HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda -11-06-2008 - 4hORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: November 6, 2008
Action Agen a
Item No. ~ -
SUBJECT: Resolution Requesting Transportation Funds for Economic Development.
Transportation Projects
DEPARTMENT: Planning and Inspections PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) ~N
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
1. Resolution Requesting Funds for Economic Willie Best, 245-2308
Development Transportation Projects
2. Draft Letter to Division 7 BOT Member and Craig Benedict, 245-2592
Division Engineer
PURPOSE: To: 1) consider endorsing a resolution requesting North Carolina
Department of Transportation (NCDOT) Highway Division 7 funds for economic
development transportation projects; and 2) authorize the Chair to forward a letter to
North Carolina Board of Transportation (BOT) Division 7 board member and the
NCDOT Division 7 Engineer requesting the $400,000 reserved in Division 7 funds for
economic development transportation projects.
BACKGROUND: Orange County has been engaged in discussions with NCDOT
Division and District staff for several years regarding needed improvements to Buckhorn
Road to mitigate traffic problems stemming from an existing nonconforming use. in an
area designated for economic development. In October 2008, the Board of County
Commissioners approved the Buckhorn Village planned development on the site. The
1.1 million square foot mixed use development will necessitate improvements on
Buckhorn Road to accommodate estimated traffic generated by the retail,
accommodation, and food service establishments that will locate there.
The Buckhorn Road improvements meet the selection criteria for funding appropriated
by North Carolina Session Law 2007-323 for economic development transportation
projects. The NCDOT Division 7 Engineer has set aside $400,000 of the Division's
funds for economic development transportation projects in Orange County.
The funds must be requested by the Division 7 Board of Transportation member and
approved by the BOT as follows:
• The Board Member will complete the "Request for Economic Development
Funds" form to request Board approval for Economic Development Funds.
• The Board Member will submit through the Division Engineer the completed
request form to the Statewide Programs Oversight Committee.
2
The Statewide Programs Oversight Committee will review and make a
recommendation to the Secretary of Transportation.
The Secretary will review, approve, and place the item on the Board agenda for
action.
The Board of Transportation will review and take action on the proposed use of
Economic Development Funds.
It should be noted the Buckhorn Road improvements are one of Orange County's top
priorities in the Triangle Area Regional Planning Organization (TARPO) Priority List for
the Transportation Improvement Program, and have been for several years. Adverse
impacts to existing neighborhoods can also be reduced with the Buckhorn Road
improvements.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no direct financial impact associated with this item.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board:
1. Approve the resolution requesting economic development funds; and
2. Authorize the Chair to forward a letter to the NCDOT Division 7 Board of
Transportation member and the Division 7 Engineer requesting the funds.
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
A RESOLUTION REQUESTING TRANSPORTATION FUNDS FOR ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS
WHEREAS, Orange County has identified the area in western Orange County adjacent
to Interstate 85 and Buckhorn Road from US 70 to West Ten Road as an Economic
Development District; and
WHEREAS, Orange County has approved a 1.1 million square foot planned
development for the Interstate 85/Buckhorn Road Economic Development District that
will create an estimated 1,000 to 1,500 construction jobs and 1,500 to 2,000 permanent
jobs in the retail, accommodation and food services sectors; and
WHEREAS, a traffic impact analysis has estimated the development will generate over
45,000 trips per weekday and over 60,000 trips per day on weekends, with capture of
over 5,000 peak hour pass-by trips on weekends; and
WHEREAS, the Buckhorn Village planned development will also create 200 residential
units; and
WHEREAS, the Buckhorn Village planned development proposes three (3) access
points on Buckhorn Road between Interstate 85 and West Ten Road; and
WHEREAS, that traffic impact analysis recommends several improvements on
Buckhorn Road, an auxiliary lane on westbound Interstate 85 from the Weigh Station
on-ramp to the Buckhorn Road off-ramp, and signalization of several intersections to
handle increased traffic; and
WHEREAS, the project will produce an estimated $6 million in retail sales revenue per
year and an estimated $1.35 million in property tax revenue; and
WHEREAS, North Carolina Session Law 2007-323 makes base budget appropriations
for current operations of State departments that includes the North Carolina Department
of Transportation; and
WHEREAS, Section 27.3 of that act provides that, of funds appropriated by that act to
the Department of Transportation in fiscal year 2007-2008, fourteen million dollars
($14,000,000) be allocated equally among the 14 Highway Divisions for economic
development transportation projects recommended by the member of the Board of
Transportation; and
WHEREAS, the needed transportation improvements for Buckhorn Road will contribute
to further economic development; and
4
WHEREAS, the Buckhorn Village planned development ensures any needed right-of
way will be provided to NCDOT at no cost and that utility relocations will be
accomplished at no cost to NCDOT; and
WHEREAS, the Buckhorn Road improvements are one of Orange County's top
priorities in the Triangle Area Regional Planning Organization (TARPO) Priority List for
the Transportation Improvement Program, and have been for several years, and
adverse impacts to existing neighborhoods can also be reduced with the Buckhorn
Road improvements;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Orange County Board of
Commissioners that Orange County requests the $400,000 reserved in Division 7 funds
for economic development transportation projects, and authorizes the Chair to forward a
letter to the Board of Transportation member and the Division 7 Engineer requesting
those funds.
