1976-09-07 RM Exhibitsf
T
ti~ivUvbii ni•iE~viivi> ~iiL i~ilivt ~"v ~..r~'_ :L
OF NEk' Hr~vOVER COt?v'T1, NORTH C.~~GLINA
ADOPTED OCTOBER 6, 1969
THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF NEW HANOVER COUNTY DOTH ORDAIN
Section 1 That the Zoning Ordinance of the County of New Hanover adopted October 6,
1969, as amended, be, and the same is hereby further amended as follows
1 Amend Article V, Section 51-2 by deleting the following
(13) Temporary residential sales office to serve the subdivision or other residen-
tial development in which it is located and any adjoining subdivisions or
residential developments by the same developer or affiliate, provided the
sales office shall be terminated upon completion of the sale of ninety-five
(95) percent of the houses and/or lots in the affected development
2 Amend Article V, Section 51-3 by deleting the following
(3) Construction office
3 Amend Article V, Section 52-2 by deleting the following
(13) Temporary residential sales office to serve the subdivision or other residen-
tial development in which it is located and any adjoining subdivisions or
residential developments by the same developer or affiliate, provided the
sales office shall be terminated upon completion of the sale of ninety-five
(95) percent of the houses and/or lots in the affected development
4 Amend Article V, Section 52-3 by deleting the following
(2) Construction office
5 Amend Article V, Section 53-2 by deleting the following
(13) Temporary residential sales office to serve the subdivision or other residen-
tial development in which it is located and any adjoining subdivisions or
residential developments by the same developer or affiliate, provided the
sales office shall be terminated upon completion of the sale of ninety-five
(95) percent of the houses and/or lots in the affected development
6 Amend Article V, Section 53-3 by deleting the following
(2) Construction office
7 Amend Article V, Section 54-3 by deleting the following
(2) Construction office
8 Amend Article V, Section 55-3 by deleting the following
(2) Construction office
9 Amend Article V, Section 56-3 by deleting the following
(2) Construction office
10 Amend Article V, Section 57-3 by deleting the following
(1) Construction office
11 Amend Article VII, Section 72 by deleting the following
72-3 Construction Office - A mobile home type structure may be permitted in any
district as a construction office o n the same lot in which a building is
being erected Such structures sha ll comply with the front and side yard
requirements of the district and sh all be moved off the lot before the
Certificate of Occupancy is issued for the building being constructed
12 Amend Article VI by adding the following
Section 61 Temporary Buildings
In any zoning district temporary structures, as set forth below, which are
to be used in connection with the development and sale of a tract of land may be
erected or located on said tract prior to and may remain thereon during the con-
struction or development period
61-1 Temporary buildings or trailers may be used as construction offices,
field offices or for storage of materials to be used in connection
with the development of said tract, provided that said temporary
•
r
structures are remcved from said tract within thirty (3{J) davs
after completion of the project development, after vnluntarv sus-
pension of work on the project or development, after revocation or
expiration of building permit, or on order by the Building Inspector
upon a finding that said temporary structure is deemed hazardous
to the public health and welfare
61-2 Temporary real estate offices or sales offices may be established
in a display dwelling unit or temporary building provided that
said offices are closed and the operation discontinued and all
temporary structures and facilities are removed from the tract
upon the completion of the sale, rent or lease of ninety-five (95)
percent of the dwelling units or lots of said tract
61-3 No temporary buildings or trailers shall at any time be located
closer than twenty-five (25) feet to a property line of any
adjacent property, notwithstanding the required setbacks of the
zoning district in which such temporary building or trailer is
located
Section 2 Any ordinance or part of any ordinance in conf lict with this ordinance,
to the extent of such conflict, is hereby repealed
Section 3 This ordinance is adopted in the interest of public health, safety,
morals and general welfare of the inhabitants of the County of New Hanover, North Carolina,
and shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption
1976
Adopted this i'~/ day of ~.=~ C~-,~t,!_~~ ,
J
~)
Chairman and Commissioner
~~
~/./
~~ ~ ~~
Commissioner ~~
_ _ ' ~ _.
Commissioner /
~ ~ /
Commissioner ~%
~ ~
Commissioner /
.. ~
_ r~~ rR _`i'!~ l C Tr_~ .~ <I'vG Oa,T;I .~'tiCE
0? ','~~' ~'~~~:~~t;~F. r~~~-'1TY, ,•;OpI•p r un? ItiA
ADOPTED OCTOBER 6, 1969
THE BOARD OF CO`•`^~ISSIONERS OF NE4i 1LANOVER COUI~"TY DOTH ORDAIN
Section 1 That the Zoning Ordinance of the County of New Hanover adopted October
6, 1969, as amended, be, and the same is hereby further amended by amending Article IV
to read as follows
ARTICLE IV NON-CONFORMING SITUATIONS
Section 40 General
40-1 After the effective date of this Ordinance, land or structures, or the
uses of land or structures which would be prohibited under the regula-
tions for the district in which it is located anal which were existing
prior to the effective date of this ordinance shall be considered as
non-conforming It is the intent of this ordinance to permit these
non-conformities to continue until they are removed, but not to encourage
their continual use Non-conforming structures or uses may be continued
provided they conform to the provisions of this ordinance
Section 41 Definitions
41-1 Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the terms defined below
are used in this Article in the following manner
(1) Non-Conforming Situation - A situation that occurs when, on the
effective date of this ordinance or any amendment hereto, an existing
lot or structure, or use of an existing lot or structure does not
conform to one or more of the regulations applicable to the district
in which the lot or structure is located
(2) Non-Conforming Lot - A lot existing at the effective date of this
ordinance or any amendment hereto that cannot meet the minimum Iot area
requirements of the district in which the lot is located
(3) Non-Conforming Use - A non-conforming situation that occurs when
property is used for a purpose or in a manner made unlawful by the
permitted use regulations applicable to the district in which the
property is located
(4) Non-Conforming Building or Structure (Dimensional Nan-Conformity) -
A non-conforming situation that occurs when the height, size or
minimum floor space of a building or the relationship between an
existing building and the required yard setbacks does not conform
to the regulations applicable to the district in which the property
is located
(5) Non-Conforming Project - Any structure, development or undertaking
