Nassawadox Town Plan adopted February 11, 1991

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

APPENDIX 38

Nassawadox Town Plan

Adopted February 11, 1991

Prepared by:
N
-ssawadox Town P
a. lanning Committee

Honorable Patricia S. Stith, Mayor
Honorable Claude F. Jones
Mrs. Marsha D. Carter
Mr. A. Wayne Mears
Mr. George B. Satchell
Dr. Drury M. Stith

Adopted by:
The Nassawadox Town Council

Honorable Patricia S. Stith, Mayor
Honorable Jeff Walker
Honorable Claude F. Jones
Honorable Elizabeth J. Rodgers
Honorable John Hallett, Sr.
Honorable Felton T. Sessoms
Honorable Louise Church

Technical Assistance Provided by the:

Northampton County Joint Local Planning Commission
and the
Accomack-Northampton
Planning District Commission

With assistance provided by the
Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972
Administered by the
HD Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management,
268 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
N37
N37
1*991
c.2

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Pacfe

I. Introduction 1

The Comprehensive Plan 1
State Planning Legislation 2

II. Inventory and Analysis 5

History of the Area 5
Natural Resource Features 8
Population 17
Housing 23
Economic Characteristics 30
Transportation 34
Community Facilities 39
Existing Land Use 40
Needs Summary 45

III. Goals and Objectives 51

IV. Plans and Action Programs 56
V. Action Agenda U - S . DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE NOAA 64
COASTAL SERVICES CENTER
2234 SOUTH HOBSON AVENUE
CHARLESTON, SC 20405-2413

LIST OF TABLES

Table Page

Table 1 Number of Housing Units, 1970 1980 26

Table 2 Characteristics of Year-Round
Occupied Housing Units, 1980 28

Table 3 Value of Specified Owner
Occupied Housing Units, 1980 29

List of Figures

Figure Page

Figure 1: Historic Population Change: 1900 - 1980
Eastern Shore of Virginia 19

Figure 2: Population Estimates: 1980 - 1988
Eastern Shore of Virginia 19

Figure 3: Historic Population Change: 1960 - 1986
Northampton County 20

Figure 4: Historic Population Change: 1960 - 1986
Town of Nassawadox 20

Figure 5: Population By Age Group: 1970 - 1980
Northampton County 21

Figure 6: Population By Age Group: 1980
Town of Nassawadox 21

Figure 7: Population By Sex and Race: 1980
Town of Nassawadox & Northampton County 22

Figure 8: Household Characteristics: 1980
Town of Nassawadox 27

Figure 9: Household Characteristics: 1980
Population 65 and over
Town of Nassawadox 27

Figure 10: Employment By Industry: 1980
Northampton County 32

Figure 11: Employment By Industry: 1980
Town of Nassawadox 32

Figure 12: Labor Force Characteristics: 1980
Northampton County 33

Figure 13: Labor Force Characteristics: 1980
Town of Nassawadox 33

Figure 14: Traffic Data U.S. Route 13 Corridor 35

Figure 15: Existing Land Use: 1989
Town of Nassawadox 43

iii

LIST OF MAPS

Map Page

Map 1: Location Map 6

map 2: Soils Map 10

Map 3: Chesapeake Bay
Preservation Act Map 16

Map 4: Housing Map 25

Map 5: Transportation Map 37

Map 6: Existing Land Use Map 41

Map 7: Future Land Use Map

I. INTRODUCTION

The Comprehensive Pean

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 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 Nassawadox. 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; and

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; and

Programs for the improvement and/or expansion of public
utility systems can be undertaken in a more judiciou@ manner;
and

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

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; and

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. This section of the Code is presented
below. 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 F 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 facilities
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."

IlIn 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 measures, 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 nay 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."

Location II. INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS

The Town of Nassawadox is located in Northampton County on the
lower portion of the Eastern Shore of Virginia (Map 1) The
Eastern Shore of Virginia includes Accomack and Northampton
Counties and forms the easternmost part of Virginia's Coastal Plain
physiographic province. The peninsula is bounded on the east by
the Atlantic ocean, on the west and south by the Chesapeake Bay,
and on the north by the state of Maryland. The peninsula is
connected to the Virginia mainland by the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-
Tunnel.

Historical Perspective

History of the Area. The Eastern Shore of Virginia was one of the
original eight (8) counties (shires) of the Commonwealth, when
Virginia was divided for governmental purposes in 1634. The
Eastern Shore was originally one county named Accomack. Accomack
is a shortened version of Accawmacke which was the indian name for
the area. In 1643, the Commonwealth changed the name of the County
from Accomack to Northampton. The Commonwealth divided the County
in 1663 and named the lower portion Northampton and the upper
portion Accomack. In 1690, the County seat of Northampton County
was established in the Town of Eastville.

Northampton County, for political purposes, is divided into three
magisterial (election) districts. The three districts are named
the Eastville Districtl the Franktown District, and the Capeville
District. Nassawadox is located in the Franktown District.
Northampton County is governed by a six member Board of
Supervisors. The Board consists of two representatives from each
magisterial district. There are five incorporated Towns in
Northampton County. Each of the five towns elects a mayor and Town
Council to attend to town business.

Nassawadox History. According to Ralph T. Whitelawls, Virginia's
Eastern Shore, Vol. 1, 1957, there were five patents of 600 acres
to 1200 acrest centered on the present Nassawadox cross-road
(around Route 606). The owners of the plantations or large farms
bordering present-day Nassawadox included Thomas Badger in 1811,
John Carpenter in 1809, John T. Elliott in 1833, James W. Rogers
in 1857, Rowland Doughty in 1838, Obedience Kelly in 1837, Thomas
T. Upshur heirs (Brownsville) in 1910 and Orris A. Browne
(Woodstock) 1897.

In 1884, there was little evidence of a community or town. Through
the efforts of area residents, the mail route for the Eastern Shore
went through Nassawadox. John T. Rogers was a major contributor
in the establishment of the mail route through the Town. Soon
after the mail route was established a post office was built with

Iiq-,--,.ERT MAP 1
N Location Map

O@CCOMACK

i: 01
Exmore...,.

Al Nassawadox

Eastville

A heriton

Cape
Charles

0 1 2 3 4 5
Miles

office of the Virginia Health Department. The exception may be new
development associated with the Northampton-Accomack memorial
Hospital which currently operates a wastewater t!reatment facility.
A soil survey is one tool a locality can use to determine the
general capability of land. However, a site by site examination
of a specific area must be conducted to determine proper
development procedures.

A comprehensive soil survey for Northampton County was published
in 1990. The soil survey can be used to identify the general
location of soil associations. A soil association is an area of
land comprised by one or more soil types that occur in a
characteristic pattern. The association may consist of soils that
are similar or that differ widely in characteristics. Each soil
association, however, has a certain repeating pattern of soils and
other features that give it a characteristic landscape.

Preliminary analysis of the 1990 Northampton County soil survey
provides the soil association classifications for the Town. These
classifications are exhibited on the Nassawadox Soil Map, (Map 2).
Below is a description of the soil associations found in
Nassawadox.

Bojac - Munden - Molena: The soils of this association are mostly
level and well drained. They are considered to be the best soils,
generally, for development. However, problems with erosion,
excessive wetness, and shallowness do exist in some areas.

Nimmo - Munden - Dragston: The soils of this association are
nearly level, but with the exception of the Munden sandy loan, are
poorly drained and, therefore, not always suitable for development.
The Munden sandy loam is moderately well drained and as a basic
soil type is usually suitable for development.

Nimmo - Arapahoe: The soils of this association are nearly level
but poorly drained. If these soils are properly drained, they may
be suitable for development. However, these soils are generally
not the best for development purposes.

Carolina Bays. Carolina bays, prominent geomorphic features of the
Eastern Shore of Virginia, are wet, shallow, elliptical
depressions. Poquoson is the technical name for a Carolina Bay.
These land forms occur along the Atlantic Coastal Plain from
Florida to New Jersey. Carolina bays on the Eastern Shore occur
from sea level to the highest elevations on the peninsula.
However, most of the bays are located along the central part of the
mainland. Nassawadox does not have a Carolina bay within its
incorporated limits. However, Carolina bays are found adjacent to
the Town limits.

Formation of a Carolina bay is marked by a pronounced rim giving
the feature a circular or ellipsoidal shape. In aerial photography

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SOILS
TOWN OF NASSAWADOX

BhB Bojac loamy sand
BkA Bojac sandy loam
DrA Dragston fine sandy loam
MuA Munden sandy loam 0 200 400 �00 -MQ-00 Feet
NmA Nimmo sandy loam

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the rim appears higher in elevation and lighter in color than the
interior. The interior of the bay appears as an oval depression
and is darkel! in color than the rim, indicating wetness. The soil
type found in the interiors of Carolina bays is Nimmo. Nimmo is
a wet soil that does not percolate and is unsuited to development.
Interiors of Carolina bays could be important non-tidal wetland
areas.

Ground Water. The availability of water will play an ever
increasing role in the development of the Eastern Shore and the
Town. The water needs of-the Eastern Shore, except for a portion
of irrigation water, are supplied by ground water. No maj or
streams or any other surface water supplies exist to aid in
providing potable water for human needs. Ground water is
replenished by rainfall.

The Eastern Shore 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. Problems
that occur when this balance is interrupted can be classified into
the following three main categories:

Saltwater intrusion - Pumping close to the bay or ocean or close
to the bottom interface will cause the interface to move towards
the well field and eventually contaminate the aquifer.

De-watering - Excessive pumping of the aquifer will cause
consolidation of the formation making it poorly transmissible and
reducing its storage capacity.

Well interference - This is probably the largest problem in the
county. Wherever large quantities of water are withdrawn, a cone
of depression will develop and thus lower the water level in the
aquifer. Smaller pumps and shallow wells will not be able to work
against the increased draw down and water cannot be delivered.

