Title
Adjustment to Metropolitan Planning Area (MPA) Boundary and Adjusted (Smoothed)US Census Urban Area (UA) Boundary (10 minutes)
Cameron Schuler, MPO Staff
KC Chae, MPO Staff
Doug Plachcinski, AICP, CFM, DCHC MPO Executive Director
Narrative
This adjustment addresses technical changes in response to comments and guidance from NCDOT and corrects issues related to the coordinate system used in the previous boundary. The previous boundary had discrepancies such as gaps and overlaps when aligned with roadways. A detailed review of the 2023 Metropolitan Planning Area (MPA) at a micro level (1:1,000 scale) resolved these issues, ensuring all roadways are now correctly included within the new boundary.
The MPO is responsible for defining the Metropolitan Planning Area (MPA), encompassing areas anticipated to become urban within the next 20 years. This definition requires approval by the MPO, NCDOT, and FHWA.
Additionally, the MPO is tasked with developing an adjusted (smoothed) Urban Area. The adjusted (smoothed) UA boundary is reviewed by the MPO and NCDOT. Each location within the adjusted (smoothed) UA boundary must be included within an MPA, though not necessarily the same one.
The MPO has adjusted the MPA Boundary and Adjusted (Smoothed) US Census Urban Area Boundary.
Board Action
TC Action: Received the adjusted Metropolitan Planning Area (MPA) Boundary and Adjusted (Smoothed) US Census Urban Area Boundary.
Board Action: Receive the adjusted Metropolitan Planning Area (MPA) Boundary and Adjusted (Smoothed) US Census Urban Area Boundary.