that is incomplete at the effective date of this ordinance and would
be inconsistent with any regulation applicable to the district in
which it is located if completed as proposed or planned
Section 42 Use of Undeveloped Non-Conforming Lots
42-1 Non-Conforming Single Lot of Record - A vacant lot of record established
prior to the effective date of this ordinance which does not conform to
the minimum lot requirement of the district in which it is located may be
used as a building site for a use permitted within that district provided
(1) All construction and the location of the building(s) shall be in
accordance with the applicable front, side and rear yard requirements
of the zoning district in which located
(2) The existing or proposed water and sewage disposal system is approved
by the New Hanover County Health Department
42-2 Non-Conforming Contiguous Lots of Record - If two or more contiguous vacant
lots of record established prior to the effective date of this ordinance
are in single ownership such lots at the owner's option may be designated
to form a single or several lots which meet the minimum front, side and
rear yard requirements of the zoning district in which located
Section =+3 C~upZeti~r: of or_-Cor_fo_-;::~ng rro-~e~ts
43-1 The construction or erection of any non-con.=or.airg project r.:~ be c ~-
pleted provided
(1) All construe*_ion is done pursuant to a validly issued bLiidi_ng perm_*_
Section 44 Extension or Enlargement of Non-Conforming Situations
44-1 Except as specifically provided in this Section, it shall be unlawful for
any person to engage in any activity that causes an increase in the
extent of non-conformity of a non-conforming situation
44-2 Subject to paragraph 44-4 of this Section, a non-conforming use may be
extended throughout any portion of a completed building that, when the
use was made non-conforming by this ordinance, was manifestly designed
or arranged to accommodate such uses However, subject to Section 43 of
this ordinance, a non-conforming use may not be extended to additional
buildings or to land outside the original building
44-3 Subject to Section 43 of this ordinance, a non-conforming use of open land
may not be extended to cover more land than was occupied by that use when
it became non-confdrming, except that a use that involves the removal of
natural materials from the Iot (e g , a quarry) may be expanded to the
boundaries of the lot where the use was established at the time it became
non-conforming, if ten (10) percent or more of the earth products had
already been removed at the active date of this ordinance
44-4 Where a non-conforming situation exists the equipment or processes may be
changed if these or similar changes amount only to changes in degree of
activity rather than changes in kind and no violations of other paragraphs
of this Section occur
44-5 Physical alteration of structures or the placement of new structures on
open land are unlawful if they result in
(1) An increase in the total amount of space devoted to a non-conforming
use, or
(2) Greater non-conformity with respect to dimensional restrictions such
as yard requirements, height limitations, or density requirements
44-6 Minor repairs to and routine maintenance of property where non-conforming
situations exist are permitted and encouraged
44-7 Notwithstanding paragraph 44-5, any structure used for single family
residential purposes and maintained as a non-conforming use or structure may
be enlarged or replaced with a similar structure of a larger size, so long
as the enlargement or replacement does not create new nan-conformities
or increase the extent of existing non-conformities with respect to yard
size and setback requirements In particular, a mobile home may be
replaced with a larger mobile home, and a "single-wide" mobile home may
be replaced with a "double-wide " This paragraph is subject to the
limitations stated in Section 46 - Abandonment and Discontinuance of
Non-Conforming Situations
44-8 A structure that is non-conforming in any respect or a structure that is
used in a non-conforming manner may be reconstructed or replaced if
partially or totally destroyed, subject to the following restrictions
(1) A letter of intent is received by the Building Inspector within six
(6) months from the time of such destruction
(2) A building permit is obtained from the Building Inspector within one
(1) year from the time the damage or destruction took place
(3) The total amount of space devoted to a non-conforming use may not be
increased, except that a larger, single family residential structure
may be constructed in place of a smaller one and a larger mobile
home intended for residential use may replace a smaller one
(4) The reconstructed building may not be more non-conforming with
respect to dimensional restrictions such as yard requirements, height
limitations or density requirements, and such dimensional non-
conformities must be eliminated if that can reasonably be accomplished
without unduly burdening the reconstruction process or limiting the
right to continue the non-conforming use of such building
Section 45 Change in Kind of Non-Conforming Use
45-1 Anon-conforming use may be changed to a conforming use Thereafter, the
property may not revert to a non-conforming use
45-2 Anon-conforming use may be changed to another non-conforming use only
in accordance with approval issued by the Board of Adjustment The Board
shall issue such approval if it finds that the proposed use will be more
compatible with the surrounding neighborhood than the use in operation
at the time the approval is applied for If a non-conforming use is
changed to any use other than a conforming use without obtaining approval
pursuant to this paragraph, that change shall constitute a discontinuance
of the non-conforming use, with consequences as stated in Section 46
45-3 If a non-conforming use and a conforming use, or any combination of
conforming and non-conforming uses, or any combination of non-conforming
uses exist on one (1) lot, the use made of the property may be changed
substantially (except to a conforming use), only in accordance with
approval issued by the Board of Adjustment The Board shall issue such
approval if it finds that the proposed use will be more compatible with
the surrounding neighborhood than the use or combination of uses in
operation at the time the approval is applied for
Section 46 Abandonment and Discontinuance of Non-Conforming Situations
46-1 When a non-conforming use is discontinued for a consecutive period of
two (2) years, the property involved may thereafter be used only for
conforming purposes
46-2 For purposes of determining whether a right to continue a non-conforming
situation is lost pursuant to this Section, all of the buildings,
activities and operations maintained on a lot are generally to be con-
sidered as a whole _ For example, the failure to rent one (1) apartment in
a non-conforming apartment building or one (1) space in a non-conforming
mobile home park for two (2) years shall not result in a loss of the right
