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HomeMy WebLinkAboutUS 13/US 158 (7)David Farr, Olivia J Monday, November 15, 2010 3:48 PM Wainwright, David R-2507A ICE R-2507A ICE for DWQ.pdf Attached is the ICE section from the R-2507A CIA. ivia Farr Einail correspondence to and from this sender is subject to the N.C. Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties. i TIP Project R-2507A• Hertford & Gates Counties Cononunity Impact Assessment Noveniber 1, 2007 VII. CIA CONCLUSIONS TIP Project R-2507A may have some direct effects upon the community surrounding the project corridor. The project may also cause the clearing of trees or removal of vegetation through construction activities. It may also cause some displacements or relocations. Most of the homes and businesses along the corridor are set back from the roadway; however, if homes and/or businesses are not relocated, the setbacks would be reduced with right-of-way acquisition related to the widening. One person in attendance at the Citizens Informational Workshop in September 2006 indicated that the structures pertaining to the Story Family Farm (near US 13-158 and NC 137/Sandbank Road) exist on either side of US 13-158. Depending on the widening alignment, these structures may be affected by the project. i The DCIA is comprised of scattered residential uses, commercial and institutional uses, and agricultural land. Generally speaking, TIP Project R-2507A will not alter land use patterns. The widened roadway may help to make the DCIA, particularly the area near Winton or between NC 137/Sandbank Road and_Tarheel, more attractive for small scale commercial development or some residential development.. However, if this occurs, it will not be inconsistent with local, plans. ti Since TIP Project R-2507A is the proposed widening of an existing facility and includes - a median, it is possible that sohie residences or 66sinesses may be restricted to right- in/right-out movements. US 13-158 is the primary, east-west route through Hertford and Gates Counties, and commuting patterns will not likely change as a result of the widened roadway. Travel .- times along the US 13-158 corridor may improve slightly as a result of TIP Project R- 2507A because of the reduced congestion and partial access control anticipated as part of the project. In addition, adding lanes and limiting left turns through the use of a median .. should improve vehicular safety along the corridor. With the proposed improvements, traffic should flow more 'efficiently along the corridor, also likely lowering the number of traffic accidents and improving overall safety. Recommendations for reducing the effects of potential impacts are included in the "CIA and ICE Mitigation, Enhancement & Recommendations" section of this report. VIII. QUALITATIVE INDIRECT AND CUMULATIVE EFFECTS ASSESSMENT ICE Methodoloey Indirect impacts are those impacts that, as a result of a transportation project such as TIP Project R-2507A, occur over a longer period of time and can take place away from the immediate project area. A short-term example would be the development of a small subdivision along a new or widened roadway that would otherwise not have occurred. Closely related is the concept of cumulative impacts, which are the collective effects of 28 f ??p I M I k", 10 = I TIP Project R-2507A, Herlford & Gates Counties Community Impact Assessment November 1, 2007 Table 15. Population Growth, Trends and Projections ' - = Demographic. Area - Hertford Count Gates Count = North x -Carolina', Population: 1980* NIA 23,368 8,875 5,880,095 1990 4,640 22,523 9,305 6,628,637 Percentage Growth 1980-1990 NIA -3.6% 4.8% 12.7% 2000 57227 22,601 10,516 8,049,313 Percentage Growth 1990-2000 12.7% 0.3% 13.0% 21.4% Population Projections*: 2010 NIA 242097 12,517 9,450,494 Percentage Growth 2000-2010 NIA 6.6% 19.0% 17.4% 2020 N/A 23,704 13,981 10,850,228 -Percentage Growth 2010-2020 N/A -1.6% 11.7% 14.8% 2030 N/A 23,013 15,301 12,274,433 Percentage Growth 2020-2030 NIA -2.9% 9.4% 13:7 Source: US Census Bureau, North Carolina State Demographics* The North Carolina Employmerit'Security Commission indicates that employment, in Hert ford County increased by 18:6% between 1990 and 2006 (see Table 11). Hertford County has experienced a mix of employment growth atidlosses throughout various sectors. The 'large'si.foss between,1990 and 2006 (number-wise) was in the manufacturing sector. The largest increase during that time period (number-wise) was experienced in the health care & social'.assistance sector. .Gates•County employment increased by 24.9% . between 1990 and 2006, and also experienced a mix of employment growth and losses throughout various sectors. The largest losses between 1990 and 2006 (number-wise) were in the retail trade and transportation & warehousing sectors. The largest increase during that time period (number-wise) was experienced in the government sector. For a more detailed discussion on this subject see the "Business and Employment Characteristics" under Section V of this report. Transportation Plans and Proposed Proiects Thoroughfare Plan for Hertford County (1992) This thoroughfare plan was developed for the recommendation of transportation improvements which were felt to be necessary for the proper traffic circulation within the planning period (1990-2020). The plan calls for the widening of US 13 from NC 42 to the Winton Bypass, and US 13 from south of Winton to the Virginia State Line. The Hertford County portion of US 13-158 is identified as a principal arterial, which should be widened (including the Gates County portion) to a 4-lane median divided facility. In 31 EYd!4??.NN h.. nLniNn'NV 7a?v"8'?''