Agenda - 09-15-1998 - 10b - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

_ - _ The Orange County Comprehensive Plan contains designations for some of the existing State-maintained roads as arterials or collectors. Section IV-B-3-c-1 of the Subdivision Regulations establishes minimum right-of--way widths for each classification of road: 100 feet for arterials and 70 feet for collectors. If a subdivision is proposed on a road designated in the Comprehensive Plan as either arterial or collector, and the existing dedicated public right-of--way is 60 feet, then additional right-of--way is required whether the application is being processed as a major or a minor subdivision. Every new lot created through subdivisions subject to the Orange County Subdivision Regulations is required to meet the same set of standazds regazdless of the size of the subdivision or whether the applicant is a professional developer or a relative of the property owner. The U.S. Constitution guazantees "equal protection under the law," which in the case of land use regulations means consistently enforcing the same set of standazds for similaz types of development projects. The application of specific standazds varies based only RAFT on location reflecting differences ;n zoning districts, recreation service azeas, Q etc. (One exception is the traffic impact study.) Requiring larger building setbacks does not accomplish the public purpose set forth in Section IV-B-3-c-1, i.e., public right-of-way dedication. Land use buffers (30 feet and 75 feet wide) aze required adjacent to the right-of--way collectors and arterials, but not as a substitute for the right-of-way dedication. The purpose of the Subdivision Regulations includes "to insure adequate planning of street systems." If additional right-of--way for arterials and collectors is not dedicated with adjacent minor subdivision, the opportunity to plan for upgrading those roads to accommodate increased traffic is lost. The obvious result is future traffic congestion on roads that aze unsafe. Dedications of additional road right-of--way aze treated in the same manner as new public roads and stubouts. When the final plat is approved, the property owner signs a certificate on the plat which in part makes the offer of public dedication. Consequently, the County Manager signs another certificate on the plat to accept the offer on behalf of the public. Using this procedure the public right-of--way is held by Orange County on behalf of the public without maintenance responsibility, insuring that it will be available when road improvements aze needed and the State takes over maintenance of the additional right-of-way. AGENDA ITEM #12: REPORTS a. Draft Bicycle Plan Presentation by Slade McCalip. This item is to review a draft Bicycle Transportation Plan for inclusion in the Transportation Element of the Comprehensive Plan and to review reseazch on Non-Motorized Transportation Facilities in North Cazolina Counties. The Bicycle Plan Component Task Force was appointed by the Orange County Boazd of Commissioners on November 19, 1997 with the following specific chazge: To prepaze a Bicycle Plan Component to the Transportation Element of the Orange County Comprehensive Plan, including recommendations for 3.