20170239 Ver 1_NC119_sICE- Final_20150223

INDIRECT AND CUMULATIVE EFFECTS SCREENING REPORT
Proposed Relocation Project TIP U-3109, WBS 34900.1.1
119 Relocation from I-85/I-40 to South of SR 1918
Mebane, Alamance County
Submitted by: VHB Engineering NC, P.C.
Date: January 2015
Executive Summary
North Carolina State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) Project U-3109 proposes
relocating a section of NC 119 from I-85/I-40 to south of SR 1918 (Mrs. White Lane) to a new
section. The current corridor is located in the City of Mebane (Alamance County) and is
appro�mately 5.6 miles long. The proposed relocation is west of the current location, and largely
outside of the city limits. The proposed relocation would also expand the current two-lane cross
section to a four- to six-lane median divided facility, with partial control of access.
The purpose of the project is to provide the City of Mebane and eastern Alamance County with a
primary north/south route to meet both local and regional needs. Additionally, the project will
provide safety benefits and could potentially encourage economic development. The indirect and
cumulative effects analysis for this project looks at the potential for development and possible
trends with a time horizon of 25 years, which corresponds with the City of Mebane's 2035 Long
Range Ti^ansportation Plan Update and addresses current and future traffic congestion.
The Future Land Use Study Area (FLUSA) is the area surrounding a construction project that
could possibly be indirectly affected by the actions of others as a result of the completion of the
project. For this project, the FLUSA aligns with manmade boundaries, such as the
Alamance/Orange County boundary, and natural boundaries, such as Back Creek (Graham-
Mebane Reservoir) and Stagg Creek (see Figure 1).
Notable features within the FLUSA include 4 schools, 2 historic districts, and 12 churches.
Furthermore, the majority of the northern part of the FLUSA is designated as a Protected Water
Supply Watershed as part of the Cape Fear River basin. The portion of the FLUSA around the
Graham-Mebane Reservoir is designated as a Critical Water Supply Watershed. These are
designated as WS-II, NSW Water Supply Watersheds (see Figure 2).
The FLUSA for this project is approximately 10,854 acres, with 704 acres dedicated to water
features and 50-foot riparian buffers and 3,352 acres of developable land. The majority of the
land falls under the City of Mebane's land use policies and regulations; however, a small portion
is regulated by Alamance County.
All developments in the FLUSA will be required to follow local, state, and federal guidelines and
permitting regulations. STIP U-3109 will require the relocation of some water and sewer,
although the impacts are minimal. Population and job growth in the area has been slow and the
project is expected to positively impact tra�el times and accessibility. There are development
pressures in the southern portion of the FLUSA, particularly near the I-85/I-40 interchanges,
including commercial and industrial developments. In addition to the watersheds, prime farmland
soils and soils of statewide importance occur throughout the FLUSA.
Based on this information, the ICE Screening Tool results recommend a"Likely Indirect Scenario
Assessment." This project is expected to result in minimal cumulative effects to notable
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U-3109 Mebane, Alamance County — Screening Indirect and Cumulative Effects Assessment

environmental features. Direct natural environmental impacts by NCDOT projects would be
addressed by avoidance, minimization, or mitigation, consistent with programmatic agreements
with the natural resource agencies during the Merger and Permitting processes. A Land Use
Scenario Assessment is recommended.
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U-3109 Mebane, Alamance County — Screening Indirect and Cumulative Effects Assessment

