Accomac Town plan

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

- DRAFT -
HD
268 3B
A23
1988

DEC 2 1997

Accomac Town Plan

1988

Prepared by:

Accomac Planning Commission

Technical Assistance Provided by:

Accomack-Northampton
Planning District Commission
P. 0. Box 417
Accomac, Virginia 23301

HD
268 U. S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE NOAA
.A23 COASTAL SERVICES CENTER
A3 2234 SOUTH HOPSON AVENUE
1988 CHARLESTON , SC 29405-2413
Property of CSC Library

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

I. Introduction 1-5

The Comprehensive Plan 1
State Planning Legislation 2

Ii. Inventoryand Analysis 6-43

Historical Perspective 6
Natural Resource Features 11
Population 15
Housing 19
Economic Characteristics 26
Transportation 32
Community Facilities 34
Existing Land Use 35
Needs Summary 38

III. Goals and Objectives 40-43

IV. Plans and Action Programs 44-47

V. Action Agenda 48

I. INTRODUCTION

The Comprehensive Plan

The purpose of a comprehensive plan is to give direction to both
public and private decisions so that the most beneficial
arrangement of land uses can be recognized. The comprehensive
plan also facilitates the orderly and economic provision of
public services for present and future residents.

A comprehensive plan provides a basis for intelligent discussions
by town residents and its elected representatives concerning the
future development of their community. It also coordinates
decision making within and between public and private activity in
the endeavor to achieve a healthy and balanced environment, as
well as a high quality of life.

The most frequently asked question concerning the process of
comprehensive planning is "Why bother to do it?" one reason is
that every governing body in the Commonwealth is required to
adopt a comprehensive plan. But more importantly, an adopted
comprehensive plan can provide a backbone and framework for
decision making in Accomac. A comprehensive plan attempts to
address, and anticipate, aspects of a community that are crucial
in determining the overall quality of life that its residents
presently enjoy, and hope to preserve in the future. Past
experience has shown that planning and foresight are essential to
a community's health. Once undesirable development begins, is
recognized, and addressed, it is often too late to take effective
measures to prevent it.

To be effective, the plan must be geared toward the social,
economic, and environmental provisions that currently prevail.
Yet at the same time, it must promote the balanced * services,
environment, and facilities required by the populace of the
future. By adopting such a plan, decisions which will be made,
monies which will be spent, and programs which will be initiated
or amended can be accomplished in an orderly and logical manner.

More specifically:

- An economically healthy balance of land uses is represented
in a comprehensive plan._ This provides a framework for
consideration of rezoning applications.

- Use permits, subdivision plats, site plans and general
development proposals can be reviewed within a more
comprehensive frame of reference and not approached on a
piecemeal basis.

- Program's for the improvement and/or expansion of public
utility systems can be undertaken in a more judicious
manner.

- Public services and facilities can be provided in a more
economical and efficient-manner.

- A comprehensive plan will promote the accommodation of a
wide variety of housing types, densities, and price ranges
and should accommodate housing demands of all income
levels.

- once officially recognized, features of architectural or
historical significance and areas of natural beauty can be
more effectively preserved, protected, and integrated into
an orderly pattern of development.

State Planning Legislation

The process and purpose of the Comprehensive Plan is outlined
clearly in the Code of Virginia, Title 15.1, Article 4, Section
446 through Section 457. The commission referred to in the Code
is the local Planning Commission.

"In the preparation of a comprehensive plan the commission shall
make careful and comprehensive surveys and studies of the
existing conditions and trends of growth, and of the probable
future requirements of its territory and inhabitants. The
comprehensive plan shall be made with the purpose of guiding and
accomplishing a coordinated, adjusted and harmonious development
of the territory which will, in accordance with present and,
probable future needs and resources best promote the health,
safety, morals, order, convenience, prosperity and general
welfare of the inhabitants."

"The comprehensive plan shall be general in nature, in that it
shall designate the general or approximate location, character,
and extent of each feature shown on the plan and shall indicate
where existing lands or facilities are proposed to be extended,
widened, removed, relocated, vacated, narrowed, abandoned, or
changed in use as the case may be."

"Such plan, with accompanying maps, plat, charts, and descriptive
matter, shall show the commission's long-range recommendations
for the general development of the territory covered by the plan.
It may include, but need not be limited to:

The designation of areas for various types of. public and
private development and use, such as different kinds of
residential, business, industrial, agricultural,
conservation, recreation, public service, flood plain and
drainage, and other areas;

The designation of a system of transportation facilities
such as streets, roads, parkways, railways, bridges,
viaducts, waterways, airports, ports, terminals, and other
like facilities;

The designation of a system of community service faci lities
such as parks, forests, schools, playgrounds, public
buildings and institutions, hospitals, community centers,
waterworks, sewage disposal or waste disposal areas, and
the like;

The designation of historical areas and areas for urban
renewal or other treatment; and

An official map, a capital improvements program, a
subdivision ordinance, and a zoning ordinance and zoning
district maps."

"In the preparation of a comprehensive plan, the local commission
shall survey and study such matters as the following:

- Use of land, preservation of agricultural and forestal
land, production of food and fiber, characteristics and
conditions of existing development, trends of growth or
changes, natural resources, population factors, employment
and economic factors, existing public facilities, drainage,
flood control and flood damage prevention measurest
transportation facilities, the need for housing, and any
other matters relating to the subject matter and general
purposes of the comprehensive plan.

- Probable future economic and population growth of the
territory and requirements therefor."

The comprehensive plan shall recommend methods of
implementation. Unless otherwise required by this chapter these
may include but need not be limited to:

- An official map;

- A capital improvements program;

- A subdivision ordinance; and

A zoning ordinance and zoning district maps."

"Whenever the local commission shall have recommended a
comprehensive plan or part thereof for the county or municipality
and such plan shall have been approved and adopted by the
governing body, it shall control the general or approximate
location, character and extent of each feature shown on the plan.
Thereafter, no street, park or other public area, public building
or public structure, public utility facility or public service
corporation facility other than railroad facility, whether
publicly or privately owned, shall be constructed, established or
authorized, unless and until the general location or approximate
location, character, and extent thereof has been submitted to and
approved by the local commission as being substantially in accord
with the adopted comprehensive plan or part thereof. In
connection with any such determination the commission may, and at
the direction of the governing body shall, hold a public
hearing."

'"The commission shall communicate its findings to the governing
body, indicating its approval or disapproval with written reasons
therefor. The governing body may overrule the action of the
'Commission by a vote of a majority of the membership thereof.
Failure of the commission to act within sixty days of such
submission, unless such time shall be extended by the governing
body, shall be deemed approval. The owner or owners or their
agents may appeal the decision of the local commission to the
governing body within ten days after the decision of the
commission. The appeal shall be by written petition to the
governing body setting forth the reasons for the appeal. A
majority vote of the governing body shall overrule the
commission."

