STAFF REPORT
Planning and Development
Committee, December 20, 2007
Stanton Place
Subdivision Traffic Calming
(PL08-020)
Consideration of traffic calming related to Stanton Place Subdivision
Speaker: Mr. Ricky Barker
From: Jeffery G. Ulma, AICP, Director, Planning Department
Prepared by: Ricky W. Barker, Associate Planning Director
Approved by: William B. Coleman, Jr., Town Manager
Approved by: Benjamin T. Shivar,
Assistant Town Manager
On November 15, 2007, staff met with residents from the Glenridge subdivision to discuss several outstanding issues related to the approved subdivision plan for Stanton Place – a new subdivision of 55 lots located off Ten Ten Road adjacent to Glenridge. The Homeowners Association President for Stanton Place Subdivision also attended this meeting.
The meeting primarily focused on two outstanding items – landscaping and traffic calming. Staff performed a comprehensive site visit and determined that the developer of Stanton Place will be required to install an extensive amount of vegetation within the buffer area adjacent to the Glenridge subdivision and within other common areas (i.e., near the storm water pond). The installation of this landscaping, scheduled this month, will resolve this violation.
With regard to traffic calming, residents from Glenridge were concerned about the traffic calming within Stanton Place. It was their understanding that the developer was required to install a traffic circle at the north end of the new portion of Felspar Way prior to its turn west to connect to the existing Felspar Way within Glenridge subdivision. Based on staff’s research, the plan was originally submitted with a raised island in the middle of the road; however, staff directed the applicant to remove the island because of access issues for larger town vehicles (solid waste trucks, etc.). Therefore, the plan that was before Council for approval in October 2003 did not include a raised traffic circle.
The developer does not believe he should be required to install the raised traffic circle because his approved plan did not include this. However, the developer is willing to abide by the approved rezoning condition to address traffic calming:
“If the Town of Cary requirements for speed humps are met for the Glenridge Subdivision, the developer of the Powell Tract [now Stanton Place] will pay for and construct the speed humps on Felspar Way. Speed humps to include all forms of traffic calming measures (comparable financially).”
It is staff’s understanding that the developer would also be willing to pay for the cost of traffic calming within Stanton Place if the residents agree to this and Town standards are met.
The president of the Home Owners Association (HOA) for Stanton Place has informed staff that their association does not want the raised traffic circle. He has also requested that their HOA be involved with any traffic calming which is proposed within their subdivision.
Staff is seeking direction from Council on how to resolve the traffic calming issue. Since Stanton Place subdivision is nearly built out, staff believes that installation of the raised traffic circle would require a petition from the homeowners within this subdivision. One of the options for Council consideration would be to have the residents of Glenridge and/or Stanton Place make a request for traffic calming for Felspar Way in accordance with Town policy. If the requirements for traffic calming devices are met, then the Town could require the developer to pay for them as required by the rezoning condition. Since Stanton Place is nearly built out, a study of the traffic on Felspar Way would be useful before a decision is made to install traffic calming devices.
Fiscal Impact: There shouldn’t be any fiscal impact since the developer would be required to fund any traffic calming measures if Town requirements are met.
Staff Recommendation: Direct staff to inform the residents of both Glenridge and Stanton Place of the option to submit a petition for traffic calming to the Town.