended MDZRA to replace any official source. Under no circumstances shall the State of North Carolina be liable for any actions taken or omissions made from reliance on any information contained herein from whatever source nor 373 Ishall 37� the State be liable for any other consequences from any such reliance. Background imagery are U.S. Geological Fishery Nursery Areas Fishery Nursery Areas Survey 1:100,000-scale planimetric maps. ® Primary N/ ® Permanent Secondary Map Datum: NAD83 ® Special Secondary Map Projection: NC State Plane Map Date: March 2011 ® Military Danger 1000 0 1000 2000 Yards Zones and Restricted Areas locator map Map 21 0.7 0 0.7 1.4 Miles - Inland waters(WRC jurisdiction) CAMA and Comprehensive Plan CRC Certification Date 11-14-22 65 3.2.10 Other Environmentally Fragile Areas Significant Natural Heritage Areas The NC Natural Heritage Program compiles a list of natural heritage areas based upon an inventory of natural diversity across the state. Natural areas are evaluated on the basis of the occurrences of rare plant and animal species, rare or high quality natural communities, and geologic features. Designation as a Significant Natural Heritage Areas does not imply that any protection or public access exists. Cape Carteret contains portions of two significant natural heritage areas: they are the Croatan National Forest Megasite and the Bogue Inlet Macrosite. One parcel within Cape Carteret's planning jurisdiction is part of the Croatan Game Land. The game land is located on both sides of US 58, north of NC 24. The McLean Sanctuary, also known as Hunting Island, is owned and managed by The National Audubon Society. The sanctuary is located within the designated 100- year flood hazard area and contains some wetlands areas. This is the only sanctuary located in the Cape Carteret planning area. Information on the Natural Heritage Program Map, shown on page 67, comes from the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program(NCNHP); Natural and Cultural Resources site and helps project planners and landowners make decisions will benefit the local economy and impact society in a way that produces the least amount of damage to ecological resources. This map also does not show all properties under Town ownership as they are not registered with the NCNHR Areas Containing Endangered Species Currently within Cape Carteret there are no critical habitats for threatened and endangered species. Based on IPaC (Information for Planning and Consultation) through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, there are a number of candidtates, threatened and endangered species within the areas of influence (AOI) which includes areas outside of the species range if the species could be indirectly affected by activities in the area. In Carteret County, the following species classes are potentially affected by activites within Cape Carteret: 2 mammals, 4 bird species, 5 retpiles, 1 insect species and 2 flowering plants. •• _ 1 CAPE cq9 F 3 A O m ..- y00 C AaO�`�P �... . ` . •� . r op -y1 ;'�.,.' .I•♦1 ' ` R� III •.I 7p r oNK�rrl. _:�.:. � J , �Go a"♦ ��ftft .wwh r .. ��� r J • � t / 1 � .� ♦ a t..•+ �� •4 o • � o� °fir? v r E'o �'90 r=w wu - ' • 6 t •+ r �� a ` o a2 r Y - +r• ' ° • �,o �e .r ; • F.F�,� :°�'� j f t. • os : r rye Legend +. a ♦ �`.t. t r " F a '3 + < <! • ; ,� Town of Cape Carteret Boundary • ems. t °aEs° '/ ■i Dedicated Nature Preserve Rai w • ! Conservation Easement ♦ / a„r �•. 1 Other Protection ra. ° ■ r►• re no•rour+ono • • `+, j 1 ++� . � Federal Ownership State Ownership , ■ • fr , j ■ _ Local Government Ownership ♦ • 3r j,, \ •.....� a . . r ' a r • Private 10, ` d r '� � r � • 1 owE�` ♦ a "m o°°a E y a z\ - f.�-,t•s w `i ` t♦i NE s Eoar Ion y = r •'� i• I « w m / • rt n Ni ♦ F ue •y ` a� :a ♦ ♦ i ca NE�d'I r r . ' � � �i tI, rx It s • mN - .. , ! a • t 1 ar■ ree o ` `' r qyyy • 7 ■ $ w„ a ■IRV f . • i`�o•, i .. c9 •' �pY r.or ; .W 14 EP rNE'. , t Sri �! � •m•tm� ; m'• r� .. / 1 lk lit • IH ' � 5°o0.wE P•' I ' Source: North Carolina Natural •' J ` % • Heritage Program; Natural and ►Cultural Resources ` 1 MAY 2021 � ' N A 0 175350®00 �. ®Sl1MMIT A CAMA and Comprehensive Plan CRC Certification Date 11-14-22 Prime Wildlife Habitats Within the state, there are four distinct areas where a huge diversity of fish and wildlife habitats exist: the Mid -Atlantic Coastal Plain, the Southern Blue Ridge, the Southeastern Plains and Piedmont. Cape Carteret falls within the Mid -Atlantic Coastal Plain which is a part of the Level III ecoregion that stretches from Southern New Jersey to Georgia. On the Areas of Biodiversity map, the scale shows that there is mixed conservation value within the Town limits. Areas along the shoreline are classified within the 7-10 range which depicts areas of maximum conservation value, while areas inland are in the range of moderate conservation value. Data that is taken into accord for this scale include significant natural heritage areas, rare species occurrences, core wildlife habitats, important aquatic resources, wetlands, and watershed priorities based on Federally -listed species and other factors. The White Oak River Basin encompasses the majority of the Town and provides aquatic habitats for 8 species of fish, mussels and crayfish. Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) Based on the NC Wildlife Action Plan, the SAV is extremely valuable to the fish habitats that are within the coastal estuarine and freshwater systems of North Carolina. Submerged aquatic vegetation provides ecosystem functions similar to shell bottom, such as enhancing water quality through stabilizing and trapping sediment, reducing wave energy, cycling nutrients within the system, and providing structure for invertebrate attachment and refuge from predators. Seagrasses also produce large quantities of organic matter, which supports a complex food base for coastal fishes and other organisms. Damage to these areas can come from boating activities, bottom disturbing fishing gears, bottom dredging activities, and shoreline development including building docks and marinas, infrastructure projects, water quality degredation, nuisance species introduction, and other items. On the included Areas of Biodiversity map are the current submerged aquatic vegetation locations within the Town limits and surrounding environs. Areas with Excessive Slope and High Erosion Potential The topography of Cape Carteret rises from the sound shore to 40 feet above mean sea level (msl). In the area between NC 24 and the shoreline, the maximum elevation is approximately 25 feet msl. North of NC 24, elevations generally are above 20 feet msl with one area reaching nearly 40 feet msl. Along most of the northern town limits, Pettiford Creek is characterized by a bluff which rises sharply to above 10 feet msl. 3.2.11 Additional Natural Features of Concern There are no other natural features of concern identified by the Town. •i of pAPE C9 2 9� o m r -i 2OR -N C AaO�`�P �.00, � . r ■ iiiiiiii�E � • � ;P � � � ♦ liiiir � ♦ - IZ �..� Legend • j • • ► • Town of Cape Carteret ■ ■ �'� ♦ E.3Boundary ■ �� ■ �� �. • NCDEQ - Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Habitat rI#L IM Submerged Aquatic Vegetation • � ������-in BiodiversityMildlife • s Habitat 1 P� •' Relative Conservation • Value 9-10 (Maximum) iIr'J 0 �° F—] 6 5 • � o F 2-4 ■ 1 1 (Moderate) • L0 (Unrated) Impervious surface >20• Av��E � , � ■ =r I�v�� ■ � A� oaNE oEE � b ` �� . _ .aarn e . e sit *b b AI N `°ae�8°s�°-- dW1,050 1,400 yy.'L°gC `� -- • eTBs+Y'"-ux_v2r."'�e°°r"aC-a C- _ - Feat � o,mSUMMIT'� � e � CAMA and Comprehensive Plan CRC Certification Date 11-14-22 69 3.3 Environmental Conditions 3.3.1 Water Quality Assessment Cape Carteret is within the White Oak River Basin, which is covered by the Draft 2021 White Oak River Basin Water Resources Plan. Basinwide planning identifies areas that need additional protection, restoration, or preservation to ensure the waters of the state are meeting their designated use. Basin plans are required by North Carolina law and are produced every 10 years. Updates are made reflecting changes in resources, modeling, methodology, wastewater permits, or advances in science. While the plan is prepared by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's Water Resource division, its implementation requires the coordinated efforts of federal and state agencies, local governments, and stakeholder groups, hence why it is included as a requirement of a CAMA plan. White Oak River Basin Northeast HUC (03020301) The White Oak River basin is located between the southeast portion of the Cape Fear River basin and southwest portion of the Neuse River basin. The Atlantic coast forms the southeast boundary of the basin. The basin includes the eastern portion of the City of Wilmington within the southwest portion of the basin, the City of Jacksonville within the central portion of the basin and Morehead City within the eastern portion of the basin. The boundaries of the basin include most of Onslow County, almost half of Carteret County, and the southeast portions of New Hanover, Duplin, and Pender counties, the southeast portion of Jones and Craven counties and a tiny portion of southeast Brunswick County. The White Oak River Basin lies entirely within the Coastal Plain and is composed of four small river systems (New River, White Oak River, Newport River, and North River), which all drain south directly into the Atlantic Ocean and associated sounds (Back, Core and Bogue sounds). The White Oak River is approximately 40 miles long and is a blackwater river. This basin encompasses 1,382 square miles, making it the smallest basin contained entirely within the state. There are 1,571 stream miles, 3,777 acres of freshwater lakes and impoundments, and 1,641 miles of coastline in the basin (NCDWR 2015). Due to the location and size of this basin, there is a relatively small amount of freshwater habitat available, but what is available has the characteristics typical of Coastal Plain streams: meandering waters associated with swamps, hardwood bottomlands, and wetland communities (NCDWQ 2003). Land Cover in the subbasin area is summarized in the table below. 3.3.1-1 Surface Water Quality 70 of CAPE C9 o m r _1 2CR -N C AaO�`�P The 2021 White Oak River Basin Plan lists Cape Carteret's waterbodies as impaired due to their designation as Shellfish Growing Areas. Sources of impairment in the Basin include chlorophyll a, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, fecal coliform, enterococcus, and copper. The 2021 basinwide report recommends: • Continue to improve strategies for reducing nonpoint source pollution and minimize cumulative losses. This can be done through voluntary programs, actions, assistance, and improving methods to control stormwater runoff from agriculture, forestry, and urban areas. • To prevent additional shellfish closures and swimming advisories, conduct targeted water quality restoration activities. • Maintain adequate water quality conducive to the support of present and future mariculture in public trust waters. • Reduce nonpoint source pollution from large-scale animal operations by ensuring proper oversight and management of animal waste management systems, and certified operator compliance with permit and operator requirements and management plan for animal waste management systems. • Increase financial support for the implementation of voluntary Best Management Practices throughout the basin. Several voluntary programs exist through the local Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) and Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS). The SWCD, NRCS, and the Cooperative Extension Offices (CES) can also provide guidance on managing agricultural lands, forests, riparian buffers, and stormwater runoff. • Encourage local governments to develop watershed restoration plans to reduce stormwater runoff, implement living shorelines and soft erosion control structures, and encourage nature -based stormwater strategies to foster water and habitat protection. • Continue to work collaboratively with federal, state, and local resource agencies to understand water resource issues (quality and quantity). Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act requires every state to develop a list of waterbodies that are not meeting water quality standards or have impaired uses. Listed waters must be prioritized and a management strategy or total maximum daily load must be subsequently developed for all listed waters. The 2020 303(d) Impaired Waters List includes 77.8 acres of Deer Creek, and portions of CAMA and Comprehensive Plan CRC Certification Date 11-14-22 71 the Bogue Sound HUC (03020301) as identified impaired waters. The impaired use is shellfish harvesting due to elevated fecal coliform levels. These bodies have been impaired since 2002. Pettiford Creek is also categorized as an impaired waterway for shellfish harvesting, but is not a 303(d) designated waterbody. Samples have been collected in this stream since 1998 and there has been little to no change. 3.3.1-2 Shellfishing Waters The North Carolina Shellfish Sanitation and Recreational Water Quality Section of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources is responsible for protecting the consuming public from shellfish and crustacea which could cause illness. Rules and regulations following national guidelines have been implemented to ensure the safety of harvesting waters and the proper sanitation of establishments which process shellfish and crustacea for sale to the general public. Waters are sampled regularly and closed if levels of fecal coliform indicate that harvesting shellfish from those waters could cause a public health risk. Shellfish (oysters, clams, mussels, etc.) provide a favorable environment for the coastal and estuarine waters in which they are grown. In turn, shellfish farming can provide local communities with a variety of ecosystem services, whose value can be quantified. Our native eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) is one of the most important species in our estuaries. Oysters benefit North Carolina's coastal ecology and economy. These benefits can be summarized and referred to as the three "Fs', for short: food, filter and fish habitat. They filter water, provide food for humans and create reefs that build homes for more fish. These environmental benefits, in turn, support jobs and provide economic opportunities for coastal communities. The draft White Oak River Basin 2021 plan states that there has been little overall change in bacteriological water quality or pollution source impacts in this growing area. The Division of Marine Fisheries is responsible for classifying all coastal waters as to their suitability for shellfish harvesting for human consumption. Shellfish growing waters can be classified as "Approved", "Conditionally Approved', "Restricted', or "Prohibited". Approved areas are consistently open to harvest, while Prohibited areas are off limits for shellfish harvest. Conditionally Approved areas can be open to harvest under certain conditions, such as dry weather when stormwater runoff is not having an impact on surrounding water quality, and Restricted waters can be used for harvest at certain times as long as the shellfish are subjected to further cleansing before they are made available for consumption. Prohibited/Closed shellfishing areas include portions of Pettiford Creek, Deer Creek, and areas of the Bogue Sound within Cape Carteret's planning area. Grow areas, which are areas suitable for shellfish harvesting are limited to the White Oak River Area D-3 and the Deer Creek Area D-4 shown in blue and are classified as SA/ORW. Increased closures of polluted shellfish harvesting waters are an indicator of poor water quality, which has public health, economic, and cultural impacts. Eating 72 of pAPE C9 2 9� o m r _1 2OR -H C AaO�`�P polluted shellfish can make people sick with illnesses such as Shigella, Salmonella, and Hepatitis A. One downfall of the increased shellfish closures is that it reduces access to various commercial shellfish fisheries that are economically beneficial to the state and citizens involved in the industry. The benefit for Cape Carteret and the surrounding areas for pursuing "Approved" status for open shellfish harvesting areas, is that it provides communities with a better quality of shellfish, as well as keeps the shellfishing economy vibrant. Closed shellfishing areas prevent the negative public, environmental, and economic impacts from affecting the Town, however the Town should plan alongside other jurisdictions to improve water quality. Land uses that impact shellfishing waters include the conversion of undeveloped and underdeveloped land to more intensive land uses which creates increased stormwater runoff. Effective stormwater mitigation is critical for protecting the public health and the economic ramifications of shellfish area closures. 3.3.1-3 Areas with Water Quality Issues Water pollution is caused by a number of substances including sediment, nutrients, bacteria, oxygen -demanding wastes and toxic substances such as heavy metals, chlorine and pesticides. Sources of these pollutants are divided into two general categories: point sources and nonpoint sources. Point sources are basically discharges that enter surface waters through a pipe, ditch, or other well-defined point of discharge and often include discharges from wastewater treatment plants or large urban and industrial stormwater systems. Within the Cape Carteret planning jurisdiction, there are no major point source dischargers. Nonpoint sources generally include stormwater runoff from small urban areas (less than 100,000 population), forestry, mining, agricultural lands and other. Examples of the types of land use activities that can serve as sources of nonpoint pollution include land development, construction, crop production, animal feeding lots, failing septic systems, landfills, roads, and parking lots. Fecal coliform bacteria and nutrients are major pollutants associated with nonpoint source pollution. Unlike point source pollution, nonpoint pollution sources are diffuse in nature and occur at random intervals depending on rainfall frequency and intensity. Within the Cape Carteret planning jurisdiction, the primary water pollution sources of estuarine waters are estimated to be multiple nonpoint sources including: agriculture, forestry, urban runoff, septic tank runoff, and marinas. The Cape Carteret planning area features large roads such as, Highway 24, with strip commercial development including gas stations on the north side. To the south towards the sound, there are many aging properties in low lying areas that feature septic tanks that require better maintenance and monitoring due to occasional failures. Collectively, these nonpoint sources impact the local waterbodies and the public's health. Activities that contribute to the closure of shellfish harvesting areas include, but are not limited to, construction, urban stormwater runoff, failing septic systems, and agricultural activities. Control of these types of activities includes a wide variety of CAMA and Comprehensive Plan CRC Certification Date 11-14-22 73 state agencies, local health departments, local municipal and county governments, and private property owners. There is no prescriptive remedy to solve the problem of closed shellfish waters; rather, it will require collaboration and coordination to achieve the common goal of protecting and restoring shellfish waters and improving water quality. 