HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 10-21-1997 - 10d 1 .
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: October 21, 1997
Action Agenda
Item# /C-
SUBJECT: PROPOSED DESIGN OF HOMESTEAD ROAD
DEPARTMENT: Planning& Inspections PUBLIC HEARING: Yes_X_No
BUDGET AMENDMENT REQUIRED: Yes X No
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Slade McCalip
Draft Letter for Mayor Waldorf Extension 2595
Chapel Hill's 9-22-97 Homestead Road Resolution
BOCC's 8-29-97 Homestead Road Letter TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
NC DOT's 9-4-97 Homestead Road Letter Hillsborough - 732-8181
Chapel Hill Manager's 9-22-97 Homestead Road Memo Durham -688-7331
Mebane - 227-2031
Chapel Hill - 967-9251
PURPOSE: To consider information that may change the design and construction schedule of
planned improvements to Homestead Road.
BACKGROUND: On June 25, 1997 NC DOT held an informational meeting at the Chapel Hill
Town Council Chambers for elected officials on planned improvements to
Homestead Road.
At the meeting, NC DOT staff proposed four different cross-section designs for
Homestead Road. These included:
1) a five lane curb and gutter road that would include wide (14') travel lanes (to
accommodate bicycles)with sidewalks on both sides of the road,
2) a three lane paved shoulder(4' wide to accommodate bicycles)road that would
not include sidewalks (this is what is currently programmed in the STIP for
construction beginning in 2001),
3)a hybrid of both road design types whereby one half of a three lane road would
have 14' wide lanes (for bicycles) with a sidewalk on the same side with a 4'
paved shoulder on the opposite lane (for bicycles) with no sidewalk (the intent of
this design type is to provide a sidewalk on one side of the road and also to
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prepare for the eventual need to widen the road to five lanes with the widening
occurring only on the side of the road which has the paved shoulder), and
4) that only a portion of the road be widened to five lanes with the remainder
widened to three lanes (with Seawell School Road as the likely transition area
from five to three lanes).
As the meeting progressed, it became apparent that there were three main issues
of concern to local officials. These included:
1) the adequacy of the proposed capacity improvements for moving vehicles (i.e.,
are five lanes needed now instead of three),
2)whether or not sidewalks would be provided, and
3) whether or not bicycle facilities would be included in the proposed
improvements.
It should also be noted that the citizens informational meeting was held
immediately after that of the elected officials. Most citizens preferred that
sidewalks be built as a part of the improvements to Homestead Road. However,
NC DOT requires that local governments partially fund approximately 30% of
new sidewalk construction. Because this road is physically located outside the
city limits of the Towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro and because NC DOT does
not maintain sidewalks, a local government would have to agree to accept and
maintain the newly constructed sidewalks.
The proposed improvements programmed in the 1998-2004 State Transportation
Improvement Program include widening the road to a three lane facility with four
foot paved shoulders to accommodate bicycles. If additional lanes, curb and
gutter, etc. are requested, then construction will be delayed until additional
funding for such improvements can be secured.
On August 20, 1997 the Orange County Board of Commissioners authorized the
Chair to write the Town of Chapel Hill and request their preferred design of
improvements to Homestead Road. The NC Department of Transportation also
requested the Town's preference for improvements to Homestead Road on
September 4, 1997 (see attached H. Franklin Vick letter). As you will notice in
the NC DOT letter, they recommend that a 5 lane curb and gutter facility with
wide (14 foot) outside lanes for bicycles and sidewalks be constructed. On
September 22, 1997 the Chapel Hill Town Council adopted the attached
resolution that supports the widening of Homestead Road to a 3 lane curb and
gutter facility with five-foot bike lanes and sidewalks.
RECOMMENDATION: The Administration recommends that the Board send the attached draft letter of
concurrance to the Town of Chapel Hill on the proposed design of Homestead
Road.
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October 22, 1997
The Honorable Rosemary Waldorf
Mayor, Town of Chapel Hill
306 N. Columbia Street
Chapel Hill, N.C. 27516
Dear Mayor Waldorf:
The Orange County Board of County Commissioners at their meeting last night
considered the attached resolution conceming the proposed design of improvements to
Homestead Road approved by the Chapel Hill Town Council on September 22, 1997.
