Curb and gutter becomes an issue

Commissioner Anne Reeve raised the issues about the proposed retail development on South Main Street that will include a Wendy’s. “I do not like the driveway until phase two and the curb and gutter. I think those items need to be considered.”

But it was Commissioner Margaret Stinnett who took the issues and argued them after seconding Reeve’s motion to approve with the conditions set by the planning board, that the driveway from Mangum Avenue be delayed until phase two of the project and that curb and gutter be installed along with the sidewalk on the west side of Mangum.

“I’m in favor of curb and gutter,” Stinnett said, adding that one of her concerns is that traffic from the Wendy’s and the other nearby restaurants will travel on Mangum, which has several homes on the east side. She asked that there be a three-way stop at Carter Street and Mangum to slow traffic down.

“Is speed the issue?” Director of Engineering Eric Keravuori asked.

“I think it’s the fact that people just go. It [the three-way stop] will make them more aware of the homes along there. I think we should at least consider that,” Stinnett said.

Mayor Vivian Jones said to Keravuori, “I have asked you about the curb and gutter and whether it is appropriate there.” He replied that the curb and gutter, which would be only along the property being rezoned, not the entire street, “is just a piece of a system” for storm water runoff control. He also said Mangum has roadside ditches that collect the water.

“The whole street needs to be done. We work hard to make it a complete street,” Stinnett said.

“I think it would be better to leave it as it is,” Jones said.

After a back-and-forth between Stinnett and Keravuori about a water problem nearby, Keravuori said, “We have roadside ditches that work well all over town, actually better because the water filters through the grass.”

“That’s fine. You’re the engineer,” Stinnett said. “This is going to be a commercial application for this property. My intent was to have something that was finished.”

Jones commented that delaying building the driveway into the property from Mangum “is not going to stop any cars from turning off Ligon Mill and onto Mangum, and then Reeve made a substitute motion to approve the rezoning and master plan without the two conditions. Stinnett refused to second, which she had done for the first motion to permit discussion, but Commissioner Zachary Donahue seconded, also for discussion.

“I want the curb and gutter for two-thirds of the street and the three-way stop,” Stinnett said. “I am not a water management person but this is a commercial application and I think it needs that [curb and gutter].”

Planning Director Chip Russell was asked to comment, and he said it has been town policy to require curb and gutter for commercial projects. “That’s the standard,” he said, but also said there are a number of town policies that could make a different solution possible based on the nature of the neighborhood.

“When you came here they thought that curb and gutter was the be all and end all, but now a lot of people are advocating” for swales and roadside ditches, Jones said.

She got to cast the deciding vote, voting yes with Reeve and Commissioner Greg Harrington, because Commissioner Jim Thompson was absent.

After the required consistency statement was approved, Stinnett asked attorney Eric Vernon how it could be consistent with the requirement that that project meets all the town’s ordinances and plans. Russell said it was consistent because “the aesthetic with the neighborhood is one reason.” Vernon agreed there is no inconsistency.

The board approved the 296-unit apartment complex Legacy Wake Forest unanimously. They were also unanimous in closing Park Lane and a portion of Oak Grove Church Road and Gilcrest Farm Road.

They approved a request to amend traffic rules on Rock Springs Road next to Wake Forest High School that came from Mr. Mattingly students. He had asked the four classes for a situation that ought to be changed, and all four agreed student drivers leaving the parking deck should be allowed to turn left, avoiding the bus traffic, as well as right, which has been allowed for years. Mattingly and some students attended the meeting.