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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 02-25-2016 APPROVED 3/22/2016 MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS HILLSBOROUGH BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS JOINT MEETING February 25, 2016 7:00 p.m. The Orange County Board of Commissioners met for a Joint Meeting with the Town of Hillsborough Commissioners on Thursday, February 25, 2016 at 7:00 p.m., in the Whitted Building, in Hillsborough, North Carolina. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Earl McKee and Commissioners Mia Burroughs, Mark Dorosin, Barry Jacobs, Renee Price, Bernadette Pelissier and Penny Rich COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT: John Roberts COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Bonnie Hammersley, Deputy Manager Travis Myren, and Clerk to the Board Donna S. Baker (All other staff members will be identified appropriately below) HILLSBOROUGH COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Mayor Tom Stevens and Commissioners Kathleen Ferguson, Mark Bell, Brian Lowen, Evelyn Lloyd, and Jenn Weaver HILLSBOROUGH COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: HILLSBOROUGH STAFF PRESENT: Margaret Hauth, Planning Director HILLSBOROUGH TOWN STAFF ABSENT: Town Manager, Eric Peterson Chair McKee called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. Welcome and Opening Remarks Mayor Stevens welcomed all to tonight's joint meeting. Mayor Stevens said it was 10 years ago that the first joint meeting was planned, and tonight's agenda is full, but is an opportunity to check in. Mayor Stevens asked staff to give summaries of their items to allow for more conversation between Commissioners. Mayor Stevens noted and reviewed the following hand outs at their places: 1. Strategy map: one page document, from which all that is done in Hillsborough flows. It is the overview of the Town. Mayor Stevens said the objectives line is the most important, and he summarized the items on the document. He said the theme for Hillsborough is growth. He noted Hillsborough is the slowest growing town in the triangle, but will have a steep growth curve in the next 10 years before plateauing. 2. 2030 plan: very much aligned with the strategy map. There are five goals: keeping Hillsborough's sense of place; economic and cultural diversity; community sustainability; connectivity; and forward moving action plan. Chair McKee echoed Mayor Stevens comments. Chair McKee said growth does not need to occur in silos. 1. Economic Development a) County/Town Updates (Strategies; Collaboration; Concerns; Questions) COUNTY Staff: Steve Brantley; TOWN Staff: Shannan Campbell Steve Brantley, Orange County Economic Development Director, said Orange County and Hillsborough were both involved in the various topics listed below. He said much of this activity involved Article 46 taxes. He reviewed the following information: County/Town Updates (Strategies; Collaboration; Concerns; Questions) Throughout 2015, Orange County and the Town of Hillsborough have benefited from a number of successful economic development initiatives which supported the growth and retention of area small businesses, the promotion of agriculture, arts & tourism, an increase in business recruitment & investment prospect activity, and greater mutual collaboration between the County's & Town's economic development partners in government and the Chamber of Commerce. A significant portion of this effort has been funded from the 2011 referendum that created the 1/4 cent sales tax proceeds to benefit economic development and education, called "Article 46" funding. Examples are as follows: Financial Assistance Provided to Small Businesses in Hillsborough Since the creation of the Orange County Small Business Loan Program several years ago, up until the current period, Hillsborough small businesses have received approximately $500,000 in total loans to retain and support their growth. This lending activity within the Town represents almost 80% of all loans approved Countywide for small business borrowers. Recent loan activity includes the following Hillsborough firms: o MasterPeace Barber Shop - home-based barber shop o Accidental Baker - gourmet cracker food processing o Beau Catering - upscale special events catering o Bacon Meat Market - deli & fresh local meat market (opening soon) o Seal The Season — Piedmont Food & Agricultural Processing Center o tenant (frozen blueberries & vegetables) o Mystery Brewery & Tap Room - microbrewery & retail store • The Article 46-funded Orange County Small Business Investment Grant Program began to make operational business grants of up to $10,000 per applicant in 2015. County-wide, the new grant program awarded $245,840 to 39 total growing firms. Of this amount, a total of nine (9) Hillsborough small businesses received $65,352 in total grant support, which