19950786 Ver 1_Land Use Impact Report_19950728

BRUNSWICK COUNTY
REPLACEMENT OF BRIDGE NO. 198 ON SR 1172
OVER ATLANTIC INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY
AT SUNSET BEACH, NORTH CAROLINA
FEDERAL AID PROJECT NO. BRS-1813(1)
STATE PROJECT N0.8.2230101
TIP NO. B-682
LAND USE IMPACT
REPORT
Prepared For.
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PLANNING & ENVIRONMENTAL BRANCH
NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
June 1995

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~' S 7 g (p Final Report
SUNSET BEACH BRIDGE REPLACEMENT:
LAND USE IMPACT REPORT
Prepared for:
GREINER, INC .
Prepared by:
HAYES & ASSOCIATES
June 7, 1995
Copyright ®1995 Greiner, Inc.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY iii
I. AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT OF SUNSET BEACH BRIDGE REPLACEMENT 1
A. TOWN OF SUNSET BEACH POPULATION CHARACTERISTICS 1
1. Historical and Regional Background 1
2. Year-Round Population Estimates 4
3. Seasonal Residential Population Estimates 5
4. Day Visitor Population Estimates 6
5. August 1933 Population Estimate Summary 8
6. Socio-Economic Population Characteristics 9
B. TOWN OF SUNSET BEACH ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS 10
C. EXISTING LAND USE 11
1. Residential Land Uses 12
2. Commercial Land Uses 13
3. Governmental/Institutional Land Uses 13
4. Recreational Land Uses 14
5. Existing Land Use Summary 14
D . LAND USE PLANNING 15
1. 1992 LAMA Land Use Plan Up to 15
a. Areas of Environmental Concern 15
b. Land Classification 15
c. Policy Statements Regarding Growth and 16
Bridge Improvement
2. Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map 17
3. Subdivision Regulations 19
4. Provision of Utilities 20
II. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES ON LAND USE 21
A . INTRODUCTION 21
B. CARRYING CAPACITY ANALYSIS 21
1. Town of Sunset Beach Island 21
2. Town of Sunset Beach Mainland 22
3. Town of Sunset Beach Extraterritorial Area 24
4. Summary 25
C. POPULATION PROJECTIONS 25
D. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES ON LAND USE 28
APPENDIX: SURVEY OF BEACH DAY-VISITORS AT OCEAN ISLE AND
SUNSET BEACH, 1994
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LIST OF TABLES
1.1: Year-Round Population for the Town of Sunset Beach
and Brunswick County, 1970 - 1980
1.2: Town of Sunset Beach Annexations, 1963-Nov. 1993
1.3: Sunset Beach Building Permits, 1981 - 1992
1.4: Location of New Building Permits Issued by the Town of
Sunset Beach, January 1992 - August 1993
' 1.5: Year-Round Population Estimates for the Town of
Sunset Beach, August 1993
1.6: North Carolina Office of State Planning Population
' Estimates for the Town of Sunset Beach, 1990-1993
1.7: Seasonal Population Estimates for the Town of
' Sunset Beach, August 1993
1.8: Monthly Golf Players at Championship Golf Courses

' in Sunset Beach, June 1990 - May 1993
1.9: Sunset Beach Area Population Summar 1993
Y
' 1.10: Accommodation Tax Collections for the Town of
Sunset Beach, Jan. 1989 - June 1993
1.11: Sunset Beach Assessed Valuations, 1981-1992
1.12. Land Acreage for Town of Sunset Beach
' 1.13: Housing Units by Type, 1993
__ 2.1: Housing and Population Capacity for the Island of
' Sunset Beach
2.2: Housing and Population Capacity for the Mainland of
' Sunset Beach
2.3: Population for the Extraterritorial Area of the Town
of Sunset Beach
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4
.
: Summary of Housing and Population Capacity for the
Planning Area of the Town of Sunset Beach
' 2.5: Projected Year-Round and Seasonal Population for the
_ Sunset Beach Planning Area, 1998, 2003, 2008, and 2013
' MAPS
Attached: Existing Land Use of the Town of Sunset Beach,
' August 1993
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' BX$CUTIV$ SUNIlHARY
' This study evaluates the impact on land use and population for
the proposed bridge replacement project in Sunset Beach, North
Carolina. The analysis includes discussion of the current population
and land use characteristics along with the Town's policies and
ordinances concerning land use. Future land use and population
projections of the Sunset Beach Planning Area are forecast after the
"Carrying Capacity" of the Town's planning area is examined; that is
to say, given the current town limits, zoning, land characteristics,
and rate of development, how much additional development can be
accommodated within Sunset Beach? The probable impact of the proposed
bridge replacements on the Town's "Carrying Capacity" and future land
use and population is then examined.
The following is a brief summary of the results of this analysis:
* A
UGUST 1993 POPULATION ESTIMATES FOR THE TOWN OF SUNSET
BEACH. Based on August 1993 housing counts, it is
estimated that there are 515 year-round residents
within the Town of Sunset Beach of which 269 live on
the island and 246 live on the mainland. There are an
' additional 428 year-round residents in the
extraterritorial area of the T
i
own. Dur
ng the peak
summer season, the island residential population swells
to 7,485 occupants and 4,528 beach day visitors.
Within the town limits on the mainland, the peak summer
residential population rises to 2,018 and the number of
daily golfers averages 497. The total 1993 peak summer
population including residents, beach visitors, and
' golfers is estimated to be 14,528 for the town limits
and 18,004 for the entire Planning Area of the Town.
' * 1993 EXISTING LAND USE SUMMARY. Within the Town's
corporate limits are approximately 2,147 acres of land,
__ water, wetlands, and marshes with an additional 2,855
' acres in the extra-territorial area. Land uses in
Sunset Beach are typical of a beach and golfing resort
community. Nearly all the developable land on the
' island and mainland has been subdivided into building
lots
mostl
for
i
l
,
y
s
ng
e-family structures.
Approximately 60 percent of the island and mainland has

' been developed. Most of the vacant land which will be
developed over the next 20
ear
i
i
y
s
s
n the mainland
extra-territorial area around two golf-course
developments.
' * LAND USE
PLANNING. The 1993 Town of Sunse Beach LAMA
_ Land Use Plan Up~~ supports improved bridge access to
' the island. Zoning and subdivision ordinances are used
by the Town of Sunset B
h
eac
to manage its growth. The
Town has enacted a 35 foot building height requirement
on the island which can only be changed by a public
' referendum.
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* CARRYING CAPACITY FOR THE PLANNING AREA OF SUNSET
BEACH. Given the current corporate limits, zoning, land
' characteristics, economy, and rate of development, it
is estimated that the Planning Area of Sunset Beach has
a capacity of 5,527 housing units. It is conceivable
' that another 649 units may be built on the island, that
another 586 housing units could be built within the
town limits on the mainland, and that 1,779 housing
units could be built in the current extra-territorial
' area. The extra-territorial area will be the major
focus of development over the next 20 years because it
' contains 63 percent of the total land area and it is
anticipated to have another 1,000 housing units built
around two championship golf courses. Another limiting
factor is that approximately 60 percent of the island
and corporate mainland have already been developed. If
current growth trends continue, the island and the
mainland within the existing town limits may be
' completely developed within the next 10 to 13 years.
* POPULATION PROJECTIONS. By 2013, it is projected that
the year-round population of the current Sunset Beach
' Planning Area will be 2,476 residents and that the
total peak summer population could reach 27,637
residents, golfers, and day visitors.
' *
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES OF PROPOSED BRIDGE
REPLACEMENT ON LAND USE. On the mainland, the primary
' environmental impact on land use will be concentrated
in the vicinity of the current bridge and will be
determined by the possible relocation of existing
development, the potential realignment of NC 179, and
' construction of approach routes to the bridge. All
proposed bridge alternatives will displace the "Gore"
__ unofficial boat launching area on the island-side of
the bridge. Replacement of the existing bridge with a
' more reliable two-lane structure will not greatly
accelerate the pace or character of development on the
island or the mainland. The island of Sunset Beach is
already 60 percent developed and demand for beach
housing has remained strong. It is probable that the
island may reach its "carrying capacity" for
' ~ development within the next 10 to 13 years no matter
what type of bridge links the island to the mainland.
The Town has adequate land use controls to prevent
high-rise development and increased density of housing
on the island. Development of the golf course
_ communities on the mainland will continue with little
' regard as to what type of bridge exists in the
community. Consequently
there will be no significant
,
impact on land use in Sunset Beach as the result of
the replacement of the current bridge.

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I. AFFBCTBD BNVIRONMBNT
BUNSBT BBACH BRIDGB RBPLACBMBNT
A TOWN OF SET BEACH POPULATION CHARACTERISTIC
1. Historical and Regional Background
Sunset Beach, like other North Carolina beach communities, has
had tremendous long-term growth since its incorporation in 1963.
Although the year-round population until recently has always been
relatively small, it has been steadily growing and more than doubled
between 1980 and 1990 and nearly doubled again between 1990 and 1993.
The Town was incorporated in 1963 and made its first showing in the
1970 U.S. Census with a permanent population of 108 persons. In 1980,
however, the U.S. Census showed a year-round population of 304
persons. The Town subsequently disagreed with this total and adopted
revised population figures for the years 1980 and 1985 for planning
purposes in the 1987 CAMA Land Use Plan Upda P. This plan estimated
that the 1980 year-round population was 140, rather than the Census
figure of 304, and that the 1985 year-round population rose to 180.
The 1990 U.S. Census reported 311 year-round residents within the
Town's limits and town officials agreed with this census count. Based
on the 1993 land use survey, it is estimated that the August 1993
year-round population within the town limits is 515 residents and 943
for the entire planning area. Table 1.1 details the population
characteristics for the Town and Brunswick County.
TABLE 1.1: YEAR-ROTND POPULATION F OR THE TOWN OF SUNSET BEACH AND
BRUN SWICK COUN'T'Y 1970 - 199 0

PERCENT
INCREASE
PLACE 1970 1980 1990 1980 1990
Sunset Beach 108 140* 311 122.1$
Brunswick County 24,223 35,777 50,985 42.5%
_ Township
Lockwood Folly 4,748 7,361 10,705 45.4%
Northwest 3,356 4,657 7,454 60.1%
Shallote 4,877 6,582 11,818 79.6$
Smithville 4,346 6,838 9,488 38.8%
Town Creek 5,215 8,357 9,260 10.8%
Waccamaw 1,681 1,982 2,260 14.0%
5-ource: United States Census, 1970, 1980, and 1990.
* 1987 Town of Sunset Beach CAMA Land Us Plan Update.
The year-round population growth at Sunset Beach is somewhat
consistent with the strong overall growth trends in Brunswick County,
which grew by 47.7 percent between 1970 and 1980 and by 42.5 percent
between 1980 and 1990. Over the twenty year period between 1970 and
1990, Brunswick County had a significant population growth of 111
percent. As evident by the township data, most of Brunswick County's
growth occurred in the beach areas and in the mainland adjacent to the
Intracoastal waterway. As a case in point, both Sunset Beach and
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Ocean Isle are located in the Shallotte Township which experienced a
142 percent population increase between 1970 and 1990 and a 79.9
percent increase during the 1980's. Over one-third of Brunswick's
County population increase during the 1980's occurred in Shallotte
Township and the County projects that 56 percent of the 1990's growth
will occur in Shallotte Township.
The rapid average growth rate of 12.2 percent per year in Sunset
Beach was caused by extensive annexations on the mainland and
significant housing construction. Table 1.2 shows the annexations of
Sunset Beach since the Town's incorporation in 1963. Between 1963 and
November 1993, the Town of Sunset Beach undertook 13 annexations which

' increased the Town's
increase. Moreover, land area by 417.1 acres for a 24.1 percent
ten out of the twelve annexations occurred in the
early 1990's. Based on North Carolina annexation laws, at least 60
percent of land which is annexed by a town must be developed. Most of
the vacant land which was annexed has been subsequently subdivided for
residential or commer cial development.