Orange County supports the position of the Town of Chapel Hill with respect to the
Homestead Road improvements, as expressed in that resolution, and concurs that widening
the road to a three lane cross section is sufficient.
If you would like to discuss this matter in detail, please contact Slade McCalip,
Transportation Planner at (919) 732-8181, extension 2595; Commissioner Alice Gordon at
(919) 933-0550 or me at (919) 732-6886.
Sincerely,
William L. Crowther
Chair
Attachment
c: J. Douglas Galyon, Division 7, NC Board of Transportation Member
Cal Horton, Manager, Town of Chapel Hill
John Link, Manager, Orange County
Slade McCalip, Transportation Planner, Orange County
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1,Peter M. J. Ric hardson, Town Clerk of the Town of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, hereby certify
that the followint;is a true and correct copy of Resolution 97-9-22/R-11,adopted by the Chapel
Hill Town count it on the 22ed day of September, 1997.
30*day of September, 1997.
�1' `'i'� +`'.�
i .. a ' ►. Peter M. J. chardson,Chapel Hill Town Clerk
A RESOLUTION RECOMMENDING THAT HOMESTEAD ROAD, BETWEEN HIGH
SCHOOL ROAD AND N.C.i6,BE IMPROVED TO THREE LANES,WITH FIVE-
FOOT BIKE I..MM CURB AND GUTTER AND SIDEWALKS(97-9-22/R 11)
WHEREAS,the Durham-Chapel Hull-CaMboro Transportation Advisory Committee and the
North Carolina I kpartment of Transportation have included improvements to Homestead Road in
the Metropolitan and State Transportation Improvement Program;and
WIFMAS,the a improvements included widening to a three-lane cross-section;and
WHEREAS,the Town supports the inclusion of five-foot bike lanes and sidewalks as part of this
prole-
NOW,THEM ARE,BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel OR that the
Council support the widening of Homed Road,between High School ROW and N.C. 86,to a
maximum of thr x lanes,with five-foot bike lanes,curb and gutter and sidewalks.
BE IT FURTHE R RESOLVED that the Council of the Town of Chapel Hilt expresses its
appreciation for this opportunity to arc wm its opinion on the Homestead Road roadway
improvements p-o*t.
This the 2Y'dr►of September. 1997.
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Orange County Commissioners
A O. Box 8181
200 S Cameron Street
Hillsborough, NC 2 72 78
Wdliam L Cro%rho,Chair Established 1732
Stephen H.Halkiods, Kwee Caiair August 29, 1997
Moro Carry,Jr
Alice M Cordon
Margaret W.Brown
The Honorable Rosemary L. Waldorf
Mayor, Town of Chapel Hill
306 N. Columbia Street
Chapel Hill,NC 27516
Dear Rosemary:
As you may recall, on June 25, 1997, the NC Department of Transportation
(DOT) staff held an informational meeting for public officials on the proposed
improvements to Homestead Road. At that meeting, the DOT staff requested local
elected officials notify the DOT.of their preference in the design of the improvements to
Homestead Road. (See attachment) Mr. J. Douglas Galyon,Division 7,NC Board of
Transportation member, indicated that he would try to help obtain additional funding for
a five lane facility if the local governments supported that additional capacity.
The Orange County Board of Commissioners considered the Homestead Road
design at their meeting,on August 25. It is the consensus of the Board that Orange
County should coordinate its comments with those of the Town of Chapel Hill. To
accomplish this we would appreciate it if the Town would provide us with the Town's
official position on the preferred design of improvements to Homestead Road. The Town
should also be aware that Mr. Whit Webb, Manager,NC DOT Program Development
Branch,has stated that for sidewalks to be included in this project that the Town of
Chapel Hill would be required to annex the area around Homestead Road.
Thank you for your consideration of this request. If you would like to discuss this
matter in detail,please contact Slade McCalip, Transportation Planner at(919) 732-8181,
extension 2595; Commissioner Alice Gordon at(919) 933-0550 or me at(919) 732-6886.
Sincerely,
LOS L .
