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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOUTBoard minutes 041713Approved 6/19/13 1 MINUTES 2 ORANGE UNIFIED TRANSPORTATION BOARD 3 APRIL 17, 2013 4 5 MEMBERS PRESENT: Paul Guthrie, Chapel Hill Township; Jeff Charles, Bicycle Advocate; Alex Castro, Bingham 6 Township; Susie Enoch, Cheeks Township; Sam Lasris, Cedar Grove Township; Ted Triebel, Little River Township; 7 Amy Cole, Transit Advocate; Annette Jurgelski, Eno Township; 8 9 MEMBERS ABSENT: Bryant Warren, Hillsborough Township; Jeff Miles, Pedestrian Access & Safety Advocate; 10 Economic Development Commission - Vacant; CfE Representative- Vacant; Planning Board Representative- Vacant; 11 12 STAFF PRESENT: Abigaile Pittman, Transportation /Land Use Planner; Tina Love, Administrative Assistant II 13 14 AGENDA ITEM 1: CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL 15 16 AGENDA ITEM II: APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR FEBRUARY 20, 2013 17 APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR MARCH 20, 2013 18 19 The February 20, 2013 and March 20, 2013 OUTBoard Minutes were approved by consensus. 20 21 AGENDA ITEM III: CONSIDERATIONS OF ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA 22 23 AGENDA ITEM IV: REGULAR AGENDA 24 Next Steps for Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Plan Adoption and Implementation. The 25 Planning staff has received authorization from the BOCC to proceed with initial SRTS 26 Action Plan adoption steps. Following adoption, the staff is recommending that the future 27 SRTS Advisory Committee be a sub - committee of the OUTBoard, supplemented by 28 additional staff as needed from the County, Orange County Schools, and the Town of 29 Hillsborough. Related documents: 30 http: / /www.oranaecountync.aov/ planning / documents /Compie eFinalDraftSRTS.pdf 31 OUTBoard Action: To receive information in preparation for future OUTBoard role. 32 33 Abigaile Pittman reviewed the Safe Routes to School Plan and advised the role of advisory committee would be a 34 subcommittee of the OUTBoard responsible for advocating plan implementation and assisting with programing, 35 evaluating plan progress and assessing plan priorities. The subcommittee with include interested OUTBoard 36 member, representatives for the schools, the Town of Hillsborough, and planning staff as needed. Others will be 37 brought in as necessary, such as NCDOT regarding road improvement, etc. and consultation from engineers and so 38 forth. Staff is meeting on April 301h 39 40 Jeff Charles commented that it is a good segue to the WalkBike NC Plan because you can't do the SRTS Program 41 by itself, it has to be integrated into the bigger plan because of connectivity issues and you can use the SRTS to help 42 defend trying to get financing from NCDOT on the bicycle issues where they are trying to upgrade the monies. He 43 noted his cautionary point is to make sure it is not in its own bunker working on just this little issue, and talk about 44 more interconnectivity as it might relate to WalkBike NC Plans that NCDOT frees up these additional funds. It is 45 certainly a long term plan that doesn't mean you don't certainly do what you can around the schools but make sure 46 that there is a plan for interconnectivity somewhere down the road and think it through. 47 48 AGENDA ITEM V: REGULAR AGENDA 49 WalkBike NC Plan — a North Carolina Statewide Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan 50 WalkBike NC is North Carolina's first statewide master plan to define a vision, goals 51 and strategies for improving walking and bicycling for residents and visitors. The Plan 52 identifies current conditions for walking and bicycling in North Carolina and serves as a 53 policy guide for state agencies, local governments, and private sector interests to develop 54 a transportation system that safely and efficiently accommodates walking and bicycling. 55 The review period is short and the State is only accepting comments until April 301h Approved 6/19/13 Therefore, the Plan has been pre- reviewed by OUTBoard Vice - Chair, Jeff Charles, and by planning staff member Abigaile Pittman. Related documents, including Draft Plan Summary, Full Draft Plan, on -line comment form, and community engagement forum (survey): http: / /www.ncdot.gov /bikeped /planning /walkbikenc/ OUTBoard Action: To receive review comments suggested by Jeff Charles and Abigaile Pittman, and consider recommended comments to be provided to NCDOT Abigaile Pittman reviewed the WalkBike NC Plan noting that WalkBike NC is North Carolina's first statewide master plan to define a vision, goals and strategies for improving walking and bicycling for residents and visitors. She shared the comments from staff and Jeff Charles. Jeff Charles noted that there was a lot of work put into this plan and he thinks the OUTBoard