MPO Transportation Advisory Committee February 28, :30 P.M., Land of Sky Regional Council Offices Meeting Notes

Transcription

1 MPO Transportation Advisory Committee February 28, :30 P.M., Land of Sky Regional Council Offices Meeting Notes Support\Agendas_Minutes_Meetings\2013\ _TAC\2013_02_28_MPO_TAC_notes_LZ.docx Page 1

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3 PUBLIC OLIN JARRETT LARRY JENKINS TONY DOYLE JEFF MAYNARD KEN BRANE FRANKIE INGLE MIKE INGLE CRUMER DOCKERY BRUCE SNELSON PEGGY BENNETT MARK SNELSON PATTY BEAVER 1. WELCOME AND HOUSEKEEPING The meeting was called to order by Jan Davis and introductions were made. The Ethics Statement was read, no conflicts noted, and no modifications to the Agenda made. 2. REGULAR UPDATES A. Legislative Updates Paul Black indicated that new NC Board of Transportation members have been nominated, including a new board member for Division 13, but they have not yet been approved due to a requirement that no more than 2 members come from the same Division. Regarding the federal funding sequester situation, MPO planning budget will not be impacted by this but some of the transportation project funding might be impacted due to the Highway Trust Fund shortage and some of the transportation funding now coming from the general fund transfers. B. Transportation Planning Branch Updates There were no updates from Transportation Planning Branch at this time. C. NCDOT Division 13 and 14 updates Rick Tipton provided a brief Division 13 update. Division 13 project information is posted online at Some details include: various bridge projects underway US 74A underway Weaver Blvd. project underway Pedestrian bridge at Warren Wilson Rd. will be let to construction soon. Brownie Newman asked if this is an update to existing pedestrian bridge or a new bridge project. Tipton indicated this is a replacement of existing pedestrian bridge. Rick Joel Setzer provided Division 14 updates. The project report is posted online. Some of the highlights include: Repaving I-40 Upward Rd. project on schedule Howard Gap section of Jackson Rd. to bridge estimated completion 12/15 Working with SCDOT on joint replacement of Green River Bridges on I-26. Will probably get trucks off route on SC 11 Waynesville Mountain shoulder work begins next week Howell Mill Rd., 06/13 Rest Area on Balsam Let, 8/13 Support\Agendas_Minutes_Meetings\2013\ _TAC\2013_02_28_MPO_TAC_notes_LZ.docx Page 3

4 NC 209/23/74 let date of 4/14 Howard Gap Rd. southern section scheduled for 05/13 Work around schools on NC 191 scheduled to be let in 2014 Transylvania County:US-64 Bridge over Rock Creek scheduled for 2013 Don Farr questioned the public meeting on Erckwood project scheduled for January/February when will it happen. Mike Sorrells asked when the work would begin on Waynesville Rd Joel Setzer indicated that after the let date, there is usually a delay of three weeks prior to construction. Mike Sorrells-the road is slipping. Joel Setzer responded that a crew will be sent out to check. There being no further comments, Maurice Jones motioned to adjourn the MPO RPO meeting, Daryle Hogsed seconded, and the motion carried. D. MPO TAC Staff Updates Paul Black provided a brief update on the Extreme Weather Adaptation Grant Application, an update on the Regional Travel Survey and emphasized the need for the Regional Travel Survey results data to be used in the Regional Travel Demand Model update. He discussed MOU update adoption progress. Jan Davis expressed a concern regarding Henderson County s position on participating in the Regional Travel Survey and indicated that there might be a need for follow-up communication with Henderson County Commissioners. CONSENT AGENDA The minutes from the January 31, 2013 meeting were discussed. Carl Bartlett motioned to approve, Michael Sorrells seconded, and the motion carried. PUBLIC COMMENT Comer Dockery, resident of 43 years, commented on NC 63, stating that he lives where four lane ends and two lanes start. Four people were killed at this point in the last six years. Auto insurance rates have changed in the last twenty years and feels this limited access will bring mostly commercial development not residential. Bruce Nelson is a farmer and NC 63 runs through his property. It took him two minutes to go two miles this morning. He referenced the truck lane on steep grades of Hwy and wants turn lanes and a few traffic lights but feels four lanes with grass median is overkill. It will cost too much and he wanted a bike or moped lane as mopeds slow down traffic. Peggy Bennett said that widening Leicester Hwy is not a safety issue as widening causes speed and traffic accidents. People are aging and moving closer to the city, closer to doctors, and many residents putting homes in conservation easements. Leicester doesn t need roundabouts, one in front of FD is insanity, one in front of Road interchange that just needs a turning lane, takes out home and businesses. Olin Jarret, a tax payer, disagrees with Ms. Bennett. He grew up here, sees the Leicester Highway area as well populated and needing improvements and thinks that residents denying the need for roadway improvements would be burying their heads in the sand. Larry Jenkins lives on Sherry Lane Rd., has noted that there have been three accidents, four deaths, and feels that it would be important to move Sherry Lane or put a stoplight at NC 63 and Sherry Lane intersection to slow down drivers. Encouraged to make small improvements. Tom Doewl has been in the community since 1996 and turns onto NC 63 from Jones Rd. daily. He doesn t know stats, just uses road and has heard about but not seen any accidents. It seems to him the plan presented in December doesn t fit with logistics and community. It is overkill to him with all Support\Agendas_Minutes_Meetings\2013\ _TAC\2013_02_28_MPO_TAC_notes_LZ.docx Page 4

