August 8, 2007

Published in Wake Forest, NC

            At the same time, they said at least one well has run dry and they already have trouble turning into and out of Old Murray Road next to the Bishop’s Grant entrance on N.C. 98 (Wait Avenue). Bowling Green subdivision to the south of N.C. 98 also plans an entrance on the highway to line up with that from Bishop’s Grant. A turning lane Contentnea Creek had promised was nixed by the state Department of Transportation. The neighbors have large lots and wells.

            The planning board recommended approval of the project by a split vote with Tom Cornett, Steve Stoller and Peter Thibodeau voting no.

            “They [the developers] have honored their commitments and have been very responsive during the development,” Greg Hoit said. As a member of the town’s Greenway Board, he had asked for an east-west greenway “and they are going to implement that.”

            “I’d also like to thank Dan [Sullivan[ and his team,” Dale Wiggins said. “We’ve been able to work out all the issues.”

            Jean McCamy warned anyone eyeing her property along N.C. 98. “There will be no development. I’ve been told one of the developers said ‘she will not live forever,’ and that’s true.” Despite stubbed roads toward her property, she said she will not allow it to be developed. McCamy said the developers have been “very, very cooperative, but I continue to be concerned about the traffic.”

            Becky Parsons said her husband planned to speak “but he’s dealing with the well. The developers have been awesome. They came and rebuilt our driveway far better than we would have.”

            But her concern was the underground water for their well. “We noticed a difference with the clear-cutting.” A former owner clear-cut the land where the subdivision is planned. Parsons said the increased density and impervious surfaces would impact the water.

            The traffic study requested by the town showed it would be very difficult to turn left from the Bishop’s Grant entrance on N.C. 98 but it would not warrant a traffic signal until there is more density. Lamar Bunn, the Contentnea Creek planner, said they had agreed with the town’s request to donate $15,000 toward the $60,000 cost for a signal.

            “Bishop’s Grant has become a very expensive project,” Bunn said. “We want to try to bring in a project we could market in the $270,000 to $325,000 range.”

            Bishop’s Grant was approved for 165 single-family homes and 48 townhouses. About nine homes are built and occupied, and the construction plan for the townhouses has not been approved yet.

            Commissioner Margaret Stinnett looked at the plan and commented about “all these tiny little lots.” The average lot size will be 5,500 square feet. The carriage houses in the interior will have their garages face a common alley between the houses.

            Thibodeau wanted to delay action on the plan until the developers provide larger detailed maps. Those provided were a quarter of the size of the usual maps. His motion failed when the vote was four to four. Mike Martin was absent and chairman Bob Hill had left for a family emergency.

            “I still have a concern about 150 homes on 33 acres with our water supply situation,” Stoller said. And, “We have always insisted there be two entrances and exits to any development. I’m not sure a private road really meets that need.”

            Contentnea Creek intends to pave but not curb and gutter Copper Beech Lane, a dedicated public access that is a privately-maintained gravel road leading south from Oak Grove Church Road to the land in question.

            Stoller repeated his concern about the amount of water the subdivision will use.

            Since the developer will not provide wells or access to public water for irrigation, the impact will be less, Planning Director Chip Russell said. “If most of our developments were like this we wouldn’t be having the issues we are now.

            “In December our peak use was 2.3 million gallons a day. In July it was 4.1 mgd. Most of that [increase] is being used outside. That’s the impact irrigation will have on your system,” Russell said.

            “So the solution is to build houses on very small lots with no lawns,” Stoller said.

            Thibodeau echoed Stoller’s concern about water use and the problem people to the south are having with the wells running dry.

            In other business, the planners approved an amendment to the zoning ordinance allowing an apartment on the second floor of a commercial building in the neighborhood business district, the master plan for The Well, a coffee house and church on South Main Street, and an increase in the number of lots in the Heritage Commons commercial subdivision.