HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 09-19-2007-3aORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: September 19, 2007
Action Agenda
Item No. .~ - a~
SUBJECT: Smith Level Road Task Force Report and Recommendations
DEPARTMENT: Planning and Inspections PUBLIC HEARING: (YIN) No
ATTACHMENT(S):
1. Map of Study Area INFORMATION CONTACT:
2. Cover Letter from Task Force Craig Benedict, 245-2592
3. Report of the Smith Level Rd. Task Force
4. Maps of Study Area (Petitioners, Greenways, Karen Lincoln, 245-2594
Sidewalks & Bikeways, Topo & Watersheds)
5. June 19, 2007, Minutes of the Carrboro Board
of Aldermen (excerpts)
PURPOSE: To receive a presentation from the Smith Level Road Task Force.
BACKGROUND: The Board received a report on the work of the Smith Level Road Task Force
as an informational item in the June 12, 2007 meeting agenda packet. Task Force members
have worked hard and wish to present their recommendations to the Orange Gounty
Commissioners.
The report contains two sets of recommendations.
Recommendations for slowing vehicular traffic on Smith Level Road:
• Reduce the speed limit on the southern section of the road to 35 MPH.
• Examine the possibility of eliminating one of the two turn lanes and one of the merge lanes at
the entrance of Smith Level Road at US 15-501
• Restrict truck traffic on Smith Level Road north of Damascus Church Road.
• Examine the possibility of narrowing the traffic lanes by 6" on the section of Smith Level
Road between Rock Haven Road and US 15-501.
• Request that NCDOT conduct a feasibility study for a roundabout at the intersection of
Damascus Church Road and Smith Level Road.
• Enforce speed limits; and
Recommendations for improving access for non-vehicular traffic:
• Include/adopt as part of Carrboro and Chapel Hill's bicycle plans, the section of Smith Level
Road from US 15-501 to Rock Haven Road, the section of US 15-501 from Smith Level
Road to Old Lystra Road in Chatham County and Old Lystra Road from US 15-501 to Mt.
Carmel Church Road (in Orange County).
• Extend and line the shoulders on Smith Level Road from Rock Haven Road to US 15-501.
• Add amulti-use path along one side of Smith Level Road from Ray Road to US 15-501.
2
Explore landowner compacts (secured easements) to provide aright-of-way or public
trail/greenway access for pedestrians and bicyclists on Smith Level Road from US 15-501 to
the high school.
Investigate the feasibility of adding an Orange Public Transit route to serve the southern
section of Smith Level Road from Rock Haven Road (connecting with Chapel Hill Transit) to
the UNC park and ride lot on US 15-501 (in Chatham County).
Encourage parents to utilize school buses to transport children to school instead of driving.
The task force presented its final report to the Carrboro Board of Aldermen on June 19, 2007.
The Carrboro Board of Aldermen formally received the report noting that the Task Force had
fulfilled its duties. The Board of Aldermen then extended the charge of the Task force for the
purpose of completing presentations of the report and for additional tasks that might be
identified by the Board of Aldermen based on an expected staff report.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no direct financial impact associated with this item.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board receive the report of the
Smith Level Road Task Force.
3
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TOWN OF CARRBORO
NORTH CAROLINA
TRANSMITTAL
P1~4NNING DEPARTMENT
DELIVERED VIA: ^ HAND ^ MAIL ~ FAX ®EMAIL
To: Laura Blackmon, Orange County Planning Director
From: Kendal Brown, Planner/Plamring and Development Specialist
Date: May 25, 2007
Subject: Update on Smith Level Road Task Force
In response to the County Commissioners' request to receive a report from the Smith
Level Road Task Force on June 12, 2007, I have attached the task force powerpoint
presentation made at the May 20, 2007 Public Information Meeting at Carrboro Town
Hall. The citizen comments from this meeting will be taken into account as the task force
writes its final report over the next two weeks. This final report will be presented to the
Carrboro Board of Aldermen on June 19, 2007
As background, the task force was formed in October,. 2006 by the Board of Aldermen in
response to three petitions from residents in multiple jurisdictions (Orange County,
Chapel Hill, and Carrboro) concerned about a variety of issues in the Smith Level Road
area. The Board of Aldermen assigned the task force the following charges:
1. To gather data on existing problems regarding traffic impact and pedestrian
safety along Smith Level Road and to receive data on projected traffic impact
of anticipated development in the area.
