A diagram of the Town’s proposed sidewalk at Torrence Chapel Road. The sidewalk is highlighted in red.
By JONATHAN COX
CorneliusNews.net
The town is proceeding with plans to add sidewalks as part of the widening of Torrence Chapel Road, but the issue has brought heated discussion among residents. About 70 came to the Town Board meeting Monday night to voice support for a sidewalk at the end of the narrow road, but a handful of residents from the street’s southwest side also came to raise concerns.
Some questioned the accuracy of a survey on the sidewalk question conducted in September 2013. Others felt that widening the road to a standard 20 feet across would be enough to make it safe for pedestrians.
The Torrence Chapel sidewalks are not a new issue. The question was first raised in 2012, when the town drafted a plan to build sidewalks on the northeast side of the road. After this plan met heated resistance, the town shifted the sidewalk to the southwest side of the road, and in February 2013, commissioners voted unanimously to go ahead with the work.
William Desena took to the podium to speak in favor of sidewalks. “I want sidewalks so I can enjoy my neighborhood safely.” (Jonathan Cox/CorneliusNews.net)
Torrence Chapel is only 16 feet across, forcing trucks or schoolbuses to veer onto the shoulder to pass each other and leaving little room for pedestrians. Multiple residents said that they discourage their children from biking on the road, and feel unsafe walking there.
Diane Gilroy, wife of commissioner David Gilroy, cited a 2013 survey that showed residents strongly in favor of the sidewalks: “We have overwhelming support, over 113 signatures from people who want these sidewalks. How many more hoops do we have to jump through?” she asked.
Cheryl Crotty took issue with the wording of the survey, which Diane Gilroy helped carry out. “Please note that it’s difficult to say no to a neighbor pleading for a signature, especially if they ask whether you want to be responsible for the death of a child.”
Not all Torrence Chapel residents are in favor of sidewalks. One resident, Forest Staples, said that the road widening should be enough to make it safe. “I don’t want to see the widening of the road mixed with sidewalks. Once the road is widened we won’t have issues.”
Town Manager Anthony Roberts told CorneliusNews.net that, while it is still possible for the Town to revise or cancel its plans for sidewalks at Torrence Chapel Road, it is unlikely. The town’s plan for the sidewalk (see diagram) has already been submitted to the NCDOT and is awaiting approval. The road widening project on Torrence Chapel is slated to begin in September, but the Town will continue to hear input on the sidewalk issue at its next meeting, on September 15.
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October 8, 2013, “Town Board agrees to bring back fall leaf pickpups”
August 8, 2014, “Torrence Chapel widening to begin in Sept.; sidewalks on the way?“
