AGENDA #3a(1)
PETITION
Sent: Monday, July 12, 2004 10:45 AM
To: Mayor Foy and the Town Council
Dear Mayor Foy and Town Council:
Chapel Hill appears to be a community that encourages its citizens to walk and
use public transportation. Our family moved to Granville Road in December
2003. We loved the location because it seemed that there would be lots of
opportunity to walk to places rather than using our car.
We are within walking distance to the Whole Foods shopping center, public library, post office, bank, community center, University Mall, etc. and the bus stops on Franklin/Estes near Caribou Coffee. However, getting over to the north side of Estes to use the sidewalks is not really very safe. The portion of Estes from Halifax to Franklin Street is curvy which makes visibility poor. Cars heading East on Estes from Halifax do not have good visibility of people wanting to cross from the south to north side of Estes. In addition to the curve in the road most cars are traveling in excess of the speed limit.
We find it absurd to think of all the families who live on the south side of Estes who can't let their children walk to the library or school because there is no safe means of crossing Estes. It would be great for our family to use public transportation to get to campus or downtown shopping/dining.
In our neighborhood the closest bus stop going to or coming from town is on the south side of Estes. In order to get to the bus stop those of us living on the south side of Estes either risk crossing Estes and then crossing back over when you get to Franklin or walk on the south side of Estes. Walking on the small shoulder of Estes is a hazard at all times but especially in winter and at night.
We are living in this wonderfully located neighborhood where we could be taking advantage of public transportation and walking but can't because of safety issues. We are asking you to give serious and immediate consideration to:
1. Install sidewalks on the south side of Estes from Halifax to Franklin Street.
2. Address the issue of how residents living on the south side of Estes can safely cross Estes (perhaps an additional light between Halifax and Franklin, or at least a crosswalk).
We have one more immediate concern. Crossing Estes can be a harrowing experience for a sighted individual. Imagine what it would be like to accomplish this with your eyes closed. Our blind neighbor, Geoff Whaaler, lives at 202 Estes Drive (corner of Granville/Estes). Geoff told us that when he first moved in that he contacted the city to help with this crossing issue but without any success. He said that his last contact was in February 2003 with Public Works. At that time he spoke with "Richard" (no further identification at 968-2800ext. 107). Geoff then received a call from Mike Stroud from the N.C. Department of Transportation. Mr. Stroud said he would investigate and get back to Geoff but that was in the winter of 2003!
Regardless of what you decide about our request for sidewalks and better crossing of Estes from Halifax to Franklin, you need to find a safer way for Geoff to cross Estes. Geoff does have a guide dog but looking at the configuration of the road and the speed of traffic you will see why we are concerned for our neighbor. It is a difficult crossing even for a sighted person. Try crossing Estes near Granville and Estes with your eyes closed. We would think that adding a light or a crosswalk near his house might be a step in the right direction. At this point there isn't even a posted sign warning drivers to watch for a sightless person. We appreciate the magnitude of your job but hope that you will be able to help with our concerns.
Barbara Kline