was 26.5% of all small business grants made last year. Those firms are as follows: o 360 Degree Health - health care provider o Kyookz - food processing o Music Maker Relief Foundation - nonprofit o Q Garden - retail store o MasterPeace Barber Shop - home-based barber shop o Regulator Brewing Company - microbrewery o Seal The Season - Piedmont Food & Agricultural Processing Center o tenant (frozen blueberries & vegetables) o Accidental Baker - gourmet cracker food processing o Beau Catering - upscale special events catering • Also in 2015, the Orange County Agriculture Economic Development Grant Program provided a total of 20 awards exceeding $157,178 for area farms and related agricultural food systems businesses. Approximately eight (8) of those recipients have a Hillsborough mailing address and received 60% of all agricultural grants County-wide. Business Recruitment Activity • In 2015 the Orange County Economic Development office received over 65 separate requests (by the State of North Carolina's Economic Development Partnership agency, Duke Energy, commercial developers, brokers, etc.) seeking information on available sites and buildings in the County. This activity is a 2x increase over 2014, a 3x increase over 2013, and a 4x increase over 2012. • For 2015 and into 2016 thus far, Hillsborough was represented with twenty one (21) separate "green field" site data submissions to inquirers, and regular site locations provided by the County included Waterstone (tracts 8 & 9), Oakdale Village, Tryon Business Center at Meadowmont, N.C. 57 & N.C. 86 site, 2701 Old N.C. 86, Cardinal Drive (located behind Holiday Inn Express), Owls Wood (N.C. 86 & U.S. 70 intersection), and sites adjacent to 1-40 & Old N.C. 86 south. • Over the same 13 month period, information on available buildings in Hillsborough were submitted to investment prospects eighteen (18) times. Those locations included the 24,000 square foot warehouse on Elizabeth Brady Road, the 89,000 square foot warehouse on Eno Street (former warehouse location for "A Southern Season"), and locations at Alex Gold's Eno River Development. • At least three (3) prospective hotel investors have scouted sites in Hillsborough with the active site selection assistance of Orange County Economic Development, Town staff and realtors. • Within the next several weeks, the confidential firm holding a purchase option on the 89,000 square foot Eno Street warehouse is expected to make an announcement with its plans. Orange County Economic Development has assisted this firm for two (2) years to find a suitable office and warehouse location, and introduced the firm to this location a year ago. • Utility line extension (sewer) to sites south of 1-40 and Old N.C. 86 are needed in order to best market that property to high-caliber commercial, headquarters, research & development, light clean manufacturing, and retail investment prospects seeking locations with interstate exposure, highway access and close proximity to Hillsborough's new UNC Health Care facility. Agriculture • The Piedmont Food Agriculture Processing Center (PFAP) has recently assumed new local management, led by Eric Hallman, with additional support being provided by the Orange County Manager's Office, Orange County Economic Development's agriculture staff specialist (Mike Ortosky) and several County Commissioners. Internal discussions are ongoing related to ways to assist and retain PFAP tenants as they begin to transition as they grow. • Several Hillsborough and/or PFAP-based food processing firms, and neighboring farms are recipients of the County's Article 46-funded Small Business Loan and Grant programs. Arts • The Orange County Arts Commission made five (5) arts grants in the spring of 2015 totaling $9,300 to five (5) Hillsborough arts grant nonprofits. • In addition, four (4) arts grants totaling $3,825 in Orange County funds were awarded in the fall of 2015. Collaboration Between Orange County, Town of Hillsborough, & Hillsborough/Orange County Chamber of Commerce • In 2015 Orange County Economic Development funded an event in support of the Hillsborough/Orange County Chamber of Commerce's special membership breakfast that brought in guest speaker Chris Chung, C.E.O. of the State of North Carolina's Economic Development Partnership. Orange County also favorably responded to a sponsorship request by the Chamber related to the Riverwalk nighttime movie series. • The County & Town currently conduct "pre-development" meetings with new retail and commercial business ventures planning to locate in Hillsborough, by convening members from Orange County Planning & Inspections Department, Economic Development, Health Department, the Town's Planning staff, Fire Marshal, Zoning & others. One example of new Hillsborough firm that benefitted from the pre-development meeting process is Colorado Burrito Restaurant. The Town and County are going to be coordinating