. ® TIP Project R-2507A, Hertford & Gates Counties Community Impact Assessment November 1, 2007 A map depicting hazard areas of Hertford County displayed a limited amount of 100-year floodplain associated with the Chowan River. Mapping included with the plan indicated that the majority of the FLUSA (in Hertford County) was classified as "rural with services", while Winton fell into the "municipal jurisdiction" classification. The plan indicated that adequate land with water and sewer service was available near Winton, but since population is decreasing (or stagnant), the demand for new housing is minimal. The plan discouraged high density development throughout the County, focused redevelopment in previously developed areas, indicated the desire to enforce CAMA regulations to limit riverbank development, and encouraged compliance with zoning regulations: The plan also required that industries within Hertford County prepare an Environmental Impact Statement or Environmental Assessment to protect potentially fragile areas. The plan identified environme.ntallysensitive areas designated Areas of Environmental Concern (AEC)...There are three categories of AECs'in Hertford County including estuarine waters of environmental concern, public trust,areas, and estuarine shorelines. Estuarine waters of environmental concern within the FLUSA (including the Chowan River),act:as spawning_grounds atid?hatcheries for many aquatic species and are subject';,.,, td developmental regulation and control. Lands that are within, public trust AECs- dE•,l.i;l (including:the:Ch'oiViin Ser) areisubject•to the,issuance.of minor CAMA permits for, i, i w-: construction activities: Development is limited.in the'undeveloped- forestlands within 75. .. er r feet of.the:Chowan River. Developments in these areas are also required to obtain n ;. CAMA permits from the'County y _? t 1 f ,'ili: . +. r -,'{ i•': :,Hertford Counfy:Ordinancesv ?s t ;+ i ,. 1 *± Hertford Coumt &'adopted a`Z6.hing Ordinance in 1992 that was revised in June 2005. The zoning map was not available'at.the:time of this study. -.However, according to local planners, residential uses in th&,FLUSA have a minimum required.lotarea of 30,000 feet unless the lot is connected to a public wastewater system (in which case lot area is restricted to 15,000 feet)'. Hertford County adopted a Subdivision Ordinance in 1999. Subdivision is defined as a division of a tract or parcel into two or more lots.for the.purpose of sale or building development which includes the dedication of a new street or change in existing streets. All lots must be capable of being served by site wells and septic tank systems, or public water and sewer facilities, or. private water and sewer systems, approved by the local jurisdictions. North Carolina Sedimentation and Erosion Control regulations apply as well. Hertford County adopted a Floodplain Ordinance in 1995 that requires a development permit for properties where a base flood elevation is provided.. The permit should include the elevation of the lowest floor,. flood proofing efforts, or the extent of watercourse alteration in order to determine effects upon the flood carrying capacity of the area of special flood hazard. Residential and non-residential development should have the lowest floor elevation at least two feet higher than the base flood elevation. No 33 ® TIP Project R-2507A, Hertford & Gates Counties O?R Community Impact Assessment November 1, 2007 I? addition to this project, the thoroughfare plan identifies several other roadways to be widened to multi-lane facilities. These include US 13 south of the Winton Bypass and US 158 west of the Winton Bypass. 2007-2013 Transportation Improvement Program The NCDOT 2007-2013 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) includes several proposed and recently completed TIP projects that are likely to improve regional accessibility in the FLUSA along with TIP Project R-2507A (see Figure 1). • TIP Project R-2205: Widening of US 13 from NC 42 to US 158, with bypass of Ahoskie on new location. Total project length 14.1 miles. Strategic Highway Corridor and Intrastate Project. Right of way acquisition scheduled for 2012, construction unfunded. • TIP Project R-2507B & C: Continuation of TIP Project R-2507A. Widening of US 13 from the US 158 bypass in Tanccel to Virginia State Line. Project length is approximately 10 miles. Strategic Highway. Corridor and Intrastate Project. Project is unfunded. TIP Project R=2578•' Widening of US 1.58 from USA 3'to NC 32 in Sunbury Total project length 15.0 rriiles.'Stiategic