Agenda - 10-23-2007-6c - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: October 23, 2007 Action Agenda Item No. (0 - C SUBJECT: Hillsborough Train Stop Citizens Group DEPARTMENT: Planning and Inspections PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Petition Submitted to the Town of Hillsborough Karen Lincoln, 245-2594 (Under Separate Cover) Craig Benedict, 245-2592 PURPOSE: To consider a citizens group's request to pursue a passenger rail service for Hillsborough, and to authorize Planning staff to work with the Town of Hillsborough and residents to further investigate all issues related to establishing a train stop in Hillsborough. BACKGROUND: Planning staff and Hillsborough Planning staff met on August 24, 2007 with a group of citizens interested in seeking passenger rail service in Hillsborough to share knowledge, history and perspectives regarding establishment of a train stop. According to an article in The News of Orange County, passenger rail service in Hillsborough ceased in March of 1964 when the Southern Railroad discontinued daily service between Greensboro and Goldsboro. The article did not state when the station was demolished, however. The initial impetus of the group is to establish an AMTRAK stop in Hillsborough. The group is also seeking support to plan for future Triangle Transit Authority (TTA) commuter rail service to Hillsborough. The group discussed pros and cons of a train stop in Hillsborough, location options, actions needed to establish a train stop, and next steps. The proposed course of actions (next steps) are: • To obtain support of the local jurisdictions (Hillsborough and Orange County) through commitment of staff time to pursue this idea; • To obtain support of the local jurisdictions to contact NCDOT and AMTRAK to discuss issues and actions required to establish a Hillsborough train stop; • To contact other committees and organizations to further gauge interest by local citizens and businesses; and • To obtain a letter or resolution of support to submit to the North Carolina Division of State Contracts to request that AMTRAK determine the feasibility of adding a Hillsborough stop to an existing (Carolinian, Piedmont service) or planned future rail service. Over 366 local supporters of a train stop in Hillsborough have signed a petition asking AMTRAK (National Railroad Passenger Corp.), the Special Transit Advisory Committee (STAC), North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), North Carolina Railroad (NCRR), Orange County Government, Hillsborough Town Government, Triangle Transit Authority (TTA) and "any other appropriate agencies/entities" to work together towards establishing a train stop in Hillsborough. The Hillsborough Board of Commissioners, on September 10, 2007, authorized staff, the mayor and board members to make contact with other agencies to determine interest and steps needed to