In recognition of the importance of the ground water resource, the
Eastern Shore was declared a Groundwater Management Area in 1976.
The major impact of this designation was that all ground water
users of 10,000 gallons per day (gpd) or more were subject to a
Virginia State Water Control Board (VSWCB) permit process. While
agricultural users are exempt from this process, most agricultural
users participate in a voluntary reporting program. The
designation has also resulted in a number of research efforts by
the VSWCB and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

Ground Water Acruifers. For purposes of this plan, aquifers are
classified into three types: 1) Pleistocene aquifers, also known
as the water table, at 0 feet - 45 feet of depth yielding generally
poor quality water; 2) Miocene aquifers at 45 feet to 450 feet of

depth yielding good quality water; and 3) Upper Crustaceous
aquifers at 1,100 feet of depth on Tangier Island, deeper on the
mainland, which yield good quality water on Tangier Aut salty water
on the mainland of the Eastern Shore.

The Pleistocene and Miocene aquifers are recharged primarily by
rainfall, estimated to average 43 inches annually on the Eastern
Shore. The upper Crustaceous aquifer is more complex. The water
in this aquifer originates from sources across and under the
Chesapeake Bay, and is recharged from a number of sources. The
water contained in the upper Crustaceous is very salty and cannot
be used as a potable water source.

Ground Water Ouantity. The total available water supply on the
Eastern Shore is difficult to determine. A 1982 VSWCB study
estimated total volume for the Eastern Shore to be at least 17
million gallons per day (mgd). The 1987 VSWCB Eastern Shore Water
Supply Plan has revised these estimates upward to 29 - 78 mgd.
VSWCB methods of determining these estimates appear to be
generalized and the estimated degree of certainty appears to be
low. Fortunately, more studies are presently being undertaken by
the VSWCB and the USGS which will provide better estimates in the
spring of 1991.

Nevertheless, current available estimates of total Northampton
County ground water supply appear to be in the range of 9.4 mgd to
23.8 mgd. This estimate is an Accomack-Northampton Planning
District Commission (A-NPDC) staff extrapolation of VSWCB data in
the 1987 Eastern Shore Water Supply Plan.

Ground Water Ouality. The 1987 'Eastern Shore Water Supply Plan by
the VSWCB indicates that the quality of water from the Miocene
aquifers is generally good, though moderately hard. There are
localized iron problems throughout the county. Fluoride levels
are very low or absent. Some shallow wells are slightly brackish
due to saltwater contamination. Some shallow wells have shown
evidence of high nitrate levels, indicating contamination from
organic wastes. Deeper wells have also shown some evidence of high
chloride levels, but there has been no sign of nitrate
contamination in the deeper wells.

Ground Water Demand. The VSWCB estimates that total 1986 ground
water demand for the Eastern Shore was 14.5 mgd. Currently, the
only major pumping station in the Nassawadox area is the
Northampton-Accomack Memorial Hospital with an average daily use
of .073 mgd. The Towns of Exmore, Eastville, and Cape Charles
currently provide municipal water service to their residents in
Northampton County. Exmore currently withdraws .122 mgd of ground
water, Eastville uses .036 mgd of ground water and Cape Charles
uses .181 mgd of ground water. Significant industrial ground water
users in the County include H. Allen Smith Seafood, Inc. at .060

mgd, American original, Inc. at .109 mgd and Bay Shore Concrete at
.065 mgd.

Irrigation is another type of ground water usage in the county.
Data on irrigation usage is currently being collected through the
Virginia Polytechnical Institute & State University (VPI&SU)
Extension Service in the county. Irrigated land in Northampton
County doubled between 1982 (4,174) and 1986 (9,547). The Service
estimates that 2.3 mgd was the average daily use in 1986 for
irrigation purposes. However, during the main irrigation period
of May 20 to August 20, approximately 8.9 mgd were used for
irrigation.

Surface Water Ouality. The Northampton-Accomack Memorial Hospital
operates a small biological treatment system which discharges to
Warehouse Creek, a tributary to Nassawadox Creek. The system was
upgraded in 1982, and now receives both the hospital waste water
as well as the waste water from a nearby nursing home. The
facility is in compliance with permit limits. Shellfish
condemnations have been imposed on the headwaters of both Warehouse
and Nassawadox Creeks.

Flood Hazard Areas. Nassawadox is not located in the Northampton
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 Northampton County.

Drainage. The Town of Nassawadox is located adjacent to Warehouse
Creek. Warehouse Creek drains into Nassawadox Creek which drains
into the Chesapeake Bay. Because the Town is relatively level,
drainage is a problem during heavy rains or during any duration of
rain. Stormwater drainage is a common problem in many areas on
the Eastern Shore. The problem could best be addressed in the Town
through a stormwater management plan that would address topography,
land-use, and the existing drainage infrastructure.

Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act. In 1988, the Virginia General
Assembly adopted the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act. The Act
established a cooperative state and local program to protect the
water quality of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries in
Tidewater Virginia through improved land use management. Tidewater
Virginia includes the forty-six cities and counties and forty-three
towns which border on tidal waters that drain into the Chesapeake
Bay. Through the Act, the General Assembly created the Chesapeake
Bay Local Assistance Board.

The Board was authorized to develop and adopt Regulations to
protect the water quality of the Chesapeake Bay. Localities were
required to implement the Regulations within one year of their
adoption by the Board. The Board adopted the Regulations on
September 20, 1989 and localities were then required to implement
the Regulations by September 20, 1990. The Regulations require

that localities develop land use measures through Comprehensive
Plans, Zoning, Subdivision and other land use ordinances to protect
the water qudlity of the Chesapeake Bay.

The Regulations are in the form of minimum guidelines that
localities are to use in developing a local Chesapeake Bay
Preservation Act Program. Localities can adopt stronger programs
based on local need. Under the regulations localities are to
establish the physical boundaries of Preservation Areas and adopt
land use regulations to protect the water quality of the Chesapeake
Bay. Preservation Areas consist of two geographic land areas:
Protection Areas and Management Areas.

Land area to be included as Protection Areas in a local program
are: shoreline areas, tidal wetlands, non-tidal wetlands which are
adjacent to or connected by surface flow to tidal wetlands or
shoreline areas and a 100 foot vegetative buffer landward of the
other features. Localities may include other lands as Protection
Areas if those lands are deemed necessary to protect the water
quality of the Chesapeake Bay. Only water dependent activities are
to be allowed within Protection Areas. Protection Areas provide
the greatest benefits to water quality protection and land use is
strictly monitored in these areas. Any development that occurs
within the Protection Areas must provide a water quality assessment
to assure the locality that certain performance criteria for runoff
and phosphorus loadings are met. Guidelines for the water quality
assessment are provided in the Regulations.

Management Areas include lands adjacent to and landward of
Protection Areas. Management Areas include those lands which
localities determine are necessary to protect the water quality of
the Chesapeake Bay. The extent of the Management Area designation
by a locality is up to the discretion of the locality. Land to be
considered for inclusion in Management Areas includes; floodplain
areas, highly erodible soils, steep slopes, highly permeable soils,
other nontidal wetlands, and other lands necessary to protect water
quality. Development is not restricted in a Management Area.
However, guidelines are provided for the method in which
development is to occur. Guidelines include a site plan review,
with stormwater management and landscape elements.

In accordance with the guidelines established by the Regulations,
Preservation Areas were identified and mapped, (Map 3). An
inventory of land characteristics was prepared using the United
States Geological Survey (USGS) 1: 24, 000 topographic maps, the non-
tidal wetlands maps prepared by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
the Northampton County soil maps, highly erodible soils maps
prepared by the VIRGIS lab at VPI&SU and highly permeable soils
maps prepared by the VIRGIS lab at VPI&SU. From this inventory
geographic areas to be designated as Preservation Areas were
mapped.

Protection Areas were limited to the minimum areas required under
the regulations. These areas include all lands 100 feet landward
of the tidal shoreline area with the 100 foot bufIfer extending to
a nontidal wetland area that is adjacent to the tidal shoreline.
The minimum area was chosen because the tidal shoreline has little
slope, and the tidal shoreline becomes intermittent as it enters
the Town limits. This area was deemed sufficient to meet the water
quality protection standards of the Regulations.

mapping resources that were reviewed in determining the extent of
Management Areas were identified above. Nassawadox is not located
in either the 100 or 500 year flood plain. No areas have slopes
of greater than 10%, while the soil type may be highly erodible,
the relative flatness of the land reduces the erodibility factor.
A majority of the Town area does contains highly permeable soils.
Development in highly permeable soils may create water quality
problems through fertilizer use and leachate from septic tanks.
Therefore, in order to provide the greatest water quality
protection, it was determined that all of Nassawadox not designated
as a Protection Area should be designated as a Management Area.

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PRESERVATION ACT
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Population

This sebtion assesses the size of past and present populations,
their characteristics, and trends of change.

Historic change. Population on the Eastern Shore of Virginia
peaked in the 1930's and only recently has it begun to show signs
of increasing (Figure 1). The population of the Eastern Shore
decreased steadily from 1930 to 1970. Between 1970 and 1980 the
population increased and recent population estimates indicate the
population of the Eastern Shore is continuing to increase although
only slightly (Figure 2). However, the population growth,
according to recent estimates, is isolated to Accomack County.

Northampton County's population declined from 16,966 in 1960 to
approximately 14,500 as of 1986, (Figure 3). The population of
Nassawadox has increased slightly over last 20 years and in recent
estimates has exceeded the 1960 population of 650 residents to
approximately 670 residents in 1986 (Figure 4).

Population estimates from the Center for Public Affairs for
Counties and Cities in Virginia indicate that the population of
Northampton County is continuing to decline. The 1987 population
estimate for the County is 14,500 and the 1988 estimate for the
County is 14,200. The Center does not prepare population estimates
for towns.

The 1990 Census will provide new information on population change
and growth. When the 1990 Census data is published this section
of the Plan should be revised to include that data.