3.3.2 Natural Hazards Severe thunderstorms are a common threat to the Cape Carteret area, producing lightning, high velocity winds, and hail. North Carolina's Division of Emergency Management's 2018 Hazard Mitigation Plan has identified numerous natural hazards, including flooding, hurricanes, severe winter weather, excessive heat, earthquakes, wildfire, drought, tornadoes/thunderstorms, and infectious disease. Cape Carteret is particularly at risk of hurricanes and tropical storms routinely impacting the area as well as high winds, waterspouts, hail, winter storms, and floods. Wildfires are also a moderate risk for the Cape Carteret area due to the adjacent Croatan National Forest. In the future, weather events may be more extreme as a result of rising levels and warming of oceans leading to more severe damage. Cape Carteret participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and reports 163 polices in force totaling $45,894,800.00 insurance in force with 99 total losses and $937,442.00 in total payments according to the 2018 State of North Carolina Hazard Mitigation Plan. 3.3.2-1 Flood Zones Cape Carteret's planning area features flood zones on the northern boundaries along Pettiford Creek and the southern boundaries along the Bogue Sound and Deer Creek. Many parcels and streets south of Highway 24 are at risk of recurrent flooding (see page 59 for Flood Zone Map). 3.3.2-2 Storm Surge Inundation As discussed in section 3.2.5 Storm Surge Areas, much of the Cape Carteret planning area is threatened by storm surges. Only the golf course remains above water in the event of a Category 5 storm. Future and more dense development should be oriented towards higher ground areas of Cape Carteret and the lower lying areas along the Bogue Sound should be maintained as low density residential areas with development standards that assist in protecting the buildings. 3.3.2-3 Areas Experiencing Significant Shoreline Erosion There are no areas in the Cape Carteret planning area experiencing significant shoreline erosion. 74 of pAPE C9 2 9� o m r _1 2OR -H C AaO�`�P 3.3.3 Natural Resources Environmentally fragile areas and natural resource areas that may be impacted as a result of incompatible development. Identified environmentally fragile areas include AECs, flood hazard areas, storm surge areas, and non -coastal wetlands. Natural resource areas include Significant Natural Heritage Areas. 3.3.3-1 Environmentally Fragile Areas Cape Carteret has some lots for single family homes located along Pettiford Creek as well as near Deer Creek. However, newly built homes must comply with Cape Carteret's development standards and do not encroach on environmentally fragile areas. New development will be directed away from these areas. 3.3.3-2 Areas with Incompatible Development New development in general exacerbates the problematic flooding that Cape Carteret experiences. There are existing single family homes and lots well within the floodplain of Deer Creek, Pettiford Creek, and the Bogue Sound. These areas are to remain low density limited to single family homes with this Plan to prevent any further encroachment or incompatible development. New development in the Town will feature innovative stormwater features to mitigate impacts to natural resources. CAMA and Comprehensive Plan CRC Certification Date 11-14-22 75 3.4 Existing Land Use 3.4.1 Land Use Classifications Existing Land Use By Type and Acreage Cape Carteret Planning Jurisdiction The most predominant 2021 land use in Cape Carteret 2021 Percent, is single-family residential, ,21 Land Use AcreagesDeveloped 21 Percent of Total -.,- accounting for 1,167 Acr_ 'g_ parcels, or 73% of parcels Single Family 605.2 56.2% 27.5% Residential within Town limits. Manufactured Home- I 13.49 " 1.3% 0.6% Each residential neighborhood has different Personal ----"-"-"-"-"J"-"-"-"-" ufactuedHome- I 4476 Permanent "-"-"-"-"-" 4.2% -"-"-"-"-"- 2.0% characteristics which are -"-"-"-"-----"-"-"-" "-"-"-"-"-" -"-"- affected by the size of the Residential/ Commercial 0.47 0.0% parcels, the year built, "-- "-"-"-_ I _ "-"-"-0.0% - Multi -Family 2-4 Units 0.45 0.0% 0.0% and the materials used, ------------------- "-"-"-"-"-" -"-"-"-"-"- as well as the number of Condos I 1.7 0.2% 0.1% mature trees. Whatever -"-"-"-"-"-"-"J"--- "-"-"-"-"-" -"-"-"-"-"- their differences, all of Commercial 100.74 9.3% 4.6% Cape Carteret s residential -"-"-"-"-"-"---- _ -"-"-" -"-"-"-"-"- neighborhoods offer a high Business Professional 0.6% 0.3%0- quality of life, which Is "-"-6.95 Community Facilities/" 10.69 1.0% I "-"-" 0.5% one of the most significant Government-"-"-" "-"- ""-" -"-"-"-"-"- reasons the Town is such a Institutional 29.6 -"-"-----"-" 2.7% 1.3% desirable place to live. -"-"-"-"-"-"-" - -"-"-"-"-"- Golf Course I 235.79 21.9% 10.7% The commercial uses are - - ,"J- -"-"-" -"-"-"-"-"- oriented to NC 58 and NC Churches/Cemeteries/ 14.49 Lodges 1.3% 0.7% 24 and serve both Town - residents, residents of other Utilities I 13.116 0.6%- area localities, and tourists/ Undeveloped/Common 112.1 Areas "-"-"-1.2% "-"-" 5.1% visitors. The predominant characteristic of these Undeveloped/ 318.22 o 14.5/0 Forestland highway -oriented uses are -"` -"-" -" -"-"-"-"- large parking lots, wide Marshland 52.71 2.4% driveways or entrances and -"- "-"-"-" -"-"-"-"-"- drive-through windows. water/Row 639.4 29.1% This chart shows the Cape Carteret ETJ 797.65 percentage of each land use Total Developed Land 1077.49 by both developed and total __ _____-___ _____ __________ acreage. Totals Land Use ACS I 1560.52 Total Cape Carteret 2199.92 100% 100 /o ° Acreage 76 j '1 ae Ir� p o�'�a �Do ,o ��/. `..Jp V r ❑ a dQ .a O Ooo4d wb, DPI/ 0 4 e0> n o 0 o� o 0o B a a NS , t P�t • • c ■ �� E . �Il ��Y �• t '� 1 It 4 • • v �^-.� Ft�� •�"E� � die �d� c��,.� ♦ •� Legend Town of Cape Carteret Boundary E : J Cape Carteret ETJ Existing Bike Path Existing Land Use Land Use Classifications Residential Manufactured Home - Personal _ Manufactured Home - Permanent ® Residential/Commercial _ Multi -Family 2-4 Units Condos - Commercial - Business Professional - Community Facilities/Government _ Institutional _ Golf Course _ Churches/Cemeteries/Lodges - Utilities Undeveloped/Common Areas ® Undeveloped/Forestland y Marshland F, N A 0 775350 700 7.050 7.400 ®Feet MAY 2027 ,._mSUMMff CAMA and Comprehensive Plan CRC Certification Date 11-14-22 77 3.4.2 Land Use Patterns within Watersheds The Cape Carteret planning jurisdiction is located within two 14-digit watersheds (Pettiford Creek, #03020106020030 and Deer Creek, #03020106020040) as delineated by the Natural Resource Conservation Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. These two watersheds are located within HUC 03020301 of the White Oak River Basin. The Pettiford Creek watershed encompasses roughly the northern one-half of the Cape Carteret planning jurisdiction. The predominant land use within this watershed is low density single-family residences, but the largest, single land use is the Star Hill Golf and Country Club. Several large, undeveloped tracts are within this watershed and are located primarily in the northern and northeastern portions of the town's Extra Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) area. Some of the land in this area is held by a land trust and, therefore, will not be developed in the foreseeable future. The NC Highway 58 corridor is perhaps the most heavily developed portion of this watershed and includes a mixture of commercial and residential land uses. The Deer Creek watershed encompasses the most intensively developed portions of the Cape Carteret planning jurisdiction. Again, the predominant land use is low density single-family residences and includes the Country Club, Country Club Point, Cape Point, Bayshore Park, Fox Forest, and Quail Wood Acres Subdivisions. Commercial and institutional land uses within this watershed are chiefly located along the NC Highway 24 corridor and in the northeast corner of the NC Highway 24/58 intersection, with the GYM at Cape Carteret Aquatic Center and the Town Library on Taylor Notion Drive. Institutional land uses within this watershed include White Oak Elementary School and the Cape Carteret Town Hall facilities. The majority of the vacant, undeveloped land in this watershed is located along the north and south sides of NC Highway 24. Many vacant lots are also located within the residential subdivisions delineated above. 3.4.3 Description of Existing Land Uses 3.4.3-1 Residential (All Types) The residential classification includes all residential structural types and densities, including Residential, Manufactured Home - Personal, Manufactured Home - Permanent, Multi -family 2-4 Units, Condos, and Residential/Commercial units. The majority of residential uses in Cape Carteret are low density, detached single-family residences at densities of 1-2 dwelling units per acre. There are a few duplex and multi -unit structures. Since the last CAMA plan was adopted in 2007, 194 homes have been built in Cape Carteret, including the Star Hill North subdivision. The homes built outside of Star Hill were infill development in existing neighborhoods. There are seven primary areas of residential land uses: 1. The Cape Carteret Subdivision located west of Deer Creek between NC Highway 24 and Bogue Sound 2. The Country Club Point Subdivision located east of Deer Creek and north of Bogue Sound 3. The Bayshore Park Subdivision located north of the Country Club Point Subdivision and south of NC Highway 24 4. The Star Hill Subdivision located on the northeast side of Taylor Notion Road generally between NC Highway 24 and Pettiford Creek 5. The Fox Forest Subdivision located southeast of Star Hill Drive and north of NC Highway 24 6. The Quailwood Acres Subdivision located east of Star Hill Road at the terminus of Pine Lake Road 7. Cape Point Subdivision located between NC 24 and Deer Creek, and Star Hill North, Section II subdivision along Hopeland Road. Of the 1,181 dwelling units located in Cape Carteret in 2019, over 88 percent were single-family residences, less than 1 percent were multi -family dwellings, and 12 percent were manufactured homes. Cape Carteret's proportion of single-family dwellings to other unit types is considerably higher than Carteret County and statewide. The majority of the existing manufactured homes are located within the Bayshore Park Subdivision. The majority of recent construction has been single-family residential. Of the residential construction since 2007, 93 percent (180 homes) were single- family detached dwellings and 7 percent (14 homes) were manufactured homes. The 2007 plan predicted that the majority of future residential land uses are CAMA and Comprehensive Plan CRC Certification Date 11-14-22 79 expected to be infill development within existing neighborhoods. This plan recommends that there be future residential units built as part of a walkable Main Street area that will become the center of Town. Infill development in existing neighborhoods that fits the existing development patterns will also be appropriate, and new subdivisions outside of flood prone areas. All new development should include the stormwater infrastructure to ensure that it does not add to existing flooding concerns. 3.4.3-2 Commercial/(Business Professional) Uses in this classification include highway commercial, general retail, as well as office and service uses. Uses identified by this classification include but are not limited to: restaurants, grocery stores, convenience stores, gift shops, and professional service establishments. Most of the commercially -used land is located in the northeastern corner of the NC Highway 24/58 intersection and adjacent to the north side of the NC Highway 24 corridor. Smaller commercial areas are located along the south side of the NC Highway 24 corridor through the length of the Town. This plan recommends that future commercial and mixed -use development be in a medium -density, mixed -use, walkable Main Street center. 3.4.3-3 Governmental / Institutional / Community Facilities Uses in this category include the local White Oak Elementary School, Western Carteret Library, and the local Cape Carteret government center. These uses are located along or just off of Highway 24. The category also includes the boat launch on Manatee St. These uses serve the community by providing education, event programming, and access to the water. Together, they comprise approximately 3.8% of the community's developed acreage or a total of 41 acres. This plan calls for continuing to enhance these facilities with amenities for the community. 3.4.3-4 Golf Course The golf course comprises 235.79 acres or approximately 21.9% of Cape Carteret's developed acreage. The land that the golf course occupies is surrounded by residential homes and is the highest elevation in the Cape Carteret planning area, protecting it from projected flood levels under a Category 5 hurricane. In the future, this may be an area to examine for alternative uses depending on the environmental challenges faced due to increased storm events and flooding. 3.4.3-5 Churches/Cemeteries/Lodges This land use category includes the Cape Carteret Presbyterian Church and Baptist Church located off of Highway 24 and comprises 14.5 acres or 1.3% of the developed acreage in the community. ,01 OF CAPE C9 s' A o m r _1 2CRTH C AaO�`�P 3.4.3-6 Utilities This category includes the electric utility substation between Highway 24 and Taylor Notion Rd. as well as the private wastewater facility behind the Lowe's Home Improvement Center. This use comprises 13.2 acres or 1.2% of the developed land area of Cape Carteret. Depending on the future of the private wastewater facility any provision of public wastewater connectivity, the extent of this use will change. 3.4.3-7 Undeveloped / Forestland & Common Areas There are 316.6 acres or 14.4% of Cape Carteret's area that is undeveloped / forestland. Some of this land may be cleared for development in the future, however, this plan calls for as much preservation of foliage as possible with development for environmental benefits. Undeveloped / Common Areas are parcels of land that have been cleared of trees and have only grass cover. They comprise 112 acres of Cape Carteret's planning area. 3.4.3-8 Marshland Marshland comprises 52.71 acres or 2.4% of Cape Carteret's planning area. These areas are protected and should not be encroached upon by development for the protection of local waterbodies and environmental benefits. 3.4.3-9 Water 639.4 acres or 29.1% of the Cape Carteret area is comprised of water. The waters of Cape Carteret are impaired due mostly to nonpoint pollution from the watershed of the White Oak River Basin and the Bogue Sound. Cape Carteret's existence is tied to the the health of its waterbodies. This plan seeks to improve water quality. 3.4.4 Historic, Cultural and Scenic Areas The Cape Carteret planning area contains many archaeologically sensitive sites. The North Carolina Division of Archives and History has identified 11 sites that they deem significantly important. All of these sites have been disturbed by urban development. However, artifacts from the various indigenous Native American tribes that inhabited the region could still be found and as a result, the NC Division of Archives and History has recommended that plans for further development in these areas be carefully reviewed. The policy of the Office of State Archaeology is not to disclose the location of such sites in public documents. Any further development that would adversely impact the sites is subject to applicable state and/or federal laws and regulations. There are no historic structures in the Cape Carteret area. 3.4.5 Development Trends and Future Land Needs This plan makes assumptions that are different from the previous plan. Future needs for certain land uses are not based on straight line projections; land use decisions made by the Town can affect where people live, work and shop on a regional and County -wide level. Changes in land use patterns and their trajectory are necessary to provide Cape Carteret with the amenities residents desire. Future development should be dense in the Main Street area to add uses such as restaurants, stores or offices, and housing units. CAMA and Comprehensive Plan CRC Certification Date 11-14-22 81 �n`°.voaA� ❑ ,now o 1v ' ■ r K � ♦ w � 7 y • Legend Town of Cape Carteret Boundary �� • j m� +s,���' Zoning Classifications . 'M. Zone Type • \ • ♦ ♦ o R-10 Residential (Single Family) a • ® R-10 M Residential (Multi -family) 4- - R-13 Residential (Single-family) ♦�.•�� a - R-20 Residential (Low Density Single-family) o R-30 Residential (Low Density Single-family) • - B-10 Business & Professional Offices j>< • * • - B-20 Retail Sales & Shopping Center • °°^" "- • ■ . ' - B-20 CU Conditional Use District wa . • :. '� ; � � • � � B-30 Light Industrial ETJ R-10 M (Extra Territorial Jurrisdiction) ■ * ' ` ETJ R-30 (Extra Territorial Jurrisdiction) ■ � 1 ec � � a •� e°w a :1 N . _ '. 0 175350 700 1.050 1.400 __ .� ®Feet . .. . MAY 2021 .