<?xml version="1.0" encoding="iso-8859-1" ?>
<doc callnum="HD211 .A46 T69 1987">
<metadata>
	<titleStmt>
		<mainTitle nfc="0"><title>Town of Ahoskie 1987 land use plan</title>/<respStmt>prepared for Ahoskie Town Council ; prepared by Ahoskie Planning Board ; planning assistance provided by Mid-East Commission.</respStmt></mainTitle>
	</titleStmt>
	<authorStmt>
		<corpAuthor><name type="jurisdiction">North Carolina.</name><subName>Division of Coastal Management.</subName></corpAuthor>
		<corpAuthor><name>North Carolina Coastal Management Program.</name></corpAuthor>
		<corpAuthor><name>Mid-East Commission (N.C.)</name></corpAuthor>
	</authorStmt>
	<imprint>[<pubPlace>Ahoskie, N.C.</pubPlace>:<pubName>Town of Ahoskie</pubName>,<pubDate>1987</pubDate>]</imprint>
	<classStmt>
		<locClass>
			<subject cat="top">Land use</subject>
			<subject cat="geo">North Carolina</subject>
			<subject cat="geo">Ahoskie</subject>
			<subject cat="gen">Planning.</subject>
		</locClass>
		<locClass>
			<subject cat="top">City planning</subject>
			<subject cat="geo">North Carolina.</subject>
		</locClass>
		<locClass>
			<subject cat="top">Urban renewal</subject>
			<subject cat="geo">North Carolina</subject>
			<subject cat="geo">Ahoskie.</subject>
		</locClass>
		<locClass>
			<subject cat="geo">Ahoskie (N.C.)</subject>
		</locClass>
	</classStmt>
</metadata>

<text xml:space="preserve">
<pb n="1" />

                                    TOWN OF AHOSKIE
                                                              ND USE PLAN

                       HD
                       211,
                        A46                                                                COASTAL ZONE
                       T69
                       1987                                                           INFORMATION CENTER
<pb n="2" />

                              T 0 W N 0 F A H 0 S K I E

                           1 9 8 7    L A N D     U S E   P L A N

                   Adopted by the Ahoskie Town Council Novembe r 9, 1987
             Certified by  the Coastal Resources Commission December 4, 1987

            Prepared for:

                  Ahoskie Town Council

                   Clarence Newsome
                   Ange1a Early
                   Chester Rawls
                   0. S. Suiter, Jr.
                   Charles Hughes

                  Mitchell S. McLean, Mayor
                  Robert C. Elliott, Town Manager

            Prepared ..,b.y,:

                  Ahoskie Planning Board

                   R.  P. Martin
                   Alvin  Newsome                   US Department of Commerce
                   G. Thomas Bazemore           NOAA Coastal Services Center Library
                   Henry Bazemore                    2234 South Hobson Avenue
                   Vernon Baker                      Charleston, SC 29405-2413
                   Louis Mizelle,   Jr.
                   Henry Jones
                   Casey Jones
                   Dennis Deloatch
                   Don Ferguson,

            Planning assistance provided by:

                  Mid-East Commission
                  1 Harding Square
                  Washington, NC P7889
                  (919) 946-8043

                  Robert J. Paciocco, Planner-in-Charge
                  Libby Anderson, Technical Assistant

            Preparation financed in part by:

                  A grant provided by the North Carolina.Coastal Management
                  Program, through funds provided by the Coastal Zone Manage-
                  ment Act of 1972, as amendedp which is administered by the
                  Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, National
                  Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
<pb n="3" />

                                            TOWN OF-AHOSKIE

                                          1997 LAND USE PLAN

                CONTENTS

                                                                              PAGE

                I.    BACKGROUND

                      A.    Population  .................................        2
                      B.    Housing  ....................................        5
                      C.    Economy  .....................................       5

                II.   LAND  USE

                      A.    Existing Conditions   ......                         9
                      B.    Recent Development; Future Growth       ..........  13
                      C.    Land Use Concerns    ..........................     15
                      D.    Development Controls    .......................     16
                      E.    Devel.opment Constraints   ....................     21

                III.  POLICY OBJECTIVES AND IMPLEMENTATION

                      A.    Resource Protection ... .....                       3e
                      a.    Resource Production and Management       .........  43
                      C.    Economic and Community Development       ........... 47
                      D.-   Storm Hazards  .........................      ..... 52
                      E.    Public Participation    .......................     57

                IV.   LAND  CLASSIFICATION

                      A.    Purpose  .....................................      59
                      0.    Classification Scheme     ......................    60
                      C.    Intergovernmental Coordination      .............   63
                Appendix A - State and Federal Regul'atory Devices

                Appendix B - Agencies Coordinating Storm Preparedness

                Appendix C - Ahoskie Land Use Pla      'nning Program;
                                 Schedule of Meetings

                Appendix 1)  - Media R5@jeases

                BibIliagraphy
<pb n="4" />

                                           ILLUSTRATIONS

              Figure

                               North Carolina  Counties  .................. 9.5
                 2             Hertford County Land Use 1986   .............. E3.6
                 3             Regional Population 1960-1985   ............ 8.7
                 4             Population Age Structure   ................. B.e
                 5             Per Capita Income 1970-1984   .............. 8.9
                 6             Unemployment Rate 1976-1986   .............. e.io

               Map

                               Existing Land Use  ........................ 37.3
               2               Land Use Constraints  ...................... 37.4
               3               Ahoskie Area Soils  ....................... 37.5
               4               Land Classification  ...................... 63.2
<pb n="5" />

                                               TABLES

                                Regional Population   .......................   e.1

                2               County Population   .........................   8.1

                3               Population Age St  ructure igeo   ............. e.1
                4               Housing  Characteristics igeo    ............... 8.2
                5               Hertford County Employment 1980     ........... 8.2

                6               County Labor Force   ........................   8.3

                7               Retail Sales  ..............................    e.3

                8               Manufacturing Firms  ...............  ......... 8.4

                9               Building Permits 19E30-1986   ................ 37.1

               10               Soil Characteristics    ...................... 37.1

               11               Future Regional Population    ................ 37.2

               12-              County Population Age Structure 1985-1995.37.2

               13               School Enrollment .... .....................   37.2
<pb n="6" />

                                         TOWN OF AHOSKIE

                                          LAND USE PLAN

                                              1987

              1.   BACKGROUND

                   From a small crossroad community developed around a church,

              Ahoskie has grown to become a regional commercial and employment

              center.     Ahoskieo originally known as Ahotskey, is now the

              largest community in   Hertford County.     The Town's name is of

              Indian origin, and the area's native residents, perhaps a

              mix of     the Cherokee     and Tuscaroran     tribest were called

              "Ahoskians."    References as early as 1719 have been found to the

              Ahotskey area, however the name was not changed to the current

              "Ahoskie" until 1994.

                    The Town is young in comparison with other communitles in

              the region; many were incorporated in the eighteenth century.

              Ahoskie was not incorporated as a town until la93, more than

              one hundred years after the incorporation of the neighboring

              towns of Murfreesbo   ro and Winton. Both Murfreesboro and Winton

             .developed as port       communities    along   navigable waterways.

              Murfreesboro is located on the banks of the Meherrin River;

              Winton on the banks of the Chowan.        In contrastq Ahosk   ie de-

              veloped around the railroad which         still passes through the

              center of the Town.
<pb n="7" />

                   Althcugh water resources did not play a major role in

              the economic development of the Town, the community is bounded

              on all sides by creeks and swampland.          Ahoskie Creek flows

              along the Town's.western and southern boundaries.       Horse Swamp

              borders the Town on the north and White Oak Swamp lies just

              beyond the Town's eastern boundary.

                   With construction of the rail     road in    the late 1800's,

              Ahoskie grew from a small farming community to become the

              commercial and employm ent center of the County. 'The Town has a

              number of large manufacturing firms and several           commercial

              retail centers. The Roanoke Chowan, Hospital is located within

              the Town's incorporated area.     In addition, the, Town offers a

              variety of cultural and recreational    opportunities.     The com-

              munity has two county clubs, a public   recreation center, several

              movie theatres, and a cultural center.

              A.   Population

                   Ahoskie is one of seven incorporated areas in Hertford

              County which occupies 362 square miles of northeastern North

              Carolina (Figure 1, pg. 8.5).     The.County is rural in nature.

              Together, undeveloped forest and farmland account for over 93% of

              all land in the County (Figure 2p pg. 8.6). Urban areas comprise

              only 2% of all land while rural developed areas account:for about

              5%.

                                               2
<pb n="8" />

                    In 19115, Hertford County had       alm ost 24  000 residents,

               ranking number four in population in the five county region,

               (Figure 3, pg. 8.7).     The County has grown slightly since 1980,
               increasing.in popula@ion by just over 2% between 1980 and 1        985

               (Table 1, pg. E3.1).    Recent growth compensates to some extent,

               for the population decline noted during the period 1970-1980 when

               the County lost about 1% of its 1970 population. In contrast,

               during this same period, the region as.a whole grew by 9% and the

               popula tion statewide increased almost 16%.

                     Ahoskie is     the largest community in Hertford County

               (Table 2v pg. 8.1). In 1985 the Town's population was reported
               at almost 5,000 persons. The Town's population d    eclined' slightly

               between 1970 and 1980.      Since 1980 however, local population

               appears to have increased and today, one of every five persons

               that lives in Hertford County lives within the Town of Ahoskie.

               The population of Ahoskie is almost twice that of Murfreesboro,

               the second largest community in the County.

                     Following the national trendp the population of the Town

               is aging      (Figure 4, pg.. 8.8).        In 1970, 11% of the local

               population was 65  years and older (Table 3, pg. 8.1).       By 1980,,.

               16% of all persons living in Ahoskie was over 65. Population

               figures show that the Town has a greater share of the senior

               population than found on the average for the County or state.

               About 12% of all County residents are over 65, and for the state

                                                 3
<pb n="9" />

              as a whole, only about 10Y. of the population is over 65. At th       0

              same time, the percentage of the population under 20 years is

              declining.      in 1980, about 30% of the population was 19 or

              younger, down 10% from 1970.

                     More older persons and less young people- means changing

              needs in the areas of housing, education, and social services.

              The  senior population will demand alternative types of housing.

              As seniors move to multifamily units and congregate settings,

              many large, old single-family homes will become available.           As

              increasing numbers of seniors 11age in place", the demand for

              home services will also increase.       Declining numbers of young

              persons means declining school enrollment and a need for flexi-

              bility in classroom scheduling and capital improvements.

                     In contrast to  other areas of the state, the Town is not

              subject to seasonal    changes in population. At one time, migrant

              workers in the area   increased the local population. during summer

              months;     The number of workers in the Ahoskie area was large

              enough that the Town provided a summer recreation program for the

              workers' children.     Due to lack of demandq the program has been

              discontinued and local of    .ficials believe few if any migrant

              workers now visit the -Ahoskie area.       Tourists account for some

              fluxuation in the daytime population. Hertford County as a whole

              realized    over    three   million    dollars    in tourist-related

              expenditures in 1985. Most tourists in the area are day visitors

              however and their impact on local service demand is minimal.

                                                 4
<pb n="10" />

              B. Housing

                    The Town's 1980. popu-la   tion was housed among about 1,800

              dwelling units (Table 4, pg. 8.2). About 2.7 persons reside in

              every household, a slightly lower figure than the average for the

              County where 3.1 persons occupy every household.          One-in-four

              households    were   single-person    households-typically elderly

              persons living alone.    About 84% of all dwellings in the Town

              are single-family units, about average for the County. Almost

              half of all dwelling units (46%) are rental units.      In contrast,

              countywide, only about 30% of all dwell        ings are renta   units

              and for th.9 five-county region, about 32% of all units are

              renter-occupied.

                   The Town has many large older single-family homes in its

              downtown area. In general, the housing stoc    k is in good condi-

              tion; in    1972 the Town adopted a housing code to ensure that

              local residences meet minimum health and safety standards.

              Although most residential dwellings in the area.Were built before

              1950, some new construction has ocurred. Between 1980 and 1985,

              85 build ing permits were issued for single-family dwellings and

              92 permits were -issued for multifamily units.

              C.  Economy

                    About one in four employed County res-idents work in

              manufacturing enterprises (Table 5, pg. 8.2). Fifteen percent of

                                                5
<pb n="11" />

              all employed persons work in wholesale and retail trade; 10% work

              in educational services.         Although agricultural operati     ons

              utilize over 25% of the County's land area, only 5% of the

              County population reported employment in 1980 in agricultural,

              forest, fishery, or mining enterprises.

                     County per capita income has risen. continuously since

              1970, through lagging the increase noted for         the state as a

              whole  (Figure 5, pg. 8.9).      Jn 1984, the per capita income of

              County residents was $8,342. In contrast, statewide, per capita

              income was $10,e52.

                     The County labor force has grown slowly al'ong with total

              population. Employment growt   h has lagged growth in the labor

              force and    so until recently, the County unemployment rate has

              been increasing (Tab  le 6, pg. 8.3, Figure 6, pg. 8.10).          The

              unemployment rate in 1986. was 7.8% in Hertford County and 5.3%

              statewide, down from.9.1% and 6.7% in 1984 respectively. .

                     Hertford County ranked third in the five county. region in

              retail sales in 1986 (Table 7p pg. 8.3). Sales in Hertford

              County were about 50% that of sales in Beaufort County.         Retail

              sales in urbanizing Pitt County greatly exceeded sales in

              Hertford County and were two and one-half times greater than

              sales in Beaufort County in 1985.

                     Manufacturing firms in Ahoskie provide much of the County's

              manufact'uring employment noted in Table 5.        Commercial enter-

                                                6
<pb n="12" />

              prises in Ahoskie are responsible for a major portion of the

              total sales in the County.       There are fifteen manufacturing

              firms located within Ahoskie (Table 8, pg. e.4). Kerr Glass is
              new to Ahoskie. When fully'operational, the    plant is expected to

              employ about 250 persons, making it the largest employer in

              Ahoskie. As.of January 1987, about 50% of the plant's machinery

              was in place and about 100 workers were employed at the facility.

              Local officials view Kerr's location in the building formerly

              occupied by West Point Pepperell as one of the Town's major

              accomplishments in 1986.    Kerr's decision to locate in Ahoskie

              can be attributed   in part to the efforts and cooperation of a

              number of groups including the Town, the County, and the Indus-

              trial Development Commission. Currently the community's largest

              employers are Parker Brothers, a printing firm; Bennett Box

              Company; and Georgia Pacific.      In addition, the Ahoskie Chamber

              of Commerce lists over 170 organizations as members.         Members

              include retail operations, restauran'ts, and professional offices.

                    The Town is also home to the Regional Small Business

              Incubator Facility.    The facility, which opened in 1986, is.

              designed to provide low-cost rental and support services to new

              or small businesses  tio help them survive the first two years of

              operation.    Designed as a tool to promote economic growth and

              development in the northeastern part of the state, the facility

              will serve Bertie, Gates, Hertford, and Northhampton counties.

                                               7
<pb n="13" />

               prises in Ahoskie are responsible         for a major portion of the

               total sales in the County.        There   are fifteen manufacturing

               firms located within Ahoskie (Table 89 pg. 8.4). Kerr Glass is

               new to Ahoskie. When fully operationalg the plant is expected to

               employ about 250 persons, making it thelargest employer in

               Ahoskie.  As of January 19879 about 50% of the plant'5 machinery

               was in place and about 100 workers were employed at the facility.

               Local officials view Kerr's location in the building formerly

               occupied by West Point Pepperell as          one of the Town's major

               accomplishments in 1986.     Kerr' s decision to locate in Ahoskie

               can be attributed in part to the efforts and,cooperation of a

               number of groups including the Town, the County, and the Indus-

               trial Development Commission. Currently the community's largest

               employers are Parker Brotherss -a printing firm; Bennett Box

               Company; and Georgia Pacific.      In addition, the Ahoskie Chamber

               of Commerce lists over 170 organizations as members.           Members

               include retail operations, restaurantsq and professional      offices.

                     The Town is     also home to the Regional Small         Business
               Incubator Facility.    The facility, which opened in           1986,"is

               designed to provide   low-cost rental and support services to new

               or small businesses to help them survive the first two years of

               operation.   Designed as a tool to promote economic growth and
               development 1:6 the.northeastern part of the state, the facility

               will serve Bertie, Gatest Hertford, and Northfiampton counties.

                                                 7
<pb n="14" />

              Economic development locally will be promoted by the Ahoskie

              Industrial Development Committee.    The committee7 appointed in

              January 1987s will work in conjqnction with the Hertford County

              Industrial Developmen t Commission to stimulate new industrial

              development in the Ahoskie area.

              Implications

                    Although the     Town has    experienced relatively little

              change in population in recent years, the need for sound land

              use' planning    is not    diminished.     Every new residential,

              commercial, and industrial  development affects the land and the

              quality of life in the Town.          Poorly planned or managed

              development can have irreversible effects on the Town's natural

              and culltural    resources.    The Town is the population and

              employment center of the County and welcomes new development.