Project Overview
STIP Project U-3109 proposes relocating a section ofNC 119 from I-85/I-40 to South of SR 1918
(Mrs. White Lane) in Alamance County to new location. The current NC 119 corridor is located
primarily within Mebane's city limits and runs through the central business district. The current
cross section is a two-lane road.
The proj ect is approximately 5.6 miles long. The proposed relocation is west of the current
location, and largely outside of the City of Mebane but largely within the City's Extraterritorial
Jurisdiction. The proposed cross section would be a four- to six-lane median divided facility with
two to three lanes in each direction of tra�el and a grass median. The proposed facility would be
similar to a parkway with partial control of access and possible landscaping in the median. A
bridge is proposed over the railroad line, US 70, and Holt Street. In an effort to limit property
impacts, an access road will connect US 70 with the new facility rather than an interchange with
ramps.
The purpose of the project is to provide the City of Mebane and eastern Alamance County with a
primary north/south route to meet both local and regional needs. Additionally, the project will
provide safety benefits, and could potentially encourage economic development. The project is
needed to relieve current and future traffic congestion in downtown Mebane on the current
location of NC 119, where sections of the current alignment are projected to reach an
appro�mate a�erage daily traffic volume of between 32,000 and 36,100 vehicles a day and
operate at a level of service of F by the year 2030. Widening the current facility would impact a
substantial number of homes, businesses, and historic properties in downtown Mebane. The new
facility would move traffic away from this area and reduce congestion through downtown
Mebane.
The new location will also provide access to the local area and provide a railroad crossing that is
not at grade. Providing a bridge over the railroad is increasingly important because all other
crossings in Mebane are at grade and the railroad is part of the future Southeast High Speed Rail
Study Corridor between Washington, DC and Charlotte, NC. Currently, motorists and emergency
vehicles may not be able to get to all parts of Mebane without experiencing train delays at
existing at-grade railroad crossings.
NC 119 provides one of the few north/south routes in this region. The current NC 119 location
winds through downtown Mebane and includes an at-grade railroad crossing. The central
business district of Mebane is a traditional commercial downtown that is primarily near the
railroad line. Development in outlying areas of Mebane is primarily single family homes, but
there is commercial development near the NC 119 and I-85/I-40 interchange. New development
has been largely influenced by I-85/I-40 towards the south side of Mebane. Mebane has
experienced notable growth in recent years due to the proximity between the urbanizing Triangle
and Triad areas, making Mebane an attractive "bedroom community" for people who travel to
these areas for employment, shopping, and entertainment.
Future Land Use Study Area
The Future Land Use Study Area (FLUSA) is the area surrounding a construction project that
could possibly be indirectly affected by the actions of others as a result of the completion of the
project and combined projects. This study area encompasses all of the areas examined for
potential increases in development pressure as a result of project construction. The area outlined
in orange on Figure 1 has been chosen as the FLUSA. The FLUSA for this project is based upon
land use and transportation plans and the natural environment. In general, the FLUSA aligns with
manmade boundaries, such as the Alamance/Orange County boundary, and natural boundaries,
such as Back Creek (Graham-Mebane Reservoir) and Stagg Creek.
U-3109 Mebane, Alamance County — Screening Indirect and Cumulative Effects Assessment

Figure 1: Future Land Use Study Area
Time Horizon
The indirect and cumulative effects analysis for this project looks at the potential for development
and possible trends with a time horizon of 25 years. Local plans have used a range of time
horizons. Ala�nance County Land Develop�nent Plan, from 2006, used a 20 year time horizon
while the City of Mebane's 2035 Long Ti^ansportation Plan Update (updated in 2012) used three
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U-3109 Mebane, Alamance County — Screening Indirect and Cumulative Effects Assessment

