Agenda - 03-07-2019 8-f Efland-Buckhorn-Mebane - Attachment

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Efland-Buckhorn-Mebane Access Management Plan Executive Summary The Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) official access management definition is the process that provides access to land development while simultaneously preserving the flow of traffic on the surrounding system in terms of safety, capacity, and speed.This plan promotes FHWA's access management practices by allowing local government to: • Maintain the overall safety for all users of the transportation system; • Minimize congestion and crash rates; • Provide for efficient traffic flow and pedestrian and bicycle safety; and • Provide appropriate access to adjacent business properties. The original Efland-Buckhorn-Mebane Access Management Plan (E-B-M AMP) was adopted November 15, 2011 and it implemented Efland-Mebane Small Area Plan (2006) recommendations. It has also advanced several 2030 Comprehensive Plan goals and objectives. The original plan identified access management strategies and areas where new connector roads would be needed to maintain and improve access within areas identified in the County's land use plan for economic development purposes. This plan was instrumental in gaining North Lt1 Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) acceptance and participation in roadwork improvements necessary to serve the Morinaga �.e Candy Factory, which opened in 2016, with limited on-site surveying and analysis. In 2017, a thorough existing conditions, environmental, and traffic analysis was completed through an engineering-based transportation study conducted by Volkert Inc., based in Raleigh, NC. Its Transportation Report for the Efland- Buckhorn-Mebane Study Area (See Appendix A), hereafter referred to as the 2017 JVOLKERT Transportation Report, reinforces the original E-B-M AMP with a comprehensive investigation of the area's development potential, traffic impact and recommended improvements. The E-B-M AMP is: • A combination of the original adopted 2011 E-B-M AMP; 2017 Transportation Study; and County Planning, City of Mebane, and public comments. • A long-range transportation vision for the area illustrating roadway alignment and corridor width necessary to serve future land uses and address traffic impact as development occurs. • A plan that assists the County in promoting economic development through its development review process by encouraging developers to dedicate right-of-way necessary for future roads. The E-B-M AMP is not: • A proposal for, nor does it seek authorization for,funding right-of-way acquisition. o However, an AMP would be a necessary prerequisite to guide the investment to improve access, where necessary. Orange County Planning Department Page i