Minutes 03-10-2026-Work Session - Laserfiche WebLink

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2 Michael Hughes of the OUTBoard highlighted the board's key accomplishments for 2025, which include expanding community engagement through initiatives such as the creation of a departmental newsletter and the organization of strategic community outreach events. He said they are coordinating with the Parks and Recreation Commission to align bike and pedestrian initiatives with trail plans. He said they also initiated fare-free self-service on fixed routes, increased support for demand response services, and developed plans for five new transit vehicles. He said future initiatives focus on enhancing the multimodal network, finalizing trail plans, boosting public engagement, and securing funding through collaboration with NCDOT. He said they also plan to add bus shelters at key locations and a real-time transit dashboard. Art Menius of the OUTBoard said they will be working more with transit and monitoring infrastructure and connectivity across local, regional, and utility corridors to strengthen the countywide multimodal transportation system. He said they will strengthen the transportation planning process by increasing involvement through targeted public engagement efforts. Commissioner Carter expressed excitement about fare-free service and expanded service to Mebane, noting interest from other counties at a recent NCACC meeting. Vice-Chair Fowler said she appreciated the OUTBoard's community engagement. Commissioner Greene asked for more information on the bicycle and trails plan. Sarah Williamson, Interim Transportation Director, said they are in the process of drafting the bike and pedestrian plan and it will be available in the next few months. Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked for information on transportation barriers for families accessing JCPC services. Sarah Williamson said she would investigate it and provide more information. Commissioner McKee encouraged keeping fare-free service permanent beyond the trial period Vice-Chair Fowler said she appreciated their efforts on the bike and pedestrian plan and along with the Intergovernmental Parks Work Group. Leon Meyers of the Orange County Board of Adjustment said they operate on an as- needed basis to handle special use permits,variances, and appeals of staff decisions. heard three requests for special use permits and one request for a variance. He said they do not have any vacancies. Lamar Proctor of the Orange County Planning Board said they were very busy in 2025 with reviewing zoning and UDO changes and making recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners. He said they did five conditional zoning changes in 2025. He noted staff's role in understanding the complexity of UDO language amendments. He said they reviewed and made changes to preliminary subdivision plats. He said there are ongoing discussions to transition this to a staff-reviewed process. He said there will be significant work on the land use plan and LIDO amendments for conservation subdivisions. He said they continue to train new members and noted staff's role in this process. He said they continue to monitor growth in the county from the City of Mebane. He said they would like to have an informal meeting with the Board of County Commissioners so they can better understand the Board's philosophies. He said they want to investigate rural activity nodes and what type of development can be done there. He said they continue to discuss broadband internet and wireless access in the county as well as transportation issues. He said the joint agreements with the municipalities will be a focus as the comprehensive land use map is updated. He said they are always looking at watershed review implications. He said they are interested in alternative water and waste disposal methods for areas without access municipal services. Commissioner Carter thanked the Planning Board for their work. Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked for more information on the Planning Board's concerns about Mebane's growth. Lamar Proctor said they are looking for certainty on how far Mebane intends to grow in the county.