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Approved February 21, 2007 T:\Advisory Boards\Orange Unified Transportation Board\Minutes\2007\OUTBoard minutes 011707.doc 2 for the future where Orange County residents will have a choice/option of walking, bicycling or driving to anywhere they wish to go in the County. She described the Rural Ways system in the United Kingdom that provides a network for pedestrian access through rural areas. She pointed out subdivision access roads and open space where connections could be made to other developments, utility easements and/or greenways to form a pedestrian network connecting rural areas to parks, schools, recreation facilities and urban areas. She challenged the board to think about how those connections can be made and noted that property rights and expectation of privacy must be respected. She noted that conservation easement programs such as Orange County’s Land Legacy Program, subdivision requirements, and utility easements were major means to provide the future pedestrian network Strong stated that watershed protection regulations such as the Neuse River buffer requirements may be one way to provide connectivity through the County. The board agreed that a map of the County that showed subdivisions with street and open space trails, easements (utility and conservation), greenways and parks would be beneficial in determining possible connections for a pedestrian network. The group discussed how subdivision regulations could require connectivity. Marshall stated that the board needs to determine: 1. What is desired for a pedestrian network; 2. What has been done and is being done already in the subdivision process; 3. What can be required for future new development, such as asking those providing conservation easements or open space if public trails can be allowed. Ray noted that there are issues such as who will be liable (for trail maintenance and safety) that would have to be worked out. Peterson stated that the board must separate the two things: the vision and the means to get there. He added that the board’s task at this point is to adopt principles and goals. Baker stated that the principle would be that in 50 years, people can have the choice/option to walk or bike where they wanted to in Orange County. She then suggested three goals: 1. Increase off road sidewalks and bike paths/multipurpose trails in the County; 2. Increase connectivity using existing greenways, parks and other open space, easements, etc. 3. Work with the NCDOT, the municipalities (Hillsborough, Carrboro, Chapel Hill, Mebane), the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization, and the Triangle Rural Planning Organization to connect and provide pedestrian and bicycle facilities and also work with conservation groups to get public access on easements along greenways. Peterson asked Baker if she would prepare a draft vision and goals for pedestrian access for the board to adopt at its next meeting. Baker agreed.