Highway Corridor ahd Intrastate Project. Project is unfunded.::. •' TIP Project R-2583: Widening of US 158 from Murfreesboro Bypass to US 13 west of Winton. Total project'length 8.0 riles. Strategic Highway Corridor and - Intrastate' Project. Planning and design''in progress. Right of way acquisition to begin in 2010, and c6nstr6cti6n'to begin in' 2012.' Local Land Use Plans, Future Land Use, and Zonina . Town of Winton . ' ' Local planners indicated that the Town of Winton had no land use plans, but did have a zoning ordinance. A copy of the zoning ordinance and map was not available for review, but local planners explained that Winton's zoning jurisdiction did not extend to US 13- 158. Hertford County CAMA Land Use Plan Update (1996-1997) In order to better guide growth in Hertford County, the Hertford County CA MA Land Use Plan was adopted in 1997. The plan lists US 158 as a primary road throughout the County (along with US 13 and US 258). The plan established several goals relating to natural resource protection, management of resources, economic and community development, and continuing public involvement. This plan also lists several potential constraints and issues for potential future development within Hertford County, including soils (due to wetland issues and poor suitability for septic systems), water quality issues related to stomrwater runoff (from point and non-point sources), and flood prone areas. 32 ® TIP Project R-2507A, Hertford & Gates Counties W. Community Impact Assessment November 1, 2007 encroachments shall be allowed within the floodway unless certification that the proposed encroachment will not result in the increase of flood levels within the floodway. No manufactured homes shall be permitted within the floodway, except in existing manufactured home parks. Development is not allowed within 20 feet of a stream or within standards established by CAMA regulations, whichever is greater. Gates County CAMA Core Land Use Plan Update (2003-2004) This plan was adopted in 2005 by Gates County and the Coastal Resources Commission. The policies, objectives and future land use map included in the document help to guide the County's decisions about land use and development. The vision statement included in the document indicates that Gates County desires to remain a "slow paced, rural area" by balancing residential and commercial uses, protecting the natural environment and discouraging strip development along State maintained roads. 1 A' future land use, plan map (dated January 6, 2005) is included in the CA MA Core Land Use Plan. Land.uses are' divided. into six different categories: Developed and In-fill Development Areas;.Growth.and Town-Like Transition Areas; Limited Growth and Transition Areas; Community Areas; Rural Areas; and Conservation, Open Space, and . Recreation Areas. A majority of the FLUSA falls within the Rural and Conservation, .',, _,,..,... Open Space, and Recreation area designations. Two Community Areas, or crossroads communities designated for. low, density. development with some sort of commercial; public or semi-public-use as ,a focal point; exist along the TIP project corridor. These...., areas. are Storyrys (near the intersection of NC 137 and Sandbank Road), and Tarheel (at - ;, the northern/eastern terminus of the project). Limited Growth and Transition Areas are;;; . shown along. NC'.] 3Tsoutheastof US=13-158, and along US 13-158 between Tinkham Road (SR 1201) andiTanccel,. Limited Growth and Transition Areas.are defined in the Gates County Future Land Use Map as areas on the fringes of Growth and Town-like Transition Areas, or on the fringes of Developed and In-fill Development Areas or „ .., _ . Community Areas. °Low density residential and/or commercial developments are likely to occur in these spots. Gates County Ordinances The Gates County Development Ordinance was made effective December 18, 1986, and last amended on November 6, 2006. This ordinance indicates that no building or structure for occupancy should be constructed on a lot which has not been assessed by the Gates County Soil Conservation Service to determine soil suitability or whether the property is in a flood zone. All lots must be one acre at a minimum. The Gates County Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance is dated 2003. It says that in all special flood hazard areas where a base flood elevation is known, there should be no new residential or non-residential construction with a reference level lower than regulatory flood protection elevation. In areas of special flood hazard where base flood elevation is not established, there shall be no new construction or substantial improvements within twenty feet of each side of the stream bank, or five times the width of the stream, whichever is greater. 