Planning staff recommends 10-foot sidepath on New Hill Olive Chapel Road; board backs amendment

Gina, the town’s senior long-range planner, told the Apex Planning Board on July 14 that staff recommends amending the Apex Transportation Plan for New Hill Olive Chapel Road to replace a proposed paved shoulder with a 10-foot sidepath on the east side of the roadway between New Hill Road and US 64 to better serve two nearby schools and adjacent neighborhoods. Gina said the sidepath would connect to existing greenway and sidewalk segments and that paved shoulders are more appropriate to rural contexts, which this corridor no longer resembles because it serves as an entry point for schools and homes.

The change was proposed as part of the Apex Gateway Phase 2 development and follows coordination with transportation, infrastructure, development, and parks staff, Gina said. Staff emphasized safety concerns with bicycle facilities along US 64 and recommended keeping paved shoulders on other, more rural stretches of New Hill Road while adding the sidepath on the segment within the PUD.

Board members asked whether the amendment depends on the developer constructing the sidepath as parcels come forward; staff confirmed the amendment reflects the proposed development layout and that details would be worked out through permitting and site plans. No members of the public signed up to speak on this transportation-plan amendment during the public hearing for that item.

After the presentation and the close of the public hearing, a motion to recommend approval of the transportation-plan amendment was seconded and approved by unanimous voice vote. The board’s recommendation will be transmitted to Town Council, which has final authority to adopt changes to the transportation plan.