Are you ready for hundreds more cars coming through Claremont & Winmore?

The Town Council is reviewing Zinn development plans to increase density at the new build site of 310 Lucas Lane (changing zoning from R-20 to R-3-CZ) with an opening at Lucas Lane for vehicular traffic. This is problematic for several reasons:

• We have an opportunity to truly connect Carborro communities with a paved path allowing for foot and bike, but not car traffic, and keep more trees in Tree City. Retained vegetation will also ease the burden on stormwater facilities as extreme rain becomes more frequent due to climate change.
• Increased traffic is very dangerous in these dense family neighborhoods. Homes are on very small lots so children frequently play in the streets.
• Added traffic will be particularly hazardous on Lucas Ln, which is only 21ft wide at points.
• The connection only works against the town's aims of reducing traffic on Homestead. Traffic will increase through the neighborhoods to cut the High School line, causing more merging congestion, particularly at Winmore's exit. Here's a video showing the problem.
• Connectivity for emergency vehicle access is responsible in principle but wholly unnecessary here. Neighborhoods are small and the fire department is across the street. Homestead is the fastest access.

So why not use a paved path to connect our communities (as exists between Colfax Dr. and Cobblestone Dr.)? This would allow us to connect by bike, foot, scooter, stroller, or roller skates (just not motor vehicles). Sounds simple enough, but there is actually an ordinance to ADD vehicle traffic under the new Carrboro Connects initiative—and it is at odds with other initiatives like building for density and providing smaller homes for young families. When kids have to play in the street, increased car traffic is unsafe. 

The spirit of Carrboro Connects is great, but cars are not community. Carrboro should deliver on it's ideals and hold developers accountable—the free market will not do the planning for us! Please sign this petition if you would like to stop vehicle traffic between our communities so that we can safely enjoy one another and use a paved path at 310 Lucas Lane instead.

Example of paved path between Colfax Dr. and Cobblestone Dr.

Car overturned onto yard by distracted driver on Jewell Dr.