[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6633370,"mediaKeyId","2665777-73439704686585e0aafcd231e532b512","parentId",2665777,"title","Triangle West warns US‑70, I‑40 corridors will face severe congestion by 2055; commuter rail deemed cost‑prohibitive","audioSeconds",1354,"startMs",3504000,"endMs",4858000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2665777-73439704686585e0aafcd231e532b512&start=3504&end=4858","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2665777-73439704686585e0aafcd231e532b512/thumbnail_3504000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6633370/Chatham-County/North-Carolina/Triangle-West-warns-US70-I40-corridors-will-face-severe-congestion-by-2055-commuter-rail-deemed-costprohibitive","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6633370-ef581d9b5e6512ffb3efbd195dedd444/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156102&Signature=TS~mPDjn8Mrfc3qeqJK3nX6rrgSh7M3wi8aPCN8y7riq6gaQgoQAu2RqhuRZ6BxEjHLLhwYMpQbP6yXQguP6hSYlqtV1KMNqHFIG8kidyTfyZmcy92Zivr15xUq3XcYca4S5esPmX13yDXJsQk7KM0QpsaFi~CqO82CjY88fg-QBr8o6fd8~2wFmON2djyNgPW34G0xijM4G7uxNrUuigccFBpMAfIpYCaaJ86NpJn~Qa03c7nxfojR1Ub2CRn4YH2T1Gk-h06GdYixNly83rFxV-GVzZV9YLpDoerp65wrQcq5w3IHGql8nHkvp9sQmnQmDQ4lZJ0kvksUEolUu3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Chatham County","date","2025-03-17T00:00:00Z","article","Doug Plachinski, executive director of the regional Triangle West transportation planning organization, told the Chatham County Board of Commissioners on March 18 that regional travel‑demand modeling for a 2055 horizon projects large increases in population and employment and widespread congestion without additional interventions.

Plachinski said modeling for a three‑county planning area (Chatham, Durham and Orange counties) shows roughly a 50 percent increase in jobs and more than a doubling of households in the region over the next 30 years under current plans. Several corridors risk “volume‑over‑capacity” failures if only already‑committed projects are built.

Key model results Plachinski highlighted:
- US 70 between I‑885 in Durham and the I‑540 outer loop in Wake County is projected to be one of the region’s most chronically congested corridors by 2055.
- The stretch of I‑40 at the Durham‑Wake County border will be among the busiest freeway segments in the state by the end of the planning horizon.
- Growth patterns outside the three‑county core also contribute to bottlenecks, with traffic pressures extending into Chatham County along major corridors.

Alternatives and tradeoffs: Plachinski described a multi‑scenario analysis that includes a baseline (committed projects), a “shared leadership” scenario that shifts more investment into transit and non‑motorized modes, and an “altogether” scenario that pairs higher transit investment with land‑use strategies to concentrate growth around activity centers and transit nodes. He said the analysis will inform a preferred investment portfolio the MPO will package for federal and state review.

Costs and constraints: The presentation stressed that large federal funding streams created by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act have increased available dollars but also created capacity and delivery challenges. Plachinski said earlier local studies of commuter rail found the capital cost prohibitive because proposed expansions would require new infrastructure on tracks that largely are shared with freight rail, driving costs into the billions.

What the county should expect: Triangle West staff told commissioners the MPO will continue public outreach and refine the preferred scenario; the final metropolitan transportation plan will be submitted to federal agencies for conformity checks and funding eligibility. Plachinski said the MPO will publish more accessible “story map” materials and expects to return to member boards as the plan progresses.

Why it matters: Commissioners heard that the region’s anticipated growth will require coordinated land‑use and transportation strategies to avoid worsening congestion and that there is a narrow window to design investments that pair transit service with denser development around activity centers.