TABLE 1 2• TOWN OF SUNSET BEACH ANNEXATIONS 1963 NOV 1993
HOUSING UNITS LAND AREA/
_ YEAR LO ATION WHEN ANNEXED ACRES
1977 Stanaland property 0 4.0
1982 Oyster Bay Golf 0 5.5
1985 Sea Trail Golf Link 0 50.0
1990 Pelican Square 0 6.2
1990 King Trail 0 25.0
1990 Sea Trail I 0 88.3
1990 Sugar Sands 66 23.9
1990 Sea Trail II 134 120.9
1991 Oyster Point I 0 34.0
1991 Oyster Point II 0 32.0
1991 Colony 97 21.3
1991 Seaside Center 0 2.1
1992 U.S. Post Office 0 3.9
TOTAL ANNEXATION 297 417.1
1963 TOWN LAND AREA 1,729.9
1993 TOWN LAND AREA 2,147.0
PERCENT CHANGE 1963-1993 24.1a
Source: Town of Sunset Beach
The rapid growth during the 1980's is further evident by
examining building permit data for this decade. Notice Table 1.3.
Between 1981 and 1992, the Town of Sunset Beach issued 1,325 building
permits of which 783 were for single-family development, 404 were for
mobile homes, 61 were for duplexes, 69 were for multi-family
buildings, and 8 were for commercial use. These. permits authorized a
total of 1,613 dwelling units to be constructed. Most of this
development occurred on the vacant land recently annexed or by
constructing homes on previously recorded lots. These figures include
permits issued for both the Town and the extra-territorial area.

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TABLE 1.3: SUNSET BEACH BUILDING PERMITS 1981 - 1992
SINGLE- MULTI-
1981 49 [51] 100
1982 99 [44] 4 147
1983 14 [66] 6 4 (16) 1 91
1984 104 [49] 16 169
1985 95 [49] 6 4 (24) 1 155
1986 35 [25] 1 26 (104) 87
1987 66 [15] 4 85
1988 60 [22] 5 20 (80) 107
1989 61 [22] 6 5 (20) 1 95
1990 30 [35] 3 6 (36) 1 75
1991 80 [ 9] 4 2 95
1992 90 [17] 6 4 (24) 2 119
TOTAL 783 [404] 61 69 8 1325
(1187) (122) (304) -- (1613)
()= Number of dwelling units permitted.
[]= Mobile Home Permit
Source: Town of Sunset Beach Building Permit Records and
1987 LAMA Land Use Plan Update.
As can be seen by Table 1.4, new growth in Sunset Beach has been
evenly divided between the island and the mainland during the past two
years.
TABLE 1.4: LOCATION OF NEW BUILDING PERMITS ISSUED
BY THE TOWN OF SUNSET BEACH JANUARY 1992 AUGUST 199
SINGLE- MULTI- MOBILE
LOCATION FAMILY DUPLEX FAMILY HOMES COMMERCIAL
1/92-12/92
Island 37 6(12) --- --- ---
Mainland 39 --- 4(24) --- ---
ETA
------------- 14
------ --- --- 17 2

TOTAL ------
90 --------
6 (12) ----------
4 (24) ----------------------
17 2

1/92-8/93 ----------------------
Island 19 6(12) --- --- ---
Mainland 19 --- 3(16) --- ---
ETA 21 --- --- 16 ---

TOTAL
-------------
59
------ ---
6(12) ----------
3(16) ----------------------
16 ---

( ) = Number ------
of dwelling ------------------
units permitted ----------------------
Source: Town of Sunset Beach

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This rapid rate of growth will likely continue during the 1990's.
Approximately 60 percent of all of Sunset Beaches residential lots
have been developed and construction in the golf-course communities
and the beach area has been widespread. The August 1993 population
estimates based on the 1993 Land Use Survey confirm this growth.
2. Year-Round Population Estima PG
For this study, a year-round resident is defined as a person who
resides within Sunset Beach at least six months of the year.
Table 1.5 shows the August 1993 year-round population estimates for
the Town, the extra-territorial area or ETA, and the total Planning
Area. The 1993 year-round population estimates were derived by
proportioning the existing housing stock between year-round and
seasonal usage. The 1990 United States Census reported that 20
percent of the mainland housing was occupied and 12 percent of the
island housing was occupied during April, 1990. It was assumed that
these occupancy figures reflected year-round versus seasonal housing
usage. Of the total 2,513 housing units within Sunset Beach, it was
assumed that 120 units on the island, 110 units on the mainland, and
191 units in the ETA were occupied by year-round residents.
Moreover, the average persons per household was 2.24 according to the
1990 United State census. The number of year-round housing units was
multiplied by the occupancy ratio in order to obtain the 1993 year-
round population estimates. It is estimated that the 1993 year-round
population in the corporate limits is 515 and 428 in the ETA for a.
total year-round population of 943 in the Sunset Beaches Planning
Area .
' TABLE 1. 5• YEAR-ROUND POPULATION E TIMATES FOR
_THE TOWN OF SUNS ET BEACH, AUGUS T 1993
LOCATION OF N0. PERSONS YEAR-ROUND
' HOUSING NO UNITS PER UNIT POPULATION
Island 120 2.24 269
' Mainland
(Town) 110
(226) 2_24 246
-
- (515)
ETA 191 2.24 428
' PLANNING A
REA TOTAL 421 2.24 943
Source: Prepared by Hayes & Associates. Housing count obtained from
1993 Land Use Survey and adjusted to account for year-round versus
seasonal usage. Occ upancy ratio obtained from 1 990 U.S. Census.
The North Carolina
population estimates for
' These town population es
utilizes the 1990 Census
4 persons for July 1991,
' 1992. The State Office
Office of State Planning h
the Town of Sunset Beach.
timates are shown on Table
figure of 311 and shows a
as also developed
1.6. The State
modest increase of
but an increase of 407 residents by July
of Planning attributes the dramatic population

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increase between Fiscal Years 1991 and 1992 as the result of the
annexation of 297 housing units by the Town during Fiscal Year 1991.
The State assumes that 176 of these 297 units are occupied. The State
uses the 1990 Census persons per household figure of 2.2374 thereby
figuring that the annexations resulted in a net population increase of
394 persons. The remaining net population increase of 13 persons is
attributed to the overall growth of Brunswick County.
TABLE 1 6• NORTH CAROLINA OFFI E OF STATE PLANNIN
POPULATION ESTIMATES FOR THE TOWN OF Sii1~TSET BEACH 1990 199
FISCAL YEAR POPULATION ESTIMATE PERCENT INCREASE
1990 311 ___
1991 317 1.3%
1992- 724 128.4$
Source: North._Carolina Office of State Planning
The Town of Sunset Beach contends that the 1993 year-round
population is more accurately reflected by the 515 persons estimated
by Hayes & Associates and these population estimates will be used for
this study. This population estimate of 515 persons also compares
favorably with the number of Sunset Beach voters who voted for the
mayoral candidates on November 2, 1993. During this election a total
of 375 voters participated. The difference of 140 persons would be
explained by the number of residents under 18 as well as the fact that
not all eligible voters participate.
3 Seasonal Residential Population Estimat ~
The seasonal population in Sunset Beach is comprised of three
groups: 1) property-owning summer residents; 2) the overnight visitor
population who rent beach cottages, duplexes, condominiums, or motel
rooms; and 3) day visitors who come to Sunset Beach to spend a few
hours or the entire day at the beach.
Although it is difficult
owners who reside there versus
possible to estimate the peak
average number of persons per
units is larger than
States Census showed
mainland were vacant
housing units on the
' may be assumed to be
Table 1.7 details the

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to differentiate between the property
the overnight rental visitors, it is
seasonal total population. Usually, the
unit for the seasonal occupation of
for the year-round
that 80 percent of
during April, 1990
island were vacant.
seasonal housing r~
characteristics of
occupancy. The 1990 United
the dwelling units on the
and that 88 percent of the
These vacant housing units
ther than year-round housing.
seasonal housing.
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TABLE 1 7• SEASONAL POPULATION ESTIMATES
FOR THE TOWN OF SIN ET BEA H A ~[,ST 199
LOCATION OF NO. PERSONS SEASONAL
HOUSING NO UNITS PER UNIT POPULATION
Island 882 8.0 7,056
Motels 40 4.0 160
Mainland 443 4.0 1,772
(Town) (1,334) --- (8,988)
ETA 762 4.0 3,048
TOTAL PLANNING AREA 2,127 --- 12,036
Source: Prepared by Hayes & Associates. Seasonal housing based on
1993 Land Use Survey.
There appears to be substantial number of "summer-owner" and
"weekender" units in Sunset Beach both on the island and the mainland.
It is possible that when these vacation homes are not being used by
the owner that the units may be rented out and thereby may be
continuously occupied. There are two motels on the island which have
a combined total of 40 units. In summary, when all of the cottage
rentals, summer, and weekend units are completely occupied, Sunset
Beach's Planning Area's peak residential population could be as high
as 12,036 which is a significant contrast to the area's relatively
small estimated August 1993 year-round population of 515 for the town
limits and of 943 for the entire planning area.
4. Day Visitor Population Estimat G
The next consideration in the Town's population is the number of
' "day visitors" who come to Sunset Beach for swimming or recreation or
to play a round of golf. The typical peak day for beach day visitors
is a Saturday during the summer whereas the golfers play on the four
championship golf courses year-round. The "day visiting" population
has a more short-term impact upon the Town's public facilities and
services than the other components of the population. The most
pronounced impact of this group is upon traffic, parking, and trash
' disposal while the impact upon water and sewer service is noticed
through restaurant, retail, and golf clubhouse usage.
' It is rather difficult to estimate the total number of beach "day
visitors" to this resort community. Traffic count information was
inadequate to use as a measure. A methodology was developed in the
1992 Town of Sunse Beach Land Use Plan Update (page 9) to estimate
beach "day visitors". This methodology was updated to include the
paid parking spaces at the fishing pier as well as to reflect the
findings of the beach day visitor survey. It was assumed that these
' visitors use legal parking spaces on the island to park. According to
a Spring 1992 survey conducted by the Sunset Beach Police Department,
there was 283 legal public parking spaces on the island available to
"day visitors." No additional public parking spaces have been added
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since the survey date. However, this survey omitted the parking
spaces at the fishing pier which charges $4.00/ per day and functions
as an "overflow" parking lot when the public parking lot is full..
According to the fishing pier owner, an average of 150 vehicles park
at this site on Saturdays during the summer.
A survey of beach day visitors at Sunset Beach and Ocean Isle was
conducted by Hayes & Associates on July 30 and August 2, 1994. This
survey is included in the Appendix of this document. Based upon the
27 beach day visitors interviewed at Sunset Beach, the average number
of persons per vehicle was 2.8 persons and these visitors stayed at
the beach an average of 2.6 hours. The formula cited above as
included in the 1992 Town of Sunset Beach Land Use Plan Upda P was
modified to reflect these figures. The longer average beach stay of
2.6 hours reduces the number of parking shifts from 4 to 3 shifts and
the lower vehicle occupancy figure of 2.8 persons per vehicle, rather
than 4 persons per vehicle, is used.
[3 turnover shifts x 283 public spaces x 2.8 persons/vehicle]
[150 paid parking spaces at fishing pier x 2.8 persons/vehicle]
= 2,797 Beach Day Visitors
In other words, on a peak summer day such as a sunny July 4th weekend,
it is estimated that approximately 2,797 beach day visitors come to
enjoy the ocean at Sunset Beach.
Statistics from the four championship golf courses give an
indication about the number of "golfer day visitors." Table 1.7
compares the number of golfers by month from June 1990 through May
1993. It should be noted that these figures represent "outside play."
In other words, it was assumed that "membership play" was generated by
residents within the Sunset Beach Planning Area and was thereby
excluded from these figures for day visitors. As shown by the Table
_ 1.8, 148,992 golfers played on the four courses from June 1990 through
May 1991 and 181,392 golfers played from June 1992 through May 1993
which was a 21.7 percent increase in just two years. The daily
average number of "golfer day visitors" was 408 for June 1990-May 1991
and 497 for the latest year.

