Table 3.9  Seasonal and Peak Population Projections
	2005	2010	2015	2020	2025	2030
Morehead City Corporate Area
Permanent Population	8,112	8,523	8,819	9,093	9,292	9,446
Seasonal Population	3,561	3,741	3,872	3,992	4,079	4,147
Peak Population	11,673	12,264	12,691	13,085	13,372	13,593
Morehead City Planning Jurisdiction
Permanent Population	14,869	15,622	16,166	16,668	17,033	17,315
Seasonal Population	6,527	6,858	7,097	7,317	7,477	7,601
Peak Population	21,396	22,480	23,263	23,985	24,510	24,916
Source:  The Wooten Company, October 2006

Table 3.11  Types of Occupied Housing Units in Morehead City
Occupied Units in Structure	1990	% in 1990	2000	% in 2000
Single-family detached	1,430	51.2%	2,137	59.1%
1 unit attached	138	4.9%	193	5.3%
2 units	184	6.6%	271	7.5%
3 or 4 units	192	6.9%	381	10.5%
5 to 9 units	185	6.6%	178	4.9%
10 to 19 units	102	3.7%	43	1.2%
More than 20 units	126	4.5%	180	5.0%
Mobile homes	318	11.4%	233	6.4%
Other	118	4.2%	0	0.0%
*Total Occupied Housing Units	2,793	100%	3,616	100%
Source: 1990 H022 Tenure by Units in Structure - U.S. Census Bureau data, obtained April 2004
Source: 2000 DP-4 Profile of Selected Housing Characteristics - U.S. Census Bureau  data, obtained April 2004
* There is a known discrepancy in the 2000 U.S. Census total housing figure

Table 3.12 provides information on the number and type of residential building permits issued by The Town of Morehead City for 2001-2003. Annual building permit activity has remained steady with slight annual increases.

 

Table 3.14  Morehead City Key Economic Indicators
Economic Indicators	Year			Percent Change
	1980	1990	2000	1980-1990	1990-2000	1980-2000
*Per capita income
Morehead City	$5,457.00	$11,410.00	$19,138.00	109.1%	67.7%	250.7%
Carteret County	$6,146	$13,227	$21,260	115.2%	60.7%	245.9%
North Carolina	$6,133	$12,885	$20,307	110.1%	57.6%	231.1%
Median family income	$14,945	$26,637	$39,290	78.2%	47.5%	162.9%
Median occupied housing value	$30,400	$53,900	$106,400	77.3%	97.4%	250.0%
Median gross rent**	$197	$376	$507	90.9%	34.8%	157.4%
Total employed persons age 16 and up	1,787	2,550	3,394	42.7%	33.1%	89.9%
Total unemployed persons age 16 and up	93	174	288	87.1%	65.5%	209.7%
Families in poverty	17.5%	15.5%	12.3%	-11.7%	-20.4%	-29.7%
Source:  Federal Agency Data: Bureau of the Census - Census of Population and Housing, obtained from LINC April 2004 *Per capita income is total money income per resident of the area, including young children, elderly, and others who may not be earning money **Median gross rent is monthly contract rent plus the estimated average monthly cost of utilities

 

Table 3.17  Largest Manufacturing and Non-manufacturing Employers
Manufacturing Employers		Non-manufacturing Employers
Name	Employees	Name	Employees
Atlantic Veneer	327	Carteret County Public School System	1442
Bally Refrigerated Boxes	178	Carteret General Hospital	788
SPX Air Treatment	178	Walmart	527
Parker Marine Enterprises	147	Carteret County Government	345
Creative Outlet	139	Carteret Community College	317
Jarrett Bay Boatworks	138	Food Lion	243
Veneer Technologies	115	Henry's Tackle and Sporting Goods	221
Beaufort Fisheries	55	U.S. Coast Guard	201
Sea Striker	50	NC D.O.T.	149
NCCOAST Communications	49	Lowes Foods	134
Franklin Baking Company	37	Town of Morehead City	132
Source: Carteret County Economic Development Council, obtained March 2004

• A summary of the inventory of the major natural features and an interpretation of the capabilities or limitations that these features have for development
• A composite map that shows the extent and overlap of environmental features in Carteret County and the compatibility of these features for development
• An assessment of environmental conditions and trends with an emphasis on water quality, natural hazards and natural resource

• Areas of Environmental Concern (AECs)
• Soil characteristics
• Water quality classifications
• Primary Nursery Areas
• Flood and other natural hazard areas
• Storm surge areas
• Non-coastal wetlands
• Environmentally fragile area

• Estuarine and Ocean System
• Ocean Hazard System
• Public Water Supplies
• Natural and Cultural Resource Areas

Coastal Wetlands are any marsh in the 20 coastal counties that regularly or occasionally floods by lunar or wind tides and that includes one or more of 10 plant species (Table 3.20). Freshwater swamps and inland, non-tidal wetlands are not in the CAMA permit jurisdiction unless the CRC specifically designates them as AECs. However, these wetlands are protected by the federal Clean Water Act. An Army Corps of Engineers Section 404 permit may be required for projects taking place in these wetlands.

Table 3.20  Coastal Wetland Plant Species
Scientific Name	Common Name
Spartina alterniflora	Salt Marsh (Smooth) Cord Grass
Juncus roemerianus	Black Needlerush
Salicornia spp.	Glasswort
Distichlis spicat	Salt (or Spike Grass)
Limonium spp.	Sea Lavender
Scirpus spp:	Bulrush
Cladium jamaicense	Saw Grass
Typha spp:	Cattail
Spartina patens	Salt Meadow Grass
Spartina cynosuroides	Salt Red or Giant Cord Grass

A-2.  AECs in Morehead City

In the Morehead City planning jurisdiction, AECs include the waters and tributaries of Calico Creek, the Newport River, Spooner Creek, Peletier Creek, Crab Point Bay, Bogue Sound, and the shorelines of these waterbodies. Coastal wetland AECs are located throughout the planning jurisdiction and must be identified on-site by the permitting staff of the Division of Coastal Management. Locations of extensive coastal wetland areas within the Morehead City planning jurisdiction include areas along the Newport River, Calico Creek and Crab Point Bay as well as Phillips Island, Annex Island, parts of Sugarloaf Island and the Newport Marshes in the eastern portion of the jurisdiction.

While the CRC’s use standards give priority to the conservation of coastal wetlands, estuarine waters and public trust areas, certain water-dependent uses are allowed. Generally, those uses which require water access and which cannot function elsewhere, such as simple access channels, structures to prevent erosion, navigation channels, boat docks, marinas, piers, wharfs and mooring pilings are allowed provided construction occurs in compliance with state standards. 

The CRC’s guidelines for development within the coastal shoreline AEC are found in 15A NCAC 7H. Key guidelines include the following:

• Not weaken or eliminate natural barriers to erosion
• Limit impervious surfaces such as buildings, paved parking lots and roads to the amount necessary to support the use and generally not exceed 30% of the AEC area of the lot, except along the shoreline of an Outstanding Resource Water (ORW) where the built-upon limit is 25% of the AEC area
• Maintain a buffer zone for a distance of 30 feet landward of the normal water level, except along shorelines where the Environmental Management Commission has adopted its own buffer standards

Due to map scale and size, the exact locations of AECs within the planning jurisdiction are difficult to map, particularly coastal wetlands and coastal shorelines AECs.  However, for planning purposes, a general depiction of the location of AECs in Morehead City’s planning jurisdiction is found on the Areas of Environmental Concern Map (see Figure 6 in Appendix C). It is stressed that this map is for informational purposes only. The exact location of AECs must be identified on-site by permitting staff of the NC Division of Coastal Management (DCM). 

B.  Soil Characteristics

A soil survey was completed in 1987 in Carteret County by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Soil Conservation Service, now known as the Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS). According to the survey, there are 30 different soil types in Morehead City. Most of the soils in Morehead City have severe limitations for conventional on-site waste treatment systems (septic systems). Only five of these soil types are considered to have slight or moderate limitations for septic tanks. All soil types in Morehead City have slight erosion hazard ratings. 

The USDA-NRCS soil survey is for planning purposes and is not completed at the detailed scale needed for permit decisions. Based on the soil survey, the Soil Suitability for Septic Systems Map (Appendix C) provides a general soils map of the Morehead City planning jurisdiction. As noted above, this information is for general planning purposes only. All determinations of septic suitability must be made by onsite investigation by a licensed soil scientist or county environmental systems health specialist.

In general, the soils in the planning jurisdiction have limitations for many uses due to wetness, flooding and high sand content. Soils with slight to moderate limitations for septic systems are limited in the planning jurisdiction. They account for 8.9% and 2.6% respectively of land area and are generally located in the central portion of the planning area (see Figure 7, Soil Suitability Map in Appendix C). The majority of soils, 88.5%, are classified as having severe limitations for septic systems.

The extent of soils suitable for development is important due to the continuing development of the area and the absence of centralized sewer systems in some areas of the ETJ. Planned development densities in areas without central sewer service must consider soil suitability for septic systems or alternative systems must be developed. Consideration of soil conditions in areas expected to experience growth should influence decisions regarding expansion of the sewer system. Many of the areas containing soils with severe limitations for septic systems are currently not served by central sewer service.

C.  Water Quality Classifications

All surface waters in North Carolina are assigned a primary classification by the NC Division of Water Quality (DWQ). The Marine Fisheries Commission defines primary Nursery Areas. The Water Quality Classes and Subbasins Map (Figure 8 in Appendix C) provides the use classifications for waters in Morehead City and its planning jurisdiction. As shown on the map, a wide range of primary and supplemental classifications are present. These include SA HQW, SB, C, SC and SC HQW.  These classifications are described in Table 3.21. Further discussion of surface waters is provided under the Environmental Assessment discussion found later in this section.

Table 3.21  Water Quality Classifications
DWQ PRIMARY CLASSIFICATIONS
Class C	Waters protected for secondary recreation, fishing, wildlife, fish and aquatic life propagation and survival, agriculture and other uses suitable for Class C. Secondary recreation includes wading, boating, and other uses involving body contact with water where such activities take place in an infrequent, unorganized or incidental manner. There are no restrictions on watershed development or types of discharges.
Class SC	All tidal salt waters protected for secondary recreation such as fishing, boating and other activities involving minimal skin contact; aquatic life propagation and survival; and wildlife. Stormwater controls are required under CAMA and there are no categorical restrictions on discharges.
Class SB	Surface waters that are used for primary recreation, including frequent or organized swimming and all SC uses. Stormwater controls are required under CAMA and there are no categorical restrictions on discharges.
Class SA	Surface waters that are used for commercial shellfishing or marketing purposes and all SC and SB uses. All SA waters are also HQW by definition. Stormwater controls are required under CAMA. No domestic discharges are permitted in these waters.
DWQ SUPPLEMENTAL CLASSIFICATIONS
High Quality Waters (HQW)	Supplemental classification intended to protect waters with quality higher than state water quality standards. In general, there are two means by which a water body may be classified as HQW. They may be HQW by definition or they may qualify for HQW and then be supplementally classified as HQW through the rule-making process. The following are HQW by definition: SA (shellfishing) ORW Waters designated as Primary Nursery Areas or other functional nursery areas by the Marine Fisheries Commission
Nutrient Sensitive Waters (NSW)	Supplemental classification intended for waters needing additional nutrient management due to their being subject to excessive growth of microscopic or macroscopic vegetation. In general, management strategies for point and nonpoint source pollution control require control of nutrients (nitrogen and/or phosphorus usually) such that excessive growths of vegetation are reduced or prevented and there is no increase in nutrients over target levels. Management strategies are site-specific.
Outstanding Resource Waters (ORW)	Supplemental classification intended to protect unique and special waters having excellent water quality and being of exceptional state or national ecological or recreational significance. To qualify, waters must be rated Excellent by DWQ and have one of the following outstanding resource values: Outstanding fish habitat or fisheries Unusually high level of water based recreation A special designation such as NC or National Wild / Scenic / Natural / Recreational River, National Wildlife Refuge, etc. Important component of state or national park or forest Special ecological or scientific significance (rare or endangered species habitat, research or educational areas) No new or expanded wastewater discharges are allowed although there are no restrictions on the types of discharges to these waters. There are associated development controls enforced by DWQ. ORW areas are HQW by definition.
ADDITIONAL CLASSIFICATIONS BY OTHER AGENCIES
Primary Nursery Areas (PNA)	Primary Nursery Areas, as defined by the Marine Fisheries Commission, are those areas in the estuarine system where initial post-larval development takes place. These areas are usually located in the uppermost sections of a system where populations are uniformly very early juveniles. The Division of Marine Fisheries is responsible for preserving, protecting and developing Primary Nursery Areas for commercially important finfish and shellfish.

D.  Primary Nursery Areas

Table 3.21 on the preceding page also describes Primary Nursery Areas.  Primary nursery areas are generally located in the upper reaches of creeks and bays. These areas are usually shallow with soft muddy bottoms and are surrounded by marshes and wetlands. Table 3.22 shows the locations of largest Primary Nursery Areas (over 100 acres) in the Morehead City planning jurisdiction. The Fragile Areas Map (see Figure 9 in Appendix C) provides the locations of Primary Nursery Areas.

*Note: These areas are along the northern edge of the ETJ from about Crab Point Village and west. This area is shown as a Primary Nursery Area, although some maps show this area as land. The United States Geologic Survey (USGS) and NCDENR-Division of Environmental Health, Shellfish Sanitation Section (DENR-DEH, SSS) show this area as water.

E.  Flood Hazards and Storm Surge Areas

Flood hazard areas are usually defined by the 100-year floodplain. In the Morehead City planning jurisdiction, the floodplain includes the following:

• A zones – one percent chance of flooding in any year
• V zones – one percent chance of flooding in any year that includes wave action.
• X shaded zones – 0.2 percent annual chance of flooding and areas with a one percent chance of flood with average depths of less than one foot or with drainage areas less than one square mile
• X zones – areas determined to be outside of 0.2 percent annual chance of flooding

A general depiction of the 100-year floodplain is shown on the Flood Hazard Areas Map (Appendix C). More detailed flood maps prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are available for review at the Morehead City Planning and Inspections Department.

Storm surge is the relatively rapid rise in sea level caused by water being pushed towards shore by the force of the winds associated with a hurricane or other intense storm. As the water comes ashore with the storm, it causes flooding that is often a hurricane’s most dangerous and damaging characteristic. Extensive areas of the Morehead City planning jurisdiction are vulnerable to storm surge hazards associated with hurricanes. Depending upon the severity and speed of the storm, much of the area could be impacted by storm surge. According to the storm surge models prepared by FEMA, slow-moving Category 1–3 storms (forward velocities less than 15 miles per hour) would impact greater areas than fast moving Category 1–3 storms. Likewise, fast-moving Category 4–5 storms (forward velocities greater than 15 miles per hour) would produce a more intense impact than slow-moving Category 4–5 storms. The Flood Hazard Areas Map (see Figure 10 in Appendix C) depicts the areas subject to storm surge based on the most intense storm intensity and speed.

Morehead City is a participant in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The NFIP is a federal program that enables property owners in participating communities to purchase insurance protection against losses by flooding. Communities that participate in the NFIP agree to adopt and enforce floodplain management ordinances to reduce future flood damage in flood hazard areas.

F.  Non-coastal Wetlands

According to the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), wetlands are, “areas that are periodically or permanently inundated by surface or groundwater and support vegetation adapted for life in saturated soil.” Wetlands include swamps, marshes, bogs and similar areas. Wetlands serve important functions relating to fish and wildlife; food chain production; habitat; nesting; spawning; rearing and resting sites for aquatic and land species; protection of other areas from wave action and erosion; storage areas for storm and flood waters; natural recharge areas where ground and surface water are interconnected; and natural water filtration and purification functions.

While individual alterations of wetlands may constitute a minor change, the cumulative effect of numerous changes often results in major damage to wetland resources. The USACE regulates development in wetlands under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, which determines which areas qualify for protection as wetlands. The Fragile Areas Map (see Figure 9 in Appendix C) shows areas that may be classified as non-coastal wetlands. While this map does not provide a lot-by-lot identification of wetlands, it does provide information as to the general areas that may contain non-coastal wetlands. These areas are extensive in the Morehead City planning jurisdiction and must be determined by onsite investigation.

G.  Environmentally Fragile Areas

Fragile areas are not AECs, but are sensitive areas that could be damaged easily by inappropriate or poorly planned development. In the Morehead City jurisdiction, these areas include non-coastal wetlands and significant natural heritage areas. These areas are depicted on the Fragile Areas Map (see Figure 9 in Appendix C).