Widening, narrowing, extension, enlargement, vacation or change
of use of streets or public areas shall likewise be submitted for
approval, but paving, repair, reconstruction, improvement,
drainage or similar work and normal service extensions of public
utilities or public service corporations' shall not require
approval unless involving a change in location or extent of a
street or public area."

"Any public area, facility or use as set forth which is
identified within, but not the entire subject of, submission
under either 15.1-475 for subdivision or 15.1-491 for development
or both may be deemed a feature already shown on the adopted
master plan, and therefore, excepted from the requirement for
submittal to and approval by the commission or the governing
body; provided, that the governing body has by ordinance or
resolution defined standards governing the construction,
establishment or authorization of such public area, facility or

use or has@ approved it through acceptance of a proffer made
pursuant to 15.1-491.11

The Code of Virginia also provides requirements for Plan review
in Title 15.1, Section 454.

"At least once every five years the comprehensive plan shall be
reviewed by the local commission to determine whether it is
advisable to amend the plan."

II. INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS

Location. The Town of Accomac is located on the Virginia Eastern
Shore in Accomack County (Map 1). Virginia Eastern Shore is
located at the southern tip of the Delmarva Peninsula. The
Eastern Shore is bordered to the north by the State of Maryland,
to the east by the Atlantic Ocean and to the south by the
Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel and to the west by the Chesapeake
Bay. Accomac is located in the middle portion of Accomack County
and is in the Lee Magisterial District.
History of the Area. The Town of Accomac grew . up around John
Coke's Tavern at Freemason's Plantation where court was first
held in the 1670's. The crossroads settlement, originally called
Matompkin, has served as the county seat as well as the area's
social and commercial hub for nearly three centuries. A central
location between the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay has
favored greatly the development of the Town. By 1690 the county
seat was firmly established at this location possibly because of
accessibility by water from both the ocean and the bay. In
colonial Virginia, the site of the county courthouse served as
the focal point of political and social life, where all those
having court business met on a regular basis. The tiny crossroads
Town grew slowly until 1786 when the following petition was
submitted to the Virginia Assembly:

To the Honorable the Speaker & Gentlemen of the House of
Delegates The Petition of Richard Drummond and others
Humbly... that your petitioners are proprietors of the land on
which the Courthouse of Accomack County is erected, and think
it would be extremely advantageous to the inhabitants of the
said county if a Town was established thereon, several Houses
being already built upon and for adding ten acres of land
adjoining thereto for the same purpose. And your Petitioners
as in duty bound will pray, Richard Drummond, Gilbert Pioley,
John McLean, Edward Kerr, Catherine Scott, Patience
Robertson, Wm. Berkeley.1

Those who petitioned the Assembly for the establishment of a Town
at the courthouse site held land in this area and in other parts
of the county. It is interesting to note that two of the seven
petitioners were women, indicating that the women of Accomac were
active in the formal establishment of the Town. Thus, they
continued the tradition of their 17th-century female forebears
who owned property and conducted business in the county. Although
none of the buildings to which the petitioners referred is still
standing, there were at least fifteen residences or places of
business in the area at that time.

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The Assembly;acted favorably on the petition and established the
Town of Drummond or DrummondTown, on Richard Drummond's
designated two acres. The act contained the usual stipulations as
to lot size (one-half acre), minimum building size (16 square
feet), and chimney material (stone or brick). The lots were to be
sold at public auction and final title withheld until the minimum
structure had been erected. Since the filing of Drummond's
petition, the Town's name underwent numerous changes including
Drummond, DrummondTown, and Accomac Court House. Accomac has been
the Town's official name since 1893.

The first deed following the establishment of the Town was for
lots 16 and 17 to Mathias Outten in 1788 at the corner of "the
back street" and "the cross street." The structure built by Mr.
Outten was probably the kitchen and house that became known after
several additions in the 19th-century as "Seven Gables."

As other deeds appeared in the records in the early 19th-century,
the Town streets came to be called Back Street, Front Street,
Cross Street, and South Street, names which have been retained to
the present day. In 1792 DrummondTown became one of the first two
hundred post offices established in the United States. The
combination of court business and postal business generated
increased commercial activity. In 1827 John W. H. Parker of
DrummondTown described the Town as the center of a furniture
manufacturing establishment, a maker of fur hats, a tannery, a
carriage maker whose specialty was gigs, as well as two thriving
hotels. Martin's Gazetteer of 1835 substantiated Parker's account
when it reported that DrummondTown boasted a school, Methodist
Church, three mercantile stores, a carriage maker and two boot
and shoe factories. Several of Accomac's finest homes were built
and improved in this period.

Like most parts of Virginia, Accomac prospered in the 1840's and
1850's, and it was in these years that many of its houses were
constructed. There was a general decline in the 1860's and 70's
and a revitalization in the 1880's with the construction of the
railroad down the Eastern Shore peninsula. For a brief time there
were efforts to move the county seat to a location of the
railroad at Parksley. These efforts were thwarted, however, and
Accomac entered the 20th century as the county seat.

In 1860 the National Recorder, the first newspaper printed on the
Eastern Shore of Virginia was published in a building constructed
in the 1830's. It stood next to a late 18th-century house erected
originally as the jailer's residence. Later the jailer's house
.was used to incarcerate those who could not pay their debts and
is known now as the Debtor's Prison.

In the American Revolution, the war of 1812, and the Civil War,
the unique location of the Eastern Shore made it a strategic area
for opposing forces. During the Civil War, Union Forces sought

its control for several reasons: to halt the transmission of
supplies and communication from the North and from Europe to the
confederate forces on the western shore, to prevent the area from
becoming a staging ground for the creation of dissatisfaction
among Marylanders, and to permit the construction of a telegraph
line between Washington and Fort Monroe in Hampton Roads.
DrummonTown was fortunate to have served as the headquarters of
Union General Henry Lockwood who urged his troops not to plunder
and destroy the Town's buildings and houses. His residence and
headquarters were established in the house abandoned by Dr. Peter
F. Browne. The Union telegraph office was set up in Dr. Browne's
former office which was located in his yard on Back Street.

Because the economy of Accomac generally has remained stable
during its history, there has not been little occasion for
modernizing older buildings. Similarly, severe depression has not
necessitated the abandonment and accompanying decay of early
homes. Many of the earliest buildings have been owned by a small
number of families. Some of the Victorian houses have remained in
the families of the builders. This overall pattern of continuity
in community life has been instrumental in maintaining the,
excellent state of preservation of Accomac's buildings. Another
factor contributing to the preservation of Accomac's historic
fabric was the re-routing of U.S. Route 13 around the Town in the
early 19601s, thus avoiding the removal of both houses and
commercial structures.

