1. Will the rollerblade facility require road widening? Should Davis be widened to North End of Cary ETJ – approximately McCrimmon?
2. The alignment at Davis & High House is a large factor in southbound issues. With extra left and right hand turn lanes flow should be greatly improved.
3. At station 145+00, there is a large (berm) that separates our property from Davis Drive. The berm contains very large shrubs that aid in noise reduction. Please do not reduce the size of the berm or damage these shrubs during construction. There is a sidewalk right beyond this berm. We prefer that this sidewalk move no closer to our house than it already is.
4. Widen the outside lane by approximately 4 feet and create bike lanes with pavement markings. With all of the health-conscious people working in RTP, they would see significant use, reducing traffic.
5. (The widening) will not go as far as my house, but my feelings are that no one wants to lose part of (their) yard. The road is as close as we want it at our house and it is too dangerous. There are sometimes two wrecks a week out there.
6. This project should be completely 4 lane divided – with median!

These comments and questions have been submitted to Town staff and TranSystems for reply. These replies should be available next week and will be posted on the Town of Cary’s web page under Departments / Engineering Division / Current Engineering Projects / Davis Drive Widening.

There were many other comments and questions expressed verbally, but just in the few written comments above, you can see one of the major issues of this type of design. That issue is minimizing the adverse effects to the citizens along the corridor while providing adequate improvements.

TranSystems and The Town of Cary will consider these concerns in preparing the preliminary design for the project. Once the preliminary design is completed, there will be a second public workshop to review the plan and once again receive and discuss comments.

Questions and comments may still be submitted by mailing to Town of Cary, Engineering Division, PO Box 8005, Cary, N.C. 27512-8005, Attn: Glen Harrell, or e-mail to gharrell@ci.cary.nc.us. You may also call Glen Harrell at 460-4933 with general questions regarding this project.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS FROM PUBLIC WORKSHOP 1

DAVIS DRIVE WIDENING PROJECT

The following additional comments were received following the public workshop.

