AGENDA DATE: 7/11/2018
TITLE:
Title
Eastern Avenue Pedestrian Underpass
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Authorize County Executive to sign an application for a VDOT Land Use Permit for maintenance of a pedestrian underpass in a VDOT maintained street, and to also sign a possible agreement with the adjoining property owner for the routine maintenance of this pedestrian underpass
ITEM TYPE: Consent Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Walker, Kamptner, Blair, Graham, Crickenberger, Falkenstein
PRESENTER (S): Mark Graham
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: In February 2017, the Board approved ZMA2016-00005, a rezoning known as “Foothills / Daily Property”. As part of this rezoning, there is a proffer obligating the property owner to construct a pedestrian underpass that connects a public trail along a stream as it passes under a roadway known as Eastern Avenue. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) does not routinely maintain pedestrian underpasses and requires the County to obtain a permit to assure the County will maintain the underpass before considering the roadway as part of the Secondary Street System. This action is to authorize the County Executive to sign this permit application on behalf of the County.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Thriving Development Areas: Attract quality employment, commercial, and high density residential uses into development areas by providing services and infrastructure that encourage redevelopment and private investment while protecting the quality of neighborhoods
DISCUSSION: This property is located in the eastern part of the Crozet Development Area. Both the proposed Eastern Avenue roadway and the pedestrian trail running along the stream are part of the improvements shown in the Crozet Master Plan. While the property owner has proffered to construct both the roadway and pedestrian underpass, VDOT requires the County to commit to maintaining the pedestrian underpass before ity will consider accepting Eastern Avenue for state maintenance. Additionally, the Foothills / Daily Property owner has verbally offered to enter into a maintenance agreement with the County for the routine maintenance of the pedestrian underpass, allowing a “pass thru” commitment for this maintenance. VDOT requires its permit be with the County, but has no concerns with the County entering into a separate agreement with the Foothills / Daily Property owner.
BUDGET IMPACT: It is anticipated the routine maintenance of cleanup and trash removal can be managed by the adjoining property own and/or handled as part of the routine trail maintenance without any additional need for resources or funding. Longer term, repairs to the concrete box culvert used with the pedestrian underpass could require extensive maintenance. Based on the lifespan of similar box culverts, that is not anticipated to be needed for at least 50 years.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Board adopt the attached Resolution (Attachment A) authorizing the County Executive to sign a VDOT land use permit application for the pedestrian underpass and a maintenance agreement with the Foothills / Daily Property owner that allows the anticipated homeowner’s association to provide routine maintenance for this pedestrian underpass.
ATTACHMENTS: Attachment A - Resolution