Evidence: Plachinski’s slide deck and the MPO’s travel‑demand model outputs were discussed in detail at the March 18 meeting; he said the modeling runs take roughly a day to complete and that Triangle West will publish interactive maps and data for public review.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Chatham County - Board of Commissioners on 2025-03-17 1:00 PM - Mar 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Doug Plachinski, executive director of the Triangle West transportation planning organization, told the Chatham County Board of Commissioners on March 18 that travel‑demand modeling for a 2055 horizon projects major congestion on US 70 and I‑40 unless the region invests in transit and targeted land‑use changes.","taxTitle","Chatham County, North Carolina","taxId",72775,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6633376,"Chatham County commissioners eliminate formal liaison roles to advisory boards",2465,11180000,13645000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2665777-73439704686585e0aafcd231e532b512&start=11180&end=13645","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2665777-73439704686585e0aafcd231e532b512/thumbnail_11180000.jpg","/articles/6633376/Chatham-County/North-Carolina/Chatham-County-commissioners-eliminate-formal-liaison-roles-to-advisory-boards","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6633376-fde80bf701170b4aca321f965af03fda/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156102&Signature=iFS96iKamZ2vYCKecLkkRUe3PKpxqphdJRJXo~91GOTLsZIeI5mduobqVvgNoM68py1J5k1C25PdFJo-iKdy9zxYJqv8ZvrKSCPcf~rkBLYpvotyYcZVXFYOvWrOZvh~IH38ROFkuGzPKS7q0Ug9IH4yPe2Do3pZ2w0n~8l71G~6yLrQgTumcEFeyB-hPd71QaUs52iHmJh4ZVntlBVYTC2v76P9Ac8pHTLQD2nmgTwBN45Q2~Byto2uK1~lhhiQO-EC3NHURg40kzeGEnRAng6YkuYjyKhecCyFB-bZwRRIDGuRRv1l0OVIAPjYssXAP6tOZDg8mAitXF-EmCWqXQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Chatham County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on March 18 to eliminate formal commissioner liaison positions to county advisory boards and committees, a change the board’s majority described as an effort to standardize how advisory bodies report to the board and to rely on county staff as the routine conduit of information.

Board members said the change is intended to reduce confusion about whether a commissioner speaking at an advisory‑board meeting is representing the whole board, and to make sure technical, consistent updates come from staff with subject expertise.

Commissioners debated the value of a commissioner attending advisory‑board meetings and weighing the tradeoffs between direct commissioner familiarity with topics and the need for neutral, consistent staff reporting. County staff told the board they will preserve “staff leads” who will continue to attend and support advisory bodies. Staff also committed to return with a proposed set of changes to the county’s advisory‑committee policy to standardize appointment procedures, membership rules, reporting expectations and conflict‑of‑interest guidance.

The board’s action: a single motion to “eliminate the role of Board of County Commissioner liaisons to any board or committee” carried unanimously. The clerk recorded a unanimous vote. The county manager and staff team said they will draft proposed policy updates and an implementation plan for the board to review in April, including clarifying which advisory panels are governed by statute versus those created at the board’s discretion.

Why it mattered: Commissioners said the county’s rapid growth and the greater complexity of issues — transportation, housing and watershed planning among them — increase the need for consistent, expert briefings. Staff pointed to inconsistencies across existing committee charters and meeting practices and told commissioners they will propose clearer, uniform guidance for appointments, term tracking and reporting.

Next steps: Staff will bring a redlined advisory‑policy proposal and recommended reporting templates to the commissioners for review; a target date of the April 21 meeting was cited by staff. The board also asked staff to notify the affected advisory boards and committee chairs about the procedural change and to clarify how chairs should request formal direction from the commission.