2. To examine development pressures both existing and anticipated in multiple
jurisdictions in and near the area roughly encompassed by Cuibreth Road
(Chapel Hill and Carrboro) on the north; U:S. 15-501 South (Chapel Hill,
Orange County, and Chatham County) on the east; U.S. 15-501
approximately at the Chatham County line on the south; and Smith Level
Road (Carrboro and Chapel Hill) on the west; to further the understanding by
all entities of current and future traffic impact in this area and environmental
impact 'on the University Lake Watershed.
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3. To explore ways to provide safe, non-vehicular pedestrian access to Carrboro
High School to children living along Smith Level Road between the Carrboro
town limit and U.S. Highway 15-501.
4. To explore ways to provide safe access for residents whose driveways or
subdivisions are located on or along Smith Level Road.
5. Regarding recommendations based on the above-described analyses of
proposed development and roadway improvements, analyze such
recommendations for adverse impacts on the University Lake Watershed.
The task force has met over the past several months to collect and analyze data and
receive public input in order to develop recommendations for improving safety along
Smith Level Road and for reducing environmental impacts on the watershed.
Earlier this month, the Board of Aldermen referred NCDOT's preliminary road design
for the northern half of Smith Level Road to the task force for comments. On June 19,
2007, the task force will comment on this preliminary design, as well as present the task
force's final report to the Board of Aldermen.
I hope this is helpful. Don't hesitate to call if you would like clarification or additional
information.
Report
of the Smith level
Road Tasty Force
Submitted to the
Carrboro Board of Aldermen
June 19, 2007
7
Report of the Smith Level Road Task Force
The Carrboro Board of Alderman charged the task force with the following:
1. Gather data on existing problems that impact traffic and pedestrian safety along
Smith Level Road between Culbreth Road and 15-501.
2. Examine development pressures that impact traffic and the University Lake
watershed within the study area.
3. Explore ways to provide safe, non-vehicular use of Smith Level Road.
4. Identify obstacles to transportation improvements '
The taskforce began meeting on March 14, 2007. At subsequent meetings, we reviewed
DOT traffic projections and accident reports; examined the Chapel Hill Carrboro City
School system's wallcability policies and current distribution of students living on or
along Smith Level Road; and analyzed the best estimates on growth in northern Chatham
County and how that growth is reflected in DOT traffic projections.
Development Pressures
Although Carrboro and Chapel Hill have committed to restricting development along
Smith Level Road and within the rest of the University watershed, Chatham County has
designated the northern section of their county, which borders the watershed, as an
economic development district. The Triangle J Council of Government estimates that
northeast.Chatham County will have 117,000 residents by 2035 compared to the current
population of 58,000+ for the entire county. As of May 2007, approximately 15,000 new
residences have been approved but not built in northeast Chatham, including Pittsboro
and Cary. Additionally, more than one million square feet of retail and commercial
projects have been approved, but not built, on 15-501 north of Fearrington Village.
Data on Existing Problems and Future Growth
DOT's most recent traffic projections for a no-build scenario, derived from the 2005
Triangle Regional Model, predict a uniform increase of approximately 5000-5800
vehicles per day between 2005 and 2030. There is recognition that the model is
inherently imperfect and represents a best guess based on available data and certain
assumptions.
These projections include Lee-Moore Oil Company's proposed big box development and
the anticipated growth in northern Chatham County. The two left-turn lanes onto Smith
Level added during, the widening of 15-501 were built in anticipation of this future
increase in traffic coming from Chatham County.
Between 2001 and 2006, there was an average of 25 accidents per year along Smith Level
Road. The majority of these accidents were property damage only, however, there was
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one fatality and 38 other crashes that involved physical injury. Two pedestrians were
struck and there was one accident involving a school bus.
