Town of Ahoskie 1987 land use plan

[From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]

TOWN OF AHOSKIE
ND USE PLAN

HD
211,
A46 COASTAL ZONE
T69
1987 INFORMATION CENTER

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.

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

ILLUSTRATIONS

Figure

I 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

1 Existing Land Use ........................ 37.3
2 Land Use Constraints ...................... 37.4
3 Ahoskie Area Soils ....................... 37.5
4 Land Classification ...................... 63.2

TABLES

1 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

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.

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%.

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

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.

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

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-

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.

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.

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.

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

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 & 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

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

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 & 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

Figure

N. C. Counties
>
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&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

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

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

90 -

80 -

7 0

60 -
W
'U
C:
EO 50 -

0
Beaufort--
40 - B

30 Martin

HERTFORD
20
Bertie

1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985

SOUrce: U.S. CenSLIS; Office of StatL- BUdget and Mana'g'ernent

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

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

13-

1 10,852

10- g,8

9 - 8,655

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

0 Hertford County State

Source: Office of State DUdget and Management

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%
I
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

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

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.

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.

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-

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

E. Development Constraints

1. Land Suitability

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

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

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

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.

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.

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"

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

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

(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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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 > 6.0
CaB Caroline fine sand- loam 2 - 66 X Moderate Severe Moderate > 6.0
L'i B Cone@Ne lloam, sand 0-5% Severe Slight Low > 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 > 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 [email protected]@+ir= Yary; cn-sitle investigation needed
Source: Soil CUr@kie- -of Hertford County, U.S.D.A., S.C.S., July 1984
L I

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

EXISTING
LAND \us

GIL

........ . .

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

Commercial
Industrial @r-,

lwi;::

gg
Institutional
Dlwa
-T

Undeveloped
@A

37.3
Prepared by Mid-Ea3t Cosoisnion
Washington, North Carolina
J- 9 87

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

_R1.11- AW'@'-

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

AHOSKIE AREA S 0 1 L

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5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 Fact

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F1031
105
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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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.
I
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.

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.

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.
I
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.

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.

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

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

Counci.1 will assume responsibi lity for ensuring orderly repair
i
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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

LAN D\
CLASSIFICATION

.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

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).

------------------------------------------------------ ------------
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)

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

THE NEWS HERALD

I
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 &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.

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'

-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.

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.

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.

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)

(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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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,

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

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.

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.

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