BY BETH VELLIQUETTE
bvelliquette@heraldsun.com; 419-6632
CARRBORO -- An attorney for the developer of the proposed development called Colleton Crossing asked a judge to suspend the court case in order for the developer to seek an alternative entrance to the environmentally sensitive development.
A permit application for Colleton Crossing, which would be located near the end of Tally Ho Trail, was denied by the Carrboro Board of Aldermen last May because, the aldermen reasoned, if the 39-lot development were built it would endanger the public health and safety. That is because, among other things, Tallyho Trail is a "long, winding, narrow road without sidewalks and is currently dangerous for pedestrians" and "it can not withstand the additional traffic."
The developer, MBI, asked that the decision by the aldermen be reviewed in Orange County Superior Court.
On Monday, attorney Karen Kemerait, representing MBI, told Superior Court Judge Abraham Jones that the developer now wanted a delay of six months before the review is done so that it can find another solution for road access to the property.
One possibility is to run a road south from Colleton Crossing to UNC's proposed development called Carolina Commons.
Because of the economy, however, no one is building, Kemerait told the court. Also MBI doesn't have the funding to purchase road access now, she said.
"He's working very hard to try to get some funding, but it hasn't happened yet," she said.
Carrboro's attorney, Robert Hornik, had no objection to the request to put off setting the date for the review for six months.
According to a Web site put up by Melville Builders, Inc., the developers of Colleton Crossing, "approximately 64% of this 32-acre property will be set aside for open space and tree preservation. Walking trails will follow a natural creek and connect to play fields for the neighborhood children. Thirty-nine sites will feature individual homes designed to complement each other and the environment. Homes will be built to Energy Star standards, with rain harvesting systems for irrigation purposes where applicable."
Melville Builders also developed the nearby Winmore subdivision of green-built single-family homes.