The increase in truck traffic along Smith Level Road cannot be quantified: DOT does not
count trucks separately from other vehicles during traffic counts. However, we do know
that UNC uses Merritt Mining for construction fill so we should expect their truck traffic
to remain constant over the next several years. While there is a perception among
residents that there are also many trucks taking a short cut from 54 Bypass to 15-501
there is no data available to support or counter those perceptions.
In 2001, the Chapel Hill Bicycle And Pedestrian Board conducted a Walk to School Day
Survey based on the National Highway Traffic Safety Association Walkability Checklist.
Two respondents reported on Jones Ferry Road and Smith Level Road. Their comments
were consistent with the feedback received during the public meeting held on May 20:
• Too much traffic
• No room for bikes, which a lot of people try to do
• Need traffic signals
• Drivers speed around bikes--no shoulders-- a huge safety issue
• Drivers do not yield to pedestrians
• These roads are impossible to walk and dangerous to bike
.Speeding
In 2003, speeding was a contributing factor in 31 percent of all fatal crashes nationwide.
The UNC Highway Safety Research Center claims that:
• At 40 mi/h a pedestrian has an 85 percent chance of being killed;
• At 30 mi/h, the likelihood goes down to 45 percent,
• At 20 mi/h, the fatality rate is only 5 percent
Speed control along the unincorporated section of Smith Level falls under the jurisdiction
of the Orange County Sheriff's Office and the Highway Patrol. The Highway Patrol has
informally responded that speeding control along Smith Level Road is not one of their
priorities. The Orange County Sheriff's Office has only recently acquired sufficient radar
equipment to make speed control possible.
School Walk Zones
The task force considered the impact of sidewalks, bike lanes, and greenway
improvements to the possible extensions of walk zones around Carrboro High School,
Frank Porter Graham Elementary School, and Culbreth Middle School.
Public school walk zones must meet several North Carolina requirements. Students may
not travel more than 1.5 miles from the closest safe drop off at home to the closest safe
drop off at the school. The mileage is generally calculated using driving distances,
9
however, dedicated easements and greenways may also be used. Potential walk zone
access routes, dedicated easements, and greenways are judged for safety, sight lines,
ADA compliance, lighting, and entrance and exit points. If conditions do not meet these
criteria, a walk zone maybe shorter than the 1.5-mile limit or may not be permitted at all
by the school board. The school district does not provide school bus transportation to
students residing inside designated walk zones.
The Chapel Hill - Carrboro City Schools Board of Education has not yet established a
walk zone for Carrboro High. However, based on past practices, the new walk zone
should serve approximately 71 students once it is created. If sidewalks were extended
along Culbreth School Road and Smith Level Road, an additional 50 students could walk
to school, assuming safety requirements were met. If the greenway, which as been
discussed, between Southern Village to Smith Level were built, additional areas could
most likely be added to the walk zone.
Frank Porter Graham Elementary School currently has a very small walk zone. However,
if sidewalks were built along Culbreth School Road and Smith Level Road and the
Carrboro section of the Morgan Creek greenway to the east of Smith Level were built,
approximately 100 more students could walk to school. If the Chapel Hill section of the
Morgan Creek greenway to the west of Smith Level were also completed, 80 more
students could walk. Again, all the access routes must be determined to be safe for
youngsters to use as their only means of access to and from school.
Finally, extension of Culbreth Middle School's walk zone was considered. Currently,
many students walk to school along sidewalks and along a dedicated easement near the
track that connects to Southern Village. Within the 1.5-mile limit, there are no
infrastructure improvements that would extend the walk zone.
Recommendations for Improving Non-Vehicular Access
Along the Southern Section of Smith Level Road
Recommendations for the section of Smith Level Road between Rock Haven and 15-501
(the southern section) will be presented separately from the task force's response to the
TIP project for the section of the road that falls within the Carrboro town limits.
The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center, part of the LTNC Highway Safety
Research Center, identifies the following strategies far improving pedestrian safety:
• Reduce speed of motor vehicles.
• Reduce volume of motor vehicles.
• Reduce exposure time for pedestrians:
• Improve access and mobility for all pedestrians, especially those with disabilities.
Encourage walking by improving aesthetics, safety, and security.
• Improve compliance with traffic laws (motorists and pedestrians).