Upon motion of Commissioner ,seconded by Commissioner
the foregoing resolution was adopted this the 6th day of November 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 November 6, 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
DRAFT
BaRRr.lacoes. CHAIR ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
VALERIE P. FOUSHEE. VICE CHAIR POST OFFICE BOX 8 i 8 i
MOSES CaREY, JR
AuCEM. GORDON 200 SOUTH CAMERON STREET
MIKE NELSON
HILLSBOROUGH NORTH CAROLINA 27278
November 7, 2008
Mr. J. Douglas Galyon
Division 7 Member
North Carolina Board of Transportation
Post Office Box 14996
Greensboro, North Carolina 27415-4996
Dear Mr. Galyon:
~ ~ a
\th araY~%
The Orange County Board of County Commissioners wishes to express its appreciation
for the North Carolina Department of Transportation's cooperation and involvement with
Orange County over the past several years.
Through quarterly meetings with Division Engineer Mike Mills, District Engineer Chuck
Edwards and various NCDOT division and district staff, Orange County has
experienced a fruitful working relationship with the Department that has proved to be
very effective in addressing many transportation issues throughout the County. The
Board especially appreciates the participation of North Carolina Department of
Transportation staff on committees concerned with Economic Development District
transportation issues.
I am writing to request your assistance in obtaining $400,000 in Economic Development
Funds appropriated by Session Law 2007-323 Section 27.3 for improvements to
Buckhorn Road in the Interstate 85/Buckhorn Road Economic Development District. In
October 2008, Orange County approved a 1.1 million square foot mixed used
development to include retail, food service, and accommodation establishments that
are estimated to generate over 1,500 to 2,000 permanent jobs. A traffic impact analysis
estimates the development will generate over 45,000 trips per weekday and over
60,000 trips per day on weekends. The developer has committed to many
improvements on Buckhorn Road and Interstate 85 as determined to be needed by the
North Carolina Department of Transportation and requested by Orange County.
It should be noted the Buckhorn Road improvements are one of Orange County's top
priorities in the Triangle Area Regional Planning Organization (TARPO) Priority List for
the Transportation Improvement Program, and have been for several years. Adverse
impacts to existing neighborhoods can also be reduced with the Buckhorn Road
improvements.
WWW. CO.ORANGE. NC. US
PROTECTING AND PRESERVING -PEOPLE, RESOURCES, QUALITY OF LIFE
ORANGE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA -YOU COUNT!
(919) 24fr2130 • FAX (919) 6440246
DRAFT
6
Orange County's request meets the project selection criteria for these funds as follows:
• The transportation improvements will contribute to further economic growth and
development, as Buckhorn Road improvements are necessary for the approved
economic development that will bring an estimated $6 million per year in sales
tax revenue to Orange County.
• Right-of-way for the improvements will be provided by the developer at no cost to
NCDOT.
• Utility relocations will be accomplished at no cost to NCDOT.
• Orange County is requesting the per project limit of $400,000.
We look forward to working with NCDOT staff in the future to provide a safe and
efficient transportation system throughout Orange County.
Sincerely,
Barry Jacobs, Chair
Board of County Commissioners
cc: Orange County Board of Commissioners
Mike Mills, Division Engineer
Chuck Edwards, District Engineer
Laura Blackmon, County Manager
Willie Best, Assistant County Manager
Craig Benedict, Planning Director
Karen Lincoln, Transportation Planner
VVVVW. CO.ORANGE. NC. US
PROTECTING AND PRESERV/NG -PEOPLE, RESOURCES, QUALfTY OF LIFE
ORANGE COUNTY, NORTH CAROL/NA -YOU COUNT!
(919) 245-2130 • FAX (919) 644-0246