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Commissioner Halkiotis requested that projected enrollment figures be rechecked as <br />those figures are probably low. He asked that the new enrollment figures be included here. <br />Commissioner Gordon agreed with Commissioner Halkiotis' comments and suggestion. <br />She mentioned that it is clear that development often costs the County more than it produces in <br />revenues. <br />County Attorney Gledhill mentioned that the County would obtain a deed for the stub-outs <br />and would hold that deed until the stub-out is completed. He indicated that it was possible but very <br />unlikely that the buyer would not be aware that a road could be cut through their property. <br />Planner Kirk pointed out that the main difference between the conventional and <br />conservation options was the inclusion of open space in the conservation option. <br />Commissioner Brown suggested that the open space plan be reevaluated to determine <br />what criteria developers use in making their final decisions regarding which option to choose. <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Brown, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis, to <br />approve the Preliminary Plan for Mill Pointe Subdivision per the Planning Board recommendation. <br />VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br />c) NCDOT's Public Involvement Process for Improvements to Homestead Road <br />This item was presented by Transportation Planner Slade McCalip for the purpose of <br />considering information that may change the design and construction schedule of planned improvements <br />to Homestead Road. The proposed improvements programmed in the 1998-2004 State Transportation <br />Improvement Program include widening the road to a three lane facility with four foot paved shoulders to <br />accommodate bicycles. On June 25, 1997 NC DOT held an informational meeting at the Chapel Hill <br />Town Council Chambers for elected officials concerning planned improvements to Homestead Road. At <br />the meeting NC DOT staff proposed four different cross-section designs for Homestead Road. As the <br />meeting progressed, it became apparent that there were three main issues of concern to local officials. <br />These included: 1) the adequacy of the proposed capacity improvements for moving vehicles (i.e., are <br />five lanes needed now instead of three), 2) whether or not sidewalks would be provided, and 3) whether <br />or not bicycle facilities would be included in the proposed improvements. If additional lanes, curb and <br />gutter, etc. are requested, then construction will be delayed until additional funding for such <br />improvements can be secured. Also, DOT requires that local governments partially fund approximately <br />30% of new sidewalk construction. Because this road is physically located outside the city limits of the <br />Towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro and because NC DOT does not maintain sidewalks, a local <br />government would have to agree to accept and maintain the newly constructed sidewalks. The option <br />that is currently funded is Option #3 which includes 112 of a three lane road having 14' wide lanes (for <br />bicycles) with a sidewalk on the same side with a 4' paved shoulder on the opposite lane (for bicycles) <br />with no sidewalk (the intent of this design type is to provide a sidewalk on one side of the road and also <br />to prepare for the eventual need to widen the road to five lanes with the widening occurring only on the <br />side of the road which has the paved shoulder). <br />County Manager Link indicated that the turn lane that the Town of Chapel Hill is requiring <br />at the entrance to the new County facility will be fully explained at the next Board of Commissioners <br />meeting. This turn lane will be required regardless of which design option is chosen for the road. <br />Commissioner Gordon suggested referring this information to the Town of Chapel Hill to <br />coordinate the project request with them and to determine if they wish to include sidewalks in this project. <br />Their agreement would be necessary as they would be required to maintain the sidewalks.