Age Groups. The largest age group population in Northampton County
(Figure 5) and the Town of Nassawadox (Figure 6) is the 60 and over
age group. In Northampton County, the 60 and over group did not
experience the largest increase in population between 1970 and
1980. The 20-24 age group and the 25-29 age group experienced the
largest increases. The other age groups remained relatively
stable. However, the 5-9 and 10-14 age groups experienced declines
between 1970 and 1980.

In the Town of Nassawadox, the age groups with the largest
populations are the 60 and over, the 45-54 and the 10-14 age group.
As stated abovel, the 60 and over age group is significantly larger
than the other age groups. The 10-14 age group is largest age
group of the under 45 age groups. With the exception of the 60 and
over age group, Nassawadox does contain some balance to the age
groupings.

Gender and Racial Characteristics. The most recent gender and
racial and characteristics for the Town, (Figure 7), are taken from
the 1980 U.S. Census. Gender characteristics for the Town indicate
that in 1980 45 percent of the population were men and 55 percent

of the population were women. The Town was divided equally in
terms of its racial composition in 1980. Again, because this data
is almost 10 years old its use for planning pureoses is limited.

Population Ranking on the Eastern Shore. The 1986 population
estimates by the U.S. Census Bureau indicate that Nassawadox is the
fourth largest Town in Northampton County and the eighth largest
on the Eastern Shore. Northampton County contains five
incorporated Towns.

Summary. The most significant population data is the indication
that the population of the Town has increased despite the estimates
that the County population is declining. The population data
included in the Plan will need to be revised with the publication
of the 1990 census.

Figure 1

.4 HISTORIC POPULATION CHANGE: 1900 - 1980
Eastern Shore of Virginia
60- Population (Thou3ands)

50 . ........................ .......... ......... ........... .......... ................................................

40 - -------- .......... ... ........... .......... ......... .......... ...... ... ..........

20- . . . . . .

10--

0 J-
1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980
Year

ACCOMOCk County MNorthampion County ERTF, Eastern Shore

Source: U.S. Census. 1900 - 1980.

Figure 2

POPULATION ESTIMATES: 1980 - 1989
Eastern Shore of Virginia

Population (Thousands)
50-

40 . ......... ......... .......... ......... . ......... ........ ... ..... ............. ..........

30--

20
IL

0
1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988
Year

Accomack County M Northampton County EFER Eastern Shore

Source: Local Population Estimates,
Center tor Public Service, UVA, 1988.
EM
Effi Effli
Hii EH I
Hil EEf I
E!Eii H@ I I
EH I

M ail
= H
w EH
01 EER
M1 afl
M@@
=//EEH
WAJ
07,Eff X
W@g

Figure 3

HISTORIC POPULATION CHANGE: 1960 - 1986
Northampton County

Year

1960

1970

1980

1986

0 5@00 10@00 15000 20000

Population (Thousands)
M Northampton County

Source: U.S. Census 1960 -1986.

Figure 4

HISTORIC POPULATION CHANGE: 1960 - 1986
Town of Nassawadox

Year

1960

1970

1980

1986

0 100 200 300 4@O 5@0 6@O 7@O 800

Population (Hundreds)
M Town of Nassawadox

Source: U.S. Census. 1960 - 1986.

Figure 5

4 Population By Age Group: 1970 - 1980
Northampton County
3500- Population (Thousands)

3000 . .................................................................................................................................

21500 . ..............................................................................................................................

2000 . .............................................................................................................................

1500 - ---------------------- ...................................................................................................

1000- ..... ..... .....- ........................................................
500- T
0-
0-4 5-9 10-14 15-19 20-2425-2930-3435-3940-4445-4960-5455-59 60
Age Group

1970 M 1980

Source: U.S. Census, 1970 - 1980.

Figure 6

POPULATION BY AGE GROUP: 1980
Town of Nassawadox

Population (Hundreds)
120

100 . .............................................................................................................................

80 . ..................................................................................................... . ..............

60 - -------------------------- ...................... ........... ...I..................... . .............

40-- .............

20-- +

0
0-4 5-9 10-14 15-19 20-24 25-29 30-34 35-44 45-54 55-59 60+
Year

1980

Source: 1980 U.S. Census.

Figure 7

POPULATION BY SEX AND RACE: 1980
Town of Nassawadox & Northampton County

Sex & Race

Male

Female

White

Non-White

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Percentage

Town of Nassawadox Northampton County

Source: 1980 U.S. Census.

Housing

The number, household type, condition, availability and value of
the housing in Nassawadox is discussed is this section.

Housincr Units. The 1980 U.S. Census indicated that Nassawadox
contains 242 housing units of which 99 percent were year round
housing units and 96 percent were occupied, (Table 1).

In 1989 A-NPDC staff prepared a land use survey for the Town and
found a total of 227 housing units. Of the total housing units
found in Nassawadox, 214 were single-family homes, 11 were mobile
homes and 2 were multi-family units.

Household Type and Relationship. Households are categorized into
two classes, family households and non-family households. Family
households are those households which contain individuals related
by birth, marriage or adoption. Non-family households are those
households which contain individuals that live alone or only with
persons who are not related.

The majority of household types in the Town of Nassawadox are
family households. Family households comprise 89 percent of the
total households and non-family households comprise 11 percent of
the total households (Figure 8). A total of 83 percent of the non-
family households are female headed (Figure 9).

Northampton County Household Comparison. Households in Northampton
County are generally similar in composition to households in Town.
However, the percentage of family households in Town is less than
the percentage of family households in Northampton County, 89
percent. A total of 71 percent of the non-family households are
female headed in the County.

Housing Conditions. The majority of the owner occupied housing
units in Nassawadox are in standard condition and contain indoor
plumbing, (Table 2). However, the most significant housing
condition factor in Town is the poor condition of rental units.
Approximately 53 percent, 42 units, of the 1980 rental housing
stock contained plumbing deficiencies. The 1970 census indicated
that 54 housing units in Town were in substandard condition.

A 1990 housing condition survey, performed by the A-NPDC, found 57
substandard housing units within the Town limits, (Map 4). A total
of 37 housing units were identified without indoor plumbing and 20
housing units with plumbing were identified as being substandard.
The substandard housing units are located through the Town.
However, concentrations of substandard housing units were
identified in three separate neighborhoods. The neighborhoods that
contain substandard housing units also lack paved roads, lighting,
sidewalks and other capital improvement features.

Housing Value. The median value for owner occupied housing in
Nassawadox, for 1980, was $34,412, (Table 3). Nassawadox, in 1980,
contained the third highest median housing value of the five
incorporated Towns in Northampton County. Nassawadox contained the
seventh highest median housing value of the 19 Towns on the Eastern
Shore. However, the Town ranked behind both Accomack and
Northampton Counties in median housing value. The low median
housing value is probably linked to the high percentage of
substandard housing in Town.

Summary. According to the data, the majority of the owner occupied
housing units in Nassawadox are in standard condition. The
majority of housing units in Nassawadox are owner-occupied with a
median value in 1980 of $34,412. In 1980, 89 percent of the
households were family households. of the non-family households
83 percent were female headed households.

The 1990 A-NPDC housing condition survey identified three areas in
which approximately 37 units exist without indoor plumbing and
additional 20 units are in substandard condition.

Mr. Rogers serving as the first post master. Mr. Rogers's effort
in establishing the mail route through the Town and a post offibe
in the Town were instrumental in the development of Nassawadox.
Mr. Rogers is also credited for naming the Town after Nassawadox
Creek. Another name that had been suggested for the community was
"Upshur Station". Upshur Station was suggested as a name for the
Town in view of the large Upshur plantation named "Brownsville".
Brownsville contained about 1200 acres and was located just to the
east of Nassawadox. Today, Brownsville is listed on the Virginia
Register of Historic Places, the National Register of Historic
Places, and serves as the home of the Nature Conservancy's Virginia
Coast Reserve.

Residents were attracted to the Nassawadox area due to the
establishment of services such as the mail route, post office,
general store and lumber mill. Businesses had the ability or
desirability to locate in Town due to the establishment of a
population base. The railroad became the next catalyst for new
development on the Eastern Shore in the late 1800's.

The Pennsylvania Railroad was established on the Eastern Shore in
1884. The railroad track followed basically the mail route. A
number of new Eastern Shore towns developed along the railroad line
providing loading stations for goods and lodging for travellers.
The Railroad also carried seafood and produce to northern markets,
improved the mail service and brought in goods from the north.
Through passengers on the railroad, the Eastern Shore become known
to northern sportsmen. These 5portsmen came to the Eastern Shore
to fish and hunt at Hog Island or the Broadwater Club.

Significant structures in Nassawadox that were built along what is
now Route 600 include a small school and in 1908 a Methodist
Chapel. Mr. Rogers built a hotel just west of the railroad, and
a large store on the east. He also owned the livery stable. The
Walker family, from Oriole, Maryland, along with the Holland
family, established the Northampton Lumber Company, which was
incorporated in 1903, with a sawmill to supply building materials.

Automobiles made the Eastern Shore more accessible and brought
additional people to Town. By 1915, the Buick and overland travel
agencies were established in Town along with two auto garages. On
the west end of Town a combination hotel, barroom, and theater was
built. The building burned about 1920 but another was soon built,
adjacent to the Town drug store, in time to show "The Birth of the
Nation". Electric power came to Town from the ice plant located
in Exmore in the early 19001s.

The Northampton-Accomack Memorial Hospital, established in 1928,
solidified the importance of Nassawadox to the Eastern Shore. The
Hospital is the only major medical facility on the Eastern Shore
and is one of the Shore's largest employers. The Town contains a
majority of the physician practices on the Eastern Shore.

Construction of U.S. Route 13 began the same year the hospital
opened. Construction of the highway reduced the demand on the
railroad for transportation of goods and people. Transportation
of produce and other goods to market areas was now conducted by
trucks. Truck farming reduced the dependence on the towns as
market centers which affected the economy of many towns. In
addition, from 1930 to 1970 population levels on the Eastern Shore
declined dramatically and development slowed. However, through the
changes, Nassawadox has retained much of its character from the
1930's.

