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Town moves to address sidewalk designs and public concern after Grand Boulevard paint issue
Summary
Staff updated the committee on Route 7 and Climate Smart-funded sidewalks for Cornelius and Birchwood, heard resident concerns about trees and maintenance, and reported that Grand Boulevard painting was paused after public complaints about the color; staff will provide FAQs, consider arborist review and share design plans with affected residents.
Town staff reported progress on several infrastructure projects, responded to resident concerns about sidewalk impacts to trees and long-term maintenance, and said county crews paused a Grand Boulevard repaving paint application after complaints about color.
On sidewalks: staff said the town received Climate Smart Communities grant funding for Cornelius and Birchwood sidewalks (referred to in the transcript as "the million dollars"). Residents expressed worries that sidewalk installation could damage tree roots and complicate winter maintenance. "None of those trees are planned to be removed," a design engineer told staff and a planner said the engineer estimated about 85% of root systems would remain intact under proposed designs; staff proposed options including a shallower sidewalk depth, moving the alignment back from the road where feasible, and hiring or asking a local arborist to review plans to reassure neighbors.
Committee members also proposed producing a simple FAQ and sending the design drawings directly to impacted residents ahead of further outreach meetings. Staff said they would explore using some engineering funds to have the design engineer attend local meetings and include explicit plan graphics.
On Grand Boulevard: county staff paused painting after residents and town officials raised concerns that the applied red color was too intense; the contractor stopped painting and county engineers are developing a corrective plan.
Route 7 update: staff reported good attendance at a June 24 open house and said DOT is adding a signal at the Hickory'Bellevue intersection; the project is moving quickly with an anticipated January bid and construction next season if funding continues.
Ending: Staff will circulate sidewalk plans and FAQs to residents, consider an arborist review and continue coordination with county and DOT for the repaving and Route 7 projects.
