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1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: April 9, 2013 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 5-h <br /> SUBJECT: Safe Routes to School Action Plan Overview and Proposed Schedule for Initial <br /> Adoption Steps <br /> DEPARTMENT: Planning and Inspections PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> 1. Amendment Form Abigaile Pittman, Transportation/Land Use <br /> 2. Overview of Draft SRTS Action Plan Planner, 245-2567 <br /> Tom Altieri, Comprehensive Planning <br /> Supervisor, 245-2579 <br /> Craig Benedict, Planning Director, 245-2592 <br /> PURPOSE: To authorize staff to proceed with initial Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Action Plan <br /> adoption steps according to the Amendment form for the SRTS Action Plan (Attachment 1). <br /> BACKGROUND: The North Carolina SRTS Program works with schools, local governments <br /> and agencies, advocacy and non-profit organizations, and public health professionals at a <br /> grassroots level to identify improvements that can help make bicycling and walking to and from <br /> school a safe and healthy transportation alternative. Orange County received a Safe Routes to <br /> School (SRST) Action Plan Service Award in July 2008 for planning assistance to prepare an <br /> Action Plan for Grady A. Brown Elementary School, Cameron Park Elementary School and <br /> C.W. Stanford Middle School. <br /> In 2009 the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) contracted Greenways, <br /> Incorporated and Greene Transportation Solutions to work with County staff, local agency <br /> representatives, School Team leaders and principals of the three schools to identify non- <br /> motorized infrastructure improvements that enhance safety for walking and bicycling. <br /> The Plan development process included a visioning and goals session and map working <br /> session with the project staff, steering committee, and consultants. This was followed by <br /> comprehensive fieldwork and a public workshop that sought input from residents, including <br /> parents, teachers, principals, children, Town of Hillsborough staff, and Orange County staff. <br /> This input and analysis led to the development of a draft plan that consisted of an analysis of <br /> existing conditions, and recommendations in the program's framework of engineering, <br /> education, encouragement, enforcement, and evaluation (the essential `5 E's' of the program). <br /> The draft Plan was reviewed by the NCDOT Bicycle and Pedestrian Division and a final draft <br /> was completed and returned to the Planning Staff in December 2012. <br />