G-1.  Natural Heritage Areas

The Fragile Areas Map also shows general locations of areas classified as Significant Natural Heritage Areas by the NC Natural Heritage Program. There are three Significant Natural Heritage Areas in the Morehead City planning area. Two are located in wetlands on the eastern edge of the planning area and the third is on Radio Island.

The NC Natural Heritage Program inventories, catalogues and facilitates protection of the rarest and the most outstanding elements of the natural diversity of our state.  These elements of natural diversity include those plants and animals that are so rare, or the natural communities that are so significant that they merit special attention as land use decisions are made. The Natural Heritage Program is not a regulatory program. Some of these sites may be protected or regulated by other state or federal agencies, although many are unprotected.

3.2.2  Environmental Composite Map

The Morehead City Environmental Composite Map (Figure 1) shows the extent and overlap of natural features described in this section. Land was divided into three categories based on the analysis of the features and the determination of the capabilities and limitations of these areas for development. The land classes shown on the Environmental Composite Map, the description of the classes, and the natural features contained in each class are shown below:

Class I
Class I is land containing only minimal hazards and limitations that may be addressed by commonly accepted land planning and development practices. In the Morehead City planning jurisdiction, this class contains the following natural features:

• Soils with slight to moderate limitations for septic tanks
• Soils with slight erosion hazards
• Non-wetland area or wetlands rated beneficial significance and not high potential risk (NC-CREWS)
• Land located within a 100-year flood hazard area
• Land located within a storm surge area
• HQW watersheds
• Land located within 500 feet from a historic or archaeological site
• Land located inside historic district
• Estuarine shoreline
• Public trust shoreline

Class II
Class II is land containing development hazards and limitations that may be addressed by methods such as restrictions on types of land uses, special site planning or the provision of public services. In Morehead City, this class contains the following natural features:

• Soils with severe limitations for septic tanks
• Estuarine waters
• Public trust areas outside estuarine waters
• Non-coastal wetlands rated as beneficial significance and high potential risk (NC-CREWS)
• Non-coastal wetlands rated as substantial significance or exceptional significance and not high potential risk (NC-CREWS)
• Unrated non-coastal wetlands (NC-CREWS)

Class III
Class III is land containing serious hazards for development or land where the impact of development may cause serious damage to the functions of natural systems. In Morehead City, this class contains the following natural features:

• Coastal wetlands
• Non-coastal wetlands rated as substantial significance or exceptional significance with high potential risk (NC-CREWS)

• Non-coastal wetlands with overriding considerations (in general, exceptional significance - risk analysis not completed) (NC-CREWS)
• Protected lands

The Environmental Composite Map is a ‘broad-brush’ depiction of the location of the three land classes discussed above. Class II is the largest class accounting for 58.6% of the total land area. Class III accounts for 30.6% and Class I is the smallest class with only 10.8% of the total land area. Due to the size and scale of the map, it cannot be used for permit decision-making or for final development plans. The Geographic Information System (GIS)–based model that was used to create the map uses one-acre units. Therefore, one ‘cell’ in the model represents one acre. When the different data sets overlay in the model, the highest class present will be assigned to the cell. For example, an area that is located inside an exceptional wetland with high potential risk (Class III) inside the storm surge area (Class I) and in an area with soils with severe limitations for septic systems (Class II) will be assigned to Class III.

3.2.3  Summary Environmental Conditions

Information on water quality, natural hazards and natural resources is the basis for developing goals and policies to maintain and restore water quality, reduce vulnerability to natural hazards and protect valuable natural resources.

A.  Water Quality

The NC Division of Water Quality classifies surface waters according to their best intended uses. Waters are given a use support status (how well a water supports its uses) after interpreting and assessing water quality. Surface waters are rated fully supporting, partially supporting or not supporting. The terms refer to whether the classified uses of the water (such as shellfish harvesting, aquatic life protection or swimming) are being met. All surface waters in the Morehead City planning jurisdiction classified for the fish consumption use support category are partially supporting. Other waters are impaired for commercial shellfish harvesting.

DEH Shellfish Sanitation monitors all estuarine waters (SC, SB and SA) for fecal coliform bacteria. Waters are then classified as Approved, Conditionally Approved-Open, Conditionally Approved-Closed, Restricted or Prohibited as defined in Table 3.23.

Table 3.23  DEH Shellfish Sanitation Growing Area Classifications
DEH Classification	DEH Criteria
Approved	The median fecal coliform Most Probable Number (MPN) or geometric mean MPN of water shall not exceed an MPN of 43 per 100 milliliters, and the estimated 90th percentile shall not exceed an MPN of 43 per 100 milliliters for a five tube decimal dilution test.
Conditionally Approved-Open	Sanitary Survey indicates an area can meet approved area criteria for a reasonable period of time, and the pollutant event is known and predictable and can be managed by a plan.
Conditionally Approved-Closed	Sanitary Survey indicates an area can meet approved area criteria for a reasonable period of time, and the pollutant event is known and predictable and can be managed by a plan.
Restricted	Sanitary Survey indicates a limited degree of pollution, and the area is not contaminated to the extent that consumption of shellfish could be hazardous after controlled depuration or relaying.
Prohibited	No Sanitary Survey; point source discharges; marinas; data does not meet criteria for Approved, Conditionally Approved or Restricted Classification.
Source: White Oak River Basinwide Water Quality Plan NCDENR DWQ

In 2002, approximately 25% of the waters in Morehead City were closed to shellfishing. Prohibited or restricted areas include all of Spooners Creek, all of Peletier Creek, and the Newport River restricted area around the Morehead City Harbor. The Newport River is divided into multiple sections with a different classification for each section. The sections above Neighborhoods 5 and 7 (please see section 3.3 for a description of these neighborhoods) are restricted in varying degrees (prohibited or restricted, and conditionally approved closed). Shellfishing in Calico Creek, Calico Bay, Willis Creek and Crab Point Bay is prohibited or restricted. Most of the shoreline around Radio Island is also prohibited or restricted to shellfishing. A source of impairment to these waters is fecal coliform bacterial contamination. This is most likely caused by rapid growth rates and large seasonal populations in and around the Town of Morehead City (NCDENR 2001). The Morehead City wastewater treatment plant is already above plant flow capacity on maximum flow days and contributes to this impairment. The Division of Environmental Health also identified fecal coliform bacterial contamination in fresh water runoff as a major contributor to impairment as well as pollutants from urban development and marinas (NCDENR 2000). Especially of concern are the Newport River and its tributaries to the north of the Town of Morehead City.

The Morehead City municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) discharges into Calico Creek and affects water quality. The WWTP is a major point source discharge with a capacity of 1.7 MGD. The North Carolina Coastal Federation monitors wastewater treatments plants along the coast and has reported that the Morehead City WWTP exceeded its discharge limit twice in 2000. In addition, the maximum flow exceeded limits a number of times in 2002. Currently, Morehead City is under a state-imposed sewer line extension moratorium. A plan to improve existing problems with effluent discharge is due to the NC Division of Water Quality by December 2004 and should result in improved water quality. The only other point discharge source in the town is Morehead City Terminals, which is classified as a minor source and discharges into the Newport River (NCDENR 2000).

 B.  Natural Resources

As noted earlier in this section, there are three Significant Natural Heritage Areas in the Morehead City planning area. Two are located in wetlands on the eastern edge of the planning area and the third is on Radio Island. Five active sand and gravel mining operations are located in the planning area (of 23 in Carteret County). Sand and gravel mining account for 64% of all mining in North Carolina.

3.3  Existing Land Use and Development

This section of the Land Use Plan provides a description of current and emerging development trends and land use in Morehead City and a forecast of future development based on existing trends. The analysis of existing development is a major component of the foundation upon which land use policies and the future land use map are built. It provides a base for projecting future land needs and for forecasting the location of development.

3.3.1  Development Trends

Since the 1999 Land Use Plan Update (1999 update), Morehead City has pursued an active annexation and development policy. Since 1999, approximately 2160 acres have been annexed into the Morehead City limits.  Figure 2, Annexations 1998 to Present shows the locations of the areas annexed through 2003.

Records maintained by the Morehead City Planning and Inspections Department show 26 new subdivisions between 1999 and 2003. These subdivisions total approximately 266 acres and include 314 in-city lots/units and 163 out-of-city lots/units.  Table 3.24 shows the subdivision breakout.

Table 3.24   Morehead City Subdivisions
Type of Subdivision	Number of Subdivisions	Total Lots/Units
Commercial	10	62
Single Family Residential	11	252
Duplex Residential	2	52
Multi-family Residential	3	113

Annual building permit activity has increased since the last plan update, with the most permits (1187) being issued in 2001. Permit activity from 1998 through 2003 is shown in Table 3.25. A breakdown of permit types is also shown for 2001 through 2003. Permits were not tracked by type previous to 2001.

Table 3.25  Building Permits Issued by Year
Permit Type	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003
Single Family Residential	n/a	n/a	n/a	85	105	159
Residential Alterations & Additions	n/a	n/a	n/a	177	162	157
Duplexes	n/a	n/a	n/a	0	0	2
Apartment Units	n/a	n/a	n/a	17	60	69
Mobile Homes	n/a	n/a	n/a	40	31	23
Commercial	n/a	n/a	n/a	83	57	66
Demolitions	n/a	n/a	n/a	10	7	21
Signs	n/a	n/a	n/a	105	67	75
Electrical	n/a	n/a	n/a	244	99	81
Plumbing	n/a	n/a	n/a	123	32	22
Mechanical	n/a	n/a	n/a	303	205	177
TOTAL	647	766	796	1187	825	852

 3.3.2  Existing Land Use

To provide a meaningful analysis of existing land use conditions in Morehead City and the extraterritorial planning jurisdiction (ETJ), the planning area was subdivided into ten neighborhood planning areas. The ten neighborhoods (see Figure 3, Morehead City Neighborhood Planning Areas) represent distinct areas of the planning area that have different land use patterns, constraints for development, potential for growth and land development concerns.

Since 1998, Morehead City has grown eastward to include portions of Radio Island, northward to include Blair Farms Subdivision and westward to include the Crystal Coast Business Park. This expansion has affected the boundaries of Neighborhoods 1 and 7 and 8. Neighborhood 10 is a new neighborhood added since the 1999 Land Use Plan. It was created by dividing the existing Neighborhood 8 along the Norfolk-Southern railroad tracks to reflect new development patterns. Neighborhood 8 is now located north of the railroad tracks, with Neighborhood 10 to the south. In addition, the Town has annexed a minimum width of 500 feet of waters along its entire shoreline.

 A.  Neighborhood 1

Neighborhood 1 is basically the eastern end of the peninsula created by Calico Bay, the Newport River, and Bogue Sound and the majority of the newly annexed Radio Island. Neighborhood 1 consists of the central business district (CBD), an older, established residential area north of downtown that includes the Town’s historical district, the state port facility located east of downtown, and Radio Island.  Subareas of Neighborhood 1 include (i) the commercial core of the CBD located on the north and south sides of Arendell Street (US 70), (ii) the waterfront commercial district, (iii) the port facility and Radio Island, (iv) the mixed-use Bridges Street corridor, (v) the residential area between Bridges Street and Calico Bay and (iv) Annex Island in the Newport River and Sugarloaf Island located in Bogue Sound.

Neighborhood 1 contains residential units that include a variety of housing types: single-family detached, single-family attached and low and high rise multi-family.

Retail, commercial service and office establishments comprise the CBD area. The waterfront commercial district on Bogue Sound includes marinas, fish markets, restaurants, charter fishing boat docks, and general retail. The Morehead City Yacht Basin is located on Calico Creek just northeast of the CBD. A major industrial use in Neighborhood 1 is the state port facility that occupies approximately 150 acres at the extreme eastern end of the peninsula. A smaller industrial area is located northeast of the CBD. Public and institutional uses located in this neighborhood include the municipal building and administrative offices, Cape Lookout High School, two parks, the US Army Reserve Center, the Webb Library, a post office and numerous churches.

Neighborhood 1 contains little vacant land that is not located within a floodplain. Consequently, there is little potential for new construction on undeveloped land. Growth potential in Neighborhood 1 centers primarily on redevelopment and conversion of existing structures to different uses. Sugarloaf Island is undeveloped and, due to flood hazard potential and its inaccessibility to major urban services, will most likely not be intensively developed in the near future. However it has been recognized as having potential for a variety of land uses, including a public water access facility that is being developed by the Town. Annex Island (also known as Marsh Island), which is owned by the NC State Ports Authority, is also vacant and is used as a dredge spoil site and for wetlands mitigation purposes.

Reflective of the current land use pattern, Neighborhood 1 contains a variety of zoning classifications. The downtown business area is zoned for a variety of commercial retail, marine commercial and professional uses. The Bridges Street corridor is zoned primarily for office and professional service uses. The Calico Bay waterfront is zoned as floodplain between 5th and 9th Streets, port industrial from 5th Street east, and commercial marina between 11th and 12th Streets.  The port facility and a three-block area between 4th and 5th streets from the Norfolk-Southern Railroad to Calico Bay are zoned for port industrial. Neighborhood 1 residential areas are predominantly zoned R5 which permits a maximum density of eight dwelling units per acre. The existing high-rise structures located on small tracts on the waterfront east of the CBD are zoned PD which allows a much higher residential density than the R5 classification. Sugarloaf and Phillips Islands are zoned as floodplain; Annex Island is zoned for industrial port use. With the exception of Annex Island, the zoning classifications in Neighborhood 1 generally parallel current and anticipated land use patterns. Since the 1999 update, Morehead City has received grant funding to develop a public waterfront site on Sugarloaf Island consisting of docking facilities for small boats, trails, and restroom facilities.

Radio Island consists of state owned property associated with the state port, as well as privately owned areas. Waterfront areas in the state-owned portion consist mostly of docking facilities and wharves, with upland areas having limited development potential. The remainder of Radio Island is privately owned, with condominiums, a marina and other uses. The Town recently extended water and sewer services to the privately owned portion of the island. A public beach access facility operated and maintained by the Town is located on the north side of Highway 70. Another public access facility located on the south side of US 70 is maintained by Carteret County. The nature of the future development of Radio Island has been identified as an important planning issue to be addressed in this Land Use Plan Update.

Although Neighborhood 1 is almost totally developed, continuation of existing land uses or conversion to new land uses are influenced by several existing natural and man-made features.  Influencing features include the Norfolk-Southern Railroad, US 70, Bridges Street, the port facility, and Bogue Sound and Calico Bay, including their floodplains.  All of these features play an important role, either positively or negatively, in the future development or redevelopment of the neighborhood.

Since the adoption of the 1999 update, Morehead City has supported the redevelopment and restoration of the downtown area by providing staff and financial support to the Downtown Morehead City Revitalization Association, amending ordinances to allow for mixed uses, worked to provide additional on-street parking and providing staff to serve on the downtown parking committee. The parking ordinance has been amended to set aside an area downtown where off-street parking is not required. The Town is studying alternative traffic patterns to increase available parking and is working with NCDOT and NC Railroad to preserve the rail corridor by closing certain crossings along the Highway 70 corridor. As noted above, public waterfront access facilities have also been provided in Neighborhood 1.

 

B.  Neighborhood 2

Neighborhood 2 is located south of the Norfolk-Southern Railroad tracts from 10th Street westward to 34th Street. This neighborhood planning area is overwhelmingly residential in nature and consists of three subareas: (i) the waterfront along Bogue Sound, (ii) the south side of the US 70 corridor, and (iii) the interior blocks between (i) and (ii).

Neighborhood 2 contains primarily residential structures, the vast majority of which are single-family detached dwellings. A few low density multi-family units are scattered throughout the neighborhood. The only nonresidential uses in Neighborhood 2 are several commercial establishments scattered along Arendell Street in the vicinity of the Atlantic Beach Causeway and on Evans Street near the CBD, a private school, and several churches. Nonresidential uses account for only about ten percent of the total area in Neighborhood 2. There is less than ten percent vacant land in the neighborhood. The vacant land that is present consists primarily of small building-size lots. Consequently, the growth potential of Neighborhood 2 basically involves the renovation and/or the reuse of existing single-family residences.

The zoning pattern in Neighborhood 2 reflects the existing land use scheme in that almost the entire area is zoned R5S. Single-family residences at a maximum density of eight dwelling units per acre are permitted by the R5S zoning category. The small, scattered existing commercial land uses are zoned for office and professional use.

The existing natural and man-made features that influence Neighborhood 2 include Bogue Sound (including the floodplain), the Norfolk-Southern Railroad, US 70, the causeway to Atlantic Beach, and the proximity of the central business district.

