Cary trustees back New Haven Drive traffic-calming package and ask developer to fund HOA upkeep

Mayor Connick and village staff moved forward Tuesday night with a package of traffic-calming measures for New Haven Drive tied to the Seasons at Cary development, and the board asked the developer to fund a maintenance allowance for new landscaping and driveway apron work affecting the Cambria homeowners association.

Brian Simmons, the village’s community development director, outlined an updated plan that would remove part of the existing cul-de-sac to extend New Haven Drive, extend the north-side bike path, add sidewalks on the south side, install a center landscaped median at the development entrance and pavement striping that creates a parking lane on one side to narrow travel lanes. The design also calls for at-grade pedestrian crossings with flashing beacons at two parks, two chicanes in the northern subdivision, radar speed signs and provision for additional on-street parking.

The proposal drew sustained public comment from residents who said the connection benefits the developer and regional traffic flow but imposes safety, parking and maintenance burdens on immediate neighbors. “This plan is not about the Cambria neighborhood,” resident Ginny Palumbo said. “It’s about fixing a traffic problem somewhere else by pushing it into Cambria.” Sergio Sierra, who lives on New Haven Drive, questioned whether new center-line striping and a median could make the street feel like an arterial and increase speeds.

Staff and the developer answered technical questions on-site layout and maintenance responsibilities. Simmons said the curb and bike-path extension would be built in the existing village right-of-way and that private property owners would be responsible for driveway aprons that access the street; the underlying land ownership would not change. Tony DeRosa, representing the developer, provided a quick on-the-spot estimate that the new asphalt apron area would be roughly 2,300–2,400 square feet and the new landscaped area about 1,900 square feet, and he offered to consider setting aside funds to address HOA maintenance concerns.

Trustees pressed staff for exact square-foot estimates and projected maintenance costs before final sign-off. Trustee Dunick suggested the developer set aside an upfront fund to avoid a future HOA assessment; several trustees agreed that validating the proposed square footage and the likely seal-coat/maintenance schedule would inform an appropriate dollar amount. Mayor Connick said staff and the developer would work with the Cambria HOA to determine that number and bring the result back to the board.

While several residents said they would prefer leaving the cul-de-sac intact, trustees and staff argued the chosen configuration reduces unused pavement, improves pedestrian refuge, and provides opportunities for safer crossings. Trustee Prezino described the package as a balance of resident concerns and long-term safety gains.

Next steps: staff will validate dimensions and maintenance cost estimates, the developer will work with staff on a possible fund for HOA maintenance, and the board will receive the finalized proposal for formal action and scheduling of construction. The Committee indicated unanimous consent to proceed with the package contingent on the maintenance funding arrangement being agreed—or at least quantified—by the parties.