After hearing public comments and discussing among its members, the Chapel Hill Town Council approved an initial design for a new multi-use path along Fordham Boulevard.

The town council approved the design option that will construct a sidepath between Fordham Boulevard and the properties of residents living on Hickory Drive. It’s an option members of the Little Ridgefield Neighborhood have been outspoken against, promoting a shared street option instead. They told the council that method would help bikers and pedestrians stay safe as they Hickory Drive as a cut-through, while also preserving a healthy vegetative buffer from the busy thoroughfare.

Chapel Hill’s Town Council proceeded with the true sidepath design, as indicated in their previous meeting, saying the design provides the most beneficial options to the broad community. But council members did include some amendments to the option to try and address the residents’ concerns.

Council member Amy Ryan had previously suggested having a horticulture specialist on-site to review and supervise any removal of the remaining vegetative buffer. That added requirement was on the passed resolution, as well as plan to consult with the neighborhood about creating safe crosswalks in the gaps of the path where cars turn off Fordham.

Chapel Hill Mayor Pam Hemminger said at the meeting while not voting for the shared street option, the council aims to keep an active line of communication with Little Ridgefield residents.

“We want to be sensitive to the neighborhood,” Hemminger said. “We’re working very hard. We do have information about how much more utilization something more visible to the public [can have].”

Hemminger spoke with 97.9 The Hill’s Aaron Keck following the meeting as well. She stressed how having $1.8 million from the Department of Transportation to complete a sidepath network, which this one would be part of, encouraged the town to choose the option it did. Hemminger also shared the initial goals of the project and how the town hopes it will improve connectivity between neighborhoods.

“We want to get people out of cars and moving around,” said Hemminger. “People are already using that area unsafely, so this will be a big boon. Plus, we have federal money that’s helping move it along.”

Another action raised by the Town Council at its latest meeting is having more community discussions once designs for the sidepath are closer to complete.

To view the full timeline of the Fordham Boulevard Side Path project, visit the Town of Chapel Hill webpage.

Concept designs via Kimley-Horn.

Related Stories
‹
Town of Chapel Hill Seeking Input on Traffic Calming Designs for Fordham Sidepath Project
The Town of Chapel Hill is seeking input on traffic calming measures for a project along Fordham Boulevard. The local government shared a new survey for the Fordham Boulevard Sidepath project, aiming to get feedback on several designs for pedestrian protection off the busy thoroughfare. The project seeks to connect an existing bike path near […]
Chapel Hill Town Council Considers Options for Fordham Boulevard Sidepath
A project to build a sidepath to Fordham Boulevard in Chapel Hill has been in the works since 2016. While some residents have been outspoken against the development, the Town Council shared some of its own comments on Wednesday night. Representatives from Chapel Hill’s Transportation department presented two design options at the center of the […]
Chapel Hill Targets UNC Property on MLK Boulevard for Strategic Growth Pilot Project
As the Town of Chapel Hill assesses how to handle its need for housing with its limited supply, the local government recently turned to a group of leading urban planning consultants for advice. The result is a framework called the Complete Communities Strategy, with the goal of approving a pilot project to try the approach […]
Chapel Hill Considering Fordham Blvd. Greenway, Neighbors Advocate for Shared Street
Tab Combs stands at the entrance of her neighborhood, Little Ridgefield. The Hickory Road resident points out how an existing path from Cleland Drive down the street would connect with a new side path proposed by the Town of Chapel Hill. “We’re about 20 feet from the outside edge of Fordham Boulevard, and we’re standing […]
Transit, Stormwater Among Concerns for Redevelopment of University Place in Chapel Hill
Ownership of the University Place mall continued to receive their first round of feedback on concept plans of a reimagining of the property. The Chapel Hill Town Council shared their impressions of the initial designs last week. The council’s review of the concept plans came just eight days after Ram Realty, the ownership group of […]
Chapel Hill Town Council Approves Application for Affordable Senior Housing Community at Homestead Road
The Town of Chapel Hill recently approved a zoning application for a proposed senior housing community located along Homestead Road.
With Federal Funding Losses and Revaluation, Orange County's Governments Weigh Difficult Tax Rate and Budget Choices
The annual budgeting process is typically an exhaustive one for Orange County’s local governments and staff – but this year, it may be even more so
Chapel Hill Council Approves 300+ New Apartments, Retail Space on S. Elliott Road
The Chapel Hill Town Council approved a conditional zoning request for 200 South Elliott Road, paving the way for a new apartment community.
Chapel Hill Shares Latest Pond Removal, Construction Timeline for Legion Road Housing and Park Project
The Town of Chapel Hill is beginning early stages to drain and remove both the pond and dam at its property off Legion Road.
Chapel Hill Signs Finalized DEQ Agreement for 828 MLK Boulevard Coal Ash Site
The Chapel Hill Town Council recently finalized a decade-long effort for finding a solution to the coal ash at 828 MLK Jr. Boulevard.
›