time horizons: 15, 25, and 30. Similarly, the Burlington Graha�n Urban Area Co�nprehensive
Plan, also known as the Thoroughfare Plan, examines the transportation system at a 25-year
horizon. This was last updated in 2004. A 25-year time horizon for this project aligns most
closely with local plans and proj ections.
Other Transportation and Infrastructure Projects
There are no current NCDOT major projects currently underway or planned near the project study
area or Alamance County. However, I-5711, which proposes interchange improvements on
SR 1007, is included in the Draft 10-Year State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). This
proj ect is east of the study area.
The City of Mebane has prepared a S�nall Area Thoroughfare Plan, which includes the proposed
Cameron Lane Extension, and which proposes adding additional intersections along the existing NC
119 alignment. Additionally, the Draft Mebane Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan is currently underway.
A proposed shared use trail appears to follow the proposed NC 119 alignment just north of the I-
85/I-40 interchange. The proposed realignment would then cross the proposed mixed use trail in the
northern portion of the study area.
Transportation Impact Causing Activities
The proposed new facility will result in tra�el time sa�ings for tra�el through the FLUSA. An
analysis of e�sting tra�el time and future travel time at the expected posted speed limit determined
a tra�el time savings of approximately 2.5 minutes when tra�eling the length of the corridor. The
existing alignment is proj ected to experience substantial congestion and delay in models of future
conditions; under the No Build Alternative, all seven signalized intersections in the e�sting corridor
would operate under a Level of Service (LOS) F during the 2030 peak hour. The new facility
would relieve congestion on e�sting roads and ha�e capacity to handle the expected volume of
future traffic with less delay.
Because the proposed facility will be on a new location, this project will open up access to new
parcels. The portion of the new alignment north of US 70 is proposed to be limited access, which
will control some access to parcels in this area and limit development potential.
The proposed proj ect will likely alter tra�el patterns in the area by encouraging through traffic to
a�oid downtown Mebane. This is expected to reduce traffic congestion in downtown Mebane, with
the unintended consequence of reducing the visibility of downtown businesses and properties. The
proposed alignment may affect exposure to the western portion of the FLUSA, particularly the
parcels in the southwest portion of the FLUSA near the proposed new alignment. It is not
anticipated that the project would result in new land use nodes in the project corridor.
Population Trends / Projections
According to 2000 US Census Data, the population in Alamance County was 130,800 in 2000. In
2010, the County population rose 15.5 percent to 151,131, which is a 1.5 percent a�erage annual
change. According to the North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management, the population in
Alamance County is proj ected to increase by approximately seven percent between 2014 and 2034.
This is an annual population growth of 0.4 percent.
The City of Mebane's population grew from 7,284 in 2000 to 11,393 in 2010, according to US
Census data. This is equal to a 56.4 percent increase over the span of 10 years, or an a�erage annual
change of 4.6 percent.
While the City of Mebane experienced a large population growth between 2000 and 2010, the
Census Tracts in the Demographic Study Area experienced a growth more similar to that of the
County. In 2000, the population total of the seven Block Groups was 12,658. In the 2010 Census,
new Census Tracts and Block groups were established to cover the same appro�mate geographic
area. Although the 2000 Census Tracts covered a larger geographic area, the population in 2010
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U-3109 Mebane, Alamance County — Screening Indirect and Cumulative Effects Assessment

grew to 14,672. This reflects a 15.9 percent population change between 2000 and 2010, with an
annualized population growth of 1.5 percent.
Job Trends / Projections
According to the NC Division of Employment Security (NC Civilian Labor Force Estimates), the
October 2014 total labor force in Alamance County was 72,442 with an unemployment rate of
5.5 percent.
The job market in Alamance County has changed over the past decade. Manufacturing jobs once
made up 28.1 percent of the jobs in 2002, but dropped to 17.5 percent by 2012. On the other hand,
retail trade increased 33 percent from 13. 4 to 16.7 percent and health care and social assistance
increased 5.1 percent from 113 to 16.4 percent—over the same time period.
The Burlington-Graham Metropolitan Planning Organization (BGMPO)—which includes
Alamance County and the City of Mebane—released the 2035 Long Range Ti^ansportation Plan
Update in November 2012. That report states that the Burlington-Graham Urban Area (BGUA) has
moved towards an office and service-based economy over the past years and anticipates only
medium growth for industrial jobs and more rapid growth for office, healthcare, and retaiUservice
j obs. By 2035, the BGMPO proj ects retail j obs will comprise 29 percent of the labor market, service
j obs at 21 percent, industrial j obs at 19 percent, highway retail at 18 percent, and the remaining
14 percent office. Despite the projected shift in job markets, job growth has remained relatively flat
over the years and the unemployment rate is slightly higher than that of the state.
The Regional Partnership Workforce Development Board (RPWDB) projects employment growth
for five central piedmont counties, including Alamance County. Between 2010 and 2020, RPWDB
projects employment to increase from 219,660 to 241,850 jobs. This is a 10.1 percent change, or 1.0
percent per year.
Municipai Utilities
Water
The public water system is co-managed by the City of Mebane and the City of Graham. In 2013, the
City of Mebane increased their ownership of the Graham-Mebane Water Treatment Plant from one-
third to one-hal£ The main water source is the Graham-Mebane Reservoir. While the plant has a six
million gallons per day (MGD) capacity, usage is currently at appro�mately 1.5 MGD.
In preparation for this proj ect, the City of Mebane previously prepared plans to relocate several
water lines along the proposed new NC 119 alignment. The proposal includes relocation of 10 fire
hydrants and a 12 inch waterline near Holmes Road. The proj ect has since been on hold but Darrell
Russell—City Engineer for Mebane—stated that in total, the realignment would ha�e a relatively
small impact on the e�sting facilities.
Wastewater
The 2014 annual report for the City of Mebane Wastewater Collection and Treatment Facility states
that the City operates 15 pumping stations, over 76 miles of gra�ity sewer lines, and manages a
treatment facility that is designed to handle 2.5 million gallons of wastewater a day. E�sting flows
are currently near half capacity, or 1.1 – 12 MGD. Mr. Russell noted that the City is in the very
early stages of investigating upgrading the capacity another .5 MGD. The City also has an e�sting
agreement with the Town of Haw River that would allow S MGDs to be sent to Haw River's
treatment facilities. A line connection would be needed if the agreement were ever enacted.
The City of Mebane and the City of Graham also ha�e an agreement that allows wastewater from
some areas in Mebane to be sent to Graham. Line connections are established and this agreement is
active in the southwestern part of the City in a newly developed area.
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U-3109 Mebane, Alamance County – Screening Indirect and Cumulative Effects Assessment

