Online Public Meeting for Haggard Avenue Corridor Plan, Phases 1-3
Date: Thursday, August 10, 2023
Time: 5:30—7:00 p.m.
Format: During the first 30 minutes of the meeting, representatives from the project team will give a formal presentation on the project. The final 60 minutes will be used to answer questions (entered in Chat box or in Town Hall).
How to join the meeting:
At Elon Town Hall – 104 S. Williamson Avenue, Elon, 27244, where you can participate in the online meeting in a group setting
– OR –
Join on your computer, mobile app or room device – Click here to join the meeting
Meeting ID: 234 670 515 78
Passcode: chkqMc
The Final Draft (Phases 1-3) Draft Plans are available for review:
Haggard Ave. Corridor Draft Plan, Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4.
And the Final Draft Plan Comment Sheet is Open – Please provide your input today!
The Comment Sheet is open through August 18th.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The Haggard Avenue Corridor Study is a 3-phase project, begun in 2020, that evaluated ways to improve the safety and multi-modal connectivity for the entire length of E. and W. Haggard Avenues in the Town of Elon’s jurisdiction (approximately 2.65 miles). This corridor forms the primary east/west route through the Town of Elon, including Elon University’s campus and Elon’s downtown, connecting with the City of Burlington to the east and the Town of Gibsonville to the west (see Haggard Avenue Study Phases Map).
BACKGROUND
The Town of Elon’s adopted Comprehensive Land Use Plan (Envision Elon 2040) includes detailed recommendations for improving the western and eastern gateways into town. As described in Envision, improving the western and eastern gateways along Haggard Avenue are high priorities for improvement, as they make a first impression and help shape visitors’ image of the Town. “Streetscape, public art, and wayfinding signage are among the elements that contribute to creating a welcoming experience” at these gateways, as noted in the Plan.
Conducting a Haggard Avenue Corridor Study was identified as a Top 6 Priority Action Step in the Envision Elon 2040 Plan, to “create a safe, comfortable environment for pedestrians and cyclists along Haggard Avenue with streetscape improvements and a better development edge.” This project specifically responds to Recommendation Item IS-4.2 from this Plan, which states: “An examination of this road corridor that links the Town of Elon to Gibsonville and Burlington will help define on a segment-by-segment basis ways to introduce safe bike and pedestrian connections, enhance the streetscape, better manage vehicular circulation, and improve the relationship of adjacent development to the street to create a highly accessible and safe place to live, work, dine, or shop.”
LOCATION
- The complete project area includes the entire length of E. and W. Haggard Avenues in the Town of Elon’s jurisdiction (approximately 2.65 miles). To facilitate detailed study, it has been divided into three separate project Phases, with all Phases now completed. The three different project phases are shown on the Haggard Avenue Study Phases Map, and described below:
- Phase 1 – Antioch Avenue to York Road (0.75 miles) – Adopted May 11, 2021.
- Phase 2 – Western Gateway – Antioch Avenue west to University Drive/Burlington Avenue (1.1 miles)
- Phase 3 – Eastern Gateway – York Road east to University Drive/Webb Avenue (0.75 miles)
PROJECT GOALS
Two main elements have been produced for each Project Phase, including a Unified Corridor Plan and Vision as well as recommended changes to the Town’s Zoning Ordinance for a supporting Corridor Overlay Zoning District. Together, these items meet the following project goals:
- Evaluate the potential for reducing the 3-lane section(s) to 2-lanes
- Investigate opportunities for additional on-street parking in and near Elon’s downtown core
- Improve multi-modal access, uses and connectivity (especially bicycles)
- Calm traffic and include complete street elements
- Improve safety for all users
The Unified Corridor Plan will contain Schematic Roadway and Streetscape Designs that follow a consistent theme and provide street level amenities that are user-focused, contextual, functional and integrated.
The Corridor Overlay Zoning District recommendations and proposed Map will be provided to the Town’s LMO consultant and include permitted land use, landscaping, setback, building form/massing, lighting, ingress/egress, and signage development standards.
PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION
The Draft Final Haggard Corridor Plan recommends the following implementation items for Phases 1-3 (listed in order of priority):
- Work with Burlington-Graham MPO and NC Department of Transportation to prioritize the entire project (Phases 1-3) and receive approval for the project to be included in a future State Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP), which will provide funding for traffic engineering, final design, environmental impact analysis, permitting and construction of the recommended corridor improvements (including pedestrian and bicycle facilities, as permitted in NCDOT’s 2019 Complete Street Policy):
A. Implement Campus Scale Improvements between N. Williamson Ave and N. Oak Ave:
- Shift Haggard Avenue centerline approximately 6 ft north from Manning Ave to N. O’Kelly Ave
- Design and construct buffered bike lane along historic wall on Elon University campus
- Realign N. Oak Ave intersection, potential roundabout to serve as a corridor gateway
- Multimodal intersection improvements at N. Williamson Ave, N. O’Kelly Ave, and N. Antioch Ave.
- Mid-block and side street pedestrian crossings with pedestrian refuge, plantings, pavement markings, materials changes, and signage
- Widen and fill in sidewalk gaps
- Bicycle access via a multi-use path or on-street bike lanes
- Planted medians where access and corridor width permits
- Street trees that vary in size, spacing and location
B. Implement Suburban Highway Improvements from University Drive to Williamson Ave and from N. Oak Ave to NC 87:
- Reduce travel lanes from 3 to 2 where present
- Fill in sidewalk gaps to complete pedestrian network
- Multimodal intersection improvements at Manning Ave, N. Oak Ave, and Lawrence St with potential roundabout at York Road
- Add planting area between the back of curb and sidewalk where feasible
- Pedestrian crossings, including distinct crosswalks and/or pedestrian refuges within median
- Provide bicycle access via a multi-use path
- Street trees that vary in size, spacing and location
2. Develop and adopt a Haggard Avenue Corridor Overlay District that considers the following recommended requirements for new development (as detailed in the Plan):
a. Streetscape Standards – Detailed on Page 79 of the Plan
b. Front-yard Setbacks – Enlarge minimum front yard setbacks to provide adequate room for streetscape amenities and provide a consistent theme along the corridor
c. Underground Utilities – Place all new/improved streetscape utilities underground to improve aesthetics as well as preserve sidewalk capacity for pedestrians and allow for street trees and aesthetic treatments.
d. Environmental Protection– Require all future new public cross streets/roads to be located outside of environmentally sensitive areas to the maximum extent practicable.
e .Access Management – Restrict multiple driveway cuts on to East Haggard Avenue to the maximum extent possible.
3. Require that the Traffic Impact Analysis prepared by Elon University for the development of its 86-acre parcel to the east of the Danieley Center (which will soon be a requirement for all large developments as part of the new Elon Land Management Ordinance (LMO)) include various specific items as detailed on page 80 of the Plan.
4.Continue collaboration with Elon University on future long-range planning efforts and site development to address the elements discussed throughout the Plan.
SCHEDULE / PROJECT UPDATES
The following tasks have been completed:
- Phase 1 Study – Adopted May 2021
- Phase 2/3 Stakeholder* Committee Meetings – July and September 2021
- Phase 2/3 Public Meeting #1 – November 2021
- Phase 2/3 Stakeholder* Design Charette – January 2022
- Stakeholder Committee Review of Ph 1-3 Draft Plan – May 2023
Upcoming tasks include:
-
- July 12, 2023 – Draft Ph 1-3 Plan Review open to the public
- August 10, 2023 – Public Meeting – Draft Plan Review
- August 18, 2023 – Public Comments Due
- September 12, 2023 – Final Plan Adoption (Joint Meeting of Planning Board and Town Council)
*Haggard Corridor Stakeholder Committee is led by the Town of Elon Planning Department and SEPI Inc., and consists of representatives from the Town of Elon (Downtown Development, Recreation & Parks, and Public Works), Elon University, City of Burlington, Town of Gibsonville, Piedmont Triad Regional Council (PTRC), Burlington Graham MPO, NCDOT and several citizens representing bicycle and pedestrian users.
Haggard Avenue Corridor Study
- Phone
336.584.2859 - Email
loakley@elon.gov - Office
104 S Williamson Avenue
Elon, NC 27244