              The Town is fortunate to have'in place many of the tools typical-

              ly used to guide land development.         The Town should use its

              zoning and subdivision ordinances, its housing codeq and its

              utilities extension policy to thei r full advantage.    As the Town

              growst planners must be aware that industry, businessesp employ-

              ers and employers alikeg appreciate the local amenities that stem

              from proper lan d and services planning.
<pb n="15" />

    Table 1
    REGIONAL POPULATION

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   % Change % Change
    County                  1960      1970         1980      1985     70-80     80-85

    ------------------------------------------------       -------------------------
    Beaufort            36,014      35,980      40,355     43,260      12.2%      7.2%
    Bertie              24,350      20,528      21,024     21,341       2.4%      1.5%
    HERTFORD             .22,718    23,529      23,368     23,924      -0.7%      2.4%
    Martin              27,139      24,730      25,948     26,653       4.9%      2.7%
    Pitt                69,942      73,900      83,651     95,862      13.2%     14.6%
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Region              180,163    178,667      194,346    211,040      8.8%      8.6%
    ------------
    State            4,556,155 5,082,059 5,881,766 6,253,951           15.7%      6.3%

    Source: U.S. Census; N.C. Office of State Budget and Management

    Table 2
    COUNTY POPULATION

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      Change    Change
                            1960      1970         1980      1985     70-80     80-85

                  --------------------------------------------------------------
    AHOSKIE              4,583        5',105     4,887       4,936     -4.3%      1.0%
    Cofield                 n/a        318         465        534      46.2%     14.8%
    Como                    n/a        211           89         92    -57.8%      3.4%
    Harrellsville           171        165         151        150      -8.5%     -0.7%
    Murfreesboro         2,643        3,508      3,007       2,798    -14.3%     -7.0%
    Winton                  835        917         825        845     -10.0%      2.4%

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Uninco rp. area     14,486      13,305      13,944     14,569       4.8%      4.5%

    Total County        22,718      23,529      23,368     23,924      -0.7%      2.4%

    n/a= not available
    Source: Office of State Budget and Management

    Table 3
    POPULATION  AGE   STRUCTURE
    ---------- --- ---------------------------------------------        -------------
                                1970                    1980          County    State
                            No.           %        No.           %    (1980)    (1980)
    -------------------------------------------     7 ------------------------------
    0-4 years               377        7.4%        358        7.3%      7.3%      6.9%
    5-19 years           1,617        31.7%      1,127       23.1%     27.8%     25.5%
    20-24years              275        5.4%        383        7.8%      8.7%      9.8%
    25-44 years          1,158        22.7%      1,144       23.4%     23.8%     28.0%
    45-64 years          1,131        22.2%      1,101       22.5%     20.3%     19.6%
    65  and older           547       10.7%        774       15.8%     12.1%     10.2%
    -- --- -----        --------------------------------------------------------
    Total                5,105        100.0%     4,887       100.0%   100.0%    100.0%
  ISource: U.S. CensuS
<pb n="16" />

     Table 4
     HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS 1980
     -----------------------------    7 ---------------------------------------------
                                      Ahoskie             County             Region
                                                                   %

     ------------  7 --------------------------------------------------------------
     Total,Households          1,756          -     7,499          -    67,46.0
     Single-person Hshlds         433       24.7%   1,518       20.2%   14,083      20.9%
     Total Housing Units       1,840          -     8,150          -    73,810          -
     Singlc@-family Units      1,551        84.3%   6,699       82.2%   57,853      78.4%
     Vacant Units                   83       4.5%     651        8.0%    6,348         8.6%
     Rente'r Occupied             847       46.0%   2,420       29.7%   23,782      32.2%
     Condominium Units              35        -          40      0.5%      412        0.6%
     Units w/out plumbing           88       4.8%     220        2.7%    7,722      10.5%
     ----------------------------------------       7---------------------------------
     Persons/household            2.7                 3.1                  3.0
     Median Value unit        $30,900             $30,862
     Median Rent                $105                  $90

     Source: U.S. Census

     Table 5
     HERTFORD  COUNTY EMPLOYMENT 1980
     ----------------  I-------------------------------------------------
                                          Number of        % Total       State
     Employment Sector                     Employees    Employment            %
     -----------------------------------------------------         7-----------
     Manufacturing                              2,937          25.9%       32.0%
     Wholesale &amp; Retail Trade                   1,712          15.1%       18.0%
     Educational Services                       1,155          10.2%       8.3%
     Airiculture, Forestry,                       599           5.3%       3.6%
       Fisheries, Mining
     Construction                                 594           5..2%      6.1%
     Health Services                              543           4.8%       6.0%
     Personal, Entertainment,                     413           3.6%       3.7%
       Recreational Services
     Public Administration                        359           3.2%       4.0%
     Finance, Insurance, Real     Estate,         301           2.6%       6.9%
       Business, Repair Services
     Transportation, C   ommunications,           308           2.7%       6.0%
       Other Public Utilities
     Other Professional and                       211           1.9%       3.2%
       Related Services
     Not reported                               2,228          19.6%       2.3%
     -----------------------------------------------------------------
     Total,                                     11,360-        100.0%    100.0%

     Source: N.C. Statistical Abstract,        Fifth Edition, 1984

                                                8.2
<pb n="17" />

        Tab] e 6
           '
           " I, I              - E
           11-11- LA@-1,C)R Ff-)RG

                                     Labor         Total       Unemployment Rate
                     Year            Force Employed              County          State

                     1976          11,360        10,690              5.9%          6.2%
                                            ---------------------------------

                     1977          12,020        11,140              7.3%          5.9%
                     19 7 8        11,610        i 0 , 19 10         6 . 0 't      4 . 3'@-t
                     1979          11 j 850      11 *. Clio          7 . 1 %-'     4.
                     1980          12,310        11,360              7.7%          6.5%
                     1981          11,770        10,850              7.8%          6.4%
                     19-82         11,740        10,780              8.2%          9.0%
                     1983          11,700                            9.3%          8.9%
                     1984          11,830        10,750              9.1%          6.7%
                     1985            9,750         9,020             7.5%          5.4%
                     19,@86          9,670         8,920             7.8%          5.3%
        ------------------------------------------------------------

        Source: Office of State Budget and Management;
                     updated by Employment Security Commission

        Table 7
        RETAIL SALES ($,000's)

        -------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   County
        Fiscal Year Beaufort             Bertie HERTFORD          Martin           Pitt
        ------   1975---135,562      --- 36,101 --- 76,279    --- 73,027--278,382-
                 1976      159,530       40,880        87,539     82,899      318,493
                 1977      177,795       43,819     100,540       93,249      349,637
                 1978      191,566       46,491     102,848       93,359      372,759
                 1979      219,683       52,440     108,696       97,633      426,912
                 1980      223j745       50,996     120,   747   103,241      462,937
                 1981      254,858       54,336     123,021      109,607      516,284
                 1982      258,037       57,818     133,807      114,041      542,045
                 1983      249,857       59,865     141,145      116,978      578,843
                 1984      277,511       81,667     162,367      123,998      694,144
                 1985      289,045       64,487     166,839      125,435      7351,826
                 1986      314,513       62,199     169,259      137,241      831,083
        -----------------------------------------                    7--------------
        Chg. 75-85            113.2%        78.6%        90.6%       71.8%        164.3%

        Source: Office of State Budget and Management                      (1975--84)
                     and N.C. Department of Revenue (1985,                 1986)

                                                            8.3
<pb n="18" />

       Table 8
       MANUFACTURING FIRMS as of 2/1/87

         ----------------------------------------------------------
       -Firm      I              Product              Employment Range
         ----------------------------------------------------------
       Bennett Box Co.           Boxes                145-155
       Brittenham Rebuilding     Rebuilt auto parts   5-10
       Carolina Billets          Smelting aluminum    60-70
       Commercial Ready Mix      Concrete             5-10
       Southern States           Fertilizer           5-10
       Fabco, Inc.               Paneling             50-100
       Freeman.Metal Works       Caskets              50-60
       Georgia Pacific           Lumber products      90-100
       Kerr Glass                Injection molding    245-255 (1)
       H.T. Jones Co.            Lumber products      50-100
       Lucas Machine &amp;  Welding  Metal products       5-10'
       Parker Brothers           Printing             140-150
       Perdue, Inc.              Grain processing     10-20
       Pierce Printing  Co.      Printing             10-20
       Ramsey Lumber             Lumber products      50-100
       Rose Bro. Paving Co.      Paving products      10-20
       --------------------------------   7 --------------------------

       (1) when fully operational
       Source: "Hertford County Land Use Plan Update 1986",
                 Mid-East Commission, 1986, Updated by the
                 Ahoskie. Planning Board

                                             8.4
<pb n="19" />

                                                                                                                                                                 Figure

                                                                                                                                                   N. C. Counties
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                &gt;
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Como

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   i6lurfree9boro

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Winton
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   9 4;oliold
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      HERTFORD
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              AhoskleqR

                @O                                                                                          AS"t      -LLIG"", SUNNY            STO.CS      AOCKINO"AN CASWELL                     OMAN-         ARMEN           NORTHAMPTON             "ILA                  CURk'TUCK
                                                                                                                                                                                                   'ILLS. AMC
                Ul                                                                                     ATA A           WILKES                                                                                                AUFA
                                                                                                                                   YADKIN       FORSYT.     Qvm@vmo         A";      MAROC DUN
                                                                                   WITCH          vt*y                                                                     ..15C              A.             FRANKLINNAIN                      SEA 9
                                                                                    YANCEY                AtOWILL AtNAR         PAID&amp;LL DAVI                                                       MAKE                           Dom
                                                                       V@Olllow                                              094                   AVIOSO.                                                                            DM* MARTIN                 asmma   I KNELL
                                                                                                    IIUMKC                                                 MANUL-PM                                                                                              TOM                 OAKS
                                                                        BUNCOMBE                                    ATAWSIA            ADWA                               CHAT"---                                                        IN"
                                                      SWAIII                             kkODWCLL                                                                                                                                                 BEAUFORT         "YOC                            IA
                                                                Avw"D                                                                                                                LEE                    SmT*N
                                                                                            1,10,9010,                                 CABAMMUS          AO.Y_      w0cal                                             WAIN        SAN
                                                         JACKSON           -Vat. w                                                                  -ILI OOMl*T
                                                                                         FOLK                      ""ON
                            C.44O.'t            ACOX                  AAkS,                               L9.9                                                                                                                  LENOIR         SUL.K.
                                                                      VAk.A                                                    t""PIDUA                        C..On              .091     OBERLAND   JAMISON      OUPLIN                                  P..L;CO
                                                                                                                                            U.,O    ANSON                                                                                JONES

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      OVILD.
                                                                                                                                                                         LA 0                                                                          ATLAty
                                                                                                                                                                            so ONIC310"       @LADEN
                                                                                                                                                                                                                         PINOILA

                                                                                                                                                                                            COLUMBUS

                                                                                                                                                                                                                          ZAII 14

                                             Source: Office of State BUdget and Management
<pb n="20" />

                                                             Figure 2

                                                         Herf ord County

                                                            Land Use 1986

                       Crop/posture (26.3%)

                      Urban (2.3%)

               Rural developed (4.5%)

                                                                                               Forest (66.9%)

                  Source:   Office of State Budget and Management
<pb n="21" />

                                                              Figure- :3
                                                   Regional Population
                                                              1960-1985
                        100
                                                                                                    P itt

                        90 -

                        80 -

                        7 0

                        60 -
                 W
                 'U
                 C:
                 EO     50 -

                 0
                                                                                                    Beaufort--
                        40 -                                                        B

                            13

                        30                                                                      Martin

                                                                                                    HERTFORD
                        20
                                                                                                Bertie

                        10

                          0

                          1960          1965          1970          1975          1980           1985

                            SOUrce:  U.S. CenSLIS; Office of StatL- BUdget and Mana'g'ernent
<pb n="22" />

                                                                         Figure 4
                                                      Population Age Structure
                                                                           Ahoskie
                          2.0

                          1.9

                          1. T
                                                  31.7%

                          1.5

                          1.4 -

                          1.3 -
                          1.2 -                         23.1%                         22.7%23.47.       22.27,.22.5%
                     C    1.1
                          1.0
         @O          3
         00          0    0.9
                    -C
                          0.8 -                                                                                                 15.8%

                          0.7 -
                          0.6 -                                                                                           10.7.

                          0.5 -
                          0.4    7.4% 7.37.                                7.8%
                                                                     5.4%
                          0.3

                          0.2

                          0.1

                          0.0
                                 0-4 years        5-113 years      20-24 years       25-44    years    45-64 years       65 and older

                                                                    1970                     1980

                            SC'LtrcL-:         Cel-ISLIS
<pb n="23" />

                                                           FigUre. 5
                                                 Per %.Rapita Income
                                                          1970-1984
                       14

                       13-

                       12

                                                                                                  10,852

                       10-                                                                   g,8

                       9 -                                                         8,655

                c

                U)     8 -
                :3                                                                                  342
                0                                                       .7,10
                                                                                             7,737
                       7 -                                                          P49 1

                       6 -                                   5,77
                       5                          .4,860                 898
                                        4,241                4,824
                       4 -
                                                  4,125

                       3 -              3,461

                       2 -

                        1970       1972       1974      1976       1978       1980      1982       1984
                                                                                             g8

                                                                        5,

                                    0    Hertford County                             State

                      Source: Office of State DUdget and Management
<pb n="24" />

                                                       Figure 6
                                             Unemployment 'Rate
                                                       1976-1986
                  10.0% -

                  9.0% -

                                                                                                County

                  7.0%

                  6.0%

             C
             4)                                                                                 S t a t e
             E    5.0%

             0
             E    4.0%
             C

                  3.0%

                  2.0%

                  1.0%

                  0.0%
                      1976   1977   1978   1979   1980   1981   1982    1983   1984   1985   1986

                                                          Year

                  Source: Office of State Budget and Management, and
                           Employment Security CommiSsion
<pb n="25" />

               11. LAND USE

               A.   Existing Conditions

                    The.. Town limits encompasses an area of@about 2.6 square

               miles.   Including the satellite annexation at the intersection

               of N. C. 561 and State Route 1108 - the site of the Ramada Inn -

               and the area within the one-mile extraterritorial jurisdiction)

               the Ahoskie planning area covers. about 10 square miles of

               Hertford County. As shown on the Map of Existing Land Use (pg.

               37.3), the Town is bisected into eastern and western halves by

               the Seaboard Coast rail line, and into northern and southern

               halves by N. C. 561 end Memorial Drive.

                     The Town developed around the railroad and most industrial

               uses and the older commercial and residential areas are found

               near the railroad.       The Town's National Registe      r Historic

               District is located in the area of the Main Street/Railroad

               Street intersection,     and encompasses a      number of historic

               commercial buildings. Several large old homes of local signi-

               ficance are found on Catherine Creek Road just south of the

               eastern spur of the rail   line.

                     Industrial uses cluster in the northern hal-f of the Town

               along the rail line.         Bennett Box Company, located at the

               southern end of Railroad Street, is the largest industrial

               concern with the Town. As part of its box fabricating operation@
               the company has a lumber' yard and sawmi        11 on-site.      South

               of Bennett Box along Railroad Street are a number of other

                                                 9
<pb n="26" />

               industrial and warehousing operations. Industrial uses extend
               souih along Railroad    Street to First Street and then east along

               the rail spur to Catherine Creek Road. At one time the railroad

               continued east beyond the extraterritorial limits. An industrial

               area developed here around the rail line at the eastern edge of

               the Town,and in the extraterritorial area to the east.                Just

               within the Town's eastern limit is the Southern States farm

               supply operation, and Georgia Pacific has a large lumber opera-

               tion in the eastern extraterritorial area along N. C. 561.

               Recent industrial development has occurred in the southern half

               of the planning area. Two large industrial concerns have located

               near the rail line at its intersection with State Route (S. R.)

               1105.     Carolina Bullets has located just within the Town's

               one-mile  jurisdictional limit    and Kerr Glass opened in the old
               West Point Pepperell@plant across the road from Carolina Bi        I Ilets.

               As S. R. 1105 is the extraterritorial boundary in that areaq

               Kerr Glass is currently not within the Town's planning jUrisdic-

               tion,

                      The Town has eight railroad crossings within its city

               limits.    The railroad has historically been viewed as one of the

               community's major assets and in general, the rail line presents

               no major. land use concerns.        Maintenance of the rail crossings

               has, at times, become a concern. Six of the crossings have been

               reconstructed within the last two     years and the Town has contact-

               ed rail officials to request refurbishment of the remaining two.

                                                  10
<pb n="27" />

                    Most of the area within th,e Town limits has been develop-

              ed'and much of that development is residential in.nature.         At

              the same time, Ahoskie is the Lommercial center of Hertford

              County so the Town has within its planning limits more commercial

              and industrial development than other communities in the area.-

              The-Town'5 first commercial area developed along Main Street near

              the railroad, and     the area along Main Street between Church

              Street and First Street continues to be commercial in nature.

              Typical of communities nat  ionwide, recent commerical development

              has occurred in areas outside downtown.     In Ahoskie, commercial

              development has occurred along the Town's major thoroughfares and

              much recent development is highway-related:      drive-thru restau-

              rants, gas stations, and convenience stores. U. S. 13, from its

              intersection with N. C. 561 west to Peachtree Street, is lined

              with commercial uses. The Newmarket shopping plaza    is located on

              U. S. 13 just inside the Town limits on the east.       Along N. C.

              11/42 to the south, another commercial area has developed where

              .the highway crosses Ahoskie Creek. Comm ercial uses here include

              a feed and fertilizer distributor@ a supermarket, a furniture

              storet and a gas station.     Scattered commercial uses are found

              throughout the rest of the planning area. Several small commer-

              cial areaslare found in the northern half of the region along

              U. S. 13/N. C. 11 and S. R. 1415 to the north.
<pb n="28" />

                      Residential uses developed along the railroad in conjunc-

                tion with the commerci   al and industrial growth of the early

                1900's.   The western half of     iTown is primarily residential in

                nature and a large residential    area is also found in      the north-

                east portion of the Town.           There are also several proposed

                subdivisions in Town including Isaac Terrace and Vernon Place.

                Residential development has occurred in the extraterritorial

                areaq primarily in strip fashion along existing roadsy although

                some subdivision has occurred.        The two major areas of subdivi-

                sion are along N. C. 561 - Colonial Acres, And off N. C. 11/42 in

                the southwest portion of the planning area         the Morris subdivi-

                sion. Nei,ther area is currently.served with      Town water or sewer.

                      The western half of Town also holds Ahoskie's major

                institutional u ses.    Roanoke-Chowan Hospital is located at the

                intersection of Memorial Drive and Academy Street.               Ahoskie

                Graded School and Ahoskie Middle School are located at the

                western terminus of Main Street, and Ahoskie High School is

                located on N. C. 561 just within the Town@s western limit.
                Just ins'ide the extraterritorial limit in the southwest is a

                regional office of the State Department of Transportationg and a

                state highway patrol office is found off N. C. 11/42 on S. R.

                1107.

                      Although over 80% of all residential units are single-

                family dwellings, the Town has a number of multifamily develop-

                                                  12
<pb n="29" />

              ments including the Parkwood Apartments (located just west of

              the grade school off Talmadge         Street), and Peachtree Court

              Apartments and Pierce Avenue Apartments, both located in the

              southeast corner of the Town.

                     Most of the extraterritorial area remains undeveloped.

              The major portion of this area has been cleared and much of it is

              used for agricultural purposes. Agricultural uses are especially

              prominent in the southern half of the planning area. Scattered

              areas of woodland are found between cleared land.

              B.- Recent Development; Future Growth

                     The Town's population has in    creased only slightly since

              1980- growing by about 50 people between 1980 and 1985. Yet

              considerable residential development has occurred over the past

              six years.    Between   1980 and 1986 over 175 building permits for

              residential units were issued. Slightly more than half of these

              permits were for multifamily unitsp the remainder. were for

              single-family dwellings (Table 9, pg. 3).      The apparent discre-

              pancy between residential development and population growth can

              be accounted for by noting that household size is decreasing. In

              Ahoskie 'and elsewhere, families are smaller now that they were

              ten years-ago; percentage-wise there are more elderly people and

              many  of those persons live alone.       As a result.9 more units are

              now necessary to house even a population which has shown little

              growth.

                                                13
<pb n="30" />

                     For the     most, parts recent  construction has.been scatter-
               ed throughout the planning area and no pattern to'new development,

               is evident,.   Comparing residential uses in 19el with those in

               19b7, the major chan(Je is found in the southwest corner of Town

               off S. R. 1107 where the Morris subdivision has been expanded and

               a new S. R. 1209 created.        Another limited area of new resi-

               dential development is noted in the area of Woodland Street in

               the southwest corner, of Town,        New construction is also noted

               along S. R. 1130 in the northwest region of the extraterritorial

               area.   Future residential development is likely to follow the

               pattern established over the past decade: scattered development

               throughout the planning        area    and   expansion     of' existing

               subdivisions.

                      Industrial development sin     ce .1981 has occurred in the

               southern extraterritorial area along S. R. 1105.                Carolina

               Billets has constructed a new facility on S..R. 1105 across from

               the former West Point   Pepperell plant - now home of Kerr Glass.

               Although no plans for additional industrial development.in the

               region have been announced, the area along S. R. 1105 can easily

               accommodate new construction.        In contrast   to industrial areas

               within Town, most of the area is undeveloped and is well away

               from residential and commercial uses.           The area is served by

               railroad and is close to U. S. 13 and N. C.          42.    Natural gas

               service is available and the Town (with assistance from the

                                                 14
<pb n="31" />

               County), is currently extending water service to the Kerr Glass

               facility. Undeveloped industrial-land is also available along U.

               S_13/N. C. 42 in the eastern portion of the planning area.

                     Commercial development is likely to continue al      ong major

               highways, although the Town welcomes new commercial enterprises

               into its downtown. A new 1059000 square foot shopping center is
               curr'ently being constructed on a 20-acre parcel on U. S. 13/N. C.

               42 across from the Southern States operation.

                     No annexation has occurred in recent years as the capacity

               of the Town's wastewater treatment system prohibited new con-

               nections.    Construction of the new facility will begin in 1987

               and the Town is now contemplating annexation of several areas.