� — mSUMMIT RM 3.5 Community Facilities 3.5.1 Water System Cape Carteret receives water from the West Carteret Community Water Corporation (WC CWC), a nonprofit community water association that provides water service to a total of approximately 1,171 customers within the Cape Carteret limits, where 99 percent of which are residential users. The WC CWC has 7,662 residential customers and 76 non-residential customers as of 2020 for a total of 7,738 within their service area of Carteret County. Currently, the water supply comes from five (5) 10-inch wells, one (1) 12- inch well and two (2) 6-inch wells located in the Croatan National Forest. The average depth of the wells is 280 feet. The water is pumped from the Castle Hayne Aquifer and distributed to the various localities situated along NC Highways 58 and 24. The system has a current available supply from groundwater wells of 3.0640 MGD and a total treatment capacity of 2.55 MGD. The average daily use in 2020 was 1.140 MG with a peak daily use of 1.895 MG. The total treated water storage capacity is 2.1 MG in three elevated tanks, This would include 2- 750,000 gallon tanks and one 650,000 gallon tank. The system consists of approximately 183 miles of distribution line primarily along the NC Highway 24 and 58 corridors in the White Oak Township of Carteret County. The White Oak Township consists of Peletier, Cedar Point, Cape Carteret, Bogue, and Emerald Isle. According to the WC CWC, the total number of meter connections in the Cape Carteret corporate limits in 2020 is 1,171. Some of these meter connections are not being utilized year-round. Based on this number of total customers (residential, commercial, and institutional), Cape Carteret was billed for 44,023,670 MG within 2020. This breaks down to 120,612 GPD within the Town and averages out to be approximately 103 GPD per customer. This is primarily due to the seasonal nature of this area or because of the customers' wishes to suspend billing on their account. West Carteret Water Corporation is a voluntary system so homeowners can utilize their meter or a well. The largest commercial water user in 2020 in Cape Carteret was Lowes Foods. The existing WC CWC water system in the Cape Carteret which includes an area bounded by Morehead City ETJ, Town of Newport ETJ, Bogue Sound, Swansboro, and Jones County is delineated in Water Service Area Map. According to the WC CWC's 2020 Water Supply Plan, one additional well with a total supply of .4320 MGD is planned to be online in 2025 to augment the existing available water supply, thereby increasing the total available supply to 3.496 MGD. Projected average daily demand is expected to increase from the current level of 1.137 MGD to 1.1823 MGD by 2030 or 34 percent of the total available supply. Average daily water demand is not projected to exceed 80 percent of available water supply through 2050. Based upon the estimated peak population in the Cape Carteret planning jurisdiction and an average consumption rate of 103 gallons of water per person per day, the projected future average water demand totals were 1,182,300 GPD in 2030, 1,236,100 GPD in 2040 and 1,291,100 GPD in 2050. Water system extensions are anticipated in the area bounded by Taylor Notion Road, NC Highway 58, and NC Highway 24 where the largest amount of new development is expected to occur. Also, water system extensions are projected along the CAMA and Comprehensive Plan CRC Certification Date 11-14-22 83 :1, northeastern boundary of the existing ETJ as new residential developments are built in this area. There are no private wells within the Town as the soil suitability and water table will not allow it. 3.5.2 Wastewater Treatment Systems Cape Carteret currently does not have a public wastewater system. Wastewater disposal is provided by individual subsurface disposal systems or by privately -owned package treatment plants. Information regarding private individual subsurface disposal systems in the Cape Carteret area is not available. Private septic systems are common throughout North Carolina. Most are located in rural or small town areas that fall outside of a regional wastewater treatment plant's service area. Unfortunately, many citizens fail to properly care for their septic systems. Improper maintenance leads to failing systems that may pollute nearby waters. A regular maintenance program benefits the effort to preserve water quality. Regular inspections by local governments can encourage proper maintenance. Lack of wastewater treatment capacity is the most significant barrier to future development in Cape Carteret, and new facilities must be created in order to realize the vision of this plan. Private septic systems on residential properties must be built or retrofitted in a way to protect from leaking during flooding and storm events. In order for the Town Center concept to become a reality, the existing private wastewater packing plant in that area, on which most of the commercial entities in the Lowe's shopping center rely, must be updated and expanded to have a far greater capacity. There are multiple ways of organizing and funding this expansion, the details of which can be agreed upon between the Town and the private facility owner. The current facility within the Town has a permit to opertate at 50,000 GPD but only operates at approximately 31,000 GPD. According to the County, there have been no issues documented that may degarde water quality or constitute a threat to public health. Over the past few years there has been one tank replacement and no proposals have been submitted to increase or upgrade the wastewater system based on population projections. With new growth, new plans would be created. The map to the right shows generally the area currently served by private packing systems (in green). Lowe's Home Improvement is on its own system, while Lowe's Foods, Mac Daddy's and other commercial uses rely on the existing private system. The area in purple shows the general area that could be serviced with upgraded wastewater service. The existing single-family residential neighborhoods are all on septic and are expected to remain so. CAMA and Comprehensive Plan CRC Certification Date 11-14-22 85 �o o a n d Aoo o q o w - p Pq�RI( C,RCLE �J '<77 8oem�e � mo O B O o p o m � o e � 0 0 F 0 ooaq lOa � o o �R�KORP 11 HI�LS ROAD 04 00 'x %& • A' • '. • CL Town of Cape Carteret Boundary q o WasteWater Systems - Exisitng % zg Proposed 4 a i � D � i • �j Q i J o ■ r u y O � � • W •� P�EQo o �'a o l • Go o 0 1 N 0 175350 700 7.050 IADO ®Feet MAY 2021 m SUMMIT I i• 3.5.3 Stormwater System The map on the following page depicts the existing drainage facilities within the Town of Cape Carteret that consists of a stormwater system primarily made up of small (12-inch diameter and smaller) corrugated plastic piping, open grate catch basins, and drainage ditches and/or swales. In 2001, the Town of Cape Carteret completed a stormwater mapping project to address issues related to water quality and flooding of property. The phases of this project involved the accurate mapping of the existing stormwater facilities and the identification of potential problem areas as well as reviewing the identified problem areas with the Town staff and outlining a course of action to address each problem area. Recommendations for piping and ditching improvements were made for 15 problem areas in the 2001 plan. Many of these improvements were implemented over time on Star Hill Drive, Sutton Drive, Pine Lake Road, Gemini Court, Park Avenue, and Sound View Court. Additionally the improvements that were planned on Pine Lake Road, Loma Linda Court, and Channel View Drive have been completed. Some components of the system are still currently owned and maintained by the Town or NCDOT, while others are privately owned and maintained. Flooding has been particularly problematic in the lower areas south of Hwy. 24. This Plan calls for the implementation of innovative stormwater methods such as bioswales, rain gardens, permeable pavement, or retention ponds that trap and slow water to reduce flooding where possible with new development. Public facilities should also use their grounds for implementation of new stormwater management facilities. New coordinated efforts need to be undertaken to ensure the timely implementation of innovative stormwater facilities for Cape Carteret's resilience to flooding and ctnrm Px/Pntc CAMA and Comprehensive Plan CRC Certification Date 11-14-22 87 r. This map depicts the Stormwater system with Q a Q o inlet types, pipe sizes and ° other relevant items within the Town limits. j f � � — � ♦ a �� a t t • t � •• • •• tS o o • � 1 i � .�,f �♦ e t • 0 4 O 5 tl r ■ ♦ .♦' Ilk 4D� 0 0 t �� � � • r r �♦ u � e ® '• •1 • • • ♦ • o 0 0 t • • &__. o t ' ♦ ♦ • N e0 gTli ♦ •� �� ❑ Legend / • • . I • / • • r r 'Tn o - or Cape Carteret Boundary • O 0 • Manholes •• w ♦/ t r t , f O Q o D o Q Jancron Boxes area • . A � a g 9 • • • — Drtcn or Swale / f , • � � o d TYPE OF INLET ----"n«eono__./ • ♦ `+ • p o 6 ❑ A,Ca Basin; Open Grate Area= a> _ .• o O 3.25sgft a _ _ B,Ca: Basin; Open Gate Area = Q° ♦ 6 T �� / ❑ C,Cmn Beam; Open crate Area = 3.125 sg ft 800 0d'd O gib ■ DC.. Inlet; Open Grate Area= 1 0 3.33 sq ft; Thmt=TxT o. a E.Cu� Inlet Open Diane Am 0 o r �Q • u O ■ F,15' DIA. Clean On/Inlet G,Cass, Basin;aOpen Gterea A= • . r • u, • O s,,Q ■ 3.25sgft 0 � ouuLreurv— /• I a O � u �'rp ■ H,12"DIA. Clean Out/Inlet O • ■ J.Basin, Open Grate Area= .• \ Q � 0.281287 sq R • 11 • 's • �' ,O o L,Catch Basin; Open Gala Aaa= M,Camli Be in; Open Gate Area= o ve.... • • • • ©op t} ■ 4.667 aq ft =� s I • e » ■ N,Ca1ca Basin; Open Gate Area = 3.67 area • ❑ S- p ,W' II I • • k • ---- , STORMWATER PIPE SIZE z ii • 5'RCBC • A' ��A a • • • I • d -4•PVC 9 53 p e o 0 8. o ❑ a 9 ® � •. C a \ . � I j • � / � �10•STEEL PIPE • • ;} CV'D eO 4 r'aY� O SSd 4 C o� 4?p/ i —WCPP • 1 • ` • e mow o �. f O T P PdQ a — 10. PVC t \ • � • c0 • n 0 a ® ♦ • Y • ` OY o • — 12• RCP �:p9 • • • • O 0 • —75•CPP • i d o • • • ± •/ •\� j • � 78• RCP gs�'�0 • • / • / • �' ••�\ • I �78'CMP 'IA • • • • a 3 'Aqq 6'"At e • f ' ♦ r =24• D 3 g44p"\0 \ •��� • ,\ • .• • 1 rr2IRCP vOp (p\p0\.\ •. \ �,r ` • rr�24•CMP 5 • a� �\\ Gl : �38' RCP D IS �d2 • ` NN Source: West Carteret _ —_ 0 775350 700 7.050 7.400Feet Water Corporation . .�••�••�••—••--- •• - ® r• MAY 2027 M SUMMIT F• •7 3.5.4 Transportation System The Town of Cape Carteret maintains over 25 miles of streets within its corporate limits. Major thoroughfares and other streets outside of the town limits are maintained by the NC Department of Transportation. The state also has maintenance responsibility for all bridges in the area. The major road systems in Cape Carteret, are NC 24 which bisects the Town east to west, and NC 58 which runs north/south along the western boundary of the Town. Within the county, the Carteret County -Beaufort Airport Authority manages the Michael J. Smith airfield located in Beaufort, NC. Cape Carteret is also served by a private airstrip in the Star Hill area. Along the Carteret coast in Morehead City lies the North Carolina Port of Morehead City. This is the closest general cargo terminal facility to the Town of Cape Carteret. Nearby Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point is to the east of theplanning area and is not open to the public. The Carteret County Transportation Committee, of which Cape Carteret did not have representation at the time, identified priorities and made recommendations for transportation improvements within Carteret County. This committee produced a document in 2014 entitled Transportation Improvement Program Priorities for Carteret County. The priority of particular concern to Cape Carteret was the construction of an interchange improvements NC Highway 24 and NC Highway 58. The improvements was proposed due to the current and projected traffic volumes on Highway 24 which exceed the capabilities of the current at -grade intersection. The improvements are also considered necessary to facilitate evacuations from Bogue Banks during storm threats. 3.5.4-1 Planned and Programmed Roadway Improvements Proposed Interchange at NC 24 and NC 58, TIP No. R-4721 -- Local ID No. CART0006-H Existing NC 24 is projected to be over capacity by 2040 in the vicinity of NC 58 in Cedar Point. The primary purpose of this project is to relieve congestion on the existing facility and construct a grade separated interchange such that a minimum of LOS D can be achieved. TIP No. R-4721 is intended to address this problem. The proposed improvements will reduce congestion on NC 24 and NC 58, create more connectivity, and improve mobility in this area of Carteret County. NC 24 is part of the statewide tier of the NC Multimodal Investment Network (NCMIN). NC 24 is part of the Strategic Highway Network (STRAHNET). NC 24 is also part of the Strategic Highway Corridor CAMA and Comprehensive Plan CRC Certification Date 11-14-22 89 The Town of Cape Carteret supports NCDOT project R-5858 which adds slip lanes to the 24/58 intersection. The Town has advocated for a metered merge configuration project in conjunction with the slip lanes to adequately address traffic stacking and storage needs at the intersection. The Town advocated for the following projects in Prioritization 6.0: Roundabout at Taylor Notion and NC 58 Main Street project Cape Carteret Trail Project The town is supportive of efforts to explore the possibility of a third mid -island bridge to connect with I-42 traffic flow. The Town is strongly opposed to a grade separated interchange at 58/24. If one must be constructed it should remain within the existing right-of-way (tight diamond interchange with 58 over 24). The town is committed to opposing any interchange configuration that adversely impacts our businesses and community. The Town is opposed to the conversion of Highway 24 to a super Street (RCI). Installation of raised landscaped curb at the location of existing painted traffic islands may be a suitable means of preventing dangerous turning movements. The Town is adamantly opposed to the elimination of traffic lights along 24 as they provide a critical means for accessing the Towns business and residential districts. The town would be supportive of an additional traffic light to serve Bayshore Park and Hunting Bay via Fox Drive/Bayshore Drive. (SHC) Vision Plan. The portion of NC 24 between Cedar Lane (SR 1202) and US 70 in Morehead City is shown as an expressway that needs improvement. NC 58 is part of the regional tier of the NC Multimodal Investment Network (NCMIN). NC 58 is not part of the Strategic Highway Corridor. For additional 2-18 information about this project, including the Purpose and Need, contact NCDOT's Project Development and Environmental Analysis Unit. The following routes do not have capacity issues, but are recommended to be upgraded to two 12-foot lanes with 2-foot paved shoulders to improve safety and mobility. • Taylor Notion Road, CART0030-H : From NC 24 to NC 58 The future development trends indicates that the western and central portions of Carteret County are expected to continue to experience growth pressures during the planning period. Areas near or adjacent to the White Oak River and Bogue Sound will continue to attract retirees, vacation -home owners, seasonal visitors, and others; thus maintaining strong residential and associated development trends. The NC 24 corridor, from Morehead City to Cape Carteret (including Bogue) and the NC 58 corridor north of Cape Carteret are expected to experience increasing development. LACE UNDIVIDED WITH PAVED SHOULDERS F05TED 5FEED 25 - 35 MPH 3.5.4-2 NCDOT Functional Classifications The NCDOT Route Classifications for the Town of Cape Carteret's major thoroughfares are as follows: • NC 24 (EB/WB McLean Drive) - Other Principal Arterial • NC 58 - Minor Arterial • Taylor Notion Road (between NC 58 & NC 24) - Major Collector All other roads within the Town are considered a classification of Local. CAMA and Comprehensive Plan CRC Certification Date 11-14-22 91 m 1 ell ��. ° ' • ' _ �....'0 .1 5 ■ e �s g � y � s � -- - • 1 STAR HILL GOLF CLUB �•E'ppO w ' �•���•�� �• — I t �• 1 y I • r• , , • Legend tt ■ `� WO F �� Town of Cape Carteret Boundary �• ��4. 1 ; �r ! s oy • .' NCDOT Functional Classifications ��` ■ :., Other Principal Arterial • ; : I1111111111111111111111IMinorArterial Major Collector r T i • ••+ • I i ` ii 1 Local _ a�rrP � � + 1 ■ ■ • Si � 1 •� 1 al '• � 1 • • • 4 1 1 -'et • w♦ Dual x�x y '. I I ♦ Ilt p k♦ 8 0 is - • ue • • i . ' • i of w�"i . ♦ ��i ` ♦ • r , axE `• 11 i � i � ♦ • • 1 Source: NCDOT 2020-2029 TIP Functional Classifications ' N --------- —. 0 175350 700 1,050 1,400 -- ---- ®Feet --� ----- MAY 2021 •--•--- mR MMff 92 li 3.5.4-3 Major Streets with Capacity and other Deficiencies The following thoroughfares are near or exceeding capacity for traffic volumes; NC 58 between Taylor Notion Rd and Emerald Isle; NC 24 East of NC 58 towards Taylor Notion Rd; NC 24 West of NC 58 towards Cedar Point. It is estimated in 2040 NC 24 East of Taylor Notion Road, NC 58 North of the Taylor Notion Road intersection, NC 24 West of NC 58 to the Carteret County boundary and NC 58 South of the NC 24 intersection will have exceeded their capacity for Vehicles Per Day(VPD). Based on NCDOT figure in the most recent Comprehensive Transportation Plan released by the NCDOT Transportation Planning Branch, the intersection of NC 58 and NC 24 in Cape Carteret is ranked the highest crash rating within Carteret County. Also of note, the bridge over Bogue Sound between Cape Carteret and Emerald Isle is ranked #5 in deficient bridges within Carteret County. 3.5.4-4 Traffic Volumes Traffic volumes for the majority of the streets within the Town are within nominal limits based on 2020 AADT (Average Annual Daily Traffic) numbers from NCDOT. The thoroughfares listed above are the roads in and around the Town that are or will be affected by the increase in traffic volumes over the next 20 years. Thoroughfare Roa• 2010 Volumes (AADT) Capacity12040 2010 Capacity Table 7 Estimates within 2020 2040 Volumes Volumes (AADT) (AADT) the Town 2010 Near 2010 Over Capacity Capacity 2020 Over Capacity 2040 Over Capacity NC 24 (E of Taylor Notion Rd 20,300 30,000 23,000 35,800 X NC 58 (N of Taylor Notion Rd 9,200 12,000 11,000 14,700 X NC 24 (W of NC 58) 22,000 28,000 27,500 29,500 X X NC 58 (S of NC 24 over Bogue Sound 15,600 18,000 19,000 22,400 X X X 3.5.4-5 Impact of Existing Transportation Facilities on Land Use Patterns The existing transportation facilities are mostly for the automobile, which emphasizes and reinforces the low -density residential land use patterns and the auto -oriented commercial development. By adding multi -modal transportation connections in the walkable Town Center area and completing the multi -use path the land use patterns can and will start to be more dense and human scale, increasing quality of life and reducing vehicular traffic. CAMA and Comprehensive Plan CRC Certification Date 11-14-22 93 3.5.5 Parks, Recreation and Open Space The Town currently maintains a total of 14 parks which represents 4.16% parks per capita per person. Cape Carteret continues to enhance and improve its areas for parks and recreation by providing for quality amenities such as seating or trash receptacles, and cared for vegetation and landscaping. Parks and recreational space are important for the community's use for exercise and play. Currently there are no facilities within the Town with playground elements. This should be noted for future park amenities. These facilities should be well connected by pedestrian and bicycle access. New development around the proposed main street area should include parks and recreation amenities as part of its design for residential and commercial areas. The Town recently installed two new kayak storage racks at Holly Lane Park and Bayshore Pier Park. 3.5.5-1 Public Water/Access Boat Launch The public access to the water includes the new Pettiford Creek Boat Launch, and the boat on launch Manatee Street. There are various viewing points and piers along the Bogue Sound. The boat launches are maintained to prevent erosion and runoff and should include amenities such as seating, trash receptacles, or play elements, and landscaping. Piers should be maintained for safety. 