William L. Crowther
Chair
cc: Cal Horton, Manager,Town of Chapel Hill
John Link,Manager, Orange County
Slade McCalip,Transportation Planner, Orange County
You Count In Orange County
AREA CODE(919) 732-8181: 968-1501: 688-7331 : 227-2031: FAX(919) 644-3004
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Est 2130
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STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
JAMES B. HUNT JR. P.O.BOX 25201.RALEIGH.N.C. 27611-5201 GARLAND B. GARRETT JR.
GOVERNOR SECRETARY
September 4, 1997
The Honorable Rosemary Waldorf
Mayor of the Town of Chapel Hill
306 N. Columbia Street
Chapel Hill,North Carolina 27516-2113
Dear Mayor Waldorf:
SUBJECT: Homestead Road (SR 1777), From High School Road (SR 1834) to
NC 86, Chapel Hill, Orange County, Federal Aid Project STP-1777(1),
State Project 8.2501101,TIP Project U-2805
The 1998-2004 NCDOT Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) includes the
widening of the subject section of Homestead Road. The Planning and Environmental
Branch is currently working on the Environmental Assessment for the project; it is
scheduled to be completed in March of 1998. The NCDOT has yet to recommend a
cross-section for the proposed roadway. Meetings between NCDOT and the staff of
Chapel Hill and Orange County (June 11, 1997 TAC meeting and June 25, 1997 Local
Officials Meeting held prior to the Citizens Informational Workshop) have generated
discussions about possible cross-sections.
The Feasibility Study for the subject project, completed in December, 1992;
recommended widening this section of Homestead Road to a five-lane curb and gutter
facility. However, the current TIP calls for the widening of Homestead Road to a three-
lane shoulder facility; bicycle and pedestrian improvements to Homestead Road are
included in the TIP as incidental bicycle and pedestrian needs. The TIP has allocated
$3,500,000 for the project, $1,900,000 for right of way and $1,600,000 for construction.
Right of way acquisition is scheduled to begin in Fiscal Year 2000, and construction is
scheduled to begin in Fiscal Year 2001.
Bicycle facilities can be provided for either cross-section. On a three-lane
shoulder section,bicycles would be accommodated by 1.2-meter(4-foot) paved
shoulders; on a five-lane curb and gutter facility, they would be accommodated by wide
(4.2-meter[14-foot]) outside lanes. However,pedestrian facilities in the form of
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sidewalks are not feasible on a three-lane shoulder roadway. NCDOT's policy is to
construct sidewalks only on a curb and gutter facility,where curb separates pedestrian
traffic from vehicular traffic. With the positive separation provided by the curb,
pedestrian safety is enhanced. Therefore, the five-lane curb and gutter alternative is
advantageous in that it allows for the provision of sidewalks.
Projected traffic volumes for the year 2020 on the subject section of Homestead
Road range from 9800 vehicles per day(vpd) at High School Road to 17,000 vpd at
NC 86 without the Weaver Dairy Road connector in place. With the connector in place,
traffic volumes in the year 2020 range from 11,100 vpd at High School Road to 20,100
vpd east of Seawell School Road. Based on these volumes, a five-lane curb and gutter
facility is decidedly justified at the east end of the project (between Seawell School Road
and NC 86) and nominally justified at the west end of the project(between High School
Road and Seawell School Road).
It is NCDOT's recommendation that a five-lane curb and gutter facility be
constructed with 4.2-meter(14-foot) outside lanes for bicycles and with sidewalks on
both sides. Such a cross-section would provide bicycle and pedestrian facilities along the
project, accommodate projected automotive traffic, and eliminate the possible need for
further widening in the future.
NCDOT is requesting that the Town of Chapel Hill adopt a resolution supporting
either a three-lane shoulder or a five-lane curb and gutter cross-section. In order to
maintain the current TIP schedule, it is important that we receive your recommendation in
writing by October 1, 1997.
If you have questions, please contact Missy Dickens, P.E., Project Planning
Engineer, at (919) 733-7844, ext. 223.
Sincerely,
H. Franklin Vick, P.E., Manager
Planning and Environmental Branch
HFV/plr
cc: W. Calvin Horton, Manger,Town of Chapel Hill
Doug Galyon,Member,NC Board of Transportation
Calvin Leggett,P.E., Director of Programming and Planning;NCDOT
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AGENDA#10
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Tows Council
FROM: W.Calvin Horton,Town MMWW
SUBJECT: Homestead Road Improvements
DATE: 5eptemibsr 22,1997
The purpose of this memorudim is to rrnew flat issuos related to the imqwovemeut of
HanuWead.toad,from N.C.86 to High School Road.
