Minutes 03-07-2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

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10 John Morris said the BOCC is being pressured tonight to make big decisions without full information and enough time. He said GoTriangle created these current problems. He shared his concerns about the light rail plan. He expressed support for a public hearing after the BOCC has received the results of its independent analysis. Joan Guilkey said their dream of light rail has become a nightmare, and costs will fall to the taxpayers in Orange County with the train not starting until 2029. She voted for the transit tax in 2012, but she did not vote for what is proposed now. She expressed support for the Board of County Commissioners holding a public hearing. Shannon Stephenson said Aldersgate UMC is at the end of their neighborhood, and it will not exist if light rail is put in. She said her neighborhood is in the bull's eye, and while they support public transit, they do not support this plan. She said she supports the petition for a public hearing. Heather Brutz said she is a transit user by choice, and she is in support of the light rail and increased bus service. She said her employment has always depended on access to transit. Ben Reinhart said he relies on public transit in Chapel Hill, and where he chose to live and work was dependent on access to public transit. He said a strong public transportation system can expand the horizons of all residents of the area. Sue Hunter said she is in favor of light rail, and she sees it as an artery and not the only transit tool. She said the LRT is a natural extension of the rural buffer, which increased residential density inside it. She said LRT is an investment in the overall transportation system. She said everyone may not use the LRT, but there are many services that are not used by all but are still paid for by all, such as schools or parks. Alyson Coleman said she is the President of her HOA in Richmond Hills in Efland. She said there is one bus that goes from her community to Duke, but because of her schedule she cannot take it. She said the service is so limited. She said the bus system is a cupcake with no frosting, sprinkles or cherry. She said this must be improved before adding LRT. Paula Hemmer is an environmental engineer. She uses public transportation when she can, but finds the service to be very limited. She said buses are a flexible option to light rail. She said the LRT project is just a sexy fixed line bus, and it is too costly. She challenged the BOCC to think outside the box, and build up their bus ridership before considering the light rail. Commissioner Marcoplos expressed thanks to the public for all their comments. He said he is trying to figure this all out, and he needs to understand the financial part of this plan. He said he has been researching bus rapid transit as an alternative to light rail. He said there are few gold level BRT systems with dedicated lanes. He said there are varying levels of services that seem to go slower, and thus he does not see BRT as an alternative to light rail outside of the cost. He said getting to the gold level BRT would be just as costly as light rail. He said he welcomes alternative research to what he has discovered. Commissioner Price said BRT has controls on buses that trigger the lights, and there are different levels of BRT. Commissioner Jacobs said wherever opinions may fall, he appreciated people coming to the meeting and being involved. Commissioner Jacobs said he hoped that there will be a public hearing on this issue, once the requested information is received. Commissioner Jacobs said he will reserve judgement until the end of April, but he did come up with four questions during the public comment period. They are: 1. What is Orange County's financial exposure, immediately and long term, beyond the funds generated by the 1/2 cent sales tax? 2. Can we be confident that GoTriangle can successfully execute the plan before us or any amended plan?