Chapel Hill Woman Presses Town for Better Drainage

Staff writer

Marian Meyer wasn't angry when her church basement was flooded with silt and runoff from Rosemary Street last year.

But Moore made sure that the needs of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church were heard at a public forum held by the Chapel Hill Town Council on Monday night.

"It isn't the town's fault when you get six inches of rain," she said. "If we don't tell them what the problems are then they can't respond."

The forum aimed to gather public input about a new sidewalk and bicycle facilities construction plan and the 2004-2010 transportation priorities list.

The list ranks 23 Chapel Hill transportation development projects and is updated every two years based on recommendations from advisory committees and citizens.

Moore said she would like to see a gutter installed when the town begins construction on a sidewalk in front of her church.

The proposed sidewalk, which will be built along Rosemary Street, is included in the transportation priorities list, but does not provide for a gutter.

"We're blessed with growth," Moore said. "But the town grows so fast that there's limited resources -- we just want (the town council) to be aware of our problems."

Moore's position is not unique in Chapel Hill -- town officials say vast population increases during the last few years have made it increasingly difficult for the town leaders to keep abreast of the citizen's needs and problems.

Only six of the 23 proposals on the list have received any funding.

"The needs greatly outstrip the funds available," said council member Jim Ward.

The list also includes six greenways, which essentially are linear parks designed to connect existing foot and bike paths.

None of the six greenways on the list have received funding.

The current unfunded top priority is the construction of turn lanes and bicycle lanes in front of Seawell Elementary School, which Ward said he considers a dangerous intersection.

Ward said the intersection is a barrier between neighborhoods and Seawell Elementary.

"It's an opportunity lost," he said, referring to the busing that must accommodate the children. "I wouldn't want my kids to cross it."

The City Editor can be reached at citydesk@unc.edu.