New Hanover County technical report

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

SUMMARY OF
POLICIES AND
REGULATIONS -IN:
NEW HANOVER COUNTY..

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N56 CAMA LAND USE PLAN UPDATE
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no. 5B
Report', No. 5B

Technical Report No. 53

1986 Wilmington New Hanover County Land Use Plan Update

A SUMMARY.Of P1,ANS, POLICIES AND REGULATIONS
IN'NEW HANOVER COUNTY

November, 1985

Prepared by the New Hanover County Planning Department

The preparation of this document was financed, in part,
.through a Coastal Areas Management Act grant provided by the
North Carolina 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 Coastal Resource
Management,.-National Oceanic,and Atmospheric Administration.

U S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE NOAA
COASTAL SERVICES CENTER.
2234 SOUTH HOBSON AVENUE
CHARLESTON SC 29405-2413

r PropartY of CSC Library

TABLE OF CONTENTS

page

1. INTRODUCTION 1

II. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM 2

Ill. FLOOD PLAIN MANAGEMENT REGULATIONS 3

IV. LAND USE PLAN 4

V. MASTER PLAN PARKS RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE 6

V1. THOROUGHFARE TRANSPORTATION PLAN 7

VI1. WILMINGTON AREA THOROUGWARE TRANSPORTATION PLAN 7

Vill. COUNTY SEWER PLAN AND EXTENSION POLICIES 9

IX. ZONING ORDINANCE 12

X. SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS 12

X1. MOBILE HOME AND TRAVEL TRAILER PARK ORDINANCE 13

XII. SEDIMENTATION AND EROSION CONTROL ORDINANCE 13

APPENDIX - PUBLIC OFFICES 14

A SUMMARY OF PLANS, POLICIES, AND REGULATIONS
IN NEW HANOVER COUNTY

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this report is to provide a series of summaries describing
County plans, policies and regulations that have some effect on the land use
planning process of the County, in accordance with the North Carolina Coastal
Area Management Act. Each summary gives the purpose, principal features, and
availability of the document.

The following plans, policies, and regulations are summarized in this
report:

1) capital Improvement Program (CIP) - The CiP determines
when, where, and how the County will spend funds in terms of public
buildings and schools, utilities, transportation and recreation.

(2) Floodplain Management Regulations of Now Hanover County, - These
regulations govern development within floodplains.

(3) Wilmington-New Hanover County Land Use Plan - This plan establishes
policies for growth and development in the County.

(4) Master Plan Forks, Recreation and Open Spam - This Plan analyzes
park requirements for the-County.

(5) Thoroughfare Classification Plan - This document inventories and
classifies major roads in the unincorporated County based on their
design and traffic counts.

(6) Wilmington Area Thoroughfare Transportation Plan - This plan
establishes regional priorities for future road expansions and
improvements for the greater Wilmington area.

(7) Now Hanover County Sewer Plan and Extension Policies - These plans set
forth the phasing of and requirements for construction of the County
sewer system.

(8) Now Hanover County Zoning Ordinance - The Zoning Ordinance regulates
density and types of land uses in the unincorporated County.

(9) New Hanover County,Subdivision Regulations - These regulations specify
the requirements for the subdivision of land and the construction of
roads.
(10) Now Hanover County Mobile Home and Travel Trailer Park Ordinance - This
ordinance lists the improvements. needed to develop a mobile home or
trailer park.

(11) Now Hanover County Sedimentation and Erosion Control Ordinance - Any
development disturbing more than one acre of ground must comply with
these grading and drainage requirements.

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It is important to note that this report's summary Information should be
used only as a guide. For any land development activity it is necessary to
contact the appropriate County agency and to review the complete text of the
applicable plans, policies,and regulations.. Departmental addresses are listed
as an Appendix to this report. In addition, this report does not discuss the
various State and Federal plans, policies, and regulations which affect land.
development. If more information Is desired concerning which regulations and
permits are applicable for a land development project, the supplemental report
"Land Development Permit Summary",prepared by the County Planning Department,
should be examined as a guide.

II. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM

PURPOSE: The purpose of this document is to provide a comprehensive and
systematic method for scheduling, funding, and monitoring the progress
of capital projects for the coming eight years. The Capital
Improvements Program provides authoritative fiscal information for
County officials and agencies, private developers, other businessmen,
and the general public.

this information can assist County officials and agencies in making
day-to-day management decisions as well as long range investment plans
for the allocation of limited financial resources. The information also
serves as a guide to the private sector concerning the County's
principal plans for providing public services and establishing future
tax trends. In addition, the Program can be highly effective in
,promoting intergovernmental relations among County Officials, the City
of Wilmington and the beach communities.

One of the most important roles of the Capital -improvements Program is
that of reflecting and implementing the County's Land Use Plan. The
Program allows the County to control growth by minimizing the
diseconomies of scale and distance associated with providing urban
services,. The objective is not to restrict growth per so, but to manage
the location, lntensity, and rate of growth in a manner consistent with
the efficient and economical provision of services.

SUMMARY: The present CIP program, approved by the Board of Commissioners in 1985,
extends to 1993, although the latter years are difficult to project.
The first four years of the CIP are fairly realistic detailed
projections of annual costs.

The following projects and costs are included in the.CIP:

Project Cost
New Hanover County Sewer System $ 69,339,000
Solid Waste Disposal 819,400
Governmental Buildings 9,998,297
Airport 21,261,310
Parks 1,067,549
CES Voting System 229,063
Board of Education 16,051,000
Data Processing 687,021
TOTAL $119,452,640

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These costs will be met through a variety of Federal and State grants, the County
General Fund, revenue sharing, sales taxes,bonds, and user fees. The County
Sewer System, the most expensive project, will be financed partially through a
recently passed 60 million dollar bond referendum.

AVAILABILITY: Presently out of print, copies are available for review at the
County Manager's Office, Finance Department, and Planning
Department.

111. FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT REGULATIONS
OF NEW HANOVER COUNTY

PURPOSE: This Ordinance regulates development in areas prone to flood hazard.

SUMMARY: These Regulations include the following key provisions:

(1) Residential septic systems,sanitary sewer systems, and water
supply systems shall be located and designed to minimize
impairment to them caused by flooding and to reduce contamination
of adjacent waters.

(2) All new construction and improvements shall be adequately anchored
and constructed with materials resistant to flooding.

(3) New or Improved residential construction shall have the lowest
floor elevated to base flood elevation, as determined by the Flood
Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM).

(4) Now or improved commercial, Industrial, or other non-residential
construction shall also be above base flood elevation or
floodproofed sufficient to withstand flood damage.

(5) No mobile -home shall be placed in a floodway (watercourse channel
necassary to adequately discharge floodwater) or in V-zones,
except in an existing mobile home park or subdivision.

(6) All mobile homes shall be anchored with over-the-top ties and
frame ties.

(7) New or expanded mobile home parks and subdivisions shall provide
lots with pilings or compacted fill sufficient to place the mobile
home at or above the base flood level.

(8) No construction of any kind shall be made in floodways unless it
can be certified that there will be-no increase in flood levels
during occurrence of the base flood discharge.

FIRM Maps have been available for the County since 1978. A recent
update of the maps is presently undergoing this public hearing process.
The new maps,based on a different methodology and set of assumptions,
Will result in a reduction of V-zone coverage with present V-zohes on
the sounds and estuaries becoming A-zones, and a lowering of base flood
.elevations by several feet.

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AVAILABILITY: Copies of the regulations and maps are available for review at the
Building Inspections Department;

IV. WILMINGTON-NEW HANOVER COUNTY LAND USE PLAN

PURPOSE: The Wilmington-New Hanover Land Use Plan is an official public document
:adopted by the County Commissioners and City Council as a general policy
guide for decisions concerning primarily the physical development of the
County and City.

SUMMARY.: The plan is designed to provide guidance to County and City agencies as
they prepare and consider:

1. Capital Improvement Programs and Investments
2. Zoning Map and Text Amendments
3. Subdivision Proposals and Ordinance Amendments
4. Special Area Development Plans and Projects
5. Utility Extensions
6. Other Development Controls

The Plan also communicates a statement of local government policy which
may be used by citizens and private organizations as they submit
development proposals and respond to matters under consideration by the
governing boards. As an official policy instrument of the County
Commissioners and City Council, the Plan is also useful to regional,
State and Federal governmental agencies which provide for facilities or
services in the Planning Area.