34 TIP Project R-250 7A, Hertford & Gates Counties Community Impact Assessment November 1, 2007 The Gates County Zoning Ordinance is dated June 4, 2007. Although the zoning map is not available at the time of this assessment, the ordinance does not contain any residential districts allowing lots smaller than one acre in size. The Gates County Subdivision Ordinance was last amended on June 4, 2007. Subdivision is defined as the division of a tract or parcel of land into two or more lots for the purpose of sale or development. The Planning Board must approve the final plat which shows that the development, to the extent possible, will be outside of flood prone areas, fill areas and unique or fragile areas (such as wetlands). Every lot shall have a minimum size of one acre. In addition, a permit is required from the US Army Corps of Engineers if wetlands are disturbed, and the State must approve a sedimentation and erosion control plan if more than one acre of land is disturbed. Environmental Regulations Erosion Control and Stormwater•Regulations The North Carolina Division of•Land,Resources' Sediment and Erosion Control Act requires that any development disturbing more than one acre of land within the State of North.Carolipa to submit,a,Sedimentation and,Erosion Control Plan to thc•Division of, Land Resources: Local7governments:may.review and•enforce,the;plan within.their jurisdiction;: but the plan•has.to bp-as °strtct as , program;administeced by, he Division;; r. ofLatid Resources. Site. disturbances of less-than one'acre require the use of Best , %.i Management Practices (BMPs), but not a site plan. According to the NCDOT report ; entitled `.`Best Management Practices for Protection of Surface Watcrs" (March 1997), , BMP.s include; activities,'practices,•add procedures undertaken.to,prevent. or reduce water,` pollution This. includes. things such,as: on site_d_etentiomareas,;vegetative buffers culverts, and erosion control mechanisms In`1972, the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program was t• "- established under. the authority of the Clean Water Act. Phase I of the NPDES stormwater,.,.:., .;.. , program was established in 1990. It requires NPDES permit coverage for large or medium municipalities with populations of 100,000 or more. In North Carolina, there are six Phase I communities. The Phase II program extends permit coverage to smaller (< 100,000 pop.) communities and public entities that own or operate a municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) by requiring them to apply for and obtain an NPDES permit for stormwater discharges. Federal law requires communities and public entities that own or operate an MS4, and that meet either of the following two conditions, to obtain an NPDES Phase 11 stormwater permit: 1) The MS4 is located in an urbanized area as determined by the latest Decennial Census of the Bureau of the Census. If the MS4 is not located entirely within an urbanized area, only the portion that is within the urbanized area is regulated. 2) The community or public entity is designated by the NPDES permitting authority In the state of North Carolina, the NPDES permitting authority is the Environmental Management Commission (EMC). 35 TIP Project R-2507A, Hertford & Gates Counties Community Impact Assessment November 1, 2007 Based on 2000 Census data, neither Gates nor Hertford County or any of their municipalities are designated as either a Phase 1 or Phase II community. Watershed Regulations and Water Quality There are no Water Supply Watersheds, High Quality Waters, or Outstanding Resource Waters within the FLUSA. The FLUSA is located entirely within the Chowan River Basin and includes portions of two subbasins. The western portion of the FLUSA is included in Subbasin 03-01-02, which includes the Meherrin River and Potecasi Creek watersheds. The eastern portion of the FLUSA is included in Subbasin 03-01-01 of the Chowan River Basin. The subbasin includes the Chowan River and the Wiccacon River. According to the NCDENR 2002 Chowan River Water Quality Plan, there are five NPDES permittees (all minor) in Subbasin 03-01-01. There were no individual stormwater permits issued in the subbasin, but there were 15 general permits. The Chowan River was sampled for water quality, and the area near Galesville showed low dissolved oxygen concentrations in the bottom waters'., 'Voluntary implementation of BMPs was encouraged. The plan indicated that there were no NPDES facilities in Subbasin 03-01-02. There was one individual stormwater permit and seven general permits. A program to implement nonpoint source pollution controls in Potecasi Creek: .; was recommended to reduce nutrient and sediment. loading.. I The Draft 2007 Chowan River Water Quality Platr,indicates that the number' of minor NPDES wastewater discharge permits in Subbasin W-01-01-has not changed since 2002;; There are ten non-discharge permits and nine stormwatcr permits. in the subbasin. r . Overall, samples collected during this latest assessment period suggest that water quality. <c,r conditions. remained similar to the 2002 report findings. All of,thewaters in the subbasin are classified as Class B or C Nutrient Sensitive Waters. The draft plan also suggested that there are still no permitted wastewater dischargers in Subbasin 03-01-02; however,, there are eight non-discharge permits and nine stormwater permits. Like Subbasin 03-01- 01, all waters in 03-01-02 are classified as Class B or C Nutrient Sensitive Waters. Part. of Potecasi Creek is still considered impaired for low dissolved oxygen and pH, and BMPs are encouraged. 