               Most of @the areas being considered are residential in nature -

               the Colonial Acres subdivision on N. C. 561; the Morris       subdivi-

               sion on south N. C..42; an area just outside Town on         U. S. 13

               north; and the Catherine Heights   subdivision on S. R. 1415.      The

               only commercial area under consideration for annexation is along

               U. S. 13 south  to Fr eeman Metal workso and along N. C. 561 to the

               Georgia Pacific plant.     Should all areas under consideration be

               annexed   the Town's population would increase by about 500

               persons.

               C.  Land U'@se Concerns

                     The current pattern of de      velopment in the Town presents

               no major land use concerns and new development in the next five

                                                15
<pb n="32" />

               years should present no ma   jor land  use problems.    The area is

               growing very slowly and the nature and,location of new develop-

               ment will be controlled by the Town's zoning and subdivision

               regulations. Although residential areas adjoin -industrial areas

               the areas in which any new industrial development will occur.

               The Town is fortunate   that development has not occurred near

               sensitive natural areas.       The area between U. S. 13/N.C. 42

               contains an extensive area of wetlands, but remains undeveloped.

               Except where it crosses under U. S. 13/N. C. 42, no development

               has occurred near.Ahoskie Creeki the Town's only Area of Environ-

               mental Concern.

               D. Development Controls,

                     Land development in the Town is controlled by a variety

               of local,.state, and federal regulations.       Plans and policies

               enacted by the Town, the County, and various state agencies

               influence local land use decisions as well.
                 1. Re'gulatory Mechanisms.

                     Local ordinances controlling land use are described below.

               State and federal regulations that control local land uses are

               listed in Appendix A.

                    The Ahoskie Zoning Ordinance was most recently revised in
                    1982.

                    Subdivision Regulations were first adopted in the early
                    1970's and revised in 1982.

                                               16
<pb n="33" />

                    Mobile Home     Park Regulalions are included in the Town's
                    zoning ordinance.

                    Floodplain Regulations are included in the Zoning Ordinance.

                    The State Building Code is enforced by the. Town's Building
                    Inspector.

                    A Housing Code was adopted in 1972.

                    Septic Tank Regulations       are enforced in extraterritorial
                    area; over 99% of all lots in-Town are serviced by public
                    sewer.       The County Health Department administers the
                    state's environmental health code, Chapter 130A of the
                    General Statutes.

                    A Historic District Ordinance was proposed in the early
                    1980's but not adopted.

                    A Nuisance Ordinance in effect.

                 2. Development Plans

                     Local plans that control development decisions include

               the Town's 1981 CAMA Land Use Plan Update and the Hertford

               County Dis:aster Relief and Assistance Plan.         No transportation

               projects are scheduled for the Ahoskie area according to the

               State's Transportation Improvement         Program     (TIP) (December

               1986).     Local recreation needs are addressed by the Town's

               Recreation Department in conjunction with Town's Recreation

               Committee.     The Town recently completed construction of a new

               recreation center.       According to local off      icials, the new

               recreational facility and the two newly-lighted tennis courts and

               ballfield next-door are well utilized by local residents.

                    The Town is currently administering two Community Develop-

               ment Block Grants (CDBG)- for community revitalization projects.

                                                  17
<pb n="34" />

              The first grant has facilitated sidewalk and gutter improvements

              an Main Street and housing improvements in the residential area

              surrounding Main Street.       The grant also contains money for

              facade renovations in the downtown area. About $80,000 has been

              set aside to help property owners underwrite interest costs on

              commercial loans used for facade improvements in the Town's

              downtown commercial district. Local officials observe that this

              aspect of the CDBG program has generated little local intent.

              The second grant contains money for housing r.ehabilitation and

              clearance in the North Catherine Street area, as well as for

              two "local action projects" such as drainage and sidewalk

              improvements.    The County is currently administering a CDBG

              grant for improvements in the Catherine Heights area. Plans

              call for construction of a wastewater      collection system, water

              distribution system, and street and drainage improvements.

                    Although Ahoskie has not officially adopted a Capital'

              Improvement Programg the Town has been pJanning for the new

              sewage treatment facility for a number of years. The Town has

              beeh setting aside money for the facility for about ten years

              and now plans to finance its share of the project'costs with

              these accumulated funds.

                3.  Development Policies

                    Hertford County has a utilities extension policy in which

              the  Town participates.      Typically, the County will pay for

                                               is
<pb n="35" />

              extension of local utilities, and upon completion of the project,

              operation and management become the responsibility of the Town.

                   In 1981 the Town adopted a number of policy objectives in

              the areas     of resource protection, resou     rce production and

              management@ and economic and community development to guide land

              development in the Ahoskie area for the next five years. As a

              first step in updating the Town's. 1981 land use plan, planners

              evaluated how far the Town had come in achieving the goals set

              in 1981.      By evaluating the objectives. and implementation

              actions of the 1981 programg planners hoped to make the Town's

              1987 Land use plan a more effective document.

                   On a scale of A to F, planners rated the effectiveness of

              the Town"s 1981   plan an A-. Virtua.11y all of the implementation

              strategies outlined under each policy objective were acted-on.

              The Town has, as specified in the 1981 plang continued to

              participate in the Federal Flood Insurance Program, reviewed

              reports analyzing the condition of the area's groundwater supply,

              and utilized its zoning and subdivision ordinances to control

              land development.      As recommended in the 1981 plan, the      Town.

              appkied for, and received, funds for housing rehabilitation,

              str eet and sidewalk i,-mprovements, and downtown revitalization.

                   Many of the planning goals outlined in the Town's 1981 plan

              hav e been incorporated in the 19137 update.      Protecting fragil  e

              natural areas, protection of groundwater supply, and protection

                                               19
<pb n="36" />

            of agricultural  land have all been made important policy goalT;

            of the 1987 planning program, as they    were in the 1991 plan.

            Similarly, several of the i mplementation strategi'es outlined in

            the l9ei plan have again been recommended for action in the

            1987 plan.    The Town will continue to apply for funding for

            community development projects and to use its regulatory tools -

            zoning, subdivision, and housing regulations - to guide develop-

            ment in the area. The Town's 1987 plan has however outlined

            several new action-items for local consideration, including

            adoption of a historic district ordinance and development of a.

            -farmer's market. A completing listing of the policy objectives

            and implementation strategie!@, the Town had adopted to guide

            development in the Ahoskie area through 1992 is found in C hapter

                                          20
<pb n="37" />

             E.    Development Constraints

                1. Land Suitability

                   Within the Town's corporate limits, there are few factor-@

             constraining land development; in the extraterritorial are&amp;*@.

             development limitations     are more   numerous     Constraints can b   e

             classified into one of three categories:         physical limitations,

             fragile areas, and areas of resource potential.

                   Physical.Limitations for Development. A variety of         factors

             determine the suitability of land for development.                  These
             include soil and subsoil conditions, topography, potential foi-

             flooding, and existing land uses in the development area.

                   The Aho5kie area has several flood-prone areas."                The

             Federal Insurance Adminis'tration (FIA) has defined the Zone 01

             floodplain as those areas which have a 1% or greater chance of

             flooding   i n  any  year      I n communities such as Ahoskie which

             participate fn the National Flood Insurance Program, the lowest

             floor of residential buildings must be elevated at or above base

             flood level as determined by FIA; non-residential structures can

             be flood-proofed instead.         As noted on the Map of Land Use

             Constraints (pg. 37.4), most of the planning region's floodpronp

             areas are in the extraterritorial jurisdiction. Only two small

             areas of Zone A floodplain have been identified w.ithin the Town.

             These are found at the Town's eastern boundary in the Newsome

             Street area. Outside of Town in the southern extraterritorial

                                               21
<pb n="38" />

             jurisdi'ction, floodplain borders Ahoskie Creek, widening,to ford'I

             a large flood-prone area east and west of S. R. 1001.        To the

             east of Town, a flood-prone area is found adjoining W        hiteoak

             Swamp; to the north, a Zone-A floodplain has been delineate@

             adjoining Horse Swamp.

                  The presence of poor soils and steep slopes also limit the

             development of land resources.      Soil conditions determine the

             suitability of the land for in-ground sewage disposal systems.

             Before land can be build-upon the stability, bearing capacity,

             and erodibility of the soil must also be considered, The major

             soils found 1:'r) the Ahoskie region are listed in Table 10 (pg.

             37.1). Within the Town, soil type CsA is most prevalent.. This is

             the Craven-Urban land complex. Much of the original soil in this

             area has been cut, filled, graded, paved, or otherwise altered.

             As shown on the Ahoskie Area Soils Map (pg. 37.5), soil types LF,

             B8, and the Craven-type A and 9 soils are the common soils of the

             extraterritorial area. A large area of Leaf loam soil (LF) is

             found east of the Town on either side of the Whiteoak Swamp.

             This soil has severe limitations for building and for the siting

             of septic systems.    As shown in Table 10, nine of the other ten

             soils in the area also have severe limitations for in-ground

             septic systems.   As most new development in the extraterritorial

             area will be served by in-ground systems, poor soils may prove to

             be a major development limitation in many places in the planning

             area.

                                             22
<pb n="39" />

                  Steep slopes will not limit deve   lopment as they might in

             other places in the County.            The terrain varies from flat

             flood-prone areas to gently rolling hills.           Similarly, no

             man-made hazards that might limit future development have        been

             identified in the Aho5kie area.

                  The Town obtains its water from groundwater resources.

             The extensive groundwater reservoirs of the state's Coastal

             Plain region were considered a relatively unlimited source of

             water supply until recent years. Northeastern North Carolina

             and southeastern Virginia share an aquifer syste.m.           Studies

             have documented that groundwater levels have been declining for

             a number of years. The largest declines have been noted       in the

             groundwater layer serving a large portion of Hertford County and

             are attributed to relatively large water withdrawals in southern

             Virginia.

                  The area's aquifer system can be divided in three hydrogeo-

             logic units:     the Cretaceaus aquifer system; the Teritiary

             aquifer system; and the water-table aquifer. The Cretaceaus

             aquifer provides Hertford County with much of its groundwater and

             is the aquifer in which the largest water level declines have

             been noted. The water-tab.le aquifer recharges the underlying'

             artesian aquifer units.     In the Ahoskie areaq this layer lies

             close to the surface in many soils and is       very vulnerable to

             pollution fr1om septic tanksg industrial and mun        icipal waste

             disposal, landfills, and agricultural activities.

                                             23
<pb n="40" />

                   In an effort to protect public water suppliesq many communi-

             ties  :are now regulating development in the recharge area of

             public wells. In Ahoskie, the Town's four public wells are

             located in areas which are already highly developed. The Town

             has a well off McKinely Street just east of the rail          line, and

             another just east of the railroad.south off Myers Street. A

             third well is located off Odom Street in the southeastern c        orner

             of Town, and the fourth well is in the western half of the

             community on Pembroke Avenue.

                   Fraoile Areas,    The Ahoskie area is rich in both.natural

             and cultural resources.         The extent and location of these

             resources should be considered as development decisions are made.

                   The Coastal Area Management Act of 1974 (CAMA) established

             the Coastal Resources -Commission (CRC) and specified that the

             CRC iden tify and designate "areas of environmental concern" -

             AECs.    AECs are areas with natural or cultural resources which

             are of statewide concern. Unregulated developing in AECs has a

             high probability      of causing irreversible damage to public

             health, property, and the natural environment.          Thus, the CRC

             developed guidelines for development @in AECs.         Four categories

             of AECs have been developed:         the estuarine system; the ocean

             hazard system; public water supplies; and natural and cultural

             resource areas. According to the guidelines established by the

             CRC, most projects in AECs require a CAMA pe@Fmit. "Minor"

                                               24
<pb n="41" />

             development permits (generally projects altering less than 2C

             acres oi- involving structures less than 60,000 square feet!

             issued,by a local permit officer.        "Major.' development permits_z@

             are issued by the State Division of Coastal Management.

                  Ahoskie Creek is the planning region's only Area of Environ-

             mental Concern.     Ahoskie Creek is considered a publi          c trust

             area.    Public trust areas are defined as waters and submerged

             lands in the coastal region where the public has traditionally

             had the right of use, including the right of navigation.            Thus,

             all navigable waterways in Hertford Countyq including Ahoskie
             Creek, are considered publ'ic trust AECs. Public trust areas are'

             included in the category of estuarine system AECs. Other natural

             areas included in this category are:              estuarine (brackish)

             waters, estuarine shorelines, and coastal wetlands.

                  Aside from Ahoskie Creekp no unique or sensitive natural

             areas have been identified in.the planning region.            The North

             Carolina Natural Heritage Program has no record of any endangered

             species or habitats, or rare geologic areas within the planning

             area. The Town does however have several cultural features of

             note including a National Register Historic District which

             contains over fifteen historic commercial buildings.

                  The Town's Historic District encompasses an area of about

             two square blocks in downtown Ahoskie. The District includes

             business properties fronting on two of the Town's earliest

                                               25
<pb n="42" />

             commercial streets - Main Street and Railroad Stre       et   as well

             as properties fronting on Mitchell Street north of Railroad

             Street.   Ahoskie developed as a railroad town in the late 1800's

             and the intersection of Main Street and the railroad became the

             primary business location.'     Structures in the historic district

             represent several periods of construction, from the early 1900s

             to 1940, and are oriented to Main Street and the railroad at

             their intersection.     The modest one-, two-, and three-story

             brick buildings provided facilities for retail trade, hotels,

             banks, entertainment, and governmental services.         Most of the

             buildings are typical commercial buildings with brick facades

             above storefronts, creating a cohesive streetscape, representing

             Ahoskie's major historic,al periods of development.           A brief

             description of the district's 18 historic properties follows.

             In-formation on the Town's historic resources was compiled from a
             1984 report by Philip Letsinger entitled, "Nomination to' National

             Register of Historic Places; Anoskie, North Carolina".

                  (former) United States Post Office          201 W. Main Street.
                       The former Post Office, completed in 1940, is consider-
                       ed one of the "pivotal" (most significant) buildings
                       in the District.        It is an important example of
                       contemporary federal agency architectural design and
                       construction at the close of the depression period. The
                       Post Office was moved to its present location in 1975
                       and now functions as the Town Hall.      Postal work area.s
                       have been remodeled for offices and a Council room.

                  Mitchell Hotel      131-135 W. Main Street.         The Mitchell
                       Hotel, built in 1910, was Aho5kie's second "modern''
                       hostelry.     It was a three-story brick building with
                       hotel rooms on the upper floors, the hotel lobby and
                       dining room on the west side of the first floor anu

                                              26
<pb n="43" />

                       Mitche 11's drugstore and soda fountain on the aft"'t
                       side of the first floor.       By 1915, the name h *ad been
                       changed to Manhattan Hotel and then in th       late 1920s
                       it was changed back to Mitchell Hotel.

                  Mitchell Hotel Annex     127-129 W. Main Street. A     1923 map
                       shows a one-story brick building divided          into two
                       storefronts.    The second floor was added in 1925 as an
                       annex to the adjacent Mitchell Hotel building.

                  Commercial Building 123-125 W. Main Street. This one-story
                       brick commercial building was built some time between
                       1906, when a*fire destroyed all the frame buildings in
                       this block, and 1923.     The facade is divided into two
                       storefronts by brick pilasters which extend above
                       the parapet.

                  Farmers - Atlantic Bank 119 W. Main Street - near-junction
                       with Mitchell Street. This three-story brick building
                       in a classic temple form, is considered one of the most'
                       important buildings in the District.         The bank was
                       constructed in 191E3 and was Ahoskie's most e@pensive
                       building up until that time. Two fluted brick columns
                       frame the building's recessed entry.

                  Richard Theater 117 W. Main Street. Jesse Richard Garrett,
                       "The Builder of Ahoskie", had this theatre built in
                       1927.   Ornate cast metal seat ends carry the initial
                       "F@" in tribute to the builder, its namesake.           The
                       ornate ticket booth originally was free-standing at the
                       face of the building with the, entry doors just behind.
                       Ornate playbil-1 casesq mirrors and light fixtures
                       completed the setting for the lobby of "Eastern North
                       Carolina's Finest." The Gallery Theater, Incorporated,,
                       has acquired owner3hip of the building for community
                       us e.

                  Hotel Comfort    111-115 W. Main Street.      The building was
                       constructed in 1906 after a fire destroyed the frame
                       building on this site which housed the post office.
                       Sho-rtly after the fire, Arnold Bazemore@ postmaster at
                       the timeg built this two-story brick building with a
                       store and post offi,ce on the left side, the hotel
                       lobby and dining room on the right, and twelve hotel
                       rooms upstairs.

                  J. T. Parker and J. W. Powell Buildings         105 and 109 W.
                       Main Street. J. T.'Parker and J. W. Powell built these
                       two adjoining two-s,tory brick stores about 1910. In

                                             27
<pb n="44" />

                       the 1920s, the J.    N. Vann hardware store was located
                       in the former Parker store at number 109, and the
                       Hertford Herald moved from their building on South
                       Railroad Street to the former Powell store at number
                       105.
                                                                                  L
                  R. J. Baker Building     101 W. Main Street. This two-story
                       brick commercial building was built about 1910. The
                       east storefront was leased to the Post Office for ten'
                       years beginning in 1912; the west storefront was used
                       as a barbershop.     The second floor was used for both
                       living quarters and offices.

                  Hertford Herald Building 102-104 S. Railroad Street.          The
                       building was started in '1910 and completed in 1915
                       when purchased by J. R. Parker and James Vinson. the
                       offices of the Herald was located here until the late
                       1920's.

                  Commercial Buildings 100 Block N. Railroad Street.        A fire
                       in 1925 destr'oyed the frame warehouses and livery
                       stables in this portion of the block enabli          ng the
                       various owners to rebuild the commercial buildings ir-L
                       this simple but harmonious manner.        The two earliest
                       storefronts are the simplest in design while the
                       remainder of the block has a slightly more ornate
                       design. These     commercial buildings have served a
                       variety of retailq service, and office uses.         One of
                       the earliest use was for a candy store called the Sugar
                       Bow@l in the southernmost storefront.         The original
                       storefronts generally had recessed center entries with
                       doub-le doors flanked by large display windows and the
                       brick wall above gave indirect light to the interiors
                       of the store spaces.i One prism glass transom is still
                       evident on the southernmost storefront.        Most of the
                       interiors still retain the original pressed metal
                       ceilings and border's although some have been obscured
                       by new lowered ceilings.

                  W. D. Newsome Building       119 N. Railroad Street.         This
                       building was built'in 1905 following thefires of 1901
                       and 1902 which destroyed most of the earlier frame
                       structures.    W. D. Newsome, the original owner of this
                       building was a black educator in Hertford County and
                       served in the North Carolina House of Representatives
                       from 1870 to 1872. Jim Odom and Jim Hill had a store
                       in the building about 1910, and the Masons moved
                       upstairs for their lodge meetings at that time.          The
                       upstairs hall was 'also used for the first movie
                       theater in Ahoskie.

                                              28
<pb n="45" />

                   Garrett Hotel W. Main Street and N. Railroad Street. J. R.
                         Garrett considered plans for a new hotel in 19209 but
                         his plans were delayed by the depression in t,he fall of
                         1920.     In the early 1920s, Ahoskie was,becoming a
                         regional  trade center, and the Chamber of Commerce
                         mounted   a campaign to have a new hotel built in
                         Ahoskie.    In 1923,'Garrett made plans -for the hotel
                         which he then financed and constructed. The hotel was
                         leased to J. Haywood Dukes and the "leading hostelry of
                         all this Northeastern era" formally opened in July
                         1926. The three-story L-shaped building fronts on both
                         North Railroad Street and West Main Street, with the
                         hotel entrance on North Railroad Street.            Except for
                         the hotel entry, the ground floor storefronts were
                         rented for other businesses. The North Railroad Street
                         section     incorporates     two earlier two-story brick
                         commercial buildings, one of which was the Fletcher
                         Powell Building reputed to be the first brick store in
                         Ahoskie (ca. 1901).