Historic District. The Accomac Historic District encompasses
approximately 130 acres in area and is characterized by its rural
terrain, low density growth, and numerous vernacular frame
houses. The district contains approximately one hundred and fifty
buildings and is roughly bounded by the Town limits to the north,
west, and south, and by Elbow Lane to the east. Boundaries were
determined by political borders and architectural integrity.

With the exception of Front Street, roads are narrow and flanked
by randomly placed shade trees. Most streets are asphalt paved
with cement sidewalks and gutters. Streets are laid in an
irregular plan following no discernible pattern.

Commercial land use is principally limited to Front Street. The
county courthouse and related government buildings are located at
the intersection of Front Street and Jail Road(northwest corner).
All remaining streets are residential. Several churches accent
the district. These include the Makemie Presbyterian
Church(1840), St. James Episcopal Church(1838), the DrummondTown
United Methodist Church(1920) and the Bayly Memorial Hall(Baptist
Church, 1870). Accomac's only school(1933) is situated on School
Street.

Building density is highest on Front Street between Jail Road and
Lilliston Avenue and on Hunting Creek between Front and Back

Street. Many;houses stand at the front of large lots near the
street and are often fronted by simple wood fences.

Most dwellings in Accomac were erected as detached, single-family
residences. Included in this collection is a rich concentration
of 18th-and early 19th-century vernacular farm houses, numerous
late 19th-builder houses. and several ornate architect-designed
Victorian houses. With minor exceptions, residences are of frame
construction, painted white., and maintain a scale of one and two
stories. No building within the district exceeds three stories in
height.

Buildings dating prior to the Civil War tend to be concentrated
within the triangle bounded by Front, South, and Back streets.
The large block north of Front Street bounded by Jail Row, School
Street and Lilliston Avenue contains numerous 19th-century
builder houses, suggesting land speculation in this area. Several
ranch-style houses on the western edge of Jail Row are of recent
.construction. Having little historical significance at this time,
these later houses were omitted from the district.

Commercial buildings in Accomac stretch along Front street. These
structures tend to be small one- and two-story, false-front frame
stores. Other commercial structures of note include a one-story,
cast-stone market: a two-story, flat-roof brick Colonial Revival
printing office with multi-light bay windows and fanciful door
fanlights.

Accessibility of building materials played a major part in the
construction of Accomac and the Eastern Shore. There are few
brick houses because wood was much more available, and the local
clay was too sandy for the making of strong and durable bricks.

The Accomac Historic District is significant for both its well-
preserved architecture and its rich history as an important
government center for the Eastern Shore for over three hundred
years. Among the Town's architectural resources are many examples
of early to mid-19th-century regional building types(both formal
and vernacular), several important mid-19th-century builder and
architect-designed houses, and a distinctive, late Victorian,
county courthouse complex. The compact community is fortunate to
have preserved much of its 19th-century character since most
modern development occurred east of the Town's core.

Natural Resources

To insure that future development in Accomac is compatible with
the natural environment, it is necessary to understand the
natural resources which exist in the county. This section of the
comprehensive plan summarizes the natural resources within the
Town. Problems associated with the county's natural resources are
also discussed.

Climate. Accomac experiences mild winters and warm, humid summers
due to its location near the Atlantic ocean and the Chesapeake
Bay. The temperature in January averages 39 degrees and 78
degrees in July. Average annual rainfall is 43 inches. The
prevailing winds come from the south to the southwest off the
Bay-

Area. The corporate limits of Accomac encompasses approximately
288 acres.

Topography. Topography, or land form, is critical to how land may
be developed. Ground slope is one of the more important aspects
of topography as the use and maintenance of land depends upon it.
Accomac has no land that cannot be developed due to slope.

The elevation is approximately between 35 and 40 feet. Topography
of the Town is for the most part is level with slopes between 0-
2 percent. However, some areas have a slope of 0 - 6 percent.

Soils. Suitability and limitations of the soils in Accomac have a
significant impact upon future development. The suitability of
soils is basic to design, layout and construction of roads,
buildings, excavation of basements and sanitary operation of
septic tanks. Soil factors such as percolation, depth,
absorption, shrink-swell conditions, wetness, and filtering
action all affect development.

In a community such as Accomac, it is important to understand the
general suitability of soils for septic tank filter fields.
Since public utilities are not available, soil suitability for
septic tank filter fields is a primary health factor that affects
how the Town develops.

Accomac lies within the geological region known as the coastal
Plain. The Coastall Plain, which includes all of the Eastern
Shore, is a low-lying region composed of sands, silts, and clay
deposited by glacial melt water. Map 2 provides information
concerning general soil types. Map 2 is general and therefore
yariations among particular parcels is to be expected. As
indicated by Map 2, most of the soils in Accomac are generally
suited for septic tank filler fields.

A majority of the soils in Accomac fall within the Bojac sandy

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Map 2
SOILS
rOWN OF ACCOMAC

Po)awana Loamy Sand
BDjac Loamy Sand
soiac Sandy Loam
Molena Loamy Sand
Munden Sandy Loam
t)ragston Fine Sandy Loam
Nimmo Sandy Loam

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classification. Bojac sandy loam is a gently sloping very deep
and well drained soil that is located on broad flats. Bojac sandy
loam has very few limitations that restrict its use and is well
suited to development.

Other soil types found in the immediate vicinity of Accomac
include bojac loamy sand, Molena loamy sand and Nimmo sandy loam.
Bojac loamy sand is a gently sloping very deep and well drained
soil that is located on side slopes and rims of Carolina bays.
Bojac sandy loam is suitable for development. The main
limitations are droughtiness, slope and erodibility. Molena loamy
sand is moderately sloping to very step soil that is very deep
and somewhat excessively drained. This soil has some limitations
to use due to stoniness, shallowness and sandiness. Nimmo sandy
loam 'is a nearly level very deep and poorly drained soil that is
located on flats and in depressions of Carolina bays. Undrained
sections of this soil are unsuited to development.

Overall, the soils in Accomac represent good areas for
development. Bojac sandy loam soil type is historically a good
soil for septic filter field use and is generally suitable for
individual land based waste water treatment facilities, such as
septic systems.

Ground Water. Accomac is totally dependent on ground water as it
source of potable water. All the ground water beneath Accomac
comes from rainfall. Approximately 43 inches of rain falls on the
Town each year. Some moves off the land toward the Bay or Ocean
as runoff, but a part seeps into the soil. This water migrates
downward and sideways. Coarse sand deposits beneath the land
surface can store the water. These deposits are called aquifers.
Finer silt and clay deposits with little space between individual
particles cannot store the water, and do not let the water pass
easily through. These deposits are called acquitards. The general
aquifers exist beneath the land to a depth of about 300 feet.
Below, the water is saline in content.