303(d) Waters and Wetlands The 303(d) list is a product of the Clean Water Act, which requires states to identify those waters that do not meet water quality standards or those that have impaired uses. If control strategies for point and non-point source pollution exist for impaired waters, they may be excluded from the 303(d) list. A search of NCDENR's DWQ 2006 303(d) List reveals the presence of two 303(d) streams in or adjacent to the FLUSA. These are the Chowan River and Potecasi Creek. According to a National Wetlands Inventory GIS shapefile, wetland areas within the FLUSA are generally concentrated along major watercourses including the Chowan River, Run Swamp, Ellis Swamp and Beasley Branch. Other tracts of wetlands are scattered throughout the remainder of the FLUSA. 36 ® TIP Project R-2507A, Hertford & Gates Counties OJP Community Impact Assessment November 1, 2007 According to an April 24, 1991 letter in the State Environmental Assessment from the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries (NCDMF), the Chowan River and its tributaries are a documented spawning and nursery area for blueback herring and alewife. NCDMF requested that an in-water construction moratorium be established from February 15 - September 30. Buffer Regulations According the local planners, the Town of Winton does not have any buffer regulations (or other development regulations). Hertford County planners indicated that CAMA requires development to be 75 feet from coastal waters such as the Chowan River. Gates County requires 50 foot buffers on all blue line streams. Inventory of Notable Features Based on a review ofNCDOT,GIS data, existing environmental documents, and web- based database searches; an inventory of notablerfeatures;was assembled. Tables including the name,-status, and location of these, notable,features are located in the Appendix. Two federally listed threatened or,endangered species arc;found;in the USGS.quadrangles 6 rip;; ,..,_encompassing,the FLUSH.! These species arp,the Red-cockaded ;woodpecker, and the. ' Dismal Swamp southeastern shrew (which is only identified in the-1993 SEA): There are also eight natural, communities and one animal assemblage. Notable features located within the FLUSA melude the Chowan Swamp Game Lands, a- a Chowan River boat access site, and the Beaver Lakeiwater:skiing area,-two railroad lines; • three National Register properties (Gray Gables; the C.S: Brown School Auditorium, and the King Parker House all in,the. vicinity of Winton);, a:historic study list district (the Eure , Historic District); a historic study list property (Stor)Family Farm), two cemeteries, and ` four churches..The FLUSA also contains one solid waste site and two hazardous substance disposal sites.. These features are shown on Figure 6. The King Parker House is located on Mount Moriah Road, part of which is within the FLUSA. Although the property was unable to be accurately mapped,,it is likely within or just outside,of the FLUSA. The FLUSA of TIP Project R-2507A encompasses several natural resources. The Chowan River is the largest resource in the FLUSA. There are numerous wetland areas (primarily along the Chowan River, Run Swamp, Ellis Swamp, and Beasley Branch), and one anadromous fish spawning area (also along the Chowan River). There are no Water Supply Watersheds, High Quality Waters, Outstanding Resource Waters, or Wild and Scenic Rivers, but there are two 303 (d) listed water bodies (Potecasi Creek and the Chowan River) within or adjacent to the FLUSA 37 TIP Project R-2507A, Hertford & Gates Counties Community Impact Assessment November 1, 2007 Activities That Mav Cause Effects Development Activity According local planners, there has been little development activity in the FLUSA. The only notable development under construction is the Riverscdge mixed use development along the Hertford County side of the Chowan River. It includes 17 waterfront lots and 40 non-waterfront lots. The Riversedge Master Plan calls for 361 lots total, and two commercial nodes (a marina on the water, and a pool and clubhouse along US 158). The only access point for the Riversedge community is located on US 158 west of where it merges with US 13. This access point is not located within the proposed project limits (200 feet) of TIP Project R-2507A. In a general sense, access and regional traffic flow will be improved in the area, thus benefiting the Riversedge community. There will not likely be any direct improvements or alterations to the community access however. Previous Repo rt'Conclusions The NCDOT prepared.a State Environmental Assessment (SEA) for TIP Project R-2507 .. _, (Sections A, B and Q. The SEA is dated July 28, 1993. The SEA did not include any . text or conclusions,. but did include a number of letters from various regulatory agencies.