The attached roolut m w wld affirm the Co red's positiaa that die: Homestead Road
improvem at te smwld be limited to three lance,with curb and gutter,b&c lanes and sidewalks.
BACKGROUND
The Durbez-Chapel WdW- a Tran*ntion Advisory C %zimittoc and die North Carolina
Deparbmeffi W T i -have included k o to Hanenstead Road,from N.C. 86 to
High Sehoed Road. in their ampecdve Tram Improvenent ProgramL These
ia ;rovemeas we proposed to widen the etc owe roadway to a dntev4sne crow-section, two
travel lamer s nd a eoadm out comes tum lane~begirming is FY 2000.The anticipated cast of the
project is an mdms� ly S3,500,000-
DISC.VSSION
Earlier this ;var this North Cmohn Dqpxmoeat of Tr=vortabon held a public mev m& at
which time -hey presented their pre bmwary places for mwvmg Hanesteeed Road. At this
mexting they ales received pubHe comments on their prebmin ry plains.
On Septanbe r 4, 199?the Noah CaroHn D of TrampoerWian sent a letter to flee Tows
(attacbeA admmg sevexal own rchtod to the widenhng of Hammed Road and rexleiestiag
that the Toms provide the Department with a resolution supporting eithar a three-lance or five-
line cross-tentless.
The Oc=gs C boOf Commiseeia®ers have also requested that the Town provide guidance on the
preferred dem p of the Hawmd Resod wideamng pMOM PIM6 son the attached letter frosa
ores p Coaeot y Ch=ic Williams Caowdw:
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KEY ISSUES
L T13ffr P : The NOM Carolina Departrnemt of Transportation has prepared traffic,
PrOjeCtIOUS 6or Homettead Road for 2020. These projections indicate that the anticipated traffic
volumes fax Homestead Road range from 9,800 vehicles per day at High School Road to 17,000
at N.C. 86 1 rithout the Weaver Dairy Connector in place. With the Weaver Dairy Corntaector in
place, the tt sMc whmames increase f M 11,100 at High School Road to 20,100 at N.C. 86. A
map ahwwm i the aligmm em of the Wcovar Dairy Connector is attached.
Staff Comm ml: We have been ccacerned for serene time about the lack of a reliable process for
developing projections of firm traffic. The current model used by the North Carolina
Department if Tronepvrpuiaxi incorporates limited consideration of transit activity and does not
ineorporase the impacts of bicycle an or pedestrian activity. In addition.the eturew model does
not reflect a ther development that has been built since 1985 or changes adopted after 1990 in
Chapel IM:land use plans for Now development.
The traffic volumes included in the September 4, 1997 letter how these North Carolina
Dept of Traospor ion diffier ften projections prepared as part of the 1996 North
Carolina Del artmem of Transportation Deana-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Urban Area Thoroughfare
Plan Report. This Report inchided 2010 projections for Homestead Road traffic The Report
projects 2010 traffic between N.C. 86 and the Weaver Dairy Road Connector to be 7,800
vehicles per day, while these volumes mould increase to 16,200 between the Connector and
Scawell Scbc of Road.The increase in tnffie on the potion of Aid$om the Connector to
Seawall Scheel Road can be attributed to the merging of the Weaver Dairy Exteneian with
Hamostead Road. It a unclear why the 2020 pe*cdow include sigoffic=tly higher volumes of
traffic on the portion of Homestead Road between the Weaver ley Conmectmr and N.C. S6:We
believe the v ohrenes an this portiere of Homestad Road should be lower than the volumes
projected for he section between Wigh School Road and the Weaver Dairy C one ter.
2. T aW Ilse.Ejur Among the various changes in land use in the amen served by Hoed
Road a the v meotlp adopted UNC Land Use Plan for the Horace Williams property_ The Plan
proposes a si®i5eaot change in bend use For a large area that would be served in port by
Homestead R od. Naas of there meted lend use,patterns is incorporated bw the currant
model.