As regulated by North Carolina Administrative Code 2H.0900, the City of Mebane Industrial
Pretreatment Program is enacted to prevent industrial wastewater discharges from affecting the
local municipal water.
Notabie Features
Hu�nan Environ�nental Features
The majority of the parcels within the FLUSA are within the jurisdiction of the City of Mebane,
either within its boundaries or within its extraterritorial jurisdiction. The parcels not under the
jurisdiction of Mebane are under the jurisdiction of Alamance County.
The City of Mebane is the only municipality within the FLUSA. Mebane is located on the eastern
border of Alamance County and some portions of the city extend into Orange County. The city is
primarily located north of I-85/I-40, but some portions of the city extend south of this interstate. The
Town of Haw River, the Town of Green Level, and the City of Graham are all located just west of
the FLUSA.
The maj ority of the southern part of the FLUSA is commercial and industrial development,
although there are new subdivisions or single-family residential. The central part of the FLUSA is
primarily commercial development surrounded by single-family residential. The northern and
western parts of the FLUSA are more rural and residential in nature.
There are four public schools within the FLUSA: Woodlawn Middle School, Eastern Alamance
High School, South Mebane Elementary School, and E.M. Yoder Elementary School. The
Bradford Academy, a private K-7 school, is also within the FLUSA. There are 12 churches within
the FLUSA.
There are two historic districts in Mebane registered on the National Register of Historic Places -
Mebane Commercial Historic District and Old South Mebane Historic District. The Mebane
Commercial Historic District includes 31 buildings and covers two city blocks between East and
West Center Streets, North Third and Fourth Streets, and East and West Clay Streets. The Old
South Mebane Historic District is larger, with 117 properties. The Old South Mebane Historic
District was first listed in 2011 and then expanded in 2013 to a larger area. Both historic districts
are located near US 70 and NC 119.
In addition to the two historic districts, there are four properties that are listed on the National
Register of Historic Places. The Woodlawn School is located on Mebane-Rogers Road, west of the
proposed facility. Charles F. and Howard Cates Farm is located on Mebane-Rogers Road; a portion
of the northwest corner of this property would be impacted under the preferred alternative for the
new facility. The White Furniture Company and Durham Hosiery Mill No. 15 are both historic
properties located in downtown Mebane, near US 70 and the two historic districts in Mebane.
The Mebane Fire Department and the Mebane Fire Department Headquarters are both located
within the FLUSA near downtown Mebane. The Mebane branch of the Alamance County Library is
also located within the FLUSA near downtown Mebane. Hurdle Airfield, a small, privately-owned,
turf airfield, is located within the FLUSA just to the north of I-85/I-40. The Tanger Outlets, a major
retail outlet mall, is located in the southeastern portion of the FLUSA near the Mebane Oaks Road
interchange with I-85/I-40.
Natural Environ�nent
The maj ority of the northern part of the FLUSA is designated as a Protected Water Supply
Watershed as part of the Cape Fear river basin. The portion of the FLUSA around the Graham-
Mebane Reservoir is designated as a Critical Water Supply Watershed. These are designated as
WS-II, NSW Water Supply Watersheds. This designation relates to the public water supply site and
means that the waters subj ect to runoff in this area are used for drinking, culinary, or food
processing purposes. As part of the WS-II designation, the waters are categorized as High-Quality
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U-3109 Mebane, Alamance County — Screening Indirect and Cumulative Effects Assessment

