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The Town of Chapel Hill is contemplating approval of a primarily residential, transit-oriented infill development project along a planned bus rapid transit line. It's called AURA. You can learn more here: (1/20)
https://www.townofchapelhill.org/government/departments-services/planning/development-activity-report/1000-martin-luther-king-jr-blvd
https://www.townofchapelhill.org/government/departments-services/planning/development-activity-report/1000-martin-luther-king-jr-blvd
AURA is not a perfect project, but it’s being used by a secretive (in the sense that they won’t say who they are) anti-development group-- @estesneighbors--as a straw man to malign any and all multifamily development in Chapel Hill’s core. (2)
In their latest effort they attempt to use fear of congestion & ill-informed concern over road safety to convince people this development will ruin their lives.
I know a abit about road safety & traffic impacts so I'll take a stab at answering some of their “questions.” (3)
I know a abit about road safety & traffic impacts so I'll take a stab at answering some of their “questions.” (3)
“How much more time will I spend in traffic on Estes Drive, if AURA is approved?”
That’s largely up to you, given that the project is located on several bus lines and is at the crossroads of two future multimodal corridors. More here: (4) https://nsbrt.org/
That’s largely up to you, given that the project is located on several bus lines and is at the crossroads of two future multimodal corridors. More here: (4) https://nsbrt.org/
“What measures will the town require to ensure students get to school safely?”
This is a question we should ask not only of towns, but also school districts and the state. In many cases, the answer to this question is “expand roadways and prohibit walking & biking.”... (5)
This is a question we should ask not only of towns, but also school districts and the state. In many cases, the answer to this question is “expand roadways and prohibit walking & biking.”... (5)
...But in this happy instance, the town’s got that covered already, with a plan to make Estes one of the most comprehensive multimodal corridors in the state: (6) https://www.townofchapelhill.org/residents/transportation/bicycle-and-pedestrian/estes-drive-connectivity-project
“Won’t the AURA left turn onto Estes cause accidents?”
@estesneighbors has gone full Tucker Carlson here, but there’s an interesting question at the core. Let’s assume they are referring to traffic crashes (accidents by definition do not have causes)... (7)
@estesneighbors has gone full Tucker Carlson here, but there’s an interesting question at the core. Let’s assume they are referring to traffic crashes (accidents by definition do not have causes)... (7)
... 'What are the potential road safety impacts of a particular development' is a fabulous question. Traffic impact assessments don’t actually model safety though. A lot of people, myself included, are working to fix that, but under current best practices... (8)
...a town-wide traffic plan will not answer this question. But! The good news is you don’t need whatever a town-wide traffic plan is (not really a thing, btw) to reduce the likelihood of conflict at this intersection.... (9)
... It’s a pretty simple 3-way intersection, not unlike the driveway of nearly every single family home in town. Only difference is it’s one driveway for a whole bunch of homes (which is…guess what…*safer* than individual driveways for individual homes). (10)
“Why would the Town Council approve a project that adds to Estes area congestion?”
This one makes me laugh. I mean, do you ask Town Council for approval every time you get in your car and drive in the Estes area? Because guess what causes congestion.... (11)
This one makes me laugh. I mean, do you ask Town Council for approval every time you get in your car and drive in the Estes area? Because guess what causes congestion.... (11)
...But seriously: congestion is a code word for “I can’t go as fast as I want.” And no, you probably can’t, and you shouldn’t. But you should be able to get places in a reasonable amount of time, and safely. That’s why there’s a plan to improve multimodal connectivity... (12)
...along the Estes corridor, and to implement BRT and multimodal paths along MLK. (13)
Will AURA generate trips? Yep. That’s a pretty essential component of development. Will some of those trips be by car? Probably. Will those trips translate to slower average motor vehicle speeds along Estes? Maybe... (14)
...Will there be alternatives to driving on Estes that are faster, safer, and better for the environment? Absolutely: (15) https://www.townofchapelhill.org/residents/transportation/bicycle-and-pedestrian/estes-drive-connectivity-project
Moving on to the “How can I help?” section (though to be honest it looks like they spelled ‘hinder’ wrong)... (16)
“Voice your opinion…”
I can’t argue with this one, but make sure your opinion is informed. You can find a link to join the meeting here: (17) https://www.townofchapelhill.org/government/departments-services/planning/development-activity-report/aura-1000-martin-luther-king-jr-blvd
I can’t argue with this one, but make sure your opinion is informed. You can find a link to join the meeting here: (17) https://www.townofchapelhill.org/government/departments-services/planning/development-activity-report/aura-1000-martin-luther-king-jr-blvd
“Keep up to date…”
Also good advice. The Town has an email address: planning@townofchapelhill.org. Email them & they’ll send you updates on things, so you don’t have to rely on shady groups who don’t disclose their leadership sending you disingenuous fliers in the mail. (18)
Also good advice. The Town has an email address: planning@townofchapelhill.org. Email them & they’ll send you updates on things, so you don’t have to rely on shady groups who don’t disclose their leadership sending you disingenuous fliers in the mail. (18)
In sum: the current AURA proposal isn't the best that can be. Too much parking, not enough retail, not enough affordable units. But it’s not bad, & it’s a heck of a lot better from a traffic & safety standpoint than an equal number of homes on the outskirts of town... (19)
...But as long as groups like @estesneighbors and @chalt use propaganda to fearmonger away every infill proposal that comes along, AURA might be best we can have. it’s hardly worth it for developers to go to the effort to fight for anything better. (20/20)
And to be clear, AURA is still pretty dang good, esp. compared to what a conventional development would look like. It's got more than 50 affordable units, 15k sf of retail, and 50% less parking than most developments its size. We could do far worse.
