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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 02-12-2004-4cORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WORK SESSION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: February 12, 2004 Action Agen a Item No. ~ -G. SUBJECT: Orange Unified Transportation Advisory Board (OUTAB) DEPARTMENT: Planning and Inspections PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: 1. Summary of Transportation Advisory Boards in DCHC Craig Benedict, ext. 2592 MPO and TARPO Local Jurisdictions Karen Lincoln, ext. 2594 2. Orange County Boards with Transportation Interests TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Hillsborough 732-8181 Chapel Hill 968-4501 Durham 688-7331 Mebane (336)227-2031 PURPOSE: To present information for discussion regarding creation of an Orange Unified Transportation Advisory Board, BACKGROUND: Discussion of formation of a transportation advisory board to study transportation planning issues in Orange County, and advise the Board of Commissioners as appropriate, was one of the "New Initiatives" on the BOCC's Retreat Agenda far January 31, 2004. Time considerations limited its discussion at that meeting. Several local jurisdictions in regional transportation planning organizations that Orange County participates in (Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization -DCHC MPO and Triangle Area Rural Planning Organization - TARPO) use transportation advisory boards to advise elected bodies in making transportation decisions, Attachment 1 gives a brief description of those existing transportation advisory boards. The following proposal for a transportation advisory board is based an previous discussion with the Transportation Task Farce. This documentation outlines the function of a proposed Orange Unified Transportation Advisory Board (OUTAB), proposed membership and types of transportation planning activities the board would address. Function of OUTAB The Orange Unified Transportation Advisory Board would study transportation issues in Orange County, and advise the Board of County Commissioners as appropriate. As an ongoing work group composed of members from Orange County agencies dealing with environmental, equitable and economic interests, OUTAB would provide coordination among the various County advisory boards and commissions that deal with issues affected by transportation. Attachment 2 provides a brief description of each board's relation to transportation issues. 2 Membership The proposed membership for the transportation advisory board is ten (10) members from existing County boards and commissions having transportation planning interests. The OUTAB should include representatives from all areas of Orange County, and would be comprised of (2) volunteers from each of the following: 1. Board of County Commissioners; 2. Commission for the Environment; 3. Economic Development Commission; 4. Transportation Services Board; and 5. Planning Board. Staff support would be provided by the Planning Department (Transportation Planner) with assistance from Orange Public Transportation (OPT) for issues pertaining to OPT service. The board would meet at least six (6) times a year, with OUTAB determining its regular meeting schedule and scheduling additional meetings. Transportation Planning Activities The Orange Unified Transportation Advisory Board would advise the Board of County Commissioners on transportation planning projects/issues including, but not limited to the following: • Update of the Transportation Element of the Comprehensive Plan, including: - Collector Street Plan - Access management - Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Comprehensive Transportation Plans (Thoroughfare Plans developed in conjunction with Triangle Area Rural Planning Organization, TARPO, and Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization, DCHC MPO), including: - Highway Element (functional classification and future needs) - Bicycle/Pedestrian Element - Transit Element • Priority projects for inclusion in the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and major projects programmed in the TIP. • Update of DCHC MPO Long-Range Transportation Plan. • Transportation issues regarding existing and proposed school sites. • Regional cooperation for regional transportation issues. FINANCIAt_ IMPACT: There is no immediate financial impact associated with this agenda item; however, formation of the OUTAB will require additional staff time and administrative support. RECOMMENDATION(S): As the board decides. ATTACHMENT1 Transportation Advisory Boards in Other Jurisdictions The following provides a brief description of advisory boards that operate in member jurisdictions in the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization (DCHC MPO) and the Triangle Rural Planning Organization (TARPO). Durham (City and County) Durham does not have a separate advisory board for transportation. The Lead Planning Agency far the MPO is the City of Durham Transportation Division and that agency works with other departments and associated advisory boards. Durham does have a separate Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission. 3 Town of Carrboro The Town of Carrboro has a Transportation Advisory Board (TAB) that "shall conduct studies and advise and make recommendations to the board of aldermen concerning all matters relating to the transportation within the Town of Carrboro and the surrounding area, including, but not limited to the need for the construction, operation, relocation, or improvement of streets, sidewalks, and bikeways, as well as the establishment and improvement of alternative methods of mass transportation." The TAB consists of eight (8) members appointed by the board of aldermen. Seven members are citizens interested in or having expertise relevant to the duties of the TAB. The eighth member is a member of the board of aldermen and serves as liaison between the two boards. The TAB meets twice a month. One of the monthly meetings is a joint meeting with other boards/commissions (the appearance commission, the planning board, environmental advisory board, etc.) to review and make recommendations concerning development applications that require a special use permit or a rezoning. Town of Chapel Hill The Town of Chapel Hill has a transportation board and a separate bicycle and pedestrian advisory board. The transportation board: • Makes recommendations on services, fares, and pass prices of the local public transit and parking system; • Advises the council on transportation plans: Thoroughfare Plan, Short-Range Transportation Plan, and Capital Improvement Program; • Makes recommendations on the transportation impact of development proposals, The transportation board consists of nine (9) members appointed by the mayor and council. The board meets twice monthly, with one meeting each month devoted to development review with respect to transportation impacts of development proposals. ATTACHMENTi Transportation Advisory Boards in Other Jurisdictions 4 Lee County The Lee County Economic Development Commission (EDC) acts as the coordinator of a joint advisory committee that makes recommendations/decisions on transportation issues of major impact in Lee County. The purpose of the joint committee is to create unified position regarding issues of major importance in Lee County. The joint committee includes representatives from Lee County, Lee County EDG, Committee of 100, City of Sanford, Sanford Area Chamber of Commerce and Town of Broadway. The joint committee meets as needed to discuss and develop joint resolutions regarding transportaticn projects like the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and priority lists for the TIP, and to comment on major road projects. ATTACHMENT2 5 Orange County Advisory Boards/Commissions with Transportation Interests The following is a list of County boards and commissions that deal with transportation issues, The Economic Development Commission. The mission statement of the Economic Development Commission includes transportation and mass transit goals as ways to achieve its mission: "Sustaining A Quality Community Through Balanced Economic Growth Strategic Plan for Economic Development", The commission's interests are planned expansion of support roads to economic development districts, support of regional transportation planning and encouragement of mass transit done in conjunction with changes in the Land Use Plan to develop long-term plans for mass transit service to the Economic Development Districts, The Commission for the Environment. The Environment and Resource Conservation Department provides staff support for the commission. The commission's Air Quality Subcommittee has major interest in transportation issues related to emissions and air quality, The Air Quality Subcommittee promotes reduction in vehicle miles traveled to reduce air pollution from mobile source emissions, provision of alternative modes of transportation, and the use of alternative-fuel vehicles. Orange County Transportation Services Board. The transportation services board serves as the advisory board for Orange Public Transportation (OPT), The board serves as a liaison between Orange County residents and the County Government concerning transportation service issues; recommends policy to the Board of County Commissioners, particularly with respect to a comprehensive, coordinated, cost effective approach to the delivery of transportation services for human services agencies; works to stimulate and promote needed transportation services and programs for Orange County residents; and assists public and voluntary agencies in providing transportation services to their clients. Orange County Planning Board. The Planning Department provides staff support to the board, The Planning Board studies Orange County and surrounding areas to determine objectives in the development of the county and recommends plans to achieve that development, Transportation issues are inseparable from land use issues and are a key component in reviewing and planning for development in the county, Land use planning must consider three major principles: protection of the natural environment; sustenance and encouragement of economic opportunities; and equitable consideration for all affected citizens in development decisions,