Waters by supplemental designation. The NSW designation signifies that these are nutrient
sensitive waters which need additional nutrient management due to being subj ect to excessive
growth of microscopic or macroscopic vegetation.
There are five creeks that cross through the FLUSA. These creeks are:
• Back Creek
• Mill Creek
• Unnamed Tributary to Mill Creek
• MoAdams Creek
• Little Haw Creek
The Graham-Mebane Reservoir is also listed on the 2012 North Carolina 303(d) List of impaired
waterways. These waters are classified as Class 4 and Class 5 waters, with Class 5 being the highest
level of impairment attainable. The impairment reason is listed as a standard violation for turbidity.
The FLUSA contains prime farmland soils and soils of statewide importance. These soils are
located throughout the FLUSA. Prime farmland is land that has the best combination of physical
and chemical characteristics for producing food, forage, fiber, and oilseed crops. Factors that affect
classification as prime farmland include soil type, the presence of development, slope, growing
season, moisture supply, erodibility, and permeability. Figure 2 shows the Natural Features for
U-3109.
U-3109 Mebane, Alamance County — Screening Indirect and Cumulative Effects Assessment

Figure 2: U-3109 Natural Features
Development Regulations
The majority of the FLUSA is under the City of Mebane's planning jurisdiction, and a small portion
of the FLUSA falls under Alamance County's jurisdiction. The small area of the FLUSA that is
under Alamance County is regulated by two Alamance County ordinances: the Hea�y Industrial
Development Ordinance and the Watershed Protection Ordinance.
U-3109 Mebane, Alamance County — Screening Indirect and Cumulative Effects Assessment

The Hea�y Industrial Development Ordinance (2011) outlines regulations that promote health and
safety by limiting and controlling the development of industrial development and associated land
uses. Regulated land uses include inert debris landfills, chemical manufacturing, waste facilities,
metal salvaging and salvage facilities. .
The purpose of the Alamance County Watershed Protection Ordinance (2013) is to maintain a
predominately undeveloped land use pattern and limit the size and type of residential and non-
residential development within the watershed areas of the county. This ordinance establishes a 50-
foot riparian buffer around streams and ponds and a 100-foot buffer around lakes and all water
supply reservoirs. New development within the buffer is prohibited, except for several exceptions
including public proj ects such as road crossings. There is a portion of the proposed realignment that
falls within the Watershed Critical Area (WCA), which covers the area one mile from the normal
elevation of the water supply or one mile from the stream or river intake. Development is limited
within the WCA to single-family and multi-family residential and non-residential development at a
ma�mum of one dwelling per two acres. Residential development is also limited to a maximum of
six percent of the lot area.
The City of Mebane updated the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) in May 2014. Article 3 of
this document establishes zoning districts and designations, purposes, and regulations for the
corresponding zones. The proposed realignment falls into the following zoning districts: B-2
(General Business District), M-1 (Hea�y Manufacturing District), M-2 (Light Manufacturing
District), R-20, Watershed Balance, and Watershed Critical.
In November 2010, the City of Mebane also established the City of Mebane Riparian Buffer
Protection Ordinance for the purpose of protecting and preserving e�sting riparian buffers
throughout the Jordan Watershed. This establishes a 50-foot wide riparian buffer adjacent to surface
waters and prohibits impervious surfaces to be added in this protected area. New or altered drainage
ditches, roadside ditches, and stormwater outfalls are allowable, if stormwater management
facilities are installed. Additionally, the Ordinance allows for road impacts with mitigation.
Availabie Land
The FLUSA for this project is approximately 10,854 acres. Of this, approximately 6,030 acres
(56 percent) are developed or protected land, 767 acres are road right-of-way (7 percent) and 704
acres are dedicated to water features and 50-foot riparian buffers (6 percent). The remaining
3,352 acres, or 31 percent of the FLUSA, is land that is a�ailable to be developed. Most of the
developable land is located in the western and northern parts of the FLUSA, outside the Mebane
city limits.
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U-3109 Mebane, Alamance County — Screening Indirect and Cumulative Effects Assessment

Figure 3: U-3109 Available Land
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U-3109 Mebane, Alamance County — Screening Indirect and Cumulative Effects Assessment

