OUTBoard agenda 030117 - Laserfiche WebLink

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DRAFT demand model to figure out how the capacities on the roads would change. He also explained as far as funding 53 goes that the MTP would have to be amended. He added that if the LRT were shut down there would be more 54 funding for different projects that could then make the cut. Jeff Charles asked about the funds that were being tied 55 up in the LRT and what kind of delay there would be to get those funds for other projects if the LRT is denied. 56 Abigaile Pittman stated that it would be a significant chunk of time while they amend the plan and decide what other 57 projects to invest in instead. Additionally, the sales tax that was added to fund this did not specify it was for Light 58 Rail Transit, it only specified that it was for Transit. And that if the funds did not go through for LRT it would have to 59 be voted on again as to what to do with the funds. 60 61 Heidi Perry inquired about viewing the trends from when the previous MTP was adopted in 2012, which is not 62 available in the current plan. Max Bushell explained she would have to look at the previous plan for past 63 projections. Matt Day mentioned that the information for the 2012 traffic reports should be available on NCDOT’s 64 website. Alex Castro asked if changes in technology and modes of transportation were being taken into 65 consideration, such as vehicle ownership declining. Julie Bollinger stated that they haven’t looked that much into it 66 yet but are happy to do so once they start seeing those changes. And Max Bushell explained that it was factored 67 into the MTP process. He added that he doesn’t see a change that big within 5-years but those kinds of changes 68 will be clearer as they’re happening with the MTP’s 5-year cycle. 69 70 Max continued presentation. 71 72 Alex Castro raised concerns regarding the overload of traffic on Churton Road and inquired about why the 73 connector going up from 86 and 70 wasn’t going to be done to fix the issue. Max Bushell explained that the 74 Occoneechee speedway and Ayr Mount, a historic home in Hillsborough, are recognized historic sites and are 75 protected under the US Department of Transportation Act of 1966 Section 4(f) from being impacted by 76 transportation projects. Alex Castro asked if there was any alternative plan to relieve traffic. Max Bushell informed 77 the Board that there is no proposed solution for Churton Road in the current CTP. Abigaile Pittman informed the 78 Board that it’s a recognized problem and with the revision they’re doing for the Buckhorn Economic Development 79 District Access Management Plan they’re looking for improvements at the connector road. She added that they’re 80 also considering a way for a future road coming north of US 70 to connect up to Efland Cedar Grove Road and 81 continue northward. Alex Castro mentioned the proposed improvement of I-85 and NC 86 would back up Churton 82 Road even more. He also mentioned the two major residential developments proposed, which are going to double 83 the population with no road improvements envisioned and thinks it’s a glaring deficiency in the plan. Erle Smith 84 suggested looking at enhancing Lawrence Road and Old NC 10 instead of Historical Hillsborough. Max Bushell 85 said it could be a possibility. Ted Triebel agreed with Alex Castro with regards to a statement needing to be made 86 that Churton Road is a problem. 87 88 Heidi Perry raised concerns with endorsing the plans in the CTP without having the proper time allotted to review 89 them. She would like to endorse the idea of the CTP without endorsing the plans until she’s had time to look at 90 them more closely. Jeff Charles seconded Heidi’s concern of not having the proper time to review this more 91 carefully. He added that this is an ongoing issue and would like that to be noted. Max Bushell informed the Board 92 that the public comment period would close February 24th, so they would have time to look at it before then. He also 93 informed the Board that this will go to the BOCC February 7th, and the OUTBoard is welcome to go speak at that 94 meeting to share visions or comments as a Board member or a citizen. 95 96 Max Bushell directed the Board’s attention to maps on the DCHC MPO website and advised them to look at the 97 specific project they’re interested in. The website maps will provide much more detailed information about the 98 proposed projects. 99 100 The Board decided to move this item to their next meeting on February 15th, but there were concerns of meeting 101 after the BOCC’s meeting on February 7th and not having their comments heard in time. Max Bushell clarified to 102 the Board that the key point is that the MPO and NCDOT, who will be the ones evaluating comments and making 103 the changes, get their comments. 104 4