The natural ground water system is generally in a dynamic
equilibrium. When water is pumped from the aquifers, changes in
the equilibrium occur. An optimum balance between withdrawal and
recharge, defined as the safe yield, can be maintained through
the continuous observation of water levels and water quality. The
safe yield equilibrium is a delicate balance between withdraw and
recharge. Problems occur when this balance is disrupted.

Accomac has experienced problems with ground water due to the
amount of ground water usage by Perdue, Inc, which averages 1.540
mgd. The pumpage by Perdue has caused the largest cone of
depression on the Eastern Shore.

In addition to the pumpage by Perdue, there is municipal pumpage
by the Town of Onancock, averaging .122 mgd. In addition domestic

and commercial pumpage is estimated to be .002 mgd. Domestic and
commercial pumpage is scattered over a wide area and will only
have a slight effect on the water levels. In the Town of Accomac,
pumpage from the lower portion of the upper eastern shore aquifer
is influenced by the withdrawals at Perdue and lower water levels
occur in wells already placed in the aquifer.
Although, very large withdrawals are made from the aquifers in
this region, the replenishment rate due to precipitation, seems
to be adequate. A primary unknown is the recharge rate to the
upper aquifer, and only long term monitoring will establish the
impact of withdrawal
on the aquifers.

Drainage. Due to its low, flat terrain Accomac has problems with
localized flooding during heavy rains. Drainage is provided by
ditches along the side of roads. These ditches provide adequate
drainage except in heavy rains. The problem has long been
recognized by the Town and attempts have been made to correct the
problem. The Soil Conservation Service has surveyed the ditch and
has determined that the problem can be corrected if the proper
maintenance work is done. However, before any work can begin
easements must be signed by all property owners and these
easements have not been obtained.

Flood Hazard Areas. Accomac is not located in the Accomack County
100 year flood plain. The Town's location has been classified as
being in an area of minimal flooding, Zone C, by the U.S. Army
Corps Engineers Wave Study for Accomack County. Zone C is
identified as areas with minimal flooding. The Town is not likely
to effected by a 100 year flood. However, it is possible for the
Town to effected by a flood of the magnitude of a 100 year flood.

Population

This section assesses the size of past and present populations,
their characteristics, and trends of change. A community's social
and economic vitality of a community is a direct result of the
characteristics of its residents'. Therefore, it is important to
examine the changes that have taken place among Accomac's
population and to anticipate future changes.

Historic Change. Past changes in population for both Accomack
County and Accomac are presented in Table 1. Both the county and
the Town lost residents from 1960 to 1970 and both grew between
1970 and 1980. The Town gained 149 residents between the 1970 and
1980 census and 1986 population estimates for the Town indicate
that the population has continued to grow. Population estimates
for the Town indicate that the town contained a 1986 population
of 550.

Age Groups. Accomac residents represent a slightly older
population than that found in the rest of the county (Table 2).
The median age for Town residents in 1980 was 40.01 as compared
to 34.9 for the county.

Table 3 represents the percentage of population by age group in
the Town and the county. Reflected in the table is that Town
residents are on the average older than the average county
residents. Population in the 18 and younger age group contains 28
percent of county residents but only 24 percent in the Town. The
age group 19 to 64 contains 55 percent of the county's residents
and 55 percent of the Towns. -Accomac does contain a slightly
higher number of residents 65 and older than the county, with 20
percent in the Town and 16 percent in the county.

Gender and Racial Characteristics. Accomac's population is
comprised of a slightly higher percentage of men than the county
population. Table 3 presents population by sex and race for the
1980 census. According to the census 51 percent of Accomac's
residents are male and 49 percent are female.

The greatest difference in the population of Accomac and that of
the county is in regards to race. Accomack County's non-white
population contains 36 percent of the total population, while the
non-white population in Accomac is only 8 percent.

Summary. Accomac contains the fourth largest Town population in
Accomack County and recent population estimates indicate the town
is continuing to grow. Median age of town residents was 40 in
1980. Accomac's population consist of 92 percent white, 8 percent
nonwhite and is divided evenly between women and men.

TABLE 1

HISTORIC POPULATION CHANGE
1960 - 1984

1960 1970 1980 1986

Accomack County

Total 30,635 29,004 31,268 31,600

Numeric change -1,631 2,264 332

Percentage Change -5.3 7.8 1.0

Accomac.

Total 414 373 522 550

Numeric Change 41 -149 28

Percentage Change -9 39 5

1) Differences are computed from last reporting period.

Sources: U. S. Census of Population and Housing, 1960 1980.

U. S. Census Local Population Estimates for 1984,
issued September 1985.

TABLE 2

PERCENTAGE OF POPULATION BY GENERAL AGE GROUP
1970 - 1980

ACCOMACK COUNTY Accomac

1970 1980 Change 1980

Median Age 35.3 34.9 -0.4 40.1

% 18 or Younger 32.0 28.3 -3.7 24.1

% 19 to 64 52.6 55.0 2.4 55.6

% 65 and older 15.4 16.7 1.3 20.3

Source: U. S. Census of Population and Hou sing, 1970 and 1980.

TABLE 3

POPULATION BY SEX AND RACE
1970 - 1980

ACCOMACK COUNTY Accomac

Percentage
1970 1980 Change 1980

Male 13,872 14,662 5.7% 266
% 47.8 46.9 51%

Female 15,132 16,606 9.7% 256
% 52.2 53.1 49%

White 18,101 19,753 9.1% 479
% 62.4 63.2 92%

Non-White 10,903 11,515 5.6% 43
% 37.6 36.8 8%

Source: U. S. Census of Population and Housing, 1970 and 1980.

Housing

Availability, accessibility, and quality of housing is a vital
aspect of a community. The condition, availability and value of
Accomac's housing is discussed is this section.

Occupancy Rates. In 1980, Accomac contained 232 year-round
housing units, of those units 90 percent were occupied. of the
occupied housing units, 79 percent of these were owner-occupied
and 21 percent were renter-occupied (see Tables 4 and 6).

The corresponding overall occupancy rate for all of Accomack
County in 1980 was 88 percent of which 75 percent were owner-
occupied and 25 percent were renter-occupied.

Characteristics of Households. A majority of Accomac residents
live in family households. Table 5 reveals that 84 percent of
Town residents live in family households and 16 percent live in
non-family households. Non-family households consists of a person
living alone or with one or more persons that are not related.

Table 5 also presents figures for elderly residents.
Approximately 67 percent of elderly households are family
households and 33 percent are non-family households. The vast
majority of non-family households (80 percent) consist of female
head of households. Census figures for 1980 indicate that 29
percent of all occupied dwelling units were occupied by only one
person. Elderly female residents represent a majority of these
one-person households.

