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<br />14 <br /> <br />Staff will continue to evaluate alternatives to minimize traffic impacts on Davis Road to the extent other <br />alternatives are viable. <br /> <br />4.14 Has any consideration been given to the addition of a signal at the intersection of <br />Millstone Drive and Old NC 86? <br />This intersection is included in the South Churton Street Widening project (U -5485). While the design <br />work in complete, this project has been suspended due to state funding issues. This intersection, <br />Millstone Drive and Old NC 86, is designed as a superstreet <br />prohibiting left turns. Millstone Drive will be come right in <br />and right out, and people will have to make a U-Turn at the <br />signalized Oakdale Drive and S. Churton Street. <br />5. Environmental Impacts <br />5.1 Is the proposed RTLP project site entirely located <br />within a Natural Heritage Area (NHA)? <br />No. Approximately six acres of NHA is located on the <br />proposed RTLP site. Based on the 1988 Inventory of Natural <br />Areas and Wildlife Habitats for Orange County, North <br />Carolina (updated in 2004), this Natural Heritage Area is <br />identified as Cates Creek Hardwood Forest which totals 82 <br />acres and is identified for its rare plant community. This NHA <br />is a standalone site and is not part of a larger macrosite. <br />Significant features includes Basic-Oak-Hickory Forest (Dry <br />Variant) and Xeric Hardpan Forest (Basic Variant). The site <br />has no formal protection. In addition, a large portion of the <br />site was clear-cut in 2002-2003, which resulted in site <br />boundaries to be revised in 2004 to exclude that portion of <br />the NHA. Other significant features include habitat for turkey, <br />deer, and neotroplical birds. Orange County Department of <br />Environment, Agriculture, Parks, and Recreation (DEAPR) <br />reviewed the proposed RTLP MPD-CZ <br />request and reiterated findings of the <br />1988/2004 Inventory related to plant <br />species identified on the site. The <br />1988/2004 Inventory did not indicate <br />any rare, protected, or endangered <br />animal species on the site. <br /> <br />5.2 Is Cates Creek located on the <br />proposed RTLP project site? <br />No. Cates Creek is located west of the <br />proposed RTLP project site. An <br />unnamed tributary bisects the RTLP <br />site. The unnamed tributary drains into <br />Cates Creek north of Interstate 40 at <br />the southern boundary of Cornwallis <br />Hill Subdivision. <br />564