more on similar initiatives as part of a more comprehensive customer service friendly approach to new development in Hillsborough. • The Planning & Inspections departments for the County & Town are working together on new projects that wish to become a part of the local business community, such as the ongoing Bellevue Apartment project in West Hillsborough, the purchase option by a confidential business for the 89,000 square foot warehouse on Eno Street, and the now public news of a Sheetz convenience store & gas station that has submitted a building permit with the County. • Increased interaction is occurring among economic development partners with the Town, County, and Chamber. Shannan Campbell, the new Hillsborough Economic Development Planner, said that Steve Brantley covered many of their collaborative efforts. Commissioner Ferguson asked if staff could elaborate regarding sites and land inquiries. Steve Brantley said the County does not have an extensive inventory of large buildings. He said the few that do exist are the Southern Season location, flex space at Eno River Development, Meadowlands, Valley Forge Road, and some offices on Churton Street. He said Waterstone is the premier site, as well as sites at highways 86 and 57; and sites south of 1-40, where there is water, but no sewer yet. He said sewer would need to go under 1-40. Commissioner Ferguson referred to the high profile sites, and asked if those businesses interested in these sites would have 50-100 employees. Steve Brantley said yes, but there is also retail and hotel interest in Waterstone. Commissioner Ferguson asked if there are any other sites besides Waterstone, which can be used to attract 50-100 level employers. Steve Brantley said there are a couple, one of which is next to the steel chainsaw site, and another is the quadrants next to Waterstone. He said Hillsborough has a diversity of sites. Commissioner Price asked if inquirers seek particular assets, or if reasons have been given when Hillsborough is not the location chosen by a company. Steve Brantley said this business is competitive, and it takes a long time for businesses to look around for sites. He said businesses are looking here, in adjacent counties, and around the country. He said Orange County has a lot to offer. Commissioner Price asked if businesses are seeking rooftops, ready made sites, or lower land prices. Steve Brantley said he hears a persistent desire for more hotel opportunities and believes these will happen going forward. Commissioner Dorosin referred to the chart that Mayor Stevens handed out regarding gradual growth over time. He said there are several projects in the works currently, and asked if there is a more accurate sense of growth; for example, a big jump next year, and then leveling out thereafter, followed by another big jump. He asked if there are areas that the County should be anticipating currently, as the budget process begins. Mayor Stevens said there is a strategic growth plan, which involved the pulling in of the Town's services boundary. He said the two greatest constraints to growth are water capacity and traffic. He said these constraints limit the population growth. He said the main interest being expressed is in residential. He said1000 units have already been approved, with potentially 1000 more to come. He said there will be pressure to grow to capacity more quickly than expected. He said the quality of the developments will be important. Commissioner Dorosin asked if there is a timeline for the already approved residential units. Mayor Stevens said a large part happened 12 years ago with Waterstone, but the economic crash of 2008 slowed things down. He said the Town is now catching up, but there is still 5 to 10 years to go. He said traffic is an enormous concern, especially in the downtown area. He said the Town wants to draw development toward the interstates. The conversation moved onto aspects of Agenda Item number 2a: Collins Ridge and Effect on School Facility Needs/Rail Station Area/Daniel Boone Village, including the following information: Background Collins Ridge is a 1000+ unit residential use project in Hillsborough's extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ). Orange County commented on the project impact on traffic on Churton Street and the County realized impacts on human services, especially schools. The development project proposes to make town traffic consultant transportation improvements in the Churton Street corridor to ameliorate project traffic. Joint staffs have had discussions with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) to explore the ability to use developer traffic improvement funds to accelerate the comprehensive Churton Street widening plans in the state Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP). From a school capacity perspective, the developer has not yet gauged the impact of the