Market for Development
Current Develop�nent Pressures
There is current development happening in the western portion of the FLUSA. There is a large
industrial development under construction near US 70 and Latham Road. This area is part of the
North Carolina Industrial Center which has seen several new industrial businesses in recent years,
including the announcement of a 450,000 square foot Walmart distribution center and a Cambro
manufacturing plant. There is also a subdivision under construction near the intersection of
Mebane-Rogers Road and Dodson Road. Land clearance has begun for this project. There has been
recent commercial development in the southeastern portion of the FLUSA, most notably the Tanger
Outlets which opened in 2010.
Develop�nent Market Assu�nptions
It is likely that the southern portion of the FLUSA near I-85/I-40 will continue to see commercial
and industrial development. The western portions of the FLUSA may also see new industrial
development. This assumption is based on e�sting plans for development in the area and the
zoning ordinances and land use vision set forth by Alamance County and Mebane documents.
The northern portion of the FLUSA is likely to retain its largely residential and rural
characteristics.
Indirect Screening Matrix Methodology
The categories listed on the Indirect Screening Matrix ha�e been shown to influence land
development decisions in numerous areas statewide and nationally. The measures used to rate the
impacts from a high concern for indirect effects potential to less concern for indirect effects
potential are supported by documentation sections. Each characteristic is assessed individually
and the results of the table are examined comprehensively to determine the indirect effects
potential of the proposed project. The scope of the project and change in accessibility categories
are given extra weight to determine if future growth in the area is related to the project
modifications.
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U-3109 Mebane, Alamance County — Screening Indirect and Cumulative Effects Assessment

Screening Matrix Resuits
The Future Land Use Study Area (FLUSA) was analyzed in order to determine potential indirect
effects of the proj ect. The results of the screening matrix suggest that the proj ect would alter the
study area and that an indirect scenario assessment is likely needed. Additional details on the nine
categories analyzed is provided below.
Scope of the project: TIP Proj ect U-3109 is a proposed realignment of NC 119. The proposed
alignment would be 5.6 miles long and expand the facility from two lanes to four to six lanes. A
new bridge would be constructed over US 70 and the railroad line. The current facility is two
lanes and the route is through downtown Mebane. The proposed alignment would be to the west
of downtown Mebane and four- to six-lanes.
Change in Accessibility: The proposed proj ect will likely alter tra�el patterns in the area by
encouraging through traffic to a�oid downtown Mebane. This is expected to reduce traffic
congestion in downtown Mebane. The new alignment should reduce tra�el times for tra�el through
the FLUSA. An assessment of current tra�el times and future tra�el times at the posted speed limit
determined that the proj ect is expected to reduce tra�el time around 2.5 minutes when tra�eling the
length of the corridor. The proposed alignment may affect exposure to the western portion of the
FLUSA, particularly the parcels in the southwest portion of the FLUSA near the proposed new
alignment. It is not anticipated that the proj ect would result in new land use nodes in the proj ect
corridor.
Forecasted Population Growth: The population in the Demographic Study Area increased at an
annual rate of 1.6 percent between 2000 and 2010. Alamance County is projected to grow by 0.4
percent between 2014 and 2034.
Forecasted E�nploy�nent Growth: The North Carolina Department of Commerce provides Labor
and Economic Analysis reports at the regional level. Alamance County is part of the Regional
Partnership Workforce Development Board, where employment is expected to increase at an
annualized growth rate of 1.0 percent from 2010 to 2020. This growth is over a large geographic
region and county data is not available.
Available Land: There is approximately 10,854 acres of land in the FLUSA, 3,352 acres
(31 percent) of this land that is a�ailable to be developed. Approximately 56 percent of the land is
already developed or part of a park or historic register site. Approximately 767 acres are road
right-of-way (7 percent) and 704 acres are dedicated to water features and 50-foot riparian buffers
(6 percent).
Water Sewer Availability: Both water and sewer service are currently available for the planned
relocation of US 119.
Market for Develop�nent: There are development pressures in the southern portion of the FLUSA,
particularly near the I-85/I-40 interchanges. There are new industrial developments in this area
and several new industrial developments that are planned for the near future including a 450,000
square-foot Walmart distribution center. Recently, there ha�e been commercial developments,
such as the Tanger Outlets which was opened in 2010.
Public Policy: Both the City of Mebane and Alamance County ha�e developed land use plans and
long range transportation plans that direct development and land management. Both the City of
Mebane and Alamance County have established 50-foot riparian buffers around streams and
ponds and 100-foot buffers around water supply and lakes. Additionally, the Alamance County
WCA establishes density regulations to limit residential and non-residential development.
Ordinances and policies such as these direct industrial and commercial development and protect
the natural environment.
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U-3109 Mebane, Alamance County — Screening Indirect and Cumulative Effects Assessment

