AGENDA #4f

 

 

MEMORANDUM

 

TO:                  Mayor and Town Council

 

FROM:            W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager

 

SUBJECT:       Request to Close Streets for Meadowmont Bicycle Classic Road Race - September 15, 2002

 

DATE:             June 24, 2002

 

The purpose of this memorandum is to respond to a request to temporarily close several streets in Meadowmont for The Meadowmont Bicycle Classic Road Race proposed to be held on Sunday, September 15, 2002, by the Tri-Cyclists Bicycle Racing Club.

 

The attached resolution would authorize the closing of a portion of Meadowmont Lane and adjacent streets from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 15, 2002. The Manager recommends adoption of the resolution.

 

BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION

 

The Tri-Cyclists Bicycle Racing Club, represented by Michael Gleason, is proposing the First Annual Meadowmont Bicycle Classic Bicycle Race, to be held on a portion of Meadowmont Lane and adjacent streets on Sunday, September 15, 2002.

 

There would be several heats based on age, and skill level as well as fun races for kids who live in the Meadowmont neighborhood.  The Tri-Cyclists and Meadowmont Community Association are interested in promoting a successful annual event with this being the first of those bicycle racing events. 

 

Organizational activities would be held in the parking lot of the Meadowmont Health Center and parking will be allowed in nearby parking lots.  

 

The Tri-Cyclists Bicycle Racing Club and the Meadowmont Community Association have the needed insurance coverage. The owners of the property, East West Partners, have agreed to allow this race to be run. The race organizers are aware of the rough road conditions of the race course and have accepted the responsibility to deal with those obstacles. 

 

Race Route and Vehicle Access

 

The race course would cover .9 of a mile and would begin on Sprunt Street and travel to Weaver Mine Road and turn right.  From Weaver Mine Road the race would continue to Little Branch Trail and turn right and then from Little Branch Trail it would continue to Park Ridge Avenue and turn right.  At Park Ridge Avenue the race would continue to Simerville Road and turn right and go to Meadowmont Lane and turn right.  Meadowmont lane is a divided road for most of this portion of the race and the race would continue on the west side of the divided road until it reaches Sprunt Street and then turn right onto Sprunt Street and continue this route for several laps until the race is finished. 

 

  This race route would necessitate the following streets being closed temporarily:

 

·        Meadowmont Lane between Simerville Road and Sprunt Street.

·        Sprunt Street between Meadowmont Lane and Weaver Mine Road.

·        Weaver Mine Road between Sprunt and Little Branch Trail.

·        Little Branch Trail between Weaver Mine Road and Park Ridge Avenue.

·        Park Ridge Avenue between Weaver Mine Road and Simerville Road.

·        Simerville Road between Park Ridge Avenue and Meadowmont Lane.

 

Meadowmont Lane

 

The only portion of the race that motor vehicles would enter the area would be on Meadowmont Lane. However, motor vehicles would only be allowed on the east side of the divided portion of Meadowmont Lane and bicyclist would only be allowed on the west side of the divided portion of Meadowmont Lane. The east side of Meadowmont Lane will remain open to allow access to property owned by the University of North Carolina. 

 

Meadowmont Lane is scheduled to be dedicated as a town street prior to the race. The other streets on this race course are not scheduled to be dedicated prior to the race; and, they will not have a final top coating of asphalt applied at the time of this race.   

 

Off duty Chapel Hill Police Officers will work the event and direct traffic away from the area of the race course along with volunteers provided by the Tri-Cyclists Bicycle Racing Club.   

 

 

MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION

 

That the Council adopt the attached resolution closing portions of Meadowmont Lane and portions of adjacent streets between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on  Sunday, September 15, 2002.

 

ATTACHMENTS

 

1.    Letter from Michael Gleason of the Tri-Cyclists Bicycle Racing Club (p. 4).

2.    Letter from David R. Hill, Manager of the Meadowmont Community Association (p. 6).

 

 

 

 

 

A RESOLUTION TEMPORARILY CLOSING PORTIONS OF MEADOWMONT LANE, SPRUNT STREET, WEAVER MINE ROAD, LITTLE BRANCH TRAIL, PARK RIDGE AVENUE, AND SIMERVILLE ROAD ON SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2002 FOR THE MEADOWMONT BICYCLE CLASSIC ROAD RACE (2002-06-24/R-4))

 

WHEREAS, the Tri-Cyclist Bicycle Racing Club has requested the closing of portions of several streets in Meadowmont for The Meadowmont Bicycle Classic Race;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council hereby authorizes the closing of Meadowmont Lane between Simerville Road and Sprunt Street; Sprunt Street between Meadowmont Lane and Weaver Mine Road; Weaver Mine Road between Sprunt Street and Little Branch Trail; Little Branch Trail between Weaver Mine Road and Park Ridge Avenue; Park Ridge Avenue between Little Branch Trail and Simerville Road; Simerville Road between Park Ridge Avenue and Meadowmont Lane on Sunday, 15 September 2002.

 

This the 24^th day of June, 2002.