Elizabeth Brady Rd Extension (12)

TO: Brian Wrenn
NC Division of Water Quality
1650 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1650
RE: NCDOT Project U3808
DATE: 12-23-09
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FROM: Classical American Homeso'` pG 9 { f?
Preservation Trust
376 St Mary's Rd
Hillsborough, NC 27278
The concerns raised by CAHPT are based on years of following the project through its prolonged
journey to its recent DEIS release. CAHPT purchased a 193 acre parcel of land in 1997, adjacent
to Ayr Mount's 72 acres. The new land came with a conservation easement attached by
Preservation/NC so that the perpetual use would be for passive recreational/educational activity.
After the land was inventoried, it was opened as a cultural park and a master trail plan was
developed. There are currently 5 miles of trail on site with more planned in Phase II and III. It
was an interesting discovery and achievement to have the Old Occoneechee Speedway portion of
that acreage placed on the National Park's National Register of Historic Places in May of 2002.
Another portion of that land (70 acres) lies on the north slope of Poplar Ridge. This acreage was
identified years ago by Orange County as a significant natural area for its steep slopes and
mountain-like eco system. Poplar Ridge is one of the last monadnock formations as the piedmont
gives way to the coastal plain. The Eno River makes several sharp bends through our land before
it straightens towards to coast. This parcel is listed by the NC Natural Heritage Program as a
Significant Natural Heritage Area (SNHA).
Now there is a total of 265 acres of parkland that is significant for its natural and historic beauty.
Public access is available 7 days a week, 365 days a year and will ultimately be linked into the NC
DENR Mountains to Sea Trail. All 3 build alternatives of project U3808 will negatively bisect this
parkland and impact the long range goals of blending historic preservation in a natural preserve
setting with public access. Archeological remains have been found in or near all 3 aligmnents
(encl). There are also 7 tributary basins emptying into the Eno River from Poplar Ridge's north
slope.
Please note that the Town Board of Hillsborough (12-1409) and the Orange County
Commissioners (12-15-09) passed No Build Resolutions and the local MPO did not endorse the
NCDOT changes to the Purpose and Need document (encl). Over 90% of the speakers at
NCDOT's public hearing (12-7-09) spoke out against this project.
Please do not issue this project a permit. In Hillsborough it is understood that the highest and best
use of this area is for public parkland and that U3808's proposed benefits do not supersede its
impacts.
Respectfully, (Bill ?Crowther, CAHPT Registered Agent
Classical American Homes Preservation Trust
To NCDOT Officials,
As the proud representative of 265 acres of natural and cultural parkland along the Eno River
east of Hillsborough, I respectfully ask that you consider the following revisions to your DEIS
and allow more time for CAHPT to uncover more evidence that could add to your
Environmental Impact Statement. In particular, there are at least 7 tributaries emptying into the
Eno River from our Poplar Ridge area (70 acres) which warrants further review. We share a
similar mission with NCDOT to be accountable and environmentally sensitive.
S.5 There should be mention of the nationally significant Eno River Aquatic Habitat
and locally significant Poplar Ridge Slopes and Bottom.
1.52 History of Project should reflect years and votes when EBR was not a top priority.
I can provide dates and documents.
2.1 The recently revised Statement of Purpose and Need that eliminated a traffic safety
component is contrary to NCDOT's mission of safety listed on its website.
3.1.3.1 Need to include all of CAHPT's 265 acres dedicated for public
recreational/educational use. Both Hillsborough and Orange County's future land
use maps indicate it as a Resource Protection Area.
3.5.1.1 Two factual errors: RH Jenrette purchased Ayr Mount in 1985... Poplar Ridge is
seen in the distance ...
Fig 3-13 The APE does not meet documents purpose and need; visibly avoiding
Hillsborough's Historic District.
S.5, Ayr Mount is listed as being a contributing structure to Hillsborough's Historic
District and it should also be reviewed in light of the additional land it has
accumulated since it's nomination in 1971.
4.3
4.3.2 DEIS reports incorrectly that there are no known archeological sites in proposed
alignment corridors. Enclosed are documents to refute that statement.
Based on these and other factors, I urge NCDOT to conclude that U3808 should not be built. It
has too many adverse impacts on natural, human, historical, and environmental resources. I am
encouraged to see that the no build alternative (S.4.1) can include other NCDOT roadway
improvements. This would allow Hillsborough and NCDOT to work on other transportation
alternatives that will also relieve congestion throughout town.