The 1999 update included a policy that waterfront street/alley ends should remain open for public access, as well as policies intended to preserve the Neighborhood’s residential characteristics. Accordingly, the Town has created a Waterfront Access Plan that requires public waterfront street/alley ends to remain open and has actually improved some of the street ends in accordance with the Waterfront Access Plan. Since the 1999 update, Morehead City has received a few rezoning requests to allow for commercial development in this Neighborhood, but has consistently denied these requests.

C.  Neighborhood 3

This area is generally described as north of Arendell Street, south of Calico Creek, between 14th Street and Barbour Road. This neighborhood contains a variety of land uses including single- and multi-family residences, businesses, industrial establishments, and public and institutional facilities. The subareas of Neighborhood 3 include: (i) the US 70 corridor, (ii) the Bridges Street corridor, and (iii) the residential areas between Bridges Street and Calico Creek.

Approximately three-fourths of residences located in Neighborhood 3 are single-family detached housing units. Multi-family residences, including some public housing units and several large medium density apartment developments comprise the remainder of the residential structures. Commercial establishments are concentrated on the north side of the US 70 (Arendell Street) corridor and in the Bridges Street corridor. The industrial uses in Neighborhood 3 are located on Bridges Street between 15th and 17th Streets and along the railroad spur north of Bridges Street. Public and institutional uses are scattered throughout the neighborhood and include 3 large cemeteries, a middle school, municipal facilities, churches, and recreational facilities. Available vacant land consists chiefly of scattered lots and small parcels. Other undeveloped land within Neighborhood 3 is floodable land located along the south bank of Calico Creek.

The zoning pattern in this neighborhood is more varied than those previously discussed. This variety is directly attributed to the multitude of land uses in Neighborhood 3. Residential zoning classifications include R5 for the majority of the area and R7 and R10 for small portions of the western sections of the neighborhood. The density permitted by these zoning classifications range from a low of 4 units per acre (R10) to 8 units per acre (R5). Commercial zoning is found in the Arendell Street and Bridges Street corridors and includes downtown commercial, highway commercial, neighborhood commercial, and office and professional categories. Interestingly, the commercial zoning pattern along Bridges Street is in a nodal pattern rather than a continuous strip pattern as in that portion of Bridges Street located in Neighborhood 1. The small industrial areas located on Bridges Street are zoned for unoffensive industrial use.

Due to the unavailability of vacant developable land, the growth potential of Neighborhood 3 is limited. The major vacant parcels in the neighborhood are zoned for residential use (R5 and R7 classifications). Consequently, the potential for future development appears to be primarily for multi-family residences and, to a lesser extent, institutional uses and commercial services.

The natural and man-made features which impact this neighborhood include Calico Creek and its floodplain, US 70, Bridges Street, the Norfolk-Southern Railroad, Morehead Middle School, cemeteries, and the proximity to the Morehead Plaza shopping center.

The 1999 update included policies intended to maintain the residential character of the Neighborhood, providing adequate screening/buffering between residences and adjacent non-residential properties. Since the 1999 update, land use decisions in this neighborhood were made in conjunction with these policies.

D.  Neighborhood 4

Neighborhood 4 is generally bounded on the east by Barbour Road, 28th Street between Bridges Street and Arendell Street, the Norfolk-Southern Railroad, and 34th Street; on the south by Bogue Sound; on the west by properties abutting the western ends of South Street, Guardian Avenue, and Galantis Drive; and on the north by the Carolina Power and Light Company transmission line right-of-way. This neighborhood planning area contains a wide variety of land uses including large-tract public and institutional, commercial, single-family and multi-family residential, manufactured home, and, industrial uses. Subareas of Neighborhood 4 include: (i) the US 70 corridor, (ii) the institutional and professional office complex centered around 35th Street, the community college campus and Carteret General Hospital, (iii) the Morehead Plaza shopping center area, and (iv) the Bridges Street corridor.

The residential dwelling units that are located in Neighborhood 4 consist primarily of multi-family residences and manufactured homes. This neighborhood contains the largest number of multi-family developments which are concentrated in the Bonner Avenue and Guardian Avenue/Symi Circle areas. Two large manufactured home parks, containing about 180 units, are situated on the north side of Bridges Street north of the Camp Glenn School. Scattered manufactured homes on individual lots are also found throughout Neighborhood 4, particularly in the Maple Lane area. Single-family detached residences, located in relatively small pockets of development, round out the residential uses. Commercial land use consists of the Morehead Plaza shopping center, retail and services in the US 70 and Bridges Street corridors, and the professional office/services concentration located north of the hospital between Penny Lane and North 35th Street. Major public and institutional uses consist of the Carteret General Hospital, Carteret Community College, the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries complex, the NC State Seafood Laboratory, Camp Glenn Elementary School, nursing and health care facilities, the National Guard Armory, the Carteret County Visitors Center, a small park with boat ramp, and an electrical substation. Approximately half of the developed acreage in Neighborhood 4 is in residential use. Institutional uses cover twice as much land as commercial.

The vacant land located in Neighborhood 4 is primarily in two general areas: a large tract north of Bridges Street and east of North 35th Street and a tract located north of Bridges Street and west of Barbour Road.

As in Neighborhood 3, the zoning pattern in Neighborhood 4 is varied due to the wide array of existing land uses. Overall, the zoning pattern parallels the existing land use pattern. Residential zoning is comprised of the R15M, R5, R10, and a limited amount of the R20 classifications. The major multi-family developments are located in areas that are zoned RMF or Office and Professional. The residential density permitted in Neighborhood 4 ranges from about 2 units per acre to 16 units per acre. Commercial zoning consists primarily of the office and professional, medical arts, community shopping, and highway commercial classifications. The major vacant parcels in Neighborhood 4 which were described earlier are zoned primarily for residential (chiefly R5 and R20), office and professional, and industrial use.

Undeveloped land in this neighborhood has decreased by almost half since the 1999 update. Given the remaining amount of vacant, developable land, the existing supporting infrastructure, and recent transportation improvements (such as new connector roads and improving traffic patterns) Neighborhood 4 should continue to be a strong growth area. An area west of North 35th Street, south of the Carolina Power and Light Company transmission line right-of-way, is currently being developed into a subdivision. Morehead Plaza is being redeveloped and is expected to become a highly visited retail center.

Neighborhood 4 is influenced by a variety of natural and man-made factors including US 70, the Norfolk-Southern Railroad, Bridges Street, Bogue Sound, the CP&L transmission right-of-way, Morehead Plaza shopping center, Carteret County Community College, Carteret General Hospital, and the Camp Glenn School. Access to the northwestern corner of Neighborhood 4 has improved with the completion of the Bridges Street Extension and has resulted in more institutional/office uses. The presence of wetlands in the western and northwestern portions of the neighborhood will impact future land development.

Policy statements contained in the 1999 Land Use Plan Update relating to this neighborhood include allowing mixed land uses, sidewalk/street improvements to Barbour Road and North 35th Street and reviewing all development plans with the Army Corps of Engineers to assure identification of wetlands. Since the adoption of the 1999 plan, Morehead City has adopted MATS (Morehead Alternative Transportation System) which includes recommendations for sidewalk and street improvements in the general area. Funding was received through a DOT Enhancement Grant to construct a sidewalk/bicycle path (a phase of MATS).

E.  Neighborhood 5

Neighborhood 5 is overwhelmingly a single-family detached residential area consisting of both well established and newly developing subdivisions.

Neighborhood 5 is generally bounded on the north by the Newport River, on the east by vacant land abutting the Country Club East subdivision, on the south by the CP&L transmission line right-of-way, Bridges Street Extension and the Norfolk-Southern Railroad, and on the west by the town's western extraterritorial planning and zoning jurisdictional boundary which generally runs from the West Carteret High School northward to the Newport River. Subareas include (i) individual residential subdivisions, (ii) the Morehead City Country Club area and (iii) a new commercial and office area paralleling the Bridges Street Extension.

As noted above, Neighborhood 5 contains mostly residences, most of which are single-family dwellings. Major residential subdivisions include, Mandy Farms, Country Club East, Hedrick Estates, Westhaven, Lake and Shore Estates, Northwoods, Oaksmith Acres, West Car Meadows, and Creek Pointe. Multi-family residences are located in apartment developments which are generally concentrated in two areas: adjacent to North 35th Street south of Mandy Lane and on the north side of Country Club Road east of West Carteret High School. Several manufactured homes on individual lots are scattered throughout the neighborhood.

Major commercial development includes the neighborhood-oriented businesses located in the Mandy Park Shopping Center on North 35th Street at Old Gate Road, the office development on the north side of Mandy Lane in the 35th Street Extension intersection area, a small industrial area on Friendly Road just north of the Norfolk-Southern Railroad and new commercial and office development along the Bridges Street Extension. Limited industrial uses have occurred since the 1999 update and are located along the Bridges Street Extension.

Public, institutional, and recreational uses in this neighborhood include the Morehead City Country Club and Golf Course, West Carteret High School, Morehead Primary School, a county-owned park (Swinson Park), a nursing care facility, and several churches.

Neighborhood 5 contains a considerable amount of vacant land. However, the vacant acreage includes the 520-acre nature preserve located in the extreme northwestern corner of the neighborhood as well as several hundred acres of land where wetlands have been identified.  Consequently, the vacant land in Neighborhood 5 is not comprised entirely of vacant, buildable or developable land. However, it is estimated that about 25% of all vacant land in Neighborhood 5 is suitable for development purposes. These developable, vacant tracts are distributed throughout the neighborhood with the larger tracts located on the east and west sides of Friendly Road north of the Norfolk-Southern Railroad, and north of Country Club Road in the northern portion of the neighborhood.

The majority of land in this neighborhood is zoned for low-density and single-family uses (R20) with some small areas being zoned R15 and R15M. A small amount of property is zoned R5, R7, PD, and RMF which permits a higher density that ranges from 8 to 16 units per acres. Commercial zoning is basically limited to those areas that are currently developed for business purposes, such as day care centers and the Sports Center Complex. Industrial zoning is found on the north side of the Norfolk-Southern Railroad on both the east and west sides of Friendly Road. The majority of vacant land in Neighborhood 5 is zoned for residential use, chiefly R20 which allows 2 dwelling units per acre.

The growth potential is high in Neighborhood 5 given the large amount of vacant, developable land.  Low-density residences are the most probable type of future land uses.  Potential also exists for future light industrial or intensive commercial development in the area north of the Norfolk-Southern Railroad on the east and west sides of Friendly Road which is the location of the new Bridges Street Extension.

The natural and man-made features that influence the continuation of existing land uses and the development of future land uses include the Bridges Street Extension, West Carteret High School and Morehead Primary School, the Norfolk-Southern Railroad, the Newport River and its floodplain, wetland areas, and the country club and golf course.

Policy statements contained in the 1999 Land Use Plan for this neighborhood include promoting low density housing in areas lacking public water/sewer, allowing medium density residential development if public water/sewer exists, limiting curb cuts on Bridges Street Extension and recognizing the siltation problem in the Newport River.  Again, any development that occurred in the area since the adoption of the current land use plan was done only after a review of the neighborhood policy statements.

F.  Neighborhood 6

The area is generally described as being bounded on the north by Bridges Street Extension, on the east by properties abutting the end of South Street, on the south by Bogue Sound, and on the west by Spooners Creek.

This neighborhood can best be characterized as two subareas: a strip commercial area adjacent to both the north and south sides of the US 70 corridor and an older, established residential area located on the east and west sides of Peletier Creek and on the east side of Spooners Creek. Portions of the Mitchell Village and Spooners Creek East Harbor subdivisions are located in this neighborhood.

Neighborhood 6 contains primarily residences, three-quarters of which are single-family detached dwellings. Multi-family residences are generally located in relatively small developments scattered throughout the neighborhood. Several small manufactured home parks are located within the US 70 corridor. Commercial development is extensive and includes most parcels adjacent to US 70 and NC 24. Businesses located in this neighborhood include single-lot development, strip shopping centers and marinas. Institutional and recreational uses include small parks and churches. Very limited industrial land uses are located in this neighborhood, occurring adjacent US 70. Vacant land consists primarily of subdivided building lots. Since the 1999 update, growth in this neighborhood has been generally consistent with previous patterns, commercial along the US 70 corridor and residential from US 70 south to Bogue Sound.

Because Neighborhood 6 is comprised of two basic land use groups, the zoning in the area consists of two general zoning classifications, commercial and residential. Commercial zoning includes office and professional, shopping center, highway commercial, neighborhood commercial and marine commercial classifications. Residential zoning on the north and east sides of Peletier Creek involves primarily the R10 classification (maximum 4 units per acre) with some R7 (maximum 6 units per acre) and PD (maximum 36 units per acre). The vast majority of the neighborhood west of Peletier Creek is zoned for a maximum of 3 and 4 units per acre (R20 and R15) with some limited R5 (maximum of 8 units per acre) and R10. Most of the vacant land in Neighborhood 6 is zoned for residential use (primarily R15, R10, and R7) and highway commercial use. The greatest potential for growth in this neighborhood is low-density residential development and conversion of some existing residential parcels in the US 70 corridor to commercial use.

This neighborhood is most noticeably influenced by US 70, NC 24, the Norfolk-Southern Railroad, Bogue Sound, Peletier and Spooners Creeks and their floodplains.

Policy statements included in the 1999 Land Use Plan were aimed at discouraging commercial development along the Bogue Sound waterfront, working with NCDOT on providing sidewalks and landscaping along US 70, maintaining the character of existing residential areas, improving recreational opportunities and adopting regulations requiring connecting or shared parking lots to reduce curb cuts on US 70. Morehead City has worked diligently to extend water and sewer lines to newly annexed property to reduce the number of septic systems. The Town has also worked in conjunction with NCDOT to develop a sidewalk along the US 70 corridor. There are plans to continue sidewalk development westward to the commercial areas of town. Site plans are consistently reviewed to assure connected/shared parking lots and all approved residential rezonings were completed to keep the current neighborhood characteristics.

G.  Neighborhood 7

Like Neighborhood 5, Neighborhood 7 is chiefly a single-family residential area that consists of both mature and developing subdivisions.  This neighborhood planning area is generally bounded on the north and east by the Newport River, on the east by Calico Bay, on the south by Calico Creek and on the west by Country Club East and Mandy Farms subdivisions. Subareas of Neighborhood 7 include: (i) the individual subdivisions adjacent to North 20th Street, (ii) the Crab Point peninsula and (iii) the Dills Creek area. 

The majority of residences located in this neighborhood, are single-family detached dwellings. Major residential subdivisions include Keeter Park, Dill Creek, Sunrise Point, River Heights, Brook Woods, South Shores, Blair Farms and Cambridge Downs. Multi-family residences and condominiums are located on the south side of Mayberry Loop Road and on North 20th Street at the Haystacks Development. An estimated 225 manufactured homes are situated in Neighborhood 7, the majority of which are located in the Pelican Point and Sprookey’s Mobile Home Parks on North 20th Street and in the Bay Meadows Mobile Home Park on Country Club Road at Crab Point. A small mobile home park is also located on Oglesby Road. A small number of manufactured homes on individual lots are scattered throughout the area. Commercial development in this neighborhood is limited to businesses clustered near the North 20th Street and Mayberry Loop Road intersection area. Public and institutional land uses are comprised of a small park and private recreational facilities, the town's wastewater treatment plant, and two churches. Industrial use in Neighborhood 7 is limited to the Carolina Telephone substation. Several large tracts of land are also used for farming/agricultural purposes. A new city-owned soccer complex will be completed in the fall of 2004 off Mayberry Loop Road.

This neighborhood contains the highest amount of vacant land of all ten neighborhood planning areas. Vacant land consists of many large tracts scattered throughout the entire neighborhood. Several of the vacant tracts, are identified as wetlands and are subject, in part, to flood hazards.  Poor soil conditions limit development of much of the vacant tracts in the Crab Point Neck and Dills Creek areas. Generally, the largest developable vacant tracts are located along Country Club Road and west of North 20th Street.

The majority of land, developed and vacant, in Neighborhood 7 is zoned for residential use.  The residential zoning classifications (R5, R7, R10, R-15, R-15SM, R20, and PD) range in maximum permitted density from 2 to 36 units per acre, with the lower density zoning occurring on most of the land in the neighborhood. This neighborhood also contains the largest amount of R15M zoning which permits manufactured home parks and manufactured homes on individual lots. Commercial zoning is basically limited to the area where the majority of the existing businesses are located, which is the North 20th Street and Mayberry Loop Road intersection area.