Evidence and process notes: The board’s vote was taken in public session after an extended discussion during the March 18 work session. County staff repeatedly emphasized that the change does not remove statutory appointments (for example, the county’s voting member seats required by state law) nor does it prevent commissioners from attending meetings as private citizens or from meeting chair‑to‑chair when the board directs such contact. The county manager indicated an implementation plan will include clearer definitions of which bodies are statutory, which are discretionary, and how staff leads will be assigned and held accountable.","The Chatham County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to end formal commissioner liaison appointments to county advisory boards and committees, directing staff to maintain departmental staff leads and to propose standardization of advisory‑board policy and reporting.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6633361,"At a glance: key votes and appointments from the March 18 Chatham County commissioners meeting",12768,2273000,15041000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2665777-73439704686585e0aafcd231e532b512&start=2273&end=15041","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2665777-73439704686585e0aafcd231e532b512/thumbnail_2273000.jpg","/articles/6633361/Chatham-County/North-Carolina/At-a-glance-key-votes-and-appointments-from-the-March-18-Chatham-County-commissioners-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6633361-003e18089f633bb5cc14181e72880ad9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156102&Signature=hdwB~5OJDJsUZTsmaK2KBHM2yxnV7kk8dBZIC0K2244XiGomuoqWusOTpNPtIZ50jmFjMBcJKrC5Gs42PJ1zQAQ6rs5Wgd-EVHnWMBwmWkw8vvgIgftPC~9n38fthVFnQVkuMrpnsxAFWwvk-AB6ZmbeX~idLpuWWaANte5K7~5tD6plEXLk02bKmEGuBaZJT5ljPjmnb-aukdRKbF~3h3Yj~EcjvYHR6MQHDoKYkAlwy87kUdgZGnfRYncDxDEDXqpksqWb4CO76FMQ61S4B73Iyqo-c0fORitk94VWTJKd6R3ar9LvFkioDCV3fVnUpYXoFgOPscvosKR7Wvd7jA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Chatham County Board of Commissioners adopted several resolutions and made appointments during its March 18 meeting. Most items were approved by unanimous vote and were taken as part of the meeting’s consent or regular agenda. Below are the formal actions recorded in the meeting minutes.

Votes at a glance
- Proclamation: April 2025 proclaimed Child Abuse Prevention Month in Chatham County — Adopted (unanimous).
- Resolution recognizing the Chatham County Community Resource Court’s 20th anniversary — Adopted (unanimous).
- Proclamation: March 2025 recognized as Women’s History Month — Adopted (unanimous).
- Proclamation: February 2025 recognized retroactively as Black History Month in Chatham County — Adopted (unanimous).
- Proclamation: Black Maternal Health Week (dates set in resolution) — Adopted (unanimous).
- Resolution honoring Line Worker Day — Adopted (unanimous).
- Appointments to boards: Lincoln Fry appointed District‑5 representative to the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (term through 2026‑06‑30) — Approved as part of the regular meeting consent actions (unanimous).
- Appointment: Claire Cain appointed to the AHAC at‑large seat — Approved as part of the regular meeting consent actions (unanimous).
- Appointment: Wyatt Underwood appointed as alternate to the Board of Equalization and Review — Approved (consent agenda).

Other formal items and referrals
- Planning board rules/ordinance amendments: The Planning Board asked the commission for permission to update its enabling ordinance to match changes the board is making to rules of procedure (staff will return redlined ordinance language for the commission’s consideration). The board provided consensus to staff to proceed and requested that proposed ordinance changes be returned for review.
- Quasi‑judicial matter: Special Use Permit for Chatham County Facilities and Construction (new EMS station off US‑15‑501 in Baldwin Township). Staff said the site plan and erosion control approvals remain valid; the board closed the evidentiary hearing and referred the application to the Planning Board for formal review (no final action recorded by commissioners on March 18).

Meeting context and next steps
The items above were adopted or referred without extended public controversy. Several actions — particularly the advisory‑committee procedural change noted in the work session and the planning‑board ordinance updates — will require staff follow up. The county manager and staff indicated they will return with redlined policy and ordinance language and recommended reporting templates for commissioner review at upcoming meetings.