                   Bank'of Aho5kie      N. Railroad Street at Main Street.            The
                         Bank of Ahoskie, the oldest bank in Ahoskie, had this
                         building constructed in 1925. It is considered one of
                         the most important buildings in the District. Part of
                         the construction boom of the mid-1920s, the new Bank
                         of Ahoskie was the cornerstone of the newly built
                         business block on West Main and North Railroad Streets.
                         The bank's main entrance, like that of the Garrett
                         Hotel, faces Railroad Street which had become the
                         Town's center, rather than Main Street. The two-stor,@
                         building is designed in the Beaux-Arts style and face(j
                         with cut limestone.,      The main floor was double height
                         with a high ceiling banking room lighted by the five
                         round arched windows along Main Street. The bank's
                         main entrance is recessed under the              tall arched
                         opening facing North Railroad Street.

                   Sawyer-Brome Furniture       Company      126 W. Main Street at N.
                         Mitchell Street. Constructed in 1924, this             is also
                         considered one of the District's pivotal buildings.
                         The Main Street facade incorporates decorative glazed
                         terra cotta, the only example of its use in Ahoskie.
                         Fires in 1925 destroyed all the frame buildings in
                         this blockq leaving only this new building and two
                         earlier brick buildings on North Railroad Street.

                   E. L_ Garrett Building        110-122 N. Mitchell Street. The
                         first floor storefronts of this 1938 building have
                         been adapted to a- variety of uses since the building

                                                 29
<pb n="46" />

                       was built.    The second floor, faced with cl  inker brick
                       and roofed with a gable roof instead of the more
                       typical flat roof, housed a roller skating rink when
                       the building was initially opened.

                  M. H. Mitchell Furniture Company Annex           North Mitchell
                       Street.     M. H. Mitchell built this building in the
                       late 1940s as an annex to his furniture store which
                       fronted on North Railroad Street. The Building's large
                       gl ass display windows, recessed       entry, and plain
                       second story are typical of commercial structures
                       built in the late 1940s.

                  E. J. Gerock Department Store     102 East Main Street.       The
                       Roanoke-Chowan Times noted in an October 1910 edition
                       that "Mr. E. J. Gerock is having a large brick store,
                       that, when     completed, will be perhaps, the most'
                       handsome in town."     The Main Street facade of th(-,,
                       building, completed in 1910, is divided into three
                       sections with pilasters which extend above the front
                       parapet wall.

                  The State Department of Cultural Resources has condGcted an

            inventory of archaeological sites in Hertford County.                No

            recorded sites have been found in the Ahoskie area but state

            officials believe that there is a high probability for encounter-

            ing archaeological sites along the first and second terraces of

            Ahoskie Creek.

                  Areas of Resource Potential.      Much of the planning area,

            outside the City limits is currently used for agricultural

            purposes. According to the U. S. Department of Agricultural,

            some of that land is prime farmland. Agricultural officials

            have observed that prime farmland will be of major importance in

            providing the nation's short and long range needs for food and

                                             30
<pb n="47" />

             timber.   Thus, conservation of prime farmland has become a

             national objective and is an important state agricultural goal

             as well.

                  Prime farmland is defined by its current use (urban, oi-

             built-up areas cannot be considered prime farmlandl and by the

             soils that comprise it. In Ahoskie area the AtA, CaA, CaB, CrA,

             Cr9, GoA, @nd NoA soils are considered prime farmland soils.

             These soils have properties that are favorable for the production

             of sustained high yields of crops. According to agricultural

             officials, these soils produce the highest yields with minimal

             inputs of energy and economic resources, and farming these soils

             results in the least damage to the environment. As shown on the

             Ahoskie Area Soils Map, the region contains a fairly extensive

             area of the Craven soils in the western extraterritorial area.

                  Areas of resource potential also include state parks,

             forest and wildlife preserves; private game preserves; and areas

             of valuable mineral deposits. The Ahoskie planning area contains

             no public or private natural resource areas and no known mineral

             deposits.

               2. Facili ty Limitations

                  As a community grows, service demands increase. More police

             and fire protection may be needed; additional c          lassrooms or

             schools may be necessary.     Demand for, public water and sewer

                                              31
<pb n="48" />

              service   incr,eases.     Planning for future service d'emands helps

              to avoid shortfalls in the provision of public services. Develop--

              ment can be severely constrained when the demand for vital

              services such as water and sewer, exceeds supply.

                   Population growth in Ahoskie and throughout Hertford County

              has been slow in recent years.               Between 1970 and 1985, the

              County grew by less than 2%.         Most growth durinb this period

              occurred in outlying areas. outside of towns; during this same

              period, Ahoskie lost about 3% of its population.               Since 1980,

              the Town has grown slightly, and in 1985 state officials esti-

              mated the Town had just less than 5,000 residents.

                   The Office of State Budget and Management forecasts slow

              growth for the County as a whole.            Between 1985 and 1990, the

              popula tion of the County is expected to increase by about 4%

              (Table 11, pg. 37.2).        Between 1990 and 1995, the population is

              expected to increase by another 2%. Growth will be well-distri-

              buted throughout the County. Should development follow the trend

              noted over the past 15 years, the majority of new development,

              will occur in outlying areas outside of incorporated places.,

              As menl.ioned   earlier    i n Section    BI   the  Town    is considerincil

              annexation of several residential areas and one commerci,,al area

              as well.    The population in all areas being considered totals

              about 500 persons.       Assuming these annexations are carried out

              and assuming the existing population of the Town will increase by

                                                  32
<pb n="49" />

            1% (the   rate noted between 1980 and 1985)9 the Town will have a

            population of  about 6,000 persons in 1,990.     Unless a major nevi'

            industry locates in the area, it is unlikely the Town's popula-

            tion wi'll exceed 7,000 persons by  1995.

                 The trends in population change noted in the pas@ decade

            will continue through the 1990's: percentage-wise, Ahoskie and

            all Hertford County will have more older persons and less young

            persons than it has in the past. In 1985, about 21% of the

            County's population was under nineteen years of age (Table 12,

            pg. 37.2).    That percentage is expected to decline to about 29%

            by 1995. In contrast, the percentage of the population         65 and,

            older is expected to increase from 13.7% of the County's popula--

            tion in 19e5, to 16.4% by 1995.

                 Water Se rvice. Almost all properties within t-he corporate

            limits are serviced with public water.            Water mains extend

            outside of Town along N. C. 561 west to.the Ramada Inn; for a

            short distance north along Catherine Creek Road (S. R. 1415);

            north along U. S. 13 to the Maola plant; and along U. S. 13

            south to the Freeman Metal Works. The Town plans to extend a 16

            inch water main to the Kerr Glass facility on S. R..1105. System

            extensions are b  eing financed by state and County funds but are

            being administered by local officials.

                 Ahoskie is fortunate in thatit is a water-rich community.

            The Town's four wells have a capacity of between 1.e and 2

                                             33
<pb n="50" />

             million gallons per day (gpd).               Water demand now averages

             550,000 gpd.      Storage capacity is        (300,000    gpd       almost a

             two-day  supply.     As part of system       improvements to serve Kerr

             Glass, the Town plans to construct another deep-well.               At some

             future date, the Town's storage capacity may have to-be in-

             creased. Water supply however, should not limit growth in the!

             forseeable future.

                   Sewer Service.      The avea serviced by the Town's municipal

             waste treatment system is similar to that serviced            by its water

             system.     Almost all properties within the corporate limits are

             serviced by public sewer. Sewer lines extend outside of Town to

             Ahoskie's satellite annexation at the Ramada Inn; along U. S.

             13 north to the Maola plant; and extend for a short distance

             north along Catherine Creek road.

                   The Town currently operates a trickling filter treatment

             system which discharges into Ahoskie Creek. The Town is in the

             final stages of constructing a land application system to avoid

             discharging municipal waste into the nutrient-sensitive Ahoskie

             Creek.     In December 1996, the Town purchased almost 470 acres

             south of S. R. 1105 for use as spray fields.

                   The capacity of the Town's current t             reatment plant is

             800,000 gpd.        The new system will be designed to handle 1.2

             million gpd.       Current demand on the system is 800,000 gpd

             however the system has a probJem with infiltration of water from

                                                  34
<pb n="51" />

            outside the 5ystem, Thus, system demand is somewhat weathe       r-de-

            pendent and in rainy periods, demand often exceeds plant cap@-

            city.

                 The Town has received grant assistance to help correct

            infiltratibn problems. Officials hope that corrective actions

            will reduce demand to about 600,000 gpd. Given system         improve-

            ments, the Town's treatment system should accommodate increased

            demand from     proposed annexation      and projected population.

            Should infilt ration problems be remedied as anticipated, system

            demand could almost double and still be accommodated by the

            Town's new treatment system.

                 Public Schools. The capacity of County schools will not:

            constrain development in the foreseeable future. As noted in

            Table 13 (pg. 37.2), except for the Ahoskie Graded School, all.

            schools are currently being used well below capacity.

                 Consoli@dation of Ahoskie and Murfreesboro High Schools has

            been proposed in the past. Proponents note that a large consoli--

            dated school would increase          the quality of education-in the

            County by offering an expanded curriculum and increasing social.'

            and athletic opportunities,         In May 19117 the County Board of

            Education announced tentative plans to consolidate the County

            High Schools. and the Middle Schools.          Officials  plan to use

            Ahoskie High School as the County's central high school and the

            Murfreesboro High School as the consolidated middle school. The

                                             35
<pb n="52" />

            curren t Ahoskie Middle School and a portion of what: is novi

            Murfreesboro Middle School will be closed.      The plan will take

            effect in the fall of 19ee.

                 Protecti ve Services.     The Town funds a 17-person police

            department. With about one officer for every 300 residents, for

            a town of its size, police protection in Ahoskie would appear-

            above-average. The police department maintains 12 vehicles.

                 Four full-time firemen and 28 volunteers provide the Town

            with fire protection.     The Town currently owns two pumpers and

            has Purchased a new 1,250 gallon per minute pumpe     r; delivery of

            the new eng,ine is scheduled for October 1987. By 1989, the Town

            hopes to have constructed a new public service building to house

            both its police and fire  departments.

                 Recreation.    In 1975 the Town cpened a recreation center or,

            the west end of Main Street  near the Middle School.      the center

            maintains a    large inventory of excerise equipment, has a room

            for arts and  crafts, and a kitchen facility as well.' Adjoining

            the center is a large playground area, two lighted tennis courts

            and a soccer field. The town maintains three ballfields in back

            of the High School on land leased from the County School Depart-

            ment; two of these fields are lighted.       In addition,   the Town

            assists the County in maintaining four unlite tennis courts at

            the High School.

                 Solid Waste. Residential waste is. collected twice weekly.

            The Town's commercial container truck operates six days per

                                             36
<pb n="53" />

             week and services commercial operations as needed'. Ref        use is

             currently disposed at the Hertford County landfill9 located

             about three miles from Winton. The landfill is nearing capacity

             and the County is currently studying disposal alternatives.

                  Roads.    Lack of service by a major interstate hiL;hway is

             often cited as one of the major factors that has limited growth

             in northeastern North Carolina.          It is unlikely that this

             situation will change in the foreseeable future given the

             current lack of federal funding.

                  No major state highway improvements are scheduled for the

             Ahoskie area according to the official state transpor           tation

             plans.   Several bridges are to be replaced in the surrounding

             area however, on east N. C. 561 over Ahoskie Creek; on S. R. 1425

             between Ahoskie and Como over Flat Swamp; and on S. R. 1427 over

             the Wiccacon River.

             Implications

                  Given the slow rate of growth anticipated in the next five

             years, the capacity of the local public facilities will be

             adequate to meet future demands.           Water storage capacity is

             likely to be the greatest limitation to future growth in the

             long run; for the next five yearsq storage capacity appears

             adequate to serve projected demand.

                                              37
<pb n="54" />

            Table 9
            BUILDING PERMITS 1980-1986

            ----------------------------------------
                                Single-              Multi- Commercial/
                   Year           Family              Family              Industrial

            ----------------------------------------
                   1980                    19                   0                         17
                   1981                    22                  60                         19
                   1982                       7                 2                         12
                   1983                       9                 8                            9
                   1984                    10                   6                         23
                   1985                    15                  14                         10
                   1986                    .3                   2                            5
            ----------------------------------------
                 Total                     85                  92                         95

            Source: Ahoskie Building Inspector

            TZ b 14 e 10
            1.T1 CHARACTERISITii.,i

                                           --------------------------------------------------------------------------
            ----------------------

                                                                                 Limitations for:

                                                                              ----------------------
                                           Sail!                              Buildings w/o Septic Runoff                        Depth to High
            Code                           Type                 S 1 o pe      Basements              Tanks Potential Water Table (ft)
            AtA_* ---- Altavista-fine-sandy-loam--0-2%-----Severe                     ----------    Severe --- Moderate      ---------     1. 5---2. 5-
            BB          Bibb                                    Ox            Severe                Severe       Moderate                  0.5 -.1.5
            0 . 0       Ponn2au loamy         sand              0-6%          Slight             Moderate                Lcw                 5 -    5. r!
                 W
            CaA         Caroline f         n- sandy loam        0-2y          Moderate              Severe       Moderate                         &gt; 6.0
            CaB         Caroline fine         sand- loam        2 - 66 X      Moderate              Severe       Moderate                         &gt; 6.0
            L'i B       Cone@Ne lloam,        sand              0-5%          Severe                Slight               Low                      &gt; 6.0
            CrA  +      Craven fine sandy loam                  0-!%          Moderate              Severe       Moderate                  2.0    - 7.0
            C r B*      Craven fine sandy loaa                  1-4i          Moderate              Severe       Moderate                  2. 0   - '3. 0
            C sA        Craven-Urban 1--nd complex              0-277         Moderate              Severe       Moderate                  2. 0   - 3. 0
            G oA *      Goldsboro fine sand,,          loam     0 - 2 7       Moderate              Severe           Slight                2. 0   - 3.
            ILF         Leaf loam                               0-1           Severe                Severe             High                0.5    - 1.5
            Ln          Lenior loam                             0-1           Severe                Severe             High                1.0    - 2.5
            L kit       Lynchburg fine sandy loam               0%            Severe                Severe       Moderate                  0.5      1.5
            N G.A       Norfol", loamy fine sand                0-2%          Slight             Moderate            Slight                4.0      6.0
            Ro          i%oanol'2 loam                                        Severe                Severe             High                0.0      1.0
            RUA         Pumford loamy sand                      C,            Slight                Slight           Slight                       &gt; 6.0
            Ce          Seabrook loamv sand                     Ox            Severe                -^ever e     Moderate                  2. 0   - 4.0
            TaB         Tarboro sand                            0-,Z-,        Severe                Severe               Low                      k 6.0
            U'j
                 U      Udorthents, sandy                       07                (1)                  (1)               (1)                        (l')
                                                                                      L
            WN          Wilbanks si-Ity clay loam               0",           Vouar   3             Severe             High                0.0    - 1.0

            ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                 indicates Pri -..- liarmland su,441
                   soil chariC@.rj@+ir= Yary;              cn-sitle investigation needed
            Source:     Soil CUr@kie- -of Hertford County, U.S.D.A., S.C.S., July 1984
                                                   L                I
<pb n="55" />

         Table 11
         FUTURE REGIONAL POPULATION

         ------------------------------------------------          -------------------
                                                                    % Change % Change
         County                   1985        1990          1995@      8.5-90      90-95
         ------------------------------------------------------------------
         Beaufort              43,260      47,314        50,702           9.4%       7.2%
         Bertie                21,341      21,760        21,895           2.0%       0.6%
         HERTFORD              23,924      24,833        25,280           3.8%       1.8%
         Martin                26,653      26,463        26,406          -0.7%       -0.2%
         Pitt                  95,862      101,823       107,409          6.2%       5.5%

         ------------------------------------------------------------------
         Region               211,040      222,193      231,692           5.3%       4.3%

         State             6,253,951 6,597,922 6,930,994                  5.5%       5.0%

         Source:     N.C.  Office of State Budget and Management, 1986

         Table 12
         COUNTY POPULATION AGE STRUCTURE 1985-1995

         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        1985                      1990                    1995
                                   No.            %          No.             %       No.           %

         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
         0-4 years              1,728          7.2%       1,786           7.2%     1,664         6.6%
         5-19 years             5,784         24.2%       5,830          23.5%     5,530        21.9%
         ')0-44 years           8,504         35.5%       8,660          34.9%       8834
         45-64 years            4,634         19.4%       4,705          18.9%     5,100        20.2%
         65 and older           3,274         13.7%       3,852          15.5%     4,i52        16.4%

         ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Total                 23,924         100.0%     24,833         100.0% 25,280          1.00.0%

         Source:     N.C. Office of State Budget and Management, 1986

         Table 13
         SCHOOL ENROLLMENT

                            ------      ---------- --------       -------- --
         School ----------  Grades   --- Enrollment-Capacity--Enrollmt-as
                            Taught        86-87                   % Capacity

         Ahoskie Graded        K-3             695            800           87%
                           ----    ----------    --------------------------

         R.L. Vann             4-5             345        1,100             31%
         Ahoskie Middle        6-8             595            950           63%
         Ahoskie High          9-12            780        1,150             68%
         ----------------------------------------------------------
         Total                                2,415       4,000             60%

         Source: "Hertford County Land Use          Plan  Update 1987",
                    and Hertford County School officials

                                                 37.2
<pb n="56" />

                                                                                                 EXISTING
                                                                                             LAND \us

                                                                                                                                                                                                                         GIL

                                                                                                                                                          %

                                                                                                                                     ........ . .

                                                                                                                                                                                      X.

