Minutes 02-07-2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

19 Commissioner Jacobs explained why the Thoroughfare Plan was never adopted in 1990. He said the Department of Transportation (DOT) ignored the BOCC, to the point that Orange County hired a traffic consultant to re-do what DOT was doing in the rural parts of the County, around Hillsborough. He said DOT was trying to do an entire Raleigh outer loop around Hillsborough, including Davis Road, Elizabeth Brady Road, and a highway across the upper Eno watershed. He said the County Government at the time, as well as many Orange County citizens were very much opposed to some or all of those alignments, and so the BOCC hired a consultant. He said it was a struggle, partially, because Hillsborough had already adopted a plan before Orange County was consulted. He said Hillsborough's plan did not consider rural Orange County. He said they were also asked to design to the Efland Interchange, which is almost as incomprehensible as the Hampton Pointe parking lot. He said the County was not part of those conversations, and the BOCC objected. He said a meeting was meant to take place to resolve the differences, but this never occurred. He said at the same time, in August 1990, the BOCC decided not to add a large meeting room to the Government Services building, and were discussing the status of a countywide school district tax, but were waiting to hear from Orange County Schools (OCS), and were also discussing the possibility of combining into one school district. Commissioner Jacobs said, at the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), he wanted to make sure that none of these roads appeared on any contemporary maps, because those battles have been fought and won previously. Commissioner Jacobs asked if 1-40 is missing from the maps. Max Bushell said there is a link to interactive maps in the Board's packets. Commissioner Jacobs said he is looking at Attachment 3. Max Bushell said he included the maps in Attachment 3 as a sample of the type of information that is presented in the document. He said 1-40 is a major project statement, and he only included minor ones. He said there is additional information. Commissioner Rich asked if there is a link to that information. Max Bushell said yes, it is on page 3 under "next steps". He said there is a link to major project statements in the packet as well. Commissioner Jacobs asked if the person who prepared the verbiage in Attachment 3 could be identified. Max Bushell said the previous person in his position did so. Commissioner Jacobs asked if these are subject to refinement or is this the final word. Max Bushell said they can be refined. Commissioner Jacobs pointed out some inconsistencies: - 1-40 to the Durham County line, "to relieve anticipated congestion;" many would say this is already congested. - South Churton street: he said it would be good to have the specific vehicle count - Eno Moutain Rd/Mayo St/Orange Grove Rd intersection: this does not refer to the new development that has just opened at the corner of Eno Mt Rd and Orange Grove, nor does it refer to the 1,000 unit proposed Collins Ridge development - Eubanks Road: this makes no mention of Duke Forest Chair Dorosin asked if the appropriate method for getting Commissioner Jacobs' comments into the record could be identified. Staff said to provide them with a copy of Commissioner Jacobs' comments, and the changes will be made.