to rent that apartment or space thereafter so long as the apartment
building or mobile home park as a whole is continuously maintained But
if a non-conforming use is maintained in conjunction with a conforming
use, discontinuance of a non-conforming use for the required period
shall terminate the right to maintain it thereafter And so, if a mobile
home is used as a non-conforming use on a residential lot where a
conforming residential structure also is located, removal of that mobile
home for two (2) years terminates the right to replace it
46-3 When a structure or operation made non-conforming by this Ordinance is
vacant or discontinued at the effective date of this Ordinance, the two
(2) year period, for purposes of this Section, begins to run at the
effective date of this Ordinance
Section 2 Any Ordinance or part of any Ordinance in conflict with this
Ordinance, to the extent of such conflict, is hereby repealed
Section 3 This Ordinance is adopted in the interest of public health, safety,
morals and general welfare of the inhabitants of the County of New Hanover, North
Carolina, and shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption
Adopted this ~'~ day of ,:~~-~ -„~G.,~ , 1976
\ ''
Chairman and Commissioner
Commissioner
i ,i
Y~ ~.v ~~,~ , f~ _-~
Commissioner /~ v
~~:~~ C' . r r-~---
Commissioner
- `~ ~ .~
commissioner w __._
WILMINGTON-NEW HANOVER
COMPREHENSIVE
PLANNING PROGRAM
RECOMMENDED POLICIES FOR
GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
DRAFT
APRIL 29, 1976
~ aRa~n-,,,~c+r.T ~
The following is a description of the Planning Commission's recommended
changes resulting from review and discussion of the recommended policies
Section II, A (3) (c) - Pg 9 Change "shall" to "should "
Section II, A (3) (f) - Pg 10 Change "shall" to "should "
Section II, B (1) (a) - Pg 11 Insert "seafood" at end of sentence
Section II, B (1) (c) - Pg 13 Insert "appropriate site improvements
are made or" between "as" and "centralized Also, revise last
sentence to read "Where septic tanks are permissible, no part of
the system shall be any closer than 100 feet to estuarine waters
and drainageways which discharge to estuarine waters "
Section II, B (2) (a) - Pg 14 Strike the county's poor soils"
and insert "those soils of the county which are unsuitable for
waste disposal "
Same Section, last paragraph Change "impacted" to "affected "
Section II, B (2) (c) - Pg 15 First policy statement - change
"prohibited" to "restricted "
Section II, B (3) (c) - Pg 16 Add at end of second policy statement
"or other uses which would not have the effect of damaging or
altering the natural function of the marsh "
Section II, B (4) (c) - Pg 17 Strike out all of policy recommendation
No 2 and replace with "Based on an analysis of the Planning Area's
future local and export mineral resource needs, prime resource
sites should be identified and protected from incompatible
development "
Same Section, last policy recommendation Replace "impacts" with
"effects on surrounding areas "
Section II, B (5) (a) - Pg 17 In finding No 2 change "an extreme"
to "a significant "
Same Section, Finding No 2 - Pg 18 Change "can" to "may" and strike
"easily "
Same Section, last paragraph - Pg 18 Change "threat" to "danger "
Also, after "The New Hanover County Airport" add "and its approach
patterns over populated areas "
Section II, B (5) (c) - Pg 19 In first policy recommendation strike
"no" and change "permitted" to "discouraged "
Section II, C (2) - Pg 21 Change "insure" to "encourage "
Section II, C (3) - Pg 21 In second policy recommendation put a
period ( ) after "avoided " Also, strike "and" and begin new
sentence with "The development of Also, put comma (,)
after "parks "
Same Section - Pg 22 Change policy recommendation No 10 to read
"Housing market information will be provided to the real estate
industry to assist in meeting consumers' housing needs, both
numbers and types ~~
Section II, D (3) - Pg Z3 In policy recommendation No 3 strike
"Outer Loop", add "or route" between "highway" and "shall", and
change "minimal negative impact" to "least advezse effect" In
policy recommendation No 5 put "In the future design of
thoroughfares," at the beginning
Section II, E (1) - Pg 24 In finding No 5 strike the quo~ation
marks, Strike "There is no" at beginning and begin new sentence
with "Public", and, add "is inadequate" to the end
Section II, F (3) - Pg 26 In third policy recommendation change
"fiscal techniques" to "tax benefits "
I INTRODUCTION
A BACKGROUND
The past decade has brought tremendous change to the citizens of
Wilmington and the surrounding areas of New Hanover County Expanded
economic development has produced more industries, more shopping facilities
and more jobs It has also attracted large number of new families and has
stemmed the flow of young people out of the county in search of jobs
Equally important has been the change in the area's landscape i~;ew
factories, new shopping centers, new apartment complexes, and new residen-
tial subdivisions have gone hand-in-hand with the area's growth Much of
this new development has taken place in formerly rural areas where the
public was not prepared to service it, creating a demand for the investment
of tax dollars for new services, such as water and sewer facilities, and
for the expansion of existing services, such as police and fire protection
In addition, factories, stores, and residences have been built in areas
where the land is not really suited for intensive development
This decade of change has brought with it concerns on the part of many
residents These concerns are for threats to the quiet, rural life-style
enjoyed by many residents, for environmental degradation resulting from unsound
development practices, and perhaps most concretely, for rising tax bills which
can be attributed, at least partially, to inefficient urban development
In response to these concerns, the Wilmington-New Hanover Planning De-
partment, a joint agency of city and county governments, began the preparation
of a comprehensive plan in 1974 The basic purpose of this planning effort
is to develop an effective growth management program which will permit
continued expansion of the area's economy while minimizing the taxpayers'
costs for services and preventing further damage to the area's environmental
resources
Concurrent with the initiation of this planning program, the North
Carolina General Assembly enacted the Coastal Area Management Act of
1974 (CAMA) This legislation requires that local governments develop
land use plans in accordance with specifications adopted by the Coastal
Resources Commission, the organization having overall responsibility for
implementing CAMA Therefore, the technical studies undertaken and issues
addressed in the planning program have been strongly influenced by the
Coastal Management legislation
The planning program has been organized to include three phases
Phase 1 -- Policies for Urban Growth and Development
Addresses the basic questions of how much growth
is desirable, where growth should occur, and what
types of growth should be encouraged?
