Agenda - 10-03-2017 - 8-a - Minutes

Browse Search

22 1 good idea to look at OWASA's land and their restrictions, and he is intrigued by the idea of 2 using mitigation property. 3 Commissioner Jacobs said the greenways and the MTS are two different projects. He 4 said a multi-modal path is much better in the right of way, as it is an urban construct. He said 5 trails are better for rural areas, as multi modal paths in rural areas would invite All Terrain 6 Vehicles, which are destructive and noisy. 7 Commissioner Jacobs said the focus should be on getting started on the part of the trail 8 closest to Hillsborough, while smaller groups can look at sub-sections of the trail and advertise 9 that to nearby property owners. 10 Commissioner Jacobs said it is a terrible idea to put a fire ring in a remote location. 11 Commissioner Price asked if the way station is an idea or a concrete plan. 12 David Stancil said it is an idea at this point. He said work is going on at seven-mile 13 creek, and the idea of a way station could involve a well, or water source, a port-a-john or 14 composting toilet, and maybe a place to camp with a fire ring. 15 Commissioner Price said if a multi-use trail is pursued, it should be wheelchair 16 accessible, as much as possible. 17 Commissioner Rich asked if OWASA's various restrictions are consistent with rules 18 across the state and counties, and if hikers will be able to know the varying restrictions from 19 place to place. 20 David Stancil said one of the most important things that is incumbent on sponsored 21 jurisdictions is signage, and when one enters a trailhead in Orange County there will need to be 22 clear, frequent, obvious and concise information about what is/is not allowed. 23 Commissioner Marcoplos said the wilderness trails they create today will be the most 24 valuable in the future, and he agreed with Commissioner Jacobs about starting work on the trail 25 closest to Hillsborough. He said he would like the trail to go closer to the reservoir, and he 26 agreed with talking to OWASA about its restrictions. 27 Commissioner McKee asked David Stancil to put up a map on the screen. 28 David Stancil put up a map of"parkland and conservation areas in Orange County". He 29 said to look at the orange areas of the map, which are County-owned lands or open space; and 30 the light green areas of the map, which are parkland and open space owned by other entities. 31 Commissioner McKee said he is asking about this because residents contacted him 32 about the possibility of using the rail line. He said there is enough right-of-way to run a multi- 33 modal trail. He said he does not see as this being practical, as he doubts there will be enough 34 easements gifted, and that it will run on the road quite a bit. He said he would like to explore 35 the idea of coming out of the Saxapahaw area, possibly up through the southern part of the 36 OWASA lands, and over to Chapel Hill, where there is already an agreement between the 37 primary University of North Carolina campus, and Carolina North. He said there have been 38 preliminary discussions about the use of the rail line easement, as well as Brumley Forrest, 39 Duke Forrest lands, etc. He said there are ways to get from Chapel Hill to Hillsborough, and 40 the current trail along the Eno River, without impinging on nearly as much private property as 41 the western route. He said the MTS is primarily a rural walking area, but here it will be going 42 through an area with 70,000 people. He said a multi-modal trail for this short section would 43 make sense. 44 Commissioner McKee said there are many needs within the County, and funds only go 45 so far. He would like to see as many people served as possible. 46 Commissioner Jacobs asked Kate Dixon if there is an app for hikers. 47 Kate Dixon said yes, and it is available on the Friends of the MTS website as well as a 48 trail guide, with regulations on the different segments. 49 Chair Dorosin summarized the high points. 50 • Revisit their relationship with OWASA