HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 01-24-2017 - 13-9 - Information Item - DRAFT Public Involvement Plan – Durham and Orange County Bus and Rail Investment Plan (BRIP) Update PLANNING & INSPECTIONS DEPARTMENT
Craig N. Benedict, AICP, Director
Comprehensive Planning
(919) 245-2575
(919) 644-3002 (FAX)
www.orangecountync.gov
131 W. Margaret Lane
Suite 201
P. O. Box 8181
Hillsborough, NC 27278
MEMORANDUM
TO: Orange County Board of Commissioners
CC: Craig N. Benedict, AICP, Planning & Inspections Director
FROM: Tom Altieri, AICP, Planner III
DATE: January 18, 2017
SUBJECT: DRAFT Public Involvement Plan (Attached) – Durham and Orange
County Bus and Rail Investment Plan (BRIP) Update
The signatories to the original Durham and Orange BRIPs and the Interlocal
Implementation Agreements (Durham County, Orange County, GoTriangle, and
Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization (DCHC-MPO) are in
the process of reviewing past assumptions and updating and approving the increased
committed amount in the plans.
The signatory boards are expected to consider the updated plans for approval in April of
this year. To develop the updates, GoTriangle has convened a joint Staff Working
Group representing Durham County, Orange County, the City of Durham, the Town of
Chapel Hill, the Town of Carrboro, the Town of Hillsborough, Triangle J Council of
Governments, and DCHC-MPO. The Staff Working Group has met biweekly; in between
these meetings smaller groups called Update Teams have met to focus on specific
tasks. Through the work of an Update Team and Staff Work Group, a DRAFT Public
Involvement Plan (Attached) has been developed to ensure that the public has
adequate opportunities to learn about and participate in the update. The original BRIP
included over a year of public outreach and intergovernmental coordination. The Public
Involvement Plan identifies key milestones in the process, how to receive materials
about the Plans and how to submit comments relating to the effort.
The BOCC is to address the update to the Orange County BRIP as follows:
January 24 – Receive a report on two capital projects contained in the BRIP: Light
Rail Transit finances and Bus Rapid Transit;
February 16 Work Session – Receive first draft of updated Orange County BRIP;
March 7 - Receive final draft of updated Orange County BRIP; and
April 4 – Consider approval of updated Orange County BRIP.
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A new page will be created on the Our Transit Future website http://ourtransitfuture.com
to host all information, documents, presentations and meeting materials pertaining to
the BRIP updates. Important messages and alerts of meetings will be posted to
agency/town/city websites and added to any regularly occurring mass email messages
in alerts. The Public Involvement Plan, once finalized by the Staff Work Group, will be
posted. See attached DRAFT Public Involvement Plan for additional information.
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Public Involvement Plan
DURHAM AND ORANGE COUNTY
BUS & RAIL INVESTMENT PLAN UPDATE
DECEMBER 2016
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................................. 1-3
1. OVERVIEW OF PROJECT ....................................................................................................... 1-4
1.1 Program Background................................................................................................................................... 1-4
2. PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT PLAN ............................................................................................... 2-4
2.1 Public Involvement Tools and Techniques ................................................................................................... 2-5
2.1.1 Public Workshops .............................................................................................................................. 2-5
2.1.2 Small Group Meetings ....................................................................................................................... 2-5
2.1.3 Community Events ............................................................................................................................. 2-5
2.1.4 Elected Officials and Jurisdictional Briefings...................................................................................... 2-5
2.1.5 Website and Email Announcements .................................................................................................. 2-5
2.1.6 Media Relations ................................................................................................................................. 2-5
2.1.7 Presentations ..................................................................................................................................... 2-5
2.1.8 Social Media ....................................................................................................................................... 2-6
2.2 SCHEDULE .................................................................................................................................................... 2-6
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS RESPONSE AND DOCUMENTATION .................................................... 3-7
3.1 Tracking Comments ..................................................................................................................................... 3-7
3.2 Responding to Comments ............................................................................................................................ 3-7
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
ES 1. BACKGROUND
The Bus and Rail Investment Plans (BRIP) for Durham and Orange counties describe each
government’s commitment to public transit projects through the year 2035. Establishing a vision
to for their residents, these plans outline major investments, new services and other
improvements, their timelines, cost and funding sources.