Phase 2 -- Detailed Land Use Recommendations The
outcome of this phase will be specific recommenda-
tions on the location and proper interrelationships
of major land uses
Phase 3 -- Land Management Tools Develops recommenda-
tions concerning the adoption of land management
tools -- amending existing zoning ordinances and
subdivision regulations, as well as new concepts
B PHASE 1 RECOMMENDATIONS
As stated in a growth policy report by the New Hanover County Environ-
mental Impact Committee,
"The freedom of an individual to use his land as he wishes
has traditionally been cherished as an implicit value of
American life However, as land becomes developed, indi-
vidual freedoms .often conflict Protection of the private
property rights of some often results in the restriction
of the rights of other individuals and of the community
as a whole
There is a need for balancing private rights, the public
interest and the natural capabilities of the land to set
mutual goals These goals should protect what we most
value in the environmental, cultural and aesthetic char-
acteristics of the land while meeting the essential needs
of the growing population for housing, transportation,
recreation, industrial facilities and businesses "
- 2 -
The purpose of this report is to present the Planning Staff's policy
recommendations which have grown out of the technical studies and the Public
Participation Program which were undertaken in Phase 1 of the planning
program Taken as a body, these recommendations define a need, suggest
appropriate objectives for meeting that need, and recommend policies which
are means of achieving these objectives
Seven separate areas of policy have been addressed
A Urban Growth
B Environmental Quality
C Land Us e
D Transportation
E Recreation and Open Space
F Agriculture and Forestry
G Historic and Archeological Sites
These policies, when adopted by the Wilmington City Council and the New
Hanover County Board of Commissioners, will provide a set of principles to
guide decision-making at all levels of city and county government, whether
these decisions relate to a petition for rezoning, the extension of water
and sewer services, the location of a new school or some other question
concerning growth and development in the Wilmington-New Hanover Planning Area
- 3 -
II POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS
A Urban Growth
The need for a formal policy regarding growth in the Wilmington-New
Hanover Planning Area has been supported both by the technical studies
undertaken by the planning staff and by the concerns expressed by the
area's citizens through the Public Participation Program
The area's recent growth has brought a degree of economic prosperity
to many residents At the same time, however, the impact of this growth
is a matter of concern to many citizens and public officials Growth and
its attendant problems has had a detrimental effect on the area's natural
resources, it has created extreme pressure on existing city and county
services, as well as escalated demands for new services, and it has produced
an unwanted change in the life-style of many residents
1 Findings
The major findings which form the basis for the planning staff's
recommended growth policy stem from the results of the staff's technical
reports and the Planning Area's Public Participation Program
a Population Growth
Recent growth trends are expected to continue Increasing from a current
level of approximately 94,000, the county's population will range between
123,000 and 151,000 by the year 2000 The most current information available
indicates that the projected population level of 151,000 is most probable
As in the recent past, it is expected that the bulk of this growth will
take place in the suburban and rural parts of the Planning Area where services
are poorly developed
- 4 -
b Income
As measured by median income, the economic well-being of all Planning
Area residents has improved significantly in recent years, however, there
remains a gap between the incomes of local residents and .the incomes of
other prosperous urban areas of North Carolina
In spite of the Planning Area's economic gains, there also remains
a substantial number of families which are economically disadvantaged
These poor families are predominantly black, city residents, and a large
percentage (45 percent) have female heads
Studies of the local economy have shown that rising incomes are closely
paralleled by an increase in the number of people employed in the manufacture
of durable goods Durables employment is generally characterized by higher
technical skill requirements, higher productivity, and higher wages
Expansion in the number of jobs requiring high technical skills tends
to have a significant positive impact throughout the economy by introducing
a degree of upward mobility into the workforce Semi-skilled workers can
move into higher paying skilled jobs, and the unemployed and under-employed
can fill the jobs vacated by the semi-skilled Such a process, however,
requires an open job market and innovations in vocational education programs
A study of the area's economy indicates that the five economic sectors
with the greatest impact on income at present are
1) chemicals
2) trade
3) transportation, communication, and utilities
4) metals
5) apparel
These sectors should receive prime consideration in the Planning Area's
economic development program
- 5 -
c Land Requirements
A significant amount of land will be required to meet the needs of the
Planning Area's projected growth It is estimated that, at the highest growth
rate, 30 square miles of land will be required for residential, commercial,
and industrial uses alone This estimate is expanded to allow for adequate
choice and flexibility in site selection
However, this land requirement can be accommodated on environmentally
suited land Final estimates indicate that approximately 52 square miles of
vacant land are suited for development (with proper improvements) Approxi-
mately 58 percent of this reserve would be consumed by the "high" population
projection, indicating that, even with a high growth rate, environmentally
unsuited lands need not be developed
d Urban Sprawl
Experience in New Hanover County, as well as other areas, indicates that,
if left entirely to the direction of the free market, development would occur
in a widely scattered, haphazard pattern
Urban sprawl is costly to the taxpayers An analysis of growth alterna-
tives for the Wilmington-New Hanover Planning Area indicates that the costs
of providing basic services to a sprawling development pattern may be more
than two-times greater than to a compact development pattern
In some cases, sprawling development patterns may render the provision
of needed services economically infeasible because overall development densi-
ties are too low
e Sewerage Services
Engineering studies indicate that a centralized system for collecting,
treating, and disposing of sewage is essential to alleviate existing septic
tank problems and to prevent sewage problems generated by future development
- 6 -
It is estimated that there remains a maximum of 11,000 acres of
undeveloped land which is suited for septic tanks within the Planning Area
As a result of the existing proliferation of septic tanks in unsuited soils,
19 residential subdivisions currently experience septic tank problems
Centralized sewerage facilities are expensive and normally they cannot
be financed without federal and state assistance Combined {ederal/state
aid can be as much as 87 5 percent of eligible sewerage costs, but only if
guidelines are met The most relevant guidelines from the standpoint of
growth policy are the following
1) Projects must be the most cost-effective alternative
for meeting water quality goals,
2) Projects must be energy-efficient, and,
3) Projects must be environmentally sound
These guidelines favor a compact development pattern, where practical
f Loss of Farmland
The loss of prime agriculture land to development is an important con-
cern in the Planning Area Even though full-time employment in agriculture
has declined for the past several years, it still represents a significant
source of part-time employment for area residents In addition, through the
Public Participation Program, area residents have expressed a strong desire
to preserve agriculture as a way-of-life in New Hanover County
g Capitalize on Existing Investments
The multi-million dollar investments of New Hanover County and its
municipalities in public improvements and of the private sector in existing
buildings and other facilities are most readily optimized by encouraging
compact development around existing developed areas
- 7 -
2 Policy Objectives
Based on these findings, the following policy objectives have b~~~~.