3.5.5-2 Parks and Open Space Park space includes the Bahia Lane Park and the grounds of the Cape Carteret government center as well as on Lejeune Road. There is also park space at the The GYM Cape Carteret Aquatic and Wellness on Taylor Notion Rd., as well as a Town parking lot for the Cape Carteret Trail in front of the Public Works Department on Taylor Notion Road. Currently, there is a mulch trail that runs from Taylor Notion Road to the newly -completed Cape Carteret Trail section along Highway 24. Parks in the community should continue to be enhanced and improved with amenities such as playground equipment, seating/benches and picnic facilities. New development along the proposed main street should include parks and recreational space amenities for new commercial and residential development. 3.5.6 Historic Properties There are no historic properties within the Cape Carteret planning area. CAMA and Comprehensive Plan CRC Certification Date 11-14-22 95 3.5.7 Police & EMS Services Cape Carteret's Police Department is located at 204 W.B. McLean Drive and provides police protection for the community. Fire Rescue and Emergency Medical Services are provided by the Western Carteret Volunteer Fire and Rescue District. Western Carteret Fire & EMS Station 1 is located outside of the Town in Cedar Point off Hwy. 24. Basic emergency medical treatment and transportation to hospitals are provided by the fire and rescue squad. 3.5.8 Schools All public schools in Carteret County are operated by the Carteret County School System, including White Oak Elementary, which is located within Cape Carteret town limits, on Highway 24. The chart on the facing page shows the Average Daily Membership between 2009 and 2021 within the Carteret County School system 900 800 700 600 500 0 a 400 300 200 100 0 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21 amGmDWHITE OAK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Figure 22: Enrollment in White Oak Middle School 2009-2021. Source: Carteret County Schools CAMA and Comprehensive Plan CRC Certification Date 11-14-22 97 • P41 .=401 Atlantic Elementary School 120 114 108 98 90 87 76 77 82 75 79 78 Bogue Sound Elementary School 420 421 420 413 446 441 427 414 441 423 437 435 Beaufort Elementary School 465 457 416 422 423 452 440 474 429 442 416 376 Bridges School 0 0 0 0 32 43 32 29 31 24 27 11 Beaufort Middle School 258 270 284 290 278 268 249 269 274 275 287 265 Broad Creek Middle School 588 624 647 672 657 665 637 658 634 666 679 670 East Carteret High School 571 568 543 538 566 594 627 587 564 521 507 548 Croatan High School 855 872 868 894 902 904 926 907 895 846 842 875 Harkers Island Elementary School 155 140 132 125 111 88 124 97 109 103 98 100 Morehead City Elementary School @ Camp Glenn 322 333 322 289 286 297 268 293 296 256 273 259 Morehead City Middle School 466 493 494 533 515 523 496 500 504 512 505 443 Morehead City Primary School 627 659 640 678 626 597 571 547 569 576 599 508 Newport Elementary School 767 821 766 783 757 729 749 737 723 705 681 686 Newport Middle School 471 474 497 490 496 463 432 414 400 407 400 377 Smyran Elementary School/ Down East Middle School 266 274 299 293 304 307 257 258 259 290 259 243 Amarine Science & Technology Early College High School 49 97 95 West Carteret High School 1204 1193 1179 1214 1151 1210 1249 1251 1257 1129 1078 1073 WHITE OAK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 669 740 788 751 794 777 803 791 796 801 794 707 ADM numbers DO NOT include Pre-K 3.6 Land Use Suitability Analysis 3.6.1 Vacant Land by Zoning The Town has 1,599 total parcels. Of the total parcels, 369 are undeveloped. The majority of these parcels are zoned Low Density Single Family Residential. The largest parcels that are undeveloped are generally zoned B-20 Retail Sales & Shopping Center. However, because parcels can be re -zoned or the Town's zoning classifications themselves may be updated in time, this is not a forecast of what will ultimately develop in undeveloped parcels. This information only applies to the vacant land by zoning as of the adoption of this plan. 3.6.2 Acreage of Vacant Land Out of the Town's 1599 parcels, 369 are undeveloped. Of those that are undeveloped, 157 are less than 1 acre, while 306 parcels are greater than 1 acre. The total acreage of undeveloped land is 463 acres. As is explained in the following section 3.6.3, not all of the vacant land is developable due to environmental constraints. 3.6.3 Vacant Land Suitable for Development Based on Environmental Out of the Town's 1599 parcels, 369 are undeveloped. The total acreage of undeveloped land free of environmental constraints, such as wetlands, and is suitable for development totals 318. There are 144 acres of land that are constrained due to environmental factors. 3.7 Analysis of Current Land Use Plan Cape Carteret's 2007 CAMA plan is a thorough, detailed, environmental plan that served the community well as a land use guide for 14 years. It adheres to the requirements of the CAMA legislation and provides the information necessary to evaluate CAMA permits. Many of the proposed elements are very similar between that plan and this, highlighting the continuity of the community's desires for the future. The 2007 plan shows additional connector streets between NC 58, NC 24 and Taylor Notion Road and an off -road hike/bike trail along Taylor Notion Road and NC 24. This plan also proposes connecting streets in the same area, with some changes in detail, and proposes that the hike/bike trail be completed. The future land use is largely the same, with more details offered in this plan. CAMA and Comprehensive Plan CRC Certification Date 11-14-22 99 . l •I ' tit ♦� ■ t I' • � � 4 1 + rts� t • � s � ♦ 4 t �r .moo a `�1 F ' b i• _a \ �NY � ■ V i r ♦ _ � � mom• � ■ i Lit ■ V. ` • i ,♦ •� t s i\�a Nr r♦ t r } r \ 0 i 100 Legend •'�.�� ■� ,• r ,�Po„ ELITown of Cape Carteret Boundary ' • +*� i �♦ Undeveloped Land by Zoning - .�� i4ir Zoning Classification R-10 Residential (Single Family ® R-10 M Residential (Multi -family) / i - R-13 Residential (Single-family) ��• +' R-20 Residential (Low Density Single-family) 0 R-30 Residential (Low Density Single-family) ■ / \� • tom. ` i i I �' B-10 Business 8 Professional Offices . { ' • \ - B-20 Retail Sales & Shopping Center • g , I • I 1 '� - B-20 CU Conditional Use District B-30 Light Industrial Y ETJ R-10 M (Extra Territorial Jurisdiction) L --'7 ® ETJ R-30 (Extra Territorial Jurisdiction) •i ,t0 O L 16111111111 M, Town of Cape Carteret Boundary rw Parcel size >= or < than 1 acre ® ,.�VA i Zoning Classification n Illli 1..nAi Qe. � � � ��� .0 :`�� �� �� n� as d'. •. r � � <JQ L• � �� PW On�Q i O ,��Q oo® �•onA ��yU�;v� d • w va���i � v a �A mac", � � uo E r , . , 00 ✓,�,� 4000� � � ` e®.off v �o �� • •� -e � o. u -�o p 490• 4A� sc. J �v .�sV 0� Aa!�l�Ai• d ,� V 3.7.1 Consistency of Existing Ordinances with the Current Land Use Plan Policies Cape Carteret's Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) includes the Town's Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision Ordinance, Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance, Sign Ordinance and Waterways Ordinance. The UDO was created in 2021 and included updates to bring the Town's ordinances into compliance with Chapter 160D of General Statutes and enable Special Use Permits. The ordinances are generally in compliance with the 2007 plan, but will need to undergo significant updates to ensure that they are meeting the goals and intention of this plan. 3.7.2 Adoption of the Current Implementation Measures Major implementation activities undertaken by Cape Carteret since the preparation of the 2007 CAMA plan include: • Building phases of the hike/bike trail • Creation and adoption of a Unified Development Ordinance in 2021 • Adoption of many individual Zoning Ordinance Amendments • Adoption of an updated Flood Damage Protection Ordinance in 2020 3.7.3 Effectiveness of the Current Policies The existing land use policies and regulations will need to be updated to ensure that the vision of this plan is met, including updating the Zoning Ordinance to create a new medium -density mixed -use district, increasing landscaping and parking lot standards to have more stringent stormwater standards, et cetera. 102 of pAPE C9 o m r _1 2OR -H C AaO�`�P CAMA and Comprehensive Plan CRC Certification Date 11-14-22 103 4. LAND USE PLAN MANAGEMENT 104 of pAPE C9 0 A o m r � y�gTH cAac���P m I 4.1 Introduction The following goals, objectives and implementing actions are the steps the Town can take to reach the stated vision. The first five (Public Access, Land Use Compatibility, Infrastructure Carrying Capacity, Natural Hazard Areas, and Water Quality are all required specifically by the Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA). The last three, Transportation, Housing, and Public Facilities, are not required by CAMA, but are important elements of comprehensive planning for the future. Comprehensive plans are required by G.S. 160D-501 (a) in order for a locality to enact zoning regulations. The Future Land Use map is required by CAMA, suggested by G.S. 160D, and is an important feature of any land use plan. It makes recommendations of what land use is appropriate in which areas and corresponds to Future Land Use categories which describe the desired character of future development. After the plan is adopted, the Official Zoning Map and the text of the Zoning Ordinance should be changed to reflect the Future Land Use Map; this is the primary tool for ensuring that future development is consistent and aligned with planning goals. 106 4.2 Public Access One of Cape Carteret's greatest assets is the relationship with Bogue Sound, including nine tributaries. Access to this asset is an important part of life in Cape Carteret and should be increased and properly maintained. MANAGEMENT GOAL: Maximize public access to the beaches and the public trust waters of the coastal region. PLANNING OBJECTIVES: Policies that address access needs and opportunities, with strategies to develop public access and provisions for all segments of the community, including persons with disabilities. Policies/Implementing Actions: 1. Maintain existing parks and public access points to the Sound. 2. Invest in maintenance of the landscaping across the entire Town including existing parks and water access. 3. Upgrade parks and public access where necessary to ensure that these amenities are accessible for all people, including those with disabilities. Action A. Equip Quailwood and Bahia Lane Parks and all areas throughout the Town with quality amenities including trash receptacles, seating, play equipment, or bathroom facilities. Action B. Assess the quality of pedestrian and bicycle connections to the town resident access waterfront by means besides automobiles. Action C. Create a new park in the neighborhoods surrounding the golf course. Action D. Create new public open space in the new Town Center. Expand opportunities to access the Croatan National Forest. CAMA and Comprehensive Plan CRC Certification Date 11-14-22 107 4.3 Land Use Compatibility MANAGEMENT GOAL: Ensure that development and use of resources or preservation of land balance protection of natural resources and fragile areas with economic development, avoids risks to public health, safety, and welfare. PLANNING OBJECTIVES: Policies that characterize future land use development patterns and establish mitigation criteria and concepts to minimize conflicts between varying goals. Policies/Implementing Actions: 1. Amend the Official Zoning Map to align with the Future Land Use Map. Action A. Amend the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) to incorporate these requirements into law, including but not limited to creating a new medium density mixed -use zoning district crafted to fit the Medium - Density Mixed -Use Future Land Use category. 2. Maintain existing density of the built environment in existing low-lying areas prone to flooding and storm surge, as depicted on the SLOSH and Flood Hazard Areas maps. 3. Direct new development to a dense new town center/main street area that is in an area of relatively high elevation and not prone to flooding or storm surges. 4. Create a sense of place and town identity by creating a walkable, mixed -use town center including public open space, Town offices, and a mix of residential, public institutional and commercial uses. 5. Increase density and commercial options for residents while limiting automobile -oriented "sprawl" development, such as but not limited to, suburban strip malls, large parking lots, drive through restaurants, or other individual retailers "surrounded" by parking. 6. Promote civic life and identity in the Town by ensuring there are quality public spaces throughout the new development. 7. Ensure that the mixed -use center attracts "Third Places" such as bars or coffee shops that can act as social hubs for the community. 8. Limit the development of highway -oriented and drive through businesses to Hwy 24 and 58. 9. Increase parking lot landscaping standards to include vegetative barriers, landscaping islands with enough room for mature trees. Require landscaping to be maintained and replanted as needed. 10.Reduce existing impervious surfaces and prevent the creation of new impervious surfaces where possible, including excessive parking. Encourage the creation of pervious paving where possible. "Ii of pAPE C9 2 9� o m r _1 2OR -N C AaO�`�P 11.Maintain rigorous screening standards, ensuring that: • There is a vegetated barrier between commercial uses and existing single- family neighborhoods (not to be implemented or expected in new mixed - use neighborhoods). • Storage, including self -storage, boat sales and storage, is well -screened and not visible from the street. • Ensure that screening standards allow for pedestrian or bicycle connections where necessary to facilitate easier access between neighborhoods. 12.Encourage the preservation of mature trees and limit site disturbance with development of various land uses. CAMA and Comprehensive Plan CRC Certification Date 11-14-22 109 4.4 Infrastructure Carrying Capacity MANAGEMENT GOAL: Ensure that public infrastructure systems are sized, located, and managed so the quality and productivity of AECs and other fragile areas are protected or restored. PLANNING OBJECTIVES: Policies that establish service criteria and ensure improvements minimize impacts to AECs and other fragile areas. Policies/Implementing Actions: 1. Invest in existing private wastewater treatment facility to prevent failure. 2. Seek grant funding for a regional wastewater treatment facility and allow for the expansion of treatment capacity. 3. In new residential developments, require community private packing plants, rather than new residential on septic. 4. Ensure that existing private residential septic systems in flood -prone areas are prepared for storm events. 5. Implement and continue a public education campaign regarding septic system best practices to teach residents tips to keep their septic fields from flooding, such as aiming downspouts away from septic fields and mounding soil to keep water from pooling. 6. Locate funding to provide funds for residents with limited resources to address their septic issues. 7. Invest in more nature -based stormwater infrastructure (creation and maintenance) on public and private property in order to make the Town more resilient to increased storm events. 110 of CAPE C9 o m r _1 2OR -H C AaO�`�P 4.5 Natural Hazard Areas MANAGEMENT GOAL: Conserve and maintain barrier dunes, beaches, floodplains and other coastal features for their natural storm protection functions and their natural resources giving recognition to public health, safety, and welfare issues. PLANNING OBJECTIVES: Policies that establish mitigation and adaptation concepts and criteria for development and redevelopment, including public facilities, and that minimize threats to life, property, and natural resources resulting from erosion, high winds, storm surge, flooding, or other natural hazards. Policies/Implementing Actions: 1. Require new development in flood prone areas to be designed to meet or exceed floodplain mitigation standards. 2. Ensure that existing residential uses in low-lying areas have properly functioning septic systems that are inspected and maintained or properly abandoned. 3. Ensure that new development does not occur in wetlands or other environmentally sensitive areas. 4. Implement Low -Impact Development policies for new development. CAMA and Comprehensive Plan CRC Certification Date 11-14-22 111 4.6 Water Quality MANAGEMENT GOAL: Maintain, protect, and where possible enhance water quality in all coastal wetlands, rivers, streams, and estuaries. PLANNING OBJECTIVES: Policies that establish strategies and practices to prevent or control nonpoint source pollution and maintain or improve water quality. Policies/Implementing Actions: 1. Maintain all stormwater on -site. Every property will have the infrastructure to ensure that each rain drop that falls on site can be absorbed into the ground on site. 2. Encourage the use of nature -based stormwater mitigation practices such as bioswales and rain gardens on both public and private property. 3. Prevent the creation of new infrastructure (public, private, residential, or commercial) that moves stormwater off -site. 4. Continue to create and maintain a system of natural ditches on public right-of- way that will collect and absorb runoff from streets and sidewalks. 5. Make clear who is responsible for mitigating runoff on each property. Maintain a publicly accessible map of flooding issues, the source of each issue, and whose responsibility each is. 6. Encourage natural bioswales and rain gardens on public and private property. 7. Explore the feasibility of Town -led large scale stormwater interventions that can act as public space amenities for the community. 8. Review and amend the Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance as needed. 112 �IJr 11 ( 1 I �✓ �� I I �I\I � / 4.7 Transportation GOAL: Achieve a complete multi -modal transportation system that safely satisfies users of all modes of transportation. PLANNING OBJECTIVES: Create a connected, mixed -use town center that is accessible from all areas of town via multiple modes of transportation. Increase opportunities for walking and biking through safe and comfortable infrastructure. Policies/Implementing Actions: 1. Complete the multi -use trail by seeking grant funds or other outside resources exclusive of the Town's general fund. 2. Create connectivity between Highway 58, Taylor Notion Road and WB McLean Drive. 3. Implement a roundabout or other traffic calming/life saving device at the intersection of Highway 58 and Taylor Notion Road. 4. Complete the construction of a pedestrian and bicycle bridge over Highway 58 from Cedar Point. 