ES 2. PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The Durham BRIP was adopted in 2011 and the Orange County BRIP was adopted in 2012.
Since that time a number of projects identified in the plans have been advanced or
implemented, and some financial assumptions have changed.
Lead by the staff at GoTriangle, the transit agencies (Chapel Hill Transit, GoDurham, Orange
County Public Transportation and GoTriangle), local governments (City of Durham, County of
Durham, Town of Chapel Hill, Town of Carrboro, Town of Hillsborough and Orange County) and
the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization (DCHC-MPO) are
preparing updates to both bus and rail investment plans to the year 2045.
To ensure that the public has adequate opportunities to learn about and participate in the
update, GoTriangle has prepared a detailed public involvement plan to identify key milestones in
the process, how to receive materials about the BRIPS and how to submit comments relating to
the effort. A successful public involvement process should help to facilitate the adoption of the
updated plans in a timely manner.
ES 3. PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT EFFORT
To ensure the residents and elected and appointed boards of Durham and Orange County are
informed of the update of the BRIPs, that the plans are reflective of community needs and are
successfully adopted, staff from the transit agencies, local governments and the DCHC-MPO
have prepared a detailed public engagement plan that is:
■ Collaborative – Various staff will work together to present unified plans and a consistent
message under a combined outreach process.
■ Educational – The outreach process will be designed so that people understand the
projects that have been completed, new and unfinished projects and updated timelines.
■ Accessible – Materials and presentations for the plan updates will be easily
understandable and available online in a consolidated location. Public meetings will be
held in locations that are ADA accessible, near public transit and will occur at variety of
times to accommodate different work schedules.
■ Accountable – Input from stakeholders will be reviewed and documented in a
consistent manner, and shared with all stakeholders of the plan update in a timely
manner.
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1. OVERVIEW OF PROJECT
1.1 Program Background
The Bus and Rail Investment Plans for Durham and Orange counties describe transit projects to
be implemented through the year 2035. Establishing a vision to be communicated with residents
of the counties, these plans explore the projects major investments, new services and other
improvements that will be implemented, their timelines, cost and funding sources. The updated
plans will guide transit investments through the year 2045.
The Durham County BRIP adopted in 2011 and the Orange County BRIP adopted in 2012
identified the following types of projects:
New Bus Services
Strengthened bus services that will connect more residents with employment and educational
opportunities in region, expanded capacity in corridors with high bus ridership, and increased
regional connectivity.
New Major Bus Infrastructure Projects
Improved corridor improvements along Martin Luther King Boulevard in Chapel Hill to make bus
travel times more reliable.
New Bus Capital Projects
New construction in the form of Park and Ride lots in various locations; bus shelters in both rural
and urban areas of the County; real‐time passenger information signs and technology; bus stop
access improvements such as sidewalks neighborhood transit centers and transit emphasis
corridors to improve access and the customer experience.
New Rail Services
Development of the 17-mile Durham-Orange Light Rail Transit Project between UNC Hospitals
and Alston Avenue in Durham. Development of the Wake-Durham Commuter Rail Project
between Duke and Garner.
Rail Capital Projects
The creation of a passenger rail station in the Town of Hillsborough.
2. PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT PLAN
This plan is meant to provide a framework for conducting public involvement and includes tools
and techniques to inform and engage the public, identify and address issues, and obtain and
document public input and feedback.
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2.1 Public Involvement Tools and Techniques
2.1.1 Public Workshops
A Transit Staff Working Group (SWG) will host several public workshops to allow opportunities
for the public to engage with staff and learn more about the BRIP updates. Presentations and
other materials will be used to provide information about the program. Whenever possible an
interactive activity will be used to help educate and prepare workshop participants to provide
feedback. Participants will be encouraged to provide feedback about the project by completing
comment cards or surveys.
