Agenda - 05-04-2004-7b - Laserfiche WebLink

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The Town of Chapel I-Iill now has I I CNG vehicles and two electric vehicles, and is using biodiesel in many of its diesel vehicles. The Town has plans to convert their vehicle fleet almost exclusively to alternative fuels, Chapel Hil] has an existing CNG fueling station and has in the past expressed interest in a future joint arrangement with Orange County and other public agencies in joint use arrangements. The new Town Operations Center on Millhouse Road is planned to contain fast-fill CNG, biodiesel and ethanol (E85) fueling stations, as well as electric changing pads. Orange County Staff is currently assessing the replacement vehicle schedule for candidates for' alternative-fuel vehicles if fueling arrangements can be made, The County is continuing to target low-emission vehicles for all purposes, where practical. Staff would also like to further engage the NCDOT and the Town of Hillsborough regarding a CNG fueling station in Hillsborough. 4. Land Use -Transportation -Air Quality The foundation of the updated Comprehensive Plan Land Use Element is "sustainability", the preservation of our air', water, and human resources for the future by not overburdening the natural and human-made limitations of our environment. The largest contributor to an unsustainable pattern of growth is "sprawl". Awell-planned land use program can control negative effects associated with sprawl. Sprawl results in: 1. more traffic; 2, more accidents; 3. more pollution (water & air); 4, higher taxes; 5. less efficient public services provision; and 6. lower quality of life Through the update to the county's Comprehensive Plan Land Use Element, the County Commissioners will be considering, among other items, growth management tools designed to reduce the negative impacts associated with sprawl. The existing residential development pattern, guided by existing zoning, does not create any locational guidance to promote development closer to urban areas and primary transportation routes.. Therefore, a relatively high-density sprawl pattern is created which results in longer commute times, high Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT), and air pollution. Zoning amendments to channel higher concentrations of housing and population closer to major transportation routes, employment centers, and urban services will greatly reduce all of the negative impacts of sprawl, including air pollution, According to estimates completed by the Orange County Planning and Inspections Department, limiting density in the rural areas of the county could reduce future VMT by as much as 58% at build-out. The reduction of traffic tluough an anti-sprawl land use program is a proactive solution to reduce vehicular contributions to air pollution. Secondarily, energy efficient, lower pollution vehicles will further reduce pollution.