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Town officials say state DOT opened door to new access on US 36, potentially unlocking west-side development
Summary
Redevelopment commissioners reported a recent state meeting produced more receptive responses on access to US 36, with staff describing potential covenant-based access at Warrior Way and a west entrance that could enable commercial sites west of Walmart and Miles Farm to move forward.
Redevelopment commissioners and town staff said this week that a recent meeting with the state Department of Transportation produced a more receptive stance toward new vehicle access from US 36, a constraint officials have blamed for lost development opportunities on Danville's west edge.
Town planners and RDC members said the state indicated it would consider formalized access at Warrior Way and an additional west entrance, subject to traffic studies and developer commitments. A town participant summarized the change as a substantive shift from past meetings and said the state had suggested a time-limited covenant could be used to preserve access until traffic counts and designs were confirmed.
Why it matters: Much of the town's near-term commercial potential — parcels around Miles Farm and properties west of the Walmart node — have been difficult to market because signalization and direct turning access from US 36 were not permitted. Commissioners said securing a predictable access agreement would let the town attract grocers, hotels and other retailers that now bypass Danville.
Town leaders described next steps as technical and procedural: hire or reimburse a traffic consultant to do counts and conceptual drawings, negotiate conditions with property owners, and secure an agreement with the state that would make the parcels marketable to developers. Commissioners said developer commitments that align with traffic data (for example, agreeing to install or finance a light if warranted) would be part of any negotiation.
Officials said the town will pursue a memorandum-of-understanding or covenant that records access commitments and noted the state asked for data demonstrating safety and demand. Staff indicated the RDC could help defray costs for traffic studies or initial engineering so the town can present a concrete plan to prospective users.
What’s next: The town will complete traffic counts and conceptual designs, meet again with the state and affected landowners, and pursue a memorandum or covenant that can be shown to potential developers to reduce uncertainty about future access.