Natural Resources

To insure that future development in Nassawadox is compatible with
the natural environment, it is necessary to understand the natural
resources which exist in the Town. This section summarizes the
condition of the natural resources and attempts to identify
problems that may occur with new or existing development.

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

Size. The corporate limits of Nassawadox encompass approximately
270 acres.

Topography. Ground slope is one of the more important aspects of
topography as the use and maintenance of land depends upon it.
Nassawadox does not have land that cannot be developed due to
slope. Nassawadox's topography is for the most part level, with
slopes between 0 - 2 percent. The elevation of Nassawadox is
approximately between 35 and 40 feet.

Soils. The basic soil profile for the Eastern Shore consists of
eight to ten inches of loam to sandy loam topsoil and roughly
thirty inches of sandy loam subsoil. Below 44 inches there is
a continuous sand strata. A seasonal high water table determines,
to a large degree, the use of these soils for agricultural and
development purposes.

The suitability of soils is basic to the design, layout and grading
of development, and the operation of septic tanks. Soil factors
such as percolation, depth to water table, absorption rate,
shrink-swell conditions, wetness and filtering action all affect
development. In addition, due to the lack of a central waste water
treatment facility, serving the Town, most new development will be
required to utilize an individual waste water treatment facility,
i.e. septic system, or package treatment plant. Permits for the
development of new drain-fields must be obtained from the local

V//

Map 4
HOUSING CONDITION
SURVEY
TOWN
OF NASSAWADOX

* Substandard units
without indoor plumbing Q-- 0 409 r2QO aw-00 Feet
* Substandard units
with indoor plumbing

TABLE 1

NUMBER OF HOUSING UNITS
1970 - 1980

Northampton County Nassawadox

Percentage
1970 1980 Change 1980

Total Housing Units 5,798 6,132 5.4% 252

Year-Round Units 5,468 6,048 9.5% 249

% of Total Units 94.3% 94.4% 0.1% 99%

Occupied Year-Round Units 4,680 5,394 13.2% 241

% of Year-Round Units 80.7% 88.9% 8.2% 96%

Persons per Household 3.1 2.7 -14.8% 2.61

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

Figure 8

HOUSEHOLD CHARACTERISTICS: 1980
Town of Nassawadox

Male
Family 27%
89%

Nonrelative
Non-Family 2%

Female
71%

All Households Non-Family Households

Source: 1980 U.S. Census,

Figure 9

HOUSEHOLD CHARACTERISTICS: 1980
Population 65 Years and Over
Town of Nassawadox

Family
65%,@-
Male
15%

Nonrelative
Female 2%
@@N.n-famljy 83%
35%
All Households Non-Family Households

Source: 1980 U.S. Census.
4 MC
@27

TABLE 2

CHARACTERISTICS OF YEAR-ROUND OCCUPIED HOUSING UNITS
Town oF Nassawadox, 1980

OWNER OCCUPIED RENTER OCCUPIED

1980 1980

Total Units 161 80

Percentage (1) 67% 33%

With Plumbing Deficiencies (2) 4 42

Percentage (3) 3% 53%

With Crowded Conditions (4) 6 6

Percentage 4% 8%

Median Number of Rooms 6.6 4.4

1: Percentage 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 3

VALUE OF SPECIFIED OWNER OCCUPIED
HOUSING UNITS, 1980

Northampton County Nassawadox

Number Percentage Number Percentage

Less than $10,000 387 15.0 9 6.0

$10,000 - $14,999 291 12.0 13 9.0

$15,000 - $19,999 236 9.0 10 7.0

$20,000 - $24,999 331 13.0 8 6.o

$25,000 - $29,999 244 10.0 15 11.0

$300,000 - $34,999 211 8.0 17 12.0

$35,000 - $39,999 170 7.0 8 6.0

$401000 - $49,999 230 9.0 20 14.0

$50,000 - $79,999 296 12.0 27 19.0

$80,000 - $99,999 47 1.5 5 4.0

$100,000 - $149,999 68 3.0 6 4.0

$150,000 - $199,999 7 0.3 2 1.0

$200,000 or More 4 0.2 0 1.0

Median Value $25,300 $34,412

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

Economic Characteristics

In order to gain an effective understanding of Nassawadox 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 Sector. Three employment sectors, professional
services, retail trade and wholesale trade dominated the employment
population characteristics of Northampton County residents in 1980,
(Figure 10) . The retail trade employment sector includes all
retail type activity and contained 28 percent of the total
employment population. This is the largest employment population
sector.

In Nassawadox, the largest employment sector is professional
services (Figure 11) . The professional services employment sector
includes doctors, lawyers and other professionals. This employment
sector contains 26 percent of the total employment population. The
retail trade employment sector contains 20 percent of the
Nassawadox employment population. The manufacturing employment
sector includes, processors, fabricators and other machine
operators and contains 17 percent of the employment population.
Combined, these three sectors of the employment population contain
63 percent of the employed population.

Labor Force. In 1980 approximately 66 percent of the available
work force of Nassawadox was employed, (Figure 12) . The male labor
force comprised 55 percent of the total labor force, with females
comprising 45 percent of the total labor force.

Income. According to the 1980 U.S. Census, 42 percent of
Nassawadox households earned less than $7,500, (Figure 13).
Incomes of $7,500 or less were considered at or below poverty level
by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development in
1980. A much higher percentage of households in Town were at or
below poverty level than were at or below poverty level in
Northampton County. In Northampton County 28 percent of the
households had incomes of $7,500 or less.

The next largest income group found in the Town is the $12,500 to
$24,999. This income group contains 25 percent of the total
households. Northampton County had 34 percent of its residents in
this income group.

Using the $12,50b to $24,999 income classification as a range, 58
percent of the households earned less than $12,499 in 1979 and 43
percent earned more than $12,500. In Northampton County 53 percent
of its households earn less than $12,499 and 47 percent earn more
than $12,500.

Economic Activity. The economic base of the Town is centered
around medical services, community health services, and mental
health services. Heritage Hall Nursing Home, the Northampton
County branch of the Health Department and approximately 28
physician practices are all located in Nassawadox.

The commercial center or downtown area of Nassawadox is located on
the east side of U.S. Route 13 on Route 606. The commercial center
consists of a small grocery/deli, a few variety shops, a bank and
the U.S. Post Office. Expansion of the downtown will be difficult
as the area is limited in size and the majority of buildings are
currently occupied. The largest building in the area is currently
vacant. The overall size of the downtown is small and does not
provide space for expansion of commercial uses.

Because of the limited nature of the downtown and the overall
attractiveness of U.S. Route 13 for commercial development.
Commercial development is prominent land use on U.S. Route 13.
Currently, 13 commercial establishments are located on the west
side of U.S. Route 13. Commercial uses are located at the
intersections of Route 678 and U.S. Route 13 and Route 606 and U.S.
Route 13 and Route 609 and U.S. Route 13. These commercial areas
create three separate commercial clusters outside the downtown.
In between the commercial uses on U.S. Route 13 are established
residential areas.

Summary. Professional services, retail trade and manufacturing are
the largest employment sectors of Nassawadox residents. The
majority of working residents are white collar employees.
Nassawadox also contains one of the 10 largest Eastern Shore
employers, the hospital. However, the percentage of residents
below poverty level in 1980, 42%, is much higher than the
percentage of county residents, 28%, below poverty level. This may
be reflective of the general lack of employment opportunities in
the county and town. In addition, the poverty level percentage may
change with the 1990 census. Yet, based on the 1980 poverty level
data, a large portion of Town residents were not benefiting from
the economic base of the Town.

Downtown Nassawadox contains limited space for new commercial
development and therefore, commercial development has expanded to
U.S. Route 13. In the future, Nassawadox should consider expanding
the commercial space in the downtown and developing guidelines for
structures and signs locating on U.S. Route 13.

Figure 10

EMPLOYMENT BY INDUSTRY: 1980
Northampton County

Wholesale Trade 13%

ufacturing 7%

Retail Trade 28% Agriculture 10%

Public Admin. 3%

Entertainment 6%
Repair Serv Ices 1%
Construction 7% Tran/Com/Ullittles 6%
Fin/Ins/Real Estate 2%
Prof. Services 16%

Percentage of Employment

Source: 1980 U.S. Census.

Figure 11

EMPLOYMENT BY INDUSTRY: 1980
Town of Nassawadox

Retail Trade 20% f. Services 26%

FRHMONWAJ ffif 1.1 2%
Manufacturing 17% Fin/Ins/Reat Estate 4%
Construction 4%
Entertainment 4%
Agriculture 9% Public Admin, 4%
Wholesale Trade 9%
Percentage of Employment

Source: 1980 U.S. Census.
Pro
man

Figure 12

LABOR FORCE CHARACTERISTICS: 1980
Persons 16 Years and Older
Town of Nassawadox & Northampton County

Characteristics

% In Labor Force

% Male

% Female

% White

% Nonwhite

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Percentage
MThwaotHassawadox M Northampton County

Source: 1980 U.S. Census.

Figure 13

HOUSEHOLD INCOME: 1979
Town of Nassawadox & Northampton County

Income

$0 - $7,449

$7.500 - $9,999

$10.000 - $12.499

$12,500 - $24.999

$25,000 - $29,999

$30,000 - $39.999

$40,000

0 10 20 30 40 50
Percentage
=Town 01 Nassawadox M Northampton County

Source: 1980 U,S. Census.

Transportation

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) classifies
existing public roads, in Northampton County, as either primary
roads or secondary roads. Primary roads include all roads with
State or Federal route designations under 600. Primary roads
connect towns and other points of interest within the County.
Secondary roads comprise the county network of basic access routes
and include route designations over 600. Within the Town limits,
there is one primary road, U.S. Route 13, and seven secondary
roads. VDOT currently maintains the primary and secondary roads
within Town limits and is obligated to do so until the Town
population exceeds 3,500.