needs to give NCDOT staff kudos for doing a pretty good job. He added that he thinks it's important to tell them the positives and say `oh by the way' there are other things. Jeff elaborated that they took very unique approach, a good one, in that they looked at economic factors, how it would improve tourism if we became a destination state for bicycling. They talked about health issues, the obesity rates of young children, we rank fifth or sixth in the nation in obesity in children. They also talk about economic benefits of health, safety, savings, environmental issues, increasing the use of these things. He would like to come up with a general statement applauding their efforts in highlighting the need for bicycle and pedestrian for all of these good reasons with the OUTBoard and staffs comments on how it can be improved. Abigaile Pittman advised that in her research online, that most other states have a safe routes for seniors programs. Jeff Charles noted that in the plan there is a benchmark reporting by the alliance for biking and walking from 2012. Safest states to bicycle, the safest state in the US is South Dakota, North Carolina is 4411, safest state for walking is Vermont and North Carolina is 415'. We are so far behind and we have to recognize they are taking an enormous step forward with this new approach. Paul Guthrie added that he thinks the plan is deficient in one way, it doesn't sufficiently indicate that for any of this to have any major long -term significance it has to integrated with the broader picture of transportation. That is especially true for this county where walking and biking will be the feeders to future transportation systems. We are beginning to look at the infancy of transportation systems across the entire county. One thing we can do now is to begin building a funding system for bus and rail transportation. Paul references the statistic of 6.7% of residents without automobiles in the report and suggested that in rural areas of the county that rate is probably higher as high as 13 %. Paul Guthrie suggested that the report should show examples. Jeff Charles elaborated that this is an enormous step. He noted that this is becoming a big issue in respect to bicycling infrastructure because we are looking for new modes of transportation in Orange County and we are seeing these scooters that can only go 30 mph in 55 mph zones and they are going to flow into the 4 foot bike lanes as bailout to allow vehicles to pass them. He noted that while Segways are not going to catch on but new technology, organic transit, they are 36 to 42 inches wide, so when you talk about a 4 or 5 foot lane that is a problem. He added that they are also designing a truck that could carry 850 lb. loads so you could envision that being used for pizza delivery or grocery delivery and meals on wheels. Jeff noted that the report cites a shift in demographics to 65 from 13% today to about 20% and we need to broaden the thought process for the upright bicycles, scooters and other competing technology in these four foot bike lanes we are arguing for. Abigaile Pittman added that in some communities residents tool around in golf carts. Alex Castro agreed with Jeffs comments and staffs comments. Alex Castro moved to approve the submitted comments and the additional comments discussed at the meeting. Ted Triebel seconded the motion. Ted Triebel added that his thoughts run parallel with Alex's and he was happy to see the work staff and Jeff did and commended both. He particularly agrees with comment number 6 as going to the critical core to keep in mind going forward. Approved 6/19/13 The OUTBoard approved the submitted and discussed comments be submitted to NCDOT for the WalkBike NC Plan by consensus. AGENDA ITEM VI: STAFF UPDATES a. Update on staff meeting with NCDOT Rail Division regarding the three proposed railroad private crossing closures in Orange County. Related documents: http: / /orangecountync.gov /planning /RRCrossingClosure.asp b. Update on proposed Old Well to Jordan Lake Scenic Byway. c. Update on the Triangle Air Quality Report released on 4 -3 -13 for public comment. Related documents: http:// www. triangleair .org /topics,htm#transconf d. Update on changes to the DCHC MPO 2040 MTP Bicycle Map based on comments by Orange County Planning staff. e. Update on workshop for TARPO Locally Coordinated Human Service Public Transportation Plan. f. Update on the upcoming development of the Eno Economic Development District (EDD) Access Management Plan. OUTBoard Action: Receive updates Abigaile Pittman updated the OUTBoard that she and Craig Benedict met with the NCDOT Rail Division, the NCDOT Planning Branch, and their consultant, Florence and Hutchinson on March 151h to review the remaining issues and questions regarding the purposed rail crossing closing. NCDOT has responded in writing and there is a letter and meeting minutes included in the packet. In the spring NCDOT will be completing the environmental assessment and in the summer they will be conducting traffic impact analysis for extending Byrdville Road and Walter Clark Drive at NC 86. In the fall they will finalize crossing improvement in the final environment assessment document. Final design and right -of -way acquisitions will begin in early 2014 and in early 2015 they will begin construction. Abigaile Pittman updated the Board on a proposed new scenic byway in the county. She noted that there are three existing scenic byways in Orange County, the Colonial Heritage Highway along NC 86 north of Hillsborough; the Football Road, Old Greensboro Road west of Carrboro; and the Scots -Welsh Heritage Byway, Old NC 86, Arthur Minus, Orange Grove, and Dairyland Roads. Over the past two years DEAPR has worked on this byway which will link downtown Chapel Hill to Jordan Lake. The proposed byway is 15 miles long and features a number of locations with historical, natural, recreational, and educational values. Abigaile Pittman updated the Board on the Triangle Air Quality Report released by the DCHC MPO for public comment and the TAC approved the key components at their December meeting. She noted that staff has reviewed it and has no comments. Abigaile Pittman noted that the DCHC MPO 2040 MTP written report was released and approved back in December 2012 but the maps were released a few weeks ago and they had a mess of names for projects without real descriptions and complicated financial spreadsheets but no maps. She reported that the bike map had several issues and planning staff made comments to DCHC MPO TAC and as a result TAC approved changes to plan last Wednesday when they met. Abigaile further noted that this is a compromise as some parts they wouldn't change and some they did. Jeff Charles noted that in his communications he agreed that it is a good compromise regarding Old NC 86. Sam Lasris asked about the route alternative to NC 86 N around Coleman Loop Rd and Abigaile offered to bring all the maps to the next meeting for the OUTBoard's review of the changes. Abigaile Pittman advised the OUTBoard on the workshop for TARPO for locally coordinated human services transportation. The workshop will be held on April 161h from 9 am to noon at Southern Human Services in Chapel Hill. She advised it will focus on the needs of rural Orange and Chatham Counties as part of the larger TARPO region and will not focus on the urban transit services provided by Chapel Hill Transit or Triangle Transit but more rural services provided by Orange Public Transit and Chatham Transit Network. This plan ensures that transit Approved 6/19/13 166 systems and other transportation providers in the region remain eligible for certain federal funds. Abigaile noted this 167 plan is required by law in order to get federal funds and is needed to identify the specific areas of need for individuals 168 with disabilities, seniors, and low income. 169 170 Alex Castro advised that he will be attending and will put together a report for the OUTBoard. 171 172 Abigaile Pittman updated the OUTBoard regarding the Eno EDD Access Management Plan that she will be heading 173 up and noted the plan will provide better transportation system and capacities to serve the US 70 and Hwy 10 area. 174 Staff will be asking approval to move forward at the May 7 BOCC meeting. Abigaile noted she anticipates that the 175 OUTBoard will review that plan in September and make comments for the BOCC. 176 177 AGENDA ITEM VII: UPCOMING AGENDA ITEMS OF INTEREST ON OTHER REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION RELATED 178 BOARD AGENDAS: 179 OUTBoard Action: Receive information as handout. 180 181 Abigaile Pittman gave the OUTBoard handouts to review at their convenience. 182 183 Jeff Charles asked about coordinating with Durham City /County planning for connectivity in bike plans. 184 185 Abigaile Pittman will look into that and get back to Jeff. 186 187 AGENDA ITEM VIII: LISTING OF ITEMS FOR APRIL 17, 2013 MEETING 188 OUTBoard Action: Receive information 189 190 Abigaile Pittman advised the OUTBoard that a transportation planner has been hired to fill the vacancy created when 191 Darcy Zorio left to take a job at Triangle Transit. His name is Bret Martin and he will start on May 201h and will attend 192 the May OUTBoard meeting. 193 194 The OUTBoard moved, seconded and unanimously approved to change the May OUTBoard meeting from 195 Wednesday, May 151h to Wednesday, May 22nd. 196 197 AGENDA ITEM IX: BOARD COMMENTS 198 OUTBoard Action: Receive comments 199 200 AGENDA ITEM X: ADJOURNMENT 201 202 The meeting was adjourned by consensus. 203 204 Items for future meetings: 205 206 • Send Jeff Charles the recommend route to be used as an alternative to St. Mary's Road 207 • Bring the Bike Maps to the May meeting 208 209 Paul Guthrie, Chair