I don't care what they call him or what he calls himself - just man up and get that road open as you agreed to do to get your houses built and sold.
exactly where did he say that?
The town approved this opening in June 2007, and the Mayor agreed to do whatever the town wanted him to do. There was even a discussion of a promised time line and a bond to pave the road, neither of which was delivered to the town as was promised by the mayor (while playing role of developer). Go to the town of Pittsboro and ask for a copy of the meeting minutes dated June 11 2007, as quoted here (see bold sections for relevance):
MINUTES
TOWN OF PITTSBORO
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
MONDAY, JUNE 11, 2007
7:00 P.M.
ATTENDANCE
Members present: Mayor Randolph Voller, Commissioners Max G. Cotten, Pamela Baldwin, Clinton E. Bryan, III, Gene T. Brooks and Chris Walker.
Other staff present: Clerk Alice F. Lloyd, Attorney Paul S. Messick, Jr. and Planner David Monroe.
OPENING OF SPRINGDALE DRIVE
Discussion of Town requirements for opening of Springdale Drive to Fox Chapel Lane.
Planner Monroe stated the issue of connecting Springdale Drive to Fox Chapel Lane has been before the Board for some time. At a meeting in August, 2004 the Board approved connecting the streets with certain improvements required (such as curb, gutter and sidewalks). Samir Bahho made a presentation in which he asked the Board to reconsider some of the required improvements. Specifically, he felt that widening the road would encourage faster driving; that installing curb and gutter would adversely affect existing property owners because of the backfill that would be required with curbing; curbing would have an adverse impact on drainage and the area is in a watershed. Staff agrees with these conclusions and, further, feels that construction of a sidewalk that will tie in to nothing is of little benefit. Staff recommends that the improvements shown on Richard Bullock’s drawings; those being the roundabout and traffic calming device under the power line. In no case, however, does staff recommend that the connection be opened until NCDOT has presented its conclusion regarding improvement necessary on 15-501.
Commissioner Cotten asked Mr. Monroe if he reviewed the items he think are local. He has a couple of items he thinks we need to talk about. Planner Monroe stated the items are traffic calming devices and the proposed roundabout which would pinch the travel lane about halfway down the street under the power line.
Mayor Voller stated Mr. Monroe has been waiting on a letter from NCDOT that has not come yet.
Mayor Voller said from his understanding based on the TIP Study and interaction with Mr. Blakley it is an issue they have settled on extending the turn lane 50 ft. so you can get more cars. Mr. Monroe is waiting for their letter. Mr. Monroe stated a DOT Representative said at least 50 additional feet of turn lane would probably be needed.
Attorney Messick stated the map attached to your agenda package has the first item Mr. Monroe was talking about as Exhibit 1 and the second as Exhibit 2. Additional right of way will have to be obtained for that to occur.
Mayor Voller stated that will not be an issue since most of the property is owned by him and Ms. Russell and that has been worked out.
Commissioner Cotten stated when he made his recommendation before he listed it as a long term recommendation to address the water runoff problem on Springdale. He now thinks it should be moved up to a short term item. He is not convinced the pipe under Springdale is big enough to carry the water that comes down there. It is coming from three directions when it meets it can’t go under the street, it is on the North side of Springdale.
Mayor Voller asked if it is down by 15-501.
Commissioner Cotton stated it is between his (Voller’s) development and 15-501. Down where the pond is.
Mayor Voller said at this point DOT is currently doing something down there; it started when Mr. Misenheimer was Manager. Mayor Voller asked Planner Monroe if he knew exactly what they were doing.
Planner Monroe stated they cut a channel in on the south end of the pond in order to direct stormwater into that pond. In his opinion the way the channel was cut it aggravated the sedimentation problem. There was no rip rap installed and no vegetation planted. The channel was just left open.
Mayor Voller stated he thought Commissioner Cotten was wise to bring that up. He said we have an engineer here, Mr. Royal that lives in Town. He has given him a lot of data on stormwater off Oakwood Drive (where Mr. Walker used to live and where Mr. Devinney lives). He did a stormwater study for us on the whole area going up to Powell Place and there was a number of things he found. We have never had a stormwater program per say to address these stormwater issues. There is a giant drainage basin Mr. Royal pointed out that is 400+ acres that now has development on it and it is now creating runoff that did not exist 10 years ago when Mr. Devinney was Mayor.
Commissioner Cotten stated we will need to adopt an ordinance prohibiting thru truck traffic.
Commissioner Cotten said with the amount of traffic, and there will be an increase of traffic from Springdale into Chatham Forest, he is concerned part of Springdale’s pavement is not sufficient to cover that amount of traffic. He thinks Springdale needs to be resurfaced adding another 1” to it.
Mayor Voller asked about connectivity to Park Drive.
Commissioner Cotten stated that would be a long term item that we need to work towards. He said maybe it can be included in the study being done by Chatham Marketplace, etc.
