Minutes 04-18-2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

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24 Kim Hunter said she is for light rail. She said she represents the Southern Environmental Law Center, where she works on transportation projects throughout the State. She said their primary aim in supporting this project is about land use. She said the LRT will not put an end to congestion, but it is essential in guiding land use, and how the region grows. She said guiding land use provides benefits to greenhouse gas emissions, to air quality, to water quality, etc. Tana Hartman Thorn is a resident of rural Orange County, and an outspoken progressive. She encouraged the BOCC to behave wisely and conservatively on this project. She asked the Board if it is comfortable bequeathing the LRT costs to their grandchildren in this economy. She said, if not, then the Board should vote against this. Charles Humble read the following comments: Commissioners, The hour is late; I will be brief. We have heard many descriptions of the escalating costs and minimal benefits for Orange County residents from the proposed Light Rail line. We have heard how escalating costs have reduced funding for the N-S Bus Rapid Transit system that promised to serve areas of rapid growth in Chapel Hill. We have heard how those costs threaten funding of other modes that serve communities elsewhere in Orange County with far fewer transportation options and higher levels of need. And as for affordable housing: that problem will be increased along the Rail line, not decreased. In 2012 we voted for a flexible — if vaguely defined —transit plan that could address needs throughout the county and be fully funded through the transportation tax and related fees. I doubt even proponents voted to tie our collective hands for 45 years as technologies and options change all around us. Yet that is what they want you to do in the next 2 weeks —vote to limit the options for our residents for the next 45 years. Before I became a member of the Sierra Club in the 80s and a sustaining donor to SELC, indeed, before I became an environmentalist, I was raised a preacher's kid in The South. I know deeply held religious views when I see them. And that is what I am seeing from LR proponents. They are preaching the Old Time Religion of the environmental benefits of this Rail system. As described by Julie McClintock, the EIS for the project says those benefits are few and almost all will be seen in Durham County at the cost of the transportation needs of so many of our citizens. Further, Durham's gains put at risk moneys for our schools and other services. Proponents don't care. To true believers in this Rail line (and the folks who stand to profit from it) the depth of the financial hole that Davenport says we will fall into is not important. Commissioners: "Is the depth of that financial hole important to you? Thank you. Tony Blake provided and reviewed a hand out. He said he is against the LRT. He said it will not promote affordable housing, and will only exacerbate sprawl. He said there needs to be a more comprehensive transit plan that serves the entire County. Lee Storrow said this is a passionate community that agrees on a great deal. He said this community supports the environment, sustainability, and access for residents to good transit. He said he supports light rail as a component of a broader transportation plan for this region. He said the community cannot be scared of making big investments. Ann Loftin said there is one thing that all could agree on: a trolley that could run from Durham throughout Orange County, and a train that went to the airport, and a train to Raleigh;