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HARRISBURG AREA LAND USE PLAN Soils Soils in the study area present certain development limitations. While some are considered prime farmland soils and soils of statewide importance, there are many that have characteristics that are not supportive of development. According to the Cabarrus Soils and Water Conservation District (SWCD), many of the soils are rated as "very limited" for one, if not more, of the following uses: buildings with or without basements, local roads and streets and septic systems. Many also have hydric inclusions, or wet areas, associated with these types of soils. These soils tend to be "very limited" for most types of development as well. These soils are rated as such due to their propensity to flood and for the depths to their saturated zones. Depth to soft or hard rock presents limitations for foundations, roads and septic tanks in the study area. Often, extra reinforcement is required when building sidewalks and driveways to prevent cracks from developing in concrete, asphalt, bricks and blocks. Other soils in the study area pose "severe" limitations, including but not limited to the following: Armenia loam, Altavista sandy loam, Chewacla sandy loam, Iredell loam, Sedgefield sandy loam and Wedhadkee. Such soils tend to limit most types of development, and their locations typically coincide with wetland areas, which are further limited for development due to state and federal regulations. These types of soils are highly erodible, drain poorly and may affect water quality when vegetation is disturbed. Prime Farmland and Agricultural Areas Large, undeveloped tracts of land exist in the southern portion of the planning area. These tracts are among those that have prime farmland soils, which have the combination of soil properties, growing season, and moisture supply needed to produce sustained high yields of crops in an economic manner if it is treated and managed according to acceptable farming methods, according to the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service. They include the following soils: • Altavista sandy loam • Appling sandy loam • Cecil sandy clay loam • Coronaca clay loam • Cullen clay loam • Enon sandy loam • Georgeville silty clay loam • Herndon silt loam • Kirksey silt loam • Mecklenburg loam • Sedgefield sandy loam • Tarrus silt loam • Tarrus silty clay loam • Vance sandy loam This area has potential to support agricultural uses and may be the appropriate location for small farmsteads or other uses such as conservation subdivisions, particularly those that make provision for community- supported agriculture. PART II: EXISTING CONDITIONS AUGUAIAIR number 1 G -1 Page 333