Agenda - 02-16-2021; 8-a - Minutes

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21 1 less affluent residents than Chapel Hill, and Chapel Hill had to offer large incentives for 2 Wegman's to come. She said Efland cannot make such deals, and the community will suffer 3 while people wait for something perfect. She said Efland residents need opportunities, and 4 more commercial tax base will help the County at large. She urged the BOCC to approve the 5 plan, and looks forward to engaging on the project. 6 Chair Price highlighted a letter in the BOCC packet from the CfE, requesting that this 7 project be denied. She said the Town of Hillsborough has also sent a letter in the past stating 8 concerns over the watershed. 9 Commissioner Dorosin referred to page 2 of the abstract packet, and said there is a note 10 that staff has been inquiring about preserving highway exit 160. He asked if there was a status 11 update on this issue. 12 Craig Benedict, Planning Director, said allowing access points for this project onto the 13 existing exit ramp would require another review process by North Carolina Department of 14 Transportation (NCDOT), which cannot happen until there is some adjudication of the 15 application in front of the BOCC. He said this exit is part of federal highway system, so any 16 NCDOR recommendation has to be reviewed by Federal Highway Commission. He said exit 17 160 east bound will stay as it is, and it is proposed to close the existing exit 160 west bound 18 ramp, and move it to be the same as 161. He said the exits will be named together, with signs 19 showing drivers which way to turn. He said the Federal Highway Commission system will 20 create naming and signage. 21 Commissioner Dorosin asked if this explanation is any different to that which the BOCC 22 has previously been presented. 23 Craig Benedict said no, this information is consistent with what is in the application. 24 Commissioner McKee said he wanted to respond to concerns about the possible 25 relocation of Ben Johnston Road, which would only allow for right turns. He said currently traffic 26 can turn both ways. 27 Beth Trahos the Applicant has heard this concern from residents. She said NCDOT will 28 not allow for full functioning at the current location of Ben Johnston. She said the Applicant 29 thought about relocating Ben Johnston to align with the entrance drive into the Efland Station 30 project, and thus act as a full access. 31 Commissioner McKee asked if further discussion with NCDOT is merited. 32 Beth Trahos said it is her understanding that NCDOT will not allow it, but referred the 33 Engineer Earl Llewellyn, Kimley Horn. 34 Earl Llewellyn recounted his conversation with NCDOT, and the current proximity of Ben 35 Johnston is very close to the 1-40 ramps, and would present operational problems in the future. 36 He said NCDOT asked that the site drive location be shifted farther north so there is better 37 spacing of signals. He said this converted Ben Johnston to right in/right out movements. He 38 said an unsignalized break in the median was explored, but is not possible due to traffic 39 requirements. 40 Commissioner McKee asked if there are other discussions to be had. He said he is 41 concerned about no left turn off of Ben Johnston Road. 42 Stan Beard, Applicant, said he recognizes the concerns from the neighbors. He said he 43 has talked with a property owner, who also has land to the east of the 70 connector. He said 44 the portion of Ben Johnston Road that would be relocated, is on this property owner's land. He 45 said he has spoken with this landowner several times. He said Ben Johnston should be a full 46 access intersection, and he feels far enough along in the process, that he can characterize the 47 Ben Johnston Road realignment as necessary to get full final permitting from NCDOT. 48 Commissioner McKee asked if all road improvements will be at Buc-ee's expense. 49 Stan Beard said yes, all proposed improvements to date, and in the future, would be at 50 Buc-ee's expense. 51 Commissioner McKee said that would be a cost savings of millions of dollars to NCDOT.