5. Reduce curb cuts on 24 and 58 to encourage smooth traffic flow and reduce danger to pedestrians and bicyclists. 6. Ensure centrally located and plentiful bicycle parking throughout the Town. 7. Connect trail system to neighboring localities. 8. Ensure that there are safe pedestrian crossings across Highway 24 so that residents can access the Cape Carteret Trail as well as commercial areas and community amenities. 9. Crosswalks should be highly visible and utilize all current best practices for safety and design. 114 k F , Y. 1. c ip� Y w ,y` 4.8 Housing GOAL: Ensure that there are sufficient housing options for residents at all stages of life and income levels. PLANNING OBJECTIVE: Increase housing options including multi -family units and options for seniors so that current residents can downsize and remain in Cape carteret, or young people can remain in town. Policies/Implementing Actions: 1. Amend the Official Zoning Map to align with the Future Land Use Map. 2. Create a new mixed -use zoning district sufficient to accommodate the vision for the mixed -use town center, including minimal setbacks and patio homes. 3. Increase the amount of multi -family condominiums and rental units available. 4. Ensure that new housing is integrated within the mixed -use area, rather than being isolated and surrounded by parking. 5. Retain existing single-family zoning districts as they are applied as of the writing of this plan. 6. Ensure that manufactured housing is permitted by -right in neighborhoods where it currently exists. 7. Promote aging in place development 8. promote access to high speed internet and communication networks to allow for telework and additional residential growth and teleworkers. 116 of pAPE C9 o m r _1 2ORTH C AaO�`�P 4.9 Community Facilities GOAL: Maintain consistent high -quality services and amenities for Town residents. PLANNING OBJECTIVE: Ensure that as the Town's population grows, so does the quality of services provided. Policies/Implementing Actions: 1. Support initiatives from adjoining municipalities to establish their own law enforcement agencies while continuing to support mutual aid agreements with established law enforcement agencies. 2. Move Town Hall and the Police Department to the new main street area, as appropriate. 3. Ensure that public facilities embody the goals of the comprehensive plan, providing generous public space amenities at their street -facing sides. 4. Equip parks with creative playscapes and seating elements, trash receptacles, and other amenities. Why move Town services IikE Headquarters to the new Mai staff will be able to maintain in case of emergency caused event. Town Hall and Police n Street area? So Town services and assistance by a severe weather A look at the SLOSH maps on page 65 or in Appendix E shows this is one of the only areas shows that the future Town Center will be only be affected by a Category 5 Hurricane. CAMA and Comprehensive Plan CRC Certification Date 11-14-22 117 4.10 Economic Development GOAL: Increase tax base and mix of uses in ways that enhance the quality of life for existing residents and cause no harm to the natural environment. PLANNING OBJECTIVE: Create a more self-sufficient and diverse local economy while protecting the environment as a means of economic benefit. Policies/Implementing Actions: 1. Capitalize on the Town's proximity to coastal waterways with investments that build shared value for the Town, such as a waterfront park. 2. Attract a diverse mix of uses, including "third places" such as coffee shops, restaurants, and bars, to the new main street development area. 3. Cluster new development so that it can benefit from close proximity and increase the potential of walking and bicycling trips. 4. Highlight and promote local businesses, ensure that new development features leasable space at a variety of square footages to accommodate new businesses of varying sizes. 5. Explore "pop-up" retail or food options in Town, such as at waterfront parks. 6. Create and promote local events such as markets or concerts to build civic life in Town. 7. Limit the following uses: adult entertainment, self -storage and other storage uses, moving and truck rental services, boat storage, laundromats, car repairs, salvage yards, dumpster storage yards, heavy equipment parking, heavy industrial uses, dry cleaners, boat repairs, equipment repair, pawn shops, tattoo/piercing parlors, homeless shelters, addiction rehab centers, metal buildings, and gravel parking lots. 118 of CAPE C9 o m r _1 2OR -N C AaO�`�P CAMA and Comprehensive Plan CRC Certification Date 11-14-22 119 5. FUTURE LAND USE AND CONCEPTUAL IDEAS 120 °� °APE C9 2 -k A ° m r -1 y0 qTH caa°���P R i Q . 1" r 4 '.�,- s !� �� i.'1�! _,t � fir ti!) i �"'M• i Ir. � F u��i i ;y,,.�.«.•-.r'�R`" 3 rf'106 h�J�.fE��ayt1�Cd i1 �.�.�d ,.. ,/�.w •�i fi (y. � I'� I �.1����.���L�6.�A.A, 5.1 Future Land Use Categories The Future Land Use categories listed below provide guidance for desired land use development in legislative considerations such as a rezoning or special use permit. The categories define suitable development patterns for all portions of the Town's corporate limits and are as follows: • Single -Family Residential - These areas are intended to remain as single- family residential structures (to include stick -built, modular, manufactured, and other types as permitted by building code). Many neighborhoods in this category are already existing. By maintaining the lower density residential areas south of Highway 24, there is less risk of flood damage. Additionally, residential areas in the northeast around the golf course preserve natural foliage. • Medium Density Mixed -Use - This category will accommodate varying land uses including including various types of residential uses, patio homes, retirement communities and hotels. It is located primarily between Taylor Notion Rd. and Highway 24 to allow for the development of a new pedestrian and bicyclist friendly "main street" away from the highway on higher ground, allowing for diverse housing choices, goods, and services for the community and to promote civic life in the Town. • Commercial - This category is located along Highway 24 and is reserved for active commercial uses in the Town, including restaurants, retail, offices, or other stores accessed mainly by automobile, with connectivity for pedestrians or bicyclists as well. • Institutional - This land use category preserves the "institutional" uses of the library, schools, and churches as places where community services are administered and the public can gather. Structures should be well connected by walking and bicycling as well as utilize their grounds for amenities to serve the community. • Public Open Space - This category includes Cape Carteret's parks, boat launches, and Hunting Island. Cape Carteret's public open space allows for recreational amenities as well as public access to the water. • Utilities - This category includes the electric substation off of Taylor Notion Rd. and other utility uses by parcel in the Town. These are expected to be preserved. • Vacant Marshland - This category encompasses the marshland within Cape Carteret's planning jurisdiction. This land is protected and should never be developed on. The marshland provides environmental benefits to the Town and local waterbodies. 122 of pAPE C9 2 9� o m r _1 2OR -N C AaO�`�P RE�RDRD RPRK G\RGtE g / •`� , /` , o 3 v� F9ay((OR/�F e�PU6USS NEORJE o0 � •_--�, `m,�C m 2 HIDDEN BPYD�E.� O F O COP , HICKORY HILLS ROAD � -000 C1RO�E ` • GOGUEN ROAD °Gp J E / / J hP �p Legend cmy ems y° ; �� Town of Cape Carteret Boundary Ile• �% eg Pao"` / Draft -Future Land Use Classifications HUNTE�ROWN DRIVE F GEM/ry L 5 0 of•• I Single -Family Residential �'X,ROAD PR PNDPKs°P ` g Medium Density Mixed -Use •. _ commercial - Institutional •.� �� - Public/Semi-Public Open Space • Utilities I Vacant Marshland -Not to be developed I / 9 ,� W6�O�PHOaNE OUAK Rury ' ZF YORiVF "� ■ rymFO . 3 rc w � ■ °<F BAYS\DEORNE • O 6 w s w � PARHAVENUE / g OGHPNNE° �y � , OOURT IBAYVIEW COURT 1 / OJp EDGEWgTER COURT a ¢ / DEERGREEK LOURS �rc / DRIVE , Q `DMPLINDP ° w DEER GREEF / / � 2 ■ ` KEAROFNE m / / BOUNOV\EW ORNE 1 / • 1 NN 0 1]535U ]00 ®Feet MAY 2021 m SUMMIT CAMA and Comprehensive Plan CRC Certification Date 11-14-22 123 The most important concept is to protect the Town from increased weather events and to limit development impacts on the natural environment. The most prevalent issue from weather events is flooding due to inadequate stormwater infrastructure. The most prevalent threats to the natural environment are: development in inappropriate areas; septic/wastewater failings/overflow; and non -point source pollution from runoff including fertilizer and pesticides and automobile effluent. Cape Carteret's attractive location by the water also makes it vulnerable to flooding and damage from storm events. By providing for innovative stormwater methods both on -site with development and through specified municipal projects, the community can begin to build its resilience by working with the environment. Examples of innovative stormwater methods include bioswales, rain gardens, green roofs, landscaping islands, and other designs that help trap and slow water, making the community a "sponge" rather than trying to keep water out by hard concrete engineering which can speed up the flow of water. Other methods include simply leaving existing mature vegetation or protecting wetland areas from encroachment. By investing in the Town's protection and requiring it with new development, the Town can ensure its protection for the future which will have increased storm events of greater intensity. For more information about environmental stormwater techniques the Town should implement, please see Appendix D: Green Stormwater Infrastructure. What policies will enact this big idea? • Stormwater-focused development standards • Stormwater projects at public facilities Emulating natural solutions for environmental stormwater protection is more sustainable economically in the long run, and healthier for water quality. • Communication and education with the public • Public, private, residential and commercial partners doing their parts 124 of CAPE C9 o m r _1 2OR -H C AaO�`�P i B � � yLi �, f y, 'V•st�J ' '�`t _ k W �� � y zc � '4 bF yl �r Cape Carteret's geographic position makes it an attractive place to live, but also puts it at danger of storm events. New development needs to be directed into a more dense and walkable pattern, particularly north of Highway 24 to mitigate potential hazards. Wastewater utility capacity can limit where new growth can be accommodated and provide for its service more efficiently. However, directing density does not mean the Town will lose its charm or character. Currently it is difficult to gather or move through Cape Carteret through means besides the automobile through a disjointed network of paths and trails. By moving the "main street" away from the highway and into a calmer area, there is a new possibility to create vibrant civic life in the Town as well as provide new services, restaurants, and retail with housing options for new residents. Without "directing" the density, low -density sprawl will cause traffic congestion, harm the environment, diminish aesthetics and sense of place, and make the community more difficult to walk or bicycle through. The Town has the opportunity, through its comprehensive plan, to lead, guide, and shape new development. 126 of CAPE C9 o m r _1 2OR -N C AaO�`�P 'FK'ROAO ,pIP�NE �NOSV � SPNSpN� 90J� i.. Q Legend � Town of Cape Carteret Boundary Density Type Future Medium Density Low Density a 4 \ ♦ � s •i rt Z / • � � 4 ♦r y I Z• I I i p AN 0 175350 700 1050 1400 ® Feet MAY 2021 L mSUMMIT CAMA and Comprehensive Plan CRC Certification Date 11-14-22 127 This big idea is to give Cape Carteret a new, walkable town center, or Main Street area, that will be the heart of Town as well as a regional draw. The area will feature public open space and a mix of uses including housing, retail, offices, and Town services. With a cohesive aesthetic and high quality design, the Main Street area will be a center that all Cape Carteret residents can be proud of. Currently, there is no road that makes a connection between NC 58, NC 24, and Taylor Notion Road. Golfin Dolphin and Enterprise both enter this commercial area from NC 24 but offer no connection to other areas of town. Of the approximately 300 acres in this triangle -shaped area, over 100 acres are undeveloped and could contribute to the creation of a town center. The connection between Enterprise Drive and Golfin' Dolphin Drive should be part of the first phase of this project. 128 While Cape Carteret has many assets that make it a great place to live, residents have repeated that they would like to have a stronger town identity including a "center of Town." For vibrant civic life it is important to create a space away from NC 24 where land uses are auto -centric and the speed of cars makes an unsafe and uncomfortable place for pedestrians. The new development should be a model for innovative stormwater solutions, feature attractive landscaping and shade trees. The new town center should emphasize pedestrian and bicycle safety and connectivity to the community. The proximity of different uses next to each other will encourage greater activity. The new town center will provide an economic, environmental, and social opportunity for the community to be more resilient to future challenges, and allow Cape Carteret to emerge as a regional node and distinct community of its own. Long-range Conceptual Plan CAMA and Comprehensive Plan CRC Certification Date 11-14-22 129 The design criteria for this area should include "human scale" details, such as signage and storefronts, pedestrian friendly streets through wide sidewalks and differentiated pavement, and people should have the priority right-of-way over cars in the area. Small and local businesses should be prioritized through leasable storefronts that have an affordable square footage size, "third place" businesses such as cafes, bars, or restaurants should be attracted to serve the community as a place to spend time outside of home or work, and there should be public open spaces where the community can sit or gather without necessarily purchasing anything. There should be landscaping that offers shade from the sun and green areas that are attractive. Good design can vary aesthetically, but generally shares the same people -friendly principles. Another key piece of ensuring this Town Center will develop is to consider that this is a large land area. If an area is to be successful from a walkability and economic standpoint, then it should be phased in clusters with each phase taking into account the needed elements listed above. Town services should be moved to the Main Street area, especially considering that this is one of the areas of highest elevation in town and in case of storm surges, it is important that Town staff is available to continue working and providing services to Town residents. Please refer to SLOSH maps on page 63 and in Appendix E. A� 1111 71 Photo courtesy of the Congress for a New Urbanism 130 What strategies will make the Town Center happen? 1. Create and apply new mixed -use zoning districts that have appropriate form -based elements and design guidelines. 2. Increase the wastewater system capacity. 3. Identify funding mechanisms to install infrastructure including roads, stormwater and wastewater. 4. Provide anchor uses and coordinate with property owners to attract business growth and development. 5. Work with citizens, local landowners, and developers, to plan and develop the project. in CAMA and Comprehensive Plan CRC Certification Date 11-14-22 131 AND PEDESTRIAN CONNErTIVITY Completing the multi -use trail is a key piece of connecting the Cape Carteret community by alternate means of transportation besides automobiles. The trail currently extends partially on the south side of Taylor Notion Rd. and turns around the corner to follow Highway 24 as a paved 9' wide asphalt surface, until becoming a mulch trail before picking up partially by the elementary school as a concrete path, and then continuing as an asphalt path into the northeast quadrant of Highway 58 and 24. There are two gaps in the network at the Starbucks and Marine Bank properties. A 12' asphalt path continues from the rear of the Starbucks property north along Highway 58 until the end of the Mac Daddy's property. The plan is for this path to continue down Highway 58, and connect to Taylor Notion Rd., then continue until connecting where it stops on Taylor Notion Rd. creating a continuous triangular path. Once this trail is in place, much of the Cape Carteret planning area will be have a multi -use path to navigate between residential and commercial areas of the community for recreation and transportation. The Town has expressed the intention to seek outside funding to help complete the trail. 132 Legend Town of Cape Carteret Boundary yr Existing Multi -use Path Al- Proposed Multi -Use Path VO, lip 0 'T % % ......... ♦ ♦ CAMA and Comprehensive Plan CRC Certification Date 11-14-22 A 0 100200 400 600 800 6J-F I Feet DECEMBER 2021 Wqtiffff 133 6. GOALS AND IMPLEMENTATION (Or Tools for Managing Development) 134 of pAPE C9 o m r � y0 gTH cARc���P A ' F ,� ►� s ,tom � � -��.:. �'� �� n � �✓ � f � r A� Nor r, ok x *I y � fw".1. ��.i'i kr� p' f:n.,,J <-rf.,'y� .t A•� {'V t�. fi-. -y,Y, - '�. .r� ,I'' '+$r�,r�¢�; w. yi7•�.. � -e,"4k'� 3 .- �� yJy�, .IL- ..- mot" ' r. '�.• .. 3}," A�•i' i - 6.1 Introduction This section of the Comprehensive Plan is organized in accordance with the requirements of Subchapter 7B .702(e) and outlines a description of tools that the Town of Cape Carteret can use for land management as well as actions and strategies that will be used to implement the plan. 6.2 Guide for Land Use Decision Making This Comprehensive Plan, as adopted by the Town of Cape Carteret and as amended from time to time, serves as the primary guide that land use policy decisions are made. Every decision will be measured for consistency with the goals, policies, and recommendations of this plan. The Board of Commissioners, Planning Board, Board of Zoning Adjustment, and Town Staff should utilize the plan as the basic policy guide in the administration of the zoning ordinance, subdivision regulations, Special Use Permits, and other land development regulatory tools. Persons involved in the land development industry as well as the general public should use this plan to gain insight into the Town's expectations and policies around land development. The Future Land Use map should be used as a tool for permitting or denying future development and a guide for rezonings to be consistent with the adopted plan. The plan also assists in decisions regarding the provision of municipal services, thoroughfare planning, stormwater planning and management, implementation of economic development strategies, recreational facility planning, and preparation of capital and operating budgets. However, the plan acts as a guide and a tool in decision making. The final decision rests with the elected officials. 