                                                                                                                                                                                                ...........  ...... ......... ........
                                                                                      Residential

                                                                                       Commercial
                                                                                       Industrial                   @r-,

                                                                                                                                                             lwi;::

                                                                               gg
                                                                                        Institutional
                                                                              Dlwa
                                                                                                                                    -T

                                                                                       Undeveloped
                                                                                                                                                                                 @A

                                                                                                    37.3
                                                                                                                                                                                                     Prepared by Mid-Ea3t Cosoisnion
                                                                                                                                                                                                    Washington, North Carolina
                                                                                                                                                                                                    J- 9   87
<pb n="57" />

                                                                                           LAN D USE
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              X"I
                                                                                  CONSTIIAIN1,TS----.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                           _R1.11- AW'@'-

                                                                                                                                                                                        &gt;

                                                                                                                                                                    A
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              %X      N

                                                                                                                                                                                    HLI

                                                                                  Historic,-,@,Di@trict
                                                                                                                                                                                            .. ..........
                                                                      EM AEC
            Source:
            N.C. Dept of
            Cultural Resources;
            U.S. Dept. of                                                        T'loodplal

            Hazard Boundry Maps                                                                         1-yel           S    r
            Housing and Urban
            Development, Flood
                                                                      Fe] Public                        w I i tv"
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  V_
                                                                      L.1 _j
                                                                                 Archaelogically 7@                                                    We,:         Ar: ea)
                                                                                                                                                         @\" N"

                                                                                              37.4                                                                                             Prepared bY Mid-East C-ission
                                                                                                                                                                                               We 3hington. North C.1-li--
                                                                                                                                                                                               June  987
<pb n="58" />

                                                                                                                                                                                                              AHOSKIE AREA                                           S 0 1 L

                                                                                                                                                                                                 Ln                                     Ln                                      CrA
                                                                                                                                                                               _m t"7'i                                              M,

                                                                                                                                                                                                    CrA
                                                                                                                                ij.1
                                                                                                                                                                                  fC r@A
                                                                                                                                                                                         %
                                                                                                                                                 CrA
                                                                                                 Frazie'rs

                                                                                                      CaA                                                                                      @Ln                                                                              Ln,
                                                                                                                                                                                           n.
                                                                                                                 C@A                                      n Ca
                                                                                                                             CaB

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   A@:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                               CaA
                                                                                                'N(

                                                                                                                                                                             Cr
                                                                                                                                         CaB
                                                                                                                 No@                                    CrA                                                           LF-
                                                                                                                                                                        CrB

                                                                                                                            i5  'I-

                                                                                                :L

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       A
                                                                                                     r                                                                            71         -7   LF
                                                                                                                       Se
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     4"i

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                7

                                                                                                                                                             CrI3

                                                                                                                                                                                                                  :Stj

                                                                                                                                                                                      @C,A        ra.
                                                                                                                                                                              Ln

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   CrA)

                                                                                                                                                                                                Ln                                                    B
                                                                                                                                                     Cr
                                                                                                                     '13                                                                       C  A

                                                                                                                                                                        cas
                                                                                                                                                                                                   :rB

                                                                                                                                                                                                                         ta
                                                                                                                                                                               - YY

                                                                                                                5000       4000      3000       2000       1000         0       Fact

                                                                                                                                                                        0  Kilm,@ters

                                                                                                                                                                                                     L

                                                                                                                                                                                                F1031
                                                                                                                      105
                                                                                                                                                                                                            Ca
                                                                                                                                                                                           F
                                                                                                                                                                                    41,
           The preparation of this map was financed in                                                                                                                      rA
           part through a grant provided by the North
             arolina,            Coastal            Management                Program,
           through funds provided by the Coastal Zone
           Management Act of 1972, as amended, which
           is administered by the Office of Ocean and                                                                                                                                                           Prepared by Mid-East Commis
           Coastal           Resource             Management,                 National                          37.5                                                                                           Washington, North Carolina
           Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.                                                                                                                                                             June 1987
<pb n="59" />

            111. POLICY OBJECTIVES

            A.   Resource Pro-tection

                 The Town is located in the heart of Hertford County. The

            360 square miles of the Count y is rich in natural resources. The

            Chowan River borders the County on the east. To the north, the

            Meherrin River flows eastward to join the Chowan.           Numerous

            creeks, streams, and wetlands drain the County and provide food

            and shelter for numerous fish and wildlife species.          Ahoskie

            Creek, a sensitive Area of Environmental Concerno flows through

            the southern half of the planning area.

                 The Town acknowledges that the County's natural resources,

            particularly,its land and water resources, are the reason that

            many people have chosen to live, work, and recreate in the County

            and within Ahoskie itself. 'To a very great extent,      residential

            avid commercial development, in fact, the general quality of life

            in the Count y and in Ahoskie depends on maintaining the quality*

            of the area's land and water resources.     The Town supports all.

            local, state, and interstate efforts to preserve and enhance the'

            quality of the County's valuab,le water resources and its produc-

            tive agricultural land.

                 Creeks, freshwater  wetlands and swamps, and limited areas of

            woodlands are the major natural areas found in the Ahoskie

            planning region.      The Town will not support development that

            significantly degrades the quality of its surface waters and

                                            38
<pb n="60" />

            wetlands or has adverse effects on their      use as habitat for   fish

            and wildli-fe. Most of the region's creeks and wetlands are

            floodplain areas. The Town will not support development in areas

            with natural hazards un  less su ch development fully complies.with

            all applicable development controls.

                  The Town     encourages new development and welcomes new

            industrial and commercial concerns.          The Town supports all
            development that protects natural areas and in turn,'enh          ances

            the quality of life for local residents.        It is important that

            natural and cultural resources be protected from the impacts of

            development during construction and over the long term.

                  Non-point pollution has been identified as being a major

            contributor. to     water quality degradation in the Albemarle

            estuarine system.     Both urban -developed land and undeveloped

            agricultural land contribute to the non-point problem. Run-off

            from urbanized areas often contains dirt, oilv grease and othei@

            pollutants that may adversely effect water quality. Agricultural

            run-off may contribute sediments, fertilizersy and pesticides,

            that have harmful effects on riverine and estuarine systems.

            The Town supports measures to control both urban and agricultural

            run-off.    The Town supports expansion of*state programs, such as

            the Agricultural Cost Share Program, which will help local

            governments and     private landowners in addressing the non-point

            problem. The Town will work with developers of large residential
            and industrial projects to insure that land develooment will not

                                              39
<pb n="61" />

            have negative impacts on water quality.       Innovative stormwater

            control measures will be'encouraged. The Town's zoning ordinance

            will ensure that high density development occurs in areas served

            with municipal stormwater controls.     The Town recently received

            funding for improvements to its municipal stormwater system.

                 Groundwater resources supply Ahoskie residents with water.

            Planners and local officials have only recently begun to under-

            stand the sensitivity of this valuable resource.              Reports

            indicate that in recent years there have been substantial

            declines in the level of underground reserves.              Moreover,

            environmental officials realize that groundwater resources across

            the state are threatened 'by the more than 37,0,00 underground

            storage tanks that are estimated to have leaks.            New local

            development should not have negative impacts on local groundwater

            quantity and quality.    The Town will not support development

            locally and in other areas that may cause future shortfalls in

            groundwater supply or pose severe risks to the quality of

            underground waters.

                 Following is a listing of policy       objectives the Town has

            adopted to protect its natural resources.     Included are strate-

            gies that the Town will attempt to implement over the next five

            years inan effort to achieve    these policy goals.

              preserve and protect local water resources and wetland areas

                      encourage developers to leave a 75 ft. open space,
                      buffer between     development and water or wetland;
                      consider requiring buffers in subdivision regulations.

                                            40
<pb n="62" />

                       encoura ge developers to design projects so that runoff
                       from project site! is      minimized; consider setting
                       maximum runoff standards in subdivision regulations.

                       support use of. private package treatment plants only
                       if proponents demonstrate that@ connecting to municipal
                       sewer system is infeasible.

                       classify land within 75 feet of creeks and swamps as
                       Conservation on the Land       Classification Map; for
                       planning purposes, ithe Town will consider these Areas
                       of Environmental Concern.    All development within the
                       Conservation zone should be for low density, low impact
                       uses. Passive recre@tional developments- pathsq trails
                       or picnic areaso @and Conservation-type uses such as
                       designated open s9ace or wildlife areas, would be
                       -appropriate uses for, the 75 buffer area.

              preserve and protect Areas    f Environmental Concern

                       support development in AECs only if such development
                       meets the management iobjectives in 15 NCAC 7H.0203 and
                       the use standards in 15 NCAC 7H.020e.

                       classify land adjoining Ahoskie Creek up to 75 feet
                       from its banks as Conservation on the Land Classifica--.
                       tion map; water and sewer service will not be provided
                       in this area but may extend through this area to serv@
                       development in the extraterritorial area.

              prote ct the Town's present and future water supply

                       support strict enTlOrcement of regulations controlling
                       underground storage@tanks; in areas where the water
                       table is highq su    [pport projects which propose above-
                       ground storage; c nsider starting        a local permit
                       program for locatio@, of underground tanks.

                       support establishm nt     of a state fund to assist
                       communities in re@oving leaking underground storage
                       tanks and i.n cleanir@Ig up affected water supplies.
                       oppose addil         groundwater withdrawals by, large
                       water consumers inj Virginia;      oppose proposals to
                       withdraw surface water from Lake Gaston for out-of-
                       state consumption.

                       support state efforts to develop a groundwater manage-
                       ment program for northeastern North Carolina.

                                             41
<pb n="63" />

              protect th e Town's historic and cultural resources

                       reactivate the Ahoskie Preservation Commission; review
                       and revise the inventory of the          Town's historic
                       properties.

                       adopt a Historic District Ordinance and include the
                       Town's historic commercial downtown buildings in 8
                       Historic   District;    consider giving properties of
                       special importance a local historic property de5igna--
                       tion.

                       do not    support proposals that may have negative
                       impacts on historic or archaeologic resources; consider
                       amending subdivision regulations to require identifica-
                       tion of historic and archaeologic resources as part of
                       subdivision review.

              discourage development on land which is not physically suitable
              for development

                       continue participating in the Federal Flood Insurance
                       Program and enforce the Town's Floodplain Ordinance.

                       support strict enforcement of the state's Environmental.
                       Health Code regarding the siting of in-ground septic
                       systems in unsewered areas.

                       in areas experiencing septic failures outside of Town@
                       investigate the possibility of servicing with sewers.

                                             42
<pb n="64" />

            B.   Resource Product ion-and Management

                 Ahoskie is located in the center of Hertford County, in the

            heart of rural northeastern North Carolina. Directly or in-

            directlyp many residents are involved in the development of the

            County's natural resources.     Crop and pastureland-accounts for

            26% of all land in the County.       Woodland, much of which is

            used as commercial forestland9 accounts.for 67% of a     11 land in

            Hertford County.

                 Agricultural lands are one of County's prime resource areas.

            Much of the County's farmland is considered prime farmland by

            agricultural officials.     In  19B4, 479300 acres, of land was

            harvested for crops, with the County ranking 34th in the state

            for total harvested cropland.      The County ranked 29th in the

            state in the amount of corn@bushels sold in 1984, ranked fourth

            in the poundage of peanuts produced.

                 Most of the land within Ahoskie's Town limits has been

            developed for urban uses, however most     of the land outside of

            Town is used for agriculture.     The Town encourages the use of
            adjoin@ing rural areas for     @agricultural production and will

            support all efforts to ensure the viability of the County's

            agricultural economy.      The Town is especially concerned with

            preserving areas with prime farmland soils.      At the same time@

            agricultural uses should not have negative impacts on sensitive

            areas such as Ahoskie Creek or on historic or archaeologic

                                            43
<pb n="65" />

            resources.     The Town supports diversification of the local

            agricultural economy.      Produce and fruit farms, and retail

            operations that market these products - roadside stands and

            farmers markets - are encouraged and will be supported.

                 The County has 151,700 acres of forestland. Much of this is

            used for commercial forestry activities.       The Ahoskie area has

            several lumber mills and wood/paper processing operations. The

            Town supports the presence of the lumbering industry in the area

            and enc ourages expansion of commercial forestry and wood process-

            ing operations if these will have no significant impacts on
            residentia'l areas and local natural resources.       In all cases,

            the Town de   sires that cleared areas be replanted as       soon as

            possible.
                 The streams and creeks in the Ahoskie area are not larg@

            enough to support commercial fishing activities. Recreation       a 1,

            fishing does occur on a limited scale in the Ahoskie area. At

            one time, commercial fishing was an important economic activity

            in the County as a whole.    The Town supports state and federal

            efforts to improve the quality of the region's fisheries.

            Improving both the recreational and commercial fisheries is

            encouraged and will be supported.

                 There are currently no areas in or around Ahoskie where

            mining or other mineral production activities are taking place.

            The Town will support mining and quarrying activities only if

                                            44
<pb n="66" />

            those acti vities can be shown to have no adverse impacts on the

            Town's agricultural and water resources.

                 Following is a listing of policy objectives the Town has

            adopted to protect and manage its productive natural resources.

            Included are' strategies that the Town     will attempt to implement-

            over the next five years in an effort to achieve these po         licy'

            goals..

              protect  and enhance agricultural  uses in the Ahoskie area

                       classify agricultural areas outside of Town as Rural on
                       the Town's Land Classification Map.

                       to the extent feasiblet continue to design betterment
                       systems for public improvements that avoid imposition
                       of costs on agricultural property whose agricultural
                       use will no t benefit from those improvements.

                       consider starting a local farmers market in downtown
                       Ahoskie; work with other area towns to develop markets
                       in every community in which all County farmers could,
                       participate.

                       support educational efforts and state and federal
                       programs   which    encourage    diversification of the
                       County's agricultural economy.

                       enc ourage farmers owning parcels of 10 or more acres
                       to apply for use-value assessment.'

              preserve areas of prime farmland

                       adopt a policy to preserve prime agricultural land.
                       Submit proposals for public projects to the Soil
                       Conservation Service (SCS) for review. Do not under-
                       take projects which in the opinion of the SCS, will
                       have adverse impacts on important areas of prime
                       agricultural land.

                       support development of a comprehensive state program
                       for farmland preservation.       Support legislation that
                       proposes to study      farmland    preservation programs
                       existing in other areas and to develop appropriate
                       programs and techniques for use in North Carolina.

                                             45
<pb n="67" />

              ensure efficient, environmentally sound agricultural production

                      support use of Best Management Practices for agricul-
                      tural land use and production.

                      work with the SCS to encourage participation in the
                      state's Agricultural Cost Share Program.

                      support the Conservation Provisions of the 1985 Farm
                      Bill:

                            conservation reserve
                            conservation compliance
                            sodbuster
                            swampbuster

              provide  for  development that preser  .ves the area's productive
              natural resources

                      support industrial proposals only if project demon-
                      strates that prime agricultural lands and.air and water
                      quality will be preserved.

                      work with proponents of new and expanding industrial
                      concerns to ensure that project is consistent the
                      objectives of the Town's Land Use Plan.

                                             46
<pb n="68" />

             C.   Economic and Community Development

                  Ahoskie is the population and employment center of Hertford

             County.    More people live in Ahoskie    than any other community in

             the area. Since the end of 19th century, residents from all

             parts of Hertford County and from adjoining counties, have come

             to Ahoskie to work and to shop.         The Town values its position

             as leading the County in residential, commercial, and industrial

             development, and intends to focus efforts on programs that

             strengthen and enhance this position.

                  The Town supports expansion of          existing industries and

             welcomes new commercial and industrial       concerns to the Ahoskie

             area.     Howevery new indust    rial   development should not have

             negative impacts on the natural environment or the area's

             historic and cultural resources.        New commercial and industrial

             development s,hou Id enhance the   quality of    life for   local resi-.

             dents.

                  The Town encourages the location of "clean" non-polluting

             industries, and those that provide both technical and profession-

             al positions. Garment-fabricating operations, non-water consump-

             tive food processing firms, textile milling plants, printing

             firms, and electronic manufacturing or assembly plants would be

             appropriate new industries for the Ahoskie area.               The Town

             supports the location of commercial. enterprises - both large

             retail operations., and small         owner-operated commercia'I and

                                               47
<pb n="69" />

           service firms.    New tourist-oriented ape  rations would be viewed

           as an asset to the area.      The Town has a number of vacant

           commercial and     industrial buildings.      The Town encourages

           new or expanding firms to I.ocate in existing structures, rather

           than to invest in new construction.          The Town is especially

           concerned with revitalizing its commercial downtown area.

                Land within the Town has@ been developed for urban uses,

           primarily residential in nature. Outside of Town, the area is

           rural; agricultural uses predominate. The Town appreciates this

           pattern of development,       To that end and to provide for the

           efficient delivery of public services, the Town will encourage

           new development demanding urban services to locate within the

           city limits a r in areas already provided with local services.

           In general, outlying areas will be reserved for agricultural and

           low density residential uses.    When new development cannot be

           accommodated within     serviced areas9 the Town will support.,

           their development in appropriate locations outside of Town       and

           when feasiblev will provide public services.

                The Town will discourage the use of private package-sewage
           treatment facilities. Instead,1   new large residential develop-
           ments and industrial concerns will be encouraged to 'locate

           within the service area of the    Town's sewage treatment plant.

           Given scheduled improvements,    to the facility, there should
           adequate capacity to accommoda  Ite new demand generated over the

           next five to ten years.

                                           48
<pb n="70" />

                The Town is committed to mainta       ining and enhancing the

           quality of life in Ahoskie.    The Town supports  reuse of existing

           structures and redevelopment   in, areas were reuse is not feasible.

           The Town supports improving   it's existing housing stock, as shown

           by its current participation in the Community Development Block

           Grant Programg     and supports     new residential co    nstruction,

           especially development that will serve the housing needs of the-

           elderly and of low and moderate income groups.

                The Town values local natural resources such as Ahoskie.
           Creek, and regional resourcesi such as the Chowan River, r;:or the

           recreational and aesthetic amenities they supply.           The Town

           supports state and federal programs that will assist the Town in

           attaining its objectives for @protecting and managing these and

           other resourcesq and tor assisting in efforts for community
           development. These include bu@ are not limited to public access

           programs9  programs for conser   ing prime farmland and preserving

           water quality,     highway imp    vement   programs5 economic and

           community development programs, and programs which assist in

           preserving historic and archaeologic resources.

                Following is a listing of policy objectives the Town has

           adopted to provide for community growth and for the economic

           development of the Town. Incl ded are strategies       that the Town
           will attempt to implement ov@r the next five years in an effort

           to achieve these policy goals.

                                            49
<pb n="71" />

             support expansion of existing industry and recruitment of new
             industrial and commercial enterprises

                     support the Ahoskie Industrial Development Advisory
                     Committee and the Hertford County Industrial Develop-
                     ment Commission in their efforts to recruit industry
                     to the Ahoskie area.

                     support the Regional Small Business Incubator Facility
                     in Ahoskie; work with Facility tenants to find appro-
                     priate locations for tenants in Ahoskie when operations
                     move from incubator facility.

                     work with    developers to provide water and sewer
                     service for project5 in unserviced areas in accordance
                     with the Town's Land Classification Map.

                     solicit technical assistance from groups such as the
                     Small Business Center at Roanoke-Chowan College, the
                     Mid-East Commission5    and Northeast North Carolina
                     Tomorrow, which can provide information and staff
                     assistance for new and small businesses and economic
                     development projects. Promote these group's within the
                     business community.

              provide for the orderly growth of      areas within Ahoskie and
              within the one-mile planning jurisdiction

                     conduct an annexation feasibility study to determine.
                     suitable areas in which to initiate annexation proceed-
                     ings.    Give priority to developed       areas already
                     provided with public'services.

                     on the Town's Land tlassification Map, classify areas
                     within a one-mile radius of Ahoskie according to
                     the guidelines of '15 NCAC 78.0200. Developed areas
                     within the Town will be-classified Urban. Developed
                     areas outside of Town which are currently or are
                     expected to be served by water and/or sewer will be
                     classified Transition.      Agricultural and forest land
                     will be classified Rural.        Areas of Environmental
                     Concern and @other; sensitive      natural or cultural
                     resource areas will be classified Conservation.

                     revise the Town's subdivision regulations.

             preserve and enhance the quality of life in Ahoskie

                     support expansion of academic and cultural programs
                     at Roanoke-Chowan Technical College.

                                           50
<pb n="72" />

                      support   social and cultural events/programs at the
                      Gallery Theatre in downtown Ahoskie.

                      review and revise sign provisions of the'Town's zoning
                      ordinance as local government authority in the area of
                      sign regulation changes; strictly enforce sign regula-
                      tions.

              provide for adequate housing  for all community residents

                      continue to     apply for funding for local housing
                      improvements under the Community Development Block
                      Grant Program.

                      support development  'of low and moderate income housing
                      in the Ahoskie area.!

              promote and enhance tourism and recreational   opportunities

                      reactive the Ahoskie,Preservation Commission; develop a
                      walking tour of down'@own Ahoskie focusing on the Town's
                      historic commercial buildings.

                      participate in regional efforts to promote. tourism in
                      northeastern North Carolina; encourage development of
                      tourist - related services such as "bed and breakfast"
                      establishments.

                      support efforts to increase recreational access to
                      Ahoskie Creek. Seek assistance from the state Office
                      of Water Resources under their Civil Works Project.
                      Program.     Consider projects     which serve multiple
                      purposes      stream restoration, navigational i',tiprove-
                      ments, and recreational uses.