Growth potential in Neighborhood 7 is good provided the constraints to development can be overcome. Because of the amount of vacant land, it would appear that this neighborhood has the ability to accommodate growth, particularly low-density residential development. Since the 1999 update, water service has been extended along the Country Club Road corridor, thus enhancing the growth potential of this area. Developmental constraints such as flood hazards, poor soil conditions, wetlands, and the lack of support infrastructure in areas of the neighborhood limit the location and intensity of future development

Neighborhood influences impacting this area, in addition to the developmental constraints discussed above, include Calico Creek, the Newport River, North 20th Street and Blair Farm Parkway, which serves as a minor thoroughfare connector between Country Club Road and North 20th Street.

Policy statements contained in the 1999 update for this neighborhood promoted low-density development in areas with no public water and sewer. Medium-density development was promoted in areas with public water and sewer, including mobile home parks.  Traffic improvements along North 20th Street, Tootle Road and Mayberry Loop Road were also encouraged.  Zoning to allow additional mobile home development was discouraged in the Crab Point area. Since the adoption of the 1999 update, Morehead City has adjusted its Thoroughfare Plan to include improvements to the three aforementioned corridors. In addition, no new rezonings in Crab Point that would increase the number of manufactured housing developments have been approved.

H.  Neighborhood 8

With this update of the Land Use Plan, Neighborhood 8 has been divided into two planning areas. The new Neighborhood 8 is located west of Neighborhood 5 and is bounded by the Norfolk-Southern Railway, Hull Swamp, the Newport River and the westernmost boundary of Neighborhood 5. This area is generally referred to as Wildwood. The new planning area of Neighborhood 10 has been created from the old southern portion of Neighborhood 8.

This neighborhood is primarily residential with numerous large undeveloped tracts located between the railroad and the Newport River. The majority of Neighborhood 8 is zoned for low-density residential use. The Crystal Coast Business Park on Old Airport Road is zoned for industrial use and is counted as one of three industrial hubs in Carteret County.  The other two hubs being the NC State Port and Jarrett Bay off Highway 101.

Growth potential in Neighborhood 8 is high where adequate support utilities can be extended.  Neighborhood 8 contains the third largest amount of vacant land among the ten neighborhood planning areas. Industrial development is projected along the Business Drive Extension and along the railroad.  Influencing features include the proposed connector between NC 24 and US 70 in the vicinity of Little Nine Road, the Norfolk Southern Railroad, and Hull Swamp. Recent road improvements, including the Business Drive Extension, add to the growth potential of this neighborhood.

Policy statements contained in the 1999 update encouraged annexation of property to promote economic development and supported installation of water system improvements to promote economic and industrial development. Since the adoption of the 1999 update, the Crystal Coast Business Park has been annexed.

I.  Neighborhood 9

This neighborhood generally includes (i) properties along the Bogue Sound waterfront on the south side of NC Highway 24 from Spooners Creek to the Gull Harbor subdivision, which is located at the southwestern most boundary of the town’s ETJ and (ii) the Brandywine Bay golf course development and surrounding properties.

Neighborhood 9 is primarily residential. The largest residential developments in this neighborhood include Brandywine Bay, Bogue Village, Bogue Landing, Spooners Creek West, the Village at Camp Morehead by the Sea, Phillips Landing and Bay Colony.
The major institutional and recreational uses in Neighborhood 9 include the Brandywine Bay golf course, several churches and a cemetery. Commercial uses are limited and there are no industrial uses located within Neighborhood 9. Several tracts located on the west side of McCabe Road are currently used for agricultural purposes. The majority of the undeveloped and vacant land within this neighborhood is located on the south side of NC 24 and on the west side of McCabe Road.

The majority of this neighborhood is within residential zoning classifications that permit a density of 2 to 3 dwelling units per acre. The Brandywine Bay development is zoned PD, Planned Development. The greatest potential for growth in this neighborhood is low-density residential development. The natural and man-made features that influence Neighborhood 9 include NC 24, Spooners Creek, and Bogue Sound.

As with other primarily residential neighborhoods, policies contained in the 1999 update encourage low-density development in areas where there is no public water or sewer available. Medium density development is allowed where there is public water or sewer available. There is a policy statement that encourages better connectivity between the residential developments along the NC 24 corridor. The extension of Little Nine Drive south to intersect with Highway 24 is also mentioned. Any development that occurred in the area since the adoption of the 1999 update was completed only after a review of the neighborhood policy statements.

 

J.  Neighborhood 10

Neighborhood 10 has been delineated since the 1999 update to include an area previously found in Neighborhood 8. It is best described as south of the Norfolk Southern Railroad and Neighborhood 8, north of Mitchell Village and Spooners Creek, east and north of Brandywine Bay and west of Neighborhood 6.

This neighborhood includes three distinct subareas. Subarea (i) is primarily composed of commercial and industrial lots abutting the US 70 corridor from the US 70 / NC 24 intersection to the western terminus of the town’s extraterritorial planning jurisdiction. Subarea (ii) includes chiefly commercial and vacant lots abutting the north side of NC 24 corridor from the US 70 / NC 24 intersection to just east of the Brandywine Bay development. Subarea (iii) encompasses the mixture of commercial and residential uses north of US 70 and south of the Norfolk Southern Railroad that parallels US 70.

The majority of subareas (i) and (ii) are zoned for commercial use-highway commercial, shopping center, and office and professional.  The remaining areas in Neighborhood 10 are zoned primarily for low-density residential use.
Policy statements contained in the 1999 update supported coordination with NCDOT on sidewalks and landscaping improvements, encouraged annexation of property to promote economic development and supported installation of water system improvements to promote economic and industrial development. Other policies supported improved recreational opportunities by development of a park in the neighborhood, limiting curb cuts on US 70 and NC 24 by requiring interconnected parking lots and connecting the water mains between Morehead City and Newport. Since the adoption of the current land use plan, Morehead City has successfully completed improvements to the water system, including the construction of an elevated water tank. Site plan reviews for new commercial development require interconnected parking lots. Morehead City and Newport have also successfully connected their water mains which will provide backup water supplies for each community.

Since the 1999 update, commercial growth along US 70 and in the vicinity of the US 70 / NC 24 intersection has been strong, resulting in the opening of several new or expanded businesses, including a new Super Wal-Mart and Lowes Home Improvement Store. Outside of the downtown area, Neighborhood 10 is now the main commercial area in Morehead City and Carteret County. Also, Morehead City has been working to develop a road connection in the vicinity of Little Nine Drive between NC 24 and US 70.

Growth potential in Neighborhood 10 is high, particularly along the US 70 and NC 24 corridors and in areas where adequate support utilities can be extended.  Continued retail and commercial services development is anticipated along the highway corridors. Industrial development is projected along Little Nine Road and along the railroad. The recent connection of the Newport and Morehead City water systems also contributes to the attractiveness of the area for growth. Features that have the potential to influence growth include the Bridges Street Extension, the Norfolk Southern Railroad, the existing US 70 and NC 24 highways and the recently connected water line with Newport.

The following table shows the number of acres in each land use category by neighborhood:

Table 3.26  Morehead City Existing Land Use by Neighborhood (in acres)
Neighborhood	Residential	Commercial	Industrial	Institutional	Ag/Open Space	Undeveloped	Total Area in Neighborhood
1	47	36	217	32	53	297	682
2	109	1	0	5	2	7	124
3	92	24	11	74	2	50	253
4	161	65	11	138	0	103	478
5	752	7	10	102	36	1,308	2,215
6	162	82	3	6	146	208	607
7	859	5	6	17	317	1,487	2,691
8	503	38	25	1	53	1,188	1,808
9	466	22	0	51	290	384	1,213
10	93	313	30	5	46	310	797
Total	3,244	593	313	431	945	5,342	10,868
Percent of Total	29.8%	5.5%	2.9%	4.0%	8.7%	49.2%	100%

Over 50% of the total land area in Morehead City is developed. Vacant or undeveloped land makes up approximately 49% of the total area within the Morehead City planning jurisdiction. Approximately 60% of the developed area (30% of the total land area) within the Morehead City planning jurisdiction is in residential use. Commercial uses represent approximately 11% of the developed area (5% of the total), industrial uses comprise approximately 5% of the developed area (3% of the total) and institutional uses represent 7% of the developed area (4% of the total). Agriculture/open space (which includes farming operations, parks, recreation areas and golf courses) represents approximately 17% of areas considered as developed (9% of the total area). Figure 4, Existing Land Use shows the land use for each parcel in the planning area.

Since the 1999 update, the percentage of developed land used for residential purposes has decreased slightly from approximately 68% to about 60%, while all other uses have shown an increase. In general, there is potential for growth in all of the neighborhoods. In Neighborhood 1, further development of Radio Island is expected to occur, with a mix of industrial, residential and recreational uses. The downtown business area is expected to experience continued restoration and

redevelopment. Given the attractiveness of Morehead City as a retirement/second home destination and the rising monetary value of waterfront property, the established waterfront residential areas along the Bogue Sound and Calico Creek waterfronts in Neighborhoods 1, 2 and 3 are expected to experience redevelopment pressures. Neighborhood 4 has large amounts of undeveloped property, existing infrastructure, including improved roads and varied zoning, that will allow for mixed uses. The potential for low-density residential uses is strong in Neighborhood 5. Also in Neighborhood 5, the potential for light industrial and intense commercial uses are good along Bridges Street Extension. Neighborhood 7, particularly along the Country Club Road corridor, has good growth potential for low-density residential uses, provided that constraints to development can be overcome. Given the existence of numerous large undeveloped tracts, as well as the Crystal Coast Business Park, the potential for residential and industrial development is good in Neighborhood 8 in areas where adequate support utilities can be extended. The greatest potential for growth in Neighborhood 9 is continued low-density residential development. The potential for retail and commercial growth in Neighborhood 10 is high in areas where adequate utilities can be extended, particularly along the US 70 and NC 24 corridors. Industrial development is expected along Little Nine Road and the railroad.

 3.3.3  Watershed Development

The level of development in a watershed is an essential consideration in developing land use policies to protect open shellfish waters and restore closed shellfish waters, as required by the Coastal Resources Commission. There is a link between the type and intensity of land use and nonpoint source pollution has been established.

The land area within the Morehead City planning jurisdiction is located within three small (14-digit hydrologic) watersheds. These watersheds do not correspond to municipal or county boundaries. Therefore, it is important to note that portions of these watersheds are not under the jurisdiction of the Town.

Table 3.27 shows the number of acres of each of these watersheds that are under Morehead City jurisdiction and the percent of these areas that are developed. The percentage calculations are based on the area that the town actually has the ability to influence. Other land exists in the watershed but it is under different planning jurisdictions. In this table, ‘developed’ includes agricultural areas as these areas can contribute sediment and pollutants to surface water, thus impacting water quality.

Table 3.27  Watershed Development in Morehead City (in acres)
Watershed	Land under Jurisdiction	Developed	Undeveloped	Percent Developed
03020106030070	9564 ac	4858 ac	4706 ac	50.8
03020106030060	367 ac	260 ac	107 ac	70.8
03020106030020	1346 ac	921 ac	425 ac	68.4

*Total acres of land in watershed exceed land use total acreage. Watershed development includes roads

3.3.4  Land Use and Land / Water Conflicts

Existing and potential land uses that have negative impacts on water quality are identified below:

• In recent years, a major compatibility problem has centered on land development in areas classified as wetlands (also referred to as non-coastal wetlands, freshwater wetlands and “404” wetlands).  The delineation of wetland boundaries is often controversial and their presence can alter or preclude land development proposals. Consequently, the goal of protecting or preserving wetlands and water quality often conflicts with economic development objectives. To minimize the potential of this conflict, Morehead City has implemented a policy of reviewing all development plans with the regulatory branch of the US Army Corps of Engineers.
• The Town of Morehead City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant discharges into Calico Creek, which is classified as a Primary Nursery Area. Due in part to a pattern of heavy rains in recent years, the facility has repeatedly exceeded its permitted limits. The Town has identified and implemented corrective actions, including removing sources of rainwater inflow and groundwater infiltration. The facility was previously under a sewer line moratorium. The purpose of the moratorium was to facilitate a sewer rehabilitation project that was started in June 2003. Sewer system improvements included in the project are expected to reduce extraneous infiltration from the system and hopefully improve water quality in Calico Creek.
• Stormwater concerns also impact the existing and planned road improvements that serve development in the Morehead City planning jurisdiction. The Carteret County Transportation Committee has recommended to the NCDOT that stormwater improvements for the Towns of Morehead City and Beaufort be included as a priority in the 2006-2012 Transportation Improvement Program. Stormwater drainage problems along US 70 (Arendell Street) from the state port to Carteret General Hospital and Carteret Community College are noted as a particular problem, although other roadways also experience stormwater drainage problems. The existing drainage system has deteriorated and is not large enough to handle stormwater runoff in many areas. This leads to ponding and hazardous driving conditions.
• Septic system failure problems exist with some of the older systems in the Town’s extraterritorial jurisdiction, and affect water quality in nearby waters.

Potential and existing land use conflicts in the Morehead City planning jurisdiction include the following:

• Ongoing development of Radio Island may result in conflicts between industrial (state port-related), residential and recreational uses. The potential for hazardous uses would result in negative impacts on both residential and recreational uses, including quality of life issues and potential property devaluations. 
• Continuing industrial development of the Crystal Coast Business Park may conflict with nearby existing and adjacent future residential uses. It will be important to consider buffering requirements, potential rezonings and other tools to prevent these potential conflicts.
• Industrial uses in predominantly residential areas exist in parts of Morehead City. Of particular concern is the railroad “Y” area located on Arendell Street near the approach to the Atlantic Beach Causeway. Existing zoning would allow another industrial use on the site.
• Blighted areas, mostly consisting of dilapidated housing structures interspersed with newer, more expensive development, are scattered throughout the jurisdiction. This is a particular problem in the older waterfront areas of Neighborhoods 1, 2 and 3.
• The Town requires public waterfront street/alley ends on Bogue Sound to remain open for public access. Although some of the street ends have been improved, the resulting public access function has created some conflicts with neighborhood residents.

3.3.5  Land Needs Forecast 

The following table provides short and long-term projections of residential land area needed to accommodate the projected future permanent and seasonal population projections.  These land needs projections are based, in part, upon permanent population projections for Carteret County prepared by the NC State Data Center (Section 3.1.4 A) and on seasonal and peak population projections (Section 3.1.4 B.).  The 7B Guidelines allow the projections of land needs to be increased by up to 50 percent to account for unanticipated growth and to provide market flexibility.

The table also projects commercial, industrial, and public and institutional land needs through 2025.  Nonresidential land needs projections are based upon the proportional relationship of each of the nonresidential land use categories to total existing residential land as demonstrated in the existing land use patterns evaluated in Section 3.3.2, Existing Land Use.  Commercially-used land represents about 18 percent of the existing residential acreage, industrially-used land approximately 15 percent, and public and institutionally-used acreage about 13 percent.  The nonresidential land needs projections assume that these proportional ratios will remain constant in future years.

Table 3.28  Land Needs Projections Morehead City Planning Jurisdiction
Total
	2000-2005	2005-2010	2010-2015	2015-2020	2020-2025	2000-2025
Projected Permanent Population	14,869	15,622	16,166	16,669	17,033	---
Permanent Population Increase	771	753	544	502	365	2,935
Permanent Dwelling Unit Increase*	378	369	267	246	179	1,439
Seasonal Dwelling Unit Increase**	36	36	26	24	17	139
Total Dwelling Unit Increase	414	405	292	270	196	1,577
Residential Acres Per Dwelling Unit***	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0	---
Additional Residential Acres Needed	414	405	292	270	196	1,577
Total Residential Acres w/50% Adjustment	621	607	438	404	294	2,366
Additional Commercial Acres Needed	114	111	80	74	54	433
Additional Industrial Acres Needed	93	91	66	61	44	355
Additional Public and Institutional Acres Needed	83	81	58	54	39	315
* Assumes 2.07 pph
** Assumes 12.6% of permanent du will be seasonal du
*** Assumes 1.0 acre per du
Nonresidential land needs projections are based upon the current approximate proportional relationship of each category of nonresidential land to residential land.
Source:  The Wooten Company, October 2006

It appears that sufficient undeveloped land and redevelopable tracts currently exist within or on the immediate periphery of the current Morehead planning jurisdictional area to meet projected residential and nonresidential land needs through 2025.