Mayor Voller asked what the status of Chatham Mills with NCDOT is currently.
Planner Monroe stated NCDOT has asked the Town not to release any CO until a plan has been developed and presented to DOT to resolve the problem with the driveway permit going into the Marketplace. Mr. Roberts has hired someone out of Chapel Hill and they are currently working on the plan. They will probably re-align the entrance to Chatham Marketplace with Park Drive.
Mayor Voller stated that was initially recommended. He stated in the long term there will probably be four or five ways in and out of Chatham Forest.
Commissioner Cotten asked Mr. Monroe how should the motion be made to incorporate what has been said.
Planner Monroe stated he would suggest that you select the improvement items you feel are appropriate and include these and make the motion contingent upon NCDOT stipulating the necessary improvement for 15-501.
Attorney Messick stated he would say in addition to NCDOT requirements.
Commissioner Brooks asked if this would in any way supersede or replace the conditions that were made on August 23, 2004 for opening the street. Planner Monroe said yes. Commissioner Brooks asked which ones. Planner Monroe stated which ever ones the board chooses. Commissioner Brooks stated we had talked about doing away with the sidewalks and curb and gutter.
Commissioner Brooks said it would be repaving the street, state requirements and the traffic calming devices. Is that what he is hearing?
The board suggested the following items:
· Resurfacing Springdale Drive with an additional 1” of pavement
· Roundabouts and other traffic calming devices (Exhibit 1 and 2)
· Curb and guttering a small section west on Springdale from Fox Chapel at the power line
· Post speed and traffic signage where needed on Fox Chapel and Springdale
· No thru truck ordinance (this item will be addressed at a later date) Mayor Voller stated he respects the wisdom of the board and would like to add that whatever decision that is taken should be applied fair and rationally across all developments in Pittsboro past and present because this a retroactive situation. He would also ask if the Board would be willing to consider allowing posting or a bond for the street resurfacing. Commissioner Walker asked Mr. Monroe for his thoughts on Mr. Voller’s comments.
Planner Monroe stated the resurfacing could be bonded and that it be the last item on the improvement package.
Commissioner Walker stated that sometime back the board dealt with an issue regarding Potterstone Village. There were a lot of complaints from residents in Magnolia Trace about workers cutting through that neighborhood. He thinks it would be in the best interest of this board since the folks on Springdale was not interested in having the road opened up (when he moved into the neighborhood he expected trucks until it was built out). He thinks we should prohibit work trucks going into Springdale just like we considered over there with Magnolia Trace and Potterstone.
Commissioner Cotten said it might be wise to leave out things that require a separate ordinance and just go ahead and say the things that can be done and get this over with.
Commissioner Cotten asked Mr. Messick to state one more time what we needed to put in this.
Attorney Messick said it would be, traffic calming devices as shown in your agenda to include the additional r-o-w to accomplish that, an additional 1” of topcoat on Springdale in addition to DOT recommendations for 15-501.
Commissioner Walker stated with cost to be paid for by the developer and also to bond the 1” of asphalt. Motion made by Commissioner Cotten seconded by Commissioner Baldwin that we implement those things there were stated in purpose of making connectivity between Chatham Forest and Springdale subject to conditions that may be specified and recommended by NCDOT.
· Two traffic calming devices and roundabout (Exhibit 1 and 2)
· Post appropriate signage (stop sign/speed limit signs)
· Resurfacing Springdale drive with an additional 1” of asphalt (which shall be bonded)
· In addition to the recommendations from NCDOT for 15-501
· That all costs be paid by the developer
Vote Aye-5 Nay-0
Someone in the audience asked for a time frame for getting this done.
Mayor Voller stated that their consultants (Voller Realty) will give a time line to Mr. Monroe and then you can get an answer from the Planner.
Someone in the audience stated the Town would have to oversee that.
Commissioner Cotten stated we have made the commitment.
Lela Hartman stated she would like to see something in place for accountability so that the public knows what to expect at what time and what will happen if it doesn’t come through. Because we have been waiting for ten years and it has just be dragging on.
Mayor Voller stated not speaking as Mayor, speaking as a private citizen there will be a schedule. He wants this opened. The traffic circles will be done first. They don’t exactly know what DOT is going to want as far as the turning lane. That is the reason they want to bond the things that can be done in the end. The top coat does not affect the use of the road. You want to put that down when you no longer have the heavy trucks coming in. He will email her privately and let her know what that will be. Mayor Voller stated it is no different than an improvement for any development; this is a situation between Voller Realty and Town. The Town has approved it subject to the conditions. Then the developer has to satisfy them. Lela Hartman asked how they know it will be carried through in a reasonable time frame given the history of this.
Attorney Messick stated that perhaps when we have the information from NCDOT, Voller Realty and the Town can enter into an agreement with a time limit for your performance and maybe that would satisfy the concerns.
Someone in the audience asked who would get NCDOT to act faster.
Commissioner Brooks stated we will continue to contact NCDOT.
