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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 04-23-2013 - 5fORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: April 23, 2013 Action Agenda Item No. 5 -f SUBJECT: Resolution in Support of the Proposed Old Well to Jordan Lake Scenic Byway DEPARTMENT: Environment, Agriculture, Parks PUBLIC HEARING: (Y /N) No and Recreation ( DEAPR) ATTACHMENTS: INFORMATION CONTACTS: 1) Resolution of Support David Stancil, 245 -2510 2) Map of Proposed Byway Corridor Rich Shaw, 245 -2514 3) Application Title Sheet 4) Existing Scenic Byways in Orange County PURPOSE: To consider a resolution of support for a joint application to the North Carolina Department of Transportation to designate a new scenic byway from Chapel Hill to Jordan Lake. BACKGROUND: Over the past two years, DEAPR has worked with citizen volunteers and staff from the Town of Chapel Hill and Chatham County to develop an application to the North Carolina Scenic Byways program. The application is for designation of a proposed new scenic byway that would link downtown Chapel Hill to Jordan Lake. The NC Department of Transportation ( NCDOT) has designated 51 scenic byways to give visitors and residents a chance to experience North Carolina history, geography and culture, while also raising awareness of its beautiful landscapes. Byways are carefully selected to portray the diverse beauty and culture of the state and provide travelers with safe and interesting alternative travel routes. There are three existing scenic byways in Orange County: the Colonial Heritage Highway (NC 86 north of Hillsborough), the Football Road (Old Greensboro Road west of Carrboro), and the Scots -Welsh Heritage Byway (Old NC 86, Arthur Minnis, Orange Grove, and Dairyland roads). In early 2010 Orange County staff submitted a preliminary proposal to the NCDOT Scenic Byway staff to receive feedback on a proposed new byway linking Mount Carmel Church Road to Jordan Lake. Orange County staff met with staff from Chatham County and Town of Chapel Hill to gauge interest in a collaborative effort. The elected boards from all three jurisdictions were favorable to developing a joint application. After traveling the initial proposed route, the NCDOT Scenic Byway staff recommended extending the route north into downtown Chapel Hill to incorporate the University and its rich history. Citizen volunteers working with the staff have recommended extending the route south to the middle of the Jordan Lake State Recreation Area. Both changes enhance the drive and increase the likelihood of scenic byway designation. I The proposed Old Well to Jordan Lake Scenic Byway (15 miles long) features a number of locations with historical, natural, recreational, and educational values. It begins on the campus of UNC Chapel Hill and would go generally south along Columbia Street (NC 86) and Mount Carmel Church Road into Chatham County. The route would then pass through the Governor's Club area along Farrington Point Road and continue south across two sections of Jordan Lake to where the road ends at NC Highway 64 in the middle of the Jordan Lake State Recreation Area (which includes a park office, restrooms, boat ramp, swimming beach, and picnic areas). It is also known throughout central North Carolina as a prime destination for bird watching and stargazing. From Jordan Lake travelers could continue on their journey (via NC 64) or loop back to Chapel Hill along the same roads or on a somewhat different route. The alternative byway returns north on Farrington Point Road, Lystra Road (SR 1721), US Highway 15- 501, and Old Lystra Road (SR 1915) until it rejoins Mt. Carmel Church Road and back to Chapel Hill. (See proposed route map attached.) The proposed designation of the Old Well to Jordan Lake Scenic Byway would not impose any new land -use restrictions or modifications along the roadways. The NCDOT Scenic Byway materials include following implications for scenic byway designation: • The Scenic Byway system is intended to identify, not create, scenic byways. • NCDOT will incorporate the rules prescribed to sustain the integrity and safety of the Scenic Byway /Highway system into its planning and maintenance operations. • Scenic byway designation does not require any modification in local land use regulations /restrictions or require any change in commercial or agricultural activity. • Scenic byway designation does not affect future highway rehabilitation, development, or the need to maintain or improve the roads. • No new outdoor advertising signs may be erected adjacent to a designated scenic byway that is or becomes part of the National Highway System (e.g., interstate or federal -aid primary highway). Pre - existing signage may remain, however. [This provision is not applicable to the proposed new scenic byway.] A proposed resolution of County support for the application is attached for the Board's consideration. The elected boards from Chatham County and the Town of Chapel Hill are expected to consider their support of the application in May. Staff has also requested a letter of support from the University of North Carolina. The final application is due for submittal to NCDOT by August 31. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no cost associated with the application other than the staff time involved in preparing the application and support materials. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the resolution of support and authorize the Chair to sign on behalf of Orange County. t RES- 2013 -028 Attachment 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE OLD WELL TO JORDAN LAKE SCENIC BYWAY APPLICATION WHEREAS, Orange County has an adopted goal of promoting the preservation of rural character in the County; and WHEREAS, one of the stated County objectives for preserving rural character is to preserve and protect visual resources in rural sections of the County, including rural roadscapes that invoke the `feel' of the countryside; and WHEREAS, the North Carolina Department of Transportation administers a North Carolina Scenic Byways program, which encourages residents and visitors to experience North Carolina history, geography and culture through a system of beautiful roadways without regulating future development or land use along the roadway; and WHEREAS, staff from Orange County, Chatham County, and the Town of Chapel Hill, in collaboration with citizen volunteers, have developed a joint application to the NC Department of Transportation to have certain roadways between Chapel Hill and Jordan Lake designated as a North Carolina Scenic Byway; and WHEREAS, the proposed byway starts at the Old Well on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and travels generally southward out of Chapel Hill and through the rural Mt. Carmel Church and newer Governor's Club communities to the Jordan Lake State Recreational Area in Chatham County; and WHEREAS, the road travels by several local historic landmarks and communities, including the Carolina Inn, Merritt Store, James Taylor Bridge, Old Sparrow Farm, Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, Windy Oaks, Lystra Baptist Church, and Farrington Point; and WHEREAS, a preliminary application resulted in the proposed byway being placed on the study list for Scenic Byway designation with a more detailed application needing to be submitted by August 31, 2013 for further consideration; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of Commissioners does hereby support the designation of roadways linking Chapel Hill to Jordan Lake as a North Carolina Scenic Byway and asks that the NC Department of Transportation look favorably on the application. This the 23rd day of April, 2013. Barry Jacobs, Chair Orange County Board of Commissioners ATTEST: Donna Baker Clerk to the Board TTACHMENT nn Sparrow Cemetery 0 •Blackwood Farm 0Id_Sparrow�Farm • h� Durham Cou Ora ge o n Mt =Earmel Church � YQL Cha�ham Coun •Governor's Club a •Windy Oaks 1prx\�, TR "D ti t /•Lystra Baptist Church �yS p W a 9 L 0 Z v io •Farrington Point I ;ARTHAS CHAPEL RD L_ y •Crosswinds campground U 64 E •White Oak 4 IM — - •Visitor Center , Proposed Old Well to Jordan Lake Scenic Byway V V 0 1,250 2,500 5,000 Feet • Points of interest - Jordan Lake ' ' ' °"" Scenic byway County boundary Depam.nt fE er Agriculture, P ark s and Re treat ion M Jones Land Records Gl S 4/8 /2013 Streets <OC 2201, 0\gishome \gispmjects\ land re ounces \histpres —d! Attachment 3 N.C. SCENIC BYWAY APPLICATION TITLE SHEET Applicants (PROPONENT): Orange County, Chatham County, and the Town of Chapel Hill Address: C/O Orange County DEAPR, P.O. Box 8181, Hillsborough, NC 27278 Phone: 919- 245 -2514 Fax: 919- 644 -3351 Name of contact person: Rich Shaw, Land Conservation Manager Address: Orange County DEAPR, P.O. Box 8181, Hillsborough, NC 27278 Phone: 919- 245 -2514 Fax: 919- 644 -3351 ROUTE DESCRIPTION (BEGINNING TO END): Begin at the Old Well on E. Cameron Street (UNC Campus, Chapel Hill); west and through Columbia Street intersection; then south on Pittsboro Street for 0.4 mile; merge onto S. Columbia St (NC 86) and go 1.0 mile and over the James Taylor Bridge; then left onto Mt. Carmel Church Road (SR 1008). Continue southeast on this rural road for 2.9 miles, past Mt. Carmel Baptist Church (on left) and cross into Chatham County where the road is named Mt. Carmel Road. Pass the Governor's Club and associated communities. Road name changes to Farrington Point Road and continues 3.5 miles to the north shore of Jordan Lake. At Farrington Point there is a boat ramp, swimming beach, and informal picnic area. From Farrington Point, continue south on Farrington Road 4.7 miles to where road ends at US Highway 64. Jordan Lake State Recreation Area Visitor Center is located 0.3 mile west on US 64, then south on State Park Road. Option loop back to Chapel Hill: From US 64, drive north on Farrington Road (and Farrington Point Road) 6.4 miles; turn left (west) onto Lystra Road (SR 1721). Continue 4.5 miles on Lystra Road until it ends; then right onto US 15 -501 for 1.4 miles, then turn right onto Old Lystra Road (SR 1915) northward 3.7 miles until it empties back onto Mt. Carmel Church Road. Turn left and drive northwest to complete the byway loop back to Chapel Hill. At the north end of Mt. Carmel Church Road, turn right and cross James Taylor Bridge. Cross a second, larger bridge over NC 54 Bypass and continue north. The road becomes South Columbia Street (NC 86) and winds north through older residential area and past UNC Chapel Hill Hospital and then other university buildings before S. Columbia Street curves sharply to the left and into the UNC campus area. Continue north to Franklin Street, the central hub of downtown Chapel Hill. INTRINSIC QUALITIES CHECKLIST: Scenic, Recreational, Historical, Educational, Natural, Wildlife, Cultural Signature /Title: Date: Cultural Resources (uninnnrnnrntp-d nnrtinns of nrnnne (,nunty) ATTACHMENT 4 Legend North Carolina Scenic Byways Municipal ETJs Cities Main roads Lakes 19 Local Landmark & National Register * National Register National Register Historic District National Register Study List National Register Study List Historic District N r, �I aaJ GIs Map prepared by Orange County Environment & Resource Conservation Department Note This map does not include architectural resources in the municipalities of Hillsborough, Chapel Hill, Carrboro or Mebane, or in their extra territorial jurisdictions.