3.4  Community Facilities Analysis

This section of the Land Use Plan analyzes the existing and planned capacity and adequacy of the water, wastewater, and transportation systems of Morehead City and its planning jurisdiction. Maps of the water, sewer and transportations systems are included in Appendix D.

The Water and Sewer Systems Map (see Figure 11 in Appendix D) shows the approximate location of the Town of Morehead City’s water lines and sewer lines as well as water supply wells and storage tanks. Virtually all primary and secondary roads in the town have water and sewer lines, and portions of the ETJ are also served. Drainage system adequacy is briefly addresses in the transportation section. It is impossible to pinpoint the exact areas with drainage problems as only part of the drainage infrastructure within the city limits is mapped and there is very little data associated with it. Most surveys of the drainage systems note problems, such as ponding due to a clogged pipe, at the time of the survey but do not address long term issues.

3.4.1  Water

The Town of Morehead City’s water system is operated as a division of the Public Utilities Department. Five wells located throughout the Town of Morehead City and its extra territorial jurisdiction (ETJ) provide raw water supply for the system (NCDENR 2002).  The raw water is treated with chlorine and fluoride at each of the 5 wells before it enters the system. According to the 2003 Water Quality Report, the system had no violations and drinking water met or exceeded all federal and state requirements (Town of Morehead City-A 2003).

The town has approximately 4,944 metered connections. Of these connections, 82.3% are residential, 16.6% are commercial, 1.0% is institutional and 0.1% is industrial (NCDENR 2002).

The system has approximately 2.55 million gallons per day (MGD) of available supply NCDENR 2002). Average daily use, according to the 2002 Town of Morehead City Water Supply Plan, is 1.178 MGD or 46.2% of the current available supply. The Public Utilities Department estimates the average daily demand will grow to 1.514 MGD in 2020 or 48% of the current available supply (NCDENR 2002).  The future demand is below 80% of available supply, which is the maximum allowed without adding additional supply. The system has three storage tanks with a combined total storage of approximately 1.5 million gallons of water (NCDENR 2002).

According to the town’s 2002 Water Supply Plan, the average annual daily water use was 1.178 MGD with a peak daily use of 1.870 MGD.  The average annual daily use in 2002 was 0.540 MGD for residential uses, 0.299 MGD for commercial customers, 0.043 MGD for industrial uses and 0.083 MGD for institutional uses.  Water used by the system accounted for 0.982 MGD and there was .016 MGD of unaccounted for water (leaks etc.) 

Projected average daily demand is expected to increase from the current level of 1.178 MGD to 1.966 MGD by 2030, or to 63 percent of the total available supply.  The projected average annual daily use in 2030 is expected to be 0.901 MGD for residential uses, 0.499 MGD for commercial customers, 0.072 MGD for industrial uses, and 0.138 MGD for institutional uses.  Water used by the system in 2030 is estimated to account for 1.638 MGD and there is anticipated to be 0.328 MGD of unaccounted for water (leaks etc.)  Average daily water demand is not projected to exceed 63 percent of available supply through 2030.

The following table summarizes projected water supply demand and needs for the town’s water system:

	2010	2020	2030
Year-Round Service Area Population	8,900	10,000	13,000
Seasonal Service Area Population	11,000	13,000	18,000
Total Service Area Demand, MGD	1.346	1.514	1.966
Total Available Water Supply, MGD	3.126	3.126	3.126
Total Average Daily Demand, MGD	1.346	1.514	1.966
Demand as Percent of Supply	43%	48%	63%
Additional Supply Needed to Maintain 80% of Available Supply, MGD	0.000	0.000	0.000
Source:  Morehead City 2002 Water Supply Plan

Future system plans include adding a sixth well providing an additional 0.576 MGD of supply to the system in 2010 (NCDENR 2002).  The location of this new well is currently undetermined.  The Public Utilities Department has noted that the system may need additional water treatment to meet Tri-Halo Methane (THM) standards and/or color standards in the drinking water (NCDENR 2002).

3.4.2  Sewer

The Town of Morehead City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) is also operated as a division of the Public Utilities Department. The facility is a permitted 1.7 million gallon per day (MGD) treatment plant which consists of primary clarifiers, trickling filters, secondary clarifiers and chlorination (Town of Morehead City-B 2003).  The wastewater treatment plant has a design capacity of 2.8 MGD.  The discharge receiving stream is Calico Creek in the White Oak River Basin. 

The facility was previously under a sewer line moratorium that was imposed in April 1999 by the NC Division of Water Quality (NCDWQ 2004). Under this moratorium, limits were set for particular parameters under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit could be relaxed for a time determined to be reasonable for making necessary improvements to the facility (NCDWQ 2004). The purpose of the moratorium was to facilitate a $3,000,000 sewer rehabilitation project. This project began in June 2003 and includes replacement of approximately 250 manholes and five miles of sewer line to help reduce the inflow/infiltration of rainwater that enters the sewer collection system (Town of Morehead City-B 2003). This has resulted in the elimination of approximately 264,028 gallons per day of extraneous infiltration from the system (Town of Morehead City-B 2003).  Additional work is anticipated to provide additional improvements toward meeting the goals of the project.

The normal hydraulic design of the wastewater treatment facility for the year 2030 is projected at 2.66 MGD, with facilities to handle individual day peak hydraulic loads of up to 4.0 MGD.  In 2030 the land use breakdown will be as follows (based on current percentage of total use): for residential uses is 1.68 MGD, 0.86 MGD for commercial uses, 0.03 MGD for industrial use, 0.09 MGD for institutional uses, and 0.00 MGD for plant use and maintenance.  It has been recommended that planning for proposed improvements to the wastewater treatment facility tentatively provide for a daily hydraulic capacity of 3.0 MGD.  In addition, it has been recommended that the wastewater treatment facility be designed to accommodate peak daily flows of 4.5 MGD.

In 2000 the Wastewater Treatment Plant was fined two times for limit violations at a cost of $1040.55 for each violation (NCDENR 2004) (Town of Morehead City-B 2000). The facility repeatedly exceeded its permitted limit of 1.7 MGD in 2003 due to the area receiving 91.5 inches of rainfall (average annual rainfall is 55 inches per year.) The Town exceeded the monthly average Wastewater Treatment Plant flow for 8 of the 12 months. Future plans for the Wastewater Treatment Plant through 2010 include expansion of the facility infrastructure to treat 2.5 MGD (NCDENR 2002).

3.4.3  Transportation

The 1996 NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT) Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) listed two major highway projects that impact Morehead City. Both of these projects have been completed. The Bridges Street Extension from its previous terminus at Arendell Street westward to the US Highway 70 / NC Highway 24 intersection was completed in 1998. The second highway improvements project listed in the TIP involved the multi-lane widening of NC Highway 24 from Swansboro to US Highway 70 in Morehead City and was completed in 2001.

The NCDOT Transportation Improvement Program for 2004-2010 does not include any projects for Morehead City. The Carteret County Transportation Committee presented transportation priorities for the county to NCDOT in November of 2003 to be considered for inclusion in the 2006-2012 TIP.

The Committee report identified six priorities for the 2006-2012 Transportation Improvement Program. Five of these pertain to the US 70 corridor. Although only one priority would actually take place within the Town of Morehead City’s planning jurisdiction, all of the projects will affect the municipality.

The highest priority recommended by the Carteret County Transportation Committee is the replacement of the Gallants Channel Bridge. The second priority for the County is the completion of bypasses at Clayton, Goldsboro, Kinston, and Havelock as well as projects between these cities so that Highway 70 will be a fully controlled-access freeway from Raleigh to the Port of Morehead City. The third priority involves widening and improvement of US 70 from Beaufort to East Carteret High School.

The fourth priority consists of stormwater improvements for Beaufort and Morehead City. The report notes there are stormwater drainage problems in the older sections along US 70 from the Port of Morehead City to Carteret General Hospital and Carteret Community College. The existing system has deteriorated and is not large enough to handle stormwater run-off in many areas. This leads to ponding of stormwater and hazardous driving conditions. Currently, a feasibility study is recommended as the scope of these needed improvements is beyond the capabilities of the NCDOT Division 2 budget. Priority five is the widening and improvement of the Newport River Bridge. Priority six is construction of the Northern Bypass from the Havelock Bypass to the Port of Morehead City. A preliminary environmental feasibility study identified three potential locations for the bypass.

The Carteret County Transportation Committee also reported on roads that were at or near capacity in the county in 1996. In the Morehead City planning jurisdiction, US 70 was near capacity from the western edge of the planning area to Old Murdock Road and from 24th to 4th Streets. It was at or over capacity from Old Murdock Road to 24th Street and from 4th Street to Radio Island. Other road sections near capacity include a section of Country Club Road less than one mile in length near the intersection with US 70, 35th Street between US 70 and Bridges Street, and Bridges Street near Barbour Road. Projections for 2025 show the above-mentioned road sections at or over capacity. Country Club Road from US 70 to N 35th Street and Bridges Street from 35th Street East to US 70 will be near capacity.

Comparing traffic volumes over time is a good indicator of areas where growth is occurring. For those roads monitored in the same location in 1999 and 2002, all but two (Bridges Street between 24th and 25th Streets and US 70 between 8th and 9th Streets) saw an increase in traffic volume (Table 3.29). The Transportation Systems Map (see Figure 12 in Appendix D) shows the locations of roads at or near capacity, roads over capacity and the locations of the traffic count points.

Table 3.29  Traffic Volumes in Morehead City
Location	1999	2002
West of the US 70/NC 24 Intersection	27,000	31,000
Country Club Rd near intersection with US 70	N/A	120
East of the US 70/NC 24 Intersection	30,000	32,000
Friendly Rd near intersection with US 70	N/A	5,500
US 70 east of intersection with N 35th St	N/A	31,000
US 70 between N 35th St and Taylor St	26,000	30,000
US 70 between 28th and 30th Streets	25,000	31,000
Bridges St between 24th and 25th Streets	14,000	13,000
US 70 between 19th and 20th Streets	N/A	25,000
US 70 between 8th and 9th Streets	21,000	21,000
Country Club Rd near the intersection with Tootle Rd	4,300	5,200
Mayberry Loop Rd between N 20th St and Mizzell Rd	1,100	1,300
N 20th St north of intersection with Golden Ln	3,500	3,700

Source: NCDOT 1999, NCDOT 2002

In 1992 NCDOT, in cooperation with the Towns of Morehead City and Beaufort, Carteret County and the Federal Highway Administration, completed the Morehead City / Beaufort Thoroughfare Plan. The planning period for the study extended through 2010. The 1992 Thoroughfare Plan has as its major objective improving operational efficiency through street system coordination and layout. The plan considered existing and projected conditions, including population statistics and projections, vehicle usage trends and transportation needs of the area. The study compared traffic volumes to road capacities, considered parking needs and identified problem areas as indicated by traffic accident records.

In addition to the capacity issues identified by the Carteret County Transportation Committee, the 1992 Thoroughfare Plan identified the following local areas which are at or exceed their practical capacity: NC 24 west of the US 70 / NC 24 intersection and the Causeway from Morehead City to Atlantic Beach. Projections by the NCDOT indicate that by 2010, Barbour Road, 20th Street / Crab Point Road and a portion of Mayberry Loop Road will also be near or exceeding practical capacity.

Major recommendations contained in the 1992 Thoroughfare Plan include the following:

• A new east-west road in the Crab Point area
• An extension of Bridges Street westward past the US 70 / NC 24 intersection
• A new street tying Country Club Road to Arendell Street west of the Swinson Park area
• An interchange at the intersection of US 70 and NC 24

Additional transportation improvement goals and issues identified by Morehead City officials for the planning period include the following:

• Developing a connector road between US 70 and NC 24 in the vicinity of Little Nine Drive to provide a link between the Crystal Coast Business Park and NC 24 (Business Drive Extension has been completed to provide multiple access to industrial sites at the Business Park, convenient access to NC 24 will improve opportunities for further development of the Business Park)
• Straightening of the curve in the Mayberry Loop Road
• Decreasing the number of traffic lights on US 70
• Balancing the functionality of US 70 with rights of property owners to develop and redevelop property
• Promoting of the Morehead City waterfront as a destination of traveling boaters along the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway 
• Installing additional sidewalks along area streets / Morehead Alternative Transportation System (MATS)

Parts of MATS have been implemented since the last plan update and when complete will provide a network of sidewalks throughout the Town’s planning area. A connected sidewalk system has been installed on the south side of Arendell Street from Rochelle Drive to the downtown area. Sidewalk construction is under contract to be constructed along portions of Country Club Road and Bridges Street Extension. Sidewalks are also planned along NC 24 within the town limits and into the ETJ.

Air service to Morehead City is provided by the county owned Beaufort–Morehead City Airport located in Beaufort, which provides three runways that accommodate single and twin engine aircraft. Commercial airports are located in nearby New Bern and Jacksonville. Rail freight service to the area is provided by Atlantic and East Carolina Railway. The Port of Morehead City provides water transportation services, specializing in bulk, break bulk and specialty cargoes. Commercial bus service is available to the area through Seashore Transportation Company (Trailways). Major truck lines serving Morehead City include Estes Express, Old Dominion, Roadway Express, Southeastern Freight and Yellow Freight.

3.4.4  Stormwater

The existing stormwater drainage facilities within the Town of Morehead City consist of a system of piping, catch basins, drainage ditches, and swales (see Figure 13 in Appendix D).  Approximately two-thirds of the 22.8 miles of stormwater piping consists of concrete pipes; the remainder is composed of vitrified clay, corrugated metal, PVC, and steel pipes.  Pipe sizes range from 2 to 48 inches.  Over half of the pipes are 12 to 15 inches in diameter.  Of the total 1,080 catch basins in the storm drain system, a recent assessment determined that 80 percent functioned properly.  Blockage, ponding, and structural problems were reported for the remaining 20 percent of the catch basins.

The Town’s existing stormwater management program involves:

• Maintaining existing ditches.
• Building new city projects utilizing low impact development design techniques (i.e. Rotary Park).
• Updating stormwater facilities as part of street improvement projects.  Such projects usually include the installation of underground storage facilities that allow seepage.
• Development of a draft stormwater management ordinance.  The draft ordinance has not been adopted and implemented due to insufficient staffing to enforce the ordinance.  Once the adequate staff is hired, adoption and administration of the ordinance is anticipated.
• Maintaining a database and maps of the existing stormwater system.
• Identifying illicit discharge areas.
• Reporting malfunctioning/poorly maintained stormwater ponds to the State.

The Town of Morehead City has agreed to the following voluntary mitigation measure to address the impacts of increased stormwater resulting from increased development associated with the expanded wastewater treatment plant capacity:

1.   No sewer service to Sugarloaf Island, Haystacks Marshes, Newport Marshes (more specifically identified as being west of Northwoods Subdivision, north of Westhaven Subdivision and east of now/formerly Luther Jones property) and Phillips Island.

2.   To the maximum extent practical, by the completion of the new wastewater treatment plant, the Town will proceed with voluntarily developing and implementing a local stormwater management program for the Town’s entire jurisdiction designed to utilize measures identified in the State of North Carolina’s NPDES Stormwater program including:
a.   Public Education
b.   Public Involvement
c.   Illicit Discharge Detection & Elimination
d.   Construction Site Stormwater Runoff Controls
e.   Post Construction Stormwater Management.
f.    Municipal Housekeeping & Pollution Prevention

3.   Inventory potential opportunities for Clean Water Management Trust Fund grant applications which include identification of environmentally sensitive areas and pursue grant funding.

4.   Pursue grants to enhance and complement the Advanced Identification of Wetlands mapping that was completed for Carteret County in the 1990’s, including Morehead City.

5.   Continued cooperative efforts between various state agencies and environmental groups to evaluate and improve stormwater management in Morehead City (i.e. Visitor’s Center Stormwater Project).

6.   No additional or enlarged stormwater discharge points into SA waters in accordance with State regulations.

7.   In an effort to mitigate and reduce wastewater and existing stormwater discharges into Calico Creek, the Town will complete an inventory of existing stormwater discharges and evaluate retrofit opportunities prior to completion of the new wastewater treatment plant.  It will also pursue projects such as the demonstration water reuse project which pipes discharge to a 5-acre sod area on North 25th Street.  The Town will pursue grant funding to complete this study and to fund retrofit opportunities.

8.   Pursue staff training to assist the state in monitoring stormwater projects.  Implement a model ‘Community Watch’ system as an extension of the State’s stormwater program and convey collected data to the Division of Water Quality.

9.   Conduct a self-evaluation of existing ordinances and policies utilizing the Watershed Protection Manual provided by the Center for Watershed Protection.