1. When the houses on Boltstone Court were built, the western side of Davis Drive was mostly woods, and we were informed by real estate agents, back in 1994, that any widening of Davis Drive would be across the way, on the western side, where the land was undeveloped. Since that time, the western side has been developed and now shows larger houses, utility poles, a fence, a sidewalk, a storm sewer, landscaping, curbing, and an additional paved roadway. We believe that the designers of the proposed widening view these development features as a formidable obstacle to any widening on the western side of Davis, and will recommend widening at the complete expense of the eastern side of Davis. If that is reflected in the final design, then there will be gross intrusion on our side of the road, with greater road noise, less privacy, and reduced quality of life than was perceived in 1994 when we moved here. If Davis Drive is to be widened, then this should be done in an equitable fashion, with the location of the lanes of the overall and widened highway at the same distance from the residences on both sides of the highway.
2. As discussed with Mr. Glen Harrell at the Workshop on November 4, I extend an invitation to Mr. Harrell and associates to visit us at Boltstone Court so that we can walk through the proposed construction site and discuss these issues.
3. Please consider being fair to all land owners by taking equal footage on both the east and west sides of your project.
4. Davis Drive should not be widened beyond right-of-way already existing. I have been told right of eminent domain may be exercised to buy up some of berm between courtyards of Preston and Davis Drive in order to expand road. This would bring road objectionably and dangerously close to courtyard homes. There is more open space available on other side of road which backs up to Preston Village.
5. Traffic from outside of Cary (i.e., Apex, Holly Springs) to RTP should be encouraged to use major state road 55, not be encouraged to use a Cary road, widened at Town of Cary residents expense.
6. I am in Preston Meadows. The berm that is in my backyard along Davis Drive is my property and I do not wish it to be disturbed with the widening at Davis Drive. There should have been better planning prior to the sidewalks and landscape being put on the Preston Village side of Davis Drive. They could have expanded more on that side which would mean less on the other side. I feel possibly discrimination because of the price difference in houses from Preston Meadows and Preston Village. I have no objection to the widening of Davis Drive. I just do not want the berm which provides privacy touched. We do not require sidewalks on both sides of Davis.
7. Expand Davis on the west side not the east side. Just south of the Davis Drive–High House intersection, on the west side of Davis below Cornerstone, is a long tract of undeveloped land. Some of this land is already limited in its options for development because of size, type, slope, proximity to Turkey Creek, etc. Since the east side of Davis at this point already has infrastructure bordering the road (sidewalks, homes, etc.) there would be less of an impact if the additional lanes were added on the west side. (Homeowners over there have expressed approval because they think it would make it less likely for the parcels backing up against their homes to be developed.) Also, keep in mind that just north of Hidden Rock on the east side of Davis, a turn lane already exists that currently dies out when it reaches the tobacco field. This lane could be easily extended north to High House. (The only problem would be John Sears’ house where Davis intersects High House.)
8. A buffer along Davis Drive. Currently road noise and light from Davis Drive is channeled down the north side of Hidden Rock Court between the backs of the homes and the buffer separating them from Sears’ tobacco field. This problem was created when Pulte Homes destroyed portions of the buffer adjacent to Davis and the Town neglected to enforce the buffer rules. Increasing the traffic down Davis will aggravate this problem. We can’t afford to plant the trees/bushes needed to correct the problem now and if you take away the space for them, they won’t even be possible in the future and that will effect property values. This is a serious concern.
9. Bike lanes. Going north on Davis from the High House intersection it would be nice for the local bike clubs to have a lane of their own so they don’t ride in the road en masse’ as is their current habit.
10. My major concern is how the widening of the Davis Dr. going to effect my property. The first question will be, which portion of the Davis Drive is planned to be widened; is the portion from High House to HWY 64 included in the widening project. I already have noise problems at my house since the signal lights at the intesection of Waldo Rood and Davis Drive were put up about 2 years back, which were not there when I moved here. This has also reduced the value of my property. Widening of Davis Dr. is certainly going to increase the noise problem, and is going to reduce the property value further. I would also be interested to know that if the widening is going to cover any part of my back yard or not. In addition to that could you please let or direct me in the right direction to find out the timings of this widening project, and how much help I can get from the city to protect the value of my property.
11. I just wanted to offer the following input regarding the Davis Drive widening: I support any proposals to provide paths for pedestrian and bike travel.
12. Two years ago my husband and searched extensively throughout Cary for suitable property on which to build. We finally choose a half-acre lot in the Hearthstone subdivision of Preston Village. We researched Davis Drive widening plans and were informed by the builder/sales agent (Sunstar Homes) that the western-most lane, curb, and sidewalk added behind our lot in late 1998/early 1999 was the closest development that would be made to our property. This information was refuted this month by the design engineers at your information session. I, therefore, wish to state that I do NOT agree with any widening of Davis Drive which will extend beyond the newly added lane, curb, sidewalk, landscaping, and fence behind our property. I do NOT agree with expansion greater than the earlier-defined 4 lanes of traffic except to add turn lanes at major intersections. I do NOT agree with the addition of a wide median like exists in the southern section of Cary Parkway. I do NOT support the addition of a bicycle lane along such a heavily traveled road. We have lived in our new home only 10 months and the newest lane of Davis Drive behind our property is slightly newer than 10 months old. If the widening of Davis Drive causes any of our property to be seized, I will contest the design to the highest level of authority, including the Department of Transportation.
13. Build 14’ outside lanes wide for bikes.
14. Provide left-turn lanes for all subdivisions
15. Consider how to avoid installing new signals for subdivisions to avoid proliferation of signals, like southern end of Cary Parkway.
16. Consider providing a pull-out for bus stop near larger subdivisions.
17. Coordinate with bikeway and greenway plans to provide sensors that are sensitive to bikes at strategic intersections.
18. Provide larger street signs at major intersections or signs preceding intersections to allow drivers to see which street they are approaching far enough in advance to safely enter turn lanes.
19. Provide right turn lanes at major intersections
20. Plan for significant growth in traffic volume.
21. ---- my backyard backs up to Davis Dr. We have a berm with shrubs then a sidewalk that meet Davis Dr. I would like the sidewalk to stay in place where it currently resides and would not like the widening to surpass this. I also think that the speed limit should be lowered. Currently (before the widening) there seems to be a lot of tire screeching and accidents and it is very difficult at times to get out of our neighborhood. I see this traffic problem only getting worse after the widening and a reduced speed limit could help.
22. When I moved here in December, 1998, it was my understanding that the newly constructed curb and sidewalk on Davis Dr. behind our home would mark the westernmost expansion of the four-lane project in our section. I am concerned that the project is going to be expanded beyond the original four-lane scope. You mentioned the following possibilities being considered: a continuous fifth center turning lane, sidewalks on both sides, a median, and a bicycle path. There simply is not room to accommodate all of these along this section of Davis Drive without unfairly affecting the property owners. In addition, such limited use items as bicycle paths or twin sidewalks are an unnecessary expense to the taxpayers. I would like to state my support for a four lane design, with center turning lanes only at those intersections that need them and a sidewalk along one side. I do not want to have any encroachment on our existing property line.
    