Information concerning selected characteristics of occupied
dwelling units can be found in Table 6. owner-occupied units were
in better condition than renter-occupied units according to the
1980 census. owner-occupied housing tends to be larger in terms
of the number of rooms and contain sufficient plumbing
facilities. According to the 1980 census 44 renter-occupied
units, 25 percent, contained plumbing deficiencies.

Housing Value. Self-reported value of owner-occupied housing in
Accomac is.listed by value categories in Table 7. The median
housing value in Accomac is over $11,000 greater than the median
housing value in the county. Over one-third of the owner-
occupied housing in the county is valued at less than $20,000 as
opposed to less than 28 percent of Accomac housing.

Contract rent charged for renter-occupied units is presented in
Table 8. The median contract rent of $78 in Accomac is similar to
the $77 median rent for county rental units.

Summary.

Accomac's occupancy rate,90 percent, and the median value of

housing, $11,;000 higher in town than in the county; indicate a
solid housing market. Family households in Accomac comprise the
majority of households in Accomac with 80 percent of these of
these households headed by females. Approximately 25 of the
renter occupied housing units in 1980 contained plumbing
deficiencies. However, only 21 percent of the total housing units
in Accomac were renter occupied. An overall lack of rental units
in Accomac is a concern as to the overall availability of housing
-opportunities in Accomac.

TABLE 4

NUMBER OF HOUSING UNITS
1970 1980

ACCOMACK COUNTY Accomac

Percentage
1970 1980 Change 1980

Total Housing Units 11,729 13,815 17.8% 232

Year-Round Units 11,409 13,048 14.4% 232
% of Total Units 97.3 94.4 100%

Occupied Year-Round Units 9,713 11,600 19.4% 209
% of Year-Round Units 85.1 88.9 90%

Persons per Household 2.95 2.67 -9.5% 2.25

Sources: U. S. Census of Population and Housing, 1970 and 1980.

TABLE 5

HOUSEHOLD TYPE AND RELATIONSHIP
Accomac, 1980

ALL RESIDENTS RESIDENTS 65 AND OLDER

Number Percentage Number Percentage

Family Household- 438 84% 74 67%

Non-family Household 84 16% 35 33%

Male Householder 19 23% 6 17%

Female Householder 45 54% 28 80%

1: Includes householder and those related by birth, marriage,
or adoption. Figures includes 10 non-relatives that live
within family households under the All Residents category.

2: A household consisting of a person living alone or with
persons note related to them.

3: Percentages based on total Non-Family Households.

4: Percentages based on total Residents Age 65 or Older.

Source: U. S. Census of Population and Housing, 1980.

TABLE 6

CHARACTERISTICS OF YEAR-ROUND OCCUPIED HOUSING UNITS
Town OF Accomac, 1980

OWNER OCCUPIED RENTER OCCUPIED

1980 1980

Total Units 165 44

Percentage 79% 21%

With Plumbing Deficiencies 4 11

Percentage 2% 31%

With Crowded Conditions 2 2

Percentage 1% 5%

Median Number of Rooms 6.5 4.9

1: Perce ntage of all Occupied Year-Round Units.

2: Units lacking complete plumbing facilities or exclusive use
of facilities.

3: Percentage of total Owner Occupied or Renter Occupied Units.

4: Number of units with 1.01 or greater persons per room.

Sources: U. S. Census of Population and Housing, 1980.

TABLE 7

VALUE OF SPECIFIED OWNER OCCUPIED
HOUSING UNITS, 1980

ACCOMACK COUNTY Accomac

Number Percentage Number Percentage

Less than $10,000 862 13.3 5 4.0

$10,000 - $14,999 614 9.5 6 4.0

$15,000 - $19j999 714 11.0 13 9.0

$20,000 - $24,999 816 12.6 15 11.0

$25,000 - $29,999 653 10.1 11 8.0

$30,000 - $34,999 568 8.8 12 9.0

$35,000 - $39,999 439 6.8 12 9.0

$40,000 - $49,999 748 11.6 19 14.0

$50,000 - $79,999 822 12.7 32 23.0

$80,000 - $99,999 116 1.8 4 3.0
.0
$100,000 - $149,999 93 1.4 5 4.0

$150,000 - $199,999 11 0.2 1 0.7

$200,000 or More 13 0.2 2 1.0

Median Value $26,700 $37,708

Source: U. S. Census of Population and Housing, 1980.

TABLE 8

CONTRACT RENT OF SPECIFIED UNITS, 1980

ACCOMACK COUNTY Accomac

Number Percentage Number Percentage

Less than $50 632 32.5 12 32.0

$50 to $99 627 32.2 9 24.0

$100 to $119 193 9.9 1 3.0

$120 to $139 164 8.4 3 8.0

$140 to $149 46 2.4 1 3.0

$150 to $159 97 5.0 0 0.0

$160 to $169 20 1.0 0 0.0

$170 to $199 60 3.1 2 3.0

$200 to $249 72 3.7 5 13.0

$250 or more 34 1.7 .1 3.0

No Contract Rent 559. N/A 4 11.0

Median Contract Rent $77 $78

1: Based on units with contract rent.

Source: U. S. Census Population and Housing, 1980.

Economic Characteristics

In order to gain an effective understanding of Accomac and its
residents, the following section explores the economic
characteristics of the Town. Included in this section are
discussions regarding employment, income and the economic
activity within the Town.

Employment. Accomac, in the 19801s, is basically a white collar
residential community. Leading categories of employment, by type
of industry, for Accomac residents are retail trade and
professional services. Each of these industry categories account
for approximately 16 percent and 28 percent of the working
residents (Table 9) for a total of 44 percent. These category
percentages are higher than those for Accomack County where
manufacturing represents the leading source of employment (25
percent). only 7 percent of Accomac's residents make their living
in the manufacturing industry.

Table 10 indicates employment by type of occupation for the
county and Town residents. A significantly higher percentage of
Town residents are employed in managerial and professional
specialty occupations .(31 percent) and service occupations (11
percent) than county residents (13 percent and 12 percent
respectively). Approximately the same percentage of Town and
county residents are employed in the technical, sales and
administrative support positions. However, a higher percentage of
county residents make their living as operators, fabricators, and
laborers than county residents, and fewer are occupied in
farming, forestry and fishing positions.

An analysis of the labor force aged 16 or older can be found in
Table 11. Approximately 55 percent of the population 16 or older
is in the labor force, just slightly lower than the percentage of
county residents. Town labor is roughly equivalent to the county
labor force in terms,of population percentages by sex and race.

Income. Table 12 indicates household income for 1979. According
to Table 12, 42 percent of Town residents earned less than
$10,000 in 1979, while 46 percent of the county's residents
earned less than $10,000 in 1979. Per capita income estimates by
the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau Of The Census indicate
that the per capita money income for Accomac residents in 1985
,@as $11,542. This figure was above the estimated per capita money
income level for the county which was $7,896 for 1985, in fact
the per capita money income level for Accomac is the highest on
the Eastern Shore.