                                            51
<pb n="73" />

            D.   Storm Hazards

                 North Caro-lina is well-known for the hurricanes and tropical
            storms that batter its coastl,ine and the tornados that ravage-
            inland ar-eas.     Typicallyq the bulk of hurricane storm damage

            occurs in coastal areas howeverg hurricanes and tropical storms,

            have caused  severe damage in inland areas in the past." Thus,

            even inland counties and their local municipalities must effec-

            tively plan for storm hazards.         This section summarizes the

            actions Hertford County and the Town of Ahoskie have under-

            taken to protect residents and resources from the damaging

            effects of hurricanes and-other major storm events.

              1. Hazard Areas

                  In the Ahoskie region, areas adjoining Ahoskie Creek and

            areas subject to flooding in the northern and eastern portions

            of the planning region are those areas most threate  ned by a major

            storm event.     As shown on the Map of Land Use Constraints,

            Ahoskie Creek is an Area of Environmental Concern.      This sensi-

            tive area is severely threatened by damage due to flooding,

            erosiong wave actiong and high winds.    The creek is the center

            of a Zone A floodplain as defined by the Federal Insurance

            Administration. Floodplain areas also border Whiteoak Swamp in

            the eastern half of the planning area and Horse Swamp in the

            nor thern extraterritorial area. Flood-prone areas are moderately

            threatened by damaging forces such as high winds and flooding,.

            and to a lesser extent, by erosion and wave action.

                                            52
<pb n="74" />

                 The Town is fortunate in that a      11 areas in the community

            severely threatened by damage from storms are basically undeve-

            loped. As shown on the Map of Existing Land Use, there has been

            no development in the area of either Horse or Whiteoak Swamps.

            The major por tion of the shoreline of Ahoskie Creek is also

            undeveloped, although a small strip of commercial development

            has occurred near the creek where N. C. .11/42 crosses over the

            streambed.

              2. Evacuation and Reconstruction

                 In 1980, Hertford County adopted a p         lan to guide the

            actions of various local officials in the event of a major storm

            occurence in the County. Ahoskie is under the jurisdiction of

            this plan, (the Hertford County Hu-rricane Evacuation and Shelter

            Plan,) which was revised in January of 1987.         Two groups have

            been formed to implement     the plan.   A Control Group exercises
            overall direction and control'!of hurricane evacuation operations

            and reconstruction activities    mmediately after the storm event.

            This group   is composed of th     chair man of the Board of County

            Commissioners, the mayors of     11 municipalities in the County

            (including Ahoskie), and the ounty Emergency Management Coordi-

            nator. A Support Group provides personnel and material resouces

            for the actions requested by the Control Group. The Support

            Group also provides direction to personnel engaged in operations,,

            and provides data and recommendations to the Control Group. This

                                             53
<pb n="75" />

            group has 26 members i ncluding Ahoskie's Town Manager, the Chief

            of Police,    the Chief of the Ahoskie Fire Department, and the

            president of the Ahoskie Rescue Squad.

                 The Evacuation Plan details the duties and responsibilities

            of each member of the Control and Support Group as a storm event

            unfolds.   Five levels of increasing preparedness (Conditions

            4-0) are outlined; a "Reentry" stage constitutes a sixth. The

            plan identifies eight "potential problem areas"      which would be

            evacuated during Condition 1.         The Edgewood Drive area of

            Ahoskie has been identified as an area where storm damage could

            be especially severe. Residents of this area would be evacuated

            during Condition 1, earl y in the storm event. Evacuees would be

            moved to   either the Ahoskie Graded School on North Talmage

            Avenue or to Ahoskie High School of N. C. 561.

                 Reentry into affected areas will be   directed by the    Control

            Group. - Upon reentryg the County Tax Assessorg a member of the.

            Support Group @ will assemble personnel and conduct a,,damage

            assessment. Should damage from a storm be especially severe, the

            County has the authority to impose a temporary moratorium

            on all development in the area.       Such a measure would be used

            only if damage to a particular area is very serious and if

            redevelopment of the area-in the same manner would pose residents

            with simi lar health and safety problems in the future.

                 After emergency operations to restore public health and

            safety and initial damage assessment are completed, the Town

                                             54
<pb n="76" />

            Counci.1 will assume responsibi lity for ensuring orderly repair

            and rebuilding in the Town.       The Planning Boar@d y4ill act as an

            advisory group. CAMA permitting officers will be included in

            redevelopment planning for areas where CAMA permits would be

            necessary.     Th e Town advocates the following schedule for,

            staging and permitting repairs and construction in the Town:

            first priority - replacement of essential services such as      power,

            waterg sewerg telephone, and roadways; second priority - minor

            repairs; third priority - major repairs; fourth priority - new

            development. All repairs and new development will be in conform-

            ance with applicable state and local           development controls

            including the state building code and the Town's zoning ordinance

              including local floodplain regulations.

              3. Coordinating Agencies.

                   The state and federal agencies involved in coordinating

            local storm hazard mitigationl and hurricane prepardness activi-

            ties are listed in Appendix B.

              4. Policy Objectives

                   The Town acknowledges that the Ahoskie area is subject to
            storms that threaten the health, safety, and           welfare of its
            residents and the integrity      f   its natural and cultural re-

            sources.    In an effort to pi   n for such natural storm disasters

            and to safeguard local residents, resources, and'property, the
            Town has adopted the followingistorm hazard policy objectives.

                                             55
<pb n="77" />

                     reduce the potential for storm damage

                          enforce the Town's floodplain ordinance.
                          enforce the     state building code in all new
                          construction.
                          enforce the Town's housing code.

                     protect natural *areas sensitive      to storm hazards

                          classify AECs and flood-prone areas as Conserva-
                          tion on the Town's Land Classification Map.

                     increase public awareness of the need for hurricane
                     preparation

                          support the "preparedness" program the County
                          Office of Emergency Management con   ducts in local
                          schools.
                          participate in the storm evacuation exercise held
                          each year by the Office of Emergency  Management.

                                           56
<pb n="78" />

            E. Public   Participation

                  The preparation of Ahoskie's Land Use    Plan was the responsi-

            bility of the Ahoskie Planning Board.             A workshop session

            introducing Board members to the planning process 'was held in

            November of 19116 and the group agreed to     meet monthly to work on

            the plan. Two meetings were held in June of 1907 as @the Board

            began finalizing important policy objectives. Appendix C notes

            meeting dates and participants,.
                   At their first meeting,1 the Planning Board agreed that

            soliciting public input wou      Id be an important goal of the

            planning pr:ocess.     The Board considered conducting a public
            survey.    Ultimately the grouplagreed that since the Town was not

            facing any major development issues, their efforts would be
            better spent in other action@. Instead of seeking public input

            through a survey, the Board decided to utilizo the media to

            encourage attendance at Planning Board meetings and to inform'

            residents of the work the group was involved in.            Notice s of

            all Board meetings were submitted to a local radio station,

            (WBCG) for broadcast. Similarly@ all meetings were advertised in

            the Hertford County News-Herald, and articles summarizing the

            information and issues discussed at each Board meeting were

            submitted to the paper for@        publication. Copies of all radio

            public service announcements       and articles submitted to, or

            appearing in the News-Herald are included in Appendix D.

                                              57
<pb n="79" />

                 The Planning Board and Town Council will be the primary

            groups through which public input will be accepted as the

            planning program continues over the next five years.                The

            Planning Board will continue to meet monthly to assist the

            Counci 1 in implementing the       strategies for attaining policy

            objectives on resource protection, production, and economic and

            community development proposed in the 1987 Land Use Plan.

            Following the example of the current planning program, solicitinc
                                                                                  4-

            public input will be a primary goal of all future planning.

            endeavors,

                 The Planning Board and the Council recognize the importance

            of keeping the citizenry informed of current planning concerns

            and of receiving the comments and concerns of local residents.

            Thus, the,Town has adopted the following policy objectives:

                       solicit citizen input in all planning decisions

                            advertise all Council and Planning Board meetings
                            in the News-Herald: emphasize that citizens are,
                            invited and' encouraged to attend all meetings
                            dealing with planning issues.

                       apprise the public of planning issues as they develop

                            report important planning and community develop-
                            ment issues, decisions, and developments to the
                            News-Herald; propose feature articles for espe-
                            cially important issues.

                                              58
<pb n="80" />

            IV. LAND CLASSIFICATION

            A.   Purpose

                 Ahoskie has adopted a system of land classification and an

            official Land Classification Map to assist local officials in

            attaining policy objectives in the areas of resource protection

            and production, and economic and community development.             Five

            broad categories of land     classification have been developed and

            are delineated on the Town's Map of Land Classification (pg.

            63.2).    The map sets out a proposed development pattern for the

            Ahoskie planning region.       Based on this classification scheme,

            the Town has designated areas it believes are appropriate to

            accommodate additional growth and development, and areas it

            believes would be better left in their natural condition. The

            classifications reflect propo5ed future land uses and attempt to

            link land use, policy objectivesq and implementation actions.

            Exhibit 1 (pg. 63.1) highlights the, relationship between the

            Town's policy objectives. in the areas of resource protection,

            resource management, and economic and community development, and

            the Town's land classification scheme.         As showno most of the

            policies dealing with resource protection and management will

            effect areas classified as       :Rural.    The bulk of the impact of

            economic and community development policy actions will be felt in

            the Developed and Transition classes.           At the same time, the

            impact of some policy actions such as those dealing with growth

                                              59
<pb n="81" />

            management is sues will have   an effect in all land classes. The

            Map of Land Classification is  similar to that adopted   by the Town

            in 1981, however several minor modifications have been made to

            the 19ei classificiation scheme to reflect changes that have,

            occurred over the past five y ears,

            B.   Classification Scheme

                 The Town's land classification scheme is based on the
            guidelines for land classifica@ion outlined in the     .Coastal Area

            Management Act's Land Use Planging Guidelines.

              1. Developed

                 The Developed classification encompasses all land within the

            corporate limits of the Town.      On the 1981 Land Classification,

            Map, both Transition and Developed areas we@-e shown within the

            corporate limits. In 19E31, the: classification pattern reflected
            existing land uses:        TransiItion areas within Town were open

            undeveloped land; Developed arF- @as were areas where development of

            some type (residential, commercial, or industrial) had occurred.

                 In its 1987 Land Use        'Plan, the Town  stated that it will

            encourage new development to locate within the city limits

            whenever possible.    By applyl  ng the Developed classification to
            all areas within Town, local 07  1'ficials are attemptinAg to facili-
            tat e this pattern of devel      pment.    Similarly, the Developed

            classification reflects the ex sting pattern of service provis-

            ion as all areas within the      city limits are serviced by public

            water and sewer.

                                             '60
<pb n="82" />

            2. Transit  ion

                Transition areas adjoin the Developed area and border the

           major highways entering the community.      Services extend in the

           Transition area however no areas designated Transition are

           serviced throughout by either public water or public 5ewer,

                As shown on the Map of Land Classification, Transition

           areas adjoin 'U. S. 13 as it enters the Town from the east and as

           it exits the Town on the north.      In the western half of the

           planning regiong Transitiion areas are found along.N. C. 42 and

           N. C. 561. A smal.1 Transition area borders the Town limits on

           S. R. 1101 and while a larger area is found along S. R. 1415.

                The Town's 1981 Classificiation map showed a small area

           along U. S. 13 south, just within the extraterritorial boundary,

           in the Community classification.     This area along Highway 13 is

           already fairly intensely developed.     Most of this development

           has been for industrial and commercial uses rather than resident-

           ial uses, and local planners expect this type of strip commerc   ial

           develoment to continue over the next several years. Thusq to

           reflect existing and future land uses9 consistent with state

           planning guidelines, the area along U. S. 13 east of Ahoskie has

           been classifi ed Transition.   The Transition classification also

           has been applied to Ahoskie's satellite annexation at thejunction

           of N. C. 561 and N. C. 11.

                                           61
<pb n="83" />

             3. Community

                Two small areas outside of Town adjoining the one-mile

           extraterritorial boundary are shown in the Community classifica-

           tion. one small Community area is found along S. R. 1415 to the

           north; another larger area is found at the junction of U. S. 13
           and S. R. 1 130. These designaiions-reflect the low to moderate

           density residential development that has occurred in both these

           areas. Some commercial development is found in the area along

           U. S. 13.       Neither area classified Community is served with

           public water or sewer. The Town supports continued development

           of these areas, howeverp it is unlikely that services will be

           extended to these outlying areas in the next five years.

            4. Rural

                The Rural Classification encompasses most of the land

           outside of Town,       These are areas of scattered residential

           development, farmlandq and woodland. Agricultural uses predomi-

           nate in the Rural area. The Town supports agricultural activi-

           ties in outlying Rural areas and has outlined a number actions

           that wil-1 be taken over the next five years to encourage and

           enhance agricultural activity in the extraterritorial region.

             5. Conservation

                The Conservation Class designates areas in the Ahoskie

           planning region the Town believes should be kept in their natural

           condition. These are unusuall    y sensitive  natural resources and

                                            62
<pb n="84" />

            include Ahoskie Creek, an Area of Environmental Concern. As'

            shown on the Map of Land Classificationg the Conservation c         lass

            encompasses Ahoskie Creek east of N. C. 42, and extends inland-

            75 feet from both its banks. The 1987 Classification Map also

            notes several additional Conservation areas: the area of Ahoskie

            Creek west of N. C. 42, and the land 75 feet along either side

            of Whiteoak Swamp and Horse Swamp.            The Town recognizes the

            sensitivity  of these natural areas and       values them for their

            importance   as wetlands @rather than for development.            In an

            effort to direct new development to other more appropriate        areas,
            within the planning regiong these water and wetland areas have

            been designated Conservation.

            C.    Intergovernmental Coordination

                 The Town's Land Classific@ation Map has been designed to

            guide the actions of private developers and of public agencies at

            all leve ls of gove rnment, in activities affecting land develop-

            ment in the Ahoskie region. The plan was developed so that the

            planning objectives set forth.1n the Ahoskie Land 'Use Plan will

            enhance the land use goals of neighboring communities, the

            Cou nty, and the coastal regi.on as a whole.       The Town will work

            with the various public groups noted in this plan to ensure that

            the planning objectives and policy actions adopted as part of

            this planning effort will be implemented as the Town develops

            over the next five years.

                                              63
<pb n="85" />

                                                  EXHIBIT I

                     RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN POLICY OBJECTIVES AND LAND CLASSIFICATION

                                                              Land Classification

         Policy Obiectives               Developed Transition     Community   Rural Conservation

         Resource Protection
            protec't water resources                                             X"          x
            preserve AECs                                                                    x
            protect water   supply            x           x             x
            protect historic
             resources                        x
            provide for environ-
             mentally sound develop-
             ment                                                       x        x           x

         Resource Production

            protect agricultural uses                                   x        x
            preserve prime farmland                                     x        x
            ensure environmentally
             sound agricultural
             production                                                 x        x
            preserve productive
             resources                                                  x        x

         Economic and    Community
           Development

            support  industrial
             growth                           x           x
            provide  for orderly
             growth                           x           x             x        x           x
            preserve quality of
             life                             x           x             x
            provide for adequate
             housing                          x           x             x
            promote tourism                   x           x             x                    x

                                                     63.1
<pb n="86" />

                                                                                                                 LAN D\
                                                                                 CLASSIFICATION

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  JI

                                                                                                                                                                        A

                                                                                                                                                                                                                             L

                                                                                                                                                               .1  ...........-
                                                                                                                                                                   ...........
                                                                                  Developed

                                                                                 Tra'am.'sition

                                                                       r777771
                                                                                  Communi ty
                                                                       LA

                                                                                                                                  %
                                                                                   Rural
                                                                       F

                                                                                   Conservation

                                                                                                                                                                                                  Prepared by Mid-E@t Co=ission
                                                                                                  63.2                                                                                            W. hi ngt.n. Norsh Carolina
                                                                                                                                                                                                  June 19 7
<pb n="87" />

                                             Appendix A

                                     STATE REGULATORY DEVICES

              ----------------------------------------------------------------
                           Agency                       Licenses and Permits

              -----------------------------------------------------------------
              Department of Natural Resources               Permits to discharge to
              and Community Development                     surface waters or operate
              Division of Environmental                     wastewater treatment
              Management                                      plants or oil discharge
                                                            permits; NPDES Permits,
                                                            (G. S. 143-215).

                                                            Permits for septic tanks
                                                            to be used for industrial
                                                            purposes (G. S. 143-215.
                                                            3).

                                                            Permits    for withdrawal
                                                            of    surface    or ground
                                                            waters in capacity pse
                                                            areas (G. S. 143-215.15@).

                                                            Permits for air pollution
                                                            abatement facilities and
                                                            sources (G. S. .143-215.)
                                                            ioe).

                                                            Permits for     construction
                                                            of complex sources; e. g.
                                                            park,ing lots, subdivis-
                                                            ions,     stadiums,      etc.
                                                            (G.S. 143-215.109).

                                                            Permits for construction
                                                            of a well over 100,000
                                                            gallcns/day        (,G.    S.
                                                            e7-ee).

                                           -----------------------------------------
             -------------------------
             Department of Natural Resources                Permits to dredge and/or
             and Community Development         I          . fill in estuarine waters,
             Division of Parks and Recreation               tidelands, etc.       (G. S.
                                                            113-229).

             -------------------------------------------------------------------
             Department of Natural Resources                Permits      to    undertake
             and Community Development                      development in Areas of
             Division of Coastal Management                 Environmental         Concern
                                                            (G. S. 113A-118).
<pb n="88" />

           ------------------------------------------------------ ------------
                     Agency                        Licenses and Permits

           ..............   ----------------------------------------------------

                                                         NOTE:   Minor developmen-t
                                                         permits are     issued by
                                                         local government.

           Department of Natural Resources               Permits to alter.or to
           and Community Development                     construct a dam (G. S.
           Division of Land Resources                    143-215.66).

                                                   -     Permits to mine (G. S.
                                                         74-51).

                                                   -     Permits    to   drill    an
                                                         explanatory oil or gas
                                                         well (G. S. 113-391).

                                                   -     Permits      to     conduct
                                                         geographical exploration
                                                             S. 113-391).

                                                   -     Sedimentation      eros i o n
                                                         control plans     for any
                                                         land disturbing activity
                                                         of over one contiguous
                                                         acre (G. S. 113A-54).

           Department of Natural Resources@              Permits to construct an
           and Community Development                     oil refinery.

                                               -----------------------------------
           Department-of-Administration                  Easements to fill where
                                                         lands are proposed to be
                                                         raised above the normal
                                                         high   water     mark    of
                                                         navigable     waters     by
                                                         filling    (G.   S. 146.6
           ------------------------------------------    (c)) ------  -------------
           Department of Human Resources                 Approval    to operate a
                                                         solid    waste     disposal
                                                         site. or facility (G. S.
                                                         130-166.16).

                                                         Approval for construction
                                                         of   any    public     water
                                                         facility that furnishes
                                                         water to     ten or mor    e
                                                         residences      (G.      S.
                                                         130-160.1)
<pb n="89" />

                               FEDERAL REGULATORY DEVICES

          -------------------------------------------------------------------
                     Agency                        Li censes and Permits

          ------------------------------------------------------------------
          Army Corps of Engineers                  Permits required under
          (Department of Defense)                  Section   9   and 10 of the
                                                   Rivers and Harbors of 1999;
                                                   permits    to   construct     in
                                                   navigable waters.

                                                   Permits     required       under
                                                   Section 103    of the Marine
                                                   Protection, Research and
                                                   Sanctuaries Act of 1972.

                                                   Permits     required       under
                                                   Section 404 of the Federal
                                                   Water Pollution Control Act
                                                   of 1972; permits to undertake
                                                   dredging     and/or      filling
                                                   activities.

          -----------------------------------------------------------------
          Coast Guard                              Permits for bridges, cause-
          (Department of                           ways, pipelines over navigable
          Transportation)                          waters;   required under the
                                                   General Bridge Act of 1946
                                                   and the Rivers and Harbors
                                                   Act of legg.

