New CDOT plans for Elmstone Drive
Thornhill Member
Please follow these links to review CDOT schematics received by the Board on September 29 for proposed traffic calming measures on Elmstone Drive at Summitt Tree and Thornhill Club:
http://www.thornhillnc.net/Portals/0/TCA/elmsum.pdf
http://www.thornhillnc.net/Portals/0/TCA/elmthorn.pdf
The designs call for unlandscaped concrete medians, curb extensions and paint striping to restrict/redirect the flow of traffic on Elmstone. These would ostensibly be provided at CDOT's expense. (Potential cost to Thornhill for seeding grass, moving irrigation heads, ongoing maintenance etc have not been announced.) A brief description appears at the bottom of this link:
http://www.thornhillnc.net/TCA/TrafficSafetyCommittee/tabid/185/Default.aspx
This summer, our group successfully blocked the implementation of speed humps in Thornhill. Instead, we advocated strongly for an open process, a comprehensive plan and community vote on any proposed traffic calming / pedestrian safety solutions in the community. In response, the Board named its own committee to research the topic. The committee's meetings are unannounced and closed to members, but minutes are posted at the link above. The last minutes posted date from August 19, 2009.
It is unclear from the minutes how CDOT's designs meet the concerns cited by our members, or if additional solutions are planned. For example, there is no explanation why a 3-way stop at Thornhill Club (an idea with near unanimous support) does not appear to be in play.
Though the Board has posted the designs on the community website, there has to date been no effort to actively solicit community input. No eblast to the community has been sent to let members know that the designs are posted, and no mechanism has been announced for the community to vote. Unfortunately, this repeats the Board's pattern in the failed speed hump campaign - a closed committee, a unilateral proposal, an expectation that members will seek out information buried on the website or in out-of-date minutes, to be followed by a Board vote.
We encourage everyone to review the new plan and email your feedback to us, which we will share with CDOT, the Traffic Committee and the Board. Please ask your friends and neighbors to weigh in as well, as our email directory does not include all members.
Do you support or oppose the new designs?
What do you like or dislike?
Do you want the community to vote on this plan or do you think the Board should decide?
What questions would you like answered?
Thornhill Neighbors
Terry Losardo
Charla Fisher
-----Original Message-----
From: Quinn, Johanna D.
[mailto:jqu...@ci.charlotte.nc.us]
Sent: 09/29/2009 6:53 PM
To: pvar...@carolina.rr.com
Cc: Gallup, Chip
Subject: Elmstone options
P.V. –
Thanks for hosting us last week. The traffic committee is doing a great job. Attached are the options for Elmstone/Summit Tree and Elmstone/Thornhill. I apologize for the delay in getting these to you. As you circulate these, please stress to the neighbors that these are schematics and subject to modification based on field conditions. If you need me to add any further explanation/notes, I will be happy to.
Have a great evening..
Johanna Quinn, PE
Charlotte Department of Transportation
600 East Fourth Street
Charlotte, NC 28202
704-336-5606 phone
704-336-4400 fax
jquinn@ci.charlotte..nc.us