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Webster discusses sidewalk, Lowe’s
By Derek Hodges
Webster officials Thursday night (Oct. 6) expressed concerns over how a Lowe’s at the corner of N.C. 116 and 107 will affect the town.
Webster planning board Chairman Susan Leveille told town leaders she was concerned about traffic coming from the store into town.
“I was just at the Sylva meeting and I voiced my concern about the traffic,” Leveille said. “I’ve heard it from several Webster residents.”
In addition to increased traffic from customers, Leveille said she was most concerned about trucks from the store using N.C. 116.
“Unless they’re headed to Asheville, every one of these trucks is going to come right through Webster. That’s a big concern to Webster residents,” she said.
Leveille told board members she had suggested to Sylva’s leaders that the two groups discuss the issue, along with representatives of Lowe’s and the N.C. Department of Transportation.
“I think Webster should formally protest,” board member Louise Bedford said.
Board members also discussed progress on the town’s nearly-completed sidewalk project.
Mayor Steve Gray suggested the town pay M&M Concrete Finishing for the work in two installments, the first for $34,961 and the second for $10,000 out of the town’s Powell Bill funds for next year.
“I’m pleased with the sidewalk, but I don’t think we should pay until everything is completed,” board member Kirk Stephens said. “I think we should be holding something back until they’re totally completed.”
A section of the sidewalk had to be redone because a fire hydrant was located in the middle of the pathway. Work has also been prolonged by the slow removal of some outbuildings in the way of construction, board members said.
Stephens also suggested the town write a letter to Southwestern Community College and NCDOT requesting the sidewalk be extended onto property owned by each. SCC already has drawn plans for how the sidewalk should be constructed on their campus, Stephens said.
“The ball is in Webster’s hands from what I’ve heard,” Stephens said.
Board members discussed a need to request funds from DOT to complete the project, and asked Stephens to write the letter.
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