Economic Activity. The Town of Accomac is the governmental seat
for Accomack County and the economic activity in the Town is
centered around the local government activity. Local government
buildings in Town include the Accomack County administration

building, which contains all the county's including.the court
house, jail, probation officers, and several lawyer offices. The
Town also contains the county library. Several other state agency
offices are located in close proximate to the Town.

Summary. Accomac residents are primarily white collar workers,
employed in professional services and retail trade. Residents of
Accomac had the highest per capita money income on the Eastern
Shore in 1985.

TABLE 9

EMPLOYMENT BY INDUSTRY, 1980

ACCOMACK COUNTY Accomac

Number Percentage Number Percentage

Agriculture, Forestry,
Fisheries, Mining 1,489 11.8% 7 3.0%

Construction 698 5.5% 17 8.0%

Manufacturing 3,212 25.5% 21 .9.0%

Transportation, Communi-
cation, Public Utilities 771 6.1% 12 5.0%

Wholesale Trade 849 6.7% 7 3.0%

Retail Trade 1,848 14.6% 36 16.0%

Finance, Insurance,
Real Estate 343 2.7% 12 5.0%

Business and Repair
Services 293 2.3% 12 5.0%

Personal, Entertainment,
and Recreational Services 651 5.2% 17 8.0%

Professional Services 1,685 13.3% 64 28.0%

Public Administration 780 6.2% 22 10.0%

Source: U. S. Census of Population and Housing, 1980.

TABLE 10

EMPLOYMENT BY OCCUPATION, 19.80

ACCOMACK COUNTY Accomac

Number Percentage Number Percentage

Managerial and Profes-
sional Specialty
Occupations 1,737 13.8% 70 31.0%

Technical, sales and
Administrative Support 2,995 23.8% 66 29.0%

Service Occupations 1,601 12.7% 25 11.0%

Farming, Forestry, and
Fishing Occupations 1,261 10.0% 11 5.0%

Precessions Production,
Craft, and Repair
Occupations 1,479 11.7% 33 14.0%

Operators, Fabricators,
and Laborers 3,516 27.9% 23 10.0%

Source: U. S. Census of Population and Housing, 1980.

TABLE 11

CIVILIAN LABOR FORCE STATISTICS
PERSONS 16 AND OLDER, 1980

Acc omack County Accomac

Population 16 and older 23,977 429

In Labor Force 13,758 233
% of Population 16 57.3% 55.0%

Male 7,642 129
% of Labor Force 55.5% 55.0%

Female 6,116 104
% of Labor Force 44.6% 45.0%

White 8,853 402
% of Labor Force 64.3% 95.0%

Non-White 4jP 905 22
% of Labor Force 35.7% 5.0%

Source: U. S. Census of Population and Housing.

Table 12

HOUSEHOLD INCOME IN 1979

Accomack County Percentage Accomac Percentage

Less than $2,500-
$7,499 $ 3,771 34% 65 30.0%

$7,500-$9,999 1,350 12% 25 12.0%

$10,000-$12,499 1,075 9% 24 11.0%

$12,500-$24,999 3,314 28% 57 27.0%

$25,000-$29,999 662 6% 9 4.0%

$30,000-$39,999 519 5% 12 5.0%

$40,000-$75,000 or more 630 6% 19 9.0%

Transportation.

Traffic Counts. Accomac contains two major'arterial of Accomack
County's transportation system, the two are U.S. Route 13
Business and Route 605, seaside road. Route 605 extends north-
south along the seaside of Accomack County. U.S. Route 13
Business intersects U.S. Route 13 at the north and south ends of
Accomac. Traffic counts for U.S. Route 13 Business indicate that
on a daily average approximately 1,000 vehicles travel north on
U.S. Route 13 Business and 3,000 vehicles travel U.S. Route 13
Business south. Traffic is extremely heavy at the south
intersection of Business Route 13 south and U.S. Route 13.
Currently The Virginia Department of Transportation is studying
U.S. Business Route 13 south to determine the need for traffic
lights at this intersection.

Traffic Problems. Sight lines are a problem at five intersections
in Accomac Map 3. These intersections have been identified on Map
4. Sight line problems are caused by shrubbery that is too tall
and fences that have been placed too close to the edge of a
street. In order to prevent future problems the should adopt
proper set backs and height restrictions at intersections as part
of its zoning ordinance.

now

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TOWN OF ACCOMAC

LAC

Community Facilities

Solid Waste. Solid waste is collected for the Town by Shore
Disposal. collection days are Tuesdays and Fridays during June,
July, August and September and on Tuesdays the rest of the year.

Public Safety. Police protection is provided by the Accomack
County Sheriff Office and the Virginia State Police. Fire and
rescue service is provided by the Onancock, onley and Parksley
Volunteer Fire and Rescue Departments.

Existing Land Use.

A land use survey for the Town of Accomac was completed in 1988
in order to gain an accurate picture of Accomac's land use
pattern. Contained within the existing land use section is first
a description of the methodology by which the survey was
conducted and second the results of the survey in the form of
both map (Map 4) and an analytical written description.

Using the existing land use as a base, future land use that would
best promote and improve the economic and social fabric of
Accomac will be recommended.

Methodology. A survey of all existing land uses within the Town
of Accomac was completed utilizing a combination of two methods.
The first step involved an examination of each parcel by
traveling all of the existing streets in Town. The present land
use was classified into one of five, general categories:
residential, commercial, institutional, agricultural, or vacant.
Residential uses consisted of structures used by one or more
individuals as a dwelling. This included single-family homes,
duplexes, and apartments. Commercial land uses included
structures primarily used as a place of business of any type.
Public and semi-public uses include churches, cemeteries,
registered historic sites, schools, Town-owned land, and other
land owned by non-profit organizations, such as fire companies.
These parcels generally are not taxed as a result of ownership.

Agricultural parcels include those presently under cultivation,
or at the time of survey, appeared to have been cultivated in the
past. Vacant land is characterized by forest areas or parcels
without a structure not being utilized for agricultural purposes.

These field notes were then compared to ownership records as they
appeared on the Accomack County tax records. These records were
particularly important in determining distinctions between vacant
and residential classifications. The visual survey revealed that
in some instances there were lots without structures on them that
were landscaped, mowed, or generally maintained. While
technically "vacant", the tax records revealed that these lots
were often mowed by the adjacent homeowner. If such ownership was
found to exist, the lot was classified residential, not vacant.
Many homeowners desire these adjacent lots because they extend
yard space, add to the attractiveness of the home, and serve as a
buffer from other properties.