Documentation: Each vote and appointment is recorded in the March 18 meeting record and corresponding consent actions. For more details or to request the full resolution text and staff reports, contact the Clerk to the Board.","The Chatham County Board of Commissioners adopted multiple proclamations and resolutions, approved committee appointments and directed staff on policy follow‑up. This roundup lists each formal action and outcome recorded at the March 18 session.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6633365,"Affordable Housing advisory committee reports rental gaps, voucher strain and preservation work in 2024 annual update",5474,3312000,8786000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2665777-73439704686585e0aafcd231e532b512&start=3312&end=8786","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2665777-73439704686585e0aafcd231e532b512/thumbnail_3312000.jpg","/articles/6633365/Chatham-County/North-Carolina/Affordable-Housing-advisory-committee-reports-rental-gaps-voucher-strain-and-preservation-work-in-2024-annual-update","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6633365-5596173d2a1c26309cf9a8b0f89c933e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156102&Signature=Ya8700a8uwruFZFExgOjcZJmeJInpM-TMRUHSJUAG-emAcEHDMKFBHtLngtcC6mDIqOuuzuqnAiCkDfVR89JhoXCPAw58HpC-hrp45Ymv-HBToxrsoq5NPeSgTjBf7~jwVH2wpuiX3kbVtYaMVXEYYWlV6uETxBwPdR8B-s0Vftd-UFNyaQp~w3TcrRUdEErYk7ODEjSjsYTC0ePFGbBtFr96EPCp9AA9TI8WIZLW5qrTZXvSH1PBMbO~j5DxnQE~~42LXQsqhP~F7Sk6lEfHMV6BsJ02iDbzI3hny~JHnFyLyzQLmoDh4sIVX-KonPGnzND-BPXlONe1lagGjUVDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chatham County’s Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) presented its 2024 annual report to the Board of Commissioners on March 18, summarizing accomplishments, data on housing needs and an action plan for 2025.

Presenters Jamie Andrews and Tiffany Stuflick highlighted that a recent development, Oakview in Siler City, opened 72 income‑restricted units targeted at households earning roughly 30 to 60 percent of area median income and that the county’s Housing Trust Fund made an award in the most recent cycle. The committee said it updated the Housing Trust Fund application process and added a stipend to support outreach and research.

Vouchers and rental market: AHAC reported county‑level data on Housing Choice Vouchers and related challenges. The housing department told the board Chatham County has just over 500 vouchers allocated by HUD; about 370 were leased and roughly 150 were available in the most recent counts presented. The committee also noted the average voucher gap — the subsidy needed to reach fair‑market rent beyond what a household pays — has risen roughly 40 percent over five years, driven by higher market rents.

Preservation and outreach: AHAC said it is prioritizing preservation of naturally occurring affordable housing through a mobile‑home subgroup that will pilot outreach and a survey of park conditions. The committee also reported work with municipal staff and nonprofit partners to improve coordination, to refine the application rubric for the Housing Trust Fund, and to provide feedback to applicants who were not awarded funds.

Data and gaps: Presenters reviewed a year‑by‑year comparison of population growth versus permitted units and noted an annual shortfall of new rental housing compared with incoming households; AHAC staff estimated an annual delta in the most recent year of roughly 800 household units needed to meet demand based on available regional data.

Appointments: The commission approved two appointments to AHAC at the March meeting. Lincoln Fry was appointed as a District‑5 representative (term through 2026). Claire Cain was appointed to an at‑large seat on AHAC. The appointments were moved and approved in the regular meeting consent actions.

Why it matters: The committee’s report underscores a mix of development‑stage progress (new units such as Oakview), continuing affordability pressure in the rental market, and the county’s focus on outreach to preserve existing affordable stock. The board asked staff and AHAC to continue developing a public dashboard and to refine a countywide affordable‑housing pipeline so commissioners can identify where to invest and how to coordinate with municipal partners.

Evidence: The AHAC presentation and the committee’s action plan were presented to the board on March 18; AHAC public minutes and the Housing Trust Fund award list were cited by staff.","The Affordable Housing Advisory Committee reported on 2024 activities including Oakview opening (72 income‑restricted units), updates to the county Housing Trust Fund, a mobile‑home outreach subgroup and rising costs of housing choice vouchers; commissioners appointed two new AHAC members.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Triangle West warns US‑70, I‑40 corridors will face severe congestion by 2055; commuter rail deemed cost‑prohibitive

Chatham County commissioners eliminate formal liaison roles to advisory boards

At a glance: key votes and appointments from the March 18 Chatham County commissioners meeting

Affordable Housing advisory committee reports rental gaps, voucher strain and preservation work in 2024 annual update