Resident raises traffic-signal timing and septic-to-sewer questions tied to river district development

At the meeting resident Jeffrey Woods, who identified himself with an address near Manchester Road and Exeter, told council he and neighbors appreciate the river district development but raised three concerns: traffic-signal timing at the Dixie Drive/Manchester Road area, the presence of a new lift station tied to development and whether nearby homes on septic might be eligible for city sewer connections, and the schedule for remaining roadwork including a “spine road.”

Woods said the new traffic signal timing can make left turns take seven to nine minutes in the morning and asked whether the signal uses sensors or a fixed timing sequence. City Manager Holloway said she would take notes and have the service director inspect the intersection and follow up with Woods; staff asked him to leave contact information.

On sewer, Woods said many houses in his plat are on septic and that his own septic system failed on Dec. 6, requiring extensive repairs. He asked what petitions or paperwork would be required for residents to pursue connection to city sewer and whether the city could consider an assessment to fund connections given the adjacent multimillion-dollar development. Holloway said staff would review the request and follow up.

Woods also asked about additional roadwork and whether the developer will build curbs and sidewalks after spine road completion; staff described the work completed as phase 1 (Dixie and Manchester improvements), said a temporary roadway currently connects Manchester during construction and that phase 2 would include additional roadwork north of Dixie but that no timeline was set. Staff also noted that a Culver's franchise had mobilized to build on a corner parcel and that further parcel-level work would begin in the near term.

Council acknowledged the concerns and directed staff to follow up with the resident.