HomeMy WebLinkAboutOUTBoard minutes 0119171
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Approved 3.1.17
MINUTES
ORANGE COUNTY OUTBOARD
JANUARY 18, 2017
REGULAR MEETING
MEMBERS PRESENT: Heidi Perry (Chair), At -Large Representative; Art Menius, At -Large Representative; Jeff Charles,
At -Large Representative; David Laudicina, Cheeks Township Representative; Brantley Wells, Hillsborough Township
Representative; Erle Smith, Chapel Hill Township Representative, Alex Castro (Vice- Chair), Bingham Township
Representative; Gary Saunders, At -Large Representative; Donna Musson, Eno Township Representative; Ted
Triebel, Little River Township Representative; Alyson West, At- Large; Justin Miller, At- Large;
MEMBERS ABSENT: John Rubin, At -Large Representative; Ed Vaughn, Cedar Grove Township Representative;
STAFF PRESENT: Abigaile Pittman, Transportation /Land Use Planner; Max Bushell, Transportation Planner; Meredith
Kern, Administrative Assistant.
OTHERS PRESENT FOR TRANSIT ADVISORY SERVICES: Nancy Baker, Walkable Hillsborough Coalition; Amy Cole,
Walkable Hillsborough Coalition; Julie Bollinger, Transportation Planning Branch (NCDOT)
AGENDA ITEM 1: CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Heidi Perry called the meeting to order.
AGENDA ITEM 2: INTRODUCTION OF NEW OUTBOARD MEMBERS
Abigaile Pittman introduced new members Justin Miller, Donna Musson, and Alyson West.
AGENDA ITEM 3: APPROVAL OF MINUTES
NOVEMBER 16, 2016 REGULAR MEETING
Art Menius pointed out revisions for line 57 to correct drive to drivers and line 110 to correct the courthouse location.
MOTION by Alex Castro to approve the November 16, 2016 OUTBoard Minutes with the two revisions. Seconded by
Art Menius
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
AGENDA ITEM 4: CONSIDERATION OF ADDITIONS TO AGENDA
No additions.
AGENDA ITEM 5: REGULAR OUTBOARD AGENDA (ACTION ITEMS)
AGENDA ITEM 5A. DURHAM CHAPEL HILL CARRBORO METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION (DCHC MPO)
COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORTATION PLAN (CTP) — (MAX BUSHELL)
Max Bushell Presented
Jeff Charles asked if they were taking into account the proposed LRT. Max Bushell confirmed they were. Jeff
Charles had inquiries about what would happen if the LRT is not approved, such as funding and changing the
plans. Max Bushell explained that it would be a drastic change that would require new evaluations of the travel
Approved 3.1.17
53 demand model to figure out how the capacities on the roads would change. He also explained as far as funding
54 goes that the MTP would have to be amended. He added that if the LRT were shut down there would be more
55 funding for different projects that could then make the cut. Jeff Charles asked about the funds that were being tied
56 up in the LRT and what kind of delay there would be to get those funds for other projects if the LRT is denied.
57 Abigaile Pittman stated that it would be a significant chunk of time while they amend the plan and decide what other
58 projects to invest in instead. Additionally, the sales tax that was added to fund this did not specify it was for Light
59 Rail Transit, it only specified that it was for Transit. And that if the funds did not go through for LRT it would have to
60 be voted on again as to what to do with the funds.
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62 Heidi Perry inquired about viewing the trends from when the previous MTP was adopted in 2012, which is not
63 available in the current plan. Max Bushell explained she would have to look at the previous plan for past
64 projections. Matt Day mentioned that the information for the 2012 traffic reports should be available on NCDOT's
65 website. Alex Castro asked if changes in technology and modes of transportation were being taken into
66 consideration, such as vehicle ownership declining. Julie Bollinger stated that they haven't looked that much into it
67 yet but are happy to do so once they start seeing those changes. And Max Bushell explained that it was factored
68 into the MTP process. He added that he doesn't see a change that big within 5 -years but those kinds of changes
69 will be clearer as they're happening with the MTP's 5 -year cycle.