defined for urban growth in the Wilmington-New Hanover Planning area
1) To increase the accessibility of all Planning
Area residents to the basic economic goods
and services--food, clothing, decent housing,
health care, and recreation--as indicated by
rising median incomes among all groups of the
population
2) To enable the City of Wilmington and New Hanover
County to deliver necessary basic urban services
to urban development in the most cost-effective
manner
3) To enable local governments and private interests
to capitalize on existing investments in buildings
and other facilities in the extension of services
to presently unserved areas
4) To reduce any existing or potential tax inequities
by insuring that taxes are proportional to the
cost of services consumed
S) To improve the Planning Area's long term energy
efficiency particularly as it relates to service
delivery and transportation
6) To improve the efficiency of land utilization and
thereby reduce the development pressure on prime
agricultural lands and environmentally sensitive
areas
7) To reduce the uncertainty of the real estate
market as it relates to the provision of public
services and thereby to lend greater security to
the long-term investments of property owners
3 Recommended Policies
a Quantity
Three major considerations shall be used as guidelines for decisions
which have the effect of altering the Planning Area's rate of growth
1) the impact of growth on the economic well-being
of the Planning Area's residents,
2) the financial capability of local government to
provide services to new residents, and,
- 8 -
3) the impact of growth on the Planning Area's
quality of life
b Quality
In order to insure that the residents of the Wilmington-New Hanover
Planning Area receive the greatest benefits from economic expansion,
economic development programs shall be encouraged to give priority to
industries and establishments which have the effect of diversifying the
local economy, which require a more highly skilled labor force, and which
have the overall effect of increasing the area's median income
c Distribution
Future urban development (consisting of all residential subdivisions
having a density of two (2) dwelling units per acre or greater, commercial
establishments having a net usable area of 5,000 square feet or more, and
industries employing more than 25 workers) shall be contained within the
geographical limits of a defined, but flexible, Urban Services Area The
purpose of the Urban Services Area is to encourage a compact development
pattern and to permit delivery of basic urban services--sewerage, water
facilities, and police and fire protection--efficiently and effectively
d Factors of Urban Services Area Delineation
In drawing the initial boundaries of the Urban Services Area, the
following factors shall be considered
1) projected land use needs (10 years),
2) the location and supply of land which is
environmentally suited for development,
3) a long-range service delivery plan (12 years)
which specifies` expected service needs,
expected service costs, and the approximate
revenues which will be available to fund
public services,
- 9 -
4) the need for cooperation with governments
outside the Planning Area in meeting
mutual service needs, and,
5) existing critical needs related to the
health and/or safety of Planning Area
residents
e Initial Priority of Service Delivery
In the development of new services and the expansion of eisting
services, areas which are currently developed at urban densi*ies but not
serviced shall receive priority
f Land Use Plan Outside Urban Services Boundaries
In the development of detailed land use plans, the area outside the
urban services boundary shall be maintained by low-density residential areas,
rural communities, open space lands, farms, and other uses compatible with
the intent of the urban growth policy
g Expansion of Urban Services Boundary
When there is a demonstrated need and a positive cost-revenue ratio can
be shown, the boundary of the Urban Services Area shall be expanded, using
the same criteria as outlined above In any case the extent of the Urban
Services Area shall be reviewed at least once every five years When the
boundary is extended, land use plans for the expansion area shall be revised
h Urban Development Outside Urban Services Boundaric
Urban level development shall be permitted outside the Urban Services
Boundary only in such cases where the developer agrees to reimburse local
governments for the full cost of extending basic services or the developer
agrees to provide services in compliance with standards set by local governments
i Real Property Appraisal
As provided for in the North Carolina Machinery Act, the differing
- 10 -
development potentials of land lying within and outside the Urban Services
Area shall be fairly reflected in the property appraisal for tax purposes
B ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
1 Surface Water Quality
a Findings
Surface water is, perhaps, the Wilmington-New Hanover Planning Area's
most important natural resource
Under North Carolina General Statute 113-229(ri)(2), virtually all of
the waters of New Hanover County are classified as estuarine waters Estuaries
are highly productive natural environments, having value for almost everyone
Some of the values are reflected simply in the richness of the life-style
enjoyed by residents of the Planning Area Estuarine waters are a major
aesthetic attraction and a recreational outlet for large numbers of residents
The estuary's value is also reflected in the market place Species which are
dependent upon the estuary during part or all of their life cycle--menhaden,
shrimp, flounder, oysters, and crabs--makeup over 90 percent of the total value
of North Carolina's commercial catch
Thus, maintenance of these estuarine waters in the best possible condition
is essential for protecting the value of the area's residents, yet according to
information contained in a draft of the Greater Wilmington 201 Facilities Plan,
4
the water quality picture in all of New Hanover County is rather poor The
North Carolina Division of Environmental Management considers the following
stream segments to be below desirable water quality standards
1) Smiths Creek from Burnt Mill Creek to the Northeast
Cape Fear Rive,
2) The Mouth of Bradley Creek, and,
3) The sound waters in the vicinity of Wrightsville Beach
- 11 -
From the standpoint of shellfishing where standards are more stringent,
the water quality problem is more extensive According to the North Carolina
Shellfish Sanitation Program, most of the creeks in the eastern segment of New
Hanover County, most of the sound waters in and around Wrightsville Beach,
a large portion of Myrtle Grove Sound, Snows Cut, and the lower Cape Fear
River Estuary are closed to shellfishing
The Planning Area's water quality problems can be attributed to several
sources--the discharges from municipal waste treatment plants, the discharges
from private waste treatment plants, industrial discharges, urban runoff,
agricultural runoff, and malfunctioning septic tanks
b Policy Objective
Based on these findings, the following policy objective has been defined
for surface water quality in the Wilmington-New Hanover Planning Area
Preserve and enhance the quality of the Planning
Area's surface waters to increase and perpetuate
their value--biological, economic, recreational,
and aesthetic--to the residents of the area
c Recommended Policies
The following policies are recommended in order to achieve the objectives
concerning the preservation and enhancement of the quality of the Planning
Area's surface waters
1) The quality and quantity of runoff from urban
development and agricultural activities entering
the estuarine waters of the Planning Area shall
be as near to a natural condition as possible
To this end
a) The system of land drainage shall
be maintained as near to natural
patterns as possible,
b) During the site development process,
the maximum possible amount of suit-
able vegetation shall be maintained
intact,
- 12 -
c) A suitable natural or vegetated
buffer shall be maintained between
drainage ways and development activites,
unless it is clearly demonstrated to
be infeasible, and,
d) Evaluate the implementation of the New
Hanover County Soil Erosion and Sedi-
mentation Control Ordinance to insure
that its objectives are being met
2) Where soil conditions require lowering of the water
table to permit development, it must be clearly shown
that the artificial land drainage will not seriously
affect the quality and salinity of estuarine waters
