Title
Request to Set a Legislative Public Hearing on a Text Amendment Relating to Complete Streets
PURPOSE: The purpose of this agenda item is to request that the Town Council set a public hearing on a text amendment to Land Use Ordinance to establish a complete streets policy. The Town Council must receive public comment before making a decision. A resolution setting a public hearing for June 6, 2023 is provided.
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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
Setting a public hearing on a text amendment is a required step in accordance with North Carolina state statutes and Town regulations.
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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, articulated in Article XIV, include requirements for all modes-motor vehicles, people on bicycles and pedestrians-with specific cross section dimensions based on street classification. The LUO does not currently include a policy statement relating to concept of complete streets, or findings noting the 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.
The purpose of this text amendment is to add specific language as part of an overarching policy description that includes the need for/benefit of implementing a complete street network. Of note, complete streets programs are often established as part of a community’s capital improvement program and as such include a benchmarking component. The draft text amendment addresses the development process; the benchmarking component has not been included (Attachment B).
The Town Council must receive public comment before taking action on the draft ordinance. Orange County and Planning Board review is also needed, and the Town Council may wish to refer the matter to the Transportation Advisory Board based on its expertise.
Responses to the racial equity pocket questions for the public hearing process necessary for the consideration of a text amendment have been provided (Attachment C).
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Fiscal and Staff Impact
FISCAL IMPACT: Public hearings involve staff and public notice costs associated with advisory board and Town Council review.
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Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION: The Town Manager recommends that the Town Council consider the attached resolution (Attachment A) setting a public hearing on June 6, 2023 and referring the amendment to Orange County, the Planning Board, and the Transportation Advisory Board.
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