Traffic Counts. VDOT conducts yearly traffic counts on primary
roads. Traffic counts are not normally conducted on secondary
roads within the Town and therefore are unavailable. Traffic
counts used in this plan are for the section of U.S. Route 13
between Business U.S. Route 13 South of Exmore and Business U.S.
Route 13 North of Eastville. The 1988 traffic count indicates that
10,910 vehicles travelled this section on a daily basis, (Figure
14).

There has been a steady increase in traffic on U.S. Route 13 from
1965 to the present. VDOT traffic counts indicate that the use of
U.S. Route 13, between Exmore and Eastville, increased from
approximately 5,955 vehicles in 1965 to 6,200 vehicles in 1975 and
to 8,935 vehicles in 1985. VDOT anticipates the use of U.S. Route
13, between Exmore and Eastville, to increase to approximately
15,000 vehicles daily by the year 2010.

U.S. Route 13. The U.S. Route 13 Corridor Study, Eastern Shore of
Virginia, VDOT, January 1989, provides a comprehensive assessment
of capacity/level of service and immediate and future improvement
recommendations. The study indicates that the current
capacity/level of service on this portion of U.S. Route 13 is Level
A. Level A represents free-flow traffic conditions, with vehicles
being able to maneuver within the traffic stream and easily
maintain the posted speed limit. However! in the future trucks in
the traffic stream will effectively use up the right hand lane of
the highway during certain periods of the day.

The Study indicated that of the 267 crossovers providing access to
adjacent land uses on the U.S. Route 13 Corridor all but three were
substandard. The substandard crossovers all have inadequate
deceleration and storage lanes. Much of the impedance to the
traffic flow is directly related to inadequate turn lanes and
Tedian widths at crossoverst inadequate crossover spacing,
inadequate shoulder widths, and a large percentage of truck
traffic.

Figure 14

TRAFFIC DATA U.S. ROUTE 13 CORRIDOR
South of Exmore to North of Eastville
Northampton County

Year

1965

1970

1975

1980

1985

2010

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18
Vehicles (Thousands)

M vehicles

Source: VA Department of Transportation.

The Study found that the most obvious deficiency in the corridor
is the number of fixed objects along the roadway that are within
the normal "clear zone."

"Fixed objects include drop inlets, endwalls on pipe
culverts, curbs, gutters, and utility poles that are
close to the pavement. These objects are potential
safety hazards, and to meet VDOT's current safety
standards, they should be eliminated throughout the
corridor. Additionally, all signposts should be the
"breakaway" type to reduce their rigidity."

The Study recognized deficiencies with each crossover in the
Nassawadox Town limits. The substandard crossovers all have
inadequate deceleration and storage lanes. Also many of the
crossovers do not meet VDOT's minimum spacing requirements (minimum
800 feet apart) and or they have inadequate median widths to
provide storage for cross traffic between the northbound and
southbound travel lanes. The Study recommended that adequate left
and right turn lanes be provided at each of the crossovers.
Recommended improvements also include moving telephone poles and
associated wiring. These recommendations were given a priority 1
status by the Study.

The total costs for improvements to U.S. Route 13 within the Town
is approximately $369,000.00. No timetable was outlined for the
highway improvements within the Town limits. However, it was
stated that the improvements must compete for funding with all
other primary highway improvement needs in the Suf folk Construction
District.

Routes 600 and 609. Future use of Routes 600 (seaside road) in
Nassawadox and 609 (bayside road) just west of the Town limits
provide additional concerns for the Town. Presently these Routes
serve Eastern Shore residents as a north and south connecting
route. These Routes serve Town residents as neighborhood streets
providing access to homes and neighborhoods. The dual purpose of
the road could create future traffic problems for Town residents.

Future increases in traffic use of U.S. Route 13 could potentially
lead to the use of Routes 600 and 609 as a bypass of the more
heavily travelled U.S. Route 13. New development occurring in
Northampton County that is adjacent to Nassawadox, including
development along Routes 600 and 609 will also act to increase the
use of these Routes by thruway traffic. Increased use of Routes
600 and 609 by thruway traffic could create safety problems and
decrease the quality of life that Nassawadox residents currently
enjoy.

Eastern Shore Railroad. The Eastern Shore Railroad runs through
the middle of Nassawadox dividing the Town east and west. The
railroad is historically significant to the Town as one of the

Map 5
TRANSPORTATION
TOWN OF NASSAWADOX

VDOT Recommendations:
A,B,C,E Provide adequate left and 0----102 40()- Feet
right hand turn lanes
D Omit crossover
F Add crossover

reasons f or the Towns existence was the transportation of commerce
by the railroad. In the early history of the Town, the railroad
was an important transportation link for both goods and people.
Today the railroad serves as a carrier of freight connecting
Hampton Roads with the Delmarva Peninsula. As part of its daily
operations, however the railroad does not make a stop in Town.

The railroad will continue to play a role in the future of the
Town. The railroad is abutted on the west by Route 13 and on the
east by residential property and commercial property. The railroad
owns property on the east side of the Town that is presently being
used for Town parking. Buffers between the railroad and the
residential areas do not presently exist. The opportunity for the
railroad and the Town to work together to maintain the parking
area, provide a buffer between the railroad and the residential
areas as well as providing land adjacent to the railroad for use
compatible with the railroad exist.

Summary. Future transportation issues that concern the Town are
the continued increase in traffic on U.S. Route 13, being able to
maintain the neighborhood access quality of Routes 600 and 609 and
the future impact of the railroad in the Town.

Community Facilities

Solid Waste. Solid waste in Nassawadox is collected under a
contract between the Town and Shore Disposal. Solid waste is taken
to the Northampton County landfill. In 1988, the Virginia General
Assembly adopted regulations that requires Virginia localities to
recycle 10 percent of its solid waste by 1991, 15 percent by 1992
and 25 percent by 1995. In order to meet the State recycling
requirements, Nassawadox will need to work with Northampton County
in developing strategies for recycling. The County currently has
a limited voluntary recycling program for glass and white goods.

Public Safety. The Town does not have local police staff. Police
protection to the Town is currently provided by the Northampton
County Sheriff Department. The Northampton County Sheriff
Department employees 28 persons with 8 of the total employees being
deputies. The Virginia State Patrol stations 7 officers in
Northampton County.

Fire and rescue service is provided by the Nassawadox Volunteer
Fire Department. The Department contains approximately 20
personnel. Equipment includes 2 pumpers, 1 tank and 2 ambulances.
The Department responds to calls in Northampton County.

Recreation Facilities. Nassawadox has one public park within its
jurisdiction and a baseball field adjacent to the Town limits. In
an effort to continue to improve the recreational opportunities for
its residents, Nassawadox applied for a Virginia community
Development Block Grant in 1983. The 1983 grant proposal, which
was not funded, recommended construction of a baseball field,
basketball courts and a town park/play lot. Todate, the park/play
lot has been constructed by the Town.

Landscaping. Landscaping plays a significant role in the character
of the Town along Route 600 and Route 608. Key landscaping
features include: mature hardwood trees, and sidewalks.
Landscaping along Route 600 and Route 608 should be used as a model
or guide to landscaping requirements for future development within
the Town. The use of trees,, shrubbery and sidewalks for
landscaping and as transitional areas between different uses should
prove to be an effective device for maintaining the character of
residential neighborhoods.

Town Hall. Nassawadox does not have an official location to place
public notices or have meetings. Meetings are held in the
Volunteer Fire building. The Town Council is in the process of
attempting to establish an official Town Hall within the Town
limits. The Town Hall would be a meeting place as well as a place
to display information important to the public. In addition, the
Town would like to be able display, photographs and other historical
material concerning the Town.

Existing Land Use

A land use survey for the Town of Nassawadox was completed in 1989
by the A-NPDC in order to gain an accurate picture of the Town 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
a map, (Map 5), 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'
Nassawadox will be recommended.

Methodology. A survey of all existing land uses within the Town
of Nassawadox 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. 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 commercial 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. These parcels generally are not taxed a's 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 and not being utilized for agricultural
purposes.

These field notes were then compared to ownership records as they
appeared on the Northampton 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 the most potential for future development.

..........

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Map 6
EXISTING LAND USE
TOWN OF NASSAWADOX

Residential: Single- Family
MResidential: Multi-Family
Residential: Mobile Home 00 Feet
Institutional
Medical
M Commercial
f7I Agricultural

Land Use Analysis. After the land use classifications were
finalized, the information was transferred to a map of the Town.
Map 6 presents the various land uses by category, on a parcel by
parcel basis, as they appeared during the summer months of 1988.
Map 6 was constructed to scale using the official tax map utilized
by the Town and Northampton County. Land uses, streets, as well
as the subdivision of land are represented on the Existing Land Use
Map.

Once the information was mapped, a planimeter was used to determine
the acreage of each category of land use. Land use acreage and
percentage of land per use is presented below and in Figure 15.

Land Use Approximate Percentage of
Category Acreage Town Acreage

Residential 102 38%
Commercial 13 5%
Medical 49 18%
Agricultural/
Vacant 92 34%
Institutional 6 2%
Utilities 8 3%

Total 270 100%

The Dominant land use in Nassawadox is residential with
approximately 38 percent of the total acreage within the Town
limits. Agricultural/vacant land use comprises the second leading
category with approximately 34 percent. Medical land uses, with
approximately 18 percent, form the third largest land use.
Commercial, public and semi-public uses comprise the remaining 10
percent of the Town's land's area.

Those parcels in agricultural land use along with vacant parcels,
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, medical and
commercial uses. Approximately 92 acres, or 34 percent of the
Town's acreage, falls within this category.

Map 6 depicts all of the vacant and agricultural parcels within
the Town. As the map indicates, there are some relatively small
areas as well as several larger tracts. Small, isolated parcels
represent areas where residential in-fill is likely to occur.
Parcels surrounded by single-family homes and future development
@hould follow the same pattern. The largest agricultural parcel
is in the middle of the Town with approximately 46 acres.