Workshops will be scheduled at times and locations that enable as much participation as
possible. Translation and interpretive services will be provided, when needed or as requested.
2.1.2 Small Group Meetings
The SWG will initiate meetings with stakeholders to identify major concerns or issues before
such concerns impact the project timeline. Such meetings may include small group meetings
elected officials or community leaders and topics or materials presented will be tailored the
experience level of the group.
2.1.3 Community Events
During the outreach process, the SWG will seek community events that attract people that do
not typically participate in public meetings to expand public input to a broader audience.
2.1.4 Elected Officials and Jurisdictional Briefings
As appropriate, the SWG will schedule updates and presentations to governing bodies in
Durham and Orange County. A list of anticipated briefings is attached.
2.1.5 Website and Email Announcements
A new page will be created on the Our Transit Future website to host all information,
documents, presentations and meeting materials pertaining to the BRIP updates. Important
messages and alerts of meetings will be posted to agency/town/city websites and added to any
regularly occurring mass email messages in alerts.
2.1.6 Media Relations
GoTriangle’s Communications and Public Affairs Team will coordinate with the communications
officers of the transit partners to develop message documents and information materials. Each
partner should reference approved and coordinated statements when answering questions from
reporters, news outlets and the general public.
2.1.7 Presentations
A standard PowerPoint presentation will be developed for use in briefings, meetings and other
stakeholder events. The PowerPoint presentation will be refined, as needed, to correspond to
audience interests, needs, and concerns. The presentation will incorporate the project identity
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and will include information on the program’s purpose and need, goals and objectives,
vision/values, schedule, planning process and contact information.
2.1.8 Social Media
Transit partners communications officers should coordinate with each other promote messages
on social media networks. Any responses should be sourced from approved and coordinated
messages.
2.2 SCHEDULE
The following presents the schedule for public involvement activities and milestones through the
approval of the program.
Table 3-1 Public Involvement Plan Proposed Timeline
ACTION TIMING PURPOSE/MILESTONE
Approval January 4, 2017 Approval of Public Involvement
Plan
Transmittal January 13, 2017 Service, Bus Capital and Major
Capital Teams give input to
Finance/Budget Team and
PI/C/GR develop presentation for
initial findings.
Transmittal January 16, 2017 Presentation materials sent to
DCHC MPO Technical
Committee (Investment Plans’
concepts, schedule/process)
Transmittal February 8, 2017 Draft Plan to PI/C/GR Committee
for review and formatting.
Public Comment February 10, 2017 Draft Plan released for public
comment.
Releases February 13, 2017 News Releases/Email Blasts
sent about public comment
period
Public Open Houses February 20-25 Public opportunity to have face
time with staff 4-6 public
meetings across Durham and
Orange County
Public Comment Period March 13, 2017 Close Public Comment Period
Transmittal March 20 Complete Final BRIPs
Transmittal March 15 Final Plan Materials to DCHC
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MPO TC
Meeting March 22 DCHC MPO Technical
Committee
Approval April 4, 2017 Orange County Board of County
Commissioners
Approval April 10, 2017 Durham County Board of County
Commissioners
Approval April 12, 2017 DCHC MPO Policy Board
Approval April 26, 2017 GoTriangle Board
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS RESPONSE AND DOCUMENTATION
As comments are received, they will be disseminated to the members of the Public Involvement
(PI)/Communications/Government Relations sub-committee members and the heads of the
other sub-committees. Comments will be accepted through: comment cards submitted at public
meetings; mailing comments to PO Box 13787, ATTN: BRIP Update; e-mail to
info@ourtransitfuture.com and a web-based comment form on the BRIP update webpage.
3.1 Tracking Comments
Comments submitted through the official channels will be entered into a comment log which will
be shared on a weekly basis with the PI/Communications/Government Relations sub-committee
and other committee chairs. Comments that are not directed toward the BRIP Update will be
forwarded to the most relevant department or agency.
3.2 Responding to Comments
Some comments may require response or clarifying information. When appropriate and as able,
a member of the SWG will follow-up with the commenter with the requested information.
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