AG 2004 05 17 - Laserfiche WebLink

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For Adoption Presentations MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING CONCERNING TIlE NC 73 TRANSPORTATION/LAND USE CORRIDOR PLAN Background In February 2003, the North Carolina Department of Transportation ("NC DOT") engaged the Centralina Council of Governments ("COG") to administer a grant to study the NC 73 Corridor from Interstate Highway 85 in Cabarrus County to US Highway 321 in Lincoln County. Funds for this Corridor Study came from NC DOT, as well as from the counties, municipalities and private sector sources along the Corridor. [The term "Corridor" in the Memorandum means the area lying roughly within one-half (1/2) mile of the centerline of the NC 73 right of way between the highway's intersections with Interstate 85 in Cabarms County, and with US 321 in Lincoln County.] The impetus for the NC 73 Transportation/Land Use Corridor Plan (the "Plan") was the recognition that increased development pressures along the Corridor, and the resulting vehicular burdens, have stressed the roadway's capacity to serve as a reliable transportation facility for its many users. Moreover, all of the concerned parties recognized two key factors: 1) considerable physical improvement will be required to address the corridor issues; and 2) the current and foreseeable land uses along the Corridor should be evaluated before undertaking any capital investment in improving the roadway itself. Beginning with this broad consensus, COG and NC DOT selected a team ofplarmers to undertake the details of this study. The contract for these planning services was executed in April 2003, and the planning team's analysis began shortly thereafter. Public meetings were held in Cabarms, Lincoln and Mecklenburg Counties during November 2003 and March 2004. The planning team's work has been guided by a steering committee comprised of COG and representatives of all municipalities or counties having land use planning jurisdiction over property along the Corridor; representatives of economic development or planning organizations affected by the NC 73's capacity; North Carolina DOT; and the three transportation planning organizations with jurisdiction in the area. The planning team hosted a series of land use planning charettes with the local planning staffs for each of the municipalities and counties having elected officials in each of those communities.