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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 05-20-2003-8pORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: May 20, 2003 Action Agenda Item No. SUBJECT: Report from the Joint Orange Grove Road Transportation Group DEPARTMENT: Planning and Inspections PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) ATTACHMENT(S): 1) JOGRTG Recommendations 2) JOGRTG Report and Access Management Plan (sent previously under separate cover; a copy is available in the Clerk's Office) INFORMATION CONTACT: Craig Benedict, ext. 2592 Karen Lincoln, ext. 2594 TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Hillsborough 732-8181 Chapel Hill 968-4501 Durham 688-7331 Mebane (336)227-2031 PURPOSE: To approve recommendations of the Joint Orange Grove Road Transportation Group (JOGRTG) as stated in the JOGRTG Report and Access Management Plan. BACKGROUND: The Orange County Board of Commissioners and Hillsborough Town Board, at a joint meeting in May of 2002, established the Joint Orange Grove Road Transportation Group (JOGRTG) as part of a continuing planning cooperative effort. Existing and proposed development activity as well as existing public facilities such as schools in this corridor prompted a review of transportation issues and a discussion regarding the range of transportation planning initiatives that can lead to awell-planned, safer, multimodal transportation system in concert with a coordinated land use development pattern. The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) was also a partner in the effort. The JOGRTG found that the crux of many solutions was based in access management. The Orange Grove Road Access Management Plan is the product of the group's work. The Access Management Plan will help manage growth in the area, as well as promote safety for motor vehicle, pedestrian and bicycle traffic. Other groups can use this report and goals to support their efforts in related areas such as "Walkable Hillsborough" initiatives. Orange County and Town of Hillsborough Commissioners met on May 5, and agreed that this report should be adopted by both jurisdictions and be employed during development review of ongoing and upcoming projects. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no direct financial impact associated with this item. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Administration recommends that the Board approve the full report and recommendations, and authorize staff to pursue actions to implement the recommendations. Joint Orange Grove Road Transportation Group 2 Access Management Awareness Project & Report VII. Recommendations The Joint Orange Grove Road Transportation Group recommends the following actions to alleviate unsafe conditions and to manage potential congestion from future development in the Orange Grove Road corridor. The recommendations address five basic issues: 1. obtaining funding for improvements to enhance safety for all modes of traffic; 2. providing pedestrian facilities (sidewalks) in the corridor; 3. implementation of recommendations into local plans and regulations; 4. recommendations for future studies; and 5. distribute the report to community groups for comments. 1. Pursue funding to implement recommendations in this study. The Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), Spot Safety funds and Small Urban Funds are potential funding sources for roadway improvements. Small Urban Funds may be used for projects within 1-mile outside city limits. Both Small Urban and Spot Safety funding sources are subject to the discretion of the Division's Board of Transportation (BOT) member, and are generally requested for projects in the $50,000 to $200,000 range. The local jurisdiction(s) must request those funds from the BOT member. Transportation Improvement Program, in general, is used to fund projects that cost $300,000 or more. There are also some contingency funds that may be requested through the area's representatives to the State legislature. The local jurisdictions should pursue funding to advance the following improvements in the Orange Grove Road corridor. 1.1 Pursue funding to widen the bridge on Orange Grove Road over Interstate 40 to include bicycle and pedestrian facilities. North Carolina Department of Transportation estimates the cost to add bicycle and pedestrian facilities to the bridge is approximately $750,000. 1.2 .Pursue funding and work with NCDOT to install a crosswalk with a flashing light to warn vehicles of the pedestrian crossing at the bus driveway entrance at Cedar Ridge High School. 1.3 Pursue funding and work with NCDOT to investigate installing a traffic light at the intersection of Oakdale Drive and Orange Grove Road, and to provide right turn lanes on both Oakdale Drive and Orange Grove Road to assist traffic flow through the intersection. 2. Provide pedestrian facilities along Orange Grove Road. 2.1 Research actual right-of-way along Orange Grove Road throughout the corridor study area through land records and pursue feasibility of obtaining the recommended 80' right-of-way through dedication or acquiring easements. Joint Orange Grove Road Transportation Group 3 Access Management Awareness Project & Report 2.2 Investigate installing sidewalks along the north side of Orange Grove Road in the corridor study area including determining the feasibility of construction with respect to changes in elevation along the road and with respect to cost. 2.3 After technical report has been received by both the Hillsborough Town Board and the Orange County Board of Commissioners, if the data indicates that construction of a sidewalk on the north side of Orange Grove Road is not financially feasible, pursue widening Orange Grove Road to 12' lanes with, at a minimum, 4' paved shoulders and preferably with 6' or 8' paved shoulders to allow for a shared bicycle/pedestrian facility. 2.4 Coordinate with the School Board to pursue instaNlation of sidewalks along Orange Grove Road adjacent to the school property, along New Grady Brown School Road and from the proposed crosswalk on New Grady Brown School Road to the Grady Brown School and to Cedar Ridge High School. 3. Implement recommendations into local plans and regulations. 3.1 Include recommendations in this study in the development of Multi-modal Transportation Plans for Orange County and the Town of Hillsborough. 3.2 Adopt recommended cross section for Orange Grove Road into Orange County and Town of Hillsborough zoning ordinances and subdivision regulations. 3.3 Amend each jurisdictions respective land use regulations to support and/or implement recommendations in this study including a provision that any development having ingress/egress off Orange Grove Road in the study area either construct its fair share of recommended improvements or provide payment in lieu of for such improvements. 3.4 Support TIP Project R2825, South Churton Street improvements, by continuing to assign a high priority to that project as a transportation need in the biennial update of the TIP. 4. The following items are recommended for Future Studies. 4.1 Work with the business community through the Economic Development Commission and the Orange County/Hillsborough Chamber of Commerce to implement the recommendations in the Feasibility Study for South Churton Street concerning Daniel Boone Village and to develop access management for other businesses in the South Churton Street corridor. 4.2 Pursue a future studv for the Oakdale Drive corridor Joint Orange Grove Road Transportation Group 4 Access Management Awareness Project & Report 5. Distribute Orange Grove Road Study and Access Management Plan to community groups for comments.