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TABLE 1.8: MONTHLY GOLF PLAYERS AT CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF COURSES
IN SUNSET BEA H JUNE 1990 - MAY 1 9'~
MONTH 1990-1991 1991 19 2 1 q2 199
June 7,868 11,523 12,341
July 9,957 14,727 14,252*
August 9,383 11,870 15,432
September 10,486 9,188 12,884
October 17,605 18,150 18,723
November 14,121 13,721 12,828
December 5,547 7,488 9,076
January 5,981 9,554 12,758
February 11,529 17,308 18,787
March 18,145 19,475 18,543
April 23,385 22,639 20,567
-May 14,985 14,626 15,201
TOTAL 148,992
DAILY AVERAGE 408
170,269 181,392
467 497
* Oyster Bay Golf Course was closed for upgrading in July, 1992
Source: Oyster Bay and Sea Trail Plantation Golf Courses
5. Auaust 1993 Population Estimate Summarv
Table 1.9 presents a summary of the various components of the
"peak" seasonal population of Sunset Beach in 1993.
TABLE 1 9• SUNSET BEACH AREA POPULATION SUMMARY, 1993
EXTRA-
POPULATION CORPORATE TERRITORIAL
COMPONENT LIMITS AREA TOTAL
Year-round residents
_ Island 269 --- 269
Mainland 246 428 674
(SUBTOTAL) (515) (428) (943)
Seasonal
Island 7,216 --- 7,216
Mainland 1,772 3,048 4,820
(SUBTOTAL) (8, 988) (3, 048) (12, 036)
Subtotal Residential 9,503 3,476 12,979
Beach Day Visitors 2,797 ___ 2,797
Daily Golfer Average 497 -_- 497
TOTAL PEAK 12,797 3,476 16,273
Source: Prepared by Hayes & Associates. Based on housing count
of 1993 Land Use Survey and estimates of day visitors.

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6. Socio-Economic Pon~lation Characteristic
' Social characteristics reported in the 1990 United States Census
reveals that Sunset Beach residents generally are older, wealthier,
and have recently moved to the area. The composition of the Sunset
' Beach population in terms of age consists mostly of middle-age adults
and retirees which is significant for planning purposes. The 1990
Census reported that 42 percent of the Town's population was 55 and
' over while only 13.8 percent was under 18. Not surprisingly because
of this age characteristic, 12 percent of Sunset Beach residents over
18 reported a mobility or self-care limitation. The per capita income
for Sunset Beach residents was $31,658 in 1990 as compared to a per
' capita income of $11,688 for Brunswick County residents and $12,885
.for North Carolina residents. Only 6.9 percent of all persons were
estimated to be below the poverty level in Sunset Beach as compared to
' 15.4 percent for Brunswick County and 13.5 percent for North Carolina.
Moreover, Sunset Beach is a town of "newcomers." Only 38 percent of
the Town's population had lived in the same residence as of 1985 and
' the remaining 62 percent were predominantly "newcomers" to the area.
Of these, 28 percent had lived outside of North Carolina in 1985.

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B. TOWN OF SUNSET BEACH ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS
' Sunset Beach is a resort community and its economy is based upon
real estate development, tourism, golfing, and travel. Sunset Beach
lies just west of two other Brunswick County beach communities, Ocean
Isle Beach and Holden Beach, and lies southeast of Calabash which is
' famous for its seafood restaurants. The Town offers sandy beaches
with a gentle surf, pier and surf fishing, and four championship golf
courses on the mainland. These attractions offer relaxing vacations
' to thousands of visitors each year.
Sunset Beaches economic base consists mainly of services such as
the two motels, beach house rentals, restaurants, gift and speciality
' shops, and privately-owned recreational facilities which include the
four championship golf courses and the fishing pier. All of these
services are generally geared toward the traveling and vacationing
public and, as such, are dependent upon the seasonal flow of visitors
for their financial sustenance. The seasonal population influx also
produces what is a seasonal economy. Most of the businesses in the
Town do not remain open all year-round. Obviously, some stores,
shops, and service stations must remain open to serve the year-round
population. In fact, the number of commercial facilities remaining
open is increasing as the year-round population is expanding. For
' example, the regional year-round population is now large enough to
support a major grocery store in a local shopping center.
' Not surprisingly, there are no agricultural, farming, forestry,
manufacturing, or industrial uses in Sunset Beaches jurisdiction.
Real estate development and resort rentals are still the most
significant factor in the resort community~s economy. The
' significance of the real estate growth is illustrated by the fact that
the 1.980 LAMA Land Us Plan reported the total residential units to be
only 455 which expanded to 863 in 1985 and to 1,560 in 1993 -- a
dramatic increase of 243 percent over a 13 year period.
__ Increases in the accommodation tax collections likewise shows the
' growth of real estate rentals. The accommodations tax is a three
percent tax charged on rentals. The Town of Sunset Beach started
collecting the accommodations tax in January, 1989. Notice Table
1.10.
T 1 A ATI N TAX LLE TI
NS
FOR THE TOWN OF SUNSET BEACH JAN 1989 - JiJNE 199
' YEAR AX COLLECTION PERCENT CHANGE
JAN. 1989 - JUNE 1990 NA
'
JULY
1990
- JUNE
1991 =___
$160,201
_ JULY 1991 - JUNE 1992 $222,404 38.8°s
JULY 1992 - JUNE 1993 $291,431 31.1$

Source: Town of Sunset Beach

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Moreover, the impact of the four championship golf courses is
also significant as shown by the fact that 181,392 golfers used the
four courses between June 1992 through May 1993.
The continuing real estate development and sales in the Town will
most likely foster a continual growth in the number of permanent
residents. As permanent residents increase, the demand for local
services also increases. As local commercial services and activities
increase, the Town may witness even more expansion of its economic
base.
Another indication of the significant and continuing growth trend
of the Town's economy is the growth in property valuations in recent
years. Notice Table 1.11:
TABLE 1 11• SUNSET BEACH ASSESSED VALUATIONS, 1981 1992
YEAR. ASSESSED VALUATIONS PERCENT CHANGE
1981 $ 32,984,286 ---
1982 $ 33,750,000 2.32
1983 $ 36,911,668 9.37
1984 $ 40,500,000 9.72
1985 $ 45,000,000 11.10
1986 $ 138,840,179* 208.85
1987 $ 139,345,528 .36
1988 $ 150,276,621 7.84
1989 $ 153,327,320 2.03
1990 $ 162,015,531 5.67
1991 $ 179,383,395 10.72
1992 $ 203,848,811 13.64
Source: 1987 Town of Sunset Beach LAMA Land Use Plan Update,
Town of Sunset Beach.
* Year of Re-valuation
C. EXISTING LAND U E
Within the Town's corporate limits are approximately 2,147 acres
of land, water, wetlands, and marshes with an additional 2,855 acres
in the extra-territorial area. Table 1.12 shows the land
characteristics for the town and ETA.

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TABLE 1 12• LAND ACREAGE FOR TOWN OF SUNSET BEACH
' _ TYPE ORPORATE LIMITS ETA PLANNING AREA
I AND
Shorefront 108 4 112
' Land 261 33 294
Marsh and Water 924 1,007 1,931
---------------------------------------------------------------
' SUBTOTAL (1,293) (1,044) (2,337)
--------------
MAINLAND
Land 748 1,652 2,400
-----Marsh and Water 106 159 265
SUBTOTAL (854) (1,811) (2,665)
----------
TOTAL 2 147 2 855 5 002
Source: Prepared by Hayes & Associates and Greiner, Inc.
Within the corporate limits, approximately 1,138 acres consist of
undevelopable shorefront, marshes, and waterways with about 1,009
' acres of potentially developable land. Within the ETA, approximately
1,170 acres consist of shorefront, undevelopable marshes, and
waterways with about 1,685 acres of potentially developable land.
' Based on these general land characteristics, only about 47 percent•of
the current corporate limits is suitable for development and about 59
percent of the extra-territorial area could perhaps be developed. Of
' course, final determination of development potential must be done on
an individual site basis by examining such factors as septic tank
suitability, soil type, and wetland classification.
Land uses within Sunset Beach are typical of a beach and golfing
resort community. Notice Map 1, the 1993 Land Use Map, which shows
__ the existing land use and zoning patterns and is attached to this
' report. In addition to residential uses, there are some commercial
areas, governmental uses, and recreational uses of land within Sunset
Beach and its extraterritorial jurisdiction.
' 1. Residential Land Use
Most of the residential land uses in Sunset Beach consists of
' 1,130 single-family homes. On the island, 128 duplexes are scattered
along the ocean-front while 256 multi-family units are concentrated in
various complexes near the golf courses on the mainland. The extra-
' territorial area is largely a mix of 296 single-family homes and 645
mobile homes. Notice Table 1.13:

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TABLE 1 13• HOUSING UNITS BY TYPE 1993