• Eliminate behaviors that lead to crashes (motorists and pedestrians).
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Using these guidelines as the basis for reviewing the collected data, the task force
developed two overarching principles for improving safety and multi-model
transportation along Smith Level Road while protecting the integrity of the watershed.
Slow town the Traffic
Traffic calming measures will improve safety for motorists as well as those bicyclists
who currently use the road. We expect that the recommended tactics will have the
secondary advantage of reducing the volume of traffic by encouraging some commuters
to the university and/or hospital to stay on 15-501.
1. Reduce the speed limit on the southern section of the road to 35 MPH. DOT's
preference would be to conduct a speed zone study to determine if the speed
should be reduced. However, it is important to remember that DOT's goals are to
facilitate the smooth and even flow of traffic while the hope of the residents living
along this road is to improve safety and non-vehicular mobility along the road. In
this instance the goals of citizens and the DOT are at odds.
2. Examine the possibility of eliminating one of the two turn lanes and one of the
merge lanes at the entrance of Smith Level Road coming off 1 S-S01. The stacking
lane on 15-501 may need to be extended if a turn lane is eliminated in order to
assure smooth movement in the through lanes along 15-501. These additional
lanes were added to accommodate long-term traffic projections and a non-
permanent design to remove those additional lanes for the short-term may be
amenable to DOT.
3. Impose truck restrictions on the section of Smith Level Road between Damascus
Church Road and S. Greensboro Street. Truck restrictions apply to through
traffic and would not restrict access for Merritt's mining operations or school
deliveries. Restrictions are imposed by request of local government to the
Department of Transportation where they are reviewed to assure that such
restrictions will not have the unintended consequence of pushing truck traffic onto
smaller neighborhood roads.
4. Examine the possibility of narrowing the traj~c lanes by 6" on the section of the
road between Rock Haven and 15-SOI. According to DOT guidelines, Smith
Level Road should have 12-foot lanes based on .projected traffic volumes. This is
another instance where the DOT goal of moving traffic smoothly and evenly is at
odds with the citizen-goal of slowing and/or reducing traffic. Narrowing the lanes,
in conjunction with extending the shoulders, could help slow down traffic and
also improve bicycle accessibility (see #2, page 6).
5. Request that NCDOT conduct a traffic and feasibility study at Damascus Church
Road and Smith Level. A roundabout would provide speed reduction and
11
increased safety at a dangerous intersection, as well as providing an additional
safe crossing point of Smith Level for bicyclists and pedestrians.
6. Enforce speed limits.
Improve Access for Non-Vehicular Traffic
The best strategy for reducing the volume of traffic along any road is to provide safe,
attractive, and easily accessible alternatives to single occupancy motorized vehicles.
Every one of the citizens who attended the public meeting on May 20 expressed their
desire for children to be able to walk or bicycle to school. An equally strong desire was
expressed for maintaining the rural character of Smith Level Road and its surrounding
neighborhoods.
1. Adopt the section of Smith Level Road from Culbreth to I5-501 and from 15-501
to Old Lystra Road as part of Carrboro and Chapel Hill's bicycle plan. The
Mountains to the Sea Bicycle route currently runs from Bowden Road (Orange
County) to Jones Ferry to South Greensboro St to Culbreth Road to Mt Carmel
Church Road. While maintaining the Mountains to the Sea Bicycle route in its
current location, an additional local bike route could be added to follow Smith
Level Road to 15-501 and over to Old Lystra connecting back to the Mountains to
the Sea route at Mt Carmel. The Performance Bicycles headquarters lies along
this route and many of their employees commute back and forth along Smith
Level Road.
2. Extend and line the shoulders along Smith Level Road from Rock Haven to 15-
501. Extended shoulders are a viable short-term approach to improving bicycle
access since DOT does not have any formal right-of--ways along the southern
portion of Smith Level Road. However, DOT can pave an additional two (2) feet
in easement areas that they have historically maintained. The additional benefit of
adding Smith Level and Old Lystra (see # 1 above) to the local bicycle plan is that
extended shoulders could be added during DOT's next scheduled repaving, at no
or lower cost to local governments through DOT's policy of supporting road
enhancements that facilitate multi-modal transportation. Other possible funding
resources for implementing this recommendation are the Transportation
Improvement Plan (TIP) a Secondary Road Construction Funds, as well as spot
safety funds.