6.3 Continuing Planning Projects The plan should be continuously referenced to ensure its full implementation, but also respond to any shifts or changing conditions that require consideration in the plan. Updates and modifications to the Comprehensive Plan can be made as needed. Particularly, the residents of Cape Carteret should be surveyed from time to time to give their input and feedback regarding services and development in the Town to maintain constant engagement. Engagement can build higher levels of trust and transparency in the community and make the decision making process more open. 136 of pAPE C9 2 9� o m r _1 2OR -N C AaO�`�P This section is organized in accordance with the requirements of Subchapter 7B .0702(e) of the Coastal Area Management Act, and outlines the steps the Town will take to implement the plan. Guide for Land Use Decision -Making: CAMA Language: "The plan shall describe the role of the plan policies, including the future land use map, in local decisions regarding land use and development. " The Comprehensive and CAMA Land Use Plan, as adopted by the Town of Cape Carteret, will serve as the primary guide for land use policy decisions. Every land use policy decision, such as a rezoning request or a Special Use Permit application, will be measured against the vision, goals, objectives and implementing actions outlined in this plan, and should not be approved if found to be inconsistent. The Board of Commissioners, Planning Board, Board of Zoning Adjustment, Town staff and other stakeholders should refer to this plan as a basic policy guide for all land use decisions. Persons involved in the land development business as well as the general public can also use the Plan to guide private decisions regarding land use and development. The Future Land Use map should be used as a tool for permitting or denying future development and a guide for rezonings to be consistent with the adopted plan. The policy statements and recommendations of the Comprehensive and CAMA Land Use Plan can also be of assistance to the elected officials in making long- range decisions regarding such matters as the provision of municipal services, thoroughfare planning, stormwater planning and management, implementation of economic development strategies, recreational facility planning, and preparation of capital and operating budgets. Upon adoption, this Plan will supersede the previous (2007) CAMA Plan. The Comprehensive and CAMA Land Use Plan is a decision -making guide and not a legally -binding document. Development Management Program: CAMA Language: "The plan shall describe the community's development management program, including local ordinances, codes, other plans and policies. " The Town has local policies and ordinances in place which guide development, and which should be amended to ensure that they are in line with the vision of this Plan. CAMA and Comprehensive Plan CRC Certification Date 11-14-22 137 The primary development regulation for Cape Carteret is the Town's Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), adopted in 2021. This UDO combines all development regulations into one cohesive document, including: • Zoning Ordinance • Subdivision Ordinance • Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance • Sign Ordinance • Waterways Ordinance The Town's land development management program is administered by the Town Manager acting as UDO Administrator and other staff as delegated by the Town Manager (see Chapter 6: Administrative Decisions). The Town's land development regulations are applicable to all land areas within the Cape Carteret planning and zoning jurisdiction. The Town Manager and the Town Clerk serve as staff support for the Cape Carteret Board of Commissioners, Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment. The Planning Board serves primarily in an advisory capacity, making recommendations to the to the Town Board of Commissioners on zoning and subdivision matters, as well as Special Use Permit applications. The UDO requires that the Planning Board make a statement to the Board of Commissioners regarding each Special Use Permit application's consistency with the adopted Comprehensive and CAMA Land Use Plan. The Zoning Board of Adjustment is responsible for hearing appeals of decisions of the UDO Administrator, zoning map and lot line interpretations, and variances. The detailed powers and duties of staff, the Board of Commissioners, the Planning Board, the Zoning Board of Adjustments, and Town staff in the execution of land development regulations are outlined in Chapter 7 of the Unified Development Ordinance. Action Plan and Implementation Schedule: CAMA Language: "The plan shall describe the actions that will be taken by the local government to implement policies that meet the CRC's management topic goals and objectives. It shall specify the fiscal year(s) in which each action is anticipated to start and finish. It shall describe the specific steps the local government plans to take to implement the policies, including the adoption and amendment of local ordinances, other plans, and special projects. The action plan shall be used to prepare the implementation and status report for the plan. " The Town has developed the following acti Land Use Plan. This section of the plan is land use planning requirements in Section Dn plan and schedule to implement the intended to comply specifically with CAMA 15A NCAC 07B.0702. For the full set of plan recommendations, please see page 104. 138 Date ofImplementation: CAMA Goal: Cape Carteret Strategy: Public Water Access Implementation Actions: Maintain existing parks and public access points to the Sound. Ongoing Upgrade parks and public access where necessary to ensure that these amenities are accessible for all people, including those with disabilities. Ongoing Invest in maintenance of the landscaping across the entire Town including existing parks and water access. Ongoing Equip Quailwood and Bahia Lane Parks and all areas throughout the Town with quality amenities including trash receptacles, seating, play equipment, or bathroom facilities. Assess the quality of pedestrian and bicycle connections to the town resident access waterfront by means besides automobiles. Ongoing Explore the implementation of a "sound walk" along the waterfront or other wooden sculptural or seating platform. TBD Create a new park in the neighborhoods surrounding the golf course. TBD Create new public open space in the new Town Center. FY22 and beyond Expand opportunities to access the Croatan National Forest. TBD Date ofImplementation: CAMA Goal: Cape Carteret Strategy: Land Use Compatibility Implementation Actions: Amend the Official Zoning Map to align with the Future Land Use Map. FY 22 Amend the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) to incorporate these requirements into law, including but not limited to creating a new medium density mixed -use zoning district crafted to fit the Medium -Density Mixed -Use Future Land Use category. FY 22 Maintain existing density of the built environment in existing low-lying areas prone to flooding and storm surge, as depicted on the SLOSH and Flood Hazard Areas maps. Ongoing Direct new development to a dense new town center/main street area that is in an area of relatively high elevation and not prone to flooding or storm surges. Ongoing Create a sense of place and town identity by creating a walkable, mixed -use town center including public open space, Town offices, and a mix of residential, public institutional and commercial uses. FY22 and beyond Increase density and commercial options for residents while limiting automobile -oriented "sprawl' development, such as but not limited to, suburban strip malls, large parking lots, drive through restaurants, or other individual retailers "surrounded" by parking. Ongoing Promote civic life and identity in the Town by ensuring there are quality public spaces throughout the new development. Ongoing Ensure that the mixed -use center attracts "Third Places" such as bars or coffee shops that can act as social hubs for the community. FY22 and beyond Limit the development of highway -oriented and drive through businesses to Hwy 24 and 58. FY22 and beyond Increase parking lot landscaping standards to include vegetative barriers, landscaping islands with enough room for mature trees. Require landscaping to be maintained and replanted as needed. FY 22 Reduce existing impervious surfaces and prevent the creation of new impervious surfaces where possible, including excessive parking. Encourage the creation of pervious paving where possible. Ongoing Maintain rigorous screening standards, ensuring that: There is a vegetated barrier between commercial uses and existing single-family neighborhoods (not to be implemented or expected in new mixed -use neighborhoods). Storage, including self -storage, boat sales and storage, is well -screened and not visible from the street. Ensure that screening standards allow for pedestrian or bicycle connections where necessary to facilitate easier access between neighborhoods FY 22 and beyond Encourage the preservation of mature trees and limit site disturbance with development of various land uses. Ongoing CAMA and Comprehensive Plan CRC Certification Date 11-14-22 139 Date of CAMA Goal: Cape Carteret Strategy: Implementation: Infrastructure Carrying Capacity Implementation Actions: Invest in existing private wastewater treatment facility to prevent failure. TBD Seek grant funding for a regional wastewater treatment facility and allow for the expansion of treatment capacity. TBD In new residential developments, require community private packing plants, rather than new residential on septic. As projects arise Ensure that existing private residential septic systems in flood -prone areas are prepared for storm events. As projects arise Implement public education campaign regarding septic best practices to teach residents tips to keep their septic fields from flooding, such as aiming downspouts away from septic fields and mounding soil to keep water from pooling. FY22 and beyond Locate funding to provide funds for residents with limited resources to address their septic issues. TBD Invest in more nature -based stormwater infrastructure (creation and maintenance) on public and private property in order to make the Town more resilient to increased storm events. FY22 and beyond Date of CAMA Goal: Cape Carteret Strategy: Implementation: Natural Hazard Areas Implementation Actions: Require new development in flood prone areas to be designed to meet or exceed floodplain mitigation standards. FY22 and beyond Ensure that existing residential uses in low-lying areas have properly functioning septic systems that are inspected and maintained or properly abandoned. FY22 and beyond Ensure that new development does not occur in wetlands. Ongoing Implement Low -Impact Development policies for new development. FY22 and beyond Date of CAMA Goal: Cape Carteret Strategy: Implementation: Water Quality Implementation Actions: Maintain all stormwater on -site. Every property will have the infrastructure to ensure that each rain drop that falls on site can be absorbed into the ground on site. FY22 and beyond Encourage the use of nature -based stormwater mitigation practices such as bioswales and rain gardens on both public and private property. FY22 and beyond Prevent the creation of new infrastructure (public, private, residential, or commercial) that moves stormwater off -site. FY22 and beyond Continue to create and maintain a system of natural ditches on public right-of-way that will collect and absorb runofffrom streets and sidewalks. Ongoing Make clear who is responsible for mitigating runoff on each property. Maintain a publicly accessible map of flooding issues, the source of each issue, and whose responsibility each is. FY22 and beyond Encourage natural bioswales and rain gardens on public and private property. FY22 and beyond Explore the feasibility of Town -led large scale stormwater interventions that can act as public space amenities for the community. TBD Review and amend the Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance as needed. Ongoing 140 of CAPE C9 o m r _1 2ORTH C AaO�`�P CAMA and Comprehensive Plan CRC Certification Date 11-14-22 141 APPENDIX A.0 MATRIX OF REQUIRED ELEMENTS 142 2 CAPE Cq9 F o m r � 2CRTH C AaC�`�P Matrix for Land Use Plan Elements —15A NCAC 7B .0702 Page Reference(s) Organization of the Plan • Matrix that shows the location of the required elements as set forth in this Rule Appendix A Community Concerns and Aspirations • Description of the dominant growth -related conditions that influence land use, development, water quality and other environmental concerns in the planning area 26 Description of the land use and development topics most important to the future of the planning area, including: • Public Access 26 • Land Use Compatibility 26 • Infrastructure Carrying Capacity 26 • Natural Hazard Areas 26 • Water Quality 26 Community Vision • Description of the general physical appearance and form that represents the local government's plan for the future. It shall include objectives to be achieved by the plan and identify changes that may be needed to achieve the planning vision. 33 Existing and Emerging Conditions Population, Housing and Economy Discussion of the following data and trends: • Permanent population growth trends using data from the two most decennial Censuses 38 • Current permanent and seasonal population estimates 38,39 • Key population characteristics including age and income 35,47 • Thirty-year projections of permanent and seasonal population in five-year increments 42 • Estimate of current housing stock, including permanent and seasonal units, tenure, and types of units (single-family, multifamily, and manufactured) 43,44 • Description of employment by major sectors and community economic activity 45, 46, 47 Natural Systems Description of natural features in the planning jurisdiction to include: • Areas of Environmental Concern (AECs) as set forth in Subchapter 15A NCAC 07H 50,52 • Soil characteristics, including limitations for septic tanks, erodibility, and other factors related to development 52, 53, 54 • Environmental Management Commission (EMC) water quality classifications and related use support designations 55,56 • Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) shellfish growing areas and water quality conditions 57 (72, 73) • Flood and other natural hazard areas 58, 59, 60, 61 • Storm surge areas 62,63 • Non -coastal wetlands, including forested wetlands, shrub -scrub wetlands and freshwater marshes 51, 64 • Water supply watersheds or wellhead protection areas 64 • Primary nursery areas 64 • Environmentally fragile areas, such as wetlands, natural heritage areas, areas containing endangered species, prime wildlife habitats, or maritime forests 66, 67, 68, 69 143 Natural Systems, contd. Page Reference(s) • Additional natural features or conditions identified by the local government 68 Environmental Conditions Discussion of environmental conditions within the planning jurisdiction to include an assessment of the following conditions and features: • Status and changes of surface water quality; including: Impaired streams from the most recent Division of Water Resources (DWR) Basin Planning Branch Reports 70,71 Clean Water Act 303 (d) List 71,72 Other comparable data - • Current situation and trends on permanent and temporary closures of shellfishing waters as determined by the Report of Sanitary Survey by the Shellfish Sanitation and Recreational Water Quality Section of the DMF 72,73 • Areas experiencing chronic wastewater treatment malfunctions 73,74 • Areas with water quality or public health problems related to non -point source pollution 73,74 • Areas subject to recurrent flooding, storm surges and high winds 74 • Areas experiencing significant shoreline erosion as evidenced by the presence of threatened structures or public facilities 74 • Environmentally fragile areas (as defined in Part (c)(2)(A)(ix) of this Rule) or areas where resources functions are impacted as a result of development 75 • Natural resource areas that are being impacted or lost as a result of incompatible development. These may include, but are not limited to the following: coastal wetlands, protected open space, and agricultural land. 75 Existing Land Use and Development MAP of existing land use patterns 77 • Description of the existing land use patterns 76, 79, 80, 81 • Estimates of the land area allocated to each land use category 79, 80, 81 • Characteristics of each land use category 79, 80, 81 MAP of historic, cultural, and scenic areas designated by a state or federal agency or by the local government N/A (See 81) • Descriptions of the historic, cultural and scenic areas 81 Community Facilities Evaluation of existing and planned capacity, location and adequacy of community facilities to include: MAP of existing and planned public and private water supply service areas 84 • Description of existing public and private water supply systems to include: Existing condition 83 Existing capacity 83 Documented overflows, bypasses or other problems that may degrade water quality or constitute a threat to public health as documented by the DWR 83 Future water supply needs based on population projections 83 MAP of existing and planned public and private wastewater service areas 86 • Description of existing public and private wastewater systems to include: Existing condition 85 Existing capacity 85 Documented overflows, bypasses or other problems that may degrade water quality or constitute a threat to public health as documented by the DWR 85 Future wastewater system needs based on population projections 85 MAP of existing and planned multimodal transportation systems and port and airport facilities 92, 132, 133 • Description of any highway segments deemed by the NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT) as having unacceptable service as documented in the most recent NCDOT Transportation and/or Thoroughfare Plan 91, 93, 94 144 Community Facilities, contd. Page Reference(s) • Description of highway facilities on the current thoroughfare plan or current 89, 91, 93, 94 transportation improvement plan • Description of the impact of existing transportation facilities on land use 93 patterns • Description of the existing public stormwater management system 87,88 • Identification of existing drainage problems and water quality issues related to 87, 88 (Point -source N/A) point -source discharges of stormwater runoff Policy Page