TYPE
ISLAND
MAINLAND
TOTAL
ETA PLANNING
AREA TOTAL
Single-family 833 297 1,130 296 1,426
Duplex 128 -- 128 4 132
Multi-family 6 256 262 8 270
Motel 40 -- 40 -- 40
Mobile Home -- -- -- 645 645
TOTAL 1,007 553 1,560 953 2,513
Source: 1993 Land Use Survey.
Currently, according to the Town's zoning ordinance, mobile home
units are allowed only in the extraterritorial area.
2 Commercial Land Uses
Commercial land uses are concentrated in three areas of the Town.
On the island, commercial uses are located along Sunset Boulevard to
Main Street and include two motels, 5 real estate offices, and several
stores and shops. A cluster of commercial uses are located near the
bridge along N.C. 179 and include two restaurants, a small grocery
store, a convenience-type store, an air-conditioning service business,
an ABC store, and several real estate offices. A relatively new
commercial shopping center, Pelican Square, is located on NC 904 near
the intersection of NC 179. This shopping center contains a major
grocery store, three restaurants, and several retail stores. The
extraterritorial area along the Route 904 corridor also includes a
seafood market, a produce market, a real estate office, an interior
decorator's office, and a Seaside Plaza shopping center which has a
convenience mart, a bank, a surveyor's office, an attorney's office, a
pool hall, and a real estate office. The only other commercial uses
in the ETA are two seafood stores located along NC 179 near the
Calabash Creek According to the Town's official zoning map, there
are substantial areas zoned for commercial activities within the
Town's planning area.
' 3. Governmental/InGritution
Most local governmental facilities are located along Shoreline
' Drive on the mainland. Both the Sunset Beach Town Hall and Police
Department are located on Shoreline Drive about 1/4 mile from the
bridge whereas the Sunset Beach Volunteer Fire Department as well as
' the Town Garage and Water Tower are located off Shoreline Drive about
200 yards from the bridge. Anew Town Hall and Police Department are
scheduled to be constructed in 1995 and will be located at the corner
of Pine View Drive and NC 179. The new U.S. Post Office has been
annexed into Sunset Beach and is located along Route 904 near the
Pelican Square Shopping Center. These are the only structures
utilized for governmental/ institutional purposes. However,
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t throughout the town are small parcels containing wells or supporting
facilities for the utility companies.
' Two churches in the ETA are also classified as institutional use.
The Seaside Presbyterian Church is located on Route 904 and the
Lighthouse Mission Church is located off NC 179 near the Shady Forest
' subdivision. The Calabash Presbyterian Church located outside the
Sunset Beach Planning Area does offer morning worship services on the
beach during the summer season.
' 4. R-~rAar;ona~ Lan USP~
The principal recreation areas, other than the beach-front, are
' the four 18-hole championship golf courses and the fishing pier.
Beach and waterfront access is an important consideration in Sunset
Beach. There are 33 dedicated beach accesses located at the end of
' most streets on the island. These beach accesses have crosswalks over
the dunes and have been marked with LAMA beach access signs. There
are also 10 dedicated easements on the island providing public access
to the estuarine waters but these easements are currently not marked.
The Town of Sunset Beach provides 283 public parking spaces on the
island which are used by beach day visitors. This total includes the
45 new spaces located near the fishing pier. There are no public
' restrooms on the island or the mainland.
There are no official public boat launching facilities within
Sunset Beach. The Sea Trail Plantation has a private boat launching
ramp on the mainland for the use by its residents. However, there are
two informal boat ramps which have been used for numerous years. A
common misconception is that the informal boat ramp located off the
' Sunset Boulevard on the island near the bridge is owned by the NCDOT
or another public agency. This site is actually owned by the Gores
who have allowed the public to launch boats at this site for several
' decades. This "allowed trespass" boat ramp is generally used to
launch boats under 18 feet and can be used during both high and low
tides. Other boaters also use the mainland informal ramp at the end
' -of SR 1242 along the Intracoastal Waterway near Bonaparte Retreat.
This "ramp" can only be used during high tide.
Sea Trail Plantation and Shoreline Woods have private
recreational facilities. Tennis courts and swimming pools are
available for Sea Trail Plantation residents. There is a community
recreation center located in the Seaside neighborhood.
' ~ . Existing Land L1GP ~nmmarX
As the attached 1993 Existing Land Use Map indicates, nearly all
' the developable land on the island and the mainland has been
subdivided into building lots, mostly for single-family structures.
Approximately 60 percent of the island and mainland have been
' developed. Some of these lots may not be able to be developed because
the lot is deemed unsuitable to obtain a septic disposal permit;
however, the advent of centralized sewer and other technologies could
' enable most lots to be developed eventually. Most of the vacant land

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which will be the focal point of development is in the extra-
territorial area. In particular, future residential development will
occur around the existing Rees Jones golf course and the proposed
Angel Trace residential golf course community.
The Town of Sunset Beach utilizes several land use planning tools
to manage and direct its growth. The 1992 Town of Sunset Beach LAMA
Land Use Pla Update which was adopted by the Town on March 15, 1993
and certified by the Coastal Resources Commission on March 26, 1993
sets the major land use policy for the town for the next five years.
Zoning and subdivision ordinances as well as capital improvement
policies are used by the town to manage its growth.
1. 1992 CAMA Land U~P Plan Update
The North Carolina Coastal Resources Commission requires each
coastal community to delineate specific development policies
pertaining to resource protection, resource production and management,
economic and community development, continuing public participation,
and storm hazard mitigation. Towns and counties are required to
update their CAMA plans every 5 years. The adopted and certified
plans are then used by local, state, and federal officials for the
issuance of minor and major CAMA permits and for Consistency Review of
all federal and state projects within the community. The 1992 Town of
Sunset Beach LAMA Land Use Plan Update is of critical importance for
determining the future growth of this beach resort area as well as
whether the proposed bridge replacement is "consistent" with the
Town's policies. Three aspects of this plan will be considered:
Areas of Environmental Concern, Land Classification, and Policy
Statements regarding growth and bridge improvement.
' a. Areas of Environmental Concern
_ Communities are required to delineate Areas of Environmental
Concern in their CAMA Land Use Plans. Development in these AECS is
then regulated by the LAMA Major and Minor permit program. The
existing bridge and causeway road (Sunset Boulevard) lie within
several different types of AECS including Estuarine Waters, Estuarine
Shorelines, Coastal Wetlands, and High Hazard Flood Areas. The
proposed bridge replacement must, therefore, obtain a CAMA permit
prior to construction.
b. Land ClaGSifica ion
' Communities are also required to classify all land within their
jurisdiction according to seven alternative land classifications.
_ Sunset Beach designated land as being either developed, urban
transition, conservation, or conservation spoil in its 1992 CAMA Land
' Use Plan Upda-P as shown on Map 7 of this document. All land on the
mainland under consideration for approaches or roadway relocation for
the proposed bridge replacement is now classified as either being
' developed or urban transition. The objective of the developed

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' classification is to provide for continued intensive development or
redevelopment whereas the urban transition classification provides for
' future intensive urban development on land which is currently vacant.
Both of these classifications are consistent with the current
alternatives under consideration. The wetlands on which Sunset
Boulevard or the causeway road is now developed is classified as
' either being conservation or conservation spoil. Lands in the.
conservation or conservation spoil classification should be developed
in a cautious and sensitive fashion in order to protect the fragile
' wetlands. Consequently, realignment or improvements to the causeway
road must be accomplished in a fashion to minimize environmental
damage.
' c Policy Statements Recrarding Growth and Bridge Improvement
The Town of Sunset Beach's attitude towards growth is perhaps
t best stated in its CAMA policy regarding desired urban growth
patterns:
"As it is very important that the atmosphere and character of a
' quiet, relaxing family beach be maintained, Sunset Beach is not
interested in promoting high-rise development or manufacturing
industries within its Planning Area. Also, intense commercial
' development, beyond that necessary to serve year-round residents and
tourists, will not be encouraged. Residential development is
considered desirable as long as there is no major or irreversible
' damage to environmentally sensitive areas. It is the Town's
in tentions, as reflected in its zoning ordinance and zoning map, to
allow a mixture of residential development in a balanced manner
' throughout its Planning Area." (page 70)
Sunset Beach implements their growth policies through its zoning
and subdivision ordinances as discussed in later sections of this
' report.
__ The 1992 LAMA Land Use Plan Update also states the Town's
' official position on the proposed bridge replacement by the North
Carolina Department of Transportation. The Town supports improved
bridge access to the island in order to improve public safety and
evacuation of the island as shown by the following two policy
statements:
"To promote public safety, the Town of Sunset Beach supports
' improved bridge access to the island. As stated in a resolution
passed on October I1, 1982, the Town Council of Sunset Beach supports
the planning efforts of the North Carolina Department of
' Transportation to provide better access to the island and requests
that "the renovation of the bridge or other measures to facilitate
_ improved safety conditions be accomplished as expeditiously as
possible." (page 70) .

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"Town officials and many town residents contend that the one-lane
pontoon bridge may be a major obstacle for the safe evacuation of the
island. Town officials continue to support the efforts of the NC
Department of Transportation to provide better and more reliable
bridge access to the island." (page 77)
2. Zoning Ordinance and Zoninct M
Sunset Beach has adopted a Zoning Ordinance and Map which is the
major tool for regulating the use of land within the Town's corporate
limits and the one-mile extra-territorial area.
The zoning districts are briefly described as follows:
MR-1 Mainland Residential District: Primarily for
residential use with provisions for single-family
residences, championship golf courses, as well as
primary and secondary uses. The minimum required lot
area per dwelling unit is 15,000 square feet.
MR-2 Mainland Residential District: Primarily for
residential use with provisions for single-family
residences, planned residential development, and
championship golf courses as well as customary and
secondary uses, and other uses permitted in MR-1. The
minimum required lot area per dwelling unit is 10,000
square feet.
MR-3 Mainland Multi-family Residential Development:
Exclusively for residential use with provisions for
single-family and multi-family development, and
customary and secondary uses as well as other uses
permitted in MR-1 such as championship golf courses.
' MB-1

Mainland Business District: Primarily for retail trade
with provisions for retail and convenience-type
establishments and residential development.
BR-1 Beach Residential District: Exclusively for residential
use with provisions for single-family and two-family
residences as well as customary and secondary uses.
Building height limited to 35 feet and this restriction
may only be changed by public referendum.
BR-2 Beach Residential District: Exclusively for residential
use with provisions for single-family residences,
planned residential development, as well as customary
and secondary uses. Building height limited to 35 feet
and this restriction may only be changed by public
referendum.

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' BB-1 Beach Business District: Primarily for general business
use with provisions for residential uses and
' convenience-type trade establishments. Building height
limited to 35 feet and this restriction may only be
changed by public referendum.
MH-1 Mobile Home/Conventional Home Residential District:
Exclusively for residential use with provisions for
single-family mobile homes and conventional housing as
well as customary and secondary uses. The minimum
required lot area per dwelling unit is 9,000 square
feet.
' MH-2 Mobile Home Residential District: Exclusively for
residential use with provisions for double-wide mobile
homes. The minimum required lot size per dwelling unit
is 6,500 square feet.
AF-1 Agricultural-Forestry District: Primarily for the
production of .agricultural and forestry products with
' provisions for single-family homes provided that
lots are one-acre minimum in size and that all other
requirements of MR-1 apply for such residential lots.
' R1-1 Recreational-Institutional District: Exclusively for
the use of government buildings, churches, schools,
' parks, and similar uses.
CR-1 Conservation Reserve District: This district provides
for the significant long-term management of
irreplaceable areas including wetlands and marshes.
Permitted uses include single-family homes built on
1/2 acre of net buildable area, bulkheads, private
' piers, and swimming pools. Bird Island and the marshes
are zoned CR-l.
' Notice that there are slightly different provisions which apply
to the mainland and beach portions of the Town. The Town
Administrator is also the Zoning Officer. In conjunction with the
Zoning Ordinance, the Town also has a Planning Board and a Board of
' Adjustment. Supplementary enforcement provisions in the ordinance
include ocean set-back lines and dune protection.
' The zoning ordinance and map supports the Town's desire to remain
a "family-oriented" beach. The Town of Sunset Beach petitioned the
North Carolina legislature to pass a bill which authorizes that the 35
' foot building height zoning restriction on the island can only be
changed by public referendum. The North Carolina General Assembly
_ ratified this bill on June~l7, 1993. High-rise development would not
be permitted on the island unless the majority o~ registered Sunset
' Beach voters passed a referendum authorizing a higher building height
restriction.