 

3.5  Land Suitability Analysis

The land suitability analysis (LSA) is a process for identifying land in the Morehead City planning jurisdiction that is most suitable for development. The analysis is not intended to “rule out” any land or site from development. The LSA simply ranks land from least suitable to most suitable for development. It is intended to provide this information to local decision-makers in order to guide the formulation of local policies.

The LSA is based on consideration of several factors. These include the following:

• Natural features and their capabilities
• Existing development
• Compatibility with existing land uses
• Proximity/availability of community facilities
• Regulatory restrictions on land development

As part of the land suitability analysis, the CAMA Land Use Planning Guidelines require the development of a Land Suitability Map. The Division of Coastal Management (DCM), in conjunction with the NC Center for Geographic Information and Analysis, has provided a geographic information system-based model for analyzing land suitability and development of the LSA map. This system utilizes the suitability factors shown in the table on the following page.

The LSA model puts land areas into one of four categories: least, low, medium, and high suitability. Areas that are the most undesirable for development, such as coastal wetlands, are placed into the least suitable category and cannot be weighted or changed in the model.

The remaining characteristics, such as soil septic suitability or proximity to water lines, are weighted as important, very important or extremely important in determining suitability. Using a weighting scale, the local planners and decision-makers can determine the relative importance of these characteristics. The chart below illustrates the weighting scale.

                        Relative Importance                                     Numerical Weight
                        Important                                                                     1
                        Very important                                                             2
                        Extremely important                                                    3

To develop the local LSA map, the Land Use Plan Advisory Committee assigned numerical weights indicating the relative importance of each factor. The following table represents the factors included in the analysis, the suitability rating of each factor and the locally assigned weights:

Table 3.30  Morehead City Land Suitability Analysis Weights
Suitability Factor	Least Suitable Rating	Low Suitability Rating	Medium Suitability Rating	High Suitability Rating	Local Assigned Weight
(A) Coastal Wetlands	Inside		Outside		n/a
(B) Exceptional & Substantial Noncoastal Wetlands	Inside		Outside		n/a
(C) Estuarine Waters	Inside		Outside		n/a
(D) Protected Lands	Inside		Outside		n/a
(E) Beneficial Noncoastal Wetlands		Inside		Outside	2
(F) High Quality Waters		Inside		Outside	1
(G) Storm Surge Areas		Inside		Outside	1
(H) Soils with septic limitations		Severe	Moderate	Slight	3
(I) Flood Zones		Inside		Outside	2
(J) Significant Natural Heritage Areas		<500’		>500’	1
(K) Hazardous Substance Disposal Sites		<500’		>500’	1
(L) NPDES Sites		<500’		>500’	1
(M) Wastewater Treatment Plants		<500’		>500’	1
(N) Sewer Discharge Points		<500’		>500’	1
(O) Airports		<500’		>500’	1
(P) Developed Land		>1 mi	.5 – 1 mi	<.5 mi	2
(Q) Primary Roads		>1 mi	.5 – 1 mi	<.5 mi	2
(R) Water Pipes		>.5 mi	.25 – .5 mi	<.25 mi	3
(S) Sewer Pipes		>.5 mi	.25 – .5 mi	<.25 mi	3

The suitabilities have been established in the LSA model by DCM. Factors in rows A through D are least suitable for development and cannot be weighted. However, the Land Use Plan Advisory Committee has determined the importance of each of the other factors (rows E through S)

and assigned weights (1, 2 or 3) to meet local goals and policies.  Weights have been assigned based on the local government’s determination of the importance of each factor as it relates to suitability to development. The following categories remained at their default classification: High Quality Waters, Flood Zones, Hazardous Substance Disposal Sites, NPDES Sites, Wastewater Treatment Plants, Sewer Discharge Points, Airports, Primary Roads, Water Pipes, and Sewer Pipes. The Soils with Septic Limitations factor was raised from a default assigned weight of 1 to a weight of 3. Beneficial Non-coastal Wetlands and Developed Land were both raised from a default weight of 1 to a weight of 2. Storm Surge and Significant Natural Heritage Areas were both lowered from a default weight of 2 to a weight of 1. Figure 5, Land Suitability Map shows the results of the land suitability analysis for the Morehead City planning jurisdiction.

The map shows four classes of land – least suitable, low suitability, medium suitability and high suitability. In general, the higher suitability areas are located along the Bogue Sound and Calico Creek waterfront areas, along major roads and areas served by water and sewer.  According to the land suitability analysis, 15% of the undeveloped land in Morehead City is highly suitable for development. In addition, 13% is classified as medium suitability, and 13% is classified as low suitability. Over 58% of the undeveloped land in Morehead City is classified as least suitable for development.

State Port property, including portions of Radio Island, is identified on the map as it has statewide significance, but the Town’s jurisdiction over these properties is limited. As shown in Table 3.27, federal lands fall into the least suitable category because of ownership.

3.6  Review of Existing Policies

The purpose of this section of the Land Use Plan is to evaluate how the 1999 Town of Morehead City Land Use Plan has been used to guide growth and development and the Town’s success in implementing policies contained in the plan. Morehead City’s approach to land use planning is different from most other local governments. The 1999 plan divided the planning jurisdiction into nine neighborhoods and incorporated specific policy statements for the individual neighborhoods, as well as citywide policy statements.

3.6.1  Resource Protection Issues

The main resource protection issues discussed during the development of the 1999 plan and reflected in the adopted policy statements include the following:

• Surface and groundwater quality
• Stormwater runoff impacts to water quality
• Long-term solutions to wastewater treatment and disposal
• Protection of Sugarloaf Island while allowing flexible use options
• Conservation of Phillips Island and the Newport Marshes
• Economic and environmental impacts of deepening Calico Creek
• Preservation of wetlands
• The implication of anticipated sea level rise

Overall, Morehead City’s general policy relating to resource protection is to give the highest priority to the protection and management of the area’s natural resources.

Since the adoption of the 1999 CAMA Land Use Plan, Morehead City has accomplished the following:

• Reviewed and adopted policies to encourage property owners to tie into the City’s sewer system rather than using septic tanks
• Initiated a slip-lining project of old sewer lines to reduce the amount of extraneous inflow and infiltration into the City’s waste treatment plant
• Extended sewer lines to properties that had failing septic systems
• Provided water and sewer service to property that was being developed with marginal soil capacity
• Conducted a storm water study for the corporate limits and the extraterritorial jurisdiction and worked towards meeting the Phase II requirements (although  Morehead City is not a scheduled Phase II community)
• Developed an education program for utility customers to encourage water conservation and adopted incentive programs
• Purchased Sugarloaf Island to preserve it as a natural open space park with limited improvements
• Assisted the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) with the development and adoption of more accurate flood maps
• Continued participation in the FEMA Community Rating System and increased the flood insurance rate reduction to 10%

3.6.2  Economic and Community Development Policies

The main issues that were considered and addressed in the development of these policies were:

• Maintenance of low residential densities
• Impacts of high-rise development
• Redevelopment of downtown
• Infill development in established residential areas
• Commercial land use encroachment in residential areas
• Economic impact of the North Carolina State Port
• Strip commercial development management adjacent to US 70
• Impact of tourism
• Thoroughfare improvements
• Promotion of voluntary annexations
• Norfolk-Southern Railroad corridor
• Waterfront access
• Industrial development promotion

Morehead City’s overall policy concerning economic and community development is to consider growth of the community as a desirable objective. Furthermore, the Town promotes only those types of development that do not significantly impact natural resources and which retain and maintain the Town’s present character.

Morehead City has made the following advances regarding implementation of policies addressing the above-mentioned issues: 

• Incorporated a review of the Land Use Plan as a part of the rezoning decision making process
• Amended the land development ordinances to allow for mixed use development
• Adjusted procedures to ensure the opportunity to develop affordable housing
• Updated the City’s Thoroughfare Plan
• Provided financial and staff support to the Downtown Morehead City Revitalization Association, whose mission is to encourage redevelopment and restoration of the central business district
• Worked to develop additional on-street parking in the downtown area
• Extended water and sewer service to the Crystal Coast Business Park and helped coordinate the development of an industrial grade road leading to the park
• Continued cooperation with federal and state agencies relating to land development
• Developed and began implementation of a waterfront access plan.

 3.6.3  Neighborhood Policies

As noted above, the 1999 Land Use Plan divided the planning jurisdiction into nine neighborhoods to address specific issues of the different areas.

Neighborhood 1: This is primarily the downtown area and most of the policy statements deal with improving and enhancing the neighborhood.  Since the adoption of the 1999 Land Use Plan, Morehead City has:

• Supported the redevelopment and restoration of the downtown area by providing staff and financial support to the Downtown Morehead City Revitalization Association
• Amended ordinances to allow for mixed uses
• Worked to provide additional on-street parking and provided staff to serve on the downtown parking committee
• Studied alternative traffic patterns to increase available parking
• Continued to work with the NCDOT and NC Railroad to preserve the rail corridor by closing certain crossings along the US 70 corridor

Neighborhood 2: This area is located south of Arendell Street from 9th to 34th Street. Many of the policy statements for this neighborhood relate to preserving its residential characteristic by limiting commercial rezoning requests and maintaining the current use, density and building height requirements. The plan also contains a policy that waterfront street/alley ends should remain open for public access. Implementation measures include:

• Denial of rezoning requests to allow commercial development in this neighborhood
• Development of a waterfront access plan which requires public waterfront street/alley ends to remain open and improvement of some of the street ends in accordance with the Waterfront Access Plan

Neighborhood 3: This area is generally described as north of Arendell Street, south of Calico Creek, between 14th Street and Barbour Road.  Three subareas include the Highway 70 corridor, the Bridges Street corridor and residential neighborhoods. The policy statements speak to maintaining residential areas and providing adequate screening/buffering between residences and adjacent non-residential properties. Land use decisions in this neighborhood have been made in conjunction with these policies.

Neighborhood 4: This area can generally be described as south of Mandy Farms subdivision and west of Barbour Road, including Carteret General Hospital, Carteret Community College, the Medical Park and Madisen Parke Subdivision. The policy statements for this neighborhood include allowing mixed land uses, sidewalk/street improvements to Barbour Road and North 35th Street and reviewing all development plans with the Corps of Engineers to assure identification of wetlands.  Since the adoption of the City’s current land use plan, Morehead City has:

• Adopted MATS (Morehead Alternative Transportation System) which provides recommendations for sidewalk and street improvements in the general area
• Obtained funding through a DOT Enhancement Grant to construct a sidewalk/bicycle path (a phase of MATS)
• Continued to review development plans with the Corps of Engineers

Neighborhood 5: This is primarily a low-density residential area and includes Country Club East, Mandy Farms, Morehead City Country Club, Hedrick Estates, Northwoods, Westhaven, West Carteret High School, Morehead Primary and Swinson Park. The neighborhood policy statements include promoting low density housing in areas lacking public water/sewer, allowing medium density residential development if public water/sewer exists, limiting curb cuts on Bridges Street Extension and recognizing the siltation problem in the Newport River. Any development that has occurred in the area since the adoption of the 1999 update was completed only after a review of the neighborhood policy statements.

Neighborhood 6: This neighborhood is best described as south of Bridges Street Extension and west of Oak Drive, including Mitchell Village. Policy statements include discouraging commercial development along the Bogue Sound waterfront, coordination with NCDOT on providing sidewalks and landscaping along US 70, maintaining the character of existing residential areas, improving recreational opportunities and adopting regulations requiring connecting or shared parking lots to reduce curb cuts on US 70. Implementation includes the following:

• Extending water and sewer lines to newly annexed property to reduce the number of septic systems
• Worked with NCDOT to develop a sidewalk along the US 70 corridor and continue to develop it westward to the commercial areas of town 
• Reviewed site plans to assure connected/shared parking lots
• Limited rezoning approvals were limited to those which maintain the current neighborhood characteristics

Neighborhood 7: This neighborhood is bounded on the south by Calico Creek, the north and east by the Newport River and the west by Country Club East and Mandy Farms. Policy statements for this neighborhood include promoting low density development in areas with no public water and sewer and allowing medium density development in areas with public water and sewer, including mobile home parks. Traffic improvements along North 20th Street, Tootle Road and Mayberry Loop Road are also encouraged. Zoning in the Crab Point area to allow additional mobile home development is discouraged. Morehead City, since the adoption of the current land use plan, has:

• Amended the Thoroughfare Plan to address improvements to the above mentioned corridors 
• Denied rezoning requests in Crab Point that would increase the number of manufactured housing developments

Neighborhood 8: This neighborhood is located west of Neighborhood 5 and includes the land north of Mitchell Village and Spooner’s Creek. It also includes the land east and north of Brandywine Bay subdivision.  It is generally referred to as Wildwood. Policy statements include working with the NCDOT on sidewalks and landscaping improvements, encouraging annexation of property to promote economic development, installation of water system improvements to promote economic and industrial development, improving recreational opportunities by developing a park, limiting curb cuts on US 70 and NC 24 by requiring interconnected parking lots and connecting the water mains between Morehead City and Newport. Since the adoption of the current land use plan, Morehead City has:

• Successfully completed improvements to the water system, including the construction of an elevated water tank 
• Annexed the Crystal Coast Business Park into the Town limits 
• Reviewed site plans for new commercial development to ensure they include interconnected parking lots 
• Connected water mains between Morehead City and Newport, which will provide backup water supplies for each community

Neighborhood 9: This neighborhood includes Brandywine Bay and the land south of NC 24 to Mitchell Village. As with other primarily residential neighborhoods, policies encourage low-density development in the absence of public water or sewer, while medium density development is allowed where there is public water or sewer. Transportation policies encourage better connectivity between the residential developments along the NC 24 corridor and the extension of Little Nine Drive south to intersect with Highway 24. Implementation measures include:

• Reviewed neighborhood policy statements before approving any development since the adoption of the 1999 update
• Made efforts to develop a highway connection in the vicinity of Little Nine Drive between NC 24 and US 70

SECTION 4  PLAN FOR THE FUTURE

This section of the Plan is organized in accordance with the requirements of Subchapter 7B .0702(d).  Section IV includes goals, land use and development policies, and a future land use map.  This portion of the Plan is intended to guide the development and use of land within the Morehead City planning jurisdiction in a manner that achieves the community’s goals as well as the goals of the Coastal Area Management Act program. 

Within this section specific definition of terms used in the goals and policies are as follows:

Continue:  Follow past and present procedures to maintain desired goal, usually with Town staff involved at all levels from planning to implementation.

Encourage:  To stimulate or foster a particular condition through direct or indirect action the private sector or through Town regulation, staff recommendation and decisions.

Enhance:  Improve existing conditions by increasing the quantity or quality of desired features or current regulations and decisions towards a desired state through the use of policies and Town staff involvement at all levels of planning.  This could include financial support.

Implement:  Actions to guide the accomplishment of the Plan recommendations.

Promote:  Advance the desired state through the use of Town policies and codes and Planning Boards and staff activity at all levels of planning.  This may include financial support.

Protect:  Guard against a deterioration of the desired state through the use of Town policies and regulations, staff, and, if needed, financial assistance.

Provide:  Take the lead role in supplying the needed financial and staff support to achieve the desired goal.  The Town is typically involved in all aspects from planning to implementation to maintenance.

Support:  Supply the needed staff support, policies, and financial assistance at all levels to achieve the desired goal.

Work:  Cooperate and act in a manner through the use of Town staff, actions, and policies to create the desired goal.

During the course of the preparation of the land use plan update, specific issues have been identified that the Town’s goals and policies strive to address.  The following table summarizes, by CRC land use plan management topic, those issues.