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71 Max continued presentation.
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73 Alex Castro raised concerns regarding the overload of traffic on Churton Road and inquired about why the
74 connector going up from 86 and 70 wasn't going to be done to fix the issue. Max Bushell explained that the
75 Occoneechee speedway and Ayr Mount, a historic home in Hillsborough, are recognized historic sites and are
76 protected under the US Department of Transportation Act of 1966 Section 4(f) from being impacted by
77 transportation projects. Alex Castro asked if there was any alternative plan to relieve traffic. Max Bushell informed
78 the Board that there is no proposed solution for Churton Road in the current CTP. Abigaile Pittman informed the
79 Board that it's a recognized problem and with the revision they're doing for the Buckhorn Economic Development
80 District Access Management Plan they're looking for improvements at the connector road. She added that they're
81 also considering a way for a future road coming north of US 70 to connect up to Efland Cedar Grove Road and
82 continue northward. Alex Castro mentioned the proposed improvement of 1 -85 and NC 86 would back up Churton
83 Road even more. He also mentioned the two major residential developments proposed, which are going to double
84 the population with no road improvements envisioned and thinks it's a glaring deficiency in the plan. Erle Smith
85 suggested looking at enhancing Lawrence Road and Old NC 10 instead of Historical Hillsborough. Max Bushell
86 said it could be a possibility. Ted Triebel agreed with Alex Castro with regards to a statement needing to be made
87 that Churton Road is a problem.
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89 Heidi Perry raised concerns with endorsing the plans in the CTP without having the proper time allotted to review
90 them. She would like to endorse the idea of the CTP without endorsing the plans until she's had time to look at
91 them more closely. Jeff Charles seconded Heidi's concern of not having the proper time to review this more
92 carefully. He added that this is an ongoing issue and would like that to be noted. Max Bushell informed the Board
93 that the public comment period would close February 241h, so they would have time to look at it before then. He also
94 informed the Board that this will go to the BOCC February 71h, and the OUTBoard is welcome to go speak at that
95 meeting to share visions or comments as a Board member or a citizen.
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97 Max Bushell directed the Board's attention to maps on the DCHC MPO website and advised them to look at the
98 specific project they're interested in. The website maps will provide much more detailed information about the
99 proposed projects.
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101 The Board decided to move this item to their next meeting on February 151h, but there were concerns of meeting
102 after the BOCC's meeting on February 7th and not having their comments heard in time. Max Bushell clarified to
103 the Board that the key point is that the MPO and NCDOT, who will be the ones evaluating comments and making
104 the changes, get their comments.
0a
Approved 3.1.17
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106 Motion to endorse the CTP in principle as a replacement for the Thoroughfare Plan with the reservation that it has
107 not addressed mitigation of the traffic capacity issues on Churton Street through downtown Hillsborough, and
108 express reservations with insufficient time given for the Board to review such a detailed plan. Specific comments
109 will be provided at the February 151h meeting for consideration by the BOCC at its February 21s' meeting.
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111 Max advised the Board that where most of the focus should be is looking at specific facilities and understanding
112 what's proposed there.
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114 Heidi Perry asked to move the item to the next meeting, Feb 151h
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116 Motion by Art Menius to endorse the CTP as a replacement for the Thoroughfare Plan, but withhold
117 recommendations on any specific details until further review. Seconded by Gary Saunders. Abigaile suggested a
118 friendly amendment, namely to add that specific comments be submitted to the MPO and NCDOT. This
119 amendment was accepted by Art Menius and Gary Saunders.