3) In the development of centralized sewage collection
and treatment facilities, priority will be given to
those areas experiencing chronic septic tank failures,
areas where septic tanks have been placed in unsuited
soils, and to developments currently discharging
sewage effluent into the marshes and estuaries in the
eastern and southern portions of the Planning Area
4) To upgrade the quality of the surface waters of the
Planning Area every feasible action will be taken to
improve the quality of existing municipal sewage dis-
charges and where possible to eliminate these discharges
5) No new sewage discharges shall be permitted in the
marshes and estuaries of the eastern and southern
portions of the Planning Area
6) Urban type development in areas where septic tanks are
expected to malfunction will be prohibited until such
times as centralized sewer services are available
Where septic tanks are permissible, no part of the
system shall be any closer than 100 feet from drainage-
ways, streams, ponds, and estuarine waters
2 Ground Water Quality
a Findings
A majority of families and a significant number of industries in New
Hanover County are presently dependent upon ground water Outside of the
City of Wilmington, all water Whether from individual wells or private
systems, comes from groundwater
- 13 -
While the quantity of groundwater is at this time adequate, in many
instances it is not of the best quality and generally presents problems
for use as a domestic supply because of iron hardness, corrosiveness, or
chloride content In addition, there is the potential for salt water
intrusion due to the increased pumping demands of a growing population
These existing and potential ground water quality problems are complicated
by the county's poor soils and the urbanization currently taking place in the
unincorporated areas More people bring more septic tanks and the prolif-
eration of septic tanks increase the threat of ground water pollution in
many areas
Engineering studies have concluded that a county-wide water treatment
and distribution system is needed to meet the needs of the Planning Area's
projected growth however such a system is only in the early planning
stages, and its implementation is a number of years away In the interim,
the county's ground water supply must be carefully managed to insure adequate
quality and quantity
Ground water supplies are replenished from several sources, however
from the standpoint of local ground water management, aquifer recharge areas
are the most important sources of replenishment Precipitation and surface
water move into the ground water supply in these areas The rate of recharge
as well as the quality of water entering the underground supply is substan-
Bally impacted by the type of development and land uses permitted in major
aquifer recharge areas
b Policy Objective
Based on these findings, the following policy objective has been
defined for ground water quality in the Wilmington-New Hanover Planning Area
To insure the long-term .maintenance and improvement
of the quantity and quality of the Planning Area's
ground water supply
- 14 -
c Recommended Policies
In order to achieve the objective of long-term maintenance and improve-
ment of the Planning Area's ground water supply the following policies are
recommended
1) The further use of septic tanks for sewage disposal
in the Planning Area's primary aquifer recharge
areas will be prohibited, unless it is clearly
demonstrated that the use of septic systems will
not lower the quality of ground water resources
2) The introduction of untreated industrial wastes into the
ground water shall be prohibited
3) In primary recharge areas, developers shall be
encouraged to minimize impervious surface areas
to permit maximum infiltration and ground water
recharge
4) Where artificial drainage to lower the water
table is required to permit development such
drainage shall not have a significant impact
on the ground water supply
3 Wetlands
a Findings
The wetlands of New Hanover County consist of low salt marsh, high
salt marsh, brackish marsh, and riverine wooded swamps These are the most
productive of the county's natural resources, performing several vital
functions, including the following regulation of the quality and quantity
of runoff water entering the estuary, provision of a vital habitat for wild-
life and waterfowl, provision of the basic nutrients for the estuarine food
web (90 percent of the total North Carolina commercial catch are estuarine
dependent species), and provision of an aesthetic attraction
b Policy Objective
Based on the findings of the environmental analysis the following objective
has been defined for the Planning Area's wetlands
- 15 -
To preserve and manage the Planning Area`s wetlands
in order to safeguard and perpetuate their biological,
economic, and aesthetic values
c Recommended Policies
In order to achieve the objective of preservation and management of
the Planning Area's wetlands the following policies are recommended
1) No development or activity will be permitted r n
area of low tidal marsh which would have the eiit~~t
of damaging or altering the natural function; of r_he
marsh
2) High salt marshes, brackish marshes, and riverin~
wooded swamps will be developed only for uses wt: ch
require water access
3) The vital functions of the high marshes, brae n
marshes, and riverine wooded swamps must be a~: omo-
dated in the site planning process for all permitted
uses
4 Mineral Resources
a Findings
New Hanover County contains two important mineral resources--sand and
limestone According to the latest employment statistics, ind~.~striai
activities based on these resources employed approximately ;_'`~J workers in
1974 In addition, in 1973 mineral production in the county was about 12
percent of the state's total
b Policy Objective
Based on the findings of the environmental analysis the following
objective has been defined regarding the Planning Area`s mineral resources
To recognize mineral deposits as non-renewable resources,
to preserve sites where mineral extraction is economically
feasible, and to minimize the impact of mineral extraction
on other land uses
- 16 -
c Recommended Policies
In order to achieve the objective defined for the Planning Area's
mineral deposits the following policies are recommended
1) The cooperation of the state geologist will be
sought to develop a more complete study of
New Hanover County's sub-surface geology and
to specifically identify prime mineral resource
sites
2) A cost-benefit analysis will be undertaken for
each of these sites to determine if the benefits
of mineral extraction outweigh the cost of the
extractive industry's impact
3) Where extractive activities are permitted land
reclaimation will be required
4) Noise and dust, surface water pollution, and
waste materials and spoils disposal must be
controlled to minimize adverse impacts
5 Development on Upland Areas
a Findings
The upland areas of New Hanover County present both opportunities and
limitations for urban development A study by the Wilmington-New Hanover
Planning Department reveals four major elements of the natural environment
having an impact on the suitability of the land for development These
four elements are described as follows
1) Flood hazard areas Flaod waters represent a
hazard to life and property when development takes
place in flood prone areas, in addition, flood
plain development may actually increase the severity
of flooding by acting as a partial dam and by de-
creasing the absorptive capacity of the flood plain
soils
2) Ocean beach and frontal dune system Because they
are subjected to flooding by diurnal tides and
storm surges, tie ocean beaches present an extreme
hazard to life and property The frontal dune
system lying immediately landward of the ocean
beaches constitutes the barrier island's major
defense against storms The vegetation on the
frontal dunes is essential for their continued
- 1.7 -
existence This vegetation can be easily destroyed
by development, thereby reducing the island's defenses
3) Water table conditions High water table conditions
increase development costs, if uncorrected may render
yards and recreation areas unusable, and extensive
artificial drainage to lower the water table may reduce
recharge of aquifers and seriously affect the quality and
salinity of estuarine waters
4) Load supporting capability The load supporting
value of soils is an important variable in most types
of development Failure to insure that subsoil condi=
tions afford a suitable load-bearing capacity for a
particular building, highway, or other structure can