- = . Some of the key concerns raised in these letters were•the number of stream and wetland crossings (I I'. for the entire project); two threatened and/or endangered species (the Red cockaded woodpecker and-the Dis'mal,Swamp Southeastern Shrew), the anadromous' fisher resource along the Chowan River, the Public Trust Area of Environmental Concem r (Cbewan River), and.severaI historic structures, one of which, the Story Family Farm, is located along.ihc R=2507A.project corridor and was.recommended for the,State',s.historic :'study_list. There were several, comments from residents attending the Citizens Informational ... Workshop in 2006 expressing concern for relocating elderly persons; however, the Census data does not reveal high numbers of elderly in the Demographic Area relative to Hertford or Gates Counties. In addition, one person in attendance at the Citizens ' Informational Workshop indicated that the structures pertaining to the Story Family Farm (near US 13-158 and NC 137/Sandbank Road) exist on either side of US 13-158. This person was concerned about impacts to their Story family residence and a cemetery on the opposite side of US 13-158 from the Story Farm house. Potential Indirect and Cumulative Effects for Analysis The North Carolina DOT, in their April 2001 handbook titled GuidanceforAssessing Indirect and Cumulative Impacts of Transportation Projects in North Carolina, outlines a set of factors that need to be evaluated to determine whether or not a detailed indirect and cumulative impact analysis (ICI) is required for specific projects. The following is an assessment of those factors as they relate to TIP Project R-2507A. f 38 TIP Project R-2507A. Hertford & Gates Counties O&P Community Impact Assessment November 1, 2007 Conflict with local plan: This project is generally consistent with existing local thoroughfare plans that call for the improvement of US 13-158 to a multi-lane facility. Generally speaking, the TIP Project R-2507A will not alter existing land use patterns. Hertford County plans call for redevelopment to occur in areas of existing water and sewer services (such as near Winton). Gates County identifies two areas, or crossroads communities, for low density development with some sort of commercial, public or semi- public use as a focal point. These are Storys (near the intersection of NC 137 and Sandbank Road) and Tarheel (at the northern/eastern terminus of the project). Explicit economic development purpose: This project is designed to reduce traffic congestion and improve safety. Although economic development is not part of the purpose and need of TIP Project R-2507A, local officials look positivelyupon the project and are hoping it stimulates investment, ...particularly in commercial and industrial development. Planned to serve specific development: :.The project does not appear; tcibc. designed to servc-a specific development: { - .., r Likely to stimulate land development having complementaryfanctions: ; ' • ,' s•_:The assessmenvofthisifactofpart ially:involves* an evaluation ofa subset of factors i commonly used to determine the potential for growth resulting from, transportation projects surrounding ruralinterchanges including ? ' • ':Distance to•a major _urban center, II F f • < Traffic volumes'on intersecting'road'ways • - 'Pre'sence of frontage roads Availability of watci&/s6kef' II, There are no major urban centers in either Hertford or Gates Counties. The nearest urban n ' . ' center is Norfolk, Virginia, located approximately 50 miles from the project corridor. It is unlikely that relative proximity to, or spillover growth from this urban center will have any impact on development related to TIP Project R-2507A. According to NCDOT, the year 2005 estimated Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT) ranged between 8,100 and 8,200 along the portion of US 13-158 proposed for widening as part of TIP Project R-2507A. NCDOT projections for 2025 indicate an increase to a count of 14,700 vehicles per day (vpd). According to the NCDOT, 2005 AADT along major intersecting roadways are as follows: • 'US 158 (southem/western terminus): 3,600 vpd • US 13 (southcrn/wcstern terminus): 8,800 vpd • NC 137 (southeast of US 13-158): 1,700 vpd • Sandbank Road (SR 1200): 340 vpd 39 04 ® TIP Project R-2507A, Hertford & Gates Counties Community Impact Assessment November 1, 2007 • US 13 (northem/eastern terminus): 5,000 vpd • US 158 (northern/eastem terminus): 2,200 vpd Frontage roads do not exist along the project corridor, nor are they planned as part of TIP Project R-2507A. According to local planners, most Hertford County residents and businesses have access to public water service, but not public sewer service. The Town of Winton provides water and sewer service within town limits. Winton also provides sewer service along US 158 (west of town), to the Rivers Correctional. Institution and to Nucor Steel (near Cofield outside of the FLUSA). Local planners indicate that most of Gates County has access to public water service. The exception is 6,000 acres of conservation land north of Tarheel. There is no county wide sewer service, and the only facilities that have sewer are the Gates County Correction Center, Gates County High School and Community Center and Central Middle School ' (all outside of the FLUSA). `?' •: Based upon these findings, TIP Project R-2507A, is unlikely to stimulate a great deal of land development having complementary functions: Relatively long•distances to major' urban centers, relatively low existing traffic volumes on intersecting roadways,-,and lack' ',d::"c •: r ^. %''ofpublic sewer service throughout much of the FLUSA will likely'lin-it 'the amount of>''' growth associated with TIP Project R-2507A. Some residential development may take s....':.'