HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 04-03-2018 8-f - Planning Document Amendment Outline Form – Efland-Buckhorn-Mebane Area Access Management Plan Update
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: April 3, 2018
Action Agenda
Item No. 8-f
SUBJECT: Planning Document Amendment Outline Form – Efland-Buckhorn-Mebane Area
Access Management Plan Update
DEPARTMENT: Planning and Inspections
ATTACHMENT(S):
1. Planning Document Amendment
Outline Form – Efland-Buckhorn-
Mebane Access Management Plan
Update
INFORMATION CONTACT: (919)
Nishith Trivedi, Transportation Planner,
245-2582
Craig Benedict, Planning Director, 245-
2575
Tom Altieri, Planner III, 245-2579
PURPOSE: To initiate an update to the Efland-Buckhorn-Mebane Access Management Plan (E-
B-M AMP).
BACKGROUND: In order to better promote economic development opportunities and help
preserve planned sewer and road capacities for all land uses within the E-B-M AMP planning
area, the Planning Director is suggesting consideration of updates to the current Access
Management Plan. This update will utilize a 2017 Transportation Report for the Efland-
Buckhorn-Mebane Study Area to renew and replace the original 2011 Efland-Buckhorn-Mebane
Economic Development District Access Management Plan. In a few cases, it will also
incorporate other road and intersection improvements recommended by planning staff. This
process does not include any Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) amendments.
The original Efland-Buckhorn-Mebane Access Management Plan was adopted on November
15, 2011 and implemented a recommendation of the Efland-Mebane Small Area Plan (2006). It
also served as a tool for implementing the 2030 Comprehensive Plan (2008) principles, goals
and objectives.
The original plan consisted of multiple access management strategies and was completed with
limited on-site analysis. However, this plan was instrumental in gaining North Carolina
Department of Transportation (NCDOT) acceptance and participation in roadwork improvements
necessary to serve the Morinaga America Foods factory, which opened in 2016. Developments
like this along with increased residential growth in Hillsborough and commercial expansion in
Mebane, especially growth’s impact on traffic, demonstrate the plan’s importance.
1
A thorough existing conditions, environmental, and traffic analysis was conducted through an
engineering-based transportation study by Volkert Inc., based in Raleigh, NC. This report
reinforces the original Efland-Buckhorn-Mebane Access Management Plan with a
comprehensive investigation of the area’s development potential, traffic impact and
recommended improvements.
The original Efland-Buckhorn-Mebane Access Management Plan should be updated by
incorporating the latest transportation study recommendations. The Planning Document
Amendment Outline Form in Attachment 1 provides additional information.
Community Meeting Planned
Planning staff is suggesting the following community meeting:
• Early August 2018 (date to be determined) – Collect public comments on the draft plan.
Advertising for the Community Meeting and Public Hearing will be by direct mailing to affected
and surrounding property owners, posting on the County website, and publishing notice in the
local newspapers (News of Orange and The Herald-Sun which are the usual newspapers for
public hearing notices).
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Consideration and approval will not create the need for additional funding
for the provision of County services. Costs for County website update, mailed notifications and
required legal advertisement will be paid from Planning Department funds budgeted for this
purpose. Existing Planning staff included in the Departmental staffing budget will accomplish the
work required to process this update.
SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange Social Justice Goals are applicable to this
agenda item:
• GOAL: ENSURE ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY
The creation and preservation of infrastructure, policies, programs and funding necessary
for residents to provide shelter, food, clothing and medical care for themselves and their
dependents.
• GOAL: ESTABLISH SUSTAINABLE AND EQUITABLE LAND-USE AND
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES
The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of people of all races, cultures, incomes
and educational levels with respect to the development and enforcement of
environmental laws, regulations, policies, and decisions. Fair treatment means that no
group of people should bear a disproportionate share of the negative environmental
consequences resulting from industrial, governmental and commercial operations or
policies.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board approve the attached Planning
Document Amendment Outline Form and direct staff to proceed accordingly.
2
1
PLANNING DOCUMENT
AMENDMENT OUTLINE FORM
Efland-Buckhorn-Mebane Access Management Plan (E-B-M AMP) Update
A. AMENDMENT TYPE
Map Amendments
Future Land Use Map
From:
To:
Zoning Map
From:
To:
Other:
Text Amendments
Comprehensive Plan Text:
Section(s):
Other Amendments
Type: E-B-M AMP Update
B. RATIONALE
1. Purpose/Mission
In order to better promote economic development opportunities and help preserve
planned sewer and road capacities for all land uses within the E-B-M AMP planning
area, the Planning Director is suggesting consideration of updates to the current
Access Management Plan.
2. Analysis
Proposed Changes
Update to the E-B-M AMP. This update will utilize a 2017 Transportation Report for
the Efland-Buckhorn-Mebane Study Area to renew and replace the original 2011
Efland-Buckhorn-Mebane Economic Development District Access Management Plan.
In a few cases, it will also incorporate other road and intersection improvements
recommended by planning staff. The final E-B-M AMP Update is schedule for Board
consideration at its December 3, 2018 regular meeting.
Background
The original Efland-Buckhorn-Mebane Access Management Plan was adopted
November 15, 2011 and it implemented a recommendation of the Efland-Mebane
Small Area Plan (2006). It also served as a tool for implementing aspects of the 2030
Attachment 1 3
2
Comprehensive Plan (2008).
The original plan consisted of multiple access management strategies and was
completed with limited on-site analysis. However, this plan was instrumental in
gaining North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) acceptance and
participation in roadwork improvements necessary to serve the Morinaga Candy
Factory, which opened in 2016. Developments like this along with increased
residential growth in Hillsborough and commercial expansion in Mebane, especially
growth’s impact on traffic, demonstrates the plan’s importance.
A thorough existing conditions, environmental, and traffic analysis was conducted
through an engineering-based transportation study by Volkert Inc., based in Raleigh,
NC. This report reinforces the original Efland-Buckhorn-Mebane Access
Management Plan with a comprehensive investigation of the area’s development
potential, traffic impact and recommended improvements.
The original Efland-Buckhorn-Mebane Access Management Plan should be updated
by incorporating the latest transportation study recommendations.
3. New Statutes and Rules
N/A
C. PROCESS
1. TIMEFRAME/MILESTONES/DEADLINES
a. BOCC Authorization to Proceed
April 3, 2018
b. Planning Board Review:
October 3, 2018
c. Public Hearing
November 1, 2018 (and possible decision)
d. BOCC Updates/Checkpoints
October 3, 2018 (BOCC receives Planning Board agenda materials)
e. Other:
2. PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT PROGRAM
Mission/Scope: Public hearing process consistent with NC State Statutes and
Orange County ordinance requirements. Additionally, Planning staff is suggesting
one Community Meeting, held in early August 2018. Advertising for the Community
Meeting and Public Hearing will be by direct mailing to affected and surrounding
property owners, posting on the County website, and publishing notice in the local
4
3
newspapers (News of Orange and Durham Herald-Sun).
a. Advisory Boards:
Orange Unified Transportation Board
September 19, 2018 Review/Comment
October 17, 2018 Recommendation
b. Local Government Review:
City of Mebane for staff comments
c. Notice Requirements
Consistent with NC State Statutes and Orange County requirements.
d. Outreach:
D. AMENDMENT IMPLICATIONS
Staff is proposing the update be approved as a whole so that the County can better
promote this area to economic development prospects and help preserve planned
sewer and road capacities for all uses within the designated planning area.
General Public: Community meeting, early August, date to be determined
Small Area Plan Workgroup:
Other:
5