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October 31, 2001 Road hits snag at creek Author: Sarah Lindenfeld Hall; Staff Writer, The News & Observer RALEIGH -- In the middle of a dirt mound over a once free-flowing creek, a "no trespassing" sign marks the point where land owned by the Harrington Grove neighborhood begins and where it is taking a stand against the city. So far, it's a stalemate. The sign went up over the weekend as the 1,400-home North Raleigh neighborhood grapples with what has happened at the end of North Exeter Way, where crews have placed four 72-inch-diameter, 100-foot-long culverts in the middle of Sycamore Creek to prepare the site to extend the road. The city approved plans to extend North Exeter into a new subdivision next door although the Harrington Grove Homeowners Association owns a piece of land over the creek and didn't know about the plans. City officials say they thought they had authority to let the developer extend the road but, after neighbors raised concerns, found out they didn't. Now neighbors in Harrington Grove, one of Raleigh's biggest subdivisions after the city annexed it this year, are hiring an attorney. After meeting with neighbors this month, Mayor Paul Coble said Tuesday he's ready to talk more with them and find a solution. But councilman John Odom says he'll ask City Manager Russell Allen at the next council meeting Nov. 7 to find a way to get the road built -- through a deal with the homeowners or, as a last resort, by condemnation. "I think it should be connected," Odom said Tuesday. "That is our policy, and that is what I will pursue. ... All the roads belong to everyone in the city of Raleigh, and we should be able to drive all around, whether you live in the north, south, east or west." An extended North Exeter Way has been on the city's plans since 1987 as part of its policy to connect the city's street network. In February, city staffers approved developer Stephen Eastman's plans to build Harrington Pines, an 83-home subdivision on about 28 acres just west of Harrington Grove. North Exeter Way is the main street through Harrington Pines, according to the plans. Neither Eastman nor his attorney could be reached for comment Tuesday. Harrington Grove residents say they didn't know plans had been approved, and in August they scrambled to find out why crews were cutting down trees. Soon after, construction in the creek began, raising concerns about possible environmental damage. The culverts haven't allowed the creek to flow freely, residents say, disrupting turtles, snakes and other aquatic life and damaging the creek, which eventually flows to the Neuse River. Neighborhood children played in the creek, and families stroll along the greenway that runs beside it. Ever since, residents Patty Hernandez and Sharon Brawley, along with other neighbors, say they've spent thousands of hours researching the issue and keeping the rest of the neighborhood informed. Residents started the "Sycamore Creek Rescue Effort" Web site (www.geocities.com/savecreek) and contacted the Neighborhood Coalition for Responsible Development in Raleigh, which successfully fought a plan to build a complex of shops, homes and offices at Wade Avenue and Oberlin Road. Last week, neighbors decided not to accept an offer Coble and Odom made after the Oct. 17 council meeting to allow the road construction to continue, plus installation of utility lines, in exchange for the possibility of a speed hump to slow traffic, landscaping around the road connection and a study of stop signs in the neighborhood. Instead, the homeowners association board voted to deny the city an easement to the land and to ask for the pipes to be removed. Homeowners say they want to talk with officials to understand why the road should be extended and what other options might exist. City Attorney Thomas McCormick said it could ultimately be up to developer Eastman to tell the city he can't complete the road as planned and ask for assistance. The council could condemn the land or work on an agreement with homeowners, McCormick said. Hernandez, a 35-year-old stay-at-home mother, stood along the creek Tuesday. She said she'd like the mayor and council to admit the city "screwed up," and say "we need to do right by these people and own up to it." "And save our creek," added neighbor Jill Allen, 36, who works in hotel product sales. |
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Copyright © 2001 Sycamore Creek Rescue Effort. All Rights Reserved. |
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