.': .. place along US 13=158 and feeder roads due to improved access to a 4-1ane highway, buf. it'should be-limitcd-in scale: `Commercial or industrial development along the-project corridor will likely bc'confined to those areas in or just outside of Winton'or Tar}ieel: Likely to influence'intraregional land development location decisions: Typically; if the conditions arc favorable for development and/or a region is currently undergoing urbanization, an enhancement in the transportation infrastructure is likely to• influence where development will occur. In this case, conditions are marginally favorable for development. In conjunction with several other TIP Projects, the construction of TIP Project R-2507A should improve access and regional traffic flow throughout Hertford and Gates Counties, making it more attractive for industries that rely upon the transport of goods and services within the region. Thus, the project could potentially influence location decisions for these types of industries. However, due to the factors listed above (related to land development having complementary functions), sluggish population growth and the limited market for development, it is likely that the project will have minimal impact upon all types of development throughout the region. 40 ® TIP Project R-250 7A, Hertford & Gates Counties Community Impact Assessment November 1, 2007 min. . Pop,. Su- . S er ii cc . ,' Potent al TIP Project-2507A is the widening of an existing 2-lane road into a 4-lane facility. The 4-lane sections would allow motorists -to, bypass turning g _vehicles; thereby creating a slight % .. h time savings. Properties adjacent to theTIP.icorridor and along major connectors may experience a slight increase in property values due to the improved regional mobility offered by a widened roadway, but the increase is expected to be minimal. According to the North Carolina State Demographics websitc, the population of Hertford County is expected to.increase at an annual growth rate of less than 0.6%. Gates County is likely to increase at an annual growth rate of less than 1.8%. It is anticipated that annual population growth within the FLUSA will be somewhere between the rates of Hertford and Gates Counties. Indirect and Cumulative Effects To further determine the potential for indirect and cumulative impacts as a result of TIP Project R-2507A, an analysis of a set of quantitative factors was completed. This analysis helps to determine the potential for land use change. Table 16 indicates the results of this rating analysis: Table 16. Potential for Land Use Change " - - Land - ? • - -, Change m .., a ..„ 'Supply in., 7 VS. - • Change-in °Property Forecastea 'L'and - Water/Sewer - Market For ',Public,-. Rating Accessibility' aluesv ".Growth'=' _ Demand 'Availability Develo meet -Policy'-" . >3% <to- Travel Time ' Annual Year Current Extremely Savings > > 50% pop! Supply Services High Pro- Strong' 10 min. 'Increase' ° Growth` -'oTLand" Potential Growth X X, Xa• X. . . X X X, s•,i. Weak :Travel:Time,. „ ,,,No., :?•20, >.20-_..: .4:r No Extremely ,.Anti-_H? Savings -5 2 . _Change ; . Annual- Year For Future Low Growth i .... .. ,.. '.'-:. `Grow[h -of Land ':i.'., .. .. Although much of the land in the FLUSA is constrained for development because it is wetland, floodplain, or used for agricultural purposes, greater than a 20-year supply of developable land is available within the FLUSA given current growth rates. Public water service exists along most of the US 13-158 corridor and throughout much of the FLUSA, but existing sewer service is limited to the area around Winton and the Rivers Correctional Inst i to t ion. 41 TIP Project R-2507A, Hertford & Gates Counties Community 6npact Assessment November 1, 2007 The market is slow, as evidenced by the fact that there is only one identified private development project under construction in the FLUSA (Riversedge mixed-use development). Relatively long distances to major urban centers, relatively low existing traffic volumes on intersecting roadways, and lack of public sewer service throughout much of the FLUSA will likely limit the amount of growth associated with TIP Project R-2507A. There is an effort by local officials to recruit additional industry and businesses to the area. Planners indicate that Winton, Hertford County, and Gates County are generally pro-growth communities. Based on these factors, the overall potential for land use change is low. i•. Analysis Results Evaluation of-IndirectEffects The construction of a 4-lane median divided US 13-158 facility from US 158.in Hertford County to Tarheel in Gates County should reduce congestion, improve