preliminary `run' of SAPFO Certificate of Adequate Public Schools (CAPS). Although capacity may appear to be available at various schools levels (i.e. elementary, middle, high) which is the CAPS testing scenario, the specific school elementary zone that serves this area is presently over capacity. A large concentrated project and other residential approved projects in the area can cause more drastic changes in the capacity projection models which can accelerate new school Capital Investment Plan (CIP) needs. Commissioner Rich asked if there has been a discussion with the Orange County Schools (OCS) regarding capacity issues, and the possibility of redistricting. She said the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) is trying to open up conversations with the schools and to keep them abreast of developments. Commissioner Rich referred to the idea of widening Churton Street to accommodate traffic, and asked if there are any alternate solutions to this congestion issue. Margaret Hauth said the School Board is able to discuss redistricting at any time and is aware of the Town's approved developments. Margaret Hauth said the Orange County staff is involved in the Town's planning and inspections process, and there is ongoing communication. Margaret Hauth said the Town has been seeking another north-south traffic alternative to Churton Street for years but has yet to reach a consensus on a route. Commissioner Jacobs asked Bonnie Hammersley if she has had any communication with the school system about capacity issues. Bonnie Hammersley said staff is in the process of the Capital Investment Plan (CIP) and have had conversations with both school systems. She said OCS does have concerns about upcoming development and capacity, especially within the five year capacity of the CIP, and that the Schools Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (SAPFO) does not project out for development. Commissioner Jacobs suggested that the managers, superintendents, and planning staff meet to discuss if there is a need for a school in the proposed Collins Ridge development. Commissioner Jacobs said years ago the issue of redistricting came up with OCS and it may need to be re-visited. Commissioner Burroughs said these comments should be shared at the next joint school boards meeting. She said SAPFO has worked in Chapel Hill in some developments, and she would be opposed to building a new school if there is available capacity in other schools. Commissioner Weaver asked if OCS have capacity concerns about the Collins development solely, or concerns in general. Bonnie Hammersley said her conversation with the OCS Superintendent indicated that the concern stems from the Collins Ridge development. Chair McKee respectfully reminded the Town Board that, unless these homes are very expensive, residential development is not a win for Orange County. He said commercial development is positive. He said Collins Ridge is a concern for him, as there is not currently sufficient commercial development to offset the residential development. He said there must be emphasis placed on commercial development within projects moving forward. Mayor Stevens said the Town is trying to balance residential and commercial development, and is looking at development comprehensively. Commissioner Jacobs referred to the October 15, 2015 Hillsborough Planning Board Agenda, which stated Collins Ridge is proposing 46 affordable housing units out of 1150. He asked if this number is still accurate. Margaret Hauth said there will be 950 units, with 88 being affordable rental units on three acres of land, which will be given to CASA. Commissioner Jacobs said this is less than 10%, and noted Chapel Hill's is 15%. He asked if the developers have offered to enlarge the community center. Margaret Hauth said the community center is available only to the residents, but the developers have offered two acres of land for a public park space. Commissioner Jacobs said Waterstone Drive could be labeled as an east west bypass/connection. He said as commercial properties are developed on this road, he hopes that an access road behind the businesses would be considered. Commissioner Rich said she is concerned about water capacity and asked if there is enough water for the new developments. She also asked if there is a plan to deal with the existing older infrastructure. Mayor Stevens said water is a conundrum and capacity is being monitored. He said there is an aggressive replacement schedule for the Town's infrastructure. Eric Peterson said the Town has been doing a water capacity analysis for almost two decades, which is basically a water budget that is updated every few years, or when a new development is approved. He said the Town knows this is an important issue. b) 1-40/Old 86 Economic Development District Area Plans and Timing of Possible Utilities Expansion COUNTY Staff: Craig Benedict; TOWN Staff: Margaret Hauth Craig Benedict, Orange County Planning and Engineering Director, reviewed the following information: The Town's Future Land Use Plan envisions the undeveloped property near the interchange to be developed with public utilities and predominately non-residential (see Attachment 1-b — Hillsborough Future Land Use Plan Map). Orange County (OC) has included in its current year Capital Investment Plan (CIP) water and sewer utility improvements in the northwest and southwest quadrant of Old NC 86 and 1-40. This area includes over 200 acres and is designated suburban office and mixed use on the OC/Town of Hillsborough (TOH)joint land use plan and economic development land use on the County plan. This area is not within TOH Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ). Since Article 46 economic development monies are being used, future projects should be non-residential and tax-base/job building. OC and TOH engineering staff have discussed conceptual alignments and capacity needs. As a prerequisite to this project, OC and TOH would enter into a utility service agreement that sets forth the conditions and responsibilities of the jurisdictions. OC has similar agreements with Mebane and Durham. The project scope will be to bring a 12" gravity sewer under the interstate from the northwest to southwest quadrant with a `trunk' line that could provide service to the majority of the southern interchange area. Joint party review design would start this spring with construction possibly later in the year depending on interstate crossing permits and easement acquisition. Management and planning/engineering staff will work together to craft an agreement and process through the boards. Margaret Hauth said the map is a snapshot of the Town's land use map and is consistent with the interlocal agreements with the County. Commissioner Pelissier referred to the far southeast quadrant, noting it is currently designated residential development, and asked if Hillsborough would pay for the extension of water to this area, as the County cannot use Article 46 funds for extension of residential water lines. Margaret Hauth said the designation of this area is up for discussion, but noted it does have limited access. Craig Benedict said the land use plan will be reviewed, and amended as necessary, to make sure that it is meeting the most viable target for this intersection. Eric Peterson said the developer would be responsible for bringing water and sewer to a new development in the area mentioned by Commissioner Pelissier. He said there is a Town of Hillsborough water main running down Old 86. c) Downtown Redevelopment (Future Uses of Town and County Property, including County Jail and Colonial Inn) COUNTY Staff: Jeff Thompson; TOWN Staff: Margaret Hauth Margaret Hauth opened the floor for questions. Commissioner Dorosin asked if there is an update on the Colonial Inn. Margaret Hauth said the Town told the owners it is interested in purchasing the site, either through a negotiated sale or eminent domain. She said the paper work to start this process has not yet been filed, but appraisers are under contract to appraise the property in the middle of March. Commissioner Dorosin asked if the owners expressed interest in a negotiated sale. Margaret Hauth said the owners have not ruled out this option. Mayor Stevens said the Boar is committed to acquiring the property, and there is a cordial relationship with the owners. He said the downtown area will have multiple properties available to commercial development, as the Town Annex is built over the next few years. Commissioner Jacobs asked if the County and the Town can start planning together on the options for various sites. He suggested the idea of making the Heritage Collection, in the Orange County Library, into a museum, and maybe this could be located in the future Colonial Inn. Chair McKee asked if Jeff Thompson could give an update on the jail project. Jeff Thompson said the Town is recruiting a design team to assess the redevelopment and development of a government campus on town-owned properties on East Corbin Street. He said Town staff expects it may be five years before town-owned properties in downtown may be made available for private development. He said the Town will be in partnership with the Orange Rural Fire Board on the two town-owned properties that encompass the fire station. He said the Town's express intent in purchasing the Corbin properties was to return the downtown properties to tax producing properties. Commissioner Price asked if there is a way for the County and the Town to be more collaborative with planning projects. She said a courtesy review of items is not really joint planning. Chair McKee said the old jail property is going to a major component for joint planning and can be an asset or a sore spot. Commissioner Price said a plan and timeline should be created for these facilities