AGENDA #12
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Council
FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
SUBJECT: South Columbia Street Improvement Project
DATE: June 24, 2002
The attached Resolution “A” would reaffirm the Council’s endorsement of a limited improvement project for South Columbia Street as presently funded in the State Transportation Improvement Program.
The attached Resolution “B” would request that the State study South Columbia Street to determine whether or not a more extensive improvement project is recommended.
These resolutions are provided for the Council’s consideration in response to a request from the University of North Carolina to the North Carolina Department of Transportation that South Columbia Street be further studied before proceeding with the currently approved improvement project.
BACKGROUND
The improvement of South Columbia Street between Fordham Boulevard and Manning Drive has been under consideration by the Town and State since the 1980’s. For the Council’s reference, Attachment #1 is a copy of a May 13, 2002 Council agenda item that provides discussion of the history and chronology of improvement proposals involving South Columbia Street.
Following its May 13, 2002 discussion of South Columbia Street, the Council held a Public Forum on May 29, 2002, to receive comments from citizens and University officials about the currently approved improvement project and the University’s request for additional study before proceeding.
DISCUSSION
At the Public Forum on May 29, 2002, the Council received comments from University officials and interested citizens of the community.
UNIVERSITY COMMENTS: The University position was presented by Ms. Mary Beck, Senior Vice President for UNC Hospitals Planning and Development. The key point expressed by the University is that it is not proposing a specific alternative to the current improvement plan; but that the University believes it would be prudent to study current and future demands on South Columbia Street to determine extent of improvements that may be necessary to effectively accommodate those demands.
CITIZEN COMMENTS: Fifteen citizens provided comments at the Public Forum.
Fourteen citizens spoke in opposition to the University’s request that the currently approved South Columbia Street project development be halted until further study can be completed. The key reasons presented in favor of proceeding with the currently approved project were minimizing disturbance of existing private property and trees; preserving aesthetics of this southern entrance to the Town and University; providing accommodations for bicyclists and pedestrians without further delay; and acknowledging that future University-generated traffic can be accommodated by Mason Farm Road improvements being proposed by the University rather than by expanding the currently approved South Columbia Street improvement project.
Mr. Aaron Nelson, representing the Chapel Hill/Carrboro Chamber of Commerce, spoke in favor of studying South Columbia Street because conditions have changed and continue to change since the current South Columbia Street project was approved by the Council, the University, and the State.
MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION
If the Council desires to proceed with the limited improvement project on South Columbia Street as currently endorsed by the Town and funded in the State Transportation Improvement Program, the Manager recommends adoption of Resolution “A”.
If the Council desires to halt further development of the currently endorsed South Columbia Street Improvement Project until further study can be completed by the State, the Manager recommends adoption of Resolution “B”.
ATTACHMENTS
RESOLUTION “A”
A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THAT THE NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PROCEED WITH PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE LIMITED IMPROVEMENT PROJECT CURRENTLY APPROVED FOR SOUTH COLUMBIA STREET BETWEEN MANNING DRIVE AND FORDHAM BOULEVARD (2002-06-24/R-23a)
WHEREAS, South Columbia Street between Manning Drive and Fordham Boulevard is an important entranceway to the Town and University; and
WHEREAS, the Chapel Hill Town Council acknowledges that certain improvements on South Columbia Street would benefit both the Town and the University; and
WHEREAS, South Columbia Street is adjacent to existing residences, private properties, historic structures, and mature trees; and
WHEREAS, the Town and the State and the University earlier agreed upon a limited improvement project for South Columbia Street that would reasonably accommodate all users of this important transportation corridor with minimal disruption of adjacent properties and trees; and
WHEREAS, the State has funded and has started project development on the currently approved limited improvement project consisting of two twelve-foot wide travel lanes, two four-foot wide striped bike lanes, curb-and-gutter along both sides of the road, a five-foot wide sidewalk along the east side of the road, and associated drainage and intersection improvements as can be reasonably accommodated with minimal disruption of adjacent properties; and
WHEREAS, the University has requested that said project development be halted until further study of South Columbia Street can be completed by the State;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council does not wish to delay development and construction of the currently approved and funded South Columbia Street Improvement Project.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council requests that the State proceed to design and construct the currently approved and funded project as described above.
This the 24th day of June, 2002.
RESOLUTION “B”
A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THAT THE NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION HALT DEVELOPMENT OF THE LIMITED IMPROVEMENT PROJECT CURRENTLY APPROVED FOR SOUTH COLUMBIA STREET BETWEEN MANNING DRIVE AND FORDHAM BOULEVARD UNTIL FURTHER STUDY OF THE CORRIDOR CAN BE COMPLETED AS REQUESTED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA (2002-06-24/R-23b)
WHEREAS, South Columbia Street between Manning Drive and Fordham Boulevard is an important entranceway to the Town and University; and
WHEREAS, the Chapel Hill Town Council acknowledges that certain improvements on South Columbia Street would benefit both the Town and the University; and
WHEREAS, the University has requested the project development be halted on the limited improvement project currently approved for South Columbia Street until further study can be completed by the State; and
WHEREAS, the Council agrees with the University that further study of this important transportation corridor is warranted to assure that whatever improvements are made best serve the needs of the Town, the University, and all users of South Columbia Street now and in the future;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council requests that the State halt further development of the limited improvement project currently approved for South Columbia Street.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council requests that the State initiate a study of South Columbia Street between Manning Drive and Fordham Boulevard to identify and make recommendations as to the types and extent of improvements it would recommend to best accommodate current and future users of South Columbia Street.
This the 24th day of June, 2002.