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Stanley council orders withdrawal of part of General Stonewall Jackson Drive and approves traffic calming
Summary
After public concerns about high speeds and safety, the Stanley Town Council unanimously approved withdrawing dedication of a roughly 40-foot right-of-way of General Stonewall Jackson Drive and later approved four stop signs and two speed humps for Jackson Park.
The Stanley Town Council on April 6 unanimously approved a resolution ordering the withdrawal from dedication of a roughly 40-foot right-of-way — approximately 315 linear feet — of General Stonewall Jackson Drive between Highway 27 South and General Joseph Wheeler Street, a move officials said is intended to address persistent cut-through traffic and speeding.
Town Manager Steven Denton told the council the proposal follows North Carolina General Statute 168-299 and responds to citizen complaints about vehicles using the section as a shortcut. Public Works Director Daniel Hendrix said engineers recommended a road closure paired with a three-way stop as the primary solution, with speed bumps offered as an alternative.
Residents urged action during the public hearing. Audrey Culver of 102 General Joseph Wheeler Street described the stretch as "extremely unsafe," said drivers were traveling "50-60 mph," and reported finding discarded drug needles in her yard. Christina Sells of Colonel Richard Rankin Street said she feared closing one roadway could increase traffic on her street and asked the town to consider alternatives such as speed humps.
Council discussed combining the closure with other measures and approved the withdrawal resolution on a motion from Council Member Leigh Anna Helms, seconded by Council Member Brendan Sweeney. Town Attorney John Russell explained that if the resolution is implemented, adjoining property owners would take half the former roadway to the center line and that the pavement would be removed and the area grassed over.
After approving the withdrawal, the council separately approved a comprehensive traffic-calming package for Jackson Park based on engineering recommendations. Public Works Director Daniel Hendrix recommended a plan that included four stop signs and two speed humps; Council Member Chase Hannifin moved to install those measures using Powell Bill funds, a motion the council adopted unanimously.
The council’s actions leave next steps to staff and property owners. The withdrawal resolution does not itself install traffic-calming devices; those measures will be implemented under subsequent direction of town staff and using Powell Bill funds as authorized by the council. The town attorney’s explanation indicated adjoining property owners would assume maintenance responsibility of the closed segment to the center line once the right-of-way is withdrawn.
The council closed the public hearing on the road withdrawal during the same meeting and carried the related votes unanimously. The town did not set a specific date in the minutes for physically removing the pavement or installing the speed humps; those implementation dates were described as to be handled by staff.
