Minutes 03-17-2015 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

A motion was made by Commissioner Pelissier, seconded by Commissioner Jacobs for the Board to: 1) Consider approval of the attached resolution (Attachment 2) approving and authorizing the plan; and 2) Authorize the Orange County Transportation Planning staff to submit the plan to the North Carolina Department of Transportation and Federal Transit Administration. VOTE: UNANIMOUS d. Svstem Safety Proqram Plan — Oranqe Public Transportation (OPT) The Board considered adopting an operational System Safety Program Plan (SSP) for Orange Public Transportation meeting the North Carolina Department of Transportation/Public Transportation Division (NCDOT/PTD) requirements. Peter Murphy (OPT Administrator) introduced Malcolm Massenburg, the new Assistant OPT Administrator. Peter Murphy said during the past summer OPT's system was reviewed and found to be in non-compliance in several areas. He said these items are listed in the summary. He said the items have been addressed and a letter of closure has been sent to the NCDOT. He said one remaining item is for the Board to adopt the systems safety plan. Commissioner Price referred to one citation where an employee was using a cell phone while driving. She asked if the use of cell phones is or will be prohibited while the vehicle is in motion. Peter Murphy said the use of cell phones, with the exception of hands free devices, are prohibited. He said drivers are instructed to pull over. He said the challenge is that the radio service does not reach all of the areas of the County, so the backup communication method is cell phones. He said drivers are told to pull over even when using a hands free device. Commissioner Price asked clarifying questions regarding the policy. Peter Murphy said the document makes it clear that drivers are not to drive and talk on the phone, and it references the way the law is written. He said this is discussed in training with drivers. He said there is also no texting allowed while driving. Chair McKee expressed his appreciation for staff's efforts to work on these issues. A motion was made by Commissioner Pelissier, seconded by Commissioner Price for the Board to adopt the staff-recommended System Safety Program Plan. VOTE: UNANIMOUS e. Comprehensive Plan and Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Amendment Outline and Schedule for Impervious Surface Amendments The Board considered: 1) Approving process components and schedule for a government initiated Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) text amendment for the May 26, 2015 Quarterly Public Hearing regarding impervious surface regulations; 2) Directing staff to proceed accordingly; and 3) Providing feedback on the need to establish a County wide impervious surface limit in those areas of the County not located within a watershed protection overlay district. Michael Harvey said this item is regarding a text amendment that will be reviewed at the May Quarterly Public Hearing. He reviewed the information in this abstract. He said staff has received a petition from an Orange County property owner to modify impervious surface ratios. He said he was instructed to initiate the ordinance amendment process to create the outline