AGENDA #4j
MEMORANDUM
TO: Roger L. Stancil, Town Manager
FROM: J.B. Culpepper, Planning Director
David Bonk, Long Range Planning and Transportation Coordinator
SUBJECT: Calling a Public Forum on the Draft Northside Pedestrian Mobility Plan
DATE: October 9, 2006
The purpose of this report is to provide the Council with the draft Northside Pedestrian Mobility Plan (Attachment 1). The attached resolution would receive the draft Mobility Plan, refer the plan to Town Advisory Boards for review and set a public forum to receive public comment.
The resolution would also schedule a Public Forum for November 6, 2006 to receive citizen comments.
In 2003, the Town received a $200,000 five-year grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to promote active living through programming and physical design. The grant proposal included the preparation of a mobility assessment for the Northside area. The grant proposed that “the project will undertake a comprehensive mobility and health program for the Northside neighborhood. The project will work with local community leaders and residents to evaluate mobility issues. This evaluation will include an assessment of barriers to increased pedestrian, bicycle and transit use, and develop a program of improvements. In addition to identification of barriers to mobility the project will develop information and outreach programs designed to educate residents on the health benefits of greater physical activity. Special attention will be given to the health challenges for the African American community.”
In November 2004, the Town contracted with North Carolina Prevention Partners to conduct an evaluation of barriers to mobility in the Northside Community. The Report summarized the results of an assessment of pedestrian and bicycle facilities in the Northside neighborhood. The Report included recommendations for the repair and construction of sidewalks, connecting pedestrian corridors, improved street lighting, and public safety improvements.
On February 28, 2005, the Council referred the Mobility Assessment of the Northside Neighborhood Report to the Town advisory boards for comment.
On June 20, 2005, the Council held a Public Forum to receive citizen comments on the findings and recommendations of the Mobility Assessment of the Northside Neighborhood Report (Attachment 2).
On August 11, 2005, the Active Living by Design Advisory Committee reviewed the comments from the Public Forum. The Committee also conducted a walking study of the neighborhood, reviewed the study and the comments, and prepared recommendations (Attachment 3).
At the same time Town staff provided recommendations on the draft Northside Report, including comments subsequently incorporated into the draft Plan from Police, Engineering, Public Works, Parks & Recreation and Housing Departments. Comments were also received from EmPOWERment Chapel Hill.
On September 12, 2006, Town Staff met with residents at the Northside Neighborhood Watch to present a revised draft Plan and receive comments. The comments have been incorporated into the draft Plan.
The draft Northside Pedestrian Mobility Plan addresses a range of pedestrian mobility issues within the Northside area, including:
We recommend that the Council adopt the attached resolution receiving the draft Northside Pedestrian Mobility Plan and refer it to the Town Manager and advisory boards including Parks & Recreation Commission, Active Living by Design, Greenways Commission, Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board, Planning Board, and Transportation Board for review and comment. The resolution would also schedule a public forum for November 6, 2006, to receive public comment.