instead of just a courtesy review. She said the old jail is in the heart of the Town, and there should be a joint working group for this property. Chair McKee said he is open to this idea. Mayor Stevens said the Town is trying to envision the future of downtown and seeks to involve all stakeholders. Commissioner Ferguson said she agreed with Commissioner Price. d) Mountains to Sea Trail/Riverwalk COUNTY Staff: David Stancil; Staff TOWN: Margaret Hauth Mayor Stevens said this is a follow up to last year's discussion. David Stancil, Department of Agriculture, Environment, Parks and Recreation (DEAPR) Director, summarized the information below: The N.C. Mountains-to-Sea Trail (MST) is a part of the North Carolina State Parks system, connecting Clingman's Dome on the North Carolina/Tennessee border to Jockey's Ridge State Park on the Outer Banks. While some sections are already built, many (including the eastern Piedmont section that includes Orange County) have sections remaining to be located and created. In summer/fall 2015, the NC Division of State Parks approved an MST Statewide Master Plan, denoting the corridor of the primary route for the trail. The MST within Orange County (please see maps at Attachment 1-d) would run from the Alamance-Orange County line in the southwestern corner of the county, northeast along the northern side of Cane Creek Reservoir, up and over the Cape Fear/Neuse river basin ridge line, to the County's Seven Mile Creek Nature Preserve and on to Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area, where it would connect with the Town of Hillsborough's Riverwalk. The Town's Riverwalk was envisioned to be part of the MST, and it will be dedicated as part of the trail in 2016. After exiting Riverwalk to the east, the MST continues onto trails located on the Classical American Homes Trust and other lands, before heading east into Eno River State Park. e) Tourism COUNTY Staff: Laurie Paolicelli Laurie Paolicelli, Orange County Community Relations Director, said the Riverwalk was envisioned 10 years ago, and it has transformed the community in that time. Laurie Paolicelli said the mainstay of Hillsborough is its people, and there is a sense of place here in Town. She said the greatest demand, from a tourism standpoint, is for hotels, and that right developer and location is being sought. She said the second demand is for a performing arts center for this area. She handed out a photo book of the Town to each official prior to the meeting. Laurie Paolicelli said the other hot topic is agri-tourism and pick-your-own farms. She said Orange County is the pilot county for a Department of Agricutlure agri-tourism app, which will premiere in June. Laurie Paolicelli said her role is expanding to community relations, and Orange County is reviewing its online communication; specifically communication with the northern part of the County where Internet access is sporadic. Laurie Paolicelli explained the photojournalistic Vitamin 0 project. Commissioner Dorosin referred to the desired arts performance space, and asked if the Whitted Center can be used in such a capacity. Mayor Stevens said several cultural and art events have occurred in the Whitted Center over the past year. Shannon Campbell said the arts community is looking for a more multi-purpose area that is specifically dedicated to the arts. She said Hillsborough has seen a lot of media attention lately regarding tourism, with specific attention on food and beverage sites. She said the Town is highlighting recreational and shopping opportunities to encourage people to view Hillsborough as a place that offers all types of attractions. 2. Planning/Development a) Collins Ridge and Effect on School Facility Needs /Rail Station Area/Daniel Boone Village; Other) COUNTY Staff: Craig Benedict; TOWN Staff: Margaret Hauth Craig Benedict said there is a conversation with the State regarding the widening of Churton Street. Chair McKee said the Collins Ridge property, and its effect on school facility needs, was discussed earlier in the meeting. Margaret Hauth said the train station is a fully funded project through the Town Improvement Plan (TIP). She said the Town has secured the services of Summit Design and Engineering, as well as Surface 678, to work on a conceptual layout of the 20 acres, to identify the footprint that will be subject to review. She said the conceptual process should be wrapped up in the spring or at the start of the fiscal year. She said all partners are working together effectively, and this is an exciting project. b) US 70 Corridor Update on Redevelopment COUNTY Staff: Craig Benedict; TOWN Staff: Margaret Hauth Margaret Hauth reviewed the following information: The ownership of the North Hills Shopping Center has changed, but no plans for redevelopment have been submitted. The proposed restaurant complex next to Walgreens has an approved Master plan, but no