1 TOWN OF CHAPEL HILL Town Council Special Meeting 405 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Chapel Hill, NC 27514 7:00 P.M., OCTOBER 30, 2014 Participate! Transform your ideas into action and make Chapel Hill even better. Please visit www.townofchapelhill.org/agendas for Council Meeting Public Participation Guidelines and Information Related to Council Meetings. Did you know you can receive Council Agendas by email? Sign up at www.townofchapelhill.org/signup Let us know how we can improve our efforts to serve you. Contact us at clerk@townofchapelhill.org or 919-968-2743. AGENDA ITEMS 1. Approve Agenda. (no attachment) 2. Public Comment Period (10 minutes). (no attachment) 3. Discussion: Obey Creek Development Agreement Process - Additional Transportation Information. PRESENTER: Mary Jane Nirdlinger, Planning and Sustainability David Bonk, Long Range and Transportation Manager Megan Wooley, Community Sustainability Planner 4. Public Comment Period (10 minutes). (no attachment)
2 TOWN OF CHAPEL HILL NORTH CAROLINA MEMORANDUM Meeting Date: 10/30/2014 AGENDA #3 TO: FROM: Roger L. Stancil, Town Manager Mary Jane Nirdlinger, Planning and Sustainability John Richardson, Sustainability Officer Megan Wooley, Community Sustainability Planner SUBJECT: Obey Creek Development Agreement Process: Additional Transportation Information Purpose The purpose of the October 30 th Obey Creek Special Meeting is for the Council to receive and review additional information related to transportation and connectivity in southern Chapel Hill. Background On June 23, 2014, the Council passed a resolution (2014-06-23/R-17 1 ) authorizing the Town Manager and Town Attorney to enter into the negotiation phase of the development agreement process with Obey Creek Ventures, LLC for the Obey Creek site contingent on the receipt of a Traffic Impact Analysis, Fiscal Impact Report, and Environmental Impact Analysis. This information was received and reviewed by the Council during their October 1 st Work Session and October 11 th Special Meeting. Additional Information During the October 11 th meeting, the Council requested additional information about transportation and connectivity in southern Chapel Hill. During the October 30 th meeting, we will be providing the following: o Report on traffic modeling results of recommended roadway improvements (see Attachment 1); o Additional transit information (see Attachment 2); o Information from staff meeting with Bicycle Alliance Chapel Hill (BACH) (see Attachment 3); o Map of current and proposed greenways, bicycle connections, and sidewalks; and o Responses to questions about southern Chapel Hill. Next Steps The next Obey Creek Special Meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 3 rd. 1 http://chapelhill.granicus.com/metaviewer.php?view_id=7&clip_id=2118&meta_id=90434
3 Council Goals Create A Place for Everyone Facilitate Getting Around Develop Good Places New Spaces Nurture Our Community Support Community Prosperity and Engagement Attachments Attachment 1: Obey Creek TIS 2022 Peak Hour LOS/Queue Analysis NCDOT Recommended Laneage Attachment 2: Obey Creek TIS Detailed Transit Analysis Attachment 3: Notes from Bicycle Alliance Chapel Hill Meeting
4 TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM To From Cc Subject Date
5 Obey Creek TIS 2022 PM Peak Hour LOS/Queue Analysis for NCDOT Recommended Laneage Page 2 of 6 FUTURE LANEAGE ANALYZED Site Dr #5 2022 PM Peak Traffic Volumes (9) (1674) (2) Site Dr #5 300' Market Street Park and Ride Access 125' Dogwood Acres Dr 250' 150' 200' 275' 250' 200' 150' 300' 225' 150' 325' 125' 125' Market St East Site Dr #3 Site Dr #2 (Exit Only) Site Dr #1 (In Only) (251) (1407) (147) (29) Market Street Park and Ride Access Dogwood Acres Dr (397) (8) (106) (72) (1263) (336) (0) (124) (94) (1237) (75) (59) (12) Smith Level Road Smith Level Road (2) (81) (1033) (43) (411) (19) (20) (748) (94) (793) (217) (11) (157) (88) (793) (83) (17) (742) Site Dr #4 Site Dr #3 Site Dr #2 (Exit Only) Site Dr #1 (Enter Only)
