Minutes 12-11-2012 - Laserfiche WebLink

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MPO 2040 transportation plan that the TTA plan is based on. Our unanimous decision was based on many factors. Because of time constraints, I will share only some of them with you tonight. The Planning Board is encouraging the use of responsible data-based decision practices. In view of that, we have serious questions about the plan's population projections. Although a specific critical mass is needed to support transit, no data was presented proving that Chapel Hill could successfully absorb the quantity of housing and commercial building necessary for the type of transit proposed. A significant drawback to the plan is that it does not support many of the Future Focus areas established by the 2020 Comprehensive Plan. These areas, restricted to transit corridors, will most likely accommodate much of the projected growth for Chapel Hill. The small area plans that will be produced are expected to create density downtown, the length of MLK, Jr. Blvd, along 15-501 south and north near Ephesus Church Road. The Board believes that it is the Comprehensive Plan that should drive growth and development, and that a transit plan should be used to support that vision. We also noted the plan's shortcomings in serving the decentralizing hospital system, two Durham Tech Campuses and the county's two economic development zones. Light rail's very narrow area of impact provides the least flexibility in response to our changing growth patterns. It is the Planning Board's opinion that flexible, frequent and more extensive bus service, along with safe bike lanes and sidewalks, would better meet the needs of commuters and transit users, and at a lower cost per rider. The Planning Board is particularly concerned that the transit plan offers minimal improvement in travel times, which to us, is essential in order to encourage ridership and benefit the taxpayers who are funding it. Our consensus was that given the percentage of trips that will still occur by car, the low percentage of transit ridership, and the level of congestion remaining, we have not met the goals of a comprehensive transit plan, and will not achieve our transportation or environmental objectives. As you know, based partly on our input, the town council has created a new transportation workgroup —which could be an asset to the county if you opt to delay the tax and work to correct the deficiencies in the transit plan. You have my commitment to provide a rapid response on issues brought to the Chapel Hill planning board. The Planning Board will continue to encourage the Council to align transportation improvements with the future focus areas and to consider the dynamics of a more 21 st century plan by incorporating forward-looking demographics such as population aging, new home- workplace trends, on-line education opportunities, environmental protection and serving the broadest range of the County residents. You are making a pivotal decision that will impact all of the County for a long time. As the chair of the CH Planning Board, I know that we all want to make the most responsible and supportive decision for Orange County. Because the County will lose important negotiating leverage if you approve the tax tonight, I ask that you Ip ease consider a delay so that you can make sure that the transit plan is truly aligned to the priorities of the towns, the county and UNC. Linda Haac serves on Carrboro's Transportation Advisory Board. She said that she is speaking about the comments from her board on the 2040 Transportation Plan. She said that the plan needs to be fiscally constrained. She said that one thing that surprised her board was that the road miles did not change much with the inclusion of light rail. There was also great concern about the model used. It appeared to not explore different scenarios. She said that another board member expressed that transit investment should be paired with transportation demand management. There was also concern that the plan did not account for greenhouse emissions. She asked the Board to think about these things before making a decision.