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The fact that the 35 foot building height restriction on the
island can only be changed by public referendum is an important
planning tool used by the Town to restrict residential and commercial
development on the island. A specific case scenario helps to clarify
how such a referendum would be conducted. As of July 15, 1994 there
were 510 registered voters in the Town of Sunset Beach according to
the Brunswick County Board of Elections. Only these registered voters
could participate in a referendum which would be held just like any
other election. A prospective voter must swear on a Bible that he is
a permanent resident of Sunset Beach in order to be registered to
vote. Certain criteria are used by the Brunswick County Board of
Elections to determine permanent residency if the eligibility of a
voter is challenged. These criteria help to distinguish between
"local residents" and second-home property owners. If such a
referendum to change the island building height was conducted on July
15, 1994 and all registered voters participated, then it would be
necessary for 256 voters to support the measure for it to pass.
Needless to say, there would have to be a tremendous change in the
political will of the Town by both island and mainland voters for such
a referendum to pass.
The island will remain basically a single-family community
because duplexes are only permitted along the oceanfront and
commercial development is restricted to Sunset Boulevard. The
corporate area of the mainland is mostly single-family homes as well
as some multi-family units located in the golf course developments.
Mobile homes are restricted to the extra-territorial area. Most
commercial development is restricted to the NC 904 corridor and the
small commercial pocket near the bridge.
3 Subdivision Regulations
The Town of Sunset Beach has subdivision regulations which guide
the general design of newly developing areas within the Town's
jurisdiction. A subdivision is the division of any parcel or tract of
land into two or more lots for the purpose of development. The
ordinance states five major purposes of these regulations:
(a) To provide for economical and sufficient streets with
adequate widths and with proper alignment and grade;
(b) To provide space for safe and sanitary dwelling
accommodations within the planning area of the town;
(c) To provide for suitable residential neighborhoods with
adequate streets and utilities and appropriate building sites;
(d) To save unnecessary expenditure of public funds by studying
space and recommending from time to time the purchase of such space
for public lands and buildings and by initial proper construction of
streets and utilities; and

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(e) To provide proper land records for the convenience of the
public and for better identification and permanent location of real
' estate boundaries.
In addition to a standard plat review procedures prior to the
approval of any "regular" subdivision, the regulations also contain a
' rather detailed set of procedures for approval of "Planned Residential
Developments" or PRD. The PRD is a specially permitted use in the MR-
1, MR-2, MR-3 and BR-2 Zoning Districts and has provisions for open
spaces, tree cover, recreational areas, scenic vistas, and mixed
residential uses such as cluster homes and townhouses.
The subdivision ordinance requires that the developer build the
roads according to the Town's specification and then dedicate the
streets to the Town.
4. Provision of Public Utiliti ~
' Extension of public utilities is a major tool used by local
governments to manage growth. For example, public utilities may not
be extended to Bird Island if it is developed because this island is
classified as Conservation in the 192 LAMA Land U Plan Upda P.
' Provision of public services to Bird Island is also restricted by the
Federal Coastal Barrier Resources Act.
' The 1992 LAMA Land Use Plan Upda P ascertained that most public
services are adequate in Sunset Beach to accommodate growth. The
Brunswick County Water Service and the Town of Sunset Beach water
distribution system have sufficient capacity to meet the needs of the
projected population. The current roadway system is deemed adequate,
with the major exception of the one-lane pontoon bridge. Town
administrative services and police services can be expanded as
' dictated by population growth.
__ The lack of a public sewer system could be a constraining factor
' limiting future development in certain areas. This is a problem in
Sunset Beach because twelve out of the fourteen soil types found in
the town have severe limitations for septic tank systems. However,
' these general limitations do not mean that these sites are absolutely
unsuitable. Individual on-site investigations by the Brunswick County
Health Department must be conducted to determine final suitability.
' - The Town of Sunset Beach is pursuing developing a centralized
sewer system. The Towns of Calabash and Sunset Beach have formed the
South Brunswick Water and Sewer Authority. Town of Sunset Beach
' voters approved a public sewer bond referendum on April 5, 1994. Of
the 260 ballots cast, 184 were for the sewer system and 76 were
_ against. As of August 1994, the 201 Study has been completed and is
being reviewed by the State of North Carolina. State officials are
determining whether the Environmental Assessment is sufficient or if
an Environmental Impact Statement is needed. If the 201 Study and
Environmental Assessment are approved, the proposed sewer system is
' scheduled to be completed by Fiscal Year 1998. It is important to

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' note that the sewer system is being designed to accommodate single-
family density rather than high-rise development.
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A key question is what will happen to development in Sunset Beach
if the centralized sewer system is implemented? Of course, some areas
of the town which could not pass septic tank requirements could now be
developed. For example, there are approximately 100 platted lots in
the Riverside-Cedar Point area of the island which cannot accommodate
a septic system. This area could be developed if a centralized sewer
is built.
On the other hand, development will likely continue in Sunset
Beach with or without a sewer system as long as there is demand for
resort housing. If a centralized sewer system is not built,
developers will find other ways to build on .large tracts of land
without septic tanks. For example, developers could build private
package treatment plants as was done in the Colony multi-family
development in Sunset Beach.

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' IT . ENVI nNNrrlw'1'nr. CONSEnL~r~'ES ON LAND USE
SUNSET BEACH BRIDGE REPLACEMENT
' A. INTRODUCTION
A key question concerning the proposed replacement of the Sunset
Beach bridge is what will the impact be on the Town and the area
residents? If the current one-lane pontoon bridge is replaced, will
the new bridge affect land use and development? If so, how? What are
' the anticipated impacts due to the proposed bridge replacement and
what changes would have occurred irrespective of the project?
' In order to answer these questions, one must project how the Town
of Sunset Beach will develop in the future and whether a new bridge
would influence this course of development. One way to examine these
questions is by determining the carrying capacity of the current
planning area of Sunset Beach; that is to say, given the current town
limits, zoning, and rate of development, how much additional
development can be accommodated within Sunset Beach? Will the town
' reach its ultimate capacity and if so, when? Will a new bridge
accelerate, slow down, or otherwise influence development and land
use?
' B. CARRYING CAPACITY ANALYSIS
Sunset Beach is composed of three geographic areas: the island,
the current corporate limits of the mainland, and the extra-
' territorial planning area.. The "carrying Capacity" of each of these
areas is examined in order to de termine the capacity of the entire
' Sunset Beach Planning Area.
1. Town of S unset Bea ch Island C arrying Capacity
' All vacant land on the island has been subdivided which
facilitates determining carrying capacity. The concept is to
_determine the highest allowable use for each lot. In order to predict
the carrying capacity of the island of Sunset Beach, one must make the
following assumptions:
* The current zoning regulations and districts will remain the
same; therefore, duplexes will only be permitted along the 159
oceanfront lots and single-family homes will be built on the 1,338
lots now zoned BR-2. Moreover, single-family homes located along the
oceanfront will eventually be converted into duplexes as evident by
trends in most beach-front communities.
' * The 87 lots now located in the commercial BB-1 district will be
developed for some type of commercial use, even though residential use
_ is permitted in the BB-1 district.
' * The 35 foot building height restriction will not be changed by
public referendum; therefore, high-rise development will not be built
on the island.

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* All residential lots will be able to be developed either
because centralized sewer is extended to the island or other means
' such as package treatment plants are utilized to overcome septic tank
limitations. Many times developers utilize community septic systems
in order to overcome limitations imposed on individual site
restrictions.
* As cited by Apogee Research, the island population composition
may change with improved bridge access. The ratio of year-round
' residents may increase as safety and traffic flow concerns are allayed
by a new bridge. There may be an increase in working households and
families with school-age children. The ratio of year-round residents
was slightly adjusted upward to reflect this population shift. That
' is to say, 20 percent of housing units will be occupied by year-round
residents and 80 percent of housing units will be utilized by seasonal
residents. Furthermore, there will be 2.24 persons per year-round
' unit and 8.0 persons per seasonal unit as cited in the 1992 Town of
Sunset Beach LAMA Land Use Plan Upda P.
Table 2.1 shows the population capacity based on the above
assumptions. Based on this analysis, the island of Sunset Beach will
be able to accommodate 1,656 residential units of which 318 will be
ocean-front duplexes and 1,338 will be single-family houses. This
residential development will support 743 year-round residents and
10,592 seasonal residents for a combined peak residential population
of 11,335.
' TABLE 2.1• HOUSING AND POPULATION CAPACITY
_FOR THE ISLAND OF S SET BEACH
' T TAL
PLATTED YEAR-ROUND SEASONAL
HOUSING LOT UNITS ITS POPULATION UNITS POPULATION
' Duplex 159 318 64 143 254 2,032
_Single- 1,338 1,338 268 600 1,070 8,560
' Family
-------------------
TOTAL 1,497 1,656 332 743 1,324 10,592
' Source: Prepared by Hayes & Associates
2. Town of Sun r B a h Mainland
What will be the maximum development within the current co r
rpo ate
limits on the mainland of Sunset Beach? Again, this analysis is
' facilitated by the fact that most of the land zoned for residential
use within this area has been subdivided. The major tract of vacant
_ land is a 105 acre commercial parcel located at the corner of NC 904
and NC 179. The following assumptions have been made regarding future
' development on the mainland:
* The Sea Trail Plantation will be developed. Most of the vacant
' platted lots are in the subdivisions bordering the golf courses.

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* The current zoning regulations and districts will remain the
same; therefore, single-family houses will be built on the vacant land
in the MR-1 and MR-2 zoning districts.
* Both multi-family and single-family homes may be built in the
MR-3 districts. However, subdivision plats have been submitted for
these areas and these plats reveal that only an additional 68 multi-
family units will be built in the River Creek and Colony developments.
The remaining development will be for single-family homes.
* The 105 acre vacant parcel located in the MB-1 commercial
district will be developed for commercial use. Some residential
development may occur in the narrow MB-1 commercial zone fronting NC
179 across from the Sugar Sands subdivision. It is estimated that 40
homes may be built in this area.
* It is assumed that the three championship golf courses within
the corporate limits will remain rather than be converted to another
use.
* It is assumed that all residential lots will be able to be
developed either because centralized sewer is provided or because
other means such as package treatment plants are utilized to overcome
septic tank limitations.
* It is assumed that the ratio of year-round and seasonal
residents will remain the same as in the 1990 Census. For the
mainland, the 1990 Census revealed that 20 percent of the housing was
occupied by year-round residents and that 80 percent was seasonal
housing. Furthermore, there will be 2.24 persons per year-round
household and 4 persons per seasonal housing unit.
* The last assumption is that there. will be no major
redevelopment occurring on the mainland. Most of the housing on the
mainland has been built since 1970 and is in standard condition
thereby reducing the probability of major redevelopment of existing
areas.

Table 2.2 shows the housing and population capacity based on the
above assumptions. Based on this analysis, there will be 1,139
housing units built within the current town limits on the mainland
which will accommodate 511 year-round residents and 3,644 seasonal
residents for a peak seasonal residential population of 4,155.