3. Add amulti-use path along one side of Smith Level from Ray Road to 15-501.
OWASA has stated that such an addition would not have a negative impact on the
watershed. This is a long-term proposal and would require time and funds for
acquiring right-of--way.
4. Explore landowner compacts (secured easements) to provide aright-of-way or
public trail/greenway access for pedestrians and bicyclists from 1 S-SOl to the
high school. An informal, but much used, trail through university property runs
12
from Heritage Hills to Damascus Church Road. A review of the Carrboro
planning map indicates that only 2-3 easements would be needed to connect that
path to the high school. Such agreements would be legal documents and would
need to be held by a legal entity such as the county or some other formal
organization.
5. Investigate the feasibility of adding an Orange Public Transit from the southern
section of Smith Level to Rock Haven (connecting with Chapel Hill Transit) and
to the UNC park and ride lot on I S-S01.
6. Until better alternatives are provided, encourage parents to utilize school buses
to transport children to school instead of driving.
Finally, the task force encourages improved public transportation between Carrboro,
Chapel Hill, Orange County, Chatham County, and the Chapel Hill Carrboro City
Schools.
Feedback on the DOT TIP Proposal
For the Northern Section of Smith Level Road*
The Task Force was not able to review the TIP proposal when a DOT representative was
.able to explain the many features of the proposed design. Therefore, we make the
following recommendations, understanding that some of these recommendations may
already be present in the DOT proposal.
• Adding bike lanes and sidewallcs to both sides of the road throughout the entire
length of the project will make travel along Smith Level Road safer and smoother
for bicyclists and pedestrians as well as motorists. We are especially concerned
that a sidewalk be available on the western side of the road from the end of the
school ball fields (beyond the end of the TIP project) where there is a new
sidewalk through the back of the school property north to Rock Haven. The new
sidewalk exits at a blind curve along Smith Level. Students should be encouraged
to walk back to the roundabout before crossing.
• If there is not already a sidewalk along the eastern side of the road from
Woodcrest to Rock Haven, we recommend that one be added. That one section
will greatly extend the number of students who can safely walk to school.
• The task force would also like to see flashing yellow school lights 100 feet or so
before the roundabout during school arrival and departure times, along with
painted crosswalks and pedestrian-activated crossing signals.
• We also recommend that the signals at Rock Haven, Culbreth, and BPW will be
sensitive enough to be tripped by bicyclists and that they have pedestrian crossing
buttons.
• The current project entrance, located approximately 75 feet south of the driveway
to Frank Porter Graham Elementary School, leaves the entrance to the school
along a particularly pedestrian-unfriendly length of the road. If the project
13
entrance could be moved north to the stoplight at the school entrance, the
additional sidewalks and bike paths would improve the safety of those families
that choose to walk their children to school.
*Note: a quorum was not present when these recommendations were discussed.
However, all members had the opportunity to review and comment through email.
SMITH LEVEL ROAD TASK FORCE MEMBERS
Carrboro Board of Aldermen NCDOT -Division 7 -Greensboro
Liaison: Alex Zaffron J.M. (Mike) Mills, Division Engineer
Carrboro Town Hall POB 14996
301 West Main Street, Carrboro, NC Greensboro, NC 27415-4996
27510
Carrboro, Smith Level Road
Neighborhoods
Appointed citizen: Terri Buckner
(chair)
306 Yorktown Drive
Chapel Hiil, NC 27516
Chapel Hill, Smith Level Road
Neighborhoods
Appointed citizen: Perri Morgan
522 Dogwood Drive
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
System
Lisa Stuckey, School Board Member
750 South Merritt Mill Road
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
DCHC MPO
Dale McKeel, Transportation Planner
101 City Hall Plaza
Durham, NC 27701
C. N. (Chuck) Edwards, District
Engineer
POB 766
Graham, NC 27253
Orange County Board of
Commissioners
Liaison: Alice Gordon
282 Edgewood Drive
Chapel Hill, NC 27517
Carrboro Transportation Advisory
Board
Heidi Perry
407 Robert Hunt Drive
Carrboro, NC 27510
Carrboro Transportation Advisory
Board
Tom High (vice chair)
300 Ray Road
Chapel Hiil, NC 27516
Chatham County
Robert Eby
1056 Fearrington Post
Pittsboro, NC 27312
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A regular meeting of the Carrboro Board of Aldermen was held on Tuesday, June 19, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. in the
Town Hall Board Room.
