Agenda - 08-22-1983 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

Pg.3 SOILS Soils in the *city range from steeply sloped, shallow to bedrock soils; to alluvial soils found adjacent to streams; to well drained gently sloping soils . All of these features can be found in the soils in this study area. The type of soil which characterizes an area is one of the most important natural environmental factors in determining land development. In general, as the severity of soil limitations increases in an area, construction costs will esculate because oflthe site preparation necessary prior to construction. Important soils chaacteristics that influence land use include premeability, shrink-swell potential and drainage capacity. The land in the study area south of Interstate 85 features a large amount of Georgeville and Herndon soils . These soils tend to be more suitable for septic tanks and development than many other soils in the County. There are also several large areas of Tatum soil through the study area. This type of soil is associated wiith the streams that flow into the Eno River and, due to slope in the area, tend to be less suitable for development. Goldston and Wilkes soils also tend to be less suitable due to slope problems . Altanista, Chewacla and Congaree soils are associated with wetness and flooding problems and are therefore pcior for development. Much of the land north of Interstate 85 in the study area is developed. The areas which are not developed are generally suitable for development be- cause of the large amount of Georgeville soil present. However, two of the most prominent locations which are not suitable for development are Occonee- chee Mountain and the lands along the Eno River. Goldston soil which is found around the mountain is not suitable for development due to the slope of the land, while Tatum and Congaree soils along the river are unsuitable due to slope and flooding problems respectively. Although there are other locations where soils are marginal for development, the majority of soils located in the study area are suitable for development. To classify the soil suitability for various uses, the report entitled a Planning Guide to the Oranee County, North Carolina Soils ilrvey was used. This report prepared by the Orange County Planning Department and Soil Conser- vation Service combited soil types into suitability categories based on similar characteristics . These urban suitability groups are shown below matched with the soils found in the area study. Urban Suitability Groups 1-C Georgville 2 to 6 percent slope Herndon 2 to 6 percent slope Hiwassee 2 to 6 percent slope 2-C I Georgeville-Urgan 2 to 10 percent slope Georgeville 6 to 10 percent slop& Herndon 6 to 10 percent slope Hiwassee 6 to 10 percent slope 3 Tatum 8 to 15 percent slope