AGENDA #5c
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Response to Petition for Sidewalk Along West Side of NC 86
DATE: May 8, 2000
This memorandum responds to a petition submitted to the Town Council at its January 31, 2000 meeting. The Council referred this item to the Manager for comment.
The petition (Attachment 1) requests that the Town construct a sidewalk on the west side of NC 86, from Weaver Dairy Road northward to the traffic signal at the entrance to Chapel Hill North Shopping Center. Construction of this sidewalk would facilitate the use of the sidewalk by members of the public traveling from the Northwoods Subdivision and the North Chapel Hill Baptist Church, to Chapel Hill North Shopping Center/Offices, Timberlyne Shopping Center, and Homestead Park.
The Northwood Subdivision currently does not lie within Chapel Hill City Limits.
In 1990, the Council authorized the Town Manager to investigate alternative designs for widening NC Highway 86 north of Homestead road to Interstate 40. In 1991, the Town hired a design firm to develop a preliminary design report, and the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) notified the Town that it was interested in proceeding with this project and developing it for construction.
A series of public meetings and public hearings were held to solicit public comments and questions regarding the project. In addition, negotiations between Town and State officials occurred regarding project features and funding issues. On April 14, 1997, the Town Council authorized the Town Manager to execute a municipal agreement on behalf of the Town which outlined the cooperative responsibilities of the Town and NCDOT regarding the NC 86 Improvement Project north of Homestead Road.
In response to citizen concerns, the State agreed to shift the project as far to the east as possible in the section between Interstate 40 and Weaver Dairy Road. Sidewalk was to be built on the east side of NC 86 by the developer of Chapel Hill North. Sidewalk on the west side of NC 86 was not included in the final project design in order to reduce impacts on, and disruption to, adjacent properties, particul arly in the Northwood Subdivision.
We do not recommend construction
of a sidewalk in this location at this time.
In the opinion of the Town Attorney, the Town does not have the
authority to build or maintain sidewalks outside the City Limits. Construction of a sidewalk at this location
could be considered after annexation of the area.
The Northwood Subdivision is one of the areas included in annual updates to the Council regarding areas under consideration for possible future annexation. Our most recent update suggested that staff continue to monitor this area, and that the Council plan to pursue annexation of this area at such time that sewer service is extended into this area.
Once annexed, the Town could revisit whether the timing is appropriate to install sidewalk on the west side of NC 86, from Weaver Dairy Road, north to the light at the Chapel Hill North entrance.
1. Petition from Claudia Shepherd, Northwoods Homeowners, January 31, 2000 (p. 3).