6 Obey Creek TIS 2022 PM Peak Hour LOS/Queue Analysis for NCDOT Recommended Laneage Page 3 of 6 ID # Intersections / Movements LOS Average Vehicular Delay (sec/vehicle) 12 US 15-501 & Market Street / Market Street East D 37.3 95 th % Queue Length (ft) Queue Storage (ft) EB LT E 71.7 575 150 EB THRT E 67.3 175 350 WB LT E 71.4 250 150 WB TH E 63.8 50 225 WB RT E 65.8 300 225 NB LT/U-TURN F 109.8 200 250 NB TH C 32.3 575 925 NB RT B 12.3 50 150 SB LT/U-TURN E 67.8 250 250 SB TH B 18.5 725 - SB RT A 2.2 100 300
7 Obey Creek TIS 2022 PM Peak Hour LOS/Queue Analysis for NCDOT Recommended Laneage Page 4 of 6 ID # Intersections / Movements LOS Average Vehicular Delay (sec/vehicle) 8 NC 86 (S. Columbia Street) & NC 54 Bypass (Fordham Blvd) WB Ramps C 21.6 95 th % Queue Length (ft) Queue Storage (ft) EB RT* A 5.0 0 600 WB RT** A 8.9 25 1350 NB LT E 70.9 475 200 NB TH A 0.4 0 725 SB TH C 34.2 1175 - SB RT B 13.3 225 350 9 US 15-501 & NC 54 Bypass (Fordham Blvd) EB Ramps C 22.0 EB LT E 57.9 225 250 EB LTTH E 79.3 325 900 EB RT E 78.9 325 250 NB TH A 4.7 150 800 SB LT B 10.3 50 150 SB TH B 16.0 575 625 10 US 15-501 & Culbreth Road / Mt. Carmel Church Road D 40.9 EB LT F 97.2 200 900 EB TH E 56.1 150 - EB RT E 56.6 125 75 WB LTTH F 113.8 200 - WB RT C 32.8 200 350 NB LT F 101.8 200 125 NB TH D 54.0 975 - NB RT B 10.9 50 75 SB LT F 83.4 675 525 SB TH B 11.6 650 800 SB RT A 2.0 50 250 11 US 15-501 & Arlen Park Drive / Bennett Road B 13.9 EB LT E 70.4 175 75 EB THRT D 52.2 100 400 WB LT E 60.7 125 200 WB THRT D 49.2 50 - NB LT E 63.5 50 275 NB TH A 9.6 650 - NB RT A 5.5 50 300 SB LT E 59.9 50 275 SB TH A 9.6 375 - SB RT A 6.1 75 325 RED LOS/DELAY VALUES Movement or Overall Intersection is over capacity per Town of Chapel Hill TIS Guidelines RED QUEUE LENGTH/STORAGE VALUES Synchro Estimated Queue Length Potentially Exceeds Existing/Future Storage - = Queue Storage Calculation Not Relevant for Specified Movement * - Free Flow Movement ** - Unsignalized (Stop-Controlled) Movement
8 Obey Creek TIS 2022 PM Peak Hour LOS/Queue Analysis for NCDOT Recommended Laneage Page 5 of 6 ID # Intersections / Movements LOS Average Vehicular Delay (sec/vehicle) 12 US 15-501 & Market Street / Market Street East E 63.4 95 th % Queue Length (ft) Queue Storage (ft) EB LT F 103.8 650 150 EB THRT E 71.2 175 350 WB LT D 41.3 100 150 WB THRT F 116.7 425 225 NB LT/U-TURN F 109.9 200 250 NB TH D 44.4 600 925 NB RT A 5.8 25 150 SB LT/U-TURN F 108.1 325 250 SB TH E 61.9 925 - SB RT A 6.5 25 300 13 US 15-501 & Sumac Road (SV Park & Ride Driveway / Site Driveway #3) B 17.0 EB RT E 68.1 175 - WB RT C 26.2 400 325 NB LT/U-TURN E 68.0 100 200 NB TH C 26.4 250 1400 NB RT C 22.1 75 125 SB LT B 11.4 175 200 SB TH A 2.5 100 925 SB RT A 2.1 25 125 14 US 15-501 & Dogwood Acres Drive B 12.1 EB LTRT E 75.5 125 - NB LT A 9.6 25 300 NB TH A 9.6 225 - SB U-TURN E 55.7 150 275 SB THRT A 7.2 275 1400 29 US 15-501 & Site Driveway #2 (Exit Only) N/A N/A WB RT B 10.8 25-30 US 15-501 & Site Driveway #5 (RIRO) N/A N/A WB RT B 10.0 25 - RED LOS/DELAY VALUES Movement or Overall Intersection is over capacity per Town of Chapel Hill TIS Guidelines RED QUEUE LENGTH/STORAGE VALUES Synchro Estimated Queue Length Potentially Exceeds Existing/Future Storage - = Queue Storage Calculation Not Relevant for Specified Movement ** - Unsignalized Movement N/A Not Applicable, Overall Intersection LOS for Unsignalized Intersection Not Calculated by HCM Methodologies
9 Obey Creek TIS 2022 PM Peak Hour LOS/Queue Analysis for NCDOT Recommended Laneage Page 6 of 6
10 TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM To From Cc Subject Date
11 Obey Creek TIS Transit Analysis Page 2 of 9
12 Obey Creek TIS Transit Analysis Page 3 of 9