Figure 15

EXISTING LAND USE: 1989
Town of Nassawadox

Residential 38%

Commerical 5%

Health Services 18% Utilities 3%

Institutional %
Land Use Agricullural/Vacant 34%

SOurce: 1989 A-NPDC Land Use survey.

NorthamDton County Comprehensive Plan. An additional land use
factor that should be considered is the recommendations included
within the Northampton County Comprehensive Plan for the area
surrounding the incorporated limits of the Town. The Northampton
County Board of Supervisors adopted the Northampton County
Comprehensive Plan on October 9, 1990. This plan updates and
replaces the Northampton County Comprehensive Development Plan that
was adopted in September, 1979. The Northampton County
Comprehensive Plan identifies Nassawadox as being in the Nassawadox
Development Area. The Nassawadox Development Area encompasses
approximately 1,860 acres and includes the settlements of Franktown
and Hare Valley. The Plan recommends that the Nassawadox
Development Area be one of four areas in the County designated for
the channeling of any growth. The other three growth areas are the
Exmore/Willis Wharf Development Area, the Eastville Development
Area and the Cheriton/Cape Charles Development Area.

In order for the Nassawadox Development Area to reach its potential
the Plan states that, "the area must also develop a central water
and sewer system to reach its full potential as growth area" (Part
II, page 46). Significant land use recommendations from the
Northampton County Future Land Use Map for the Nassawadox
Development Area include: that the residential development surround
the Town, that residential development be allowed to infill the
land between U.S. Route 13 and the hospital, that industrial uses
be allowed on the southeast side of the railroad, and that
commercial uses be allowed on the west side of U.S. Route 13, (Part
II, page 47).

Needs Summary

The following needs have been identified as a result of the
analysis presented in the preceding sections. (The needs and
concerns have not been prioritized, but rather are listed in order
of appearance within the Plan)

Natural Resources.

1* Concern: Nassawadox is totally dependent on ground water as
its source of potable water. Land use and water
withdrawal impact the quality and quantity of ground
water. Protection and management of the ground
water resource is important to the public, health,
safety and welfare of the residents of Nassawadox.
(pages 13-16)

Need: To protect and manage the ground water resource
within Town limits.

2. Concern: Use of ground water outside of the incorporated
limits of Nassawadox will influence the quality and
quantity of the Town's water supply. However, Town
authority over decisions that can have an impact on
the ground water supply does not extend beyond the
Town limits. (pages 13-16)

Need: To cooperate with the Virginia State Water Control
Board (VSWCB), Northampton County, and Accomack
County toward the long term protection and
management of the ground water resource of the
Eastern Shore of Virginia.

3. Concern: The VSWCB is currently responsible for issuing
permits for the withdrawal of ground water in excess
of 10,000 gallons per day or 300,000 gallons per
month. The VSWCB is therefore largely responsible
for the management of the ground water resource.
Public participation is a normal part of the VSWCB
decision making process. Through public
participation Nassawadox can play a role in the
VSWCB decisions that can impact the Town's water
supply. (pages 13-16)

Need: To be a participant in the decision making process
of the VSWCB.

4. Concern: Due to the level topography and the condition of
the existing drainage system in the Town and County,
heavy rains often create property flooding. The
drainage system for the Town connects with the
County and the Town and County must work together

in order to provide proper drainage. (page 15)

Need: To work with Northampton County to improve the
drainage conditions within the Town and County.

5. Concern: The Virginia Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act was
adopted by the Virginia General Assembly in 1988 to
protect the water quality of the Chesapeake Bay.
Through the Act, regulations have been set forth for
localities, within the Chesapeake Bay watershed, to
consider and adopt in order to provide protection
to the water quality of the Chesapeake Bay. A
deadline of September 30, 1990 has been established
for localities to adopt local Chesapeake Bay
Preservation Act programs. (pages 16-18)

Need: To implement the regulations of the Chesapeake Bay
Preservation Act.

Housing.

1. Concern: Approximately 20 percent (57 units) of the existing
housing units in Nassawadox are of substandard
condition. (page 25-27)

Need: To develop a comprehensive housing program to
improve and expand the residential base in Town.
The program should include the exploration of
funding sources to address a variety of needs:
housing rehabilitation, single-family new
construction and as a last resort, acquisition and
demolition of unrepairable houses and the relocation
of affected families.

2. Concern: Single-family neighborhoods provide a low density
atmosphere relatively free from traffic congestion,
noise, pollution and other nuisances. Residents who
live in single-family neighborhoods depend on land
use regulations, such as zoning, to provide
protection from nuisances. (page 25)

Need: To protect and promote single-family residential
neighborhoods within Nassawadox.

3. Concern: Under existing zoning, single-wide mobile homes can
be located within the town if a special use permit
is granted by Town Council. Currently, a future
land use plan that would outline criteria for the
location of single-wide mobile homes in town does
not exist. (page 28)

Need: To develop guidelines that can be employed by the
Town Council in making decisions regarding the
location of trailers within the Town limits.

Economy.

1. Concern: Economic opportunities within Nassawadox and
Northampton County are limited and residents have
some of the lowest income levels in Virginia. (pages
34-35)

Need: To improve the economic opportunities for Nassawadox
residents.

2. Concern: The health service industry in Nassawadox is one of
the largest employers in Northampton County and on
the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Expansion of the
industry can only work to improve the economic
conditions for all residents. (pages 34-35)

Need: To encourage the continued growth of the health
services industry within. the Town.

3. Concern: The downtown area in Nassawadox is very small and
the largest existing retail space is currently
vacant. The shops within the downtown are well
maintained and the owners have exhibited pride in
the buildings and shops. However, the size of the
area limits the retail space as well as the variety
of goods that can be of f ered. In addition, a
commercial corridor has developed along U.S. Route
13 which has directed the demand for retail space
in Nassawadox away from the downtown towards the
highway. (page 35)

Need: To re-establish vitality in the downtown area of
Nassawadox.

4. Concern: The historical quality of Nassawadox has not
received sufficient emphasis. Nassawadox was an
important settlement in the history of the Eastern
Shore. Without a proper understanding of its
historic quality, the Town could lose historically
important features. (page 5-7)

Need: To identify, protect, and promote the historic
quality of Nassawadox.

5. Concern: U.S. Route 13 is now the commercial corridor in
Town. The appearance of the corridor will be
important to attract both visitors and commercial
to Town. (page 35)

Need: To develop design standards for landscaping,
setbacks and location requirements for commercial
structures locating on U.S. Route 13.

Transportation.

1. Concern: The VDOT has identified several traffic problems
associated with the U.S. Route 13 corridor in
Nassawadox. VDOT has provided cost estimates for
improvements to the corridor. (page 34-36)

Need: To encourage the Virginia Department of
Transportation to implement the recommendations of
the U.S. Route 13 Corridor Plan.

2. Concern: Route 600 is a secondary road that exists almost the
length of the Eastern Shore. The road is used
mostly by local residents and through Nassawadox the
road is a neighborhood street. However, as traffic
continues to increase on U.S. Route 13, Route 600
will be travelled more frequently by through
traffic. (page 36)

Need: To protect and promote the existing character of
Route 600, seaside road as neighborhood road.

3. Concern: Fences and signs have often been designed so that
sight lines for traffic purposes are inadvertently
obstructed. The Nassawadox Zoning Ordinance
currently contains provisions that exclude sight
lines from being obstructed. This provision should
be maintained and strengthened, if possible, to
ensure clear sight lines for traffic. (page 36)

Need: To insure that new development will not obstruct
sight lines.

4. Concern: Currently signs and billboards are allowed under the
Town's existing zoning provisions. However,
guidelines for the design and general location
guidelines do not exist. (page 40)

Need: To develop policies and guidelines for the
establishment of signs and billboards in the Town
limits.

5. Concern: Currently no buffer areas are provided between the
railroad and adjacent land uses.

Need: Through revisions to the Nassawadox Town Zoning
Ordinance require buffers between the railroad and
adjacent land uses.

Community Facilities.

1 . Cohcern: Landscaping features such as sidewalks and trees
are important aesthetic features within most towns.
Landscaping requirements are not included within the
Town's existing zoning and subdivision ordinances.
(page 42)

Need: To insure that future development includes
landscaping features that add to the aesthetic
appeal of the Town.

2. Concern: Sidewalks have been recognized as an important
feature in the character of neighborhoods in
Nassawadox. Sidewalks, like any community facility,
need to be maintained. (page 42)

Need: To maintain existing sidewalks and promote the
establishment of new sidewalks.

3. Concern: Recreational areas in Nassawadox are an important
factor in the quality of life offered to Town
residents. Maintained, improved and additional
recreational areas add to the quality of life
offered Town residents. (page 42)

Need: To maintain the existing recreational areas in
Nassawadox and to develop new recreational
facilities.

4. Concern: In 1988, the Virginia Legislature adopted statewide
regulations that require each city, county and town
to adopt a solid waste management plan approved by
the Virginia Department of Solid Waste Management.
Each plan is to include the plans to meet the
Virginia recycling mandates. (page 42)

Need: To meet the Virginia mandates for solid waste
planning.

5. Concern: Nassawadox currently utilizes the Nassawadox
Volunteer Fire House for its meetings. The Town
does not have a building to hold its official
documents or other material related to Town
business. (page 42)

Need: To establish an official Town Hall within
Nassawadox.

6. Concern: Within Nassawadox are buildings that cannot be
rehabilitated. Many of these structures are vacant
and may pose a potential health hazard. (page 42)

Need: To identify and demolish structures unfit for
rehabilitation.

Land Use.

1. Concern: Nassawadox does not have a land use plan to serve
as a guide to local officials in making future land
use decisions. (page 40)

Need: To develop as part of the Nassawadox Town Plan a
future land use map to serve as a guide to future
land use decisions.

