Orange County NC Website
I <br />The proposed Old Well to Jordan Lake Scenic Byway (15 miles long) features a number <br />of locations with historical, natural, recreational, and educational values. It begins on the <br />campus of UNC Chapel Hill and would go generally south along Columbia Street (NC 86) <br />and Mount Carmel Church Road into Chatham County. The route would then pass <br />through the Governor's Club area along Farrington Point Road and continue south <br />across two sections of Jordan Lake to where the road ends at NC Highway 64 in the <br />middle of the Jordan Lake State Recreation Area (which includes a park office, <br />restrooms, boat ramp, swimming beach, and picnic areas). It is also known throughout <br />central North Carolina as a prime destination for bird watching and stargazing. <br />From Jordan Lake travelers could continue on their journey (via NC 64) or loop back to <br />Chapel Hill along the same roads or on a somewhat different route. The alternative <br />byway returns north on Farrington Point Road, Lystra Road (SR 1721), US Highway 15- <br />501, and Old Lystra Road (SR 1915) until it rejoins Mt. Carmel Church Road and back to <br />Chapel Hill. (See proposed route map attached.) <br />The proposed designation of the Old Well to Jordan Lake Scenic Byway would not <br />impose any new land -use restrictions or modifications along the roadways. The NCDOT <br />Scenic Byway materials include following implications for scenic byway designation: <br />• The Scenic Byway system is intended to identify, not create, scenic byways. <br />• NCDOT will incorporate the rules prescribed to sustain the integrity and safety of <br />the Scenic Byway /Highway system into its planning and maintenance operations. <br />• Scenic byway designation does not require any modification in local land use <br />regulations /restrictions or require any change in commercial or agricultural activity. <br />• Scenic byway designation does not affect future highway rehabilitation, <br />development, or the need to maintain or improve the roads. <br />• No new outdoor advertising signs may be erected adjacent to a designated scenic <br />byway that is or becomes part of the National Highway System (e.g., interstate or <br />federal -aid primary highway). Pre - existing signage may remain, however. [This <br />provision is not applicable to the proposed new scenic byway.] <br />A proposed resolution of County support for the application is attached for the Board's <br />consideration. The elected boards from Chatham County and the Town of Chapel Hill <br />are expected to consider their support of the application in May. Staff has also <br />requested a letter of support from the University of North Carolina. The final application <br />is due for submittal to NCDOT by August 31. <br />FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no cost associated with the application other than the <br />staff time involved in preparing the application and support materials. <br />RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the <br />resolution of support and authorize the Chair to sign on behalf of Orange County. <br />