further applications or actions are pending at this time. While the town board continues to support the recommendations in the 70 Corridor Plan, no specific actions are in the works. Margaret Hauth said the Town is committed to making this area more pedestrian friendly. Commissioner Ferguson said Dollar General was planning on moving out last summer, but they have a three-year commitment, and, as of now, are planning to stay at the North Hills Shopping Center. Commissioner Lowen said the Town and the County should work together to pursue the possibility of getting a grocery store in this corridor area on the north side of town. Commissioner Ferguson said neighbors in this area want sit-down restaurants, beauty supply stores, as well as medical services and stores that can employ local residents. Commissioner Weaver referred to the worker owned/co-op model and suggested this may be an option for this area. She said there is a non-profit in Durham that specializes in this type of work. Commissioner Price said Fairview is also growing and services must be provided in order to preserve those neighborhoods. c) Update on Former Truck Stop at Highway 86 and Interstate 85 COUNTY Staff: Craig Benedict Craig Benedict reviewed the following information: There is presently an approved site plan for redevelopment of the former truck stop. Master site improvements are underway by the property owner of the large parcel such as building deconstruction/demolition and erosion control/stormwater designs. A Sheetz gas station/restaurant facility is planned. Commissioner Jacobs asked if the property owner is going to incorporate the joint intersection improvements. Craig Benedict said yes, the owner has preserved an 80-ft corridor between the two uses, and it will be stubbed out to another project that will come forward. Craig Benedict said the site development is presently limited to the prior traffic counts of the prior use, since the nearby bridge has reached its capacity limitations. Chair McKee asked if there is a scheduled upgrade from the Department of Transportation (DOT) for the 1-85 widening Craig Benedict said yes, but it must be closely monitored, as the State changes the prioritization of different projects. Commissioner Lowen asked if a developer would help pay for the off-site improvements. Craig Benedict said yes, but how much a developer contributes depends on how close to capacity the area is. Commissioner Lowen asked if any properties in this area would be affected by the 1-85 expansion. Craig Benedict said there is not a formal design for the Highway 86/1-85 intersection, but access would be affected. 3. Transportation/Transit a) Hillsborough Bus Circulator Routes Update COUNTY Staff: — Craig Benedict Peter Murphy, Transportation Administrator, gave an overview of the bus routes: The Hillsborough Circulator Route began in June 2011 and provides free fixed route bus service to several residential areas and key non-residential destinations, such as the Orange County Courthouse, Social Services Center, Orange County Campus at Durham Tech, and UNC Hospital-Hillsborough Campus, among others. Hourly service is provided Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm. Operation was funded for the first three years through a Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Program Grant and is now fully funded from public-transit "Mobility Bill" dedicated vehicle registration fees. The Route has been modified slightly from the original route, most recently last November, as a result of the park and ride lease ending at the North Hills Shopping Center (former Maxway site). Park and Ride users have been redirected to the Orange County Campus at Durham Tech and the Orange-Durham Express (Route ODX), Orange-Chapel Hill Connector, and Route 420 were also revised to reflect the change. Ridership on the Circulator has been good, averaging approximately 1,200 riders per month. In addition, a new route that complements the GoTriangle 420 Route (Peak hour service and approximately 550 riders per month) is the Orange Public Transportation Orange-Chapel Hill Mid-Day Connector (approximately 300 riders per month). Upon request, staff can provide an update on additional future bus services to be implemented in the Hillsborough area at the meeting. Commissioner Pelissier suggested rider surveys be done yearly. Chair McKee asked if, given the growth of ridership, there is a timeframe for the need for extra buses to reduce wait times going forward. Peter Murphy said with future expansions plans, there would be more buses on the road if funding is available. b) Park and Ride Lot for 420 and ODX Routes COUNTY Staff: Tom Altieri; Town Staff: Margaret Hauth Tom Altieri, Orange County Planning, said the Town Board received an update from Go Triangle staff regarding options to locate a transfer facility and park and ride for the new Route ODX at its meeting earlier this