AGENDA #1
MEMORANDUM
TO: Roger L. Stancil, Town Manager
FROM: J.B. Culpepper, Planning Director
David C. Bonk, Long Range and Transportation Planning Coordinator
SUBJECT: Public Forum: Draft Southwest Durham/Southeast Chapel Hill Collector Street Plan
DATE: October 18, 2006
PURPOSE
This memorandum provides an overview of the draft Southwest Durham/Southeast Chapel Hill Collector Streets Plan (Attachment 1).
BACKGROUND
The Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization initiated the process to develop a collector roads plan for Southwest Durham and Southeast Chapel Hill. The purpose of the Plan is to assess the need for additional roadway connections in the study area to support the adopted 2030 Regional Transportation Plan and provide improved connectivity between existing and anticipated development. A draft Collector Street Plan (Attachment 1) has been prepared by Kimley Horn, Inc, under contract with the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization. The Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Transportation Advisory Committee has received the draft Plan and has requested that Chapel Hill and Durham provide comments and recommendations on the draft Plan.
DISCUSSION
The draft Collector Streets Plan was developed to “inventory the existing collector street network and develop a plan, standards and policies that will promote future connectivity by creating an efficient network and accommodation for automobiles, transit, pedestrians and bicycles as collector streets are constructed.”
The draft Plan includes a proposed network of collector streets in the Southwest Durham/Southeast Chapel Hill area (Attachment 2). The draft Plan map also includes the adopted elements of the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization 2030 Long Range Transportation Plan, which includes the proposed Southwest Durham Drive. The map also includes the proposed revised alignment of the US 15-501 fixed guideway corridor, including proposed station locations.
The Plan also includes recommendations for implementation of traffic calming measures as well as, coordination of the building sequencing of the facilities and design considerations.
As part of the development of the draft Plan three public workshops were held to engage residents of the area in discussions about the alternatives to be considered. Chapter 2 (pages 18-24) of the draft Plan includes a summary of the public workshops. In addition to these workshops a fourth workshop was held on October 10, 2006, to receive public comment on the final draft Plan.
At the public workshops several alternative Plans were presented. Chapter 4, (page 35) Recommended Network, includes a description of Alternatives A, B and C and the draft recommended network, Figure 4.5 (page 52).
Chapter 5, (page 57) Recommended Design Considerations, includes discussion of bicycle and pedestrian circulation, design principles, parking and lighting. Chapter 5 also includes a review of traffic calming measures.
KEY ISSUES
We have identified the following key issues for the Council’s consideration.
Proposed Street Network
The draft Plan includes a proposed network of collector streets, including several that provide connections to existing Chapel Hill streets. The draft Plan proposes connections to existing Lancaster Drive and Kilkenny Place in the Oaks II neighborhood. These connections would provide east-west access between Chapel Hill and the proposed Southwest Durham Drive. Collector Streets are also shown connecting the existing Eastowne area, crossing I-40 north of US 15-501 and providing connection across I-40 south of US 15-501.
Comment: Lancaster Drive is designated as a minor arterial or collector street in the adopted 2030 Regional Transportation Plan. The Town has recently approved the implementation of traffic calming measures along Lancaster Drive. The proposed connection to Kilkenny Place would provide access to Nottingham Drive. No traffic calming measures have been evaluated in this area.
I-40 Crossings
The draft Plan includes the proposal to construct collector streets across I-40 north and south of US 15-501. This proposal is consistent with the previously approved US 15-501 Transportation Master Plan, which included recommendations to provide alternative connections between the four quadrants of the US 15-501/I-40 interchange to reduce anticipated congestion along US 15-501. The proposed collector street south of US 15-501 differs from the US 15-501 Master Plan in that it proposes a separate crossing for the roadway and the fixed guideway corridor.
Comment: We believe the proposal to have separate crossings of I-40, south of US 15-501, for the fixed guideway system and the collector street may be unrealistic. The US 15-501 Master Plan proposed a single combined crossing of I-40, recognizing the cost of any bridge would be significant and the likelihood of securing funding for the bridge would be enhanced if it were a combined facility.
Relationship to the Durham Land Use Plan
Figure 5.1 (page 72) of the draft Plan illustrates the future land use plan for Southwest Durham County and how the proposed collector street network serves that area.
Comment: Figure 5.1 does not show the realigned fixed guideway corridor or the station location recently approved by the Metropolitan Planning Organization. Chapel Hill has requested further clarification concerning the consistency between transit oriented development around the proposed Southwest Durham fixed guideway station and the adopted Durham land use plan. Figure 5.1 suggests that future development in the station area would be medium to medium high residential, with residential densities ranging from six to 20 units per acre. It is unclear whether this land use designation would allow for integration of non-residential commercial, service or offices uses in the station area.
NEXT STEPS
We will prepare a follow-up memorandum, responding to comments received at tonight’s Forum, for the Council’s consideration on November 6, 2006. At that time the Council could adopt recommendations for submission to the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Transportation Advisory Committee. The Committee is anticipated to consider adoption of the draft Plan in December, 2006.
ADVISORY BOARD RECOMMENDATIONS
Planning Board: On September 19, 2006 the Planning Board voted 6-0 to recommend the Council adopt the Collector Streets Plan as proposed (Attachment 3).
Transportation Board: On September 28, 2006 the Transportation Board voted 6-0 to recommend the Council approve the draft Plan as proposed. The Board proposed that the connection of the proposed collector streets be synchronized as closely as possible (Attachment 4).
ATTACHMENTS