TITLE: Title
Discussion of a Public Process Regarding Phases 3 and 4 of the Bolin Creek Greenway
PURPOSE: The purpose of this item is to provide the Board of Aldermen with an opportunity to discuss how a public process will proceed for consideration of phases 3 and 4 of the Bolin Creek Greenway.
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DEPARTMENT: Planning
CONTACT INFORMATION: Trish McGuire, pmcguire@townofcarrboro.org <mailto:pmcguire@townofcarrboro.org>, 919-918-7327
INFORMATION: On several occasions in recent years, the Board of Alderman has discussed the status of the development of a public process for Phases 3 and 4 of the Bolin Creek Greenway. The Mayor and Board of Aldermen reviewed a draft proposal prepared by staff and Mayor Lavelle and Aldermen Haven-O’Donnell and Seils participated in meetings with citizens affiliated with varying interests (e.g. Friends of Bolin Creek, trail running, bicycling). As a process has not yet been identified, a worksession has been scheduled for the Mayor and Board of Aldermen to discuss the topic. Possible framing questions for this worksession are:
• What shared set of facts are relevant to the situation?
• What are the points of agreement and disagreement regarding a public process?
• What is the ideal public engagement process?
The Neighborhood Forum provisions of the Town Code provide some guidance on past thinking related to community building and involvement. See Attachment A and/or pages 18-21 at <http://www.townofcarrboro.org/DocumentCenter/View/99/Chapter-3---Administration-PDF>.
Background and Related. The Board of Aldermen adopted the Conceptual Master Plan for the Bolin Creek Greenway on December 8, 2009, with the following actions, excerpted from the meeting minutes, also available at pages 10-11 of <http://www01.townofcarrboro.org/BoA/Minutes/2009/12_08_2009.pdf>.
1) Receive this update and support the continued pursuit of greenway development.
2) Adopt the recommendation for Phase 1A and 1B (1B would not extend any further south than Jolly Branch), and Phase 2.
3) That all three options for Phases 3 and 4 be included in the concept plan.
4) That staff be directed to establish a process for public input on Phases 3 and 4.
5) Direct staff to pursue a municipal agreement with NCDOT to release an RFP and contract with (a) firm(s) to develop construction documents and initiate environmental permitting for Phases 1 and 2 of the greenway trail; and
The foregoing resolution having been submitted to a vote received the following vote and was duly adopted this 8th day of December 2009:
Ayes: Dan Coleman, Sammy Slade, Lydia Lavelle, Mark Chilton, Joal Hall Broun, Jacquelyn Gist, Randee Haven-O’Donnell
MOTION WAS MADE BY JOAL HALL BROUN AND SECONDED BY RANDEE HAVEN-O’DONNELL TO ADOPT THE CONCEPT PLAN WITH THE SPECIFIED CHANGES. VOTE: AFFIRMATIVE SIX, ABSENT ONE (COLEMAN)
Planning and construction has proceeded on Phases 1A (Wilson Park Greenway) and 1B (Homestead Road-Chapel Hill High School Multi-Use Path), and the Jones Creek Greenway. Following community concerns related to construction of Phase 1B and the Community Climate Action Plan, in early 2016, Andy Sachs of the Dispute Settlement Center, interviewed the Mayor and Board members to assist with an assessment of whether and if so, how, to proceed with a process of engaging the community on Phases 3 and 4.
On June 14, 2016, the Board of Aldermen discussed the topic and directed staff to prepare information on a type of forum, list of stakeholders, and process that could be used to open the conversation on Phases 3 and 4. (Agenda materials may be found at <https://carrboro.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=456729&GUID=31B4D383-0429-4BB3-B617-760705DD1BB3&Options=&Search>=.) Staff worked on this matter in the summer and fall of 2016, provided updates to a subcommittee of Board members, and met with citizens representing various interested parties. The Board of Aldermen representatives met with these citizens on several occasions in 2017 and early 2018 to develop a recommended public process.
The Town has been holding multiple public hearings on Town projects since it received community input on Phase 1B in early 2016. Where they have been completed, conceptual plans typically represent between 15 and 30 percent of the detail on a project. At this stage in the greenway design process, alignment has been determined as has anticipated surface, tree removal, and basic stormwater. Since there are stages in the design process (i.e. up to 30 percent completion of the construction plans) where it is easier and less costly to incorporate changes, staff is noting for the Board’s consideration an emphasis on opportunities for input earlier in the process, with later presentations and meetings serving primarily reporting and scheduling functions. For these reasons, Board feedback on the framing of these sessions (e.g. input, hearings, and information meetings) is requested.
FISCAL & STAFF IMPACT: No extraordinary fiscal or staff impacts have been identified in relation to this worksession.
RECOMMENDATION:r It is recommended that the Board of Aldermen discuss this matter and convey to staff its comments and interests.