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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 12-02-2002-5bORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: December 2, 2002 Action Agenda Item No. C ~- SUBJECT• Resolution Regarding DCHC 2025 Long-Range Transportation Plan DEPARTMENT: Planning and Inspections PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): 1. Resolution: DCHC 2025 Long-Range Transportation Plan 2. October 30, 2002, BOCC Resolution (LRTP) 3. October 30, 2002, BOCC Resolution (Option 7) INFORMATION CONTACT: Karen Lincoln Ext. 2594 TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Hillsborough 732-8181 Chapel Hill 968-4501 Durham 688-7331 Mebane (336)227-2031 PURPOSE: To consider a resolution providing comments to the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro (DCHC) Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) regarding the Draft DCHC 2025 Long-Range Transportation Plan. BACKGROUND: The Transportation Advisory Committee, on November 6, released the Draft Recommended Financially Constrained 2025 Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) fora 42- day public comment period. The TAC has scheduled a public hearing on December 4, 2002. Copies of the Draft Recommended Financially Constrained 2025 Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) were distributed to the Board on November 15. The plan should be reviewed for any aspects that have potential impacts to Orange County so that comments can be submitted at the December 4 public hearing. The Long-Range Transportation Plan is a fiscally constrained plan that identifies an aggregate of programs and transportation improvements that should function as an integrated transportation system to address transportation deficiencies, needs and goals in the urban area over the next 20 years. North Carolina The DCHC Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) use the LRTP to identify projects to include in the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no direct financial impact associated with this item. Depending on the fiscal analysis, local jurisdictions may have to develop funding sources for needed projects that are not covered by existing revenue sources. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Administration recommends that the Board consider comments and approve a Resolution Providing Comments to the DCHC TAC Regarding the Draft 2025 Long- Range Transportation Plan. DRAFT ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS A RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE THE DURHAM-CHAPEL HILL-CARRBORO TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE WITH COMMENTS REGARDING THE DRAFT RECOMMENDED FINANCIALLY CONSTRAINED 2025 LONG-RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN (LRTP) FOR THE DURHAM-CHAPEL HILL-CARRBORO METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION 2 WHEREAS, Orange County has participated in regional transportation planning as a member of the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization; and WHEREAS, the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Transportation Advisory Committee is preparing along-Range Transportation Plan, and has released the Draft Recommended Financially Constrained 2025 Long=Range Transportation Plan, dated November 6, 2002, for public comment; and WHEREAS, Orange County is committed to a transportation plan that protects the natural environment and cultural sites, and provides alternatives to highways and reliance on single occupancy vehicles; and WHEREAS, Orange County seeks ample opportunities to review and comment on regional transportation plans and policies, and may offer additional comments on this plan at a later date; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Orange County Board of Commissioners that the Board of Commissioners makes the following recommendations and comments to the Transportation Advisory Committee concerning the 2025 Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization Long-Range Transportation Plan. Revised Northern Durham Parkway The Orange County Board of Commissioners recommends that the alignment of the Revised Northern Durham Parkway terminate at Roxboro Road, and that the Durham City Council and Durham County Board of Commissioners ensure by resolution that there will be no westward extension of the corridor; and (NOTE: This wording may be revised to reflect exactly the agreement reached by the TAC representatives for Orange County.) II. Elizabeth Brady Road Extension The Orange County Board of Commissioners is pleased that bicycle and pedestrian facilities have been included in the Elizabeth Brady Road Extension project connecting US 70 Business and US 70 Bypass. The Board requests that the 2025 Long Range Transportation Plan reflect the following alignment and cross section for the project: (NOTE: the Board should decide which option, a or b, to include for issue.) DRAFT 3 C. A. 1. An alignment that has the least impact on the Eno River, the natural environment and cultural sites; 2. No statement; B. 1.a. An alignment that does not cross the Eno River, but is aligned along the ridge south of the river (if that alignment has the least impact on the river) in accordance with the Orange County/Hillsborough Economic Development District Transportation Work priority order by preference of options to be studied for environmental analysis. 