WHEREAS, the North Carolina Department of Transportation recognizes the importance of preserving rail corridors for future transportation use to the economic and social well being of the residents of North Carolina; and
WHEREAS, preservation of rail corridors for interim trail and future transportation use involves the expenditure of Federal, State and local funds; and
WHEREAS, preservation of railroad corridors for interim trail use and future transit use requires that the integrity of the rights of way be maintained; and
WHEREAS, that safety and integrity would be diminished with each additional at grade crossing limiting the ability of the corridor to serve these useful purposes for present and future users; and
WHEREAS, the use of rail corridors for safe bicycle, pedestrian and transit facilities will provide alternatives to dependence on automobile transportation.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
1. The North Carolina Department of Transportation will include and designate existing and proposed publicly-owned preserved rail corridors in Transportation Plans and on Thoroughfare Plan maps as part of the transportation planning process.
2. The Department will discourage new at-grade street and driveway crossings of State-owned preserved rail corridors and request that local governments along these corridors discourage new crossings in adopted plans, zoning changes, site plan approvals, and building construction approvals.
3. The Department also encourages local governments and transit authorities to discourage new at-grade street and driveway crossings of publicly-owned preserved rail corridors and ask that local governments along these corridors discourage new crossings in adopted plans, zoning changes, site plan approvals, and building construction approvals.
4. Applicants for agreements will be responsible for all administrative, appraisal and any Federal enhancement fees associated with the review of potential new at-grade crossings, leases, licenses or utility encroachments of State-owned rail corridors.
5. The Department will work with local governments to reduce the existing number of at-grade crossings to the minimum number possible and revoke conflicting leases, licenses and encroachments when a State-owned corridor is leased for interim trail use or returned to active rail or other transportation use.
6. The Department will encourage local governments to provide for land development which is harmonious with the development of these preserved rail corridors and future transit options.
7. Before any new at-grade crossings are considered on State-owned preserved corridors being leased for interim trail use by a local government, a public involvement process will be conducted by said local government.
8. This resolution shall apply to the publicly-owned preserved rail corridors and any future inactive rail rights of way acquired by the Department of Transportation, the State of North Carolina, or other public body to be protected for future transportation use.
THIS, THE 9th DAY OF JANUARY, 1998.
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E. Norris Tolson
Secretary of Transportation