1992-05-18 Work Session
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MINUTES OF WORK SESSION, MAY 18, 1992
PAGE 934
ASSEMBLY
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners held a Work
Session on Monday, May 18, 1992, at 1:00 P.M. in Room 501 of the
New Hanover County Administration Building, 320 Chestnut Street,
Wilmington, North Carolina.
Members present were: Commissioners Jonathan Barfield, Sr.;
Fred Retchin; William H. Sutton; Vice-Chairman, Robert G. Greer;
Chairman E. L. Mathews, Jr.; County Manager, Allen O'Neal; County
Attorney, Wanda M. Copley; and Clerk to the Board, Lucie F.
Harrell.
Chairman Mathews called the Work Session to order.
PRESENTATION ON 1991 LAND USE PLAN UPDATE
Planning Director Hayes presented a film being shown to civic
organizations on the update of the Wilmington/New Hanover County
Land Use Plan. In 1974, the General Assembly passed the Coastal
Area Management Act, better known as CAMA, for protection, better
management and development of North Carolina's coastal areas. The
legislation required local governments to adopt a Land Use Plan and
Policies for Growth and Development which should reflect the
desires and objectives of the community to serve as a blue print
for guiding future growth and land use patterns.
New Hanover County and the city of Wilmington first adopted a
Land Use Plan in 1975 with updates in 1981 and 1986. The 1991
update is currently in progress. The planning process depends upon
public input to identify the most important problems facing the
City and County today as well as in the future. After receiving
public input, the updated Land Use Plan must be approved by elected
representatives of the City and County. The updated plan then is
forwarded to the State Coastal Resources Commission for final
review and approval. Specific plans and regulations, such as
transportation, facilities plans, and zoning ordinances are then
revised or devel'oped to implement the Land Use Plan and its
policies. It is anticipated that the preliminary plan will be
submitted to the State by June 30, 1992, with final approval of the
plan by the end of September, 1992.
The major land use throughout the city and County is for
residential use. As suitable land for residential use becomes
scarce and more costly, other alternatives are being used such as
apartments, condominiums, and cluster homes which are popular on
the beaches and in the city. In the unincorporated area of the
County, mobile homes are still the most economical option; however,
problems can arise from the cumulative impacts of developments
especially when intensive development occurs along the creeks and
sounds threatening the environment. The County's waterways support
a wide range of activities and these waterways are threatened by
increasing pollution. The sources of pollution are urban run-off,
discharges of waste from boats and marinas, overworked package
treatment plants, and malfunctioning septic tanks, which are being
reduced considerably with construction of the County Sewer System.
Urban runoff (trash and waste which wash off of buildings and
parking lots) will continue to increase as the county grows in
population and the waterfront property is developed.
The County's groundwater system presently provides wells to
approximately 50% of the population. Although we are presently
free of groundwater pollution, there are several areas where
groundwater has been contaminated. Our groundwater is very
susceptible to contamination because of exposed geological
formations and the lack of specific regulations to control
potential contamination associated with industrial development.
Residents in the City receive their drinking water from the Cape
Fear River. The City's Water Treatment Facility is to be expanded
within the next few years; however, many questions have arisen
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MINUTES OF WORK SESSION, MAY 18, 1992
PAGE 935
concerning the quality of the drinking water from the Cape Fear
River.
Over the past ten years tremendous changes have occurred.
Economic growth has initiated more industry, jobs, shopping, and
people to our area. Great strides have been made, but more work
needs to be done. The current population of New Hanover County and
its municipalities is approximately 121,000 and by the year 2000,
the population is expected to grow by more than 135,000.
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In summary, with continued economic growth and development,
the City and County recognize the advantages and disadvantages of
growth. Through adherence to the policies and implementation
procedures established in the Land Use Plan, the City and County
can succeed in managing local development, rather than being
managed by that development.
Assistant Planning Director, Patrick Lowe, presented and
explained the procedures being followed in developing the 1991 Land
Use Plan Update. A schedule of dates to receive public input was
presented to the Commissioners.
Commissioner Barfield expressed concern for developers being
blamed for environmental problems being experienced with pollution
of waterways and creeks and stated most local developers are aware
and concerned about storm water run-off, but do not have
regulations in place to guide them in designing plans that will
avoid storm water run-off. He inquired as to whether the Planning
staff is in the process of developing regulations?
Planning Director Hayes stated the current regulations are
rather piece meal; however, in the Land Use Plan Update, the City
and County are addressing this issue. Differences of opinions
exist due to the city being more neighborhood and environmentally ~
prone, and the County being more prone to development. Emphasis .~ ~
was placed on the importance of th~se differences being resolved if
the plan is to remain a joint document.
Further discussion was held on the importance of developing
regulations that will specifically address proper setbacks for
waterfront and marshland development, and at the same time allow
the property owner to use his/her land.
Discussion was held on the number of agencies involved in
protection of estuarine sanctuaries and coastal areas.
Commissioner Sutton expressed concern for so many different
regulations from various state and federal agencies and requested
preparation of a brief document explaining the current regulations.
Consensus: After discussion of the importance of knowing the
current regulations before trying to establish additional
regulations, it was the consensus of the Board to request the
Planning Staff to prepare a document reflecting federal, state, and
county regulations now in place governing the protection of tidal
creeks and sounds.
Planning Director Hayes emphasized the importance of
establishing goals desired for protection of estuarine creeks and
sounds with development and adoption of regulations to adhere to
these goals. The County should not depend on state agencies for
establishing regulations since changes occur so frequently.
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ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Mathews
Director and Staff for
and effort being given
expressed appreciation to the Planning
an excellent presentation and for the time
to update the Land Use Plan.
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MINUTES OF WORK SESSION, MAY 18, 1992
PAGE 936
Motion: Commissioner Retchin MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner
Barfield to adjourn. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Chairman Mathews adjourned the meeting at 2:41 P.M.
02~~:Z::d.
~~~F. Harrell
Clerk to the Board
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