Respectfully, Bill Crowther, CAIJPT Registered Agent
C
DURHAM • CHAPEL HILT. • CARRnORO METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION
May 11, 2009
Member Governments
Town of Carrboro
Town of Chapel Hill Vincent J. Rhea, PE
County of Chatham North Carolina Department of Transportation
City of Durham
County of Durham
1548 Mail Service Center
Town of Hillsborough Raleigh, NC 27699-1548
NC Department of
Transportation
County of orange
Dear Mr. Rhea:
The Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization (DCHC
MPO) is abstaining from signing the revised purpose and need statement for U-3808,
Elizabeth Brady Road Extension. The DCHC MPO requests that the NCDOT
provide additional information related to the traffic modeling to the MPO. This
modeling information should also be included in the Draft Environmental Impact
Statement for the project.
As proposed at the April 21, 2009, NEPA/404 Merger Team meeting on
Concurrence Point 1, the revised project purpose is: "Reduce congestion on Churton
Street in the central business district in terms of traffic delay at intersections and
travel time for the peak period/peak direction." This replaces the previous project
purpose: "Reduce traffic congestion and improve the level-of-service in the central
business district of the Town of Hillsborough, including Churton Street and St.
Mary's Road." The NEPA/404 Merger Team does not intend to revisit Concurrence
Point 2 (alternatives) or 2A (major stream crossings).
The DCHC MPO objects to revising Concurrence Point I and not revisiting the
subsequent Concurrence Points. The review process is intended to be completed in
order from project need to alternatives to assessment of environmental impact to
selection. The alternatives should be developed to address the purpose and need.
Changing Concurrence Point 1 after defining alternatives is counter to the carefully
designed NEPA/404 Merger Team process.
Furthermore, while the DCHC MPO understands that level-of-service is inadequate
to measure the benefits of the project, the revised project purpose is not an
acceptable revision because it does not ensure that the project will result in a
sufficient amount of congestion relief in the central business district of Hillsborough.
The revised purpose and need and corresponding Travel Needs and Benefits
Technical Memorandum also does not adequately measure the degree that the
project offers an attractive alternative route to traffic that does not have an origin or
destination in the central business district of Hillsborough. Additional modeling
information must be included in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement to better
describe the impact of the project on traffic circulation in Hillsborough. This should
City of Durham • Department of Transportation • 101 City Hall Plaza • Durham, North Carolina 27701- [phone] • Facsimile [phone]
include a geographic analysis of trips using Churton Street and Elizabeth Brady
Road.
In order to better understand the modeling that was completed for this project, the
DCHC MPO requests that NCDOT provide the MPO modeling information. The
MPO requests a copy of the model network used, the through trip table for the base
and future year, and the earlier version of the Travel Needs and Benefits Technical
Memorandum. This Memorandum was referenced at the April 21, 2009, meeting
but not provided to the MPO.
We appreciate your assistance with this request and look forward to receiving this
information. Please contact Felix Nwoko with any questions.
Sincerely,
Felix Nwoko
Planning Manager
Cc: Derrick Weaver, NCDOT
Margaret Hauth, Town of Hillsborough
Karen Lincoln, Orange County
Town
of
Hills gh
61p T. a HOW.1 0
Resolution in Support of the
No Build Alternative for U-3808
Whereas, Elizabeth Brady Road extension (U3808) is a component of Hillsborough Transportation
Plan and has been since approximately 1969, and
Whereas, the Town of Hillsborough has routinely requested funding for this project through the
Transportation Improvement Plan process as a top priority, and
Whereas, the Town received and reviewed the draft Environmental Impact Statement report from
the Department of Transportation in November 2009, and
Whereas, the Draft Environmental Impact Statement shows minor positive impacts to congestion
on Churton Street through downtown Hillsborough for the three build alternatives
analyzed, and
Whereas, the Department of Transportation amended the statement of purpose and need for this
project due to findings of the Draft EIS, and
Whereas, the documented impacts in the Draft EIS to the natural, human, and cultural environment
of Hillsborough and Orange County the outweigh benefits, and
Whereas, specific impacts to natural, human, and cultural environment include division of 265
acres of publically accessible green space that forms a central park for Hillsborough,
disruption of neighborhoods, and long-term impacts to river from run-off.
Now, Therefore be it resolved by the Board of Commissioners for the Town of Hillsborough that the
Town of Hillsborough:
1) Only supports the No Build Option, including other NCDOT programmed improvements as
described in the Draft EIS,
2) Will be working to remove the project from Transportation Improvement Plan requests as
well as local and regional transportation plans, and
3) Urges NCDOT to consider funding a package of alternative improvements which will be
submitted consistent with MPO processes
` 4),,,,,, Anticipates working closely NCDOT and the MPO to develop new ways of doing business.
HI ?t 'd address our transportation and traffic issues under a complete stree philosophy.
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!? Tevw G _
,r Tom Stevens, ayor
Hills 9 - IA
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Do rister, Town Clerk Date
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101 East Orange Street • P.O. Box 429 • Hillsborough, North Carolina 27278
919-732-1270 • Fax [phone]