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64 17 <br /> LOCATION: The initial planning for one.,of the above facilities would be to physically <br /> bisect a superblock in order to derive the greatest benefit. However, there are <br /> geographic considerations that may alter such placement. Major creek crossings and <br /> severely steep topography should be avoided. Generally, the maximum grade for such <br /> a facility would be approximately 7—9%. <br /> NEED: Because different levels and types of development intensity will generate <br /> varying amounts of traffic, the need for additional facilities should be determined based <br /> on the Land Use Element of the Comprehensive Plan and on specific development <br /> plans. The Planning Staff should review transportation needs as development occurs, <br /> as, provided for in Article 13 of the Orange County Zoning Ordinance. Any needed <br /> additional collector or major local road facilities should be provided as public roads in <br /> order to ensure maintenance and access by the general public. <br /> D. OTHER SIGNIFICANT TRANSPORTATION ELEMENTS <br /> Non-Motorized Transportation <br /> Orange County's transportation system is dominated by the road network but is not <br /> entirely defined by it. Rail facilities and air services are also part of the transportation <br /> system and contribute to the movement of people and goods through Orange County. <br /> In addition, non-motorized transportation is a component of transportation and is <br /> included in this plan as a bicycle transportation component. The Orange County Board <br /> of County Commissioners adopted A Bicycle Transportation Plan on April 6, 1999. <br /> Rail Transportation <br /> Orange County is served by the Southern Railroad which traverses the central portion <br /> of the County in an east/west direction running parallel to the 1-85/US 70 corridor <br /> through Eno, Hillsborough and Cheeks Townships. The Southern Railroad also serves <br /> the southern portion of the Carrboro/Chapel Hill area although that segment of the line <br /> is now rarely used. <br /> Air Transportation <br /> Orange County is served by one publicly-owned airport. Horace Williams, a general <br /> aviation airport, is owned and operated by the University of North Carolina at Chapel <br /> Hill. In recent decades, the airport has become surrounded by concentrated residential <br /> development resulting in conflict between development and airport operations. In an <br /> effort to reduce the level of conflict between the airport and its environs, the University <br /> has elected to impose a fifty craft limit on based aircraft and a corresponding ceiling on <br /> aircraft activity, effectively limiting the airport to one-third of its full service capacity. This <br /> action has not assuaged concerns of residents of surrounding neighborhoods who <br /> continue to exert pressure aimed at closing the airport. A study commissioned in 1988 <br /> to find another location for a County airport could not identify a suitable location. <br /> F:\PLANNINGIKLINCOLN\compptanitranseie.doc\2-10-00\2-18-00 <br />