          Geological Survey                        Permits required for off-share
          Bureau of Land Management                drilling.
          (Department of Interior)                 Approvals   of   OCS pipeline
                                                   corridor rights-of-ways.

          -----------------------------   -------------------------------------

          Nuclear.Regulatory Commission            Licenses for siting, construc-
                                                   tion and operation of nuclear
                                                   power plants; required under
                                                   the Atomic Energy Act of.1954
                                                   and Title II of the Energy
                                                   Reorganization Act of 1974.

          Federal  Energy  Regulatory              Permits    for     construction,
          Commission                               operation and maintenance o@
                                                   interstate pipeline facilities
                                                   required   under the Naturai
                                                   Gas Act of 1939.
<pb n="90" />

          -------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Agency                    Licenses and Permits
          -------------------------------------------------------------------
          Federal Energy Regulatory              Orders of Interconnection of
          Commission                             electric transmission facili-
                                                 ties under Section 202 (b) of
                                                 the Federal Power Act.

                                                 Permission      required      for
                                                 abandonment of     natural    gas
                                                 pipeline      and     associated
                                                 facilities under Section 7C
                                                 (b) of the Natural Gas Act of
                                                 1938.
<pb n="91" />

                                        Appendix B

                         AGENCIES COORDINATING STORM PREPAREDNESS

           N. C. Division of Coastal Management
               State Office:      Division of Coastal Management
                                  Department    of  Natural Resources and
                                  Community Development
                                  P. 0. Box 27687
                                  Raleigh, NC 27611
                                  (919) 733-2293

               Field Office:      Division of Coastal Management
                                  Department of Natural Resources and
                                  Community Development
                                  108 South Water Street
                                  Elizabeth Cityp NC 27909
                                  (919) 3oe-1558

           N. C. Division of Emergency Management
           (now includes National Flood Insurance Program Information)

               State Office:      Division of Emergency Management
                                  Department of Crime Control and Public
                                  Safety
                                  116 West Jones Street
                                  Raleigh, NC 27611
                                  (919) 733-3867

             Regional Office:     Area Emergency Management Coordinator
                                  N. C. Division of Emergency Management
                                  Beaufort County Courthouse
                                  Washington, NC 27889
                                  (919) 946-2773

           Federal Emergency Management Agency

                  National Office:    Federal Emergency Management Agency
                                      500,C Street, S. W.
                                      Washingtong D. C. 20472

                                      Public Information - (202) 287-0300
                                      Publications        - (202) 287-0689
<pb n="92" />

                  Regional Office:    Federal Emergency Management Agency
                                      Region IV
                                      1375 Peachtree Street, N. E.
                                      Atlantap Georgia 30309

                                      Public Information - (404) 881-2000
                                      Disaster Assistance
                                        Program           - (404) Bel-3641

                                      Flood Insurance
                                        Program              (404) 881-2391
<pb n="93" />

                                        Appendix C

                             AHOSKIE LAND USE PLANNING PROGRAM

                                   SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS

            November 19, 1986         Planning Board  Introductory Workshop

            January 15, 1987          Planning Board

            February 19, 1987         Planning Board

            March 26, 1987            Planning Board

            April 16, 1987            Planning Board

            May 21, 1997              Planning Board

            June 9, 1qe7              Planning Board

            June 18, 1987             Planning Board

            July 14, 1987             Planning Board  and Town Council.
                                      Approval of Preliminary Plan.

            October 22, 1987          Planning Board

            November 10, 19e7         Town Council Public Hearing and adoption
                                      of final plan.
<pb n="94" />

                                       Appendix D

                                     MEDIA RELEASES

                Planning commission Begins Update of Land Use Plan

              The Ahoskie Planning Commission met on Thursday,.October 23
          to begin work on updating the town's Land Use Plan.       The Plan
          was originally prepared 10 years ago and updated in 1981 in
          accordance with the requirements of the Coastal Area Management
          Act. The time has now come to update the  document once again.

              Bob Paciocco, Executive Director of   the Mid-East Commission
          and Planner-in-Charge of the project,     met with the Pla"nning
          Commission to introduce the members to the planning process.
          Paciocco impressed upon them -the purpose. of the Plan and the
          importance of their role in tho process.

              Ruth Leggett, Coastal Land Use Planner for the Coastal
          Management Division of the N. C.0 Dept. of Natural Resources and
          Community Development, discussed the history of the plans and
          the new emphases that this Plan.will address.    The new sections
          will deal with water quality and storm hazard mitigation. Ms.
          Leggett also explained the general outline for the Plan.and what
          it will include.

              Special emphasis was placed on the importance of public
          participation throughout the update process.      Notices will be
          placed in the NEWS HERALD so the public will know when meetings
          will be held and what will be' discussed during the meetings.
          All meetings will be open to    the public and citizens will have
          an opportunity to comment on.the issues being considered.

             .Regular Plannirg Commission  meetings will be     held on the
          third Thursday of each month beginning in December.    The meeting
          for November has been rescheduled for Mondayp December 1 at 7:00
          pm in the Town Hall.
<pb n="95" />

                                                                     THE NEWS HERALD

                                                         WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1986

                                                              AHOSKIE, NORTH CAROLINA

                                           LandUse Plan v
                                                                                                      pdate
                                           under way in Aftoskie
                                           MOME - Vie Plamung Com-                   rent planning prograf!@
                                           mission of the Mid-East Commission          The updated Land..Use P an will
                                           is workkmg ona an     .update. of the     serve as agutde to difict growth and'
                                           Town Use Plan t6r Ahoskle. - ' -          development in Ur _tqwq over a five.
                                           %oiiie'. of the . rn'ajoir-"; tasks.      year kooq, The.oft!fial plan.was
                                           .established as priori tf es at a *Dec. I prepared. accordog!@.#* guidelines
                                           meeting, are the confirinkion of          set forth ldthe-StaWs Cbkstal Area
                                           Ahoskie Creek's status as auAreiof        Management Act (CAMA). .*17f".".. * @
                                           .Environmental Concern, p6dudng           *.-CAMK specifles"tbat i!4ch'of the
                                           a current invesitory of historic strfic-  statels' 2o coastal, counties prepare
                                           bxles and reviewing current pro-          land use 'Plans and that these plans
                                           granu foi downtown revitflization.        be updated every five yeam
                                           At the Ineeting. the commission           ". MunicipalftiM ''iuch as Ahoside,
                                           also assessed development policies        have the oPdq`1i'-of:'PreParing Such
                                           contained in Ahe town's current           Plans. Staff frot_q the 11(id-East CDm-
                                           (1981) Land Use Plan. This was the mission will &amp;iAdi'Planning                Com-
                                           second meeting In-p series that wiH       -inission 'members' with technical
                                           be held to upda4lhe plan in ac-           assistance In Me update Process.'
                                           cordance with state guidellneL -       '  `11- The next Plannii1g:Xanuidnion
                                           With the assistance of Bob Pacloc- '      I'meeting wW bewheld at 7 p.m.. Jan. 15
                                           co. executive director of thi Mid-        -in L%e.;7to**-MH.-.At thismeetingl.
                                           East Commission,' the Planning.. Commission members,will review
                                           Commission reviewed tbe:poHefes           -*. q@@t statistics on local population
                                           on land development In the 1981           ahd,. economy.. and discuss.their
                                           Plan. determined if these planning        'relevance to local land use planning.
                                           objectives had been achieved and '-.,Town officials eiicourage the
                                           discussed their relevance -to the cur.    public toaittend the meeting.
<pb n="96" />

                 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                 FOR MORE INFORMATION: Libby Anderson 946-8044

                      PLANNING COMMISSION ASSESSES LOCAL DEVELOPMENT POLICIES

                 AHOSKIE - Confirming Ahoskie Creek's status as an Area of

                 Environmental Concern, producing a current inventory of historic

                 structures, and reviewing current programs for downtown revital-

                 ization will be some of the major tasks facing the Planning

                 Commission as it updates the Town's Land Use Plan. .

                       The Planning Commission met on Monday, D    ecember I to a5se5s

                 development policies contained in the Town's current (1991) Land

                 Use Pla n.   The meeting was the second in a series of meetiiigs

                 that will be held to update the Plan in accordance with State

                 Guidelines. With the assistance of Mr. Bob Paciocco, Executive

                 Director of the Mid-East Commis5ionq the Planning Commission

                 reviewed the policies on land development in the 1981 Plan,

                 determined if these planning objectives had been achieved           and

                 discussed their relevance to the current planning program. Fhe

                 Commission concluded that three items in, the 1981 Plan needed

                 particular attention:       Ahoskie   Creek's status as an Area of

                 Environmental Concern, the inventory of local historic building5,

                 and the pol.icy on downtown revitalization.

                       The updated Land Use' Plan will serve as a guide to direct

                 growth and development in the Town over the five years.             'Fhe

                 original plan was prepared according to the guidelines set fo       -th

                 in the State's Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA).         CAMA spe(:i-

                 fies that each of the State's 20 coastal counties prepare land'
<pb n="97" />

                                               -2-

              ,use plans and that these plans be updated every five years.

               Municipalities such as Ahoskie, have the option of preparing

               such plans.      Staff from the Mid-East Commission will provide

               Planning Commission members with technical assistance in the

               update process.

                     The next Planning Commission meeting will be held on

               Thursday, January 15, at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall.          At this

               meeting, Commission members will review current statistics on

               local population and economy, and discuss their relevance to

               local land use planning. The public is encouraged to    attend.
<pb n="98" />

                                 PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

              FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

              FOR MORE INFORMATION:    Libby Anderson - 946-8043

                    The Ahoskie Planning Board will meet on Thursday, January

              15 to continue its work in updating the Town's Land Use Plan.

              The Agenda for Thursday's meeting will involve a review of

              current socioeconomic conditions in the Town.   The meeting will

              be held at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall. The public is invited and

              encouraged to attend.
<pb n="99" />

                                                         the             News                   Serala

                                                       For Hartford County anct The Roanoke-Chowen Area

                                                                   W*dnwday, Ja        nuarv 14. 1W

                                               Socioeconomic statistics
                                               to be discussed in Ahoskie

                                                 AHOSKIE - The Ahoskle Plann-            part of the state's Coastal Area
                                               ing Board will meet Jan.' 15 to           Management Act (CAMA). The
                                               discuss current socioeconomic con-        town's CAMA Land Use Plan when
                                               ditions in the town. Population. hous-    completed. will be used to guide
                                               ing and economic data will be             growth and development in Ahoskie
                                               reviewed.                                 over the next five years.        I
                                                The meeting Is the second Ifi a            Thursday's meeting will be held In
                                               series of meetings that will be held      the Town Hall at 7 p.m. Th   'Is and all
                                               in 1987 to revise the town's current.     other meetings to be held as part of
                                               plan prepared over five years ago.        the planning process are open to the
                                                 The plan will be updated ac-            public. All interested citizens are en-
                                               cording to the guidelines set out as      couraged to attend.
<pb n="100" />

                                          Planning board toldgrowth needed
                                                                                                              -0
                                                                              awo keep youth here
                                                                              L

                                                                  AHOSKIE - Members of the                    although Hertford County is fourth           "Since 1980 however, local popula-
                                                                Ahoskie Planning Board were told              in terms of total population in the        tion appears to have increased and
                                                                last week that new jobs are needed            five-county region of Beaufort,* Ber-      today, one of every five persons that
                                                                so young people growing up In the             tie. Hertford, Martin and Pitt Coun-       lives-in the county lives within the
                                                                town can remain and find employ-              ties, It is second In term., -,- popula-   town of Ahoskie," Anderson said.
                                                                ment.                                         tion density @ pers@ -, per square           She pointed out that, following the
                                                                  Libby Anderson of the Mid-East              mile - exceeded only by Pitt Coun-         national trend, the population of the
                                                                icommission spoke to the board of             I.Y.                                       town is aging. in 1970, 11 percent of
                                                                this and a number of other Issues             At the same. time, Ahoskie is the          the local population was 65 years
                                                                regarding population and employ-              largest community in the county. In        and older. By 1980, 16 percent of all
                                      C                         ment growth in the area at the first          1985, according to Anderson, the           persons living in Ahoskie was over
                                                                of three meetings scheduled to up-            town's population was reported at          65.
                                                                date the Land Use Plan for the town.          5,000. ne 1980 census, showed a              "Population figures show that the
                                                                  Board members noted that                    decline from 1970.                         town has a greater share of the

                                                                senior population than found on the           percent in educational services.         the board members quickly pointed
                                                                average for the county or state,"             "Athough agricultural operotions         out to her the company had announc-
                                                                Anderson said. "About 12 percent of           utilize over 25 percent of the coun-'    ed Its plans to close the Ahoskle
                                                                all county residents are oer 65, and          ty's land area, only five percent of     plant, putting about 150 people out of
                                                                the state as a whole, only about 10           the county population reported           work.
                                      C                         percent bf the population is over 65.,,       employment in 1980 In agricultural,        She also mentioned the Regional
                                             C                    On the other end of the spectrum,           forest, fishery and mining enter-        Small -Business Incubator Facility,
                                                                Anderson pointed out that the                 prises," she said.                       which opened in 1986, and explained
                                                                percentage of the population under            Hertford County ranked third In          its purpose. The facility, she noted,
                                     0                          20 years of age is declining. In 1980,        the five-county Mid-East region In       will serve Bertle, Gates, Hertford
                                     t                          about 30 percent of the population            retail sales for 1985. Sales of $166,839 and Northampton counties and "is
                                     41)
                                     X                          was 19 or younger, down 10 percent            during 1985 put Hertford County In       designed as a tool for economic
                                                                from 1970.                                    third place. in 1975, retail sales in    growth and development in the nor-
                                                                  The town, she noted, is not subject         the county were $76,279. This would      theastern part of the state.
                                                                to seasonal changes'In population.            Indicate an increase of 90.6 percent       Al  'Newsome, chairman of the
                                                                "Although some migrant farm                   over the 10-year period. Commercial      -planning board, told Anderstm,
                                                                workers find employment in the                enterprises, she said, are responsf-'    "During the 1980s, we have lost plant
                                                                area, their impact on service de-             ble for a major portion of the sales In  after plant and many of our people
                                                                mand and -the local economy is                the county.                              have to commute to work. I have to
                                                                minimal," she said.                           Anderson told board members              drive 60 miles to my job."
                                                                  She did say that. tourists account          there are 17 manufacturing firms           Newsome also said that while he
                                                                for some fluxuation In the daytime            located within Ahoskie which             was not being critical of the county
                                                                Population. Anderson said the coun-           employ between 850 and 1,110 per.        Industrial developer department, "I
                                                                ty, as a whole, realized over three           sons.                                    haven't seen anything come out of
                                                                million dollars In tourist-related ex-        Specific companies she named In-         that office In several years."
                                                                penditures In 1995.                      .    cluded Parker Brothers, Bennett            Anderson remarked, "The impor-
                                                                  As far as the economy is concern-           Box Company and Georgia-Pacific.         tant thing you have to remember is
                                                                ed, Anderson said about one In every          When she mentioned that Blue Bell        that Hertford County is not the first
                                                                four residents work in manufactuing           had recently been purchased' byL         one this had happened to. Thingi will
                                                                enterprises, 15 percent work in               Vanity Fair and company officials
                                                                wholesale and retail trade and lo             had said there would be no change,           (See PLANNING, Page 12A)
<pb n="101" />

                                                                                                                                                   (FromPageIA),
                                                                Plahbi ng. boardlold.,
                                                                                                          '@Wtural    mources.   As';                                      for'
                                                                change again and the next time we                                           ti)wn     The'LandUsePlan         all towns In I
                                                                meet,. 1, hope to talk about proper       grows, planners must be aware that        the county Is being updated In ac-
                                                              ..Ianduse.";,                               businesses,.. employers and               cordancewith the guidelines of the
                                                                  Although the town has "experienc-       em ployees alike. appreciate the          state's Coastal Area Management
                                                                ed relatively little change in popula-    local amenities that stem from pro-       Act. The next meeting, which is also
                                                                tion in recent. years, the need for .     per land and services planning," she      open to the public,.wil.1 be held at 7
                                                              ,..sound land use planning is not           'concluded.                               p.m. Feb. 19.
                                                                diminished. Every new residential.
                                                                commercial and Industrial develop-
                                                                !nent affects the land and the qualitX
                                                              .-4f life in the town," she said.
                                                                  "'Poorly `planned or managed
                                                                ilevelopment can have Irreversible
                                                                effects on thp town's natural and
<pb n="102" />

                                     PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

               FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

               FOR MORE INFORMATION:   Libby Anderson - 946-8043

                    The Ahoskie Planning Board will meet on Thursday, February 19,

               to continue its work in updating the Town's Land Use Plan. The agenda

               for Thursday's meeting will include a review of current land uses in the

               Town. The meeting will be held at 7 pm in the Town Hall. The public

               is invited and encouraged to attend.
<pb n="103" />

                                                 the. News .1era 16

                                              For Hartford County and The Roan6ke-Chowan Area

                                                             Monday, February 16,1987

                                                                  Ldcal lahd uses
                                                                  to be'reviewed

                                                                    AHOSKIE - A review of current
                                                                  land uses in the town and a discus-
                                                                  sion of land use concerns will be
                                                                  some of the-Items included on the
                                                                  planning board's February 19 agen-
                                                                  da.
                                                                    The board will meet at 7 p.m. in
                                                                  the town hall to continue its work In
                                                                  updating the town's Land Use Plan.
                                                                  The town's current plant was
                                                                  prepared in 1981 and Is now being
                                                                  revised by the board according to
                                                                  the guidelines of the state's Coastal
                                                                  Area Management Act (CAMA).
                                                                    At the board's January meeting,
                                                                  statistics on population, housing,
                                                                  and economy were reviewed. This
                                                                  month the board will discuss current
                                                                  land uses In Ahoskie, giving par-
                                                                  ticular attention to changes that
                                                                  have occurred since 1981, and to
                                                                  Identifying conflicts in existing or
                                                                  future land use.
                                                                    Thursday's meeting is open to the
                                                                  public and all Interested persons are
                                                                  invited to attend.
<pb n="104" />

                                                      Zhe' Netusa7mleralb

                                                    For Hertford County and The Roanoke-Chowan Area

                                                                   Monday, February 23,1987

                             No current land use problems.
                               AHOSKIE - Ahoskie planners             the. vicinity of Carolina Billets and    members observed that although the
                             have concurred that there are cur-       Kerr Glass.                              Town has a National Register
                             rently no major land use problems In       Current land use concerns were         Historic District, no local historic
                             the Town and looking ahead, agree        also addressed, andplanners agreed       district ordinance has been adopted.
                             that development in the next five        that the Town has grown in an order-     Planners will consider recommen-
                             years is likely to present no major      ly fashion. No major problems in ex-     ding that the Town develop such an
                             land use concerns.                       isting uses were noted or anticipated    ordinance at a later meeting. " ,
                               The Board's observations were          as a result of future growth. , ,          The Planning Board will continue
                             made at its meeting last week, the         Future growth in Ahoskie will be       its work on Ahoskie's Land Use Plan
                             third in a series the. group will hold   Influenced by various local and state    at Its next meeting March 19.
                             as it updates the Town's land use        regulations that control land use.       Meetings are held at 7 p.m. in the
                             plan.                                    The Board reviewed a listing of local    Town Hall. All meetings are open to
                               the focus of Thursday's meeting        land use regulations which Included      the public and tfie board members
                             was a review of.current land uses.       the To%6's zoning ordinance and          encourage interested citizens to at-
                             Special emphasis was' given to           subdivision regulations. Board           tend.
                             noting changes In land use since 1981
                             when the Town's current land use
                             plan was completed.
                               The Board compared a 1981 land
                             use map with   the results of a   field
                             survey 'done    last week. Several
                             areas- were identified where
                             development    had occurred since
                             1981 including the Carolina Bfllets
                             plant on S.R. 1105, and expansion of
                             'the Morris subdivision in the
                             Zsouthwest portion of the - extrater..
                             ritorial area.
                               The Board also discussed areas
                             .where development in the next five
                             years might occur, noting especially
                             the shopping plaza proposed for. a
                             parcel on U.S. 13 south across from
                             the Southern States plant. Although
                             no plans for new industrial develop-
                             ment have been, announced, plan-
                             ners agreed that industrial growth
                             could easily be accommodated in the
                             southern extraterritorial areas in
<pb n="105" />

