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August 2012 Volume 4, Issue 1
Sharing Indian Trail’s Vision Since 1907
Future Community Parks Bond Referendum
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In This Issue
n June the town council authorized an $8.5 million Parks & Recreation Bond Referendum which will be placed on the November 2012 election ballot. The bond question will allow for the construction of two large community parks. In November residents will have the opportunity to vote and approve the funds for construction of these two parks. The intent of the town council is not to raise taxes to pay for the construction of these two parks; instead the town Crossing Paths Park . . . . . . Page 2 council has established a Capital Reserve Fund which will cover construction and bond expenses. If voters approve this ballot measure, the bond funds would be paid back with current funds within the town’s budget. The first large community park, located near Indian Trail Road and US-74, will span 51 acres. The park would likely contain Carolina Courts, a large playground, pavilions, a dog park, disc golf, sand volleyball, athletic fields, and a large network of walking trails. Residents would be able to use Carolina Courts at no charge during specified times for volleyball and basketball programs.
Solid Waste Improvements . . . Page 3
Public Works Department. . . . . . Page 3 Poplin Rd Sidewalk Project . . . . . Page 3 Committee Opportunities . . . . . Page 4
The second large community park is located Key Contact Information . . . . near Sardis Elementary School and UnionvilleIndian Trail Road and is approximately 140 acres. This large community park would likely contain a Citizen e-notification . . . . softball and baseball complex, multiple playgrounds and pavilions, over five miles of running, walking, and biking trails, a dog park, potential water feature, and multi-use fields for soccer, lacrosse, and football. Depending on park design there may be turf fields for year-round use. Pictured above from left to right: Proposed 51 acre park. Proposed 140 acre park. ‘Sardis Park’ and ‘Chestnut Park’ names are not official and are used for reference purposes only. Park names will be determined at a later date.
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Indian Trail Town Council is interested in community input on the design of these future parks and has already incorporated residents’ ideas in current drafts of park designs. If your civic group, Home Owner’s Association, church, or business would like more information on these parks or park designs or if you have any questions please contact Rebecca Carter or Kelly Barnhardt at 704-821-5401.
A message from your Town Manager
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‘Pathways 2 Progress’: Improving Infrastructure
hile meeting regularly with residents, businesses, and visitors over the past several years, traffic congestion, local job recruitment and retention, better planning, parks and recreation, walking and biking trails, and community safety have been mentioned most frequently for discussion. The Town of Indian Trail has experienced unparalleled growth since 1990; we’ve grown from around 1,600 residents to well over 35,000 residents. The Town of Indian Trail is approximately the 22nd largest community in North Carolina and we could continue to grow to over 50,000 residents within the next 15 years. We can debate whether this growth is a positive or a negative but the real question is, “how are we going to address the important issues created by this growth?”
The town council has given direction to staff to use our past plans, which were developed with community input, to identify a strategic direction for the town which will encompass all of the topics I mentioned above and address future economic development and growth planning. Town staff has developed a draft plan called ‘Pathways 2 Progress’ for the community and council’s consideration. This initiative outlines a plan and provides strategic direction which will help us begin to resolve our current and future issues. The ‘Pathways 2 Progress’ Initiative calls for the construction of a loop throughout Indian Trail on both sides of US-74 known as the ‘Indian Trail Pathway Loop’. A 3-4 lane parkway, the loop will allow for significantly better traffic flow in all directions around town and will include three initial phases. The first phase includes widening Old Monroe Road to four lanes and, in the future connecting it to I-485. The second phase is the construction of the Chestnut Parkway, a new road that will link US-74 and Old Monroe Road. This parallel road will connect with Chestnut Lane. Continued on page 2
Live, Work, Play, Learn
Let’s Go To The Movies!