120 Vote: Unanimous
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122 AGENDA ITEM 513. SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL (SRTS) PLAN IMPLEMENTATION DISCUSSION - (ABIGAILE PITTMAN)
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125 Abigaile Pittman Presented
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127 Heidi Perry informed the Board that she's been contacted by two different groups who were looking for projects that
128 were ready to do. She added that there are other funding options and ways to raise the match but is unsure of how
129 they're going to get an engineer to assess the bridge.
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131 Alex Castro suggested the Mayor and local governments need to meet together to address this issue jointly. Amy
132 Cole informed the Board that at the last MPO Board meeting she attended had representatives from the Hillsborough
133 Board, the Go Triangle Board, and the BOCC and everyone that was there supported this issue completely. She
134 added that there was no question of them not realizing this safety issue. Amy asked the Board to put this back on the
135 TIP and reprioritize it so it can score higher. She's also advised the Board that there are some temporary options that
136 can be done in the meantime such as, putting a fence on the overpass, reducing speed during school hours, and
137 putting a light at the intersection. Abigaile Pittman added to Amy's suggestions by informing the Board that the high
138 school is working on an expansion and there are some initial discussions to coordinate with the school to see if
139 there's room in the budget for the school to include sidewalks along the road frontages. She's going to follow up with
140 that possibility.
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142 Alex Castro suggested putting in a strobe light that can be activated by bicyclists or pedestrians to cross the street
143 like Chapel Hill did. He added that it would be minimal monetary impact and would basically close it to vehicular
144 traffic when people are crossing. Amy Cole said she would fully support that, but is unsure how the rest of the County
145 citizens would feel.
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147 Justin Miller asked when the overpass was built. Amy Cole believes it was around 1984. She added that it wasn't due
148 for any sort of maintenance, but even though it was built to code then it's not up to standard code now. Justin Miller
149 informed the Board that if a complaint is brought forward and it's not up to code now they should go ahead with the
150 plan to get it safe and eliminate the risk of falling.
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152 Ted Triebel asked about the side railing that was suggested. Amy Cole answered that there were two different people
153 who are supposed to be looking into that but she hasn't gotten an update yet, one being Jim Crawford who is the
154 State DOT representative, the other being Ed Lewis who is the Division Planning Engineer.
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Approved 3.1.17
Abigaile informed the Board that the next thing they need to do is have Staff create a resolution for the Board that
addresses exactly what they want them to do. She added that some of those would be petitioning NCDOT since the
overpass is not up to code on the height and safety issues, petitioning NCDOT to reduce the speed in that location,
and petitioning NCDOT to put in a temporary light at that intersection. Heidi Perry had concerns because these things
were already being considered. Abigaile answered that formal action from the OUTBoard and then formal action from
the BOCC is going to add a lot more input than a phone call. Alex Castro stressed that the resolution needs to have
strong wording so it's fully understood that the consequences of not getting this taken care of immediately could be
fatal.
Heidi Perry requested that Ed Lewis be contacted to ensure that he has a response for them at the next meeting.
The OUTBoard and Walkable Hillsborough Coalition agreed that the preparation of a resolution for the OUTBoard's
consideration is acceptable.
AGENDA ITEM 6: INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
6A. NCDOT DIVISION 7 TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS LOCATED IN THE DCHC MPO PLANNING AREA- (MAX BUSHELL)
Max Bushell presented.
Art Menius asked Max when the Churton Street access improvement was supposed to be going released. Max
Bushell answered that he thinks it already went out and it was scheduled to be complete by early 2018.
Jeff Charles asked Max Bushell to get an update about the bridge work near Borland.
AGENDA ITEM 7: BOARD COMMENTS
Abigaile Pittman informed the Board that they have a new Transit Direct for OPT named Theo Lettman. She also
informed the Board that the meeting in February will be the Transit Advisory Services updates. Since the February
agenda looked like it was going to be very full, the OUTBoard agreed that they could do a pre- meeting preview of the
Safe Routes to School resolution.
AGENDA ITEM 8: ADJOURNMENT
OUTBoard meeting was adjourned by consensus.
Heidi Perry, Chair