Carrboro Harris Teeter plans still contentious

Though plans for a new Harris Teeter in Carrboro are well underway, local residents remain vigilant in their opposition to a planned entrance for the grocery store.

Construction of the Harris Teeter, which will be located in a new shopping center on Jones Ferry Road, began in 2007.

But development of the site came to a halt later that year when citizens expressed their concern about the Barnes Street entrance to the grocery store.

Some residents of the area are concerned about increased traffic through their neighborhood.

Residents took the issue to court and won. But Northwest Property Group, the development firm in charge of the project, successfully appealed the ruling.

The N.C. Court of Appeals wrote in the decision that the Carrboro Board of Aldermen has not produced sufficient evidence that an entrance on Barnes Street would be detrimental to public health or safety.

The property is planned to consist of three buildings, including the 52,250-square foot Harris Teeter.

“The legal issue with Barnes St. has kind of limited the project recently,” said James Thomas, Carrboro development specialist.

Residents fear traffic

Residents said they will continue the fight.

Esther McCauley, a resident of Barnes Street, said she has nothing against a new Harris Teeter being built but opposes an entrance on Barnes Street.

“Big trucks, little trucks, Harris Teeter name brand trucks — that’s just extra traffic,” said McCauley, who said she has already been in two accidents at the Barnes Street intersection.

“It’s a little residential street. We have one way in and one way out.”

Robert Dow, another resident of Barnes Street, said he thought the recent appeal was simply unfair.

“Why should we have to prove that an entrance on Barnes Street is not OK?” Dow said. “Why doesn’t Northwest have to prove that they won’t damage an old neighborhood with people who have been here over 40 years?”

Northwest Property Group declined to comment about the Harris Teeter property.

Alderman responds

Alderman Dan Coleman said the board will work with residents to prove a Barnes Street entrance is not a good idea.

“We are going to be meeting again soon with the Carrboro town attorney,” Coleman said.

He said he sympathizes with those who are concerned with the residential street entrance.

“The residents were pretty convincing in their explanation of their safety concerns,” Coleman said.

Coleman said he believes there should only be a Jones Ferry Road entrance.

The town can still appeal the case once more.



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