Booker Street concerns - Wayne-Wilson News Leader, Fremont, NC

10 April 2008 — Concerns about limited access to Booker Street in Pikeville were brought up again this week, this time before the town board at their monthly meeting.

With a board vote concerning a proposed development on an extension of Booker Street on this month’s agenda, citizens came out to voice concerns that more houses on the street would only make the problem worse.

Citizens are concerned because Booker Street only has one entrance and exit point, which is completely separated from the highway by railroad tracks. Those living on the street said they have often been blocked into the street by a train for hours, and worry what would happen if an emergency occurred while the street was blocked.

Paula Holden, whose husband James brought the issue to the attention of the planning board, emphasized the problem to the board.

“We are concerned about the houses that plan on putting there,” she said. “we need an outlet there. Its one way in, one way out.”

Mayor Herb Sieger assured Mrs. Holden that the board was aware of the issue and would take it into consideration when they voted on the subdivision later in the meeting.

When the board turned the topic to discussion of the subdivision, planning board chair Luke Vail said that the board recommended approval of the subdivision, but felt that the citizen’s concern about the lack of an outlet concerned the board as well.

“We discussed quite a bit the issue of opening up access, but as a planning board felt it was something beyond our control,” he said. He recommended that the board of commissioners look into the issue further.

Commissioner Dennis Lewis addressed the citizens present, and assured them that if the board approved the subdivision, it was not in direct opposition to the citizen’s concerns.

“We understand what you’re saying, and what you’re saying doesn’t end tonight,” he said.

He assured the citizens that the board would continue to explore avenues for opening an alternate access point to the street. He even ventured that adding homes to the street would increase the likelihood of getting approval for an access road from the railroad company.

Another citizen inquired what kind of homes would be built in the area, A representative from the contractors, Braswell Homes, said the homes would be stick built, not modular units as had been rumored by some.

He added that citizens could check the company’s website, but several citizens said they did not have internet access. Mr. Lewis said that he would make sure photos of what the homes will look like will be printed and available for citizens to look at in town hall.

The board then discussed approval of the subdivision.

Commissioner Vance Greeson expressed that he had serious doubts about the state of the current sewer lines, and wanted to make sure the board included a provision for the contractors to cover any costs regarding replacement of lines.

The board approved the subdivision, and Mayor Sieger said a few words to the citizens concerned about the increased number of homes on the street.

“The more people we can get on the line, our taxes, cost of services, all of that will go down because more people will be sharing the cost,” he said. “Unless Pikeville grows, no one will be able to afford to live in Pikeville, because eventually the costs will get too high.”

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Issue of 10 April 2008

Wayne Wilson News Leader
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Fremont, NC 27830
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