' 25
'
TABLE 2.2: HOUSING AND POPU LATION CAPA ITY
FOR THE CORPORATE MAINLAND OF THE TOWN OF SUNSET BEACH
' Y
EAR-ROUND SEASONAL
HOUSING UNITS iNTT POPULATION TNIT POPLT~TION
Single- 815 163 365 652 2,608
Family
Multi- 324 65 146 259 1,036
' Family-- ------------

TOTAL
1,139 -----
228 ----------------
511 ------------------------
911 3,644
' Source: Prepared by Hayes & Associates
' 3. Town of Sunset Bea h Extraterritorial Area
The current extraterritorial area of Sunset Beach is a mixture of
' single-family and mobile homes as well as contains several large
tracts of vacant land. This vacant land will be the major focus of
development over the next 20 years and contains the Rees Jones
championship golf course of Sea Trail Plantation and the proposed
' Angel Trace or Pearl II golf course. Plats for residential
subdivisions around the Rees Jones golf course are beginning to be
submitted. It is projected that an additional 500 housing units could
' be built around the Rees Jones course and that another 500 units could
be built around the proposed Angel Trace course.
' Most of the assumptions pertaining to mainland development as
outlined above also pertain to the extra-territorial area. It is
assumed that either centralized sewer system or other means will be
employed in order to develop land that may not satisfy septic tank
' requirements. Table 2.3 shows the population capacity for the extra-
territorial area. This analysis reveals that the extra-territorial
__area has the potential for 2,732 housing units which will accommodate
' 1,226 year-round residents and 8,746 seasonal residents for a combined
peak residential population of 9,972.
' TABLE 2.3: POPULATION CAPACITY FOR THE EXTRATERRITORIAL AREA
QF THE TOWN OF SUNSET BEA H
YEAR-ROUND SEASONAL
' HOUSING UNITS UNIT POPULATION UNITS POPULATION
Existing 953 191 428 762 3,050
Platted 779 156 350 624 2,496
(Vacant)
Projected 1,000 200 448 800 3,200
TOTAL 2,732 547 1,226 2,186 8,746
' Source: Prepared by Hayes & Associates

' 26
4. Summarx
' Table 2.4 summarizes the housing and population capacity for the
Sunset Beach Planning Area. Based on this analysis, it is conceivable
that another 649 units may be built on the island, that another 586
' units will be built within the town limits on the mainland, and that
1,779 units will be built in the extra-territorial area. The extra-
territorial area will be the major focus of development during the
next 20 years because it contains 63 percent of the total land area
and is anticipated to have another 1,000 housing units built around
two championship residential golf course communities. Another factor
is that approximately 60 percent of the island and mainland have
already been developed.. In fact, the island and the mainland may be
.nearly completely developed within the next 10 to 13 years. During
1992, the only year that specific location of building permits was
' available, the island had 49 housing units built and the mainland had
63 units built. If these rates of development continue, then it is
likely that the additional 649 units on the island may be built within
nearly 13 years and that the additional 586 units on the mainland will
be completed within 10 years. As the island and the mainland near
capacity, growth will spillover into the new subdivisions in the ETA.
' TABLE 2 4' SUM_MA1ZY OF HOUSING AND POPULATION CAPACITY
FOR THE P ANNIN AREA OF THE TOWN OF SUNSET BEA H
' POTENTIAL
LAND UNIT EXISTING POTENTIAL YEAR-ROUND
AREA AREA CAPA ITY UNITS NEW ITS POPULATION
' Island 261 1,656 1,007 649 743
Mainland 748 1,139 553 586 511
---------------------------------------------------------
' TOWN 1,009------2,795-----1,560-----1,235-------1,245
--------------
_ETA 1,685 2,732 953 1,179 1,226
PLANNING 2 694 5 527 2 513 3 014 2 471
AREA
Source: Pre ared b Ha es & A
P Y Y ssociates
' C. POPULATION PROJECTIONS
An important aspect of the planning process is forecasting the
' future population of an area. Unfortunately, population forecasts are
usually the least precise element of planning since so many factors
_ such as annexation, the economy, and new development plans directly
impact demographic projections.
' This is especially true for a town like Sunset Beach which has
experienced a building boom during the 1980's as well as expanding its
town limits by 24.1 percent through annexations since its original
' incorporation in 1963.

1

27
The fluctuating nature of town and extraterritorial limits do
not make a good point of reference for long term projections.
What will be the Sunset Beach's town limits in 1998, 2003, 2008, or
2013? For this very reason, the North Carolina Office of State
Planning does not do population projections for towns and cities, but
does projections only for the counties in North Carolina. For this
analysis, it was assumed that most of the extraterritorial limits may
be annexed within the next 20 years. Consequently, population
projections for the current Sunset Beach Planning Area including the
town limits and the extraterritorial area are given. The Planning
Area projections also provide a better indication for future traffic
volumes in the immediate area of Sunset Beach.
A case in point is the population growth of Sunset Beach which is
estimated to have occurred from the time the United States Census was
taken in April 1990 and the population estimates for August 1993.
Based on the 1993 housing survey discussed in Table 1.5, it is
estimated that the August 1993 population is now 515, an increase-of
204 persons over a three-year period. An examination of annexations
and building development explains this phenomenal growth. Since April
1990, 297 housing units have been annexed and building permits have
been issued for another 289 dwelling units which explains the year-
round population growth of 204 residents.
The "Carrying Capacity" analysis previousily discussed is the
basis for the Planning Area population projections. The major -
assumption is that the land in Sunset Beach can only accommodate a
certain level of housing and population as dictated by the
characteristics of the land as well as by zoning and subdivision
ordinances. This maximum level of development and population is
forecasted in the "Carrying Capacity" analysis. The concept of these
population projections is to predict the level of development by five-
year increments from 1993 until 2013. First, it was assumed that the
annual rate of development experienced by Sunset Beach during the past
_12 years will continue over the next 5 to 20 years. Between 1981 and
1992, the Town of Sunset Beach authorized building permits for an
average of 134 dwelling units for the entire Planning Area.
Unfortunately, building permit data was only available for this 12-
year period for the entire Planning Area; therefore, it was not
possible to fine tune this analysis and determine specific rates of
development for the island, mainland, and ETA. Occupancy
1

characteristics of the mainland were used for this analysis since the
mainland will be the focus of most new development. It was assumed
that the vacancy rates revealed by the 1990 United States Census would
remain the same, i.e. that 20 percent of all housing would be for
year-round residents and that 80 percent would be for seasonal
residents. Moreover, it was assumed that the occupancy rates would
remain the same and that there would be 2.24 persons per year-round
household on the island and mainland and that occupancy rates for
seasonal housing would average 6 persons per unit. These assumptions
makes it possible to project both the year-round and seasonal
residential population for 1998, 2003, 2008, and 2013.

' 28
' Table 2.5 shows the population projections based on this method.
Based on these projections, the Town of Sunset Beach's current
planning area would house 1,427 year-round residents in 1998; 1,727
' residents by the year 2003; 1,906 year- round residents by 2008; and
2,327 residents by 2013. The seasonal residential population would
increase from 15,276 in 1998 to 24,924 in 2013. By the year 2013
the
' Town of Sunset Beach should be reaching ,
its carrying capacity for its
current Planning Area.
TABLE 2.5: PROJECTED YEAR-ROUND AND SEASONAL POPULATION
FOR SUNSET BEACH PLANNING AREA 1 998 2003 2008 AND 2013
TOTAL
' TOTAL YEAR-ROUND SEASONAL PEAK
YEAR UNITS UNITS O ("'iipAjJ'I' UNITS OC i PANT POP
' 1993 2,513 421 943 2,127 12,036 12,979

' 1998 3,183 637 1,427 2,546 15,276 16,703
2003 3 853 771 1
,727
3,082 18,492 20,219
2008 4,253 851 1,906 3,402 20,412 22,318
2013 5,193 1,039 2,327 4,154 24,924 27,251
CARRYING 5,527 1,105 2,476 4,422 26,532 27,637
CAPACITY
-----------------------------------------------------------------
' Source: Prepared by Hayes & Associates

29
D. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES ON LAND U E
Basically, the primary impact of a bridge replacement will be
determined by the relocation of existing development, the realignment
of NC 179, and the construction of approach routes to the bridge. The
primary environmental impact is thereby concentrated in the mainland
area in the vicinity of the current bridge. All three proposed bridge
replacement alternatives will displace the "Gore" unofficial boat
launching area on the island-side of the bridge.
What will be the secondary impact of the proposed bridge
replacement? This is one of the key questions posed by the opponents
to a new bridge who contend that a new bridge will accelerate
development and facilitate high-rise construction. Replacement of the
existing bridge with a more reliable two-lane structure will not
greatly affect the character or pace of development in Sunset Beach as
discussed in the case study of Ocean Isle and Holden Beaches prepared
by Hayes & Associates and the Economic Impact Analysis prepared by
Apogee Research. Another factor is the amount of vacant land left to
be developed. The island of Sunset Beach is already 60 percent
developed and demand for beach housing has remained strong. Moreover,
the Town of Sunset Beach has adequate land use controls to prevent
high-rise development and increased density of housing on the island.
The 35 foot building height zoning limitation on the island may only
be changed by a public referendum. Development of the golf course
communities on the mainland will continue with little regard as to
what type of bridge exists in the community. Consequently, there will
be no significant secondary impact on land use in Sunset Beach as a
result of the replacement of the current bridge.

X
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Hayes & Associates
2222 MIMOSA PLACE • WILMINGTON, NC 28403-2428 • [phone]

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SUNSET BEACH BRIDGE REPLACffi~N'T
SURVEY OF BEACH DAY-VISITORS
AT OCEAN ISLE AND SUNSET BEACH
sIULY 30 AND AIIGUST 2. 1994
GREINER PROJECT # R1077.0
T.I.P. NO. B-862
PROJECT NO. 8.2230101
SUBMITTBD SEPTEMBER 1, 1994

' EXECUTIVE SUNIlKARY
OBJECTIVE OF SURVEY•
A survey of 96 Sunset Beach and Ocean Isle visitors was performed
during the peak summer season of 1994. The objective of the survey
was to ascertain beach destination preferences, to define which
factors influenced current destination decisions, and to determine to
what extent, if any, a new bridge at Sunset Beach might influence
future travel patterns. Characteristics of beach day-visitors such as
distance traveled, number of persons per vehicle, number of hours
spent at the beach, and expenditures per vehicle unit were also
determined.
METHODOLOGY:
Surveyors interviewed beach visitors at the Sunset Beach and
Ocean Isle town parking lots on Saturday, July 30 and Tuesday, August
2, 1994. A copy of the short questionnaire and detailed tabulated
results are attached. Only one interview per vehicle was conducted. --
The survey was designed for beach day-visitors traveling from the
mainland and spending less than 24 hours at the beach. Ail day-
visitors had to cross the bridge to come to the island. During the
' course of the survey, overnight beach visitors were also interviewed.
These tourists were .visiting the island, but spending the night either
at an island motel, rental unit, or with friends and relatives. At
' Sunset Beach, 27 day-visitors and 6 overnight visitors were
interviewed. At Ocean Isle, 50 day-visitors and 13 overnight visitors
were interviewed.
' Ocean Isle Beach was selected as a survey site because it is the
closest beach to Sunset Beach and has a high rise bridge. More day-
visitors were surveyed at Ocean Isle than at Sunset Beach because the
Ocean Isle day-visitors were considered to be the "swing" group. It
would be these visitors who would be most likely to change their beach
destination patterns if a new bridge was built at Sunset Beach. In
other words, it was hypothesized that people going to Sunset Beach
would probably continue to do so no matter what type of bridge was
available, but that visitors to Ocean Isle may change their
destination if a more dependable bridge access was available to Sunset
' Beach.' Consequently, the survey interviewed nearly twice as many
visitors at Ocean Isle than at Sunset Beach.
FINDINGS•
Numerous factors influence beach destination decisions. Each
' beach has a different geographic area from which it draws most of its
day-visitors based upon the survey results. The average distance
traveled to Sunset Beach by the day-visitors was 5.7 miles. Nearly 88
percent of Sunset Beach day-visitors came from the Town's immediate
' mainland area including Sea Trail Plantation, Calabash, and Bonaparte
Retreat. On the other hand, Ocean Isle draws from a larger geographic
area and the average distance traveled was 21.8 miles. Nearly 72
' percent of the Ocean Isle day-visitors came from the Ocean Isle