5 roundabouts, not opposed to roundabouts, but feels five in less than a mile is too much. He feels the project is too much and hopes for a reduced plan that is better for the community. Jeff Maynar is a Pastor at Newfound Baptist Church and has church members for and against. IF we need to rethink it, then rethink it but don t stop it. He doesn t want to see members lose homes or businesses but is afraid to miss the opportunity to improve. He likes roundabouts but feels five is too many, a stoplight at Gauges Dr would cause accidents but a roundabout there would be good. The issue is school release and work traffic. He doesn t want to see the project go, just wants a compromise. Ken Brain, Leicester resident and member of Sierra Club, said that MPO adopted the LRTP that focused on turning lanes and improvements that dropped the cost 19 million from the cost of today s cost. Projects AADT have these been visited since economic downturn. Don t want to change the nature of the farming rural area to lots of subdivisions. Jan Davis asked for any additional speakers. No further public comment. BUSINESS A. MTIP/LRTP Alignment for U-3301 (Leicester Hwy) Paul Black reported on results of MPO staff analysis regarding where the LRTP is different from the TIP. Those plans should generally match. FBRMPO could modify the LRTP to show a larger scope NC 63 project, in which case MPO staff would need to identify how shift the funding from another project which is further out in the timeline. Metropolitan TIP has to line up with the State STIP. There is a 30-day public notification requirement in order to amend the MTIP. Paul Black added that if the NEPA process is complete, FHWA would have no reason not to approve the project at this point because the MTIP and the STIP match. MPO staff have posted notice advertise for TIP amendment to take place on March 28 th. The options in front of FBRMPO TAC today are to do nothing, amend the LRTP and look for projects to take out of the LRTP to balance out the funding or amend STIP. Paul Black added that if NEPA final decision arrives at FHWA first, it could mean the project moves forward, irresponsive of TIP amendment that could occur later. Paul Black referenced the Blue Ridge Rd interchange as a project that was halted and now vastly needed. Holly Jones asked if the NEPA process could be slowed down in order to make a decision that is appropriate, rather than race against a bureaucratic procedure. Rick Tipton indicated that Division 13 is already slowing down this project and looking for changes, there is no need to be racing against the NEPA. So far, NCDOT plans have been revised to only include two roundabouts rather than five. NCDOT is revising the plan and looking at all the input and making changes. NCDOT Division 13 will continue to work with the [Leicester] community to build what they want and need for the future. This plan is from the experts that look at projections. Eddie Underwood questioned the number of public hearings; Rick Tipton indicated that there have been two to the best of his knowledge. Marc Hunt questioned if NEPA arrives before MPO adjusts MTIP, whether there is a risk of the project moving forward before arriving at a consensus on final design. Holly Jones asked for clarification if MTIP amendment goes forward to revise the scope to a lower amount, would this project be taken off the STIP altogether? Jay Swain indicated that even with changes, this project would not drop off the list; Jay Swain added that the project will be tweaked to meet public and MPO preferences. Jan Davis clarified that there is recognition of a problem. The vision has never been a huge highway, just a way for people to get home and to the grocery store. MPO staff recognized this several years ago when the LRTP was adopted. The funding was not redirected to Sweeten Creek Road project. Jay Swain added that he has been advised in the last three days that engineering will not be done by the deadline to get to ROW started by July 2013, so this project is already on a delayed schedule and there is some time for design updates. Support\Agendas_Minutes_Meetings\2013\ _TAC\2013_02_28_MPO_TAC_notes_LZ.docx Page 5

