Agenda - 04-06-1999 - 8j - Laserfiche WebLink

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M 2�ff7 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 11 AND ORANGE COUNTY PLANNING BOARD MINUTES FEBRUARY 22, 1999 DRAFT OF FOLLOWING SECTION ONLY: D. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS 2. Comprehensive Plan Amendment b) Bicycle Transportation Plan Component This item was presented by Planner Slade McCalip for the purpose of receiving citizen comment on a draft Comprehensive Plan Amendment for the update to the Transportation Element of the Comprehensive Plan. He briefly reviewed some of the advantages of bicycle transportation, such as a reduction in traffic congestion and noise and air pollution. There would also be a reduced need for road maintenance as well as being a significant cost savings to the user. Bicycle transportation is the most efficient, least polluting type of transportation that exists.. During the Task Force's analysis of the roads in Orange County they found that the roads are too narrow for cars by themselves. When bicycles are added it becomes a danger to the cyclist and to a lesser degree to the driver. This plan addresses that issue by defining priority routes so that cyclists can get around between the urban areas of Orange County and use their bikes for transportation. The Bicycle Plan Component Task Force created the Draft Bicycle Transportation Plan. The Task Force provided their input as to what the goals of this plan should be and also which cycling routes are the most important to the cyclists of Orange County. Staff was then directed to develop a plan with recommendations for implementing the goals and making improvements to the priority routes. The Task Force endorsed this draft plan at their June meeting. At the Planning Board's August 5, 1998 meeting the Board accepted the draft plan and sent it to the Commissioners with the following recommendations from the Bicycle Plan Component Task Force and modified by the Planning Board: 1) That a permanent and formal bicycle advisory committee be formed; 2) Dedicate part-time (the task force recommended full -time) staff support for the advisory Committee; 3) Update the 1974 Bikeways Act; and 4) That this task force remain together until after TIP project a -3606 is complete ($ 50,000 that the State has programmed for Orange County to develop a bicycle suitability map). QUESTIONS AND /OR COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS: Chair Gordon clarified that the Board of Commissioners are simply being asked to review the plan, make recommendations and then make comments and/or suggestions to the Planning Board for a recommendation. She commented that the Orange County Commission For the Environment has stated that they are interested in this project and they have indicated they would like to undertake suggestion #1 and #2 which were listed in the agenda abstract. Those items are 1) that a permanent and formal bicycle advisory committee be formed, and 2) that part-time staff be dedicated for the advisory committee. The Commission For the Environment would actually incorporate those tasks into its work. Commissioner Halkiotis asked clarification as to why they were interested in taking on this project. Chair Gordon stated that they are interested in this issue. She also commented that this Task Force will end unless it is made a permanent committee. She felt that it was a philosophical point as to whether it was best for the Commission to handle this or to have another Task Force remain in place. Commissioner Halkiotis stated that he was opposed to this suggestion. He felt that the Bicycle Plan Component Task Force should be allowed to continue their work as they have indicated a desire to do so. QUESTIONS AND /OR COMMENTS FROM THE ORANGE COUNTY PLANNING BOARD: None. C:vb1CyM.d0C Last WW@d 02=M 4:07 PM