Orange County NC Website
<br />some cases no shoulder at all. This has made the road even more unsafe far bicyclists. She <br />said that on Smith Level Road many changes only go to Rock Haven, and she would like the <br />County Commissioners to advocate that this be moved further south, and that Smith Level Road <br />be considered all the way to Damascus Church Road. <br />Mike Vaught is Lynne Bresler's husband. He said that he is an avid bicyclist and walker, <br />and that he is available to answer any questions about bicycling since he rides this road all of <br />the time. He said that he likes the changes that have been made to the area since he has <br />moved into the neighborhood and he looks forward to any of the suggested improvements. <br />Terri Buckner said that one of the reasons that getting the road designated as a bike <br />route is so important is because DOT had representatives on the task force, and the <br />representatives said that roads that have designated bike routes are eligible for additional <br />funding for non-vehicular improvements. <br />Commissioner Jacobs made reference to page 12 of the report and asked why the <br />recommendation was to have OPT connect to Chapel Hill Transit to bring workers to UNC. He <br />said that it would be more logical to ask Chapel Hill Transit to make this connection. Terri <br />Buckner said that the task force was told it would be a useless request, since this area is in the <br />County and does not pay Chapel Hill taxes. <br />Commissioner Jacobs said that he thinks the idea of narrowing lanes by six inches might <br />sound good but teenage drivers are not the safest drivers, so it might turn out to be less safe to <br />narrow a road. He said that the other recommendation of encouraging parents to use the bus is <br />his favorite. <br />Commissioner Jacobs said that when Carrboro High was built, some money was <br />designated for smart growth initiatives. He asked if this money was spent for these purposes. <br />Terri Buckner said that she thinks that funding was used to put in sidewalks along Rock Haven <br />Road and one section of Smith Level Road that runs in front of the ball fields. <br />Commissioner Nelson said that this was a thorough report and he urged staff to bring <br />this back to the County Commissioners as soon as possible because there have been problems <br />with Smith Level Road for a long time. <br />Commissioner Gordon said that she was the County Commissioner liaison an this task <br />force. She made reference to the matrix showing interest of jurisdictions, and said that Orange <br />County has an interest in almost everything on the list. She would like to add Orange County as <br />an interested party to a few more of these recommendations. She also thinks that these <br />recommendations should be looked at comprehensively, meaning that Chapel Hill, Carrboro, <br />and Orange County would be partners in looking at the Smith Level Road recommendations. <br />Chair Carey said that the County Commissioners would refer this to staff to address in a <br />timely manner. <br />4. Consent Agenda <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Jacobs to <br />approve those items on the consent agenda as stated below: <br />a. Minutes <br />The Board approved the minutes from June 21, 26 and August 21, 27, 2007 as submitted by the <br />Clerk to the Board. <br />b. Appointments <br />(1) Human Service Advisory Commission -Reappointments <br />The Board reappointed Emily Adams, Vivette Jeffries-Logan, Megan Morris, and Michael <br />Owen to first full terms ending March 31, 2010 and Patty Murray Hill to a second full term <br />ending March 31, 2010 to the Human Services Advisory Commission. <br />c. Motor Vehicle Property Tax ReleaselRefunds <br />