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0 02 Page 2 of 5 AGENDA ITEM #5 : ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION a. Traffic Impact on Local Landmark (Rigsbee Rock House) Mr . Singleton reported that since May 2000 heavy truck traffic has increased on Lawrence Road . Truck traffic is not allowed to go through downtown Hillsborough, so truckers have begun to use Lawrence Road as an alternative route . Vibrations from the truck traffic have caused damage to the property particularly to the rock wall . The site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and 'is one of the four local landmarks in Orange County , Mr . Singleton referenced the 1992 Truck Route Feasibility Study prepared by NCDOT to evaluate the condition of existing local roads around the Town of Hillsborough . The purpose of the report was to determine a preferred truck route to eliminate heavy truck traffic through downtown Hillsborough, particularly on Churton Street . The Study listed 13 historic structures including Rigsbee Rock House, which might be damaged by heavy traffic . Mr . Singleton said that the location of the by-pass north of Hillsborough was built based on the results of the 1992 study regarding the protection of historic structures listed in the study . Mr . Singleton noted that his property was actually closer to the roadway that the downtown buildings and said that he wanted to same protection for the Rigsbee Rock House as the other structures on the DOT study had received . Mr . Singleton cited several concerns including : speeding trucks sliding into the stop sign, physical damage to the road, 80% of which recently needed to be repaired, 5 : 00 a .m . loud truck traffic with up to six trucks per ten minutes, and DOT signage that encourages traffic to use Lawerence Road . Singleton quoted the 1992 DOT report saying : "the main problem with Lawrence Road is the cost of upgrading, if a truck route is to be implemented then all roads on the route must meet DOT standards . The total cost of construction for this road is $ 8 , 580 , 000 , 00 , a cost that is far greater than any other alternative . Presently Lawrence Road is a two lane, twenty foot wide facility with a very weak base made of topsoil . " Sufficient evidence that the truck vibrations are causing damage to the Rock House is evident and Singleton invited anyone to view the site . Singleton noted that the nearest that any historic buildings are to Churton Street is approximately 150 feet and that the Rock House site is seven feet two inches from Lawrence Road . Singleton is recommending the speed limit be reduced to 25 miles an hour consistent with residential areas and that loaded trucks be prohibited from using the road because of damage to a historic landmark and the road . Singleton reported on his correspondence with the Secretary of Transportation, Mr . McCoy . Singleton asked for HPC support for equal protection of the Rock House historic site as the historic properties on Churton Street received . The HPC discussed similar issues involving DOT with other historic sites, different options including asking the State Historic Preservation Office ( SHPO) to support the cause, the by-pass issues , the enforcement of restricting truck traffic, particularly overloaded trucks . Flowers volunteered to assist with drafting a letter to Department of Transportation . MOTION : Anderson motioned for a letter of support of the equal protection of preservation for the Riggsbee Rock House Historic Property to be sent to NCDOT, SHPO, BOCC . Seconded by Golan . VOTE : Unanimous , Draft 12/ 13/00 HPC Minutes Last updated 01/17/01 Page 2 of 5