Title
Legislative Public Hearing on Land Use Ordinance Text Amendment Relating to Complete Streets
PURPOSE: The purpose of this agenda item is for the Town Council to consider amending the Land Use Ordinance to establish a complete streets policy. A draft ordinance has been prepared. The Town Council must receive public comment before making a decision.
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Department
DEPARTMENT: Planning
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Contact
CONTACT INFORMATION: Christina Moon - 919-918-7325, cmoon@townofcarrboro.org <mailto:cmoon@townofcarrboro.org>; Patricia McGuire - 919-918-7327, pmcguire@townofcarrboro.org <mailto:pmcguire@townofcarrboro.org>; Nick Herman - 919-929-3905, herman@broughlawfirm.com <mailto:herman@broughlawfirm.com>
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Council Direction
COUNCIL DIRECTION:
___ Race/Equity ____ Climate __X__ Comprehensive Plan __X__Other
Council Direction Statement
Legislative public hearings are a necessary step for text amendments in accordance with North Carolina state statutes and Town regulations. The Council is required to adopt a statement of consistency as part of its decision.
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Information
INFORMATION: Complete Streets are streets designed and operated to enable safe use and support mobility for all users. The concept encompasses a comprehensive approach of planning, designing and operating streets and rights of ways with all users in mind, to make the transportation network more complete, more efficient and safer.
The existing street standards in the Land Use Ordinance (LUO), articulated in Article XIV, include requirements for all modes-motor vehicles, including transit, people on bicycles and pedestrians-with specific cross section dimensions based on street classification. The LUO does not, however, currently include a policy statement relating to concept of complete streets, or findings describing the public benefits of complete streets. During the review of the most recent application for Bicycle-Friendly Community status, this was noted as an area where the Town could make an improvement. A draft ordinance has been prepared, that adds this additional language and provides flexibility in the cross section design for certain street types so long as facilities for all modes are provided (Attachment B).
The Town Council must receive public comment before adopting an amendment to the Land Use Ordinance. The draft ordinance was referred to Orange County, and presented to the Planning Board and Transportation Advisory Board on June 1, 2023 (Attachment E). The Racial Equity Commission has not yet had an opportunity to review the text amendment; the Council may wish to continue the Public Hearing in order to receive their comments.
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Fiscal and Staff Impact
FISCAL IMPACT: Staff time is necessary for public notice and agenda preparation for advisory board review and public hearings.
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Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION: The Town Manager recommends that the Town Council receive public input and consider whether the proposed text amendment is consistent with Town plans and policies. A resolution for consistency (Attachment A) and a draft ordinance for the text amendment (Attachment B) are provided.
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