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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 09-01-2015-13 (7) INFORMATION ITEM 1 PLANNING & INSPECTIONS DEPARTMENT Craig N. Benedict, AICP, Director Administration 131 W. Margaret Lane (919) 245-2575 Suite 101 (919) 644-3002 (FAX) 0 Rx A NIG- COUN-Y P. O. Box 8181 vvww.orangecountync.gov NORTH H -AR01- Hillsborough, NC 27278 MEMORANDUM TO: Board of County Commissioners Bonnie B. Hammersley, County Manager FROM: Abigaile Pittman, Transportation/Land Use Planner Craig Benedict, Planning Director DATE: September 1, 2015 SUBJECT: INFORMATION ITEM - Orange County Planning staff comments on the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) Environmental Assessment (EA) for Proposed Private Crossing Closures with North Carolina Railroad (NCRR)/Norfolk Southern (NS) Railway at Gordon Thomas Drive, Greenbriar Drive, and Byrdsville Road, Orange County, NC. BACKGROUND: The NCDOT, in coordination with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), has proposed this rail crossing closure project, which consists of three distinct sub-projects. FRA is providing the funding for the project and is the Lead Federal Agency. As the proposed action is supported by federal funds, FRA must comply with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). A Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) has been developed pursuant to NEPA. On May 28 NCDOT mailed a copy of the Environmental Assessment (EA) for the above referenced project to the Orange County Manager, which was subsequently forwarded to the Planning Department for review. The EA, as well as the preliminary plans and maps of the project areas have been made available for public review at the Planning Department, and they have also been posted on the County website at the following link: http://www.orangecountync.gov/departments/pIanning and inspections/transportation planning.phn The proposed private railway crossings are described in the State's Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) as part of various passenger rail projects comprising a private crossing safety initiative to close or enhance protection at railroad crossings between Raleigh and Charlotte. These three projects are specifically identified as P- 44051, P-4405J, and P-4405K, to be funded with Stimulus High Speed Rail Funds The projects are to be performed during the State's FY 2012-FY2016 Work Program. 2 SUMMARY OF STAFF COMMENTS: The EA was reviewed keeping in mind all previous Orange County comments and public outreach since October/November 2012: General Comments • The Orange County comment letter dated December 13, 2013 was not disclosed, discussed or included. A copy of the letter was re-submitted. • The summary of indirect and cumulative impacts statement for all three projects is very vague, stating that "the addition of the proposed Project to the current development trend will not increase cumulative impacts significantly when compared to the impacts of other past, present, and future actions." • The section of the EA that reviews transportation plans references a 2009 DCHC MPO plan rather than the current 2012 MTP. • The EA references a Farmland Conversion Rating Form but does not provide said form in the body of the report or in the Appendix. • The section of the EA that discusses Public Outreach does not include the February 2015 postcard sent out by NCDOT. Gordon Thomas Road Project • For the Gordon Thomas Drive project, the Paschall Drive cul-de-sac depicted on the map does not reflect the latest revision provided to staff by NCDOT. Greenbriar Drive Project • Future right-of-way for Greenbriar Drive is expressed as being anticipated rather than known. Greater precision on future road width is needed. • EA Consultant was requested to consult with Orange County Emergency Services regarding fire department access to homes and businesses, as well as emergency response times for first responders. Byrdsville Road Project • The turning radii of the curves adjacent to Piedmont Electric are hazardous; creating what may be impassible and/or dangerous situations for large vehicles such as fire trucks, school buses, moving vans, delivery vehicles, etc. Lighting is also needed at these curves to enhance safety. • Access should be prohibited to 17 double/reverse frontage lots being created in the Joppa Oaks Subdivision. • Identification of Walter Clark Drive for western part of future road is not accurate. The future road for the Byrdsville project will need to be uniformly renamed from beginning to end. • Additional information is needed on maps and discussion for the Jasper Lane reconnection. 3 • There are undiscussed, potentially undocumented issues pertaining to proposed driveway locations, new (possibly nonconforming) setbacks, and unknown impacts to septic tanks, wells, septic drain fields. The Orange County Planning staff comment letter regarding the EA may be viewed at the following link: http://www.orangecountync.gov/EA Comment Ltr 06242015.pd PROJECT STATUS AND NEXT STEPS: The project is currently in final review for a "Finding of No Significant Impact" (FONSI). No problems are anticipated by the NCDOT in having the EA final approval in September 2015. Following the FONSI, the NCDOT will finalize plans and move forward with negotiations with impacted property owners, purchasing right-of-way, and then starting construction. Tentative dates for these next steps are as follows: Crossing Estimated Estimated Estimated Estimated Estimated Closure Site Completion Completion Completion Let Date Completion Date 90% Date 100% Date Final Date Plans Plans Plans Greenbriar 10-9-2015 10-23-2015 10-30-2015 11-24-2015 12-1-2016 Gordon Thomas 10-9-2015 10-23-2015 10-30-2015 11-24-2015 12-1-2016 Late summer, Byrdsville 12-8-2015 01-11-2016 02-02-2016 1 03-22-2016 early fall 2017 Source: Dan Havener, Project Engineer, NCDOT Rail Division 08-11-2016 Planning staff will continue to monitor the progress on this project and report back to the Manager and the Board of County Commissioners.