2. Concern: In the Northampton County Comprehensive Plan,
Nassawadox has been identified as being one of the
four areas to which future growth in the County will
be directed. (page 44)

Need: To be an active participant in land use decisions
that affect land adjacent to Nassawadox.

3. Concern: In the Northampton County Comprehensive Plan, the
Nassawadox area has been identified as requiring
central water and sewer in order to reach its full
development potential. (page 44)

Need: To be open to discussions regarding regional central
and sewer facilities with Northampton County
officials.

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 Nassawadox.

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.

Natural Resources.

Goals

1. To protect and manage the ground water resource within the
Town.

2. To work with the Virginia State Water Control Board (VSWCB),
Northampton County, and Accomack County toward the long term
protection and management of the ground water resources of the
Eastern Shore of Virginia.

3. To be a participant in the decision making process of the
VSWCB.

4. To improve the drainage conditions within the Town and County.

5. To implement the regulations of the Chesapeake Bay
Preservation Act.

6. To be an active participant in land use decisions that affect
the area adjacent to Nassawadox.

Obiectives

1. Develop through revisions to the zoning and subdivision
ordinances performance standards to protect the ground water
resource of the Town.

2. Establish a working relationship with the governing bodies of
Northampton County, Accomack County and state agencies, such
as the VSWCB, to improve the ability of the Town to ensure the
protection and management of ground water resources.

3. Request that the VSWCB inform the Town of applications for
ground water withdrawal permits in Northampton County, and
Accomack County in order to have the opportunity to comment.

4. Request that the VSWCB inform the Town of any proposed
regulations to govern the use of ground water on the Eastern
Shore.

5. Develop a plan to maintain and improve the existing drainage
system.
6. Revise existing zoning and subdivision ordinances to include
a storm water management component.

7. Develop and implement a local Chesapeake Bay Program that is
based on the criteria set forth in the Chesapeake Bay
Preservation Act regulations as adopted by the Chesapeake Bay
Local Assistance Board.

8. Review development proposals that occur within the land area
designated in the Northampton County Comprehensive Plan as the
Nassawadox Development Area and prepare comments for the
Northampton County Joint Local Planning Commission and the
Northampton County Board of Supervisors.

Housing.

Goals

1. To develop a comprehensive housing program to improve and
expand the residential base in the Town,

2. To protect and promote the single-family residential
neighborhoods within Nassawadox.

3. To develop guidelines that can be employed by the Town Council
in making decisions regarding the location of single-wide
mobile homes within the Town limits.

objectives

1. Explore funding sources to address housing needs, including:
housing rehabilitation, single-family new construction, multi-
family new construction and as a last resort, acquisition and
demolition of unrepairable houses and the relocation of
affected families.

2. Revise existing zoning and subdivision ordinances to insure
that adequate buffers are present to protect the character of
existing neighborhoods from intrusion by adjacent land uses.

3. Encourage innovative residential development techniques, such
as apartments, town houses, garden-style units, and other
forms of cluster housing development to occur where
appropriate.

4. Develop within the Nassawadox Town Plan Future Land Use Map

guidelines for the location of single-wide mobile homes within
the Town.

Economy.

Goals

1. To improve economic opportunities for Nassawado)i residents.

2. To encourage the continued growth of the health services
industry within the Town.

3. To re-establish vitality in the downtown area of Nassawadox.

4. To identify, protect and promote the historic quality of
Nassawadox.

5. To develop design standards for landscaping', setbacks and
location requirements for commercial structures locating on
U.S. Route 13.

Objectives

1. Provide areas within the Town that have industrial and
commercial zoning.

2. Provide areas within the Town that have the proper zoning for
growth of the health services industry.

3. Develop Town Council and local resident participation in
economic development activities on the Eastern Shore.

4. Develop a commercial revitalization plan for Nassawadox.

5. Revise the existing zoning ordinance to include design
standards for historic structures within the Town.

6. Revise the Town zoning ordinance to include design standards,
setbacks and location requirements for commercial structures
locating on U.S. Route 13.

Transportation.

Goals

1. To encourage the VDOT to implement the recommendations of the
U.S. Route 13 Corridor Plan.

2. To protect and promote the existing character of Route 600,
seaside road, as a neighborhood road.

3. To insure that new development will not obstruct sight lines.

4. To develop policies and guidelines for the establishment of
signs and billboards in the Town limits.

5. To provide a buffer between the railroad and adjacent land
uses.

Oblectives

1. The Town Council should contact VDOT concerning the
implementation of the U.S. Route 13 Corridor Plan.

2. Develop an overlay zoning district for the Route 600 corridor
in order to maintain its character as neighborhood road.

3. Develop as part of the Town zoning ordinance adequate set
backs to maintain visual sight lines at intersections.

4. Develop design guidelines for billboards as part of the Town
zoning ordinance.

5. Develop revisions to the Nassawadox Town Zoning Ordinance to
require a buffer between the railroad and adjacent land uses.

Community Facilities.

Goals

1. To insure that future development includes landscaping
features that add to the aesthetic appeal of the Town.

2. To maintain existing community facilities, such as the
recreational facilities, sidewalks, street lighting, streets,
and promote the establishment of new community facilities.

3. To meet the Virginia mandates for solid waste planning.

4. To establish an official Town Hall within Nassawadox.
5. To identify and' demolish structures unfit for rehabilitation.

6. To be open to discussions regarding regional central water and
sewer facilities with Northampton County officials.

objectives

1. Develop landscaping design guidelines as part of the Town
zoning and subdivision ordinance.

2. Develop a capital improvements plan to ensure that community
facilities, such as, recreational areas, sidewalks, streets,
and street lighting are maintained, improved and expanded.

3. Develop, adopt and implement a solid waste management plan for
the town or participate in regional plan.

4. Create a committee to study the feasibility of establishing
a Town Hall.

5. Identify, through a town survey, structures within the Town
that are unfit for rehabilitation and encourage the
demolishing of such structures.

IV. PLANS AND ACTIONS PROGRAMS

Nassawadox I s existing resources, needs and concerns were described
in detail in Chapter II. Nassawadox 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.

Many, but not all, of the issues, needs and concerns identified in
Chapter II are addressed here. Availability of resources and the
degree of local factors were considered in an attempt to develop
a realistic program for Nassawadox.

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.

Natural Resources Plan. Natural resources issues revolve around
four main issues: 1) protecting the quality of ground water, 2)
managing the quantity of ground water, 3) improving drainage, and
4) maintaining the quality of surface waters. These issues are
interrelated and generally extend beyond town limits, affecting all
of the Eastern Shore. For example, development, whether for
commercial, residential, industrial or agricultural purposes,
creates the demand for water use. Water use impacts the quality
and quantity of ground and surface waters. Clearing land of its
natural vegetation alters the ability of land to retain and improve
the quality of rain water. The creation of impervious surfaces
reduces the land area that can provide ground water recharge.
Storm water drainage problems are caused by an inability of land
to retain rain water naturally. Water quality problems of the
Chesapeake Bay have been linked, through U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency Studies, to an over abundance of sediments,
nutrients and other materials carried to the Bay by point and
nonpoint sources. In areas of Virginia and the U.S., high nitrogen
counts in ground water have been linked to leachate from septic
systems and fertilizer use. In order to reduce the impact of
development on natural resources, planning solutions can be
implemented by the community.

Planning solutions place responsibility on individuals to develop
with a minimum impact to natural resources. Planning solutions
include zoning and subdivision ordinance amendments that require
development to meet performance standards. The goal of any

performance standards for Nassawadox is to insure that each
development retains storm water, provides water quality improvement
measures, and maintains area for ground water recharge.
Implementation of the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act regulations
would provide the Town with a set of performance standards intended
to protect surface waters and manage storm water which will also
provide protection to groundwater.

Proposed Action

1 . Nassawadox should develop a working relationship with the
Virginia State Water Control Board, Northampton County and
Accomack County in the management and protection of ground
water. The first step in this process would be to participate
in the activities of the Eastern Shore of Virginia Ground
Water Study Committee. This Committee is in the process of
developing land use guidelines for the protection of ground
water. The recommendations should be reviewed by the Town f or
local implementation.

2. The Town Council should adopt a policy for commenting on
Permits issued by the VSWCB that require a public hearing.
The policy should: 1) establish a review committee, 2)
establish a method for the committee's recommendation to be
presented to the Town Council and 3) establish the procedure
for the Town Council to develop written comments that would
become part of the VSWCB public hearing record.

3. Adopt a local Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act Program through
revisions to the Town zoning, subdivision and erosion and
sediment control ordinances as required by the regulations
adopted on September 20, 1989 by the Chesapeake Bay Local
Assistance Department.

Housing Plan. The majority of residential housing stock in
Nassawadox is in good condition. However, a 1990 housing
conditions survey identified 20 percent of the total housing stock
as being in substandard condition. In order to develop a
comprehensive housing plan for improving the housing stock,
Nassawadox applied for and received a Virginia Department of
Housing and Community Development (VDHCD) Planning Grant. The
Planning Grant will be used to develop a plan to improve the
existing housing stock. The Planning Grant should be followed in
March by VDHCD Block Grant application to implement the
recommendations of the Planning Grant.

In addition to the Planning Grant, the Town should develop land use
regulations to protect residential areas from encroachment by
traffic congestion, noise, pollution and other nuisances that may
be created by adjacent land uses. The Nassawadox Future Land Use
Map should def ine areas within the Town to be set aside for a
variety of land uses including: single-family, multi-family, and

single-wide mobile home residential uses.

Proposed Action

1. Implement the housing program developed through the VDHCD
Planning Grant.

2. Revise zoning ordinance to require buffers between residential
and other land use activities.

3. Define, through the Nassawadox Future Land Use Map, areas
within the Town to be set aside for single-family, multi-
family and single-wide mobile home residential uses.