Notable Environ�nental Features: About half of the FLUSA is located in a WS-II, NSW
Protected Water Supply Watershed and part of the western portion of the FLUSA is located in a
WS-II, NSW Critical Water Supply Watershed. These relate to the Graham-Mebane Reservoir,
which is also listed on the 2012 North Carolina 303(d) list of impaired waters as a Category 5
rating for a standard violation for turbidity. There are five streams which cross through the
FLUSA, which require 50-foot riparian buffers. There are prime farmland soils and soils of
statewide importance throughout the FLUSA.
Indirect Summary Statement
This document analyzes the potential for indirect and cumulative effects of relocating NC 119 in
Alamance County. The new facility is proposed to be a four- to six-lane facility with a grass
median and partial access control. The current facility is a two-lane road. The new facility would
also include a bridge over US 70 and the railroad line. This analysis suggests that commercial
development would likely still occur without the proposed project, but may be accelerated by the
completion of the proposed project. Commercial and industrial developments are planned for the
southern portion of the FLUSA, in areas with access to I-85/I-40. Development is expected to
occur at a rate consistent with past development experience through the project timeline of 2030,
subj ect to market forces.
Based on the information analyzed, the ICE Screening Tool results in a moderate concern for
indirect and cumulative effects potential for this project. The proposed project may alter some
traffic patterns or land use development within the FLUSA by diverting traffic from downtown
Mebane and increasing access to parcels in the western portion of the FLUSA. There are
a�ailable water and wastewater facilities and available capacity in the FLUSA, but some
relocation of water services is planned.
There are development plans and regulations in place for growth in the FLUSA. The City of
Mebane and Alamance County both have land use plans and policies that limit the impact of
industrial development on sensitive environmental resources. The Graham-Mebane Reservoir is
listed on the 303(d) list of impaired waters and located within a WS-II, NSW Critical Water
Supply Watershed. The northern half of the FLUSA is located within a WS-II, NSW Protected
Water Supply Watershed.
Based on the findings of the ICE Screening Matrix, a Land Use Scenario Assessment is
recommended for this project.
Cumulative Effects Summary Statement
Indirect effects as a result of this relocation may occur in the form of increased commercial and
industrial development in the southern portion of the FLUSA. These impacts may occur with or
without the proposed relocation. Additionally, the relocation would direct traffic away from
downtown Mebane, towards the Graham-Mebane Reservoir. However, impacts to stormwater
runoff and downstream water quality are not anticipated from any change to development
patterns due to the existing development regulations, policies, and riparian buffer rules. The
cumulative effect of this project, when considered in the context of other past, present, and future
actions, and the resulting impact to notable human and natural features, should be moderate.
STIP Project U-3109 proposes relocating a section ofNC 119 from I-85/I-40 to south of SR 1918
(Mrs. White Lane) in Alamance County to new location. The project is approximately 5.6 miles
long. The proposed relocation is west of the current location, and largely outside of the City of
Mebane but largely within the City's Extraterritorial Jurisdiction. The proposed cross section
would be a four- to six-lane median divided facility with two to three lanes in each direction of
travel and a grass median.
14
U-3109 Mebane, Alamance County — Screening Indirect and Cumulative Effects Assessment