month. Margaret Hauth said the Town Board was generally supportive of the option proposed by Go Triangle to locate a transfer facility along Cornelius Street/US 70 Bypass (possibly at Faucette Mill Rd.) to facilitate access to the most routes, as well as residents within walking distance, and a park and ride facility further to the east on US 70 Bypass at New Hope Church. The Town will have to make adjustments to its development code, which its staff is presently studying, to consider a park and ride lot at the church because it is residentially zoned. The Town appreciates Go Triangle's willingness to have the two facilities in the corridor so that access to the route is maximized for transit dependent populations in Hillsborough. Tom Altieri said at their places is the PowerPoint that Go Triangle was going to present. He said this item will be on the BOCC agenda at the March 1st meeting. Commissioner Ferguson said she hopes that the County will support what the Town supports. She said adjoining neighbors do not want this park and ride lot in a prime commercial area. Commissioner Dorosin asked if there are advantages or disadvantages to having them separate or together. Margaret Hauth said it is ideal to co-locate, as it is most efficient. She said Go Triangle's is of the perspective that they are serving commuters, and thus the transfer facility being located at New Hope Church is acceptable. She said the Town's perspective that this is a commuter service, but it also important to access the transit dependent population by placing a transfer location in the community. Commissioner Pelissier asked if neighbors want the option supported by the Town. Commissioner Ferguson said access to transportation was voiced as being highly important during neighborhood information meetings. Commissioner Pelissier said she is glad that the Go Triangle presentation was postponed, since it was good to hear the Town's reasons for supporting the version of the park and ride lot that it did. Commissioner Bell asked if there is a proposed timeline to have all the options laid out and a decision made. Margaret Hauth said it would depend on the option that is chosen. She said Go Triangle is determining the specific timeline. She said Go Triangle is anxious to get started. Margaret Hauth said most of this funding is already available through the bus and rail investment plan. Commissioner Lowen said the New Hope Church parking lot is already paved and would need fewer improvements. Chair McKee agreed with the Town's comments and their support of the New Hope Church location. He says his main concern is convenience for the residents, not convenience for Go Triangle. Commissioner Rich asked if Mayor Stevens could please provide the Town Board's minutes from these types of discussions to the BOCC for future issues. Margaret Hauth said these presentations were lined up for both boards to discuss individually and collectively. Commissioner Price suggested providing an update to the community in the form of a flyer in both English and Spanish. Bonnie Hammersley said this can be done. c) Churton Street Improvements TOWN Staff: Margaret Hauth Margaret Hauth said notification from DOT was received, permitting construction to proceed. She reviewed the following information: The current schedule would allow the bus stop work near the Justice Facility to begin in May 2016 as the first portion of the construction work. The downtown construction phase would last about 10 months, wrapping up in January 2017. In Spring 2017, NCDOT has scheduled the resurfacing of Churton Street. Once that is complete, the stamped crosswalks and final clean-up can take place. The best estimate right now for full completion is the end of calendar year 2017. The town will have a meeting with downtown businesses as soon as a contractor has been secured so that full details of timing can be discussed and adjusted to the extent feasible. Town staff acknowledges that the construction schedule is not the desired schedule for local businesses, but construction of this type cannot take place in January-March. Commissioner Jacobs asked if there is a status update regarding limiting the traffic from the parking lot across from Hillsborough BBQ. Margaret Hauth said that issue is sitting with the DOT now, awaiting approval, but there are plans to do major renovations to this area. Commissioner Jacobs said the traffic light at the corner of Nash and West King is seven seconds long, which is simply not enough time. Margaret Hauth said she would pass the concern along to the DOT. 4. Information Items (Written Updates - Not for Specific Discussion) a) Solid Waste / Recycling (COUNTY— Gayle Wilson) b) Bond Referendum (COUNTY— Gary Donaldson) A motion was made by Commissioner Pelissier, seconded by Commissioner Burroughs to adjourn the meeting at 9:35 p.m. VOTE: UNANIMOUS Earl McKee, Chair Donna Baker, Clerk to the Board