Changes to the Greenway Project?
Does anyone have any info on the proposed changes to the greenway plan? I'm digging and will post what I find.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Nancy (LaFond) Moore on -
Hi Adam,
The County wants to redirect the path in the Clearbrook/River Banks area due to potential flooding. There's a map of the proposed change on the town's website. It's on the August 24th agenda as item 11.B. This is not a done deal. We, as council, have asked for more information on how County staff arrived at their conclusion.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Nancy
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Permalink Reply by Adam Brooks on -
So, from what I can gather from the pdf map, it will eliminate two crossings of the creek and draw it closer to some homes.
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Permalink Reply by Nancy (LaFond) Moore on
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It does eliminate the two bridges. While it's closer to the houses on River Banks, because it's moved in their direction, as far as proximity, it's actually further away from those houses than it was the Clearbrook houses. Know what I mean? The original plan called for 5-6 feet between the Clearbrook houses and the bridge. With a redirection, it will be 12 feet away from the River Banks houses. Yes, it's significant to the River Banks homeowners, but the Clearbrook homeowners like that it's not so close.
We were told that in order to avoid flooding of the bridges, one of the bridges would have to be about 6 feet off the ground. Visually, that would not be a good thing -- people on the bridge would have a birds' eye view into the yards. No matter what the design, there will be privacy screens, which wouldn't help with a 6 foot high bridge. Again, this is an area where we've requested clarification.
As far as safety on a greenway (which is a big concern for neighbors) -- studies have repeatedly shown that neighborhoods that have a greenway are significantly safer than those that don't.
Let me just say one thing -- none of us is happy with the way this was presented. We were not informed by the County that there was a change. We didn't find out until one of the homeowners sent an e-mail to two commissioners; one of whom forwarded it to the rest of us. It was not a pleasant surprise and the County reps are well aware of our anger and disappointment.
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Permalink Reply by Adam Brooks on
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it is better to have a greenway w/o bridges than no greenway at all i supposed. i'm not particularly excited it about the change though.
i read somewhere about proposed changes to the clearbrook entrance. what are those if any?
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Permalink Reply by Nancy (LaFond) Moore on
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The Clearbrook entrance will be longer because it will have the bridge leading over to the other side. So, you'll still be able to access the greenway from Clearbrook, but you'll go over the bridge to River Banks.
Would you rather see it stay on the Clearbrook side as opposed to the River Banks side?
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Permalink Reply by Adam Brooks on
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I'm not sure that I can say which preference I have yet... I'm still digesting. I really want to see if the proposed changes would change the quality of the Clearbrook access point. It does not appear to negatively impact it.
Will this new bridge be larger than the ones proposed initially?
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Permalink Reply by Ralph Messera on -
The original" bridge designs were actually what are called "Low Water Crossings" where during normal flows the water passes under them, but after a storm event the water passes over them. If theres enough area these can be designed so that they do not increase flooding upstream, but in this tightly restricted location, it turns out not to be possible. The new design is a true steel bridge, that will be dry all the time.
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Permalink Reply by Adam Brooks on
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So, instead of two low water bridges, we will have one steel bridge. Also, it's further from a residential property than the original. So far, it sounds like a reasonable revision.
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Permalink Reply by Darryl Parker on -
Great discussion with the Town leadership, eh Adam? Glad to see it!
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Permalink Reply by Linda Hendley on -
Nancy - as a Matthews resident living on River Banks Road, I am very opposed to the changes. You, not living on our street do not feel the same depth of empotion since it is not happening to your property...in your backyard. The reason we purchased our home on River Banks was because we loved the privacy and the beautiful trees, the deer, the rabbits, etc. Had we been told about the greenway when we made the purchase many years ago we would have picked a different location. We feel like our privacy will be taken from us and we have no choice about it. We know the day are limited where we can sit in our den with the windows open and enjoy the backyard the breeze and nature. The town will be taking all that away from us shortly.
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Permalink Reply by Nancy (LaFond) Moore on
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Linda -- I do understand and truly appreciate your comments. This greenway project was a huge issue when I was both a member and later committee chair of the Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee. The committee had actually been involved in the process during the mid 90s. The committee held many forums on the greenway and heard from many residents from your portion of Matthews Estates. I've also heard from a lot of residents who live in the first phase of Matthews Estates. They, too, say they were not told of the greenway when they were considering buying there. During those years, I was a resident of Pine Forest and the greenway would have been closer to my house than it will be today.
As I said, we are not happy with this turn of events and have requested more information. Please don't say that the town will be taking everything away from you -- it's a County project. Yes, the town does support the project, because we fill it will be an incredible asset to Matthews. I, for one, love riding my bike on the McAlpine Creek Greenway, which goes right behind houses. It's mostly used by runners, cyclists, dog walkers, etc. I also love the Sugar Creek Greenway, which winds around Carolinas Medical Center. It's beautiful.
This will be on the agenda on September 14. You should try to be there so you can sign up to speak.
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Permalink Reply by Adam Brooks on
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Nancy, when did you live in Pine Forest?
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