Economic Plan. Economic opportunities within Northampton County
and Nassawadox are presently limited. Residents of Northampton
County have some of the lowest average income levels in the State.
Industry within Nassawadox is for the most part limited to health
services. Health services located in Nassawadox include the
Northampton-Accomack Memorial Hospital, a nursing home and a number
of medical offices. The Northampton County Health Department is
located adjacent to the Town limits. The hospital is one of the
Eastern Shore's largest employers and growth of the health services
industry will work to improve the economic standing of residents.
However, in order to provide residents opportunities for economic
improvement, there is a need to diversify the economy. Nassawadox
can provide the opportunity for commercial and industrial growth
through the use of zoning. In addition, there are a number of
areas where offices and residential uses currently coexist and this
trend can be encouraged through zoning.

Potential for commercial growth in the Nassawadox downtown is
limited due to its size and therefore commercial business has
expanded to U.S. Route 13. Commercial development along U.S. Route
13 is currently limited to the areas around intersections. Infill
areas for commercial development do exist. However, few design
standards exist for development in Nassawadox. Design standards
should be developed to maintain the scale and character of
Nassawadox. New development should consider the architectural
style of existing buildings and the concept of the Town setting.
Major portions of the Town are currently vacant due to soil
conditions. In addition, the Northampton County Comprehensive
Plan, October 1990, recommends that the area around Nassawadox be
developed as an urban village. Therefore, future growth that is
directed to the Town will have an impact. The Town should work
with the County to have positive influence on growth.

Proposed Action

1. Define, through the Nassawadox Town Future Land Use Map, areas
within the Town to be set aside for commercial and industrial
land use. Through revisions to the zoning ordinance provide

performance standards for the location of industry within the
Town.

2. The Town should develop design standards to be implemented
through zoning and subdivision regulations. The design
standards should require that new development consider the
size, scale architectural style of the Town in development
proposals.

3. Develop design standards commercial business locating on U.S.
Route 13.

4. The Town should encourage areas that currently contain a
mixture of office and residential land uses to continue.

Transportation. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT)
prepares traffic counts and projections for future use of U.S.
Route 13 on an annual basis. Traffic counts and projections
indicate the volume of cars and trucks on U. S. Route 13 has and
will continue to increase. In fact, projections indicate that in
the future trucks will completely dominate the right hand lane of
the highway. In addition, commercial areas have now been
established at the intersections of all roads in Nassawadox that
intersect with U.S. Route 13. VDOT has prepared a corridor study
for U.S. Route 13 to improve safety. While implementation of the
study is important, the Town should also develop accessibility and
design standards for setbacks, size and for buildings and signs
that locate on the highway.

Increased traffic use of Routes 600 and 609 in the future could
alter the current . An additional concern of the Town is that as
the use of U.S. Route 13 increases, traffic will be diverted to
Route 600. Route 600 is currently a neighborhood street, rather
than a major arterial road.

The Eastern Shore Railroad runs through the middle of the Town.
Presently, in Nassawadox residential and commercial development
exists adjacent to the railroad. Buffers do not exist between the
railroad and adjacent land uses. The Town currently is using some
railroad property as public parking.

Proposed Action

1. Work with VDOT to implement the U.S. Route 13 Corridor Plan
by expressing this to VDOT and the Northampton County Board
of Supervisors for its inclusion in the six (6) year
transportation plan.

2. Revise the Nassawadox Zoning Ordinance to provide design
guidelines for U.S. Route 13.

3. Revise the town Zoning OrdinanQc to provide design guidelines

for billboards.

4. Through revisions to the town Zoning ordinance establish
buffers between the railroad and the adjacent land uses.

Community Facilities Plan. Community facilities include
recreation facilities, sidewalks, roads and any services that the
town provides through tax collection. The Town should develop a
plan for the maintenance of recreation facilities, sidewalks and
possible expansion of sidewalks into areas where they do not
currently exist. This plan should take the f orm of a capital
improvements program. A capital improvements plan is f ive- or six-
year plan that identifies major projects needed by the town. A
capital improvements plan provides cost estimates, funding sources,
proposes a priority and time schedule for each project and
identifies funding sources and coordinates projects with the
comprehensive plan.

Proposed Action

1. Develop a capital improvements plan for the maintenance and
improvement of recreational facilities, sidewalks, roads and
other facilities.

2. Work with Northampton County to develop and adopt a solid
waste management plan.

3. Establish an official Town Hall within Nassawadox.

4. Develop a strategy for the removal of buildings that can not
be rehabilitated structures that pose a danger to the general
health, safety and welfare of Town residents.

Land Use Plan. The land use plan f or the Town of Nassawadox is
presented in Map 6, Future Land Use Map, Town of Nassawadox. The
Future Land Use Map should serve as guide for decision makers in
making land use decisions regarding land use within the Town. The
map should be reviewed on an annual basis to ensure that the
concepts described here continue to met the changing needs of the
Town. The land use plan proposes six (6) categories of land use.
Generally, there are three residential categories and three
commercial categories. The residential categories provide a mix
of single-family, multi-family and office residential land use
areas within the town. The commercial categories provide a mix of
retail, medical and industrial uses. The categories are described
below: (where possible these categories match those found in the
Nassawadox Zoning Ordinance and are consistent with the Northampton
County Zoning ordinance, however some differences do exist)

Residential-Single: Single-family homes should be the dominant
land use within this category. Any other land uses that would be

allowed should be *compatible with single-family dwelling units.
The needs of single-family residential development, (safety,
reduced traffic, noise, and other nuisances), should be considered
first in making land use decisions. Examples of secondary uses
appropriate to this district include two family attached dwellings,
home occupations, and open space areas.

Residential-Mix: This land use category proposes to allow for a
mixture of single-family homes, duplexes, and other forms of
dwelling units. Emphasis would be placed on creative development
to allow for increased density while promoting the single-family
residential nature of Nassawadox. Desired development features
include: visual compatibility with - adjacent single-family
dwellings; internal parking; a limit of four to six attached
dwelling units per complex; sidewalks and landscaping.

Residential-Office: This land use category proposes to promote a
mixture of residential uses and offices within a specific area of
Town. This category is proposed in an area of Town where
residential dwellings and offices currently coexist. This category
is created to protect and promote the existing blend of land uses.
Desired development features include: adequate off-street parking
for office uses, adequate buffer between office and residential
usest and the requirement that offices retain a residential
exterior appearance.

Commercial-General: This land use category is created to promote
general commercial land uses within the town limits. These uses
include retail trade, wholesale trade, warehousing and other
general commercial uses. This district should be limited to the
U.S. Route 13 corridor. Design standards for U.S. Route 13 should
be developed to govern setbacks from the highway, size and
appearance of signs, and the establishment of service roads should
be developed as part of revisions to the zoning ordinance.

Commercial-Office: This land use category is created to promote
the health services industry and commercial development within town
limits. Land uses are to be consistent with the needs of the
community in promoting the health services industry and providing
the flexibility to provide economic growth. Such land uses would
include, medical offices/complexes, expansion of the hospital or
nursing home facilities, pharmacies and other land uses related to
the health services industry.

Industrial-Limited: This land use category is created to promote
industrial land use within the town. These land uses would meet
performance criteria established to minimize any nuisances or
environmental impacts. Impacts to be measured include, but are not
be limited to: transportation needs, water use, air pollution, and
noise pollution.

This proposed future land use pattern does conflict with the
existing Northampton County Comprehensive Plan in two distinct
areas. One area is between U.S. Route 13 and the Hospital. The
County Plan proposes that the area along the highway be developed
as commercial and this is consistent with this Plan. However, the
County Plan proposes that the area west of U.S. Route 13 and the
hospital be developed with residential uses while this Plan
recommends that the area become developed commercially. The other
area of conflict is located adjacent to the railroad at the south
end of the Town. The County Plan recommends that the area become
industrial while this Plan recommends that the area be divided with
the area east of Route 609 be developed as residential and the area
west of Route 609 be developed as industrial.

Proposed Action

1. Amend the Nassawadox Town Zoning Ordinance to be consistent
with the Future Land Use Plan contained in the Nassawadox Town
Plan.

2. Upon the adoption of this Plan, the Nassawadox Town Council
should make a recommendation to Northampton County that the
Northampton County Comprehensive Plan be amended to be in
agreement with the Nassawadox Town Plan.

Future Growth Management Plan

Development of the land area around Nassawadox will create the
opportunity and the need for services now being provided to Town
residents to be extended into outlying areas. At that time the
Town will naturally look to extend its boundary to include the
areas that are being provided Town services. Another important
factor in considering extending the Town boundary is the lack of
extra-territorial jurisdiction by the Town. New development that
occurs adjacent to the Town will be shaped by Northampton County
land use regulations. Due to the limited amount of land left in
Nassawadox that can be developed, most new development that occurs
in the area will be outside of the Town limits. These factors make
it increasingly important for Town officials to work with County
officials in insuring that adjacent development is compatible to
the Town in terms of use, scale, design and density.

Proposed Action

1. To work with Northampton County elected and planning officials
to insure that County goals for land adjacent to the Town
Boundary are compatible with Town goals.

2. To review existing services and the feasibility of extending
services beyond the Town limits and develop strategies for
extending the Town Boundary.

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V. ACTION AGENDA

This Comprehensive Plan has identified needs that either require
action by the Planning commission and Town Council to implement
solutions or require future study. Since the Town officials have
limited time and resources to work with, it is necessary to set
priorities on the actions proposed by this plan.

The following agenda sets the work priorities of the Nassawadox
Planning Commission and Town Council as they work to implement the
recommendations of this Comprehensive Plan. (Priority A is the
highest priority):

Priority A:

Amend Zoning Ordinance
Amend Subdivision Ordinance
Develop a Housing Improvements Plan
Participation in County Solid Waste Management Plan

Priority B:

Community Facilities/Improvements Plan
Transportation Plan

DATE DUE

GAYLORDINo. 2333 PH NIED .14 U 5 1

3 6668 14107 5384