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to: |
Roger L. Stancil, Town Manager |
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from: |
George Small, P.E., Director of Engineering |
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SUBJECT: |
Response to a Petition Regarding Night Work for the Greenbridge Project |
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DATE: |
November 10, 2008 |
The purpose of this report is to provide an update on the construction activities and a response to a citizen petition regarding night work for the Greenbridge project located adjacent to the intersection of West Rosemary Street and Merritt Mill Road.
We do not recommend changes to the approved permit for street closures and night work associated with this project. Town staff is closely monitoring the work, and will recommend changes to the approved permit stipulations if and when necessary.
At its October 15, 2008 meeting, the Council received an oral petition from a citizen expressing concerns regarding noise levels during night time hours as a result of construction work at the Greenbridge project. The petitioner requested that the Town disallow night work on the Greenbridge project and require that all work occur during day time hours. Please see the map presented in Attachment 1.
In early October, the Town approved a request for street closures and night work, including variance from the Town Noise Ordinance, for the Greenbridge Project adjacent to the intersection of W. Rosemary Street and Merritt Mill Road. The permitted street closures and night work are approved between the hours of 2am to 7am Monday through Friday.
The concrete placement for foundations and below-grade walls will require numerous deliveries by concrete trucks and the operation of concrete pumping equipment. This project is located in an area of Town predominately occupied by commercial properties and businesses. Relatively high pedestrian traffic is also present during the day and evening hours.
We believe that concentrating the heavy construction work and associated street closures during night hours when pedestrian and vehicular traffic are at their lowest levels would create the least amount of disturbance to the majority of the community and would be in the public interest from both functional and safety aspects. The night work would also allow businesses (including a funeral home) located in the area to continue their operations during normal business hours without interruption.
The Greenbridge request includes closure of either Graham Street or Merritt Mill Road during night-work hours (only one street would be closed at any time) on approximately 50 dates between October 2008 and May 2009. Two night concrete pours per week are expected during the course of construction. Access for local businesses, residences, and emergency services would be maintained during all street closures.
The street closure and night work plan was reviewed and approved by all affected Town departments including Police, Fire and Transit. The Greenbridge contractor has informed all area business owners and residents of this night work. Also, every Friday, the Greenbridge contractor is providing a proposed work schedule for the coming week to all business owners and residents in the area. The Contractor is also taking noise measurements during night work hours and is providing that data to the Town.
Other than this petitioner, we have not received complaints from area residents and/or businesses regarding the night work. Town Traffic Engineering staff continues to closely monitor the street closures and night work for this project to ensure compliance with the permit. Staff will make recommendations to the Manager for changes, if needed.
We recommend that the Council take no action on this petition and make no changes to the approved permit for the street closures and night work associated with the Greenbridge Project. Town staff will continue monitoring the work and will recommend changes to the approved permit stipulations if necessary.
1. Area Map (p. 3).