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Sun Valley 14 Theatre is Open For Business
un Valley Commons is home to the new Sun Valley 14 Cinemas, which opened in July. Located at the corner of Old Monroe Road and Wesley Chapel Stouts Road, Sun Valley Commons offers prime real estate for restaurant and retail locations. Two new businesses joining the development are Sweet Frog Yogurt and Moe’s Southwest Grill with more retailers and restaurants coming soon! Sun Valley 14 Cinemas, a project with Stone Theatres and The Moser Group, includes more than 2,800 stadium seats and 14 fully-expanded wall-to-wall screens. In addition to their Movie Awards customer loyalty program Sun Valley 14 offers great promotions like $1 summer movies for kids and great concessions including pizza by Pizzeria Uno, gourmet pretzels, hot dogs, nachos, and Coca-Cola products. For more information visit www. stonetheatres.com or www.facebook.com/stonetheatres. The 55,000 square foot theatre is expected to draw an attendance in excess of 600,000 people per year from Indian Trail and surrounding areas, create over 500 jobs, and most importantly improve the quality of life for Indian Trail residents. Pictured above: Sun Valley 14 Cinemas. Pictured below: A rendering of the completed Sun Valley 14 Cinemas.
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Community Spotlight
The third phase will improve Sardis Road from US-74 to Unionville-Indian Trail Road. The town also plans to build gateways at the entrances of Indian Trail on Old Monroe and US-74. All initial phases of this project will be funded by the two Road Bond Referendums passed by residents in November 2011.
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nion West Regional Library in Indian Trail dedicated its reading room in honor of Lane Vickery.
The next element of ‘Pathways 2 Progress’ is to build and construct multiple community parks. The intent of the town council is not to raise taxes to pay for the construction of these parks, but to fund them through the Parks & Recreation Bond Referendum (on the ballot in November 2012.) If voters approve this ballot measure, bond funds would be paid back with current funds in the town budget with no additional cost to residents. Starting in October the town will also begin the process of planning and constructing a greenway system which will connect Indian Trail Porter Ridge High School, Indian Trail Sun Valley High School, Colonel Beatty Park and hopefully Mecklenburg County’s greenway system. The intention is for the majority of Indian Trail neighborhoods to have close access to 10 miles of greenway.
Vickery was heavily involved in getting the library started and in creating the design. Even after the library became a reality, Vickery continued being an advocate for it and encouraged others to visit when they got the chance. Vickery attended the event along with various elected officials, current and past library staff, and community members. Mayor Michael Alvarez, Larry Helms, former mayor of Indian Trail and Todd Johnson, the vice chairman of the Union County Board of Commissioners, spoke at the event just before the dedication of the library’s reading room to Vickery.
Upcoming Events Friday, Sept. 7 Dusk (about 8:30pm)
2012 Sunset Series
featuring
at Crossing Path Park
In July 2010 the town council unanimously approved the design of the first municipal park in the Indian Trail naming it ‘Crossing Paths Park’. The facility opened in May 2011 and is open to residents daily from dawn till dusk. The park, which includes an amphitheater, children’s play area and BBQ area, is used throughout the year for events including the Sunset Series (movies and music in the park), Piedmont Folk Life Festival and other community festivals, recreation, and good HWY 74 old park fun!
Lilly Auction
Town Hall
Indian Trail Rd
Matthews-Indian Trail Rd.
*Note map is NOT drawn to scale.
The town council is aware these projects and improvements will not happen overnight, but they believe it is important to begin the proactive process of discussing these improvements with the community. Over the next several months, town officials will be hosting a number of community input sessions on the ‘Pathways 2 Progress’ Initiative. If your civic group, Home Owner’s Association, church, or business would like more information on the ‘Pathways 2 Progress’ Initiative please contact Rebecca Carter at 704-821-5401.
There’s A New Sheriff in Town
rossing Paths Park is located on Blythe Drive off Indian Trail Road (across the railroad tracks from Indian Trail Town Hall and beside Indian Trail Administrative Building, shown on the map below.)
Blythe Drive
Finally, the ‘Pathways 2 Progress’ Initiative is also dedicated to continuing our economic development program by proposing to create and facilitate the continued development of Sun Valley business district with the expansion of Old Monroe Road to create more investment and local jobs. In addition the initiative will provide an opportunity to identify an area to develop a technology business park, a commercial business park, