HomeMy WebLinkAboutOUTBoard minutes 092111Approved 10/19/11
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MINUTES
ORANGE UNIFIED TRANSPORTATION BOARD
SEPTEMBER 21, 2011
MEMBERS PRESENT: Nancy Cole Baker, Pedestrian Access & Safety Advocate; Julian (Randy) Marshall, Bingham
Township; Alan Campbell, Planning Board Representative; Paul Guthrie, Chapel Hill Township; Sam Lasris, Cedar
Grove Township; Amy Cole, Transit Advocate; Renee Price, CFE Representative;
MEMBERS ABSENT: Jeff Charles, Bicycle Advocate; Annette Jurgelski, Eno Township; Dan Barker, Hillsborough
Township; Al Terry, Transportation Services Board; Economic Development Commission -Vacant; Cheeks Township
- Vacant; Little River Township-Vacant;
Staff Present: Craig Benedict, Tom Altieri, Tina Love
AGENDA ITEM I: CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
AGENDA ITEM II: CONSIDERATIONS OF ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
AGENDA ITEM III: APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Minutes from the August 17 meeting have not been completed and may not be available until
the next meeting.
AGENDA ITEM IV: BICYCLE SAFETY
Orange County citizens Bonnie Hauser and Gail Alberti have requested to address the
OUTBoard concerning bicycle safety in the County.
OUTBoard Action: For its information.
Bonnie Hauser, Gail Alberti, Bryant and Kim Dodson discussed the problem of a motorist/cyclist conflict that had
escalated. The dangers of bicyclist riding and cars trying to pass then having an accident with another car is
increasing. Also, the bicyclist who ride in packs and take over the whole road is another problem. Before Karen
retired she made a suggestion to do safety shoulders at the key parts of the road where there are wide curves and
hill so the bicyclist can get by. The other suggestion was basic rules of the road. Bryant Dodson shared his concern
about his fears of hitting a cyclist. Bonnie suggested the options of having tags noting that would make it easier to
identify a cyclist in case of an accident. Kim Dodson agreed. There are cyclists who wear earphones which is not
safe.
Sam Lasris asked if they addressed the organization in Orange County. Bonnie responded that she thought they
were represented on the OUTBoard. Sam Lasris asked if there was a particular time or day of the week. Kim
responded that weekdays and weekends are both very busy.
Bonnie Hauser explained the goal was not to rid the road of bicyclist but basic safety issues need to be followed.
There are 30 year plans being done and there is a very basic safety issue that is not being addressed.
Renee Price noted there was motivation to get more bike lanes because people were talking about riding to work.
There was a problem when bicyclist did not get what they wanted and then they wanted the road.
Approved 10/19/11
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Paul Guthrie asked if they thought the biggest problem was reckless bicycle drivers or those deliberately impending
traffic by any means? The answer was they were the same. He also noted a figure eight was a chargeable offense
causing a public safety hazard. He said until you define where the issues are fixing them becomes difficult.
Nancy Baker discussed some issues that the OUTBoard is working on. This includes public service notifications,
calling the Sheriff and getting him involved, etc.
Sam Lasris noted that if there were a fee for bicycle tags, it would be a great way to start paying for bicycle paths.
Gail Alberti asked the Board to speak with the County Sheriff. Renee Price said it would be helpful to have someone
at the meeting from the bicycle clubs.
Paul Guthrie said this issue was bigger than bicycles because he had observed several things that were ancillary.
He noticed the number of very high-speed motorbikes is increasing significantly which are capable of going 100 miles
per hour. Also, there is an increasing number of low speed scooters which are harder to deal with than a bicycle.
Alan Campbell asked what the purview to regulate this would be. Paul Guthrie suggested putting items together that
concern non-motorized vehicles. Renee Price said there were also joggers and walkers. Alan asked if there were
any other counties faced with this issue. Sam Lasris replied that Oregon has a beautiful system of bicycle and
walking paths in a county about the size of Orange County noting it brings tourists to their area.
Craig Benedict discussed the challenges of the road right-of-way.