While the Plan is not law in the sense of an ordinance, it is adopted,
amended and updated by formal action of the County Commissioners and
City Council. The N. C. Coastal Resources Commission must also approve
the final Plan and amendments.

The present 1981 Plan represented the first "update" to the original
Policies For Growth and Development as adopted by the Commissioners and
Council in 1976, and as developed under provisions of the North Carolina
Coastal Area Management Act. The CAMA legislation requires that local
governments prepare and update land use plans at least once every five
years. The County and City are presently in the process of updating the
,.Land Use Plan for adoption in 1986. A number of technical reports, such
as this one on plans, policies and regulations, are being prepared for
background information and justification for the 1986 Update.

The Land Use Plan includes both a Land Classification Map and Policies
for Growth and Development. The Map, shown in Figure 1, divides the
County into several development classes, such as Developed and Rural.
The Map delineates an Urban Services Area, beyond which densities are
restricted by the Zoning Ordinance and the provision of urban services,
such as sewer, are limited. The Policies provide guidelines for
regulating development and other aspects of growth.

AVAILABILITY: Copies are available at the County Planning Department.

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FIGURE 1

LAND
CLASSIFICATION MAP
Vil

M-DEVELOPED
CAMM&M.CAM W TRANSITION

commuNrry
CONSERVAT;ON
RURAL
URBAN SERVICES AREA
RUML SERVICES
NOT IN PLANNING AREA

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V. MASTER PLM PARKS, REC.REATION, AND OPEN SPACE

PURPOSE: To providean orderly.guide for the acquisition and development of open
N
-space landsand recreation facilities throughout lew Hanover County.

SUMMARY: The Plan., which was prepared in 1976 and will likely be updated within
the-next several years, highlights the following recommendations for New
Hanover County and the City of Wilmington.

NEW HANOVER COUNTY

-Acquire 25 - :35 acres of land for active recreation.,
.-Acqu-ire or control approximately 200 acres of land for natural
areas. and access area.
-Encourage state efforts to include state park functions at Ft.
Fisher and to acquire.Masonboro Island as a natural area.
-Make extensive use of existing schoo.1 sites.
-Construct on existing sites three district-serving parks and five
community parks.
-Acquire land and develop two new community parks and several
special purpose areas.

CITY OF WILMINGTON

-Acquire 45 - 50 acres of new land for active recreation and 80.
acres of-new land for open space.
-Create an open space linear park systembased on flood.prone
lands.
-Develop two new district-serving parks and improve two old-ones.
-Make extensive use of existing school sites.
-Develop a number of now facilities, including four swimming pwls,
three community centers, a major athletic complex, and a
riverfront park.
-Establ-ish and majntain on-goimg methods of evaluation program
,effectiveness.
-E-sthetically.upgrade existing and future recreation sites.
-Develop the'untapped potential of Greenfield Lake.
-Abandon the old-zoo and build a new one.
-Assume a leadership role in coordinating all local public and
voluntary agency recreation programs throughout the County.

This plan strongly recommends the consolidation of all local public
recreation functions within the County and that cooperative efforts be
undertaken between public recreation agencies, vo-luntary agencies and the
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private sector to create a to al comprehensive park, recreation and open
space system serving all County residents.

COPIES: Out of -print. Available for review at the County Pianning Department and
the County Department of@Parks and Recreation.

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VI. THOROGHFARE CLASSIFICATION PLAN

PURPOSE: The purpose of the County's Thoroughfare Classification Plan is to
classify major toads in the unincorporated County with regard to
Intensity of use and design parameters in order to provide an adequate
road system for different intensities of land development.

SUMMARY: An arterial is typically a U. S. numbered highway and serves as a link
between urban populations of 1,000 or more persons. A collector
collects traffic from residential concentrations of-at least 100
residential units, or serves as 'a link between arterials or other major
traffic generators. A collector must also meet certain design standards
such as right-of-way width. Collectors and arterials are shown in
Figure 2.

In addition to arterials and collectors, a third classification, local
residential streets, Is also part of this Plan. These are smaller
streets that essentially serve 50 or more units (500 trips per day) or
provide access between subdivisions or collectors.

This Plan performs several major functions. High density development, if
located on an arterial or collector and within the Urban Services Area,
is permitted in residential districts. Maximum building height can be
increased or buildings within certain commercial and Planned Development
zoning districts located on a collector or arterial and within the Urban
Services Area. Less directly, this Plan serves as-a guide in developing
and reviewing subdivisions in terms of access and future road connection
needs.