In some instances, lots were found that had no structure, but
were being maintained. As indicated by mowing and general upkeep.
If these lots were not owned by a contiguous landowner, they were
considered to be vacant. Vacant parcels are important because
they represent land with that most potential for future
development.

Land Use Analysis. After the land use classifications were
finalized, the information was transferred to a map of the Town.
Map 4 presents the various land uses by category, on a parcel by
parcel basis, as they appeared during the summer months of 1988.
The map was constructed to scale using the official tax map
utilized by the Town and Accomack County. Land uses, streets, we
well as the subdivision of land are represented an the map.

once the information was mapped, a planimeter was used to
determine the acreage of each category of land use. The results
of these measurements are given below:

Land Use Approximate Percentage of
Category Acreage Town Acreage

Residential 240.00 83.0%
Commercial 3.49 1.2%
Agricultural 5.75 2.0%
Institutional 1.62 0.6%
Public 12.66 4.4%
Vacant 25.37 8.8%

Total 288.89 100%

The dominant land use is residential. Residential land use in
Accomac comprises approximately 83 percent of the total acreage
within the Town limits. Vacant land comprises the second leading
land use category, containing approximately 8.8 percent of the
total acreage. Public land use comprises the third leading land
use category with the Town limits. Residential, vacant and public
land uses comprise approximately 96 percent of the total land use
within the Town. Commercial, agricultural and institutional uses
comprise the remaining 4 percent of the Town's land's area.

Vacant parcels and those in-agricultural use, represent prime
areas for future development. As growth pressures occur in the
future, these areas should represent the most affordable and
marketable spots for residential and commercial uses. However,
only 31 acres, or 10 percent of the Town's acreage, falls within
these categories.

There are scattered small tracts of vacant and agricultural land.
The small, isolated parcels represent areas where residential
growth is likely to occur. The majority of the parcels are
surrounded by single-family homes and future development should
follow the same pattern.

6 0

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. ..........

0
.0 a
TOWN OF ACCOMAC
EXISTING LANDUSE

............
Residential
..... ......
Commercial
Office & Institutional
...... .......
Agricultural
Vacant

0 400 600 800 MFEE-r

NEEDS SUMMARY

The following needs and concerns have been identified as a result
of the analysis presented in the preceding sections.

Natural Resources

Concern: Areas of the Town experience flooding during rains due
the lack of maintenance to existing drainage ditches.

Need: Current drainage ditches need to be maintained and a
maintenance plan should be established to ensure future
maintenance of the drainage ditches.

Concern: The Town currently lacks an established Erosion and
Sediment Control Ordinance.

Need: The Town needs to develop and adopt an Erosion and
Sediment Control Ordinance.

Housing

Concern: According to the 1980 Census 19% of the owner occupied
housing units and 31% of the renter occupied housing
units in Accomac lacked complete plumbing

Need: The Town needs to develop a housing plan to address the
substandard housing units in Town.

Concern: The Town is concerned that the conversion of single-
family housing units to multi-family units will create
negative effects on the existing single-family
neighborhoods.

Need: In the Future Land Use Map the Town needs to designate
areas where multi-family units are compatible with
existing neighborhoods. Multi-family units in single-
family neighborhoods will be limited to 30% of the total
floor area in owner-occupied units.

Concern: Group homes are not compatible within single-family
neighborhoods in the Town.

Need: Group homes require special review by the Town before
being allowed within the Town.

Economy

Concern: Accomac has seen some expansion of business in
residential areas. Further expansion of business in the
residential-areas of Accomac is undesirable.

Need: Desidnate areas for commercial and residential uses on
the Future Land Use Map and through the Zoning Ordinance
limit further business use in residential areas.

Transportation

Concern: Sight lines at five intersections currently cause
traffic problems.

Need: In the Zoning Ordinance set backs need to be established
to reduce and eliminate the problem of sight lines at
intersections within the Town.

III. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this chapter is to articulate the goals and
objectives of the comprehensive plan. Goals and objectives are
general policy statements which reveal planning ideas and
concepts concerning future growth and development in the Town of
Accomac.

Goals provide statements of the general long range direction for
future growth and development. objectives provide specific
policies and principles necessary to achieve the stated goals.

These goals and objectives are based on observations in Chapter
II, Inventory and Analysis. They also provide the background for
Chapter IV, Plans and Action Programs.

overall Goal and Objective of the Comprehensive Plan

Goal

The overall goal of the Town of Accomac Comprehensive Plan is to
protect the public health, safety and welfare by encouraging
orderly and coordinated development of the Town's resources.

Objective

This goal is accomplished by arranging land uses so that traffic
hazards are minimized, pollution of land, water and air i s
prevented, and efficient provision of public services at minimum
ost is promoted. orderly and coordinated development is also
accomplished by planning for a system of transportation and
c

community facilities to accommodate economic and population
growth.

Natural Resources

Goals

1. To improve drainage within Accomac.

2. To conserve and protect Accomac's natural resources.

Objectives

1. Develop a program to improve the existing drainage ditches and
establish a capital improvements program to insure that future
maintenance occurs.

2. Continue to develop and enforce ordinances and standards
designed to minimize environmental impacts of development on
Accomac's natural resources. Attention should be given to
drainage, water pollution, and erosion.

Recreation Development

Goal

1. To promote the public health of residents.

2. To enhance the aesthetic appeal of Accomac.

3. To stimulate commercial activity through tourism.

4. To stimulate intellectual growth and public education through
promotion of cultural activities and the arts.

objectives

1. Initiate efforts to establish recreation facilities within
Accomac.

2. Promote tourism activities within Accomac.

Residential Development

Goal

1. To eliminate substandard housing in Accomac.

2. To promote and conserve the existing character of Accomac's
single-family residential neighborhoods.

3. To stimulate a variety of quality housing types.

4. To ensure equal housing opportunity for all races.

Objective

1. Initiate efforts to develop funding sources to improve the
substandard housing in Accomac.

2. Include within the Town zoning ordinance revisions to insure
that adequate buffers are present to protect the character of
existing neighborhoods from intrusions by adjacent land uses.

3. Prevent development from occurring within a neighborhood that
is not compatible with its existing character.

4. Encourage innovative residential development techniques, such
as Town houses, garden style apartments and other forms of

cluster housing development to occur where appropriate.

5. Stimulate rehabilitation of existing structures capable of
saving.

Economic Development

Goal

1. Promote economic development activities in Accomac.

2. Promote the use of U.S. Route 13 for commercial use in
Accomac.

3. Promote attractive and convenient commercial concentrations.

objectives

1. Commercial activity located in Accomac should include
landscaping designed to promote and maintain the
attractiveness of the Town.

2. include setbacks, density and size requirements for signs and
billboards located in Accomac.