    

23. ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS FROM PUBLIC WORKSHOP 1
    DAVIS DRIVE WIDENING PROJECT

    The following additional questions were received following public workshop. (Staff answers in bold italic type)

24. Will there be landscaping and a sound barrier wall added to the shoulders of the widened highway? Our typical section has a sidewalk and grass areas behind the curb. There are no current plans to add berms or walls for noise reduction.
25. If there is a dust factor on some of these freshly painted houses due to the construction, will the affected houses be pressure-washed by the contractor company? The Contractor will be responsible for dust control on the project as a part of the erosion control requirements.
26. At the base of the existing berm on the eastern side of Davis, there is always standing water. After a heavy rain, the water extends for more than 200 feet south, from the pole with guy wires in back of this property, on to the pine stand near the Prestonwood golf course. Is the project going to correct this problem? If this area is located within the right of way, or if the problem is related to the existing roadway grades, this project should help alleviate the problem.
27. Some of the neighbors at the Public Workshop were told that part of the existing berm on the eastern side of Davis Drive would be intruded by the construction? This is very disturbing. Say it isn’t so, and assure us that these concerns will be addressed and resolved with our interests a priority in your decisions. In your question you use the word "would" when I believe the correct word is "could". We are definitely considering all concerns.
28. What about major shopping center to be built in Morrisville? Any major planned development should be considered in the traffic projections, along with many other factors.
29. My major concern is how the widening of the Davis Dr. going to effect my property. The first question will be, which portion of the Davis Drive is planned to be widened; is the portion from High House to HWY 64 included in the widening project. I already have noise problems at my house since the signal lights at the intersection of Waldo Rood and Davis Drive were put up about 2 years back, which were not there when I moved here. This has also reduced the value of my property. Widening of Davis Dr. is certainly going to increase the noise problem, and is going to reduce the property value further. I would also be interested to know that if the widening is going to cover any part of my back yard or not. In addition to that could you please let or direct me in the right direction to find out the timings of this widening project, and how much help I can get from the city to protect the value of my property. We are trying to impact adjoining properties as little as possible, but the impact to any specific property will be seen at the next workshop. The design is scheduled to be completed in August 2000 and the construction is estimated to take two years after that for a completion date of Fall 2002.
30. Turkey Creek must be taken into account. Residents fought a six-month battle to bring a flooding problem to the Towns attention and to protect Turkey Creek, which runs under Davis just south of Hidden Rock Court. The town plans to quadruple the size of the pipe running under Davis Drive and to install a dissipater on the east side of the road immediately behind a house. The engineering firm that did the floodwater study (Transystems, Inc) stated in their report that a retention pond would help flooding but I don’t think that it is being planned for. Could we tie Davis Dr. expansion efforts together with efforts to remediate existing Turkey Creek damage behind homes on the south side of Hidden Rock Court and perhaps the installation of a retention pond on the west side? I understand that Terry Warren is already investigating the possibility of remediating the creek so coordination with him would seem appropriate. As you indicated, TranSystems, Inc is very familiar with the Turkey Creek crossing and their design will be coordinated with their earlier study.