                                                         Zhe Velus-lieralb

                                                       For Hertford County and The Roanoke-Chowan Area

                                                                             Friday, April 3,1987

                                                       Ahoskie land use'
                                                       problems identified
                                                        The major physical factor               the Gallery Theatre), 1927, Hertford
                                                       1imiting future land development in      Herald Building, 1915: Commercial
                                                       the Ahoskie area is poor soils.          Buildings, 100 block Rialr6ad St.:
                                                       This was determined by the               Newsome Bulding, 1905; Sawyer-
                                                       Ahoskie Planning Board' at its           Brome Furniture Company, 1924;
                                                       March meeting. It was pointed out        Gerock Department Store,            1910;
                                                       that many soils found in and around      Mitchell Hotel, 1910: Mitchell      Hotel
                                                       Ahoskie have severe limitations for      Annex, 1920's: Hotel Comfort.       1936;
                                                       building construction and the siting     Parker and Powell Buildings,        1910:
                                                       of septic systems.                       Baker Building, 1910; Garrett Hotel,
                                                       As most of Ahoskie's extrater-           1926: Bank of Ahoskie. 1925; Garrett
                                                       ritorial area is unsewered. finding      Building, 1938; and Mitchell Fur-
                                                       areas that will accommodate in-          niture Company Annex, late 1940's.
                                                       ground treatment systems is likely
                                                       to be one of the greatest challenges
                                                       developers. face, a Mid-East study
                                                       shows.
                                                       The March meeting was the fourth
                                                       in a series the board has held to up-
                                                       date the Town's Land Use Plan, in
                                                       accordance with the guidelines of
                                                       the State's Coastal Area Manage-
                                                       ment Act (CAMA). State guidelines
                                                       specify . that. constraintS to land
                                                       development be identified.
                                                       In addition to poor soils, planners
                                                       noted that flood-prone areas adjoin-
                                                       ing Ahoskie Creek and Wbiteoak and
                                                       Hoses Swamps might limit devel*
                                                       ment in these areas. Also, Ahoskie
                                                       Creek is considered an Area of En-
                                                       vironmental Concern. by the state,
                                                       according to Mid-East officials.
                                                       Planners also reviewed the town's
                                                       inventory of historic buildings,
                                                       noting that future development in
                                                       the Historic District should be com-
                                                       patible with the architectural
                                                       character of existing buildings.
                                                       These include the followin.4
                                                       Former U.S. Post office...circa
                                                       1940; Commercial Buildings, 123-125
                                                       Main Street, 1915; Farmers-Atlantic
                                                       Bank, 1918: Richard Theatre (now
<pb n="106" />

               Mid-East Commission

               P. 0. Box 1787

               Washington, NC 27889

               FOR IMMEDIATE@RELEASE

               FOR MORE INFORMATION   Libby Anderson   946-8043

                                  PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

                    The Ahoskie Planning Board will meet on Thursday, April 16 to
               continue its work in updating the Town's land use plan. The Planning
               Board meets at 7:00 pm in the Ahoskie Town Hall. All interested
               persons are invited to attend.
<pb n="107" />

                                                                                         jura
                                                   The Nets-`.

                                                For Hertford County and.The Roanoke-Chowan Area

                                                               Wednesday, Apri.1 15, 1987

                                                                   01anning Board
                                                                   sets meeting
                                                                    AHOSKIE -- The Ahoskie Planning
                                                                   Board will meet April 16 to continue
                                                                   J,ts work on the town's land use
                                                                   plan.
                                                                   : On the agenda will be a discussion
                                                                   of facility constraints to local land
                                                                   development. The Planning Board is
                                                                   currently updating Ahoskie's 1981
                                                                   land use plan according to the
                                                                   guidelines of the State's Coastal
                                                                   Area Management Act (CAMA).
                                                                   ..'The Planning Board meets at 7
                                                                   p.m. in the Town Hall. All
                                                                   interested persons are encouraged to
                                                                   attend.
<pb n="108" />

                                                        Zhie Neiv%-3eralb

                                                     For Hertford County and The Roanoke-Chowan Area

                                                                         Wednesday, April 29,1987

                                                                         Population
                                                                         forecasted
                                                                         to grow slowly

                                                                         AHOSIUE - Local public services
                                                                         should easily be able to meet new
                                                                         service demands in the next five-10
                                                                         years Ahoskie planners concurred at
                                                                         their meeting Thursday.
                                                                         The town's population is forecast
                                                                         to grow slowly between now and 1995
                                                                         and the capacity of necessary ser-
                                                                         vices @. such as water, sewer and
                                                                         schools should be adequate to pro-
                                                                         vide for increased demand.
                                                                         Ahoskie planners are updating the
                                                                         town's land use plan. Thursday's
                                                                         meeting focused on a review of
                                                                         public facilities capacity in light of
                                                                         projected population growth.
                                                                         Planners noted that the town grew
                                                                         about 1 percent between 1980 and
                                                                         1985 and it is likely that the popula-
                                                                         tion will increase another I percent
                                                                         by 1990. In addition, the town is con-
                                                                         sidering annexation of several
                                                                         residential areas which would add
                                                                         an additional 500 persons to the local
                                                                         population.
                                                                         By 1990, Ahoskie is projected to
                                                                         have slightly more than 6,000
                                                                         residents,, and by 1995, somewhat
                                                                         less than 7,000 persons should be liv-
                                                                         ing In the town.
                                                                         The tom@,n is in good shape in terms
                                                                         of public iservices, planners noted.
                                                                         Water. d@mand is currently well
                                                                         Wow estimated supply. Once im-
                                                                         provements in the wastewater treat-
                                                                         ment system are compi      eted, de-
                                                                         mand on'the system could almost
                                                                         double and be accommodated
                                                                         without, further system im-
                                                                         Provements.
                                                                         Current enrollment       in ail local
                                                                         schools is' below school capacity and
                                                                         it .  Ilk ly that enrollment will
                                                                           IS I
                                                                         decline ;lightly over the         next
                                                                         decade.
                                                                         The Planning Board will continue
                                                                         Its work on the land use plan at its
                                                                         next meeting May 21. Meetings are
                                                                         held at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall. All
                                                                         interested citizens are welcome to
                                                                         attend.
<pb n="109" />

                  Mid-EdSt Commission
                  P. 0. Box 1787
                  Washington, NC 27889

                  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                  FOR MORE INFORMATION   Libby Anderson    946-8043

                                    PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

                  The Ahoskie Planning Board will meet on Thursday, March 26 to continue
                  its work in updating the Town's land use plan. Included on Thursday's
                  dgerida will be a review of constraints to local land development.
                  Thursday's meeting will be held in the Town Hall at 7:00 pm. All
                  interested citizens are encouraged to attend.
<pb n="110" />

										THE NEWS-HERALD

                                                  For Hartford County and The Roanoke-Chowan Area

                                                                    Monday. March 23, 1987

                                                                   Development
                                                                   constraints
                                                                   to be reviewed
                                                                     AHOSKIE --The Ahoskie Planning
                                                                   Board will meet March 26 to continue
                                                                   its work in updating the town's land
                                                                   use plan.
                                                                    Thursday's agenda will include a
                                                                   review of physical limitations to
                                                                   local development. Planners will
                                                                   discuss how poor soils, the presence
                                                                   or floodplains and areas of
                                                                   environmental concern will constrain
                                                                   development in  some places in the
                                                                   community.

                                                                     This will be the fourth is a series
                                                                   of meetings the Board will hold this
                                                                   year as it updates the town's land use
                                                                   plan in accordance with the
                                                                   guidelines or the state's Coastal Areas
                                                                   Management Act (CAMA).
                                                                     Planning Board meetings are held
                                                                   at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall. All
                                                                   Meetings are open to the public.
<pb n="111" />

                                        For Hartford County and The Roanoke-Chowan Area

                                                       Monday, Mav 18, 1967

                                                    Ahoskie, Winton
                                                    Planning Boards
                                                    set meetings
                                                      The Ahoskie Planning Board will
                                                    meet at 7 p.m. May 21 and the
                                                    Winton@Planning Board will meet
                                                    at 7 O.m. May 19 in their
                                                    respective town halls to continue
                                                    formulating policy objectives for
                                                    their land use plans.
<pb n="112" />

        Mid-East Commission
        P. 0. Drawer 1787
        Washingtong NC 27889

        FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

        FOR MORE INFORMATION    Libby Anderson   946-0043

                           Public Service Announcement

        The Ahoskie Planning Board will meet on Tuesday, June 9 to
        continue its work in updating the Town's land use plan.        The
        Board will begin to formulate policies on resource protection@
        productiong and economic and-community development.      Tuesday's
        meeting will be held in the Town Hall at 7:00 pm. All inte-
        rested citizens are encouraged to attend.
<pb n="113" />

                                              The News-  Herald

                                             For Hertford County and The Roanoke-Chowan Area

                                                              Monday, June 8,1987

                                                          Ahoskie Planners
                                                          to meet
                                                            AHOSKIE -- The Ahoskie
                                                          Planning Board will meet at 7 p.m.
                                                          June 9 at the town Hall to continue
                                                          its work in updating the Town's
                                                          land use plan.
                                                            Planners will begin formulating
                                                          policy statements on resource
                                                          protection, production,         and
                                                          economic      and community
                                                          development.
<pb n="114" />

                                                     Thle'. Views Neralb
                                                    For Hertford County and The' Roanoke-Chowan Area

                                                                   Wednesday, June 17,1987

                                                    Ahoskie Planning Board
                                                    recommends objectives
                                                    AHOSKIE - The Ahoskie Plann-            Other policy objectives proposed
                                                    ing Board has finished drafting plan- were: to support industrial growth;
                                                    ning objectives for inclusion in the  to prbvide for adequate housing; and
                                                    Town's 1987 Land Use Plan.            to promote and enhance tourism and
                                                    The Board has been working since      recreational opportunities.
                                                    December to update the Town's 1981      The Board will meet again June 18
                                                    Land Use Plan in accordance with      to continue its work on the land use
                                                    the guidelines of the state's Coastal plan. The Board meets at 7 p.m. in
                                                    Area Management Act (CAMA).           the Town Hall.
                                                    The Board recommended that the
                                                    Town adopt four policy objectives in
                                                    the area of resource management:
                                                    to protect and enhance agricultural
                                                    uses in the Ahoskie area; to
                                                    preserve areas of prime farmland:
                                                    to ensure efficient. environmentally
                                                    sound agricultural production, and
                                                    to provide for development that
                                                    preserves the area's productive
                                                    naturalresources.
                                                    The group suggested that the
                                                    -Town contact Agricultural Exten-
                                                    sion Service agents and discuss the
                                                    possibility of starting a farmers
                                                    market in Ahoskie.
                                                    Planners emphasized 'that both
                                                    home-gardeners and large farming
                                                    operations would be welcome to sell
                                                    farm products at the market which
                                                    would serve local residents and
                                                    those who work and shop in the
                                                    Ahoskie area.
                                                    Five policies objectives in the area
                                                    of economic and community
                                                    development were proposed. To pro-
                                                    vide for the orderly growth of the
                                                    Ahoskie area, planners suggested
                                                    that the Town's subdivision regula-
                                                    tions be revised.
                                                    To enhance the quality of life in
                                                    Ahoskie. planners recornmended
                                                    that the sign provisions of the zoning
                                                    ordinance be reviewed abd that the.
                                                    Town restrict the placement of
                                                    billboards within the corporate
                                                    limits and in the extraterritorial
                                                    area.
<pb n="115" />

            Mid-East Com@missin
            P. 0. Box 2787
            Washington, NC 27889
            June 129 1987

            FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

            FOR MORE INFORMATION  Libby Anderson   946-8043

                              Public Service Announcement

                 The Ahoskie Planning Board will meet on Thursday, June IS
            to complete its work on thel Town's Land Use Plan.     The Board
            meets at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall. All interested persons are
            encouraged to attend.
<pb n="116" />

             Mid-East Commission
             P. 0. Box 1787
             Washington, NC 27889
             June 12, 1987

             FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

             FOR MORE INFORMATION    Libby Anderson   946-8043

                        Ahoskie Planners  to Finalize Land Use Plan

             Ahoskie - The Ahoskie Planning Board will meet on Thursday, JuAe
             18 to complete its work on the Town's Land Use Plan       The Board
             has be'en working since December to update the Town"s 1981 Land
             Use Plan in accordance with the guidelines of the state's
             Coastal Area Management Act.

             At Thursday's meeting, planners will review policies on public
             participation and storm hazard mitigation.    The group   will also
             review the current Land Classification Map and discuss what
             changesp if any* should be made in light of information the
             group has learned over the last six months.

             The Board meets at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall.        All interested
             citizens are encouraged to attend.
<pb n="117" />

                                                      The News-Herald
                                           For Hertford County and The Roanoke-Chowan Area

                                                    Monday, June 29.1987

           Planners complete lanad				planners finalized the policy objec-	recommended that the preliminary
           classification plan map				tives that set out the Town's plann-	plan be submitted to the Town Coun-
           they proposed a new Land				ing goals for the next five years		cil for approval. Subsequent to Coun-
	     Classifications Map for the Town at		Land Classificaton mpa is designed		cil approval. the preliminary plan
	     their meeting June 18.                     to assist the Town in achieving these	will then be submitted to several
	     	  Developing a land classifacation		policy objectives.				state agencies for their review and
	     map for Ahoskie was the final step		The map will serve as a guide for		comment. A public hearing on the
	     necessary to complete the Town's		land development in the Ahoskie		plan and final adoption of the revis-
	     1987 Land Use Plan.				area. It is hoped that both public and	ed draft is expected in early fall.
           	 The Board has been working since		private agencies involved in			   The Town's 1987 Preliminary Land
	     November to update Ahoskie's Land		development activities will utilze		Use Plan will be presented to the
	     Use Plan in accordande with the		the map in making important deci-		Council at the July 14 meeting. All
	     guidelines of the State's Coastal		sions in the area of land develop-		interested persons are enouraged
		Area Management Act (CAMA).			ment.							to attend the meeting which begins
		   At a meeting earlier this month.		   At Thursday's meeting, the Board		at 10 a.m. in the Ahoskie Town Hall.
<pb n="118" />

            Mid-East Commission
            P. 0. Box 1787
            Washington, NC 27889
            July 69 1987

            FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

            FOR MORE INFORMATION  Libby Anderson   946-8043

                              Public Service Announcement

            The Ahoskie Town Council will meet Tuesdayq July 14 to review
            the Town's,preliminary Land Use Plan.    All interested persons
            are encouraged to attend the Council meeting which begins at
            10:00;@am in the Ahoskie Town Hall.
<pb n="119" />

            Mid-East Commission
            P. O..Box 1787
            Washington, NC 27889
            July 69 1987

            FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

            FOR MORE INFORMATION - Libby Anderson     946-8043

                          Ahaskie Council to Review Land Use Plan

            The Ahoskie Town Council will meet on Tuesday, July 14, to
            review the Town's preliminary Land Use Plan.             The Ahoskie
            Planning Board has been working since December to update the
            Town's comprehensive Land Use Plan in accordance with the
            guidelines of the state's Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA).
            The plan sets out a number of policy objectives in the areas of
            resource protection, production, and economic and community
            development, and outlines a land classification scheme for
            Ahoskie and the surrounding area.       The Planning Board will ask
            for Council approval of the preliminary plan at Tuesday's
            meeting.     The draft plan will then be sent to various state
            agencies for their review and comment.       All interested persons
            are encouraged to attend Tuesday's meeting which begins at 10:00
            am in the Ahoskie To wn Hall,
<pb n="120" />

                                                                   The News-Herald                         Friday, October 9, 1987                        9

                                                                                             NOTICEOF PUBLIC HEARING
                                                                                             TOWN OF AHOSKIE CITIZENS
                                                                                             The T W. Of Ahoskle will receive
                                                                                          public c;m'      t on the Town's I"?
                                                                                                       men
                                                                                          CAM,A Land Use Plan Update on
                                                                                          Tuesday, November 10, at 10:00 a.m.
                                                                                          In the Ahaskle To" Hall    . The Plan
                                                                                          outlines poll les.on land use and
                                                                                          developmentc that the Town will
                                                                                          follow over the  next five years and
                                                                                          classifies land In the Town and Its
                                                                                          extraterritorial Jurisdiction and ac'
                                                                                          cording to the guidelines of the
                                                                                          state's Coastal Area Management
                                                                                          Act (CAMA). Copies of the plan are
                                                                                          available for review at the Ahoskle
                                                                                          Town Hall between 8:00 a.m. and
                                                                                          4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday,
                                                                                             The Honorable MITCH-ELL
                                                                                          MCLEAN, Mayor, Town of AoctW
<pb n="121" />

                                        BIBLIOGRAPHY

             Ahoskie Area Chamber of Commerceg "Commuity Information Ahoskie."

             Ahoskie Area Chamber of Comme'rceg "Whence Came the Name Ahoskie."

             Hertford County Office   of Emergency Management, "Hertford County
                  Hurricane Evacuation and Shelter Plan."         Wintong January.
                  1987.

             Letsinger, Philip S. Nominat4on to National Register of Historic
                  Placesq Ahoskie Histori6 Direct, Ahoskie, North Carolina.
                  Raleight June 1984.
             News-Heraldy! "Entertain  .mentp New Industry Highlight 1986." 31
                  December 1986.

             News Herald, "Officials Look at Past, Future." 2 January 1987.

             North Carolina Department of Commerceg 1985-86 Directory Manufac-
                   turing Firms. Raleigh, 1984.
             North Carolina Department     @of Commerce, Division of Travel and
                   Tourism, "1985 North Carolina Travel Study."      Raleigh, May
                   1986.

             North  Carolina Department of Cultural Resources, Division of
                   Archives and Historyf orrespondence, 28 January 1987.

             North Carolina Department of Natural Resources and Community
                  Developmenty Division of Parks and Recreation, Correspond-
                  ence, I December 1986.

             North Carolina Department of Transportation, Transportation
                   Improvement Program. December 1986.

             Office of State Budget and Management, Profile North Carolina
                   Counties. Raleigh, Seventh Edition 1986.

             Office of'State Budget and Management, Profile North Carolina
                  Counties.. Raleigh, Sixth Ed.ition 1981.

             Office of State Budget and Management, "North Carolina Municipal'
                   Population 1985." Raleighq September 1986.

             Office of State Budget and Management, Statistical Abstract North
                   Carolina State Government. Raleigh, Fifth Edition 1984.
<pb n="122" />

              U. S. Department  of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, Soil
                    Survey of Hertford County North    Carolina-. July 1984.

              U. S. Department of Commercep Bureau     of the Censust 1970 Census
                    of Population.        Washingtong  D. C. Government Printing
                    Officep March 1983.

              U. S. Department of Commerceo Bureau     of the Census, 1970 Census
                    of Population.        Washingtong  D. C. Government Printing
                    Officep October 1983.
<pb n="123" />

                                I.         @      I
                                 3 6668 14101 9416
</text>
</doc>