6 Jan Davis indicated that more time for design and engineering was the recommended option based on the last TCC meeting. Jerry VeHaun indicated that he is supportive of Division 13 direction and agrees with Holly Jones preference to slow down the NEPA. Jerry VeHaun motioned to hold off on MTIP amendment until public hearing is held in two or three months. Marc Hunt asked for clarification on which public hearing is in question the public hearing for MTIP amendment, or additional NCDOT public hearing for NC 63 Leicester Highway project. Jay Swain stated that if Division 13 decides to slow down the process, PDEA will not have to be asked to slow down. Division 13 can resolve this issue amicably. Jan Davis indicated that he would like to make sure the MPO doesn t miss their opportunity to be proactive. Jay Swain asked Rick Tipton to get back with Paul Black in the next few days on an answer regarding potential design changes and timing for the project public hearing. Brownie Newman commented that this would be the best solution and that he appreciates NCDOT Division 13 working with the MPO. Jan Davis asked to clarify the motion or to have a new one. Jerry VeHaun withdrew his motion and he restated that he would not want the region to lose the funding for this project. Paul Black and Lyuba Zuyeva indicated that the comments made by public today will be put on record towards the MTIP amendment hearing so that the citizens would not have to come back on March 28, although they are welcome to. Rick Tipton indicated the NCDOT public hearing on the project will be in the evening most likely at the same church, date to be decided but likely in a couple months. Ed Underwood indicated that he has been hearing about the NC 63 project a long time and wanted to know how long the public comment period is typically open for. Mark Snelson (member of the public) indicated that the public did not have enough notice for example, it would be helpful to have an announcement on WLOS. Rick Tipton indicated that press releases and notices to adjacent property owners went out. Marc Hunt commented that he was concerned the MPO took public input on the smaller project but planning moved forward on the larger project that the MPO didn t support. Jan Davis indicated that the MPO LRTP states safety issues and widening of lanes, not the large project out there, so there is a difference in the projects. TCC elected to keep issue open., TAC would still need to confront the issue that the MTIP and STIP do not agree and this need to be rectified. DOT will hold an additional public hearing for this project; MPO would want to be at the discussion table. In response to a question from Carl Bartlett Brownie Newman clarified that no action is needed today and motioned to set a date for hearing for amendment of MTIP for March 28 th. Jerry VeHaun seconded, and the motion carried. Holly Jones added that the intent of the TAC is to make people happy with the outcome, and to have a safer road.. B. New Ethics Requirements for Voting TCC and TAC Members Paul Black provided handout and mentioned the deadlines. The deadline to file SEI forms is April 15 th ; training is due to be completed by June 30 th. C. Complete Streets Policy Lyuba Zuyeva introduced the regional Complete Streets policy and gave a history of its development. Complete Streets Subcommittee has considered this draft during December and February meetings and has recommended its adoption; TCC has recommended its adoption at its February 14, 2013 meeting. Jan Davis invited questions on the policy. Carl Bartlett asked if this will impact Leicester Highway and Lyuba Zuyeva explained that the policy would apply to future projects scheduled for construction in 2016 or later; the intent is not to delay existing projects which are already close to construction. Holly Jones motioned to adopt the Complete Streets policy. Eddie Underwood seconded, motion carried. PUBLIC COMMENT No further comments. Holly Jones questioned the reasoning for another section for public comment; Paul Black responded that this is built in in case members of the public have additional comments after hearing the discussion. Jan Davis thanked everyone for participating. Support\Agendas_Minutes_Meetings\2013\ _TAC\2013_02_28_MPO_TAC_notes_LZ.docx Page 6

7 ANNOUNCEMENTS, NEWS, SPECIAL UPDATES Paul Black and Jan Davis announced the upcoming conferences including NADO Rural Transportation Conference in Greenville, SC on April 24-26th. Josh King announced that MPO and RPO staff are working with Land-of-Sky Regional Council Area Agency on Aging staff to address involvement of seniors in transportation planning issues. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made to adjourn, Jerry VeHaun seconded, motion carried. Support\Agendas_Minutes_Meetings\2013\ _TAC\2013_02_28_MPO_TAC_notes_LZ.docx Page 7