AGENDA #4L
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Scheduling a Hearing on a Draft Bicycle and Pedestrian Action Plan
DATE: June 30, 2004
The attached resolution would call a public hearing for September 20, 2004, on a Draft Bicycle and Pedestrian Action Plan. It would refer the Draft Plan to the Town Manager and the Town Attorney for review and would also refer it to the Town Advisory Boards and Commissions for comment. Also attached is materials from the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board, including a memorandum of transmittal and the Action Plan
BACKGROUND
On February 24, 2003, the Council adopted a set of goals and priorities for 2003. Bicycle/Pedestrian Goals were given the high priority and included the preparation of a Bicycle/Pedestrian Improvement Action Plan. (Bicycle/Pedestrian Goals have been included again in the Council goals for 2004, adopted March 23, 2004).
On September 8, 2003, the Council approved the process and schedule for the preparation of a Bicycle and Pedestrian Action Plan (please see Attachment 1). The process included two public open houses and monthly group work sessions.
On October 27, 2003, in response to a petition from the Planning Board, the Council invited the Transportation Board, the Planning Board, the Greenways Commission, the Parks and Recreation Commission, and the Historic District Commission to each appoint a liaison to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board to provide communication among the respective boards and commissions during the preparation of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Action Plan.
Between October 2003 and June 2004, a Plan work group composed of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board and liaisons from the Transportation Board, the Planning Board, the Greenways Commission and the Parks and Recreation Commission held two public open houses and monthly work sessions to prepare a Draft Bicycle and Pedestrian Action Plan.
DISCUSSION
In accordance with the adopted process and schedule the Plan group has completed a draft Action Plan and hereby submits it to the Town Council for review and comment. (Please see memo from the group which accompanies this memorandum).
A draft Pedestrian Facilities Map and a draft Bicycle Facilities Map will be made available on-line at www.townofchapelhill.org/planning .
The Draft Plan is a work in progress. Additional public input and comments from advisory boards and commissions are needed before a final draft is prepared. The Action Plan is intended as a long range plan. It would become a component of the Town’s Comprehensive Plan. The construction of facilities is envisioned to be incorporated in the Capital Improvements Program process.
NEXT STEPS
In November the Town Council normally adopts an annual sidewalks and bicycle facilities construction plan. The following review schedule would allow the Action Plan to be taken into account when the Council is considering its annual construction plan.
June 30, 2004 Town Council receives and refers draft plan to boards and commissions and call a public hearing for the plan.
September 20, 2004 Public Hearing on the Proposed Bicycle and Pedestrian Action Plan.
October 18, 2004 Town Council consideration of Action Plan.
November 8, 2004 Possible Public Hearing for Annual Facilities Construction Plan.
November 22, 2004 Possible Council consideration of Annual Plan.
RECOMMENDATION
We recommend that the Council adopt the attached resolution calling a public hearing for September 20, 2004, on the Draft Bicycle and Pedestrian Action Plan. We also recommend that the Council refer the draft plan to the Town Manager and the Town Attorney for review and to the Town advisory boards and commissions for comment.
ATTACHMENTS
A RESOLUTION CALLING A PUBLIC HEARING ON A DRAFT BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ACTION PLAN FOR THE TOWN OF CHAPEL HILL (2004-06-30/R-7)
WHEREAS, the Chapel Hill 2000 Comprehensive Plan includes the objective to “develop and maintain a pedestrian circulation system, including sidewalks and greenway trails, that provides direct, continuous, and safe movement within and between districts of Town. Link neighborhoods to activity centers, transit stops, schools, parks, and other neighborhoods”; and
WHEREAS, the Chapel Hill 2000 Comprehensive Plan includes the objective to “develop and maintain a system of safe and efficient bikeways (on-street bike lanes and off-street paths within greenways) designed to contribute to Town-wide mobility, connecting neighborhoods with activity centers, schools, parks, and other neighborhoods”; and
WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Plan calls for development of a comprehensive pedestrian and bicycle network; and
WHEREAS, on September 8, 2003, the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill approved a process and schedule for the preparation of a Bicycle/Pedestrian Improvement Action Plan;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council hereby calls a public hearing for September 20, 2004, 7 p.m. in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, 306 N. Columbia Street, to consider a Draft Bicycle and Pedestrian Action Plan.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Draft Bicycle and Pedestrian Action Plan be referred to the Town Manager and the Town Attorney for review, and to the Active Living By Design Committee, the Chapel Hill Public Arts Commission, the Community Design Commission, the Greenways Commission, the Historic District Commission, the Housing and Community Development Advisory Board, the Library Board of Trustees, the Parks and Recreation Commission, the Planning Board and the Transportation Board for comment.
This the 30th day of June, 2004.
