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HARRISBURG AREA LAND USE PLAN <br />Urban Design and Commie ity Character <br />Opportunities <br />• Small town character. <br />• The rural areas in the southern portion of the planning area contribute to the <br />quality and character of the area. <br />Issues <br />• Commercial "strip" development that has occurred along NC -49, Harrisburg's <br />front door, does not serve to create a distinct character for Harrisburg. <br />• Future development along Rocky River Road east of Robinson Church Road <br />could affect the quality of what some agree is a scenic segment of the <br />highway. <br />Transportation <br />Opportunities <br />• The Cabarrus -Rowan MPO Thoroughfare Plan recommends road connections <br />that would improve north -south movements in the area. <br />• The recent expansion of area transit service and the future extension of <br />CATS's LYNX Blue Line toward Concord will improve access and mobility for <br />residents of the planning area. <br />• Harrisburg lies within the Piedmont Atlantic megaregion, which will be served <br />by high speed rail in the future. Though no stop is planned for Harrisburg, <br />the positive economic impacts for the region could benefit Harrisburg. <br />• There is funding for bicycle /pedestrian facility improvements (i.e. sidewalks) <br />through a CMAQ grant. <br />• The safety of two rail line crossings will be improved through grade - <br />separated crossings that are planned as part of the double tracking project to <br />accommodate high speed rail. <br />Issues <br />• As development and redevelopment occurs along NC -49, access <br />management will be needed to improve traffic flow (consistent with the <br />NCDOT strategic corridor) and safety <br />• Congestion is increasing on Rocky River Road with commuter traffic flowing <br />to and from Charlotte daily. <br />• The lack of connectivity in the current road network affects circulation, which <br />exacerbates issues related to congestion and public safety. <br />• The design of NC -49 facilitates speeding. <br />• With the few crossings that exist today, the rail line already presents safety <br />and circulation challenges, especially when a train is stopped on the tracks. <br />This is likely to worsen with the closing of some crossing as part of the <br />double tracking project to accommodate high speed rail. <br />• Closing existing rail line crossings will also impact area businesses in that <br />access will be affected. <br />• Problem intersections include Morehead Road at NC -49 and Stallings Road at <br />Hickory Ridge Road. <br />PART III: SUMMARY OF OPPORTUNITIES AND ISSUES <br />A�pUST ? <br />achmen number 1 <br />G -1 Page 349 <br />