Staff Cosmtsa m The UNC Lwd Use Plan proposes that the Weaver Dairy Extension provide
access direeth.,imb tine Horace Williams property railer than connecting back into Homcatesd
Reed as cursady shown in the Durbom-Chapel Hill-Careboto Urbeee Area 7baoughfore Plan.
With this Amp in roadway a0gmmatt,we would tat anticipate the increase im traffic voh nos
along the paetiem of Homestead between the Cosmedor and Seawall School Road We would
anticipaft that this pardon of Homaned Road would experience traffic whine similar to the
section between N.C.86 and the Com mew,projected is the 1996 Thoroughfare Plan Report to
be approximat-Ay 7,800 vehicles pa day. Than vobimes could be aceoermaodated with a three-
lone cross-sect We,whieb has a capacity of 15.000 vesicles par day.
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The UNC Land Use Plan also nx&W a the use of the existing railroad right-of way for the
de kgnnvn of a high capacity halt connection to the tW main campus.. It is unclear what
impact the i v iognuact of the Horace Williams property, the tealigmneat of the Weaver Dairy
Extension rr the devebpmmt of a high capacity transit connection between the Horace Williams
property aaai the main campus would have on Homestead Road tra»c.It should be noted that the
University�mnently andeqMcs that the Horace Williams property will be developed over a 50-
yew time w nod.
3. Biosix„wrid SWOMMIUMV The State indicates that bicycle faeilitiea could be
provided al Ong either a throe or Bve-lane cross-section. Alternatively, the State sugWsb that
sidewalks v ouid not be feasible aiang a three-lane cross-section due to the lack of curb and
gutter-
Staff C=nrnt: It has been the Town's position that five-foot striped bilce Lanes should W
included ab erg major Uumpurtation condom We believe that the promm of striped b&e lanes
will Mn%=ge greater use of bicycles and farther reduce=Wc*ated traffic vohrntes. The Town
has providel Budding for fivafoot bilce lanes as part of the N.C. 86 wig project and bas
requested five-foot bilos lanes along the U.S. 15-501 South widening project. Four foot
shoulders under a three-lane configuration would only be acceptable as a short-term
The Town kas al's requested sidewalk improvements as part of the N.C. 86 and U.S. 15-501
South improves. It is not clear why a tbt+ee-lane cross-section could not include curb and
Sutter impra vancuts and sidewaft U.S. 64, asst of Nusbwo has revemly, been improved to
include a the ee-lane crou-sadon with curb and gutter. We would aspect that if a three-lane
cross-secoiae wars devermined to be app mopriate for Homestead Road it should include curb and
gutter secdw is sad side+valks.
4.Current.$ ' S&WWLMUMM The State has cu mady prograomted 83,500,000 for the
Homed I Aad W rovensants.The project is scheduled to begin sight-of wsY purchase in FY
2000 and ca sbuctioo is FY 2001.
Staff Co�at The currew budget of$3,500,000 is based on a tbrno-lane ccoas-section. The
construction of a five-Inc cross-section would require anal hods ft Boa and
perhaps for i&-of-wale parrbase. It is doubtful that the current schedule for yenta
could be=Wined if additional fading were required. In order to provide additional flmds for
this project o dtar Orange Coanty prv1ecM nd&be
S. RdUWMV The Council's approval of the Orange County Southern Human Services
leciligt i achufA a requirement to make improvements to Homestead Road These
imp UMMM inthtdae widening to a 51' cross-section to provide three lanes, two through
lases and a coma turn Igm a five-foot bik way and sidewalk.
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Staff Cam om The scope of the impsoymamw required by the Council as pout of the approval
of the (hat tge Cowrie Southan Human Sarnia,: f caity are cosesteot with the ovements
proposed it.the Meftopolitan and Sure Trmgmtl daa Feat?mow=.
UCOM MMATTON
We recoem tend that the Couved adopt the attached resolution u ppomg the current platy for
the =prm intent of Hoastead Road to a tlmo-hm aou-section. We recommead that the
tbme-lmc c vu-semon mchadc f vL-foot bike lanes,s curb and gaw swum and udewaft
ATTACH WZM
1. Lett=fl+tm Dept of Trion dated Septemba 4. 1999(p, b)
2. Letta fz%ua Osange County Couambsicnettt Chair dated August 29, 1997(p.8)
3. Weaver:)vhy C.ounecaor 1Ksp(P.9)