Agenda - 03-21-1989 - Laserfiche WebLink

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4 Memorandum to Orange County Commissioners March 15, 1989 Page 2 During the March 13 Commissioner's meeting, the question arose, "why is this plan needed?" The Commissioners past understanding that adequate transportation is a major service to the citizens of Orange County answers the question generally. Specifically, if the County does not hire a consultant, the Plan will not be completed. The County staff does not have the time, or technical expertise to provide a complete transportation plan package. How will Orange County benefit from the proposed scope of work in this contract? Phase 1 of the study involves four specific tasks for the consultant. The first and major task will be to develop a County-specific Road Classification System to aid in planning for the development that will occur within the County, both commercial and residential. This system will evaluate existing community traffic patterns and tie into the thoroughfare plans from surrounding jurisdictions. With the involvement of NCDOT, the plan will provide clear, intentions as to how the road system in our county should be utilized and developed. The need for adequate transportation planning documents with which to base our ordinances is self-evident. The need to hire a consultant with the expertise of Rimley-Horn that can act as a liaison between the County and NCDOT and produce those planning documents is also apparent. The second task will be to define within the Road Classification System, collector and sub-collector streets. The concept is to provide the County with a way to help determine when and where to provide for the continuation of street systems in new subdivisions, such as with stub-outs, additional right-of-way, and easements. The third task will be to evaluate the private road standards described in the County Zoning Ordinance, and the fourth task is to review the County's Traffic Impact Ordinance and to evaluate and propose recommendation for changes as necessary. Phase 1 of this proposal involves a great deal of County staff and consultant time in gathering quantitative statistics and evaluating data as well as providing recommendations concerning transportation ordinance issues that need to be resolved. Phase 2, which the Transportation Committee will request funding for in FY 1989-90, will involve tying together all the transportation alternatives available in the County and forming an implementation schedule necessary to put the transportation element to work for the County.