AGENDA #4e
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Proposed Improvements to Gimghoul/Country Club Intersection
DATE: February 28, 2005
This memorandum reports back to the Council on plans for improvements to the intersection of Gimghoul Road and Country Club Road. A condition of approval for a recent Modification of Development Plan approval for the University called for these designs to come back to the Town Council for approval.
BACKGROUND
On August 26, 2003, the Town Council approved a Development Plan Modification for the University’s Main Campus. The approval included plans for a new chiller plant and parking deck near the Paul Greene Theater facility on Country Club Road. During consideration of that proposal, concerns were raised about traffic impacts, and a condition of approval was drafted calling for the University to arrange for signalization of the Gimghoul/Country Club intersection. The condition also required that plans for the improvement of this intersection come back to the Town Council for approval. An excerpt from the resolution of approval, containing these requirements, is attached (Attachment 1).
DISCUSSION
We have been working with University and neighborhood representatives on the plans for this intersection. The University has proposed a set of improvements that we believe are desirable and appropriate for the intersection. Copies of the proposed plans are attached (Attachment 2).
We reviewed an initial proposal with neighbors, and adjustments were requested. We believe that the current proposal, attached, includes features requested by residential neighbors.
The current proposal calls for a re-alignment of the entrance driveway to the Paul Greene theater facility, so that it aligns with the Gimghoul entrance across the street. This allows for a traffic signal to be installed with pedestrian-activated countdown heads and crosswalk markings for all four pedestrian movements in the intersection.
A request of residential neighbors was for improvements to the northern corner of the intersection, where pedestrians are expected to stand and press a button to activate the pedestrian cycle of the traffic signal. This area is currently dirt and gravel. The proposal brought forward by the University calls for installation of brick in this area to facilitate pedestrian movements.
A question has been raised by neighbors about some sort of protective barrier to mark the edge of the brick standing area. In addition, neighbors are interested in construction details such as details for the brick standing area, location of ramps, and how the walk push button will be mounted. These items will be components of final construction drawings, which we will share with neighbors as they are prepared.
RECOMMENDATION
We recommend that the Council adopt the attached resolution, approving the proposal for improvements to the Gimghoul/Country Club intersection.
ATTACHMENTS
A RESOLUTION APPROVING PROPOSAL FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THE INTER-SECTION OF GIMGHOUL ROAD/COUNTRY CLUB ROAD (2005-02-28/R-4)
WHEREAS, on August 26, 2003, the Town Council approved a Development Plan Modification for the University’s Main Campus, which included plans for a new chiller plant and parking deck near the Paul Greene Theater facility on Country Club Road; and
WHEREAS, a condition of approval of that Development Plan Modification reads as follows: “Subject to the determination of the Town Council, the University shall design and install a fully actuated traffic signal with pedestrian countdown heads at the intersection of Country Club Road and Gimghoul Road/Paul Green Theater Drive.”; and
WHEREAS, the University has prepared a proposal for improvements to this intersection that have been reviewed by residential neighbors and recommended by the Town Manager;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council approves the proposal for improvements to the Gimghoul/Country Club intersection as described in the Town Manager’s memorandum of February 28, 2005.
This the 28th day of February, 2005.
Excerpt from Council resolution approving a Development Plan Modification:
Road Improvements: The University shall be responsible for constructing and implementing the following roadway and intersection improvements or their equivalent prior to the opening of the Cobb Hall Parking Deck (P-9 Mod):
· Country Club Road/Gimghoul Road/Paul Green Theater Drive: Subject to the determination of the Town Council, the University shall design and install a fully actuated traffic signal with pedestrian countdown heads at the intersection of Country Club Road and Gimghoul Road/Paul Green Theater Drive. The design and installation of the traffic signal shall be approved by the Town Manager prior to installation. The design of signal poles and equipment shall be in keeping with the historic character of the neighborhood.
Improvements to this intersection shall not change the design or current roadway configuration on the Gimghoul Road side of the intersection.