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

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4. implementation, for all of Orange County outside of the municipal extra- _ territorial planning jurisdictions and the transition azeas of the Joint Planning Area Land Use Plan. To perform research for presentation to the Orange County Boazd of Commissioners on innovative bicycle and pedestrian connections between subdivisions and other developments. The Bicycle Plan Component should be based on the recommendations in the DCHC Regional Bicycle Plan and the results of the 1995 Orange County Bicycle Suitability Study. Appointment to the Task Force will expire with the Boazd of Commissioners decision on whether or not to adopt the recommended Bicycle Plan Component. The Bicycle Plan Task Force created the Draft Bicycle Transportation Plan over a 6-month period. The Task Force provided their input as to what the goals of this plan should be and also which cycling routes aze 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 the draft plan contained herein at their June meeting. At the request of Commissioner Brown at the November 19, 1997 meeting, reseazch has been performed to determine what Orange County can do to increase inter-connectivity between neighborhoods and neazby activities. The reseazch findings are summarized in the Non-Motorized Transportation Facilities in North Carolina report. This report outlines the existing policy conditions that influence pedestrian and bicycle facility planning, design, construction and maintenance for counties in North Cazolina. It also summarizes results from a statewide survey on pedestrian and bicycle facilities in other North Cazolina counties and explores options and methods that Orange County may employ to encourage accessibility and mobility on foot and by bicycle. Planning Staff recommendation is: Receive the Draft Bicycle Transportation Plan and Non-Motorized Transportation Facilities Reseazch Report. Review the Plan and Report and provide comments to staff prior to presentation of the Draft Plan and Report to the Commissioners. Recommend the Draft Plan and Report to the Commissioners for their consideration. Selkirk expressed appreciation for the comprehensive work done by McCalip in providing such a huge amount of information for the Bicycle Committee. He also expressed appreciation for the enthusiasm of the committee and recognized Kelly Evenson noting she had attended every meeting of the committee. McCalip stated that the plan has been sent out for informal review to the North Carolina Bicycle Committee members, Dr. Gene Griner and Liz Rooks, Carrboro, Chapel Hill, and Durham. McCalip continued that he would send the plan to all surrounding jurisdictions, state-wide planning branch, all of the bicycle planning authorities that he is awaze of and anyone else that the Planning Board feels should review it. Barrows noted that she was impressed with the amount of work that had been done to complete the draft plan. She asked for clarification of some of Carmen Borg's work regarding things that counties can and cannot do in North Cazolina because of State laws. North Cazolina laws prohibit counties from making road improvements but they are unclear about sidewalks and trails.