This project had an Indirect and Cumulative Effects Report prepared in 2008. The project also
had a Draft Environmental Impact Statement prepared in 2008 and a Final Environmental Impact
Statement prepared in 2009. Also, a Record of Decision for the project was approved by the
Federal Highway Administration on December 22, 2009 which approved Alternative 9 as the
selected alternative.
There is current development occurring in the western portion of the FLUSA. There is a large
industrial development under construction near US 70 and Latham Road. This area is part of the
North Carolina Industrial Center which has seen several new industrial businesses in recent years,
including the announcement of a 450,000 square foot Walmart distribution center and a Cambro
manufacturing plant. There is also a subdivision under construction near the intersection of
Mebane-Rogers Road and Dodson Road. Land clearance has begun for this project. There has
been recent commercial development in the southeastern portion of the FLUSA, most notably the
Tanger Outlets which opened in 2010.
Streams, watersheds, and other natural features are protected by watershed protection rules and
plans. This proj ect is expected to result in minimal cumulative effects to notable environmental
features. Direct natural environmental impacts by NCDOT projects would be addressed by
a�oidance, minimization, or mitigation, consistent with programmatic agreements with the
natural resource agencies during the Merger and Permitting processes.
15
U-3109 Mebane, Alamance County — Screening Indirect and Cumulative Effects Assessment

Sources
Alamance County Community Profile. 2014. l���t�://vvvvvv.alamar�ce-ffic.cssm/��lar��iffi�/vv�
cssffi�effi�/���lssad�s/si�es/21/2n13/ln/2n14-�c�rn��ffii�v-]��c�filea�df.
Alamance County Hea�y Industrial Development Ordinance. 2011. l���i�://vvvvvv.alamaffice-
ffic.cssrnl�lar��iffi�/vv�-cssffi�effi�/��lssads/si�es/21/2n13/ln/I�I�(7 (7bdiffiaffice-(7c�ssl�eb 3 2nll.�df.
Alamance County Land Development Plan. 2007. 1�����://vvvvvv.alamaffice-ffic.cssml��laffiffiiffi�/�
cssffi�effi�/���lssad�s/si�es/21/2n 13/1 n/Lar�d-�evelsst�rneffi�-]�laffi.��df.
Alamance County Watershed Protection Ordiance. 2013. l��t��://vvvvvv.alamar�ce-
r��.�ssrri/��lar�r�ir��/vv�
cssffi�effi�/���lssad�s/si�es/21/2n13/ln/i�Ja�ebsl�ed ]�bss�ec�issffi (7bdiffiaffice 2n13.�f.
Burlington Graham Metropolitan Planning Organization -2035 Long Range Transportation Plan
Update. November 2012.
l���t�s://dl.d�bsst�l��x�sebcssffi�effi�.cssml�/�179124/2n12 LI:T]�U��da�e/LI:TI� 2n12U��da�e i�JeY�.�f.
City of Mebane 2012 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report.
1����:/t /ci�v�finel�affie.cssml]��F's/2n12 affiffi�al d�bir�kiffig�vva�eb_c�:�ali�y be��ssb�.��df.
City of Mebane — Planning and Zoning. 1�����://�a�a�a.citryssfrnel�ar�e.cssrnl��laffiffiiffi�-zssffiiffi�.as�.
City of Mebane Wastewater Collection and Treatment Facility — For the Fiscal Year July 1, 2013
— June 30, 2014. l��t��://citry�finel�ar�e.cssml]��F's/i�Jas�e_2n13-2n14.��df.
Darrell Russell, P.E., AWCK, 336-260-5449. Phone conversation on December 10, 2014.
Mebane Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan.1�����://�a�a�a.rnel�affiel�ike��ed���lar�.cssrnl.
Mebane Historical Society. l���t�://vvvvvv.mel�ar�el�istssbicalsc�cietr�.ssbg/��a�es/l�ab°vest-l�ss�se.l��mml.
Montrena W. Hadley, MPA, CZO, City of Mebane Planning Office, 919-563-9990. Email
exchange on December 10, 2014.
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1�����://vvvvvv.fficcssrnrnebce.cssrnlleadlda�a-�ssssls/be�issffial-iffifssb-rna�issr�/be�issffial-��ab�ffiebsl�it�/iffid�stb-v-
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l���t�://vvvvvv.sssl�rn.s�a�e.ffic.�s/fficsssl�rnlfac�s�ar�d fi�bes/sc�cissecssffissrnic da�a/�t��la�issr� estima�es/c
��r��v ����jec�issffis.sl��rn.
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Commercial Historic District. l���t�://�a�a�a.l�t��.fficdcb.gssv/ffib/AIelI1�9$.��df.
16
U-3109 Mebane, Alamance County — Screening Indirect and Cumulative Effects Assessment

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17
U-3109 Mebane, Alamance County — Screening Indirect and Cumulative Effects Assessment