Table 4.0   Land Use Issues and Management Topics
Management Topic	Issue
Public Water Access	Providing for public water access to all segments of the community, including persons with disabilities.
	Development of comprehensive policies that provide access opportunities for the public along the shoreline within the planning jurisdiction.
Land Use Compatibility	Development of local development policies that balance protection of natural resources and fragile areas with economic development.
	Development of policies that provide clear direction to assist local decision making and consistency findings for zoning, divisions of land, and public and private projects.
	Compatibility of Town land use regulations in future municipal utility service areas.
	Development of land use and development policies that minimize adverse impacts on Areas of Environmental Concern (AECs) and which support overall CAMA goals.
Infrastructure Carrying Capacity	Establishment of service area boundaries for existing and future infrastructure
	Development of infrastructure service policies and criteria consistent with future land needs projections
	Correlating future land use map categories with existing and planned infrastructure such as water, sewer, and transportation facilities
	Ensuring that public infrastructure systems are appropriately sized, located, and managed so that the quality and productivity of AECs and other fragile areas are protected or restored
Natural Hazard Areas	Development of policies that minimize threats to life, property, and natural resources resulting from land development located in or adjacent to hazard areas such as those subject to erosion, high winds, storm surge, flooding, or sea level rise.
	Development of location, density, and intensity criteria for new, existing development, and redevelopment (including public facilities and infrastructure) so as to avoid or better withstand natural hazards.
	Ensuring that existing and planned development is coordinated with existing and planned evacuation infrastructure.
Water Quality	Development of policies to prevent or control nonpoint source discharges (sewage and storm water) such as impervious surface limits, vegetated riparian buffers, wetlands protection, etc.
	Establishment of policies and land use categories for protecting open shellfishing waters and restoring closed shellfishing waters.
	Adoption of policies for coastal waters within the planning jurisdiction to help ensure that water quality is maintained if not impaired and improved if impaired.
Areas of Local Concern	Identify and address local concerns and issues, such as cultural and historic areas, scenic areas, economic development, or general health and human service needs.

4.1  Land Use and Development Goals

The formulation of land use and development goals is based upon Morehead City’s evaluation of its identified concerns and aspirations (Section 2 of this Plan) and the needs and opportunities identified in the analysis of existing and emerging conditions (Section 3 of this Plan).  These land use plan goals were formulated after a review and analysis of the goals and objectives contained in the 1999 Town of Morehead City CAMA Land Use Plan (see Appendix J) and the Coastal Resource Commission (CRC) management goals and planning objectives (see Appendix F).  Delineation of goals is a foundation upon which policy statements can be built.

The following table summarizes the land use and development goals, organized by CRC land use plan management topic, that have been formulated by Morehead City.

Table 4.1  Morehead City Land Use and Development Goals
Management Topic	Goals
Public Water Access	Provide adequate opportunities for public access to coastal waters
Land Use Compatibility	Balance growth and development and conservation/preservation of natural resources
	Promote land use and public infrastructure development that is compatible with land suitability as well as capabilities to provide requisite public services
	Promote land use and land development compatible with the functional purposes of Areas of Environmental Concern
Infrastructure Carrying Capacity	Promote land use and public infrastructure development that is compatible with land suitability as well as capabilities to provide requisite public services
Natural Hazard Areas	Conserve and maintain natural hazard areas
Water Quality	Maintain and enhance the water quality of coastal waters
Areas of Local Concern	Preserve historic and cultural resources Ensure compatible development along the downtown waterfront Provide a variety of housing opportunities Promote diversified economic development

 

4.2  Land Use and Development Policies

The formulation of land use and development policies is based upon a review and analysis of policy statements contained in the 1999 Morehead City CAMA Land Use Plan (see Section 3.6 of this Plan); an evaluation of identified concerns and aspirations (see Section 2 of this Plan) and the needs and opportunities identified in the analysis of existing and emerging conditions (see Section 3 of this Plan); input from the Land Use Plan Advisory Committee, local planning board, and elected officials; and input obtained through citizen participation efforts including public informational meetings, and Land Use Plan Advisory Committee meetings. 

Table 4.2  Morehead City Land Use and Development Policies
Management Topic	Land Use and Development Policies
4.2.1  Public Access to Public Trust Waters
	Policy 1:  It is the policy of the Town of Morehead City to ensure a variety of opportunities for access to public trust waters to all segments of the community, including persons with disabilities.
	Policy 2:  Morehead City supports the state’s shoreline access policies as set forth in NCAC Chapter 15A, Subchapter 7M and the goals and recommendations set forth in the town’s Waterfront Access Plan.  The town will conform to CAMA and other state and federal environmental regulations affecting the development of estuarine access areas.
	Policy 3:  The town will continue to ensure that existing water access points, including street ends and alleys, are not closed.
4.2.2  Land Use Compatibility
	Policy 1:  It is the policy of the Town of Morehead City to ensure that land use and development activities provide a balance between economic development needs and protection of natural resources and fragile environments.
	Policy 2:  Morehead City will support growth and development at the densities specified in the Future Land Use Map land classifications as delineated in Section 4.5 of this plan.
	Policy 3:  The town will promote the continued low-density residential development character of areas located on the fringes of the extraterritorial jurisdiction and in locations adjacent to identified fragile areas.
4.2.3  Infrastructure Carrying Capacity
	Policy 1:  It is the policy of the Town of Morehead City to coordinate the establishment of service area boundaries for existing and future water and sewer infrastructure with Carteret County, adjoining municipalities, and other utility providers.
	Policy 2:  It is the policy of the Town of Morehead City to ensure that public infrastructure systems are sized, located and managed in accordance with the need to protect or restore natural resources and fragile environments.
	Policy 3:  Public water and sewer will be required for all new development occurring within the town's corporate limits in areas in which municipal sewer service is available or can be made readily available.
	Policy 4:  The town supports the use of water conservation practices and groundwater protection measures in order to prevent lowering the water table, to limit the quantity of wastewater generated, and to protect the quality of water.
	Policy 5:  Package treatment plants may be permitted in areas in which municipal sewer service is currently unavailable and where the town has determined that the municipal sewer system is not likely to be extended in the future, provided that they conform to state permitting requirements and are designed for compatibility with the Morehead City sewer system in the event of ultimately tying into the town's system.
	Policy 6:  The town will encourage land development in areas that currently have the necessary support infrastructure (water, sewer, streets, etc.) or where these services can readily be made available.  Land development will be guided to areas that have public water and sewer services and an adequate street system to accommodate increased land development.
4.2.4  Natural Hazard Areas
	Policy 1:  It is the policy of the Morehead City to conserve the natural resources and fragile environments that provide protection from such natural hazards as floods and storm surges.
	Policy 2:  It is the policy of the Town of Morehead City to minimize the threat to life, property, and natural resources that may result from land use and development within or adjacent to identified natural hazard areas.
	Policy 3:  The Town will avoid zoning areas located in V-flood zones for high density residential or intensive nonresidential use.
	Policy 4:  Based upon the availability of federal and state grant funds, land acquisition programs will be utilized in the most hazardous areas to minimize future damage and loss of life.
	Policy 5:  If any portion of the Town’s public infrastructure is significantly damaged by a major storm, consideration will be given to the feasibility of relocating or modifying the affected facilities to prevent the reoccurrence of storm damage.
4.2.5  Water Quality
	Policy 1:  It is the policy of the Town of Morehead City to establish land use and development policies to help ensure that water quality in coastal wetlands, rivers, streams, and estuaries is maintained if not impaired and improved if impaired.
	Policy 2:  Within the corporate limits, extension of water and sewer to areas in which poor soil conditions create septic field problems shall have the highest priority when the town undertakes system extensions.
	Policy 3:  The town encourages voluntary annexation requests to facilitate adequate wastewater disposal in order to prevent the installation of additional septic systems and to improve environmental conditions, particularly in areas with poor soil conditions for subsurface sewage disposal systems.
	Policy 4:  Morehead City will promote the use of best available management practices to minimize the degradation of water quality resultingfrom stormwater runoff; examples of these practices include using pervious or semi-pervious materials for driveways and walks, retaining natural vegetation along marsh and waterfront areas, and allowing stormwater to percolate into the ground rather than discharging it directly to coastal waters.
	Policy 5:  Morehead City will ensure that developments locating adjacent to coastal waters make every effort to mitigate any adverse effects on riverine and estuarine water quality and on primary nursery and fish habitat areas.
	Policy 6:  The Town of Morehead City supports retaining existing vegetation, creating buffers, and limiting impervious surface areas in new commercial developments to assist with managing stormwater runoff.
4.2.6  Areas of Environmental Concern
General	Policy 1:  The Town of Morehead City supports state and federal law regarding land use and development in AECs.
Coastal Wetlands	Policy 2:  Morehead City considers coastal wetland areas to be valuable passive recreation areas.  These areas should be protected in their natural state.  Only uses which are permitted by 15A NCAC 7H will be allowed.
	Policy 3:  Marina construction will not be permitted in coastal wetlands except in the case of an upland marina site requiring access dredging only and meeting state and/or federal permitting requirements for acceptable impacts.
	Policy 4:  Coastal wetlands should only be filled in connection with activities or projects that are directly related to erosion control or water dependent uses.  However, coastal wetlands should only be filled in extreme cases when a permit applicant has exhausted all means of avoiding coastal wetlands in development of the project plans, and only in cases where the filling of coastal wetlands would have an overwhelming public benefit and proper mitigative measures are to be incorporated in the project.
Estuarine Waters and Public Trust Areas	Policy 5:  Morehead City supports the use standards for estuarine and public trust areas as specified in 15A NCAC .0207.
	Policy 6:  Marina construction will be permitted in estuarine waters which are classified as primary nursery areas in accordance with the CAMA 7H Use Standards, local zoning, and other land use regulations.
	Policy 7:  Dry stack storage boat facilities, either in conjunction with or independent of marina development, may be permitted in accordance with provisions of the Unified Development Ordinance.  Water access to such facilities shall meet state and/or federal permitting requirements for acceptable impacts on active shellfishing areas.
	Policy 8:  Morehead City opposes the location of floating structures in all primary nursery areas, outstanding resource waters, public trust areas, and estuarine waters except that floating structures are allowed in marinas and are required to have an approved sewage hook-up or a self-contained holding tank.  Floating structures are defined as any structure, not a boat, supported by a means of flotation, designed to be used without a permanent foundation, which is used or intended for human habitation or commerce.  A structure will be considered a floating structure when it is inhabited or used for commercial purposes for more than thirty days in any one location.  A boat may be deemed a floating structure when its means of propulsion has been removed or rendered inoperative and it contains at least 200 square feet of living space area.  A boat is defined as a vessel or watercraft of any type or size specifically designed to be self-propelled, whether by engine, sail, oar, or paddle or other means, which is used to travel from place to place by water.
	Policy 9:  Public mooring fields shall be permitted in accordance with CAMA regulations.
	Policy 10:  The town encourages marina siting and design which promotes proper flushing action.  Such design features include locating marinas near inlets, maximizing the opening of entrance channels, and minimizing stagnant corners by using rounded corners, level bottoms sloping towards the entrance, and avoiding bends.
	Policy 11:  Morehead City will permit bulkhead installation provided that all of the use standards of 15 NCAC 7H.0208(b)(7) are adhered to.
	Policy 12:  Trawling activities in estuarine waters are not opposed by the town as long as such activities meet state and/or federal permitting requirements for acceptable impacts on the estuarine waters.
4.2.7  Areas of Local Concern
General
	Policy 1:  Morehead City will promote the diversification of housing in varying types, densities, and costs to meet the demands of all income levels and age groups.
	Policy 2:  The town will encourage voluntary annexations as a mechanism for promoting orderly city growth and utility extensions.
	Policy 3:  Morehead City will continue to promote a variety of land uses which complement the residential, commercial, institutional, recreational and industrial needs of the community.
	Policy 4:  Current residential densities will be maintained in order to preserve the overall low-density character of Morehead City's residential sector.
	Policy 5:  The residential integrity of existing neighborhoods will be maintained by discouraging the encroachment of non-residential uses into such areas.
	Policy 6:  Multi-family and higher density residential development will be encouraged at a moderate density range of six to sixteen dwelling units per acre.  Such development will be guided to locations in which adequate water and sewer services and a sufficient street system are available. High-rise residential development will be encouraged only where emergency services can be adequately provided.
	Policy 7:  In-fill development in existing residential areas will be encouraged only if it is compatible in density and scale to that in the surrounding area.
	Policy 8:  Morehead City will encourage the redevelopment and restoration of the central business district as a retail, business and professional services, office, and commercial marine center of the community.  The town will encourage uses which provide for a multi-purpose central business district which includes living space as well as shopping and services.  The town will promote the adaptive reuse of buildings in the central business district.
	Policy 9:  Neighborhood-oriented commercial development will be encouraged only in areas where such use is compatible with existing surrounding and anticipated residential areas and where the street system is adequate to accommodate commercial vehicular traffic.
	Policy 10:  Industrial development will be encouraged in those sections of town with adequate public water and sewer services and vehicular access to a major arterial highway.
	Policy 11:  The town encourages the continued operation and expansion of the Port of Morehead City.
	Policy 12:  The town will promote the location of office and professional land uses in transitional areas between intensive nonresidential uses and residential neighborhoods.
	Policy 13:  Any development located outside of the corporate limits requesting water and sewer service from the town will be required to petition for voluntary annexation to the town.
	Policy 14:  Expansion of and improvements to the town's water and sewer systems will be planned through a capital improvements program and budget.  Water and sewer impact fees will be utilized to assist in the financing of water and wastewater facility improvements.
	Policy 15:  The town will encourage new commercial development to integrate design features that are compatible with Morehead City’s existing architecture.
	Policy 16:  The town will encourage the installation of landscaping improvements, pedestrian walkways, and bicycle paths along thoroughfares and city streets in accordance with the Morehead Alternative Transportation System (MATS) Plan.
4.2.8  Neighborhood-Specific Policies
Neighborhood 1
	Policy 1:  Morehead City will encourage the redevelopment and restoration of the central business district as a retail, business and professional services, office, and commercial marine center of the community.  The town will encourage uses which provide for a multi-purpose central business district which includes living space as well as shopping and services.  The town will promote the adaptive reuse of buildings in the central business district.
	Policy 2:  The town will cooperate with and assist the NCDOT and the Norfolk-Southern Railroad in preserving US 70 and the railroad as a vital transportation corridor.
	Policy 3:  The town will continue to address the parking concerns and issues in the downtown area and will consider alternative traffic patterns as a possible solution to parking concerns.
	Policy 4:  The town will continue to support the redevelopment of the Morehead City waterfront and business district, while supporting DMCRA projects.
	Policy 5:  The town will work with the Corps of Engineers and the Division of Coastal Management to extend the Morehead City harbor line south of its present location in order to promote economic development in the downtown area.
	Policy 6:  The town will work to connect existing alleys and streets to improve development in the downtown area and make it more pedestrian friendly.
	Policy 7:  The Town will encourage development of Radio Island with a good blend of residential, recreational and industrial uses, while only encouraging industrial uses that are not hazardous to or would diminish the value of the residential or recreational uses.  The Town will continue to support activities on the State Port-owned properties.
	Policy 8:  In an effort to promote tourism, the Town will explore opportunities to encourage the cruise ship industry in the area.
Neighborhood 2
	Policy 1:  The town will prohibit any commercial rezoning in the Evans and Shepard Street areas in order to limit commercial encroachment into residential areas.
	Policy 2:  The creation of additional commercial districts on Arendell Street in Neighborhood 2 will also be discouraged by avoiding the rezoning of existing residential areas to commercial zoning districts.
	Policy 3:  The current use, density, and building height requirements of the R5S classification will be maintained to ensure the existing character of the neighborhood.
	Policy 4:  Street and alley ends that terminate at Bogue Sound will be kept open as public water access points.
Neighborhood 3
	Policy 1:  The town will encourage, through its unified development ordinance, screening and buffering between nonresidential uses and adjacent residences.
	Policy 2:  The highest priority for the development of major vacant parcels located north of Fisher Street will be given to residential use.
	Policy 3:  The town will promote the enhancement of the North 20th Street corridor as a major thoroughfare to improve access to the residential areas located in the northern section of town.
	Policy 4:  Commercial rezonings that promote neighborhood retail and service uses will be closely evaluated to monitor impacts on community character and scale.
	Policy 5:  The Town recognizes the problem with the siltation of Calico Creek and supports dredging efforts outside the Primary Nursery Area to eliminate the adverse impacts of siltation on the productivity of the waterbody.
Neighborhood 4
	Policy 1:  The review of development plans for tracts where potential wetlands have been identified will be coordinated with the US Army Corps of Engineers.
	Policy 2:  Morehead City will continue to promote development in this neighborhood which is comprised of a variety of land uses--office and professional, medium-density residential, commercial, institutional, and medical.
	Policy 3:  The Town will strive to maintain Barbour Road as a local north-south collector street and will discourage abutting development that negatively impacts the functional capacity of the street.
	Policy 4:  The town will pursue the installation of sidewalks and roadway improvements along Barbour Road, the North 35th Street corridor, and Bridges Street.
Neighborhood 5
	Policy 1:  The review of development plans for tracts where potential wetlands have been identified will be coordinated with the US Army Corps of Engineers.
	Policy 2:  Low-density residential development will be promoted in those areas lacking public water and wastewater facilities.
	Policy 3:  Medium-density residential development will be encouraged in those areas with public water and sewer, with vehicular access to major streets, and in transitional locations between intensive nonresidential uses and existing low-density residential uses.
	Policy 4:  The town will pursue the installation of sidewalks and roadway improvements along Barbour Road and the North 35th Street corridor.
	Policy 5:  The town supports the policy of limiting curb cuts on the Bridges Street Extension.  New development will be encouraged to provide connecting and/or shared parking lots, if economically feasible, in order to reduce the number of curb cuts along the corridor.
	Policy 6:  The town will evaluate the feasibility of improvements to Country Club Road and Friendly Road to improve traffic flow and will evaluate the need for a connector street west of Friendly Road to connect Bridges Street Extension and Country Club Road.
	Policy 7:  The town recognizes the problem with the siltation of the Newport River and supports dredging efforts to eliminate the adverse impacts of siltation on the productivity of the river.
	Policy 8:  Morehead City will work with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) on installing landscaping improvements, pedestrian walkways and bicycle paths from the NCDOT welcome station to the commercial areas located to the west.
Neighborhood 6
	Policy 1:  The town will discourage nonresidential development adjacent to the Bogue Sound waterfront within existing residential neighborhoods.
	Policy 2:  Morehead City will work with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) on installing landscaping improvements, pedestrian walkways and bicycle paths from the NCDOT welcome station to the commercial areas located to the west.
	Policy 3:  The current use, density, and building height requirements of the residential zoning classification in this neighborhood will be maintained to ensure the existing character of the area, unless developed as a Planned Development.
	Policy 4:  The town will strive to improve recreational opportunities through the development of a park in the western section of town.
	Policy 5:  New development, along the Highway 70 corridor, will be encouraged to provide connecting and/or shared parking lots, if economically feasible, in order to reduce the number of curb cuts along the corridor.
Neighborhood 7
	Policy 1:  The review of development plans for tracts where potential wetlands have been identified will be coordinated with the US Army Corps of Engineers.
	Policy 2:  Low-density residential development will be promoted in those areas lacking public water and wastewater facilities.
	Policy 3:  Medium-density residential development will be encouraged to locate in those areas with public water and sewer and with vehicular access to major streets.
	Policy 4:  The town will promote the enhancement of the North 20th Street corridor as a major thoroughfare to improve access to the residential areas located in the northern section of town.
	Policy 5:  The town will promote traffic improvements on Tootle Road and Mayberry Loop Road through roadway realignment and through the installation of sidewalks and roadway improvements.
Neighborhood 8
	Policy 1:  Morehead City will work with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) on installing landscaping improvements, pedestrian walkways and bicycle paths from the NCDOT welcome station to the commercial areas located to the west.
	Policy 2:  The town will encourage the annexation of adjacent areas to promote jobs and economic development.
	Policy 3:  The town will study water system improvements, including the installation of an elevated water storage tank, to promote light industrial and economic development.
	Policy 4:  The town will study landscaping and curb cut issues along the US Highway 70 and NC Highway 24 corridors.  Along the Pond Drive and Business Drive extension, joint driveway cuts will be required and interconnect the roads if possible.  This area will be more industrial than retail.
	Policy 5:  The town will strive to improve recreational opportunities through the development of a park in the western section of town.
	Policy 6:  New development, along the Highway 70 corridor, will be encouraged to provide connecting and/or shared parking lots, if economically feasible, in order to reduce the number of curb cuts along the corridor.
	Policy 7:  Bridges Street Extension shall continue west to connect to Pond Drive/Business Drive.
Neighborhood 9
	Policy 1:  The town will discourage nonresidential development adjacent to the Bogue Sound waterfront within existing residential neighborhoods.
	Policy 2:  Low-density residential development will be promoted in those areas lacking public water and wastewater facilities.
	Policy 3:  The current use, density, and building height requirements of the residential zoning classifications in this neighborhood will be maintained to ensure the existing character of the area.
	Policy 4:  Medium-density residential and mixed-use development will be encouraged in those areas with public water and sewer, with vehicular access to major streets, and in transitional locations between intensive nonresidential uses and existing low-density residential areas.
	Policy 5:  The town will encourage better interconnection between residential developments located along the NC Highway corridor so that local residential vehicular traffic is not totally dependent upon Highway 24 for access and circulation.
	Policy 6:  The town will support the extension of Little Nine Road from its present terminus southward to NC Highway 24 in order to improve access between Highway 24 and US Highway 70.
Neighborhood 10
	Policy 1:  Morehead City will work with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) on installing landscaping improvements, pedestrian walkways and bicycle paths along US Highway 70.
	Policy 2:  New development, along the Highway 70 corridor, will be encouraged to provide connecting and/or shared parking lots, if economically feasible, in order to reduce the number of curb cuts along the corridor.
	Policy 3:  Low density residential development will be promoted in areas that do not have the adequate infrastructure (utilities and streets) to support intensive development.