Present and presiding:
Mayor
Aldermen
Town Manager
Town Attorney
Town Clerk
Excerpts:
Mark Chilton
Joal Hall Broun
Dan Coleman
Jacquelyn Gist
John Herrera
Randee Haven-O'Donnell
Alex Zaffron
Steven E. Stewart
Michael B. Brough
Sarah C. Williamson
REVIEW OF REVISED PLANS FOR SMITH LEVEL. ROAD TRANSPORTATION
IMPROVEMENTS
Transportation improvements to Smith Level Road have been included in the Town's Local Transportation
Improvement Program Priority list for many years. Since 2001, the Town has been actively negotiating with
NCDOT regarding the cross section and design elements that are to be included in the project. A revised plan
has been provided and was presented to the Board of Aldermen on May 15, 2007 and referred to advisory
boards and others for comment. A resolution that outlines comments on the revised plan and other actions is
provided- for the Board's use.
Adena Messenger, the town's Transportation Planner, made the presentation.
Jim Dunlap a NCDOT Congestion Management Engineer, addressed the school's concerns about school buses
using'the roundabout, stated that roundabouts are safer for pedestrians and motorists, and stated that a signal
should not be needed at the school but that this would be reviewed further. He also stated that four lanes are
needed from BPW Club Road to N.C. 54 because of projected traffic volumes. He stated that they would not
recommend a median opening at Berryhill because of safety concerns.
Steve Brown, Project Manager from Project Management and Environmental Assessment Branch with
NCDOT, stated that extension of the Smith Level Road project to Frank Porter Graham is outside the limits of
the current project and funding would not be available for that extension. He stated that it might be possible to
extend the pedestrian facilities up to Frank Porter Graham.
Tom High urged the Board to think about safety aspects of a wider cross section, the wider aspect of asphalt
will appear to be more of a through way, and urged Board to go with smaller cross section. Heidi Perry
encouraged a small cross section.
Lisa Stuckey, a member of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School Board, stated that the School Board has not
looked at these road improvements and stated concern about kids getting trapped in the middle of the
roundabout.
Carrboro Board of Aldermen Page 20 June 19, 2007
19
The following resolution was introduced by Alderman Alex Zaffron and duly seconded by Alderman Dan
Coleman.
A RESOLUTION PROVIDING CO1~~IlVIENTS ON THE REVISED DESIGN OF IMPROVEMENTS TO
SMITH LEVEL ROAD -PROJECT U-2803
Resolution No. 214/2006-07
WHEREAS, widening of Smith Level Road has been part of the local TIP since 1990; and
WHEREAS, the North Carolina Board of Transportation included the project in the 1993-1999 TIP an
designated it Project U-2803; and
WHEREAS, in 2006, the Town made a request of the North Carolina Department of Transportation to move
ahead with Project U-2803; and
WHEREAS the Carrboro Board of Aldermen have reviewed the comments from the Transportation Advisory
Board, the Smith Level Road Task Force and the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Carrboro Board of Aldermen that the Aldermen provide the
following comments to NCDOT:
1. That signal and crosswalk markings be included at the roundabout;
2. That bikelanes and sidewalks be extended to Frank Porter Graham Elementary School;
3. That traffic light sensors be sensitive to bicycles;
4. That pedestrian crosswalk buttons be provided;
5. That a safe pedestrian crossing be provided at Frank Porter Graham Elementary School to include an island;
6. That the roundabout be designed to accommodate new State school bus length requirements;
7. That a road design be used to reflect a 35 m.p.h. speed limit with a maximum of 11-foot travel lanes; and
8. That through truck traffic be prohibited.
The foregoing resolution having been submitted to a vote received the following vote and was duly adopted this
19th day of June 2007:
Ayes: Mark Chilton, Dan Coleman, Jacquelyn Gist, John Herrera, Randee Haven-O'Donnell, Alex Zaffron
Noes: Joal Hall Broun
Absent or Excused: None
FINAL REPORT FROM THE SMITH LEVEL ROAD TASK FORCE
The Smith Level Road Task Force has completed its data collection and analysis and is ready to present its final
report. Resolutions A and B, attached, have been prepared and would formalize receipt of the final report by
the Board of Aldermen, and which lists possible follow up actions.