safety along the project corridor, and generally provide an improved roadway for business-investment: With,respect to potential indirceteffects..related to this project, T1P. Project R-2507A-has: a: low. potentialAo, cause land. use changes or accelerate growth and development throughout the FLUSA.', „ TIP Project R-2507A extends through low: growth; rural portions of Hertford and Gates: Counties. Most of thiseland.is• unlikely to be developed. due to the presence of ; environmental features such as wetlands, floodplains and the presence ofstate owned lands (the Chowan Swarrip Game Lands). Any potential commercial development would likely occur near Winton`oi in Gates County along US.13-158 between NC 137-and Tarheel. Hertford County plans call for redevelopment-to-occur in areas of existing water and sewer services (such as near Winton). Gates County, identifies two areas, or crossroads communities, for low density development with some sort of commercial, { public or semi-public use as a focal point. These are Storys (near the intersection of NC 137 and Sandbank Road) and Tarheel (at the northern/eastern terminus of the project). Any potential industrial development resulting from the project would likely be concentrated in the Hertford County Industrial Park, near the intersection of US 158 and US 13, or in close proximity to the NUCOR steel facility (outside the FLUSA). Residential sales in Riversedge, west of US 13-158 in Hertford County, may be somewhat accelerated by construction of the widened roadway. Evaluation of Cumulative Effects US 158 is one of the most important cast-west routes in North Carolina. As part of its Strategic Highway Corridor designation by NCDOT, US 158 is envisioned as a 4-lane median divided highway from the Triad to the coast. With the implementation of this vision, it is anticipated that east-west mobility will be greatly improved for north-central and northeastern North Carolina. Cumulatively, eventual access to four interstates (future I-73, future 1-74, I-85, and 1 -95) within an approximately 175-mile stretch of 4- 42 ® TIP Project R-2507A, Hertford & Gates Counties Community Impact Assessment November 1, 2007 lane roadway along US 158 should enable industries to better transport goods and services throughout the region. US 13 is also an important route through eastern North Carolina. The cumulative effects of several TIP Projects, including TIP Projects R-2205, R-2507B&C, R-2578 and R-2583 should improve traffic flow throughout the region and improve connectivity of the road network. Existing land planning and development policies, the presence of natural features, the lack of access to new land (since the project will be constructed almost entirely on existing alignment), the large amount of rural land, limited availability of utilities outside built-up areas (especially sewer), low population growth, and limited development pressures should limit the potential for induced growth to further degrade the water quality in the area. ICE Conclusions :The, potential =for- indirect effects as a result of TIP Project R-2507A is low. TIP Project R,25,07A extends through low-growth, rural portions of Hertford and Gates Counties. Most of this land is unlikely to be developed due to the presence of environmental features such as wetlands; floodplatns and the presence of state owned lands (the Chowan Swamp. Game Lands) .. Due, to;existing•,development-and travel patterns;;tt is anticipated that any potential i -commercial development resulting-from the project would likelyoccur• near Winton or. :along US 13 1.58 betweep NC l37 and Tarheel Similarly, any potential- industrial ; . -- f .! ,• development.resultmg'•from",the.project,wouldaikely,be concentrated in%the Hertford . YH • :_ t,:; County Industrial Park, near the intersection of,US 158 and US 13, or in close proximity} . . nt .'to the NUCOR steel facility (outside the FLUSA). Sales in Riversedge; west of US,l 3- J 58 in•Hertford County; may be somewhat accelerated by construction of the widened. !,....:.. .c, ... _ ,roadway: „ ..... :.. The cumulative effects of several TIP. Projects, including TIP. Projects R-2205, R- 2507B&C, R-2578 and R-2583 should improve traffic flow throughout the region and improve the movement of people, goods, and services. Existing land planning and development policies, the presence of natural features, the lack ofaccess to new land (since the project will be constructed almost entirely on existing alignment), the large amount of rural land, limited availability of utilities outside built-up areas (especially sewer), low population growth, and limited development pressures should limit the potential for growth in the general vicinity of the proposed project. Considering all of these factors, the cumulative effects stemming from the proposed project should be limited and minor to moderate. Findines/Recommendations • In an effort to reduce potential access-related impacts from construction, it is recommended that temporary driveways be provided for existing businesses and residences along the corridor which may lose regular access during construction. 43