mainland, Shallotte, the Sunset Beach mainland, Calabash, and the
surrounding North Carolina counties of Columbus, Bladen, and Robeson.
' These variations in the travel distances may help explain
differences in the characteristics of day-visitors. Because Sunset
Beach is more of a "local" beach, the day-visitors had a smaller _
average person per vehicle occupancy of 2.8~persons per vehicle as
compared to an average of 3.7 persons per vehicle for Ocean Isle.
Sunset Beach day-visitors tended to stay at the beach a shorter period
of time - an average of 2.6 hours for Sunset Beach visitors rather
than an average of 3.7 hours for Ocean Isle visitors.
Moreover, Sunset Beach visitors were less likely to spend money
' as shown by the fact that the average amount spent per vehicle was
$2.60 as compared to $5.40 for Ocean Isle visitors. This low
expenditure amount per vehicle confirms many beach business owners'
perceptions that day-visitors spend very little and do not enhance the
local tourist economy. Nearly 93 percent of Sunset Beach day-visitors
spent nothing as compared to 66 percent of Ocean Isle day-visitors. __
The spending discrepancies between the two beaches can also be
attributed to the fact that the island of Sunset Beach has fewer
commercial businesses than Ocean Isle.
' Visitors were drawn to both beaches for basically the same
reasons. When asked why they choose to come to that particular beach,
most respondents answered that the quality of that beach, proximity,
' parking availability, and family tradition attracted them. Both
beaches had advocates pronouncing that beach as the "best beach". The
type of bridge access was important to only 7 percent of Sunset Beach
day-visitors as compared to 26 percent of Ocean Isle day-visitors.
Only 10 percent of those surveyed considered going to the other
beach that day. Most respondents stated that they usually just go to
' the closest beach or that they "always went to their beach". A few at
each beach knew nothing about the other beach and therefore, had not
considered going there.
A key purpose of the survey was to determine whether a new bridge
at Sunset Beach would affect future beach destination choices.
Twenty-five out of 27 Sunset Beach day-visitors or 92.5 percent stated
' that they would continue to go to Sunset Beach no matter what type of
bridge was there. However, one pontoon bridge advocate threatened to
sell his Sea Trail condo and move from the Sunset Beach area if a new
' bridge was built. On the other hand, 50 percent of the Ocean Isle
day-visitors stated that they would always go to Ocean Isle no matter
what type of bridge was at Sunset Beach. Only 8 percent of Ocean Isle
day-visitors would change their beach destination to Sunset Beach if a
new bridge was built; 18 percent stated that they would still go to
Ocean Isle the most, but may go to Sunset Beach more often if a new
bridge was built; and 10 percent stated that they would only go to
' Sunset Beach if additional free public parking was available. There
is a common perception among Ocean Isle day-visitors that they would
either have to pay for parking and/or that there is a shortage of
parking at Sunset Beach. This perception functions as a deterrent for

' many to visit Sunset Beach. Fourteen percent of Ocean Isle day-
visitors knew nothing about Sunset Beach and declined to answer the
question.
' CONCLUSION:
' A new bridge at Sunset Beach will only have a minor influence on
beach destination based on this survey. For the most part, those day-
visitors currently going to Sunset Beach will continue to do so. Some
' Ocean Isle day-visitors would occasionally go to Sunset Beach for a
change of pace, but most would still go to Ocean Isle as a matter of
routine. A few Ocean Isle day-visitors would consider going to Sunset
Beach on a more regular basis if a new bridge was built. This change
' in beach destination preferences was more likely stated by those who
lived closer to Sunset Beach or lived about equal distance to both
beaches. Yet the majority of Ocean Isle day-visitors would always go
' to Ocean Isle no matter what type of bridge was available at Sunset.
It is obvious, however, that the number of day-visitors to all beaches
along the North Carolina coast will continue to increase as the _
population of the coastal counties and mainland communities continues
to grow.

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RBSULTS OF SUNSET BRACH AND OCEAN ISLE
$B_ACH VISITOR S 7RVRY
CONDUCTED JULY 30 AND AUGUST 2, 1994
DAY-VISITORS OVERNIGHT
VISITORS
NO. QUESTION SUNSET OCEAN SUNSET OCEAN TOTAL
BRACH ISLE BRACH ISLR
NUMBER OF SURVEYS 27 50 6 13 96
1. Where is your permanent residence?
Shallotte Township (Local) 7 8 0 0 15
Brunswick County 1 0 0 0 1
Other NC Counties 11 31 1 9 52
South Carolina 2 3 1 0 6
Other states in USA 6 8 4 4 22
2. If you are a visitor, where are you staying now?
Sunset Beach Island 0 0 6 0 6
Sunset Beach Mainland 13 5 0 0 18
Ocean Isle Island 0 0 0 13 13
Ocean Isle Mainland 0 10 0 0 10
Calabash 11 3 0 0 14
Shallotte 0 7 0 0 7
Southport 1 0 0 0 1
Other Brunswick Co. Towns 0 2 0 0 2
Little River/Myrtle Beach 1 2 0 0 3
Passing Thru 1 0 0 0 1
Columbus County 0 5 0 0 5
Bladen County 0 2 0 0 2
Robeson County 0 2 0 0 2
Other NC Counties 0 10 0 0 10
Other SC Counties 0 2 0 0 2
3. How many miles did you drive to come to this beach today?
Average miles driven 5.7 21.8 .5 .6 ---
4. Did you have to cross the bridge to come to the beach today?
Yes 27 50 1 3 81
No 0 0 5 10 15

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5
5. Why did you choose to come to (Sunset Beach, Ocean Isle)?
SuriGPr Beach Day-visitors Comment
10 - Proximitv
*SECOND HOME ON SUNSET BEACH MAINLAND
*WORKS IN CALABASH, VISITS SUNSET BEACH ON WAY TO WORK
*NEAR SEA TRAIL CONDO
*CLOSEST TO GRANDMA'S HOUSE
*CLOSEST BEACH
*STAYING IN CALABASH WHILE HUSBAND PLAYING GOLF, SUNSET
BEACH IS CLOSEST BEACH
_6 - Besr_ Bea-h/ Quality of Beach
*QUIET, FAMILY BEACH
*BEST BEACH
*UNCROWDED
*NICE AND QUIET
*FAVORITE, GRANDCHILDREN LIKE IT
*PARKING
*"BEST BEACH ON ATLANTIC COAST"
*"GOD'S TERRITORY"
_ -Recommendation of a Friend or Familx
*VISITING FRIEND'S HOUSE
Always Come t
*WEEKLY GROUP
*TRADITIONAL,
*CAME HERE AS
*GLAD TO FIND
Sunset Beach
OUTING OF CALABASH FRIENDS TO COME
BEEN COMING HERE FOR 6-7 YEARS
CHILDREN WHEN GROWING UP IN CHAPEL
PARKING SPACE, DON'T USUALLY FIND
TO SUNSET
HILL
ONE
Ocean Isle Day-visitors' C mments
16- Proximitv
*CLOSEST BEACH
*LIVE HERE ON OCEAN ISLE MAINLAND
*DADDY HAS HOUSE ON OCEAN ISLE MAINLAND
*CONVENIENT TO GO TO NC BEACH
*CLOSEST BEACH TO FOOD LION AT SUNSET BEACH
*OWN LAND IN SHALLOTTE
' 15 - Best B ac-h/Quality of Beach
*PEACEFUL, NOT CROWDED
*LIKE OCEAN ISLE BETTER THAN SUNSET OR HOLDEN
*QUIET,SIMPLE BEACH, CLEAN WATER AND SAND
' *LIKE THE BRIDGE + HAS GOOD PARKING
*GOOD WAVES
*RENTING CONDO AT NORTH MYRTLE, LIKE OCEAN ISLE FOR BEACH
' *LIKE OCEAN ISLE THE BEST
*"OUR BEACH"
*NOT AS CROWDED AS MYRTLE BEACH, FAMILY BEACH
*GOOD ATMOSPHERE, NO CROWDS
' *REMINDS ME OF SIMPLER TIME, NO HUSTLE-BUSTLE
*VIEW FROM APPROACH OF OCEAN ISLE BRIDGE IS BEAUTIFUL

~ s
' 7 - Recommendation of Friend or Familx
*SOUNDED LIKE GOOD BEACH
' *STAYING WITH RELATIVES
*VISITING PARENTS IN SHALLOTTE
*DAD HAS PROPERTY IN SHALLOTTE
*RECOMMENDEI~ BY FRIEND FOR FISHING
' 9 - Traditional Beach/ Always Come to Ocean Isle
*WORK WITH SLOAN REALTY, ALWAYS GO OCEAN ISLE
' *COMING HERE FOR 15 YEARS, LOVE THIS AREA
*BEEN HERE BEFORE, GOOD FISHING
*MOTHER + FATHER USED TO LIVE HERE
*ONLY BEACH HE KNOWS, GOOD LOCATION
' *FAMILY USE TO HAVE COTTAGE HERE
*AUNT USE TO HAVE HOUSE HERE, BEACH NOT CROWDED
Other Comments
*CALABASH NATIVES, SWITCH BETWEEN OCEAN ISLE AND SUNSET
*DON'T LIKE HOLDEN BEACH
' *GET NEWSPAPER AND EAT BREAKFAST
*WANTED TO TRY DIFFERENT BEACH, FIRST TIME COME HERE
*CHECKING WAVES FOR SURFING
*SUNSET BEACH DOESN'T LIKE DAY-VISITORS
Sunset Beach Overnight Visitors' Comments•
*FAMILY TRADITION TO RENT AT SUNSET
' *NICE BEACH, FAMILY PLACE
*PEACEFUL, QUIET, TRADITIONAL BEACH
*LOVE IT, LIKE THE BRIDGE, GOOD VALUE FOR RENTAL MONEY
' * 4TH YEAR COMING TO SUNSET BEACH
*ALWAYS COME HERE
Ocean Isle Overnight Visitors' Comments•
' *SURFERS WANT BIG WAVES
*ONLY BEACH WITH MOTEL ROOM AVAILABLE
' *STAYING WITH FRIENDS' AT OCEAN ISLE BEACH
*SUGGESTION BY FRIENDS
*MEETING FRIENDS AT CONDO
' *CAME LAST YEAR AND LIKED IT, LESS CROWDS
*USE TO WORK HERE AS POLICE OFFICER
*LIKE OCEAN ISLE, I HAVE BEEN HERE BEFORE
*FATHER'S RECOMMENDATION
' *VISITING DAUGHTER WHO RENTED BEACH HOUSE
*FISHING
*REAL ESTATE PACKAGE
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DAY-VISITORS OVBRNIGHT
VISITORS
QUESTION SUNSET OCEAN SUNSET OCEAN TOTAL
BEACH ISLE BEACH ISLE
6. Which of these factors influenced your decision to come to (SUNSET
BEACH/OCEAN ISLE)?
Proximity 26 20 46
Parking Facilities 18 26 44
Restroom Facilities 3 5 g
Quality of Beach 26 28 54
Bridge 2 13 15
Road Conditions 3 9 12
Always Come to This Beach 5 22 27
Family Beach 4 7 11
7. Did you consider traveling to (name other beach) today?
Yes 4 4 1 1 10
No 22 46 5 12 $5
Maybe 1 0 0 0 1
Sunset Beach Day-vis itors' Commen ts•

8 - GO TO THE C LOSEST BEACH
3 - DON'T LIKE TO GO TO OCEAN ISLE
4 - LIKE SUNSET BEACH THE BEST OF ALL THE BEACHES
5 - ALWAYS GO TO SUNSET BEACH
OTHER COMMENTS:
*DON'T KNOW WHAT PLANS ARE YET
*NEVER GO TO OCEAN ISLE
*OCEAN ISLE IS FURTHER AWAY
*OCEAN ISLE NOT AS PRETTY
*HADN'T THOUGHT ABOUT IT
*WOULD GO TO OCEAN ISLE IF HAD MORE TIME
*WILL VISIT OCEAN ISLE ONE DAY BEFORE I LEAVE
*LIKE THIS BEACH EVEN IF SLOWED BY BRIDGE
*WHERE IS OCEAN ISLE? T00 FAR AWAY
n Isle Dav-visi ors' Commen
7 - AVOID SUNSET BEACH BECAUSE OF BRIDGE AND CONGESTION
4 - OCEAN ISLE IS BEST BEACH
3 - OCEAN ISLE IS CLOSEST BEACH, WHY DRIVE FARTHER?
3 - BETTER ACCESS TO OCEAN ISLE BEACH
2 - WE ALWAYS GO TO OCEAN ISLE BEACH
2 - WHERE IS SUNSET BEACH?
2 - NEVER BEEN THERE

