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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 03-20-2001-9bi ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: March 20, 2001 SUBJECT: Sunrise Springs Subdivision -Preliminary Plan Action A enc Item #~ DEPARTMENT: Planning ~ Inspections PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Eddie Kirk, Planner II March 6, 2001 Agenda Abstract Extension 2582 (Under Separate Cover) Memo re: Public vs. Private Road Standards TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Hillsborough 732-8181 Durham 688-7331 Mebane 227-2031 Chapel Hill 967-9251 PURPOSE: Consideration of the Preliminary Plan for Sunrise Springs Subdivision. BACKGROUND: This monograph regarding public and private roads is written in response to Board of Commissioner inquiry during the March 6, 2001 regular meeting. The Sunrise Springs subdivision was the agenda topic of discussion. This response will track existing sections of the Subdivision Regulations. As an introductory statement, public roads are required unless the applicant can show through justification for a private road. The regulations and process do not allow staff to require a private road, which automatically decreases project density. Section IV-A - Re wired Minimum Desi n Standards Staff Comment: Public roads provide a higher standard of safety and maintenance therefore the required promotion of public versus private roads. Section IV-B-3 -Streets Staff Comment. This section sets forth the widths, grades, intersection angles, curves, cul-de-sacs access restrictions, reverse frontage, lot boundaries, and street names. These public road standard create a higher level of public safety for both residents and emergency vehicles. 2 Section IV-B-3-d~1 "Roads -Public roads are generally required in all subdivisions and will be required where it is found that: 1. The road is built to state standards, or 2. Extend other public roads, or 3. Within urban or transition areas, or 4. Designated on Thoroughfare Plan, or 5. Part of anon-residential multi-parcel plan." Staff Comment. Therefore, public roads are the regulatory and policy choice at this time because of their safety and connectivity strengths. "However, private roads may be allowed in a subdivision where...[various criteria] is justified." StafiF Comment. Staff, Planning Board, and Board of Commissioners may hear a private road justification where requested and justified, but may not mandate a private road be chosen. RECOMMENDATION(S): Administration Approval, per the attached Resolution of Approval. S MEMORANDUM TO: County Commissioners John Link, County Manager COPIES: Paul Thames, PE, County Engineer Phil Post, PE FROM: Craig Benedict, Planning Director DATE: March 13, 2001 SUBJECT: Grading/earthwork far Class A Private Road versus State Maintained Road at Sunrise Springs subdivision After discussion with Paul Thames and his analysis of the roadway plans for the Sunrise Springs subdivision, the following information is provided. The question is posed... if providing a road using the construction standards for Orange County's Class A private road as opposed to NCDOT's standards for the proposed state-maintained road would significantly lessen the grading required or the impacts of that grading. Far the purposes of this analysis, there are only three points of difference between the two standards that would have any effect on the outcome of the analysis: 1) in cut sections; 2) roadway grades; and 3) length of vertical curve. In conclusion, it is my opinion that minor earthwork reduction (approximately 4' less cut) gained by changing the design standards for Sunrise Springs Road from those of a public road to those of a Class A private road are generally offset by other negative consequences of: a) steeper slopes -more erosion potential, b) less vertical curve - increase in driver/pedestrian hazard potential, c) no significant difference in noise attenuation based on the minor adjustment in cut, d) private road would direct more drainage to internal drainageway versus spreading runoff to multiple areas, and e) more difficulty in the maintenance of a gravel roadway. The minor reduction in cut and fill could only be accomplished if a variance was permitted to allow a 12% grade versus the typical 9% grade for a private road. In the absence of the variance the cut and fill for the public or private road would be significantly similar. e If I may provide additional information on this matter, please advise.