Agenda - 11-19-2013 - 5c - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

53 Attachment 4 Jon Arvik said he came to ask for help. He said Chair Jacobs comment regarding classification of Old NC 10 as a scenic area provided hope for the help. He said he moved here 7 years ago for the rural neighborhood, clean air, quiet, and claims on the County website. He said neighbors are still great, but the difficulty is air contamination and heavy truck traffic with noise. He said his history is in environmental science and airborne particulates and their health effects. He said Weldon Ridge is in close proximity to NC 10 and there is heavy traffic going at high speeds, spewing diesel exhaust, which is a human carcinogen. He said he moved here voluntarily, but he did not want to see these trucks going down these smaller roads. He said his concern is the health of his neighbors. Joseph Henderson lives at 5316 Old Hillsborough Road. He said he hopes everyone can come to an agreement to develop and maintain the landscape, while creating jobs and business opportunities. He says there is only one piece of paper, and he said there should be 3 that can be discussed. He said Old NC 10 is a beautiful drive and a wonderful place for bicyclists and joggers. He said commercial traffic should be limited to Highway 70. He said he has seen the new lines for access to 70 and this is a waste of money. He said this eliminates only 2 minutes of driving and is a waste of time and resources. Paul Guthrie said the transportation map includes the location of potential rail stop. He said there needs to be significant discussion on the location of this. He said this decision involves issues outside of the current discussion. Commissioner McKee asked what the speed limit is in this area. He noted that Pleasant Green Road on the north side of Highway 70 has an extended area of 45 miles per hour. He noted that the Board does not have the authority to regulate speed limit or what traffic can use the roads. He said the speed limits need enforcement in this area. Chair Jacobs said one of the reasons he likes going to football games at Duke is because there is not a lot of traffic, and he uses Old 10 as a shortcut. He said he does enjoy this drive and the sense of being in the country. He empathizes with the residents' comments. He said it could be part of the motion that the Planning Staff should share how the Saint Mary's scenic corridor works and how this might be applied to NC 10. He said DOT can be asked to reduce the speed limits, but speed limit is usually only reduced if there are high rates of accidents in the area. Chair Jacobs followed up on Commissioner Gordon's question regarding the petition against the access management plan. He said there was an underlying decision made by a previous Board that changed the land use plan, but that is not what is before the Board at this time. He said that is a topic for a later discussion. Commissioner Price said she travels in that area and she feels that an increase in the use intensity would mean more traffic and higher speeds. She said she has seen so many of the accident shrine markers on that road. She said something does need to be done. She said the same is true of Saint Mary's Road. She said DOT can intervene. Commissioner Rich referred to Chair Jacobs mention that the petition was for the wrong discussion, and she asked if the petitioner was in agreement with this statement. Chair Jacobs said the underlying issue from the petition is that the land use has changed.