4.3  Analysis of the Impact of Policies on Management Topics

The following table summarizes the general impact of the Morehead City land use and development policies on the CRC land use plan management topics. 

Table 4.3  Impact of Local Policies on CRC Land Use Plan Management Topics
	CRC Land Use Plan Management Topics
Policies		Public Water Access	Land Use Compatibility	Infrastructure Carrying Capacity	Natural Hazard Areas	Water Quality	Local Areas of Concern
Public Water Access		Positive					Positive
Land Use Compatibility			Positive	Positive	Positive	Positive
Infrastructure Carrying Capacity			Positive	Positive	Positive	Positive	Positive
Natural Hazard Areas			Positive	Positive	Positive	Positive
Water Quality			Positive		Positive	Positive
Areas of Environmental Concern		Positive	Positive	Positive	Positive	Positive
Areas of Local Concern		Positive	Positive		Positive		Positive

Note:  Blank space in table indicates neutral impact.  All local policies have been determined to have either a positive or neutral impact on CRC management topics.  No specific actions or programs are required to mitigate negative impacts.

A general analysis of the impact of Morehead City’s policies on the CRC land use plan management topics is provided below.

Public Water Access
Numerous water access points currently exist within the Morehead City planning jurisdiction.  The Town’s Unified Development Ordinance requires that waterfront subdivisions provide water access every one-quarter mile along the shoreline. 

The Morehead City Waterfront Access Plan, adopted in 1998, identifies water access needs and potential locations for additional public water accesses.  Additional water access improvements are scheduled for FY 05 and FY 07.  The Town’s policies support the implementation of the Waterfront Access Plan.

The Town’s policies encourage the provision of public water access and the continued assessment of its water access needs and opportunities for improving public water access.  The Town’s policies have a positive impact on the CRC public water access goals and objectives.

Land Use Compatibility
Overall, the Town’s existing building intensities and densities are consistent with infrastructure availability and land suitability.  Generally, the most intense development is located in areas with adequate water and sewer facilities and other support infrastructure and outside of sensitive natural environments.

The Town’s policies provide for a balance of growth and the preservation of fragile environments.  Development with acceptable impacts on natural resources and which is in harmony with the Town’s existing character is encouraged.  Town policies concerning Areas of Environmental Concern support state and federal law regarding development with AECs.  Development is encouraged in those portions of the Town’s planning jurisdiction that possess the support infrastructure necessary to sustain that growth. 

Morehead City’s policies support the implementation of the recommended sewer system improvements which will vastly improve the Town’s ability to provide effective and reliable wastewater collection, treatment, and disposal systems.  The Town’s policies have a positive impact on the CRC land use compatibility goals and objectives.

Infrastructure Carrying Capacity
The Town of Morehead City supports managing and directing development in balance with the availability of municipal services.  The most intensive land uses and highest residential densities are guided to those portions of the Town’s planning jurisdiction that possess the support infrastructure necessary to sustain that level of development. 

Within the next five years, Morehead City is anticipated to grow mainly to the north and west.  However, infill development and redevelopment of existing developed properties are also expected to accommodate future short-term growth.  The majority of the Town’s future land development will be in areas that currently have the necessary infrastructure already in place or in areas where that infrastructure can be readily provided.

Morehead City’s policies support the implementation of the recommended sewer system improvements which will vastly improve the Town’s ability to provide effective and reliable wastewater collection, treatment, and disposal systems.  The Town’s policies ensure that public infrastructure is located and managed in harmony with fragile environments and natural resource areas.  Morehead City’s policies have a positive impact on the CRC infrastructure carrying capacity goals and objectives.

Natural Hazard Areas
Town policies encourage the conservation of natural resources and fragile environments that provide protection from natural hazards.  Intensive nonresidential development and high density residential development is discouraged within areas susceptible to storm surge and flooding.  Flood damage prevention policies encourage compatible development and redevelopment with flood hazard areas.  The Town’s policies have a positive impact on the CRC natural hazard areas goals and objectives.

Water Quality
The Town’s policies support the maintenance, protection, and enhancement of water quality.  Morehead City’s policies support land development that has minimal adverse impacts on water quality.  Best management practices are encouraged to minimize stormwater impacts.  Town policies support the continued use of land in conservation-designated areas for appropriate land uses that are compatible with their fragile nature. 

Morehead City’s policies support the implementation of the recommended sewer system improvements which will vastly improve the Town’s ability to provide effective and reliable wastewater collection, treatment, and disposal systems.    Morehead City’s policies also support the development of a stormwater management plan and ordinance.  The Town’s policies have a positive impact on the CRC water quality goals and objectives.

Local Areas of Concern
Morehead City’s policies regarding local areas of concern support and have a positive impact on the CRC public water access, land use compatibility, and infrastructure carrying capacity goals and objectives.  The Town’s policies encourage increased public access, compatible development, and the redevelopment and restoration of the downtown and waterfront areas.  Town policies also promote tourism-related economic development.  Neighborhood policies encourage land use compatibility and intensity of development commensurate with available infrastructure.

Appendix G provides a more detailed analysis of the impact of Morehead City’s policies on the CRC land use plan management topics.

4.4  Statement of Local Support Regarding Areas of Environmental Concern

The Town of Morehead City supports state and federal law regarding land use and development in Areas of Environmental Concern (AECs).  Specific policy statements have been developed that support the general use standards of the North Carolina Administrative Code (15 NCAC 7H) for development within the estuarine system (see Section 4.2.6).  No policy statements have been developed which exceed the requirements of CAMA regarding land use and development within AECs.

4.5  Future Land Use Map

The purpose of the Future Land Use Map is to graphically depict Morehead City’s policies for growth and land development and the projected patterns of future land use.  The Future Land Use Map has been prepared with consideration given to land development objectives and policies, natural constraints and limitations, overall land suitability, and the ability to provide the infrastructure to support growth and development.

The Future Land Use Map for the Morehead City planning jurisdiction encompasses the Morehead City corporate limits and the Town’s extraterritorial planning and zoning jurisdiction. 

The Town’s Future Land Use Map classifications include the following categories and subcategories:

• Residential
• Low Density Residential
• Medium Density Residential
• High Density Residential
• General Commercial
• Downtown Mixed Use
• Public and Institutional
• General Industrial
• Port Mixed Use
• Conservation/Open Space

Generally, growth and land development is anticipated to occur in all future land use categories except for the Conservation/Open Space classification.  The type and intensity of projected development varies within each future land use map classification.  Future Land Use projections are delineated in Figure 14, Future Land Use Map.

A.  Residential Classification
The Residential classification is subdivided into three subcategories:  Low Density, Medium Density, and High Density. 

Low Density Residential Classification.  The Low Density Residential classification encompasses approximately 5.8 square miles (3,691 acres) or about 38 percent of the total planning jurisdiction.  The majority of the lands classified as Low Density Residential are located primarily in the northern one-half of the Town’s planning jurisdiction and include the majority of Neighborhoods 5, 7, and 8.

The Low Density Residential classification is intended to delineate lands where the predominant land use is low density detached residences.  The residential density within this classification is generally 2 to 2.5 dwelling units per acre.  Minimum lot sizes vary from 15,000 to 20,000 square feet unless a larger minimum lot area is required by the health department for land uses utilizing septic systems.  Single-family detached residences are the predominant types of dwellings within these areas.  Manufactured homes on individual lots are also dwelling types found within this classification.  Land uses within Low Density Residential-designated areas are generally compatible with the R-20, R-15, R-15M, and R-15SM, Single-Family Residential zoning classifications.  Public water service is available on a limited basis throughout the Low Density Residential-classified areas.  Public sewer service is generally not available within this classification.

The Town’s goals and policies support the continued use of land in Low Density-classified areas for low density dwellings and for public and institutional land uses that support and that are compatible with this type of residential development.  Future development is projected to be approximately 2 dwelling units per acre.  Some Low Density Residential areas may evolve into higher density areas over time, particularly where public utilities and other infrastructure will be available to support increases in residential density.

Medium Density Residential Classification.  The Medium Density Residential classification encompasses approximately 2.3 square miles (1,454 acres) or about 15 percent of the total planning jurisdiction.  The majority of the properties classified as Medium Density Residential are generally located in the southwestern portion of the Town’s planning jurisdiction between Bogue Sound and US Highway 70 and include Neighborhoods 6 and 9.

The Medium Density Residential classification is intended to delineate lands where the predominant land use is higher density single-family residential developments, two-family developments, and multifamily developments.  The residential density within this classification is generally 3 to 8 dwelling units per acre.  Minimum lot sizes vary from 7,000 to 10,000 square feet unless a larger minimum lot area is required by the health department for land uses utilizing septic systems.  Land uses within Medium Density Residential-designated areas are generally compatible with the R-10 and R-7 Single-Family Residential zoning classifications.  Public water is widely available and sewer service is required to support the higher residential densities in this classification.  Adequate streets to accommodate higher traffic volumes are also necessary to support Medium Density Residential development.

The Town’s goals and policies support the use of land in Medium Density-classified areas for single-family and two-family dwellings where adequate public utilities and streets are available or can be upgraded to support the higher residential densities encouraged in this classification.

High Density Residential Classification.  The High Density Residential classification encompasses approximately 0.7 square miles (448 acres) or about 5 percent of the total planning jurisdiction.  The properties classified as High Density Residential are generally located west of the downtown in Neighborhoods 2, 3, and 4.

The High Density Residential classification is intended to delineate lands where the predominant land use is higher density single-family residential developments, multifamily developments, and planned mixed use developments.  The residential density within this classification is generally 8 to 16 dwelling units per acre.  Much higher densities, approaching 30-70 dwellings per acre are possible in Planned Development and Downtown Commercial zoning districts.  Land uses within High Density Residential-designated areas are generally compatible with the RMF, Residential Multi-Family District; the Downtown Commercial; the PD, Planned Development District, and the R-5 and R-5S, Single-family Residential District zoning classifications. Public water and sewer service is required to support the residential densities in this classification.  Adequate streets to accommodate higher traffic volumes are also necessary to support High Density Residential development.

The Town’s goals and policies support the use of land in High Density-classified areas for single-family and multifamily dwellings where adequate public utilities and streets are available or can be upgraded to support the higher residential densities encouraged in this classification.  The higher density residential developments anticipated to occur during the planning period are encouraged within the High Density-classified areas.

B.  General Commercial Classification 
The General Commercial classification encompasses approximately 1.4 square miles (881 acres) or about 9 percent of the planning jurisdiction.  The properties classified as General Commercial are located along the Town’s major road corridors--US Highway 70 and NC Highway 24.  The majority of neighborhood 10 and the northern portion of Neighborhood 6 are classified as General Commercial.

The General Commercial classification is intended to delineate lands that can accommodate a wide range of retail, wholesale, office, business services, and personal services.  Areas classified as General Commercial may also include some heavy commercial uses as well as intensive public and institutional land uses.  While there are no minimum required lot size regulations, lot sizes typically range from 10,000 to 40,000 square feet.  Land uses within General Commercial-designated areas are generally compatible with the CH, Highway Commercial; CS, Shopping Center; CN, Commercial Neighborhood; and CM, Commercial Marina zoning classifications.  Public water service is needed to support the land uses characteristic of this classification.  Public sewer service is needed to support the most intensive commercial uses.  Adequate streets to accommodate higher traffic volumes are necessary to support commercial development.

General Commercial-classified areas are anticipated to accommodate some of the most intensive land uses found in the Town’s planning jurisdiction.  The Town’s goals and policies support the use of land in General Commercial-classified areas for a wide variety of retail and commercial services uses where adequate public utilities and streets are available or can be upgraded to support the intensity of development encouraged in this classification.  Public and institutional land uses that support and that are compatible with this type of commercial development are also encouraged.

C.  Downtown Mixed Use Classification 
The Downtown Mixed Use classification encompasses approximately 0.2 square mile