have serious consequences--foundation collapse, dif-
ferential settling, rapid deterioration of roads, and
perhaps damage to adjacent properties during the
construction process
In addition, man-made hazards have been identified as having limitations
for development Like some natural phenomena certain types of development,
such as airports and tank farms, have characteristics which constitute a
threat to life and property in the surrounding areas Some of the major
hazard areas are
1) The New Hanover County Airport
2) The bulk storage petroleum areas
3) The North Carolina State Port
4) The Sunny Point Ocean Terminal buffer zone area
5) The Love Grove industrial area
b Policy Objectives
Based on these findings the following objectives have been defined
regarding development on the Wilmington-New Hanover Planning Area's upland
areas
1) To minimize the impact of urban development on
the Planning Area's natural and man-made environment
2) To minimize the risk to life and property from
natural and man-made hazards
- 18 -
c Recommended Policies
In order to achieve the objectives defined for development on the
Planning Area's upland areas the following policies are recommended
1) All permanent development within the 100 year
flood plain shall be carefully controlled,
and no land uses except those unharmed by
flooding or those inseparable from the flood
plain will be permitted within the 50 year
flood plain
2) With the exception of those uses which must
be located there, all permanent development
in the dynamic ocean beach-frontal dune area
shall be prohibited Where development must
take place in this area, sound engineering
practices must be applied to minimize hazards
from wind and water and to minimize construction
damage to the frontal dune
3) Intensive development on wet soils will be dis-
couraged, where wet soils are difficult or
impossible to drain, urban-type development
will be prohibited
4) Lowering the water table by artificial land
drainage must not seriously affect the recharge
of aquifers or the quality and salinity of
the estuarine waters
5) Detailed site analysis shall be required in
areas where soils are suspected of having in-
adequate load bearing values, and safeguards
will be required where appropriate
6) Man-made hazards shall be delineated and pre-
cautions will be taken to insure that develop-
ment within these zones is compatible with the
associated dangers
C LAND USE
1 Findings
A survey and analysis of existing land use in the Wilmington-New Hanover
Planning Area has revealed several key issues which must be addressed in the
development policies adopted by local government These issues include the
following
- i9 -
1) The encroachment of incompatible land uses
The encroachment of incompatible uses into
residential, commercial, and industrial areas
tends to reduce property values, reduce main-
tenance, and to eventually result in property
decline
2) Strip commercial development Strip commercial
development is evident in several areas Such
a development pattern is undesirable because it
tends to encourage land speculation and inflated
land values, resulting in a large amount of un-
productive land, it depreciates the value of
surrounding property for less intensive uses,
and it tends to increase traffic volumes, often
necessitating expensive street widenings
3) Over-zoning Over-zoning tends to encourage
sprawling development patterns, it diminishes
the potential that the most desirable commercial
and industrial sites will be developed, and it
removes land from other productive uses
Over the next twenty-five years approximately 19,000 acres of land
must be developed or redeveloped to meet the growing populations needs
for homes, industries, and shopping facilities Without proper guidance
this development will result in a continuation and worsening of the area's
land use problems Therefore, we need to guide future development in a manner
which will promote efficient land use patterns, which will permit utilization
of the area's prime sites for residential, commercial, and industrial uses,
which will prevent the occurrance of incompatible land uses, and, which will
protect established neighborhoods
2 Policy Objectives
Based on these findings the following objectives have been defined
concerning land use in the Wilmington-New Hanover Planning Area
1) To provide adequate industrial space to meet
the needs of existing and new establishments
without sacrificing environmental quality
2) To provide adequate commercial space in
appropriate locations to insure that commer-
cial activities can be developed in a manner
that will conveniently satisfy expanding consumer
needs without detracting from existing or future
residential areas
- 20 -
3) To insure the constant availability of housing
to all individuals and families which satisfies
their tastes, is within their economic means,
and is located in a quality living environment
3 Recommended Policies
In order to achieve the defined objectives the following land use
policies are recommended
1) Industrial development shall be encouraged
on sites which are environmentally suited
and which have unique locational advantages
for industry
2) Industrial development shall be located in
such a manner as to minimize the threat of
environmental pollution and excessive traffic
congestion To this end, over-concentration
of industry in any area of the county will be
avoided, and the development of industrial
parks which decrease the cost of environmental
protection facilities and which are more eff-
icient land users will be encouraged
3) Climatic factors will be considered in the
location of industries having the potential
for odors or hazardous emmissions
4) The proper development of four major types
of commercial areas will be encouraged
a) neighborhood services areas
b) community services areas
c) regional service areas
d) highway service areas
5) Unplanned commercial development along the
Planning Area's streets and highways will be
discouraged
6) Any future commercial development which sub-
stantially increases traffic volumes on resi-
dential streets will be prohibited
7) "Spot" commercial development and the general
encroachment of commercial uses into residential
areas will be prohibited
8) Recognizing that the existing housing stock is
a major housing resource, sources of funds for
housing rehabilitation will be identified and
investigated and assistance will be provided to
low and moderate income families in obtaining
funds from appropriate sources
- 21 -
9) The feasibility of developing and implementing
a minimum housing code in areas not presently
enforcing such a code will be studied
w
10) A housing market analysis will be prepared and
maintained to assist the real estate industry
in meeting consumers' housing needs, both
numbers and types
11) Residential areas shall be located in such a
manner as to facilitate the delivery of required
public services
D TRANSPORTATION
1 Findings
A cursory examination and analysis of the Planning Area's highway
system indicates that, with the exception of U S 421, all of its major
roads are carrying traffic volumes which are either at or near their
design capacity The area's thoroughfare plan indicates that major
upgradings of the existing traffic network and the addition of new major
facilities will be required within the next 20 years
The alternatives to vehicular transportation in the Planning Area are
seriously limited The Wilmington Transit Authority operates a bus system
with limited routes and schedules and is currently experiencing heavy losses
There has been strong citizen opposition voiced toward some of the
improvements and new facilities advocated by the Wilmington Area Thoroughfare
Plan This opposition centers on concern for damage to the Planning Area's
natural and man-made resources and the damage to viable residential areas
2 Policy Objectives
Based on these findings the following objectives have been defined
regarding transportation within the Planning Area
- 22 -
1) To develop and maintain an efficient system
for movement of people and goods within and
throughout the area while minimizing the
impact of transportation facilities on the
living environment
2) To provide sufficient transportation alterna-
tives to meet people's transportation needs
3 Recommended Policy
In order to achieve these objectives the following policies are
recommended
1) The development of coordinative plans for
land, water, and air transportation will be
supported
2) The maintenance and improvement of the county'a
secondary road system will be supported
3) The development of an "Outer Loop" circumferential