1.b. The Board requests that this alignment be modeled for the 2025 Long Range Transportation Plan by December 11, 2002; 2. No statement; 1. A road configuration of two lanes with right-of-way reserved for four lanes (four lanes if necessary). 2. A road configuration of four lanes (two lanes if adequate). III. Other Highway Projects in Orange County The Orange County Board of Commissioners is pleased that the plan includes improvements to US 70 Bypass in Orange County, from NC 86-North to I-85 exit 170 and improvements to NC 86-North from US 70 Bypass to NC 57; and IV. Alternative Modes of Transportation Including Transit The Orange County Board of Commissioners is pleased that the plan includes alternative transportation modes including intensive transit improvements to provide an integrated transit system throughout the urban area; and V. Non Traditional Revenue Sources A. Although highway projects have, historically, been given higher funding priority than transit projects, the Orange County Board of Commissioners believes that should not be the case in the future. The Board therefore recommends that the sentence in the first paragraph of Section 1.3 -Non Traditional Revenue Sources, indicating that the plan's funding shortfall occurs in the bus transit and fixed guideway projects be deleted. B. Although the Board acknowledges the need for additional revenue sources, the Board recommends that the recommended non-traditional revenue sources be further analyzed and discussed by local government before they are adopted. Upon motion of Commissioner ,seconded by Commissioner the foregoing resolution was adopted this the day of , 2002. I, Donna Baker, Clerk to the Board of Commissioners for the County of Orange, North Carolina, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true copy of so much of the proceedings of said Board at a meeting held on October 30, 2002 as relates in any way to the adoption of the foregoing and that said Board. WITNESS my hand and the seal of saic DRAFT proceedings are recorded in the minutes of said County, this day of 2002. 4 Clerk to the Board of Commissioners 5 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS A RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE THE DURHAM-CHAPEL HILL-CARRBORO TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE WITH A RECOMMENDATION ON THE PREFERRED OPTION OF THE DURHAM-CHAPEL HILL-CARRBORO LONG-RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN (LRTP) (LRTP RESOLUTION A) WHEREAS, Orange County has participated in regional transportation planning as a member of the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization; and WHEREAS, the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Transportation Advisory Committee is preparing along-Range Transportation Plan, and has released the Preferred Option of the DCHC Long-Range Transportation Plan for public comment; and WHEREAS, Orange County seeks ample opportunities to review and comment on regional transportation plans and policies, and may offer additional comments on this plan at a later date; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Orange County Board of Commissioners that the Board of Commissioners recommends to the Transportation Advisory Committee that the 2025 Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization Long-Range Transportation Plan include: Intensive transit improvements to provide an integrated transit system throughout the urban area. 2. Improvements to US 70 Bypass in Orange County, from NC 86-North to I-85 near the Durham County line. 3. Improvements to NC 86-North in Orange County, from US 70 Bypass to NC 57. 4. A facility with bicycle and pedestrian amenities for the Elizabeth Brady Road Extension project connecting US 70 Business and US 70 Bypass on an alignment (and with a reduced cross section) that has the least impact on the Eno River, the natural environment and cultural sites as recommended by the Orange County/Hillsborough Economic Development District Transportation Work Group. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of Commissioners is strongly opposed to "Option 7" -the Northeast/Northwest Loop as presented to the Transportation Advisory Committee on October 23, 2002, and a separate resolution to this effect is being sent; and FINALLY, BE IT RESOLVED that this resolution replaces a similar resolution passed by the Orange County Board of Commissioners on October 15, 2002 providing the Durham- Chapel Hill-Carrboro Transportation Advisory Committee with a recommendation on the preferred option of the Long Range Transportation Plan. 6 Upon motion of Commissioner ,seconded by Commissioner the foregoing resolution was adopted this the day of , 2002. I, Donna Baker, Clerk to the Board of Commissioners for the County of Orange, North Carolina, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true copy of so much of the proceedings of said Board at a meeting held on October 30, 2002 as relates in any way to the adoption of the foregoing and that said proceedings are recorded in the minutes of said Board. WITNESS my hand and the seal of said County, this day of , 2002. Clerk to the Board of Commissioners 7 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS A RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE THE DURHAM-CHAPEL HILL-CARRBORO TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE WITH A RECOMMENDATION TO EXCLUDE "OPTION 7" - THE NORTHEAST/ NORTHWEST LOOP FROM THE DURHAM-CHAPEL HILL-CARRBORO LONG-RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN (LRTP) (LRTP RESOLUTION B) WHEREAS, Orange County participates in regional transportation planning as a member of the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization (DCHC MPO); and WHEREAS, the DCHC MPO is composed of apolicy-making body, the Transportation Advisory Committee, and a technical body, the Technical Coordinating Committee; and WHEREAS, the DCHC MPO is preparing along-Range Transportation Plan, and has released the Preferred Option of the Plan for public comment; and WHEREAS, at the Transportation Advisory Committee meeting on September 18, 2002, the Transportation Advisory Committee directed that the Highway Trust Fund projects known as the Northeast and Northwest Loops, or Eno Drive, be removed from consideration; and . WHEREAS, at the Transportation Advisory Committee meeting on October 23, 2002, a recommendation from the Transportation Coordinating Committee referenced as "Option 7" was proposed as a replacement for the Northeast and Northwest Loops; and WHEREAS, "Option 7" is depicted on the map labeled Attachment A and more fully described as follows: "The southern segment runs from US 70 to I-85, and the northern segment runs from I-85 to Roxboro Road via Old Oxford, Snow Hill and includes new alignment to Roxboro Road north of Snow Hill." and WHEREAS, the terminus of "Option 7" at Snow Hill Road and Roxboro Road (US 501) is on approximately the same alignment as the "Northern Freeway" proposed in the 1989 Draft DCHC Thoroughfare Plan; and WHEREAS, the general path of the "Northern Freeway" paralleled Mason Road and St. Mary's Road in Durham County; entered Orange County immediately south of Ebenezer Church Road; ran southward between Pleasant Green Road and the Durham County line until it intersected Cole Mill Road; and then ran southwesterly crossing Pleasant Green Road, the Eno River, US 70, I-85, Old NC 10, and "New" NC 86 before interchanging with I-40; and WHEREAS, the "Northern Freeway" is depicted on the map labeled Attachment B; and WHEREAS, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners strongly opposed the "Northern Freeway" in 1989 because of its potential impacts on prime forest land, the Eno River State Park, the Eno River, existing neighborhoods, and the Rural Buffer; and WHEREAS, "Option 7" provides the opportunity through its proposed alignment and terminus to correspond to a future loop or freeway into Orange County along the Mason Road/ St. Mary's Road corridor attendant with the aforementioned impacts; and 8 WHEREAS, the hallmark of sound planning is careful and deliberate consideration of proposals through a process involving all interested parties, rather than the sort of last-minute rush to judgment embodied in the inclusion of an inadequately studied and discussed "Option 7"; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Orange County Board of Commissioners that the Board of Commissioners recommends to the Transportation Advisory Committee that "Option 7" be deleted from consideration as a recommendation in the 2025 Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization Long-Range Transportation Plan. Upon motion of Commissioner ,seconded by Commissioner , the foregoing resolution was adopted this the day of , 2002. I, Donna Baker, Clerk to the Board of Commissioners for the County of Orange, North Carolina, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true copy of so much of the proceedings of said Board at a meeting held on October 30, 2002 as relates in any way to the adoption of the foregoing and that said proceedings are recorded in the minutes of said Board. WITNESS my hand and the seal of said County, this day of , 2002. Clerk to the Board of Commissioners