Nancy Baker summarized that there were problems with current bicycle safety. The next agenda item can be used
to discuss the bicycle issue. She also mentioned the Pedestrian Plan. She asked if there were any missed
opportunities. Randy Marshall pointed out that the pedestrian path were lines on a map. Sam Lasris asked if there
was a countywide database that included right of ways. Craig Benedict said that DOT has some things that show
right of way is not really right of way. The work to get that straightened is quite significant.
Randy Marshall stated that a sign should have bicycle routes and bicycle rules. He wasn’t sure how much he wanted
to get into govern behavior. Nancy Baker stated that safety is a big issue. There may be an option of sitting down
with the cyclist to have a conversation about the situation.
AGENDA ITEM V: DRAFT COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORTATION PLAN (CTP)
Randy Marshall updated the Board on the Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP). He said the last public
meeting was not well attended. The schedule is to go through the BOCC’s comments at the October 18 meeting.
The final CTP to come before the BOCC should be set for January. He discussed the latest maps.
Paul Guthrie stated that there were extremely conservative estimates about the changes in the various map
categories.
The CPT will be forwarded to the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) after the BOCC has approved it. Sam
Lasris asked if the MPO is dealing with what happens when 86 gets to Hillsborough. Craig Benedict answered that
the MPO is a little behind the planning process so the pinch points need to be identified. He agreed it was a major
issue. Renee asked why Highway 86 was an expressway and not a boulevard. Craig explained that either was an
issue. Randy Marshall stated the CTP plan should fit with Caswell County Plan.
AGENDA ITEM VI: RECOMMENDATION TO REAPPOINT BOARD MEMBERS
Nancy Baker stated that Sam Lasris’ term was up and he is not eligible for another term but would continue working
on the Board until there was a replacement named. Jeff Charles’ term was also up but he can be reappointment.
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Dan Barker declined a second appointment to serve again. There will be an opening for another Hillsborough
person. Tina will send an email with the people that have shown an interest.
MOTION: Paul Guthrie made a motion to recommend reappointment for Jeff Charles. Seconded by Randy Marshall.
VOTE: Unanimous
AGENDA ITEM VIII: EFLAND-BUCKHORN-MEBANE COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL TRANSITION ACTIVITY NODES AND
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT ACCESS MANAGEMENT PLAN
Craig Benedict stated this item was on the August 23 Quarterly Public Hearing. There is an approval with the City of
Durham for utility facilities to be extended into the Eno Economic Development Zone. Craig stated as they promote
development they need to ensure they have all the infrastructure items to support them. There are suggestions in
the access management that would prompt the developer to connect some other dots. There are changes to the
Water and Sewer Management Planning and Boundary Agreement to allow development. As properties
development they need to ensure that development is not reviewed on a piece mail basis. There are 26 items
different access management issues that can be addressed. If there is an access plan and DOT needs to be move
something up to the top this plan will help expedite the issues. Craig continued to review maps. Randy Marshall
asked if there was an Access Management Plan adopted. Craig responded there was not but was part of a planned
development.
Alan Campbell asked if the issue of whether a road is public or private is that left up to DOT? Craig said it driven by
DOT with certain criteria.
There was conversation between several individuals about the access management on the map. Continued
presentation.
Nancy Baker asked if this plan was already approved. Craig Benedict responded that it had not been approved.
Nancy would like to discuss this at the next meeting. Sam stated that at some time travel time would need to be
reduced. Craig will bring the Land Use Planning efforts. At the next meeting they will start with that and go to bike
stuff.
Paul Guthrie had a problem with how to monitor the development so there would be a good mix to get the Economic
Development that was desired. Randy Marshall noted that there was public hearing and nobody spoke on the plan.
Craig Benedict responded that there were 20 people or so to show up. Also, how many times has the Planning
Board discussed this issue? Craig responded that the recommendations have had Planning Board review.
Tom Altieri stated that Commissioner Jacobs asked to add the disclaimer to the maps to describe what the dashed
lines mean that they are conceptual so that will be added.
AGENDA ITEM IX: BOARD COMMENTS
AGENDA ITEM X: ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned
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Nancy Baker, Chair