Minutes 09-19-2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

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20 Recommendation • Receive the report, maps and proposed next steps • Receive public comment • Provide direction and feedback to staff • Schedule the plan for further discussion and decision Commissioner Price asked if this acquisition of land is incumbent upon the County. David Stancil said there are sponsors, typically jurisdictions, who provide most of the funding, as well as the state/other sources that can be leveraged. He said Alamance County has $300,000 from the State Parks and Recreation Trust Fund to match its money for trail acquisition. PUBLIC COMMENT: Allan Green said he is a resident of Cane Creek/Bingham Creek, and an avid MST hiker; and has been on past Parks and Recreation Board. He is encouraged that there is a proposed route, and that it includes an option for an interim route on roads, while the wilderness parts of the trail are being completed. He said the proposed portion around Cane Creek is disappointing though, and does not include the shoreline of the lake, and he wanted to know why. He said north of Cane Creek the route follows on private land, and he wonders how this will work, and if an alternate route will be needed here as well. He noted that it has been two years since the initial meeting on the MTS, and he hoped that the Board would encourage staff to pursue this. Todd Stabley is the Chairman of the Hillsborough Parks and Recreation Board, which passed a resolution supporting the completion of the MTS through Orange County. Carl Shy said he wanted to address the section of the MTS that goes through the OWASA property, and said he owns a football field sized section of land that could serve as a trailhead and parking area at the southern end of the OWASA lands. He said he would like to have the Board's approval to have a group of volunteers, to work with staff and OWASA to route the trail through the OWASA and neighboring properties. Scott Zimmerman said he is here to advocate for the MTS through Orange County. He said this has been a long process, and the Friends of the MTS are here and willing to help in any way possible to help this come to fruition. Heidi Perry said the MTS has been in the planning process for 40 years. She said if it is ready to go, and there is funding, she is not trying to hinder it; but it is her understanding that there are several restrictions on the OWASA property, and obstacles with landowners. She said if alternate routes need to be considered, she hopes the BOCC will consider making the trail a multi-use path, despite the unpopularity of the idea with some hikers. She said Orange County has an opportunity to catch up with Durham and Wake counties with greenways, and she encouraged the Board to give consideration to multi-use trails. Tamara Saunders read a letter from Rob Crook in support of The Great Circle Route, running along the Norfolk-Southern rail line, connecting many areas of Durham and Orange counties. She said the route would also connect to the MTS and the East Coast greenway, which is currently being developed. She said this would serve as a bold step towards multi- modal transportation. Bonnie Hauser said the MTS does not run through her backyard, but she has watched this project divide neighbors for years. She said she called the State Parks and Recreation office and learned that not many people are hiking this trail from end to end, and that Orange County must decide what is best for its citizens. She said the State emphasized the requirement that Hillsborough and Saxapahaw must be connected. She said the County has