By Kirk Ross
Staff Writer
The Carrboro Board of Aldermen approved a plan to set up a town greenways commission to study and plan for greenways along Morgan and Bolin creeks.
At its meeting Tuesday night at Town Hall, the board voted unanimously to follow the advice that came out of a greenway summit last fall attended by more than 50 residents.
The new commission will expand on work by the town’s Morgan Creek Trail Planning Committee to prepare a Morgan Creek project that would run from Smith Level Road to University Lake and a Bolin Creek greenway that would run from Estes Drive to Homestead Road.
The Greenways Commission will be composed of current members of the 13-member Morgan Creek Trail Planning Committee willing to serve plus an additional at-large member and an additional representative from the schools.
On Tuesday, the board also agreed to take a look at its appointment process. Alderman Dan Coleman suggested that the board take some time this spring to review the selection process. The board also appointed Delores Clark to the Recreation and Parks Commission and approved the appointment of Braxton Foushee, a former board of aldermen member from 1969 to 1981, as the town’s representative on the OWASA board of directors.
Foushee had previously served on the OWASA board as well.
Alderman Alex Zaffron said that while there were a number of solid applicants, Foushee’s name stood out.
“I’m really pleased to see Braxton jumping back in,†he said.
In other action, the board of aldermen:
- Approved a request for a public hearing to close several streets on May 17 from 7-8 p.m. for a “Ride of Silence†from McDougle schools through downtown to raise cycling safety awareness;
- Set a public hearing to look at lowering the threshold for percentage of minority contractors on town projects from 15 percent to 10 percent to comply with state statues;
- Banned the selling of goods from vehicles parked near the Farmers’ Market during market days;
- Set a hearing for the voluntary annexation of the new elementary school being built on Eubanks Road;
- Rescheduled a public hearing from April 24 to May 22 on proposed changes to the town’s land use ordinance that would create new rules for downtown businesses regarding open space and urban amenities.
In board discussion, alderman Jacquie Gist asked the police department to look into citizen complaints about loitering and alcohol use near The Pantry on Jones Ferry Road. Gist said while she does not want to inhibit the area as a place for day laborers to find jobs, it is not likely that those gathering there in the evenings are looking for work.
Mayor Mark Chilton also reminded residents that a public discussion of the northern study area will be held April 21 at the McDougle cafetorium. He encouraged those interested in planning for the town’s northern growth to attend.