Citation(s) Reference(s) Future Land Use Policies • Policies that exceed the use standards and permitting requirements found in N/A N/A Subchapter 7H, State Guidelines for Areas of Environmental Concern Policies that address the Coastal Resources Commission's (CRC's) management topics: Public Access Management Goal: Maximize public access to the beaches and the public trust waters of the coastal region. The planning objectives for public access are local government plan policies that: • Address access needs and opportunities 1 107 • Identify strategies to develop public access 2 107 • Address provisions for all segments of the community, including persons with 3 (Actions A-D) 107 disabilities • For oceanfront communities, establish access policies for beach areas targeted N/A N/A for nourishment Land Use Compatibility Management Goal: Ensure that development and use of resources or preservation of land balance protection of natural resources and fragile areas with economic development, and avoids risks to public health, safety, and welfare. The planning objectives for land use compatibility are local government plan policies that: 1, Action A, 2, 108 • Characterize future land use and development patterns 3 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 108,109 • Establish mitigation criteria and concepts to minimize conflicts 10, 11, 12 Infrastructure Carrying Capacity Management Goal: Ensure that public infrastructure systems are sized, located, and managed so the quality and productivity of AECs and other fragile areas are protected or restored. The planning objectives for infrastructure carrying capacity are local government plan policies that: • Establish service criteria 1, 2, 3 110 • Ensure improvements minimize impacts to AECs and other fragile areas 4, 5, 6, 7 110 Natural Hazard Areas Management Goal: Conserve and maintain barrier dunes, beaches, floodplains, and other coastal features for their natural storm protection functions and their natural resources giving recognition to public health, safety, and welfare issues. The planning objectives for natural hazard areas are local government plan policies that: • Establish mitigation and adaptation concepts and criteria for development and 1, 2, 3, 4 111 redevelopment, including public facilities • Minimize threats to life, property and natural resources resulting from erosion, 1, 2, 3, 4 111 high winds, storm surge, flooding, or other natural hazards Water Quality Management Goal: Maintain, protect and where possible enhance water quality in all coastal wetlands, rivers, streams, and estuaries. The planning objectives for water quality are local government plan policies that: 145 2 � pAPE Cq9 F o m r _1 20 RTHC&Vko P • Establish strategies and practices to prevent or control nonpoint source 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 112 pollution 7,8 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 112 • Establish strategies and practices to maintain or improve water quality 7,8 Future Land Use Map Page Reference(s) MAP of future land uses that depicts the policies for growth and development and the 123 desired future patterns of land use and development with consideration given to natural system constraints and infrastructure • Descriptions of land uses and development associated with the future land use 122 map designations Tools for Managing Development • Description of the role of plan policies, including the future land use map, in 136,137 local decisions regarding land use and development • Description of the community's development management program, including 136, 137, 138 local ordinances, codes, and other plans and policies Action Plan and Implementation Schedule • Description of actions that will be taken by the local government to implement 138, 139, 140 policies that meet the CRC's management topic goals and objectives, specifying fiscal year(s) in which each action is anticipated to start and finish • Identification of specific steps the local government plans to take to implement 138, 139, 140 the policies, including adoption and amendment of local ordinances, other plans, and special projects 146 147 APPENDIX B.0 VISION STATEMENTS of CAPE C9 o m r � 2ORTH C AaC�`�P I would like Cape Carteret to have more tax revenue producing businesses. I would like the area by Realo to be developed. It would be good for us to have a large professional building with offices of various different businesses helpful to the residents. I would like there to be a sewer system for the business area. I would like the towns around that do not have police forces to pay for our police services. Exchange in kind makes no sense when they do not have a police force to exchange. It would be nice if we had an Aldi's grocery store. A large department store. Lowe's Home improvement has been a big success and it was not welcomed by all citizen. I would like the businesses to remain in the business area and not intrude into the residential area. I have no children, but I see children playing in the streets with their skate boards, scooters etc. It would be good to have a convenient area for them to do their sports so they are not in danger playing in the street. Controlled development with small town feel. Limit big box stores. Preservation of natural areas and waterway, including limiting run off into sound and creeks. Preserve natural protection of waterways. My vision is that we maintain our small town coastal charm with safe, healthy, and clean environment. Find a way to promote small local businesses while avoiding box stores that will change the character of our town. Strive to provide educational, cultural, and recreational experiences for locals while making memorable moments for visitors vacation here for present and future generations. I would like to see the bike/walking trail completed. There are numerous sections done but they do not connect. In addition, I would like to see a road from Taylor/Notion to Lowes's Food Store opened up. This would help our elderly community get to the food and drug store. They would not have to drive on Hwy 24. In addition, I would like to see several parks near the water for the citizens of the town to utilize. We should capitalize more on our location (waterfront) . Just my opinion, I hate to see another gas station. We already have two in the town. If they go out of business, this lot sits empty for decades. Thank you for the opportunity to voice my opinion. A village atmosphere with ordinances that lead to common themes of design and color, for example: sign and building ordinances calling for common design features especially in the commercial sector, size and color that give a sense of continuity (in other words , avoid the Western Blvd helter-skelter atmosphere.) Preservation of trees as much as is safe. Shore line protection. Howdy! I would be happy to complete the citizen survey, but could not locate it. (Maybe I have already completed it?) Perhaps you could add a direct link to it on this form - where you ask if they have completed it :) Feel free to email me the link ; ) My Vision for Cape Carteret: A bit of a step -back in 'feel', of say 40-50+ years ago, where people not only reside, but can go outside of their home to walk, bike, hike, explore, and reach shopping areas -- without having to drive. A few places to meetup as well, a hang-out space to relax indoors and outdoors. For outdoors, Pavilions to have cookouts and gatherings, play frisbee, etc (like the Hubert By -Pass Park)... and at least a couple of businesses that cater to not only tourists wanting a quick coffee, but to the locals (uh, like Java Post, lol) who want to meetup. I'd love to see an indoor space with a relaxed atmosphere, whereas Starbucks (typically) has the 'get in -buy -get out' feel, with unnaturally small tables and a very loud atmosphere. Hopefully, the new Starbucks will have shade and outdoor tables for those who want to meetup/stay longer/bring pets, and enough space to sit indoors/outdoors) for those who just walked/biked in and want to 'sit a spell'. Bike lockups would be very helpful in the shopping areas to safely use our bikes. It would be quite helpful if a business (restaurant/lounge/cafe?) would also have meeting/ conference space that the locals could use year-round for business or personal gatherings -scheduled, of course. They could order drinks/meals if they want, but wouldn't have to (no quota - maybe a small fee to rent out for locals, but not exorbitant). To have the kind of gatherings I need for my business, I usually have to rent out a hotel conference room or restaurant back room (rare to find, now) in Jacksonville or elsewhere. I do realize that the community building at the library is available, but it cannot be used for income/business gatherings. Would also love a sit-down restaurant (could be the same one as the lounge/cafe, or a separate one) where it's easy to grab something quickly, or stay awhile. Panera has that type of feel. Main concept of my vision for Cape Carteret: Connection - naturally, with each other, basic needs (groceries, etc), easy meetup spaces, and easy connection with the outdoors (especially the water!). About the water, I have found a lack in the entire coastal area for places to simply park (or walk/ride a bike) to simply enjoy sitting at the water - with some shade available. (Ward's Shore Park in Swansboro is a good example of the concept). There is so much water, and that is a huge reason I moved here, but unless you live AT it, I have found it challenging to be able to simply enjoy it (without a watercraft)... I envision a community where being connected to these things is not only possible-- but safe and inviting, so we are naturally encouraged to be out and about and meeting up with our family, friends, and clients - within Cape Carteret itself. Imagine the high quality of life here! : ) And, more trees in parking lots/commercial areas for natural shade. I am super -excited to see that the trail around Hwy 24 and Taylor Notion may be completed in the near future! Yaay! : ) Another reason to be sure that the businesses have bike lockups and enough space for people casually dropping in to sit-down and enjoy their coffee/meal, etc, inside or outside. Lastly, I purchased a home in Star Hill North, and there is an access trail (to/in the Croatan Forest?) very near, but I haven't found any up-to- date info on it. I think this could be a great resource, but haven't driven down it very far -- concerned that I wouldn't be able to get back out if needed . Wondering if that was an access point to the water (and what access there would be to/at the water there), and if it was a maintained/safe trail to use. Seems like it could be a hidden treasure. Thank you for asking my input : ) "Cape Carteret - Connection, Naturally" I love the current wooded areas - that there are spaces of undeveloped areas in between houses and inbetween businesses & around places like the school, and that there's a Croatan trail right in my neighborhood. I have an idea for a business that would be a community activity area that I hope to start in Cape Carteret, or close by (land permitting) - (my personal vision for the area ;)). It could be neat to have a camping area in the forest. If there are issues with the quality of recycling, I think it would be helpful to provide feedback (something San Francisco did for their curbside pickup). When I researched it & even called WM, I found conflicting information. If I don't even know if my recycling is proper and I follow 4Ocean's emails & research a lot lol, then I bet that many others are encountering issues as well. xD Stability of population density, maintenance of overall environmental quality, preservation of natural areas and public access to public water bodies and conservation areas for residents. Rational limits to commercial developments that may have negative impacts to the values noted in the previous sentence. We would love to have an area for our town to gather and a central area to have tree lightings, local shops and a chick fil a. No hotels! It would be awesome to be able to get to know each other as neighbors better! Controlled development with small town feel. Limit big box stores. Preservation of natural areas and waterway, including limiting run off into sound and creeks. Preserve natural protection of waterways. a few more good restaurants like Denny's also Trader Joe's and Sams club I would like to see limited growth concentrating in high end specially shops and NOT a multitude of businesses existing strictly for the purposes of tax revenue. I truly would like to see Cape Carteret maintain its small town appeal and not overbuild whereas we would appear as Swansboro does today. Thank you for the opportunity to express my thoughts on this important topic. Our vision is that it remain a charming small town filled with single-family residences and basic services. I would love to see the town keep that small town appeal. Large lots and not over development. We need wetlands and an answer to the flooding. Parking lots with absorbent concrete not just runoff into our yards from the roads. Exceed the minimum of state and federal requirements. Be the example for development not the reason why new regulations are needed. We have a wonderful small town let's get the town the infrastructure it needs to keep people here and to keep them and their property safe. There is no reason that water runoff is destroying people's property every time it rains because of mismanagement and the lack of rainwater drainage. Let's actually be storm ready and be prepared instead of reactive to every little rainstorm. Road water is not supposed to be draining into residential yards. Create wetlands for these systems to drain into. Become the status quo for the region to look up to. Take care of your existing citizens storm water run off problems before asking us for more tax money for accesses, trails, etc. 24 hour restaurant like Denny's would offer food around the clock. I would like to open by saying I have solid faith in our town leaders and applaud your efforts to keep our town a safe, beautiful and accessible place to live. I'm sure my thoughts for some ways our town improve or grow are similar to yours and many of our residents. My wish is that we continue to create opportunity for improved quality of life for all residents. Plan growth strategically to increase revenue, preserve the health of our local waterways and improve our quality of life. I think we should take advantage of the potential to build revenue from tourism. We are in a prime location to draw folks to the area with the nature, activities, history and right here in our own backyard. Maybe we start with a small hotel like the one recently built next to the water park in Emerald Isle? Additionally, is it time to define areas for more commercial development such as small businesses - restaurants (no need for more fast food please) or retail? We've made great strides forward. The pedestrian path has had a good start. Let's work to make town commercial areas and public spaces more easily accessible for residents by finishing these bike, walking paths and trails. Thank you for looking at additional ways to access the water. The new kayak launch is a great addition. My hope is that the town will revisit a place for an additional residential boat launch and continue to make improvements to the existing launch. Is there opportunity for a larger park space or build on existing green spaces? Other thoughts ... Is there a short term or long term plan to bring etj area into full jurisdiction? How could that benefit us? Look for grant opportunities to improve failing septic systems for residents in an effort to minimize seepage into our waterways. Continue with best practices of storm water mitigation and flood prevention. Is there a way to search areas that may have historical artifacts that can help to tell our town story or pre town history? This could work to deepen our towns identity and historic footprint. Thank you Family friendly, safe town with events, parks, restaurants, a main street, water access and quality infrastructure to support growth. Hi - I have filled out the survey and added items to the interactive map. Over the last several years, I have requested that the ditches along my road be dug out. This is part of the routine maintenance the town should do to keep storm water from accumulating in my yard. I'd like to request this be done as soon as possible. The machinery to do this is already here and the whole thing would only take a few hours. My yard always floods and I keep asking for this to be done, but it has not yet been done. To develop a responsible attitude toward the land and citizens. Consideration for how continuing to cut into forests effect climate and wildlife. To keep a small town feel and yet not be selfish about sharing with other folks who wish to be a part of this area. No Mvrtle Beach tvoe crime or development APPENDIX C.0 SURVEY RESULTS SUMMARY 149 2 CAPE Cq9 F o m r � 2CRTH C AaC�`�P I I LVJ16 mrSa September 28, 2021 Better Water Quality SS ChA'ace rL-6 More Green LL sp Limit Large CaTsineybel Prfjeris NA DVYtUj: r - �m Me ML*j .. . . . -%� . Berter Preparation for Erv, i, u,jaiiental-Disas IV -.I: U I 'e F t,bJ L! Better Infrastructure More SidewalkBikP Better Comme uray aFeeth Weery Yard Waste P i ck E, r P�! Cie 5 L�!'j,j) "r.1 i I i Ij Vj I - Tjj- I t - - Balanced Business/ Residentid Blend Quaint Shopping Complex At Rt 24 & 58 Lu" mil'. Pe&ideunal 14ojen Nici i t: NahLral VM11siLlp T) ft�s Atmo Retain tl1(C'9rltV QualityAnienities a own, , . spfiere To Feel like a Cal-IRMUI-Aty FW;'I L Troilo e al _' a -acte Keep the Same Traditional American Values TownNo overcrowolng Retain Small To-mi C harni More Useful Businesses &iwa Lacal rivvpm:1111 i. 1 1 1 - I I , i Better Vehicle Tiraffi c kUM42aselDetTer Sm 3 F To tw naorrd Dog Friendly BEL L13L C ommercial Z,3FI,,,l,No PotholeSI-ower Taxes Ah I c, t Li bnd QL 6 Coope with Tv r i sol Better Tbwn'�°ntiesk6, - ineako H-,(-!11'R2-i1..:! Retail Diversity Keep the Wooded Areas A Pe 0 o A �'N CA]51" I] I The Town of Cape Carteret distributed a survey between May 2021 and September 2021 to solicit initial public input for the Coastal Area Management Act Plan update. There were a total of 223 responses, representing 9.3% of Cape Carteret's 2,403 residents. The following pages summarize the 12 question resident survey regarding demographics, conditions, and thoughts on different topics. Relationship to the Town Of the total survey respondents, 77% reside within the Town Limits, 45% tend to visit or shop within Cape Carteret, 38% own property within the Town, and the remainder are part time residents or simply work within the Town. Why Cape Carteret? Out of full time residents in the Town's reason for living in Cape Carteret, the majority (30%) indicated that they retired here and 28% stated that they moved for employment within the Town or its environs. Only 5% identified themselves as either born and raised here and the remaining 37% lived in the Town for reasons that were not mentioned. LIVE, WORK, SHOP OR OWN PROPERTY IN CAPE CARTERET I own property in None of the above, Tana rnrtarat 0.5% I work in Cape Cart I live in Cape Carteret Figure 1: Live, Work, Visit, Shop Residents were asked how long they have lived in Town. 32% have only been a resident for less than 5 years. 