Wednesday, June 11, 2003
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Wednesday, June 11, 2003 |
Facing criticism from Fville homeowners, council agrees to study road connectionBy JOHN
MUNFORD
The Fayetteville City Council has agreed to reconsider whether it still wants a road connection built between two subdivisions on South Jeff Davis Drive. When the council approved a rezoning for the Highland Park subdivision back in 1997, it required the developer to build a road connecting the subdivision to Pecan Chase, which is to the east. At the time, council indicated the connection was necessary to create a second entrance into Highland Park for public safety reasons. But at Thursday night's council meeting, representatives of the Highland Park homeowners association spoke against the extension of Stillwood Drive,, saying it would increase traffic in their neighborhood. Although several council members disagreed in what at times was a lively exchange, council tabled the issue so it could consult with the city's fire and police chiefs and determine if the connection was still necessary. The road would allow Highland Park residents to wind through Pecan Chase to reach Ga. Highway 54 instead of having to take South Jeff Davis which can get backed up with traffic in the mornings. "Because it is convoluted, only you and your neighbors would know how to do it and Joe Public wouldn't," Mayor Ken Steele said about the shortcut to Hwy. 54 the road connection would create. Homeowner Association President Don Reed said no one was interested in having that convenience. "I have yet to hear a voice in favor of the connection," Reed said, adding that the area could be restored to look more like a curb if council decides to forego the road extension. Laron Butts, whose house is located where the road would be built, said homeowners are also concerned about providing another access point to the subdivision's pool area. Butts said he was initially told the road would stay a dead end, but he learned at the closing on his home that there were plans to extend it. Councilman Walt White said the road connection was the only thing he liked about this project, and he noted that he voted against the rezoning for the subdivision in 1997. "I thought the density was too high," White said. Councilman Bill Talley said he didn't see why council should require the road since so many residents of Highland Park were against it. "It was always intended to be a complete street," said Councilman Al Hovey-King.
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