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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 09-22-2008 - 4ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: September 22, 2008 Action Agenda Item No. ' SUBJECT: Resolution Submitting Comments Regarding Alternatives for the Durham- Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization's 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan DEPARTMENT: Planning and Inspections PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): 1. Resolution -Strike-through/Delete Version Showing Areas Changed from the .Original and Clean Version 2. OUTBoard Comments 3.2035 LRTP Alternatives Analysis Report (Bound Color Copy Previously Distributed Under Separate Cover) INFORMATION CONTACT: Karen Lincoln, 245-2594 Craig Benedict, 245-2592 This item was delayed from the Board's September 16, 2008 regular meeting due to time constraints. PURPOSE: To consider a resolution submitting comments to the Durham-Chapel Hill- Carrboro (DCHC) Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) regarding analyses of alternative transportation systems proposed for the Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP). BACKGROUND: Every four years, the DCHC MPO updates the LRTP. The 2035 LRTP will list the highway, transit, bicycle and other transportation projects and services to be implemented between 2008 through the year 2035 to best meet the expected transportation demand in the region. The LRTP is fiscally constrained, and includes revenue sources to pay for the projects and services. Transportation projects and services must be in the LRTP in order to receive state and federal funding. Alternatives The alternative transportation systems are used to develop the projects and services for the final 2035 LRTP. The alternative systems each emphasize a specific type of transportation facility, such as highways or bus transit, to see how those projects will meet future travel demands. Each alternative is a combination of one of the five transportation systems shown in the table Summary of Transportation Systems (Alternatives) in Attachment 3, page 1-5 and one of the five land use scenarios shown on the table 2035 LRTP and CTP Land Use Scenarios on page 5-2. Alternatives are shown in the table Combinations of Transportation Systems and Land Use Scenarios on page 1-4; maps of the transportation systems for each Alternative are on pages 4-6 through 4-17. All transportation improvements are contained in tables of highway projects (pages 4-19 through 4-24) and transit projects (pages 4-25 through 4-34) that denote which Alternatives include those projects. 2 Performance Measures Performance Measures compare performance of the Alternatives to a set of target values for each measure. A travel demand model provides statistics and maps for each alternative system that show the level of congestion, travel mode (e.g., automobile, bus, walk), average travel times, etc. These performance measures (tables for each Alternative are on pages 2-3 through 2-8) and congestion maps (pages 2-23 through 2-37) provide a general indicator of each transportation system from a variety of perspectives such as mobility, travel time, congestion, mode choice, air quality, financial, and environmental justice (i.e., perspective of minority and low-income populations). The measures are not specific to a particular travel corridor but instead cover the entire transportation system, and therefore are useful for comparing the efficiency and effectiveness of the different alternative transportation systems. Evaluation Measures Evaluation Measures compare the performance of each Alternative to a network of existing and committed (E+C) highway and transit facilities and the 2035 socioeconomic data. The E+C network serves as a benchmark for comparing how much evaluation measures improve with investment in the different Alternatives. Evaluation Measures for each Alternative are given on pages 2-9 through 2-10. . Orange Unified Transportation Board Recommended Comments The Orange Unified Transportation Board (OUTBoard) received a presentation on the 2035 LRTP Alternatives Analysis at its meeting on August 27, 2008 and recommended the comments listed in Attachment 2. Next Steps The DCHC MPO Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) will use the comments to direct development of a Preferred Option -the draft 2035 LRTP. Orange County needs to submit its comments so they can be addressed as part of the Preferred Option, which the TAC will release for public comment at its October 8, 2008 meeting. The MPO will conduct workshops and a hearing for the Preferred Option. The TAC will approve a draft 2035 LRTP at its December 10, 2008 meeting, which will be used to ascertain if the Plan meets air quality conformity regulations. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no direct financial impact associated with this item, although implementation of many of the alternatives will require new local and state funding. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board: 1. Receive the information and OUTBoard comments, and 2. Approve the resolution submitting those comments to the DCHC MPO TAC. ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS A RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE COMMENTS TO THE DURHAM-CHAPEL HILL- CARRBORO METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE REGARDING ALTERNATIVES FOR DEVELOPING THE 2035 LONG-RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN WHEREAS, Orange County has participated in regional transportation planning as a member of the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro (DCHC) Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO); and WHEREAS, the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Transportation Advisory Committee is preparing along-Range Transportation Plan, and has released the Alternatives Analysis of the DCHC 2035 Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) for public comment; WHEREAS, Orange County seeks ample opportunities to review and comment on regional transportation plans and policies; and WHEREAS, the Orange Unified Transportation Board has submitted comments regarding the Alternatives Analysis for the 2035 LRTP; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED ~ that the Orange County Board of Commissioners recommends to the Transportation Advisory Committee that the 2035 Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization Long-Range Transportation Plan ' give priority to projects that encourage alternatives to automobile travel, minimize adverse impacts on the natural environment and cultural sites, and foster economic development in designated economic development districts. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of Commissioners recommends that the 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan include the following as part of a multi-modal approach: Rail transportation including commuter rail service between Burlington and Raleigh that would serve Orange County; Enhanced local bus and express bus service with shorter delays; More investment in roadway "hotspots"/intersection improvements instead of overall roadway widening; and Off-road pedestrian and bicycle facilities as well as roadway improvements for bicycle and pedestrian facilities. Integration with land use planning that channels development into high density .mixed use development along transit corridors. " Transit service and transportation improvements that serve designated Economic Development Districts; and Park and ride lots in fringe areas with enhanced transit services, as a congestion relief alternative; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of Commissioners recommends the following with respect to the bicycle component of the 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan: Include a list of the proposed bicycle projects; Provide a definition of what constitutes a "regional" bicycle facility versus an "on road" bicycle facility; Include the NCDOT Mountains to Sea Bicycle Trail as a regional bicycle facility; and Remove the proposed bicycle facility adjacent to Interstate 40. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Orange County submits the following comments regarding the Regional Transit Vision Plan as it relates to rail service: The rail vision plan should consider other possible existing rail corridors in the region as possible elements for expansion and to enhance the viability of the rail vision plan. The commuter rail service is not shown on maps depicting the Special Transit Advisory Commission's recommended rail vision plan, although the STAC report recognizes the need for coordination with other plans and initiatives for transportation options that might be extended to commuters from regions coming into the region along the North Carolina Railroad corridor. The Fixed Guideway Option includes all the STAC recommendations and the project tables in Section 4 list this commuter rail project as a STAC recommendation. The rail vision plan should include direct ~ai~service to the Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Upon motion of Commissioner seconded by Commissioner ,the foregoing resolution was adopted this the day of , 2008. 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 September 16, 2008, 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 , 2008 Clerk to the Board of Commissioners -1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS A RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE COMMENTS TO THE DURHAM-CHAPEL HILL-CARRBORO METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE REGARDING ALTERNATIVES FOR DEVELOPING THE 2035 LONG-RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN WHEREAS, Orange County has participated in regional transportation planning as a member of the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro (DCHC) Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO); and WHEREAS, the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Transportation Advisory Committee is preparing a Long-Range Transportation Plan, and has released the Alternatives Analysis of the DCHC 2035 Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) for public comment; WHEREAS, Orange County seeks ample opportunities to review and comment on regional transportation plans and policies; and WHEREAS, the Orange Unified Transportation Board has submitted comments regarding the Alternatives Analysis for the 2035 LRTP; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of Commissioners recommends to the Transportation Advisory Committee that the 2035 Durham-Chapel Hill- Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization Long Range Transportation Plan give priority to projects that encourage alternatives to automobile travel, minimize adverse impacts on the natural environment and cultural sites, and foster economic development in designated economic development districts. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of Commissioners recommends that the 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan include the following as part of a multi-modal approach: Rail transportation including commuter rail service between Burlington and Raleigh that would serve Orange County; Enhanced local bus and express bus service with shorter delays; More investment in roadway "hotspots"/intersection improvements instead of overall roadway widening; Off-road pedestrian and bicycle facilities as well as roadway improvements for bicycle and pedestrian facilities; Integration with land use planning that channels development into high density mixed use development along transit corridors; Transit service and transportation improvements that serve designated Economic Development Districts; and Park and ride lots in fringe areas with enhanced transit services, as a congestion relief alternative; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of Commissioners recommends the following with respect to the bicycle component of the 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan: Include a list of the proposed bicycle projects; Provide a definition of what constitutes a "regional" bicycle facility versus an "on road" bicycle ~a facility; Include the NCDOT Mountains to Sea Bicycle Trail as a regional bicycle facility; and Remove the proposed bicycle facility adjacent to Interstate 40. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Orange County submits the following comments regarding the Regional Transit Vision Plan as it relates to rail service: The rail vision plan should consider other possible existing rail corridors in the region as possible elements for expansion and to enhance the viability of the rail vision plan. The commuter rail service is not shown on maps depicting the Special Transit Advisory Commission's recommended rail vision plan, although the STAC report recognizes the need for coordination with other plans and initiatives for transportation options that might be extended to commuters from regions coming into the region along the North Carolina Railroad corridor. The Fixed Guideway Option includes all the STAC recommendations and the project tables in Section 4 list this commuter rail project as a STAC recommendation. The rail vision plan should include direct service to the Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Upon motion of Commissioner ,seconded by Commissioner the foregoing resolution was adopted this the day of , 2008. 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 September 16, 2008, 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 , 2008 Clerk to the Board of Commissioners Attachment 2 OUTBoard Comments 5 Regarding the DCHC MPO 2035 Long Range Land Use Plan Alternatives Analysis ~~ :~ ~~ V t7~~ -~ Orange Unif e~ Transportation Boarc} u~- ~i ~ -; PO Box 8181 ~~ -~~ Hillsborough, NC 27278 ~- Memorandum Date: August 28, 2008 To: Orange County Board of County Commissioners From: Sam Lasris, Chair Orange Unified Transportation Board Subject: Comments Regarding the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization 2035 Long Range Land Use Plan Alternatives Analysis The Orange Unified Transportation Board (OUTBoard) met Wednesday, August 27, 2008, to receive a presentation from the Lead Planning Agency of Durham-Chapel Hill- Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization regarding the Altematives Analysis for the DCHC 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan, and endorsed the following comments regarding the Alternatives Analysis. The OUTBoard recommends transportation options that include: • Rail transportation including commuter rail service between Burlington and Raleigh that would serve Orange County; • Enhanced local bus and express bus service with shorter delays; • More investment in roadway "hotspots"fintersection improvements instead of overall roadway widening; Off-road pedestrian and bicycle facilities as well as roadway improvements for bicycle and pedestrian facilities; • Integration with land use planning that channels development into high density mixed use development along transit corridors; • Focusing transportation improvements in designated Economic Development Zones; and • Park and ride lots as a congestion relief alternative. The following comments refer to the Regional Transit Vision Plan: • The rail vision plan should consider other possible existing rail corridors in the region as possible elements for expansion and to enhance the viability of the rail vision plan. OUTBoard Comments Regarding the DCHC MPO 2035 Long Range Land Use Plan Alternatives Analysis The commuter rail service is not shown on maps depicting the Special Transit. Advisory Commission's recommended rail vision plan, although the STAC report recognizes the need for coordination with other plans and initiatives for transportation options that might be extended to commuters from regions coming into the region along the North Carolina Railroad corridor. The Fixed Guideway Option includes all the STAC recommendations and the project tables in Section 4 list it as a STAC recommendation. 6 • The rail vision plan should include direct rail service to the Raleigh-Durham International.