8
QTHER COMMENTS•
*GRANDKIDS WANTED TO GO TO OCEAN ISLE
*SUNSET BEACH IS "DEAD BEACH" FOR TEENAGERS
*BRIDGE IS SCARY
*WE GO TO SUNSET BEACH AND MYRTLE BEACH ALOT
*WE LIKE OCEAN ISLE THE BEST WITH NEW OR OLD BRIDGE
*DON'T LIKE SUNSET BEACH, LESS ROOM ON BEACH AND PARKING
*HATE BRIDGE, NEW BRIDGE NEEDED
*JUST LIKE OCEAN ISLE THE BEST
*NEVER BEEN THERE
*OCEAN ISLE IS "OUR BEACH"
*WAVES BETTER HERE
*WILL GO THERE SOMETIME DURING VISIT
*SUNSET BEACH HAS NO RESTAURANT FOR BREAKFAST
*BAD PARKING AT SUNSET BEACH
*BRIDGE INCONVENIENT
*STUPID BRIDGE
*AGE GROUPING IS BETTER AT OCEAN ISLE FOR YOUNG ADULTS
*LOOKING FOR WAVES
*DID CONSIDER GOING TO HOLDEN BEACH
*SUNSET BEACH DOESN'T LIKE DAY-VISITORS
*DON'T WANT TO PAY $4 TO PARK AT FISHING PIER AT SUNSET
*BOTH SUNSET AND OCEAN ISLE ABOUT SAME DISTANCE FROM
TRAILER, BUT OCEAN ISLE HAS BETTER ROAD/BRIDGE ACCESS
*SUNSET PARKING IS T00 FAR FROM BEACH
Sunset Beach Overnight Visitor Comments
3 - LIKE SUNSET BEACH BETTER
*DON'T LIKE OCEAN ISLE, LOOKS BIG
*LIKE FAMILY CHARACTER OF SUNSET
cean Isle Overnight Visitor Comments•
*WHY, ARE THE WAVES GOOD THERE?
*WHERE IS SUNSET BEACH?
*STARTED TO GO TO CHERRY GROVE, CAME TO OCEAN ISLE INSTEAD
*MAY GO TO MYRTLE BEACH LATER
DAY-VISITORS OVERNIGHT
VISITORS
NO. QUESTION SUNSET OCEAN SUNSET OCEAN TOTAL
BEACH ISLE BEACH ISLB
8. If a new bridge was bull t to Sunset Beach, would you consider
traveling to that beach?
Yes 25 4 5 1 35
May Go to Sunset More Often 0 9 0 0 g
But Will Go to Ocean Isle Most
Only Consider Going to Sunset
Beach if Had Better Parking 0 5 0 0 5
No 2 25 1 5 33
Don't Know About Sunset Beach 0 7 0 7 14

9
Sunset Beach Day-visitor Comments-
3 - STILL COME TO SUNSET BEACH NO MATTER WHAT TYPE OF BRIDGE
IS HERE, BRIDGE NOT A FACTOR IN BEACH DESTINATION DECISION
*SURE, STILL COME TO SUNSET BEACH, WHY NOT?
*CLOSEST, BEST BEACH
mments For_New Bri
*LIKE THIS BEACH, BRIDGE
*WOULD COME MORE OFTEN
*NEED NEW BRIDGE
*SUNSET BRIDGE. IS SCARY,
GETS KILLED
HASSLE
NEED NEW BRIDGE BEFORE SOMEBODY
*BRIDGE OK BUT GETS BACKED UP WHEN CLOSED FOR BARGE
*SHOULD BUILD BRIDGE, SOMEBODY WILL BE KILLED
*CURRENT BRIDGE IS T00 SMALL
*"WORRISOME" BRIDGE
Comments Against New Bridge•
' *DON'T WANT NEW BRIDGE
*THE BRIDGE IS CHARM OF THIS PLACE, I WILL SELL MY SEA
TRAIL CONDO AND WILL MOVE IF NEW BRIDGE IS BUILT
' *LIKE BRIDGE, DETERS DEVELOPMENT
*LIKE THIS BRIDGE EVEN WITH TRAFFIC
*HATE TO SEE NEW BRIDGE BECAUSE IT WILL CAUSE DEVELOPMENT
"*WHY SPEND $15 MILLION OF TAXPAYERS' DOLLARS TO AVOID A 15
' MINUTE WAIT?"
Other Comments
*SUNSET IS GOOD BEACH, ARE THEY THINKING ABOUT BUILDING A
NEW BRIDGE?
Ocean Isle Day-visitor Comments
8 - BRIDGE NOT A FACTOR IN BEACH DESTINATION DECISION, WILL STILL
GO TO OCEAN ISLE
' *STILL PREFER OCEAN ISLE TO EITHER SUNSET OR HOLDEN
*PREFER OCEAN ISLE
*LIKE OLD BRIDGE, BUT WHY DRIVE 6 MILES FARTHER WHEN OCEAN
ISLE IS ONLY .5 MILE AWAY?
*LIKE OCEAN ISLE THE BEST, SUNSET NOT BIG ENOUGH, HAS LESS
PARKING
*ONLY BEEN TO SUNSET BEACH 3 TIMES EVEN THOUGH I WORKED
' THERE 7 YRS.
*ONLY BEEN THERE ONCE
*WHY CHANGE? LIKE OCEAN ISLE, ALWAYS COME HERE
' *BRIDGE NOT A FACTOR
*REALLY LIKE OCEAN ISLE, ALWAYS GO HERE
*STILL LIKE OCEAN ISLE BETTER, HAS BIGGER WAVES
*OCEAN ISLE STILL "OUR BEACH"
*SUNSET BEACH HAS NO PARKING
*STILL BETTER AGE GROUPING FOR YOUNG ADULTS AT OCEAN ISLE
*BRIDGE NOT A FACTOR, I WOULD GO TO THE CLOSEST BEACH
*DON'T THINK I WOULD GO TO SUNSET EVEN WITH NEW BRIDGE
1

10
5 - WILL STILL GO TO OCEAN ISLE THE MOST, BUT WILL CONSIDER GOING
TO SUNSET BEACH MORE OFTEN IF NEW BRIDGE IS BUILT
*WITH BETTER BRIDGE ACCESS, I WOULD GO TO SUNSET MORE
OFTEN, NOW ONLY GO IN WINTER WHEN THERE IS NO
CONGESTION
*AVOID BRIDGE MESS NOW, IT'S A NUISANCE, DEFINITELY GO MORE
OFTEN IF NEW BRIDGE IS BUILT
*WOULD GO TO SUNSET MORE OFTEN, LIKE BIRD ISLAND, PREFER
SUNSET BEACH
*STILL GO OCEAN ISLE THE MOST, MAY GO SUNSET SOME
*STILL GO TO OCEAN ISLE THE MOST
*WOULD CONSIDER GOING TO SUNSET BEACH IF HAD BETTER ACCESS
*DON'T GO NOW BECAUSE OF BRIDGE, STILL WOULD GO TO OCEAN
ISLE THE MOST
5 - WOULD ONLY CONSIDER GOING TO SUNSET BEACH WITH NEW BRIDGE IF
THERE WAS ADDITIONAL FREE PARKING FOR DAY-VISITORS
*ONLY IF PARKING WAS EASY
*IF BETTER PARKING
*IF DON'T CHARGE FOR PARKING
5 - NOT FAMILIAR WITH SUNSET BEACH, NEVER BEEN THERE
2 - WHERE IS SUNSET BEACH?
Other Comments:
*LIKE BRIDGE AS IS
*WILL BE MOVING TO THE ISLAND OF SUNSET BEACH NEXT WEEK,
BRIDGE NOT FACTOR
*PRETTY BEACH
*TWO-WAY BRIDGE AT SUNSET BEACH WOULD BE NICE
Sunset Beach Overnight Visitor Comments
*BRIDGE KEEPS TRAFFIC DOWN, ENHANCES "QUAINTNESS"
*WORRISOME BRIDGE
*LIKE BRIDGE BUT STILL COME TO SUNSET, BRIDGE NOT A BIG
FACTOR
*WHY NOT? STILL COME TO SUNSET NO MATTER WHAT BRIDGE
*STILL COME NO MATTER WHAT BRIDGE
' Ocean Isle Overnight Visitors' Comments
5 - NOT FAMILIAR WITH SUNSET BEACH
' 3 - BRIDGE NOT A FACTOR FOR BEACH DESTINATION
Other Comments
*FAMILY ALWAYS RENTS AT OCEAN ISLE
' *LEAVE BRIDGE ALONE
*WHERE IS SUNSET BEACH?
*FRIENDS' RECOMMENDED OCEAN ISLE

1
11
DAY-VISITORS OVERNIGHT
VISITORS
NO. QUESTION SUNSET OCEAN SUNSET OCEAN TOTAL
BEACH ISLE BEACH ISLE
9. How many people are in your traveling party?
Average Persons/Vehicle 2.8 3.7 -- __ ___
10. How many hours do you plan to visit the beach today?
Average Hours Spent 2.6 4.1 -- -- ___
at Beach
I1. How much money did you spend during your beach visit today?
Average Spent $2.60 $5.40 $4.36
Percent Surveyed Who 92.5% 66% 75%
Spent Nothing
DEMOGRAPHICS OF SURVEY RESPONDENTS
DAY-VISITORS OV$RNIGHT
VISITORS
NO.' QUESTION SUNSET OCEAN SUNSET OCEAN TOTAL
BEACH ISLE BEACH ISLE
~E
Under 18 0 0 0 0 0
19-30 3 9 2 4 18
31-50 14 31 ~ 3 8 56
51-64 4 7 0 1 12
65 and Over 6 3 1 0 10
SEX
Male 16 27 5 10 58
Female 11 23 1 3 38
RACE
White 27 46 6 13 92
Black 0 3 0 0 3
Other race 0 1 0 0 1

1
BEACH VISITOR SURVEY, JULY 30, 31 1994
Hello, I am of Today, I am conducting a
survey of beach visitors to determine beach destination travel
preferences. I am not trying to sell any hing Do you have a few
minutes? Thank you!
Date: Time: Location: Interview ##:
------------------------------------------------------------
1. Where is your permanent residence? -
2. If you are a visitor, where are you staying now?
Check status: Day visitor Permanent Resident
Seasonal/Overnight Visitor/Second Home
(If applicable Island Location Mainland Location)
3. How many miles did you drive to come to this beach today?
4. Did you have to cross the bridge to (SB/OI) to come to the beach
today? Yes No
5. Why did you choose to come to (Sunset Beach, Ocean Isle)?
6. Which of these factors influenced your decision to come to (SB/OI)?
Proximity Parking Restroom Facilities Quality of Beach
Commercial/Recreational Facilities Bridge Road Conditions
Other Factors/ Comments:
7. Did you consider traveling to (name other beach) today?
Yes No Comments:
8. If a new bridge was built to Sunset Beach, would you consider
traveling to that beach? Yes No
Comments
' 9. How many people were in your vehicle for this beach trip?

10. How many hours do you plan to visit the beach today?
11. How much money do you plan to spend during your beach visit?
12. What is your age group?
Under 18 19-30 31-50 51-64 Over 65
Male Female White Black Other race
' Comments:
1
1

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