highway shall be supported while insuring that
its design and alignment will have a minimal
negative impact on the county's living environment
4) The integrity of all viable neighborhoods shall be
considered in the thoroughfare planning and develop-
ment process
5) Public facilities such as schools and parks will
be protected from traffic hazards
6) Public access to public transportation on a county-
wide basis, particularly for travel between home
and employment, shall be improved
7) The development of safe and efficient bikeway
facilities throughout the county shall be supported
E RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE
1 Findings
Wilmington and New Hanover County have recently completed a joint
lannin ro ram for arks recreation and o en s ace Ma'or find in s
P g P g P P P J g
*Gardner Gidley and Associates, Parks and Recreation Master Plan, City
of Wilmington and New Hanover County, North Carolina, March 15, 1976
- 23 -
of this program are as follows
1) "There are no public swimming pools in the city
or the county "
2) "Facilities are not equitably distributed, or,
in some cases, adequate to meet current needs "
3) "Land currently used for recreation is inadequate
in size, and, in some cases, poorly located "
4) "Little provision has been made for relatively
simple outdoor recreation for which both national
and local samplings indicate a strong preference -
specifically bicycling, swimming, picnicking,
nature activities, and fishing "
5) "There is no public access to major natural areas
such as the Cape Fear River, the sounds, and
the ocean beaches "
6) "Indoor recreation facilities are inadequate 11
7) "NQ major recreation activities are conducted
outside the City of Wilmington, except for
organized Little League programs and programs
serving relatively small populations at
Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach "
2 Policy Objectives
Based on the study`s findings two objectives have been defined for
recreation and open space
1) To provide full opportunity for all residents of
the Planning Area to make constructive use of
their leisure time
2) To conserve appropriate lands in a natural state
to provide for passive uses, visual relief,
scenic value, and to protect natural productive processes
3 Recommended Policies
To achieve the defined objectives, the following policies are recommended
1) Every feasible action will be taken to insure
implementation of the Master Parks and
Recreation Plan
2) Support of state and federal agencies as well as
private organizations will be sought to preserve
24 -
a natural area along the Northeast Cape
Fear River for the purposes of passive
outdoor recreation and wildlife management
3) Efforts of the U S Army Corps of Engineers
to secure a wildlife and open space corridor
along the Northeast Cape Fear River in
conjunction with the Wilmington Harbor
Project will be supported, recognizing
that this area has important natural resource
values as well as being a potentially value
amenity to the Wilmington urbanizing area
4) As development continues in the Planning
Area adequate standards of open space for
active and passive uses will be maintained
5) When feasible the open space system recom-
mended for the City of Wilmington will be
expanded throughour_ the Planning Area in
order to preserve natural and cultural
resources, to provide passive recreational
experiences, and to shape urban growth
F AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY
1 Findings
Through the Public Participation Program the citizens of New Hanover
County, particularly in the more rural areas, have expressed concern over
the loss of farms and woodlands to development These areas are important
to the tradition and current life-style of many residents
The county's growth has exerted considerable development pressure on
farms and woodlands Although the decline in agriculture in New Hanover
County has been related to many trends such as labor costs and capital costs,
taxes have also played a significant role Present use valuations provide
some needed relief, however, .it appears that a significant number of farmers
do not fully understand this provision
Urban sprawl also contributes to the loss of farms and woodlands The
movement of urban development, such as residential subdivisions, shopping
facilities, and industrial activities, into prime agricultural and woodlands
- 25 -
tends to attract more development resulting in a significant loss of
agricultural lands
2 Policy Objective
The following objective for the Planning Area's farms and woodlands
has been defined
To encourage the maintenance of agriculture
and forestry as viable industries and to
capitalize on farms and woodlands as an
integral part of the county's open space
system
3 Recommended Policies
To achieve this objective the following policies are recommended
1) The preservation of prime farm and woodlands
for continued agricultural uses will be
encouraged
2) Land use controls which will facilitate the
preservation of prime farm and woodlands
will be developed
3) Available fiscal techniques which will further
the objective of preservation of farms and
woodlands will be identified and publicized
G HISTORIC AND ARCHEOLOGICAL SITES
1 Findings
The Wilmington-New Hanover Planning Area's archeological and historic
resources are among its most fragile assets These resources are an essential
part of the area's tradition, its heritage, and are an invaluable element
of the quality of life afforded present residents In addition, these
resources have an economic potential through tourism which is, as yet,
unrealized
Within the City of Wilmington two separate areas consisting of more than
200 block have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places and,
- 26 -
thereby, have been recognized as having historic and/or architectural
significance However, only 38 blocks have been afforded the special
protection of "historic district zoning" Outside the city there are
also a number of scattered individual buildings and sites which are
recognized as having historical significance A11 of the buildings are
in private ownership and do not appear to be endangered However, no
protection from incompatible development has been provided to these sites
According to an Army Corps of Engineers inventory conducted in December
of 1973 there are 16 known archeological sites within New Hanover County
The exact location of these sites are considered confidential and are not
normally released by the State Division of Archives and Histor; due to
potential disturbance and destruction However, only in major projects
using federal or state funds would the Divisions of Archives and History
have an opportunity to review projects having a potential impact or arche-
ological sites This lack of coordination could be problematic as it
relates to local development activities and could result in the loss of
archeological sites
2 Policy Objective
From the findings the following objective concerning the Planning Area's
historic and archeological sites has been defined
To preserve and enhance the economic and cultural
value of the Planning Area's historic resources
for present and future residents
3 Recommended Policies
To achieve the objective the following policies are recommended
1) A comprehensive preservation program consisting
of advisory and counseling services, financial
incentives, and investment as well as existing
legal tools will be developed to support the
preservation objective This program will be
coordinated with and supportive of area-wide
development plans
- 27 -
2) Full development of the tourism potential of
the area's historic resources will be en-
couraged
3) Existing programs designed to promote
rehabilitation and preservation of deteriorated
neighborhoods and structures within the
National Register Area will be reviewed and
monitored Additionally, these programs
will be updated, adjusted, and coordinated
as the need arises
4) Better coordination between local governmen~f
and the North Carolina Division of Archives
and History will be sought in order to
prevent the inadvertent loss of valuable
archeological sites
5) The interdependence of the residential and
commercial components of the Historic Area
will be recognized and the compatibility of
residential and commercial land use shall be
promoted
b) The role of the historically significant
Central Business District in the urban
environment shall be assessed, and programs
will be developed and/or supported which
focus on the preservation and improvement
of the Central Business District as a viable
downtown core
- 28 -