AVAILABILITY: A detailed map and list of classified roads are available for
review at the County Planning Department.

V11. WILMINGTON AREA TH0ROGHFARE TRANSPORTATION PLAN

PURPOSE: Provides a publicly adopted plan for the progressive development of a
street and highway system to meet future travel demands within the
Wilmington Urban Area. The Plan provides for newly constructed streets
as well as widening and improvements to existing streets.

SUMMARY: Since its adoption, the Thoroughfare Plan has served as a guide in
developing recommendations for local transportation improvements.
Several elements of the Thoroughfare Plan have been constructed. Many,
however, remain to be implemented.

In 1976, the Wilmington Area Highway Priorities Task Force was
established to review area highway needs and submit to the North
Carolina Board of Transportation a listing of highway priorities
reflecting the consensus of the area's elected officials. The

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FIGURE 2

A40

THOROUGHFARE
CLASSIFICATION
PLAN

MAJOR ARTER. IAL

MINOR ARTERIAL

COLLECTOR
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NEW HANOVER =JNTY

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Wilmington Area Highway Priorities Task Force is comprised of the New Hanover
County Board of Commissioners, Wilmington City Council, members of the
Transportation CouncIl.of the Chamber of Commerce and key staff of the County and
City,gqvernments. S.ince 076,the Task Force has.annually developed and endorsed
a list,of,locally significant highway priorities to be considered by the Board-of
Transportation for inclusion in the annual update of the highway element of the
North Carolina Transportation Improvement Program (NCTI,P).

The highway priorities endorsed by the Task Force are selected from the
Wilmington Area Thoroughfare,Plan and reflect the area's most critical major
hIghway construction needs. The most recent highway priorities for the
Wilmington-New Hanover area were endorsed by the Task Force on May 15, 1984.
These priorities are summarized.below. In order of priority the projects are:

1. Smith.Creek Parkway/Downtown Spur
2. N. C. 132 (Shipyard Boulevard to U. S. 421)
3. Improvements to the Corridor from the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
I.to the State Ports Authority (Front Street/Burnett Boulevard)
4. Outer LoovProject (Southeast Outer Loop - and Northern Outer
Loop - Smith Creek to U. S. 17)

A major consideration in the selection of the-priorities indicated above
was the distribution of traffic to and from the 1-40 extension to
Wilm-ingtori. An update to the Thoroughfare Plan is scheduled for
completIon and adoption by June, 1986. The present draft of this Plan
is shown in Figure 3.

AVAILABILITY: Out of print. Available for inspection at the County Planning
Department.

Vill. NEW. HANOVER C01KrY SEWER PLM AND OCTENS 1,0N POL IC I ES

PURPOSE:-The purpose of the County sewer plan and extension -polici:es Is to
provide sewer to unincorporated County residents, with emphasis on
reducing estuari.ne pollution from septic systems and on serving existing
development first.

SUMMARY: New Hanover County has initiated design and construction of a Countywide
sewer system. This system will be financed, in part, by a 60 million
dollar bond referendum approved by County voters.

The extension of sewer lines will be phased, as shown.in Figure 4. The
system.should be completed by 1995. It is important to note that
expansion of the City of Wilmington's Southside Wastewater Treatment
Plant will take place in conjunction with the County-Is sewer system.

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FIGURE 3

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WILMINGTON
THOROUGHFARE
PLAN
SSn-EMM 29, SW

-MQMrMfMfZ M=M PROPOM
FRIMMYS
MAJOR
MINOR

NEW HANOVER COUNTY

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FIGURE 4

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Z.
NEW,HANOV15R COUNTY
SEWER DISTRICT SYSTEM

PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION PHASES
Phase
1 1985 to mid 87

2 mid 1987 to mid 89

LJ 3 mid 1989 to mid 91

Ll A
4 1991 to mid 93

5 1992 to mid 94

WW HANOVER COUNTY

The County has also developed a set of sewer line extension policies. Any
developer wishing to connect a new development to the sewer system must pay for
all costs involved in designing and constructing any necessary trunk sewer lines,
force mains, rights-of-way, and other items. The County may request a developer
to construct a I'arger than needed trunk line In order to provide for future
tap-ons, but.will develop a pay-back schedule to the.developer as new tap-ons are
established.

