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Residents urge Cary board to oppose opening Cambria to through traffic
Summary
Multiple Cambria and New Haven residents told the Village of Cary they oppose plans to open New Haven Drive and nearby subdivision streets to connect with a proposed development, citing traffic, safety and school-bus concerns; the village said no formal submittal has been received and promised more public engagement.
Dozens of residents of the Cambria and New Haven neighborhoods pressed the Village of Cary on May 20 for meetings and for the village to block any plan that would open New Haven Drive and internal subdivision streets to becoming a through route to Cary Algonquin Road.
The comments, made during the board's open forum, centered on safety and traffic. "It's gonna drive up traffic through our small community," said Joseph Buscagno, a new Cambria resident, who added, "We wanna keep our community small." Several speakers said the change could raise speeds from 25 to 35 mph, increase noise and light pollution, place pedestrians and children at greater risk and overload local schools and police services.
The matter drew repeated, emotional testimony. "I have an autistic son that's at home. He's out constantly walking the streets back and forth," said Rich Yell of 1409 New Haven, explaining why extra traffic worries his family. Cathy Georges, of 112 Augusta Lane, told the board that tight curves, blind spots and on-street parking already complicate school-bus movements: "School buses are at risk. We have school bus stops for the kids."
Mayor (unnamed) responded during the meeting, saying the village had not received any formal development submittal and that staff had held an open house to allow one-on-one conversations with a developer. The mayor said the village is taking the comments and that "there will be many more public opportunities to engage." Residents asked the board to meet with them directly; one speaker invited the mayor and trustees to an upcoming gazebo meeting to discuss concerns.
Why it matters: residents said the proposed connection would alter circulation patterns used by children, school buses and local emergency services and would change the character of a neighborhood that many moved to for limited access and perceived safety. Speakers repeatedly requested fuller traffic studies and clearer notice about any developer proposals.
The board did not take a formal vote on the issue during the meeting. Officials said they will accept public input as the process moves forward and that additional public hearings will be scheduled if and when a formal submittal arrives. Residents asked the village to notify the neighborhood when the developer files official plans so the community can participate in planning reviews.
Community members who want to follow up were recorded on the public comment list and the village said staff will respond to individual inquiries; no deadlines or next meeting dates for a formal hearing on the proposal were announced at the May 20 meeting.