3. Maintain a policy of supporting positive economic activities
in Accomack County that would have positive effect on Accomac.

Community Facilities

Goal

1. To promote the development of community facilities in the Town
such as, improved drainage, sidewalks, central water, central
sewer, recreation facilities and other facilities that would
improve the quality of life for Town residents.

objective

1. Maintain contact with local, state and federal agencies
concerning funding opportunities.

Transportation Development

Goal

1. To provide efficient vehicular movement that is compatible
with adjoining land use.

2. To provide necessary transportation to meet economic
development and human resource needs.

objective

1. To install and maintain necessary traffic controls, signs,
signals, street signs and parking facilities.

2. To perform the necessary improvement and maintenance of
streets.

IV. PLANS AND ACTIONS PROGRAMS

Accomac's existing resources, needs and concerns were descri bed
in detail in Chapter II. Accomac must now develop specific plans
and courses of action for the future. This section provides plans
and action programs designed to meet the objectives set forth by
the goals and objectives outlined in Chapter III. The purpose of
this section is to provide development guidelines and proposed
future land uses that are designed to insure that future growth
takes place in a coordinated and compatible manner.
X
Many, but not all, of the issues, needs and concerns identified
in chapter II are addressed here. Availability of resources,
degree of local factors were considered in an attempt to develop
a realistic program for Accomac.

Town citizens should bear in mind that even the most realistic or
conservative, plans may not be fully implemented as intended, for
any number of reasons. Therefore, the recommendations outlined in
this plan should be viewed as targets, not as firm commitments or
mandates. If desired results are not achieved, an evaluation
should be conducted to determine the reasons so the Town can
decide whether to continue to pursue the original objective or to
modify it.

Future Land Use Plan

The future land use plan for the Town of Accomac is basically
concerned with the location, intensity, and amount of land
development required for the various space using functions of
Town life. The land use plan embodies a proposal as to how land
should be used as expansion and renewal proceed in the future.
The plan is based in principle upon the goals and objectives
presented in Chapter III. An illustrated presentation of the plan
is found in Map 6 the Future Land Use Map. The concept of the
future land use plan is to promote the single-family residential
character of the Town, while providing land for a variety of
housing types and a mixture of compatible business. The following
is a narrative description of the plan as it is illustrated in
Map 6.

There are three residential categories of land use represented in
the future land use plan: low density, medium density and
business residential mixed use district. Each is distinguished by
the uses allowed and by the density of dwellings units per acre
of land that would be allowed in the corresponding category.

The area represented in Map 5 by the R-1 designation is low
density residential development. The primary use in this district

TOWN OF ACCOMAC

C""r

would be for residential single-family dwelling units.- Secondary
uses allowed would include accessory use apartments, limited to a
percentage the total dwelling units floor area, and parks and
playgrounds. Uses not compatible with the primary use would not
be allowed. The recommended density for new dwelling units is
between 2 and 4 dwelling units per acre or lot sizes between
12,000 and 20,000 square feet.

The area represented in Map 5 by the R-2 designation is for
medium density residential development. The primary uses for the
district would be for residential single-family and two-family
dwelling units. Secondary uses that would be allowed include
multi-family units, group homes, home occupations, neighborhood
parks, day care centers, mobile homes. The recommended density
for new development is 3 to 5 dwelling units per acre or lot
sizes between 10,000 and 15,000 square feet for single-family
dwelling units and 10 to 15 units per acre for multi-family
units.
The ar epres n d in Ma 5 t e B R-M! ed esigAat@on is for
a mix busine and resi n al u e . Th P mary for the
distric would i lude sing famil wellin nits, lti-family
units, ome oc pations, d bus ess us tha would be
compat b e with esidenti velo nt. The ecommme d density
f?or n velop e is b en 3 to welli g nits pe acre for
sing -f ily u . t and 0 to 5 its per cr for'mu ti-family
units.

The business districts is represented by B-1 designation on Map
5. The B-1 district is recommended for the western side of U.S.
Route 13. The primary uses in the B-1 district include offices,
banks, automobile sales and service and electronic sales and
service. The purpose of the district is to maintain and promote
the existing business in Accomac.

The office and institutional district is represented by the 0&1
designation on Map 5. The 0&1 district is recommended for the
area of Town in which the County administration building, Court
House and other offices are located. The primary uses in the 0&1
district include offices and institutional uses such as the court
house and county administration building. The purpose of the
district is to maintain and promote the existing offices in
Accomac.

Proposed Action

1. Revisions to the existing zoning ordinance to implement the
future land use plan.

2. Development of a subdivision ordinance to. regulate the
division of land within Accomac.
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Natural Resources Plan

Accomac contains several areas in Town that are affected by
flooding during heavy rains. Due to the low priority of drainage
projects the Town or the residents affected by flooding will be
responsible funding the drainage improvements. To insure that
drainage maintenance is continued in the future a drainage
maintenance fund should be establish to pay for future work.

Proposed Action

1. The@ Town should work with the Soil Conservation Service
District office to establish the method and procedures to
improve drainage within the Town.

2. Development of a Storm Water Management Or dinance as part of
the Accomac Town Zoning Ordinance.

Residential Development Plan

The majority of the residential structures in Accomac are single-
family houses that are in good condition. A change in the
character of housing units in Accomac is evident with the
conversion of single-family home lots for multi-family and group
home use. The conversion of single-family structures should be
limited to the areas indicated on the Future Land Use Map.

1. Revisions to the existing Zoning Ordinance which identifies
the area of Town most suited to different housing types.

Transportation Plan

The Accomac Planning Commission should initiate a Transportation
and Parking Plan for the Town. This plan should analyze vehicular
traffic flow and street capacity, assess the need for traffic
control signs, signals and street signs, assess existing parking
facilities and determine future needs, analyze pedestrian traffic
and review needs for sidewalks and crosswalks, review needs for
non-automobile forms of transportation, such as bicycles and
buses. A technical advisory committee composed of representatives
from the Highway Department, the Town Council, and the Planning
Commission could be formed to advise the Planning Commission.

Proposed Action

1. Following adequate analysis, necessary streets, sidewalks,
traffic control signs and signals, street signs and parking
facilities should be installed.

Recreation Facilities Plan

The Town of Accomac currently contains no recreation facilities.

4L-

In order to i@ rove the quality of life t o the residents of
MP
Accomac the Town should examine the feasibility of developing a
small 1/4 acre or larger neighborhood park. Facilities might
include playground, horseshoe court, basketball court picnic
facilities. Assistance in the design of the park may be provided
by the Department of Conservation and Historic Resources Division
of Parks and Recreation.

Proposed Action

1. Accomac should examine the feasibility of developing a
neighborhood park within the Town.

DATE DUE

GAYLORDINo. 2333 PRINTED IN LIS.A.

1 11111AIII