AVAILABILITY: The County Sewer Plan and Extension Policies are available for
review at the County Engineering Department.

IX. NEW HANOVER COUNTY ZONING ORDINANCE

PURPOSE: The.purpose of the Zoning Ordinance is to regulate the use of land in
order to provide for safe, orderly, and harmonious growth and
deve-lopment.

SUMMARY: The Zoning Ordinance consists of two components: a Zoning Mapand a
Text. ThsZoning Map essentially de.linestes the entire County Into
various districts.. Each district allows only certain uses, e. 9-
commercial, Industrial, or residential. The Text describes the uses
allowed and other subjects, such as parking, signs,:buiIdI-ng heights,
and dens-ity.

Several major additions have been made to the Zoning Ordinance in recent
years. A Conservation Overlay District was adopts d that regulates uses
in certailn environmentally significant areas and requires a certain
amount of preservation and protection of those areas. A Planned
Development District was created, allowing a large, well-designed
development -to mix residenti-al with commercial and light industrial uses.
The County recently zoned the Castle Hayne area, using a low density
residential d.istrict, which comp;leted the establishment of.zoning in the
entire unincorporated Countyi Finally, the County adopted landscaping
buffering--requirements as part of the Zoning Ordinance.

AVAILABILITY: Zoning Maps and Texts are available for sale and review at the
County Planning Department.

X. NEW HANOVER COUNTY SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS

PURPOSE: The purpose of the County's Subdivision Regulations is to govern the
subdivision of land i@n order to provide for orderly development.

SUMMARY: The Subdivision Regulations requires I ndividuals and developers, who
wish to subdiv-ide property -into new parcels or lots, to go through a
review and approval process with t,he County Planning Department and
Planning Board. Plats 'of the subdivision must be submitted, approved,
and filed. before new lots may be sold or otherwised transferred to new
ownership.

These regulations require certain improvements be performed before a
subdivision can be approved. For example, roads must meet certain
construction, specifications. Floodplains, utilities " and certain other
areaz.:must,be delineated and labeled on the final plat.

AVAILABILITY: The Subdivision Regulations are available at the County Planning
Departmen t.

X1. NEW HANOVER COUNTY
MOBILE HOME AND TRAVEL TRAILER PARK ORDINANCE

PURPOSE: This Ordinance regulates the development of mobile home and travel
trailer parks where lots are rented to residents.

SUMMARY: This Ordinance requires persons deve,loping a mobile home park to undergo
a review andapproval process with'the County Pla'nning Department and
Planning Board. The'deve.loper must submit a plan show,ing locations of
a:I1 spaces and other Improvements., Because of the increased density
a1lowed in these parks, certain additional improvements, related to
recreation space and utility systems, are required.

AVAILABILITY: This Ordinance Is avaitable at the County P-lanning Department.

X1 1. NEW HANOVER CMKTY SEDIMENTATION AND
ERDSION CONTROL ORDINANCE

PURPOSE: The purpose.of this Ordinance Is to reduce the potential for erosion and
sedimentation associated with land disturbing activities.

SUMMARY: This ordinance requires developers to meet certain specifications in
performing construction activitie!t that disturb at least one acre of
soil. These specifications include revegetation practices, use of silt
fences and rip-rep, reduction of velocity of discharge of runoft water,
and othdr soil conservation practices.

AVAILABILI TY:. This Ordinance is available at the County En.gineering Department.

APPENDIX PUBLIC OFFICES

Agency and Address Ptme Number

-New Hanover.County Pl.anning Department (919) 341-710
320 Chestnut Street
Wi Imington, NC 28401

-New Hanover County Manager (919) 341-7184
320 Chestnut Street
Wilmington, NC 28401

-New.Hanover County Finance Department (919) 341-7187
320 Chestnut Street
Wilmington, NC 28401

-New Hanover County Engineering Department (919) 341-7139
414 Chestnut Street
Wilmington, NC 28401

-New Hanover County Inspections Department (919) 341-7151
414 Chestnut Street
Wilmington, NC 28401

-New HanoverCounty Parks and Recreation Dept (919) 341-7198
414 Chestnut Street
Wilmington., NC 28401

DATE DUE

GAYLORD No. 2333 PRINTED IN U.S.A.

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