Agenda - 02-12-2007-4 - Laserfiche WebLink

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In summary, the plan examines the corridor in light of the proposed project and the Town's adopted Greenways Master Plan (2006), which includes connections to other nearby neighborhoods north and south of Bolin Creek. The corridor that is examined is 1.9 miles in length, and the concept plan provides specific recommendations for "routing and construction of a 10-foot wide multi-use path designed to accommodate recreational and non-motorized modes of transportation". The Concept Plan addresses connectivity as a shared bikeway and pedestrian facility that is a key internal segment of a planned 9-mile long trail that will ultimately connect Millhouse Road in northwest Chapel Hill with Pinehurst Road near Meadowmont in southeast Chapel Hill. The. potential corridor is shaped by both design criteria and environmental impacts -including the significant issue of how to traverse Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard. The plan also addresses construction issues (navigating steep terrain on creek banks), the corridor's landscape, and potential trail amenities. There are 8 project goals that guide the master plan: ^ Design a trail that avoids at-grade road crossings wherever possible, o Design a trail that would result in no-rise in regulatory flood flows in Bolin Creek, ^ Maintain a 10-foot width of trail with a maximum 5% slope to the greatest extent possible, ^ Avoid the need to acquire easements on private property to the greatest extent possible, ^ Avoid disturbance to Bolin Creek, Tanyard Branch and other tributaries to the greatest extent possible, ^ Avoid the loss of large trees to the greatest extent possible, ^ Avoid the need to relocate existing infrastructure improvements (bridges, water and sewer lines), and ^ Minimize the impact of the trail on adjacent residents. The Concept Plan examines the proposed extension by segment, and includes design options and projected cost estimates. Once comments have been received from the Board, the Town Council will take up the. concept plan, probably in March. Suggestions or questions identified by County staff to date include: ^ Have there been Town Council discussions to date regarding the funding for future work and construction? ^ Addition of mention in the plan of funding provided by Orange County for the project, ^ Notation of the regional context of the greenway (the connection north via Millhouse Road could tie into County parks and open space and the proposed New Hope Rustic Woodland Trail), and . o The need for a map series corresponding to the segments used for cost estimates. FINANCIAL IMPACT: On September 9, 2004, at request of the Town, the County agreed to use the $1.0 million in 2001 County bonds for Chapel Hill greenways toward this project. $75,000 was allocated toward the concept plan design at that time. This has been matched by $100,000 from the Town's 2003 Parks Bond. Cost estimates for construction of the greenway from Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard to Estes Drive Extension and beyond have been prepared by the design consultant, and broken into segments. Two of the proposed segments are spurs of the main greenway. There are several options associated with each segment, with a recommended option and cost estimate. The