Carrboro Board of Aldermen Page 20 June 19, 2007
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Terri Buckner, Chair of the Smith Level Road T.F., made the presentation. She stated that the Task Force made
the following recommendations:
Reduce the speed limit on the southern section of Smith Levei Road to 35 m.p.h.
Examine the possibility of eliminating one of the two turn lanes and one of the merge lanes at the entrance of
Smith Level Road coming off 15-501
Impose truck restrictions on the section of Smith Level Road between Damascus Church Road and South
Greensboro Street
Examine the possibility of narrowing the traffic lanes by 6" on the section of the road between Rock haven and
15-501
Request the NCDOT conduct a traffic and feasibility study at Damascus Church Road and Smith Level Road
Enforce speed limits
Adopt the section of Smith Level Road from Culbreth to 15-501 and from 15-501 to Old Lystra Road as
part of Carrboro and Chapel Hi11's bicycle plan
Extend and line the shoulders along Smith Level Road and Rock Haven to 15-501
Add amulti-use path along one side of Smith Level Road from Ray Road to 15-501
Explore landowner compacts (secure easements) to provide aright-of--way or public trail/greenway access for
pedestrians and bicyclists from 15-501 to the high school
Investigate the feasibility of adding an Orange Public Transit route from the southern section of Smith Level
Road to Rock Haven (connecting with Chapel Hi11 Transit) and to the UNC park and ride lot on 15-501
Until better alternatives are provided, encourage parents to utilize school buses to transport children to school
instead of driving.
The following resolution was introduced by Alderman Randee Haven-O'Donnell and duly seconded by
Alderman Dan Coleman.
A RESOLUTION RECEIVING THE FINAL REPORT
FROM THE SMITH LEVEL ROAD. TASK FORCE
Resolution No. 222/2006-07
WHEREAS, in September and October of 2006, the Board of Aldermen received three citizen petitions
describing concerns regarding safety along Smith Level Road; and
WHEREAS, on October 10, 2006, the Board of Aldermen created the Smith Level Road Task Force and part of
the Task Force's charge was to present a final report to the Board of Aldermen by June 30, 2007; and
WHEREAS, the Task Force has requested the opportunity to present the final report on June 19, 2007.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF THE TOWN OF
CARR]BORO:
Section 1. The Board of Aldermen hereby receives the report from the Smith Level Road Task Force.
Section 2. The Smith Level Road Task Force has fulfilled its duties, and the Board of Aldermen hereby thanks
the task force members for their diligent participation and final report, and hereby dissolves the task force.
Carrboro Board of Aldermen Page 20 June 19,, 2007
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The foregoing resolution having been submitted to a vote received the following vote and was duly adopted this
19th day of June 2007:
Ayes: Joal Ha11 Broun, Mark Chilton, Dan Coleman, Jacquelyn Gist, John Herrera, Randee Haven-O'Donnell,
Alex Zaffron
Noes: None
Absent or Excused: None
Mayor Chilton suggested that extending the charge of the Task Force be referred to the town staff for
consideration.
MOTION WAS MADE BY DAN COLEMAN AND SECONDED BY RANDEE HAVEN-O'DOI`>Z~TELL TO
EXTEND THE CHARGE OF THE SMITH LEVEL ROAD TASK FORCE FOR THE PURPOSE OF
COMPLETING PRESENTATIONS OF THE REPORT AND FOR ADDITIONAL TASKS THAT MIGHT BE
IDENIFIED BY THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN BASEDON THE EXPECTED STAFF REPORT. VOTE:
AFFIRMATIVE ALL
Carrboro Board of Aldermen Page 20 June 19, 2007