AG 1992 12 21 - Laserfiche WebLink

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probably front on the new bypass, felt that the road should spur new economic development and that the vast majority of ]and use along the road should be non-residential. There were a number of other issues that related to land use. One of these was the overall theme that development of any type should be reviewed for design and that the general aesthetics of the area should be improved and controlled. Related to this is the very important idea that development, both ex~sting and planned, should be done in concert with the physical environment. This includes compliance with existing laws and regulations on all types of pollution. UTILITIES The plan participants felt that there is a need for expanded public utilities. The exceptions to this statement are those residents who do not favor growth, and who are currently experiencing no problems with their utilities (i.e. well and septic tank). Of the majority who felt that better utility services are needed, there was general agreement that it should be well planned expansion and that users, whether it be developers or individuals, should pay for extensions. Concerns were raised that growth pressure and land cost area necessitating smaller lots which in turn require water and sewer service. Currently some developments are being served through the use of sewer pump stations that are connected to other pump stations. Developers stated that ii policies for reimbursement or shared cost were in place that more standard gravity sewer could be extended. This would remove the need for the higher cost and prolonged maintenance of the pump stations. Other utility issues also came out in the meetings. Residents were interested in having all new utilities, and those old ones that are replaced, installed underground. This in turn raises concern about providing adequate room on road sides to properly accommodate all utilities. Finally they expressed that natural gas should be more equitably provided with older houses having it available and not just within subdivision developments. TRANSPORTATION The issues and concerns relating to transportation can be grouped under three main categories. These categories are the existing road system, planned roads and the Concord Regional Airport. It was an overall feeling that development in the Western Area is as closely related to these issues as it is to utility services. Most residents feel that area roads are inadequate and should be improved. This is particularly true for Poplar Tent Road and its interchange with 1-85. It was mentioned more often than any other road with most of the complaints being that it is too narrow, has sight distance problems, and that it carries a disproportionate share of the area's non-residential traffic. Other existing roads which residents mentioned as being in need of improvement include Pitts School, Weddington, Zion Church and U.S. 29, although there are certainly others. The majority of comments on planned new roads were about the Westside Bypass from N.C. 73 to N.C. 49. Almost everyone who participated in the planning process felt that the bypass is needed now and that everything possible should be done to attempt to move it up on the transportation schedule. As previously discussed, there is disagreement about what the primary functions of the road should be and what limits should be placed on access to it. Another planned road /or this area is the King's Grant Parkway which includes an interchange at 1-85. This road was addressed mainly by the representatives of area businesses. They felt that it should ultimately be extended to the east and west so that it can be connected to Harrisburg and the Highland Creek development. It was also stated that studies should be undertaken on alternative methods of connecting the parkway, and the developing employment area, to the major residential areas. The Concord Regional Airport is also a hot topic on which few people agreed. Issues that were brought out included its effect on surrounding land uses, existing and future, noise problems, height restrictions surrounding it, access to the terminal, and questions about its use and operation. The one thing which most participants agreed with is that further study should be done specifically to help address these issues. WESTERN AREA PLAN DRAFT 4 PAGE 9