23% have lived in the Town for 5 to 10 years, 25.9% have lived between 10 to 20 years, and 18.9% have lived in the Town for over 20 years. Age The largest majority (29.7%) of respondents fell into the 65 and older range. The second largest percentage were 55-64 year olds with 22.5%. The remaining respondents were divided between 45-54 years old with 21.6%, 16.2% 35-44 years old, 8.1% being in the 25-34 year old bracket and the remaining 1.9% at 25 and under. Of those who answered the survey almost 60% of the residents did not live in a home with children, while the other 40% did. 65+, 29.7% 55-64, 22.5% 18-24, 1.4% 35-44, 16.2% L45-54, 21.6% 2 Satisfaction The next set of questions asked the satisfaction level of the respondents with the Town.This included what the respondents thought were the best aspects, as well as what could be improved upon. Close proximity to the water was the top response and the general quality of life and "small town character" were the next two highest ranking. (Figure 3) Key words and phrases about items that residents felt should be improved within the Town are displayed in the word cloud to the left. There were a total of 172 results for this question out of 223 total responses. The topics are sized and colored according to how many times the answer was repeated. Community activities . Residential character Small town character Proximity to the water Quality of schools Quality of life Other (please specify) 0.0% 5.0% 10.0% 15.0% 20.0% 25.0% 30.0% Figure 3: Best Aspect of Cape Carteret Need Sewer Service Some of the top responses Less CommercializationBe Pva�P�„nG �,...��"'� include, Less Traffic, Better Drainage, More Trees/ Traffic cameras AeSthetiCS-'r.. Development &c[crn�¢nr�s�—r•� kA c—Pke- &[nxm R�ci-0 Less Flooding Sharing ,1!�ral Lk —my More Chalking Trils Le Growth Less' Traffit lal Better Traffic Management�e� Less Rental Properc es V1TaIkabd it of Tour°n`'' Parks, More/Better Local Businesses, Less Commercialization and the Aesthetics of the Town. (Figure 4) Environmental Concerns The survey also asked what the residents felt y c—lka were the environmental conditions that primarily Kee M�vc Small Town Feel Le--sPeople pmaaffected their property or life in general while Trees�Ce living in Cape Carteret. Of the 161 responses, 50% More Retail Opportunities stated that the increased intensity of storms adversely Less Truck Traffic impacted their lives and/or property. The other top Parking Amenigesfor lZmdeits responses included general flooding, septic issues, and sum °"` ""` erosion of the land. �Le'ss"'Noise Less Speeding Rnv-Rynp Fmennhc[u.an� Less Pavet More Local/Small Businesses Less Roadway Trash More Canmunity Activities EldexlP�Suucr Hwsmg Figure 4: What should be different with the Town Survey Summary 3 Quality of Life The next set of questions covered life in the Town, ranging in scope from the character to the type of development that should be pursued over the next 20 years. A majority responded that improvements to infrastructure, amenities, keeping a small town atmosphere and more useful businesses were important for the future. The word cloud below depicts the way the that respondents indicated their interest on a variety of topics. Better Waiver {duality More Green'"space Limit Large Cam merdel Prnjer:; _ �;, o.is�«���r�.: f ('fH}]aI�'7t1111i n'll'OI7ilit111. Mona Si�.fe.h:, l,s B etter Infrastructure Bike PathBetter Community Feel Weekly Yard Waste Pickup Pct1,'. I Pcticatri•W c1.,1111ccuv11) Balanced Business/Residential Blend Quaige nt Shopping Complex At Rt 24 &„5�Sw�lk�� letu Retain Integrity i2u�lty Aural Wa = Small T6w'n Atm?erS here To Feel like a Community Boa LTl.iili,. l,7 ti1B4 N0tLill 1il lleta111 (s(1:iTJL�Same Traditional American Values TownNo vercrowdBusinesses a— Retain Small Town �'arm "`° `° 01 "„o 16 55"5 Better Vehicle Traffic To be rnore Dog Ff--kill; ■ ■ PotholeS, 'over Taxes Barnrr C mmardal Zoning 111 _ LLo Ahlc to Cope with Tnurisin Better Tawn°A"ffienitie Detail Diversity Keep the Wooded Areas It was also asked what the character of the incoming developments should be. 35.5% stated that they would like something other than the listed areas. 27.6% of respondents showed interest in development of a mixed -use Figure 5: Opinion of 20 year plans WHAT SHOULD THE CHARACTER OF THAT DEVELOPMENT BE? Highway -oriented to bring in ■ visitors and residents from neighboring localities Residential development removed from NC 58 and NC 24 Two- and three-story buildings to add density character not fronting the highways. Mixed -use development, not There were very few responses fronting NC 58 or NC 24 suggesting that the character of development should add two or three Other (please specify) story buildings for density. Figure 6: Character of Development El 2 °APE C,q9 F S� p ° m y°RrH cAa°�`�P Priorities and Comments The final survey question was open-ended and asked what the respondents wanted to share with the planning team regarding the update to the CAMA Plan. As you can see below, there were many responses. The topics mentioned ranged from infrastructure, commercial development, stormwater management, population growth, and parks and recreation. The graphic below brings together those various comments. These will inform the planning process and help create the vision, goals, objectives, and strategies. Better Drainage Address Noise an Light Pollution Consider Negative Effect on Coastal Area Overpass/ Roo dAnl eded 1 8 pra4 Meflt Provide Roc.�yFling EvOnts Keep FarrsilylVacation Atmosphere h1stR11 Speod Burnps; Cameras on 24 Local Culture becoming less Local Continue to get input from cit""e Impacts on Water uality Lari(%r; 4lp im rear' 1V '� R P��rd Licari Provide Frequent Yard Waste Pickup Wp{'jierc ifftTmrw owl RP tu�rrkr1_1 aJlibiflis? aboulBe8dty ofT4+v.,Decrease in PoI"1C" uIation Don L71 Needed Manage GrowthLimit Sprawl Nq CnimmroiAl Bu6ne&ms in Residenliai Areas Provide 0pporlumties for Environmental Community Service. Focus on Grants to Complete Ped/Bike trails Marc Crosswalks Liitut Number of RV parks C+JIi'r'iL-' I(. 2i��"W3:kiLl l IaiI Park Concentrate -Dn Re air[Mainteriance of urrent items Dog Keep Small Town Charm Feel i=inishi g Path wouLd Increase Traff4- w Local Cu_i.rts s oiiven 1 t ❑ I a for KId 4o ❑ ICE Pothole repairs Necessary nDredgePtifop, Creek More Shoppingopportunitieslhu- ue�u >c��n p+ mmA-.% Iwe Residents' Use of $oaL Rarnps should be Free .address ieafiic Issues CC] 4 towards Island Infrastructure lrnproveinernts Needed Fix the Roads Moi a Pub];c Access to Waterfi ont Areas Gaver riient too 1nVolved Crnisidar Naha EflFess or Urban 1)P%m1opT1nM More CGmmunicaCon Bev eeai Town and Residents FoliceArk dRkrrWmice$weyoodI)-* Torri' w1wwo'"K'Miliniiiweg0A'*B?6-FF'k Limit Commercial Dcvelopmentl ong stion Increase Police Presence an Traffic Issues Mandate a Unifying Design Standard Limit Growth Survey Summary 5 APPENDIX D0 . GREEN STORMWATER INFRASTRUCTURE The following document was created to illustrate ways in which Cape Carteret can use nature -based solutions to stormwater management techniques to not only preserve life and property but to increase aesthetic appeal and create wildlife habitats. 150 _ CAPE cq9 F s' A O m F -1 y0 gTH cAa����P GREEN STORMWATER INFRASTRUCTURE fi DESCRIPTION Coastal flooding can result from a variety of causes. King tides, hurricanes, high water tables, and heavy rains are just a few of the factors that lead to soggy yards and water on roads. Living in these conditions can be a challenge, but there are some strategies that can mitigate these hazards. Green stormwater infrastructure, also referred to as `Nature -Based Solutions (NBS)', `Best Management Practices (BMP)', and `Low Impact Development (LID)', intends to mimic hydrological processes that existed pre -development. Impermeable surfaces such as roofs, asphalt roads, and concrete sidewalks have replaced the natural flood alleviation measures that previously existed such as wetlands, forests, and prairies. By thoughtfully designing new construction and retrofitting existing sites where appropriate, green stormwater infrastructure solutions create a decentralized network of locations where runoff from storms can be captured and treated. These solutions have proven to improve water quality of local surface waters, mitigate flooding from storms, and demonstrate more cost effectiveness than traditional stormwater management practices which include curbs, drains, and pipes. Rather than allowing rainwater to wash off roads and driveways into the nearest storm drain and enter the nearest creek, interventions such as rain gardens, bioswales, and permeable pavers slow the runoff and give it a chance to infiltrate the ground where it can be filtered and treated. J/ BENEFITS INCREASED PROPERTY FLOODING MITIGATION WATER QUALITY POLLINATOR HABITAT AIR QUALITY VALUE IMPROVEMENT IMPROVEMENT // EXAMPLES ;I O CAPTURE STORMWATER CLOSE TO WHERE IT FALLS i PREVENT EROSION BY SLOWING RUNOFF O FILTER CONTAMINANTS FROM THE STORMWATER 7RESHWATER PONDS & WETLANDS These ecosystems act as sponges + during rain events and provide biodiversity IMPERMEABLE! M C1 �•: 1200ft2 of impermeable surface generates 748llons of runoff for 1"of rainfall � DOWNSPOUT DISCONNECT Directing roof runoff into vegetation such as a lawn, planting bed, or rain garden is an excellent way to capture and treat it ^ `r RAIN BARRELS r z These can serve to capture runoff and potentially be used for irrigation MARITIME FOREST Mature forests generate very little runoff; rainfall is absorbed and vegetation allows transpiration �ys1. EXCESS NUTRIENT RUNOFF Runoff that carries bacteria from pet waste and nutrients from excess fertilizer causes damage to aquatic ecosystems TIDAL CREEKS & WETLANDS These fish and shellfish nurseries provide flood & erosion control while cleaning the water and allowing for recreation opportunities GREY INFRASTRUCTURE Traditional pipe to surface water drainage creates a highway for intaminants to enter waterways; hea storms can lead to high velocities of water which creates erosion AUTO CONTAMINANTS Heavy metals and oil from cars enter the waterways via stormdrains and culverts INCREASED TREES & SHRUBS More trees, shrubs, and other vegetation increases transpiration rates PERMEABLE PAVERS This alternative paving option has many varieties and allows for -70% infiltration RAIN GARDENS BIOSWALE�� About 10% the size of the home, these depressed gardens Similar to a linear rain garden, these temporarily capture runoff and filter vegetated depressions run along roads contaminants via the plants and capture runoff from cars fi STRATEGIES FOR IMPLEMENTATION Green stormwater infrastructure design solutions are non-traditional and often need an explanation. The best implementation strategies are multi -faceted and community -led efforts which retrofit existing sites and prioritize these techniques for new developments. ETROFITTING EXISTING SITES r Q START A WEBPAGE Create a webpage where homeowners, builders, and other stakeholders can find resources regarding flooding, water quality, and what kind of green infrastructure solution best meets their needs. `EXAMPLES V Q GTON City of Wilmington `Heal Our Waterways' Website ®^NAG5 HEAD Town of Nags Head ,� a Stormwater Management ENVISIONING THE CHANGE IM CREATE DISTRIBUTION MATERIALS Develop and distribute materials for homeowners to help inform about the impacts of runoff and the next steps they can take in order to capture and treat water that falls on their property. EXAMPLES .. NC Cooperative Extension Rain Garden Manual North Carolina NC Coastal Federation flo� Coastal Federation rr m.o r— Stormwater Strategies Fact Sheets Simple design solutions can make all the difference between a site that generates runoff and a site that captures and treats runoff. Some of the easiest retrofits are raingardens; they are a beautiful way to mitigate flooding and prevent contaminants such as bacteria from pet waste and fertilizer from lawns from entering the waterways. Wo - - SET UP A PILOT SITE Establish a pilot site at a residence using smaller scale green stormwater infrastructure options. Monitor this location to educate residents about maintenance needs and showcase the benefits. EXAMPLES E 4PciTrolcHaRLoTre Charlotte -Mecklenburg - Pilot Stormwater Control Measures Program NATIVE PLANTS Native plants are recommended for stormwater treatment; they provide habitat for native pollinators and their adaptability means they require less maintenance and care. Check out some of the showy native species below. BEAUTYBERRY Callicarpa americana MUHLY GRASS Muhlenbergia capillaris BLACK EYED SUSAN Rudbeckia fulgida BIG BLUESTEM Andropogongerardii `PLANNING FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT ff BUFFER ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES Allot buffers that protect wetlands and other ecological assets; doing so can reduce the impact of future development. This strategy also allows residents to continue to benefit from the ecosystem services provided by these sites such as flooding mitigation, water quality improvement, and biodiversity. RECOMMENDED AQUATIC HABITAT BUFFERS HABITAT EXAMPLE RECOMMENDATION Marine Tidal wetlands, 200' from mudflats high tide Estuarine Bays, marshes 100' from high tide Riverine Streams, rivers Tidal & Perennial - 100' Intermittent - 50' Lacustrine Lakes, ponds >50 acres - 100' <50 acres - 50' Pacustrine non -tidal wetlands, 100' vernal pools sustainablesites.org PROMOTE GSI IN NEW CONSTRUCTION Require that future developments capture and treat stormwater on site. Green stormwater infrastructure techniques such as bioswales, cisterns, and constructed wetlands can help to ensure that existing flooding conditions won't be exasperated by increased impervious surface. Sierra Nevada Brewing in Mills River, NC is a great example of green stormwater infrastructure practices. // RESOURCES AND REFERENCES aeB ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY Hold community engagement events during the planning process for new development. Green stormwater infrastructure solutions are impactful, but only if community members see the benefits and advocate for their implementation. NC Coastal Federation - Low Impact Development for the North Carolina Coast NC Coastal Federation - Nature -based Stormwater Stratevies to Reduce FloodinLy and Imurove Water Oualit NC Coastal Federation - Smart Yards DIY Solutions to Reduce Stormwater Pollution NC Department of Environmental Quality - Riparian Buffer Protection Program NC Department of Environmental Quality - Stormwater NC Department of Environmental Quality - Stormwater LID and Storm EZ NC Department of Encironmental Quality - Coastal Adaptation & Resiliency NC Department of Encironmental Oualitv - Climate Risk Assessment & Resilience Plan Low Impact Development Center US Environmental Protection Agency - Green Infrastructure FEMA - Building Community Resilience with Nature -Based Solutions Green Values - Stormwater Management Calculator APPENDIX E.0 SLOSH MAPS SLOSH refers to Sea, Lake and Overland Surges from Hurricanes. This map depicts the storm surge areas affected by a Category 1 through 5 Hurricane. For a more detailed description please refer to page 64. CAMA and Comprehensive Plan CRC Certification Date 11-14-22 151 Legend r=Town of Cape Carteret Boundary NOAA SLOSH Mapping Storm Surge (feet above ground) - Up to 3 feet above ground Greater than 3 feet above ground - Greater than 6 feet above ground - Greater than 9 feet above ground 0 turce: National Oceanic and Atmo- heric Administration(NOAA)/Nation- Hurricane Center(NHC) N A 0 175350 700 1,050 1,400 ® Feat MAY 2021 SUMMIT 152 Ii ' NN 0 175350 700 1,050 1,400 ®FW MAY 2021 L ®SUBMIT i Legend r=Town of Cape Carteret Boundary NOAA SLOSH Mapping Storm Surge (feet above ground) - Up to 3 feet above ground Greater than 3 feet above ground - Greater than 6 feet above ground - Greater than 9 feet above ground 71 rarce: National Oceanic and Atmo- heric Administration(NOAA)/Nation- Hurricane Center(NHC) � O ■ r O ■ . 1O 00 1 L ■ o ■ 1 y � ■ Plan CRC Certification Date 11-14-22 • N A 0 175350 700 1,050 1,400 ® Feat MAY 2021 SUMMIT Legend r=Town of Cape Carteret Boundary NOAA SLOSH Mapping Storm Surge (feet above ground) - Up to 3 feet above ground Greater than 3 feet above ground Greater than 6 feet above ground - Greater than 9 feet above ground turce: National Oceanic and Atmo- heric Administration(NOAA)/Nation- Hurricane Center(NHC) � O 1 i b 1 ■ is • 1 U — 1 ■ 154 Legend —Town of Cape Carteret Boundary NOAA SLOSH Mapping Storm Surge (feet above ground) - Up to 3 feet above ground Greater than 3 feet above ground Greater than 6 feet above ground - Greater than 9 feet above ground lurce: National Oceanic and Atmo- heric Administration(NOAA)/Nati Hurricane Center(NHC) aoINV Fr Q • 9 Q 3 1 a` a • ■ • I ■ 0 173330 700 7,050 1,400 1 ®Feet C • MAY 2021 J�`_\ _���.•i ®wPt41T ��J � and Com-Drehensive Plan CRC Certification Date 11-14-22 400000o Q ���\ O \/ r Legend v !� r=Town of Cape Carteret Boundary NOAA SLOSH Mapping L. Storm Surge (feet above ground) - Up to 3 feet above ground Greater than 3 feet above ground - Greater than 6 feet above ground Greater than 9 feet above ground I O NEr :7 Po o 0 turce: National Oceanic and Atmo- heric Administration(NOAA)/Nati Hurricane Center(NHC) 0 175350 700 1,050 1,400 Soma Fea p MAY 2021 SUMMIT 156 APPENDIX F.0 MAIN STREET/TOWN CENTER CONCEPT At the request of the Town, the following document was created to illustrate the concept of a medium -density mixed -use Town Center centered around a new "Main Street." The images are purely conceptual in nature and are to be used for discussion purposes only. Any and all designs are subject to change. 157 of CAPE C9 o m r _1 2ORTH C AaC�`�P OVERVIEW This document explores a preliminary concept for developing a mixed -use Town Center in Cape Carteret. 11 is meant to be used for discussion purposes only and does not constitute any agreement on the part of the Town or any property owner. Any and all aspects of this concept are subject to change. SUMMISERT Cottages, Bungalows, and Patio Homes Town Center Conceptual Plan — Cape Carteret, NC SUMMIT Cottages, Bungalows, and Patio Homes DESIGN AND ENGINEERING SERVICES Town Center Conceptual Plan — Cape Carteret, NC 2 USUMMIT Town Center Mixed Use DESIGN AND ENGINEERING SERVICES Town Center Conceptual Plan — Cape Carteret, NC e •� cf�13',i qa ro. N- L w m 01 v `I ti7 I J — Y Ii 4'; f F 1P