13 Obey Creek TIS Transit Analysis Page 4 of 9 2014 Existing 2022 No-Build 2022 Build Scenario Daily AM Peak Hour Noon Peak Hour PM Peak Hour Route Stop Boarding Capacity Boarding Load % Available Capacity Stop Alighting Capacity Alighting Load % Available Capacity No-Build Boarding Load % Available Capacity No-Build Alighting Load % Available Capacity Build OC Boardings Build Boarding Load % Available Capacity Build OC Alightings Build Alighting Load NS 3,060 449 85% 3,060 462 85% 584 81% 600 80% 981 1,565 49% 981 1,581 48% V 960 97 90% 1,080 57 95% 126 87% 74 93% 163 289 70% 163 237 78% CCX 2,160 214 90% 2,040 231 89% 279 87% 300 85% 111 390 82% 111 411 80% PX 180 35 80% 1,080 57 95% 46 74% 74 93% 27 73 59% 27 101 91% Totals 6,360 796 87% 7,260 807 89% 1,035 84% 1,049 86% 1,282 2,317 64% 1,282 2,331 68% NS 360 129 64% 360 44 88% 168 53% 58 84% 43 211 41% 67 125 65% V 120 33 73% 120 10 92% 42 65% 12 90% 10 52 56% 16 28 76% CCX 240 66 73% 240 13 95% 85 65% 17 93% 8 93 61% 12 29 88% PX 60 22 64% 60 2 96% 28 53% 3 95% 2 30 50% 3 6 90% Totals 780 249 68% 780 69 91% 323 59% 90 88% 63 386 50% 98 188 76% NS 120 9 92% 120 20 84% 12 90% 26 79% 42 54 55% 44 70 42% V 60 6 90% 60 2 97% 8 87% 2 96% 13 21 66% 14 16 73% CCX 120 4 97% 120 9 92% 5 95% 12 90% 2 7 94% 2 14 88% PX 0 0 0% 0 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0 0% 0 0 0% Totals 300 19 94% 300 31 90% 25 92% 40 87% 57 82 73% 60 100 67% NS 360 11 97% 360 67 81% 15 96% 87 76% 114 129 64% 97 184 49% V 120 2 98% 120 6 95% 2 98% 7 94% 22 24 80% 19 26 78% CCX 240 7 97% 240 100 58% 9 96% 131 46% 10 19 92% 8 139 42% PX 60 1 98% 60 17 72% 1 98% 22 63% 9 10 83% 7 29 51% Totals 780 21 97% 780 190 76% 27 96% 247 68% 155 182 77% 131 378 51% % Available Capacity
14 Obey Creek TIS Transit Analysis Page 5 of 9
15 Obey Creek TIS Transit Analysis Page 6 of 9 Eubanks Road Eubanks Road Eubanks Road Eubanks Road Eubanks Road Eubanks Road
16 Obey Creek TIS Transit Analysis Page 7 of 9 Meadowmont Meadowmont Meadowmont Meadowmont Meadowmont Meadowmont
17 Obey Creek TIS Transit Analysis Page 8 of 9 PM Noon AM Chatham Cty P&R UNC Campus
18 Obey Creek TIS Transit Analysis Page 9 of 9 Pittsboro Lowes UNC Campus
19 Bicycle Alliance Chapel Hill and Proposed Obey Creek Development Prepared by: Megan Wooley, Office of Planning and Sustainability, Town of Chapel Hill Prepared on: October 28, 2014 On October 27, 2014, Town staff (Megan Wooley and David Bonk) met with members of Bicycle Alliance Chapel Hill (BACH), a bicycle advocacy group in Chapel Hill, to discuss bicycle amenities and interests in southern Chapel Hill, specifically the proposed Obey Creek development. The following are notes from our conversation: Topic: Within the Obey Creek Development Inside the Obey Creek development, making bicyclists and pedestrians a priority would be beneficial. Could have shared spaces between cars, bicyclists, and pedestrians similar to the area at the Streets at Southpoint Mall near the outdoor shops. Would want to have amenities that would attract bicyclists and their families to Obey Creek. Proposed Wilson Creek Greenway What would be proposed Wilson Creek greenway connect to? If the greenway doesn t provide connectivity, the cost of building it would be spent more efficiently connecting other existing fragments of infrastructure such as e.g. the Morgan Creek greenway out of the Merritt s pasture to Morgan Creek Rd or the extension of the Morgan Creek trail to FPG Elementary School and Smith Level Rd.. If a payment-in-lieu for building the Wilson Creek greenways was available, it should be considered to use that to expedite other connectivity projects first and create the Wilson Creek greenway later in conjunction with other elements which provide true connectivity Pedestrian/Bicyclist Bridge A pedestrian/bicyclist bridge is crucially important. It can be narrow, but it needs accommodate two full pedestrians in both directions (four people wide) which would also accommodate a Notes from Meeting with BACH Group Page 1
20 pedestrian and a bicyclist at low speed. People will not likely dismount to get over the bridge if they can ride to it from the side. If we want bicyclists to ride their bikes over the pedestrian bridge, then would need to consider the grade of the bridge. If it will be ADA compliant bicyclists will bike over the bridge. If bike parking was available on the roof near the entrance/exit of the bridge, then people would likely bike over from the Park, or the Fan Branch/Morgan Creek system, could park their bikes here and then walk to frequent retail in Obey creek The bridge would probably get a lot of use if it was connected to the Community Park and the trail system. The bridge should include signage that points to the Fan Branch Trail. Topic: Outside the Obey Creek Development Currently, the speed limit along 15-501 is too fast, and there is too much traffic to feel safe biking along this road for most cyclists. Separated bike facilities would be needed to encourage more biking. Older people and families will not bike on 15-501 as it is now, but would be more likely to bike if there are separated bike lanes. A multi-use path would work well too. If better connectivity is developed between Morgan Creek and Fran Branch Trail across NC 54, then it is likely that people would bike to Obey Creek from developments north of NC 54 such as Laurel Ridge Apartments, along Merritt Mill Rd, Mason Farm Rd, etc. Biking at 15-501 and 54 Intersection Bicyclists even the most experienced bicyclists feel unsafe/avoid biking through the intersection between 15-501 and NC 54. The dangerous area and problem begins at the first on-ramp when biking from the south the orange circle on the map above shows this first point of conflict. Would never cross the intersection with children. Notes from Meeting with BACH Group Page 2
21 Many cyclists (even very experienced ones) instead prefer to take the Fan Branch and Morgan Creek trails to the trail head on NC 54 and ride against opposing traffic on NC 54 in order to get to an intersection to cross and connect to Merritt Mill Rd Though this is a very dangerous route it is still preferred over passing the onramp to 54 and going north over the bridge to reach NC 86/South Columbia St Need a separate way to get across bypass the intersection and build a connection further east and/or west from the intersection get the pedestrians/bicyclists away from the chaos of the intersection. It is unlikely that painting lanes on the intersection/bridge at 15-501 and NC 54 will help bicyclists. Especially not the group of +60% interested and concerned we need to reach. Painting lanes might not work, but activated lights which stop traffic and allow cyclists to continue through the intersection might work but would significantly impede traffic volumes need to be supported at this intersection Options for providing connections: o West: Connect through an OWASA easement to the west of the intersection Build a tunnel under NC 54 Connect through Coolidge Street o East: Connect through Botanical Gardens to Mason Farm Road Connect through Merritt s Pasture to Meadow Lane Connect through Oteys Road would also be able to connect to the light rail station at Mason Farm Road Would be nice if the new connection could connect to Columbia Street, but it is unlikely that a parent would take children through the 15-501 intersection or that less experienced riders would expose themselves to high volume, high speed traffic going uphill on S Columbia ST. Unlikely that both cars and bicyclists can be accommodated on the intersection. A cost analysis would need to be done if improving the bridge would be more cost efficient than the alternatives to the East and/or West especially taking into account the narrow group of Enthused and Confident cyclists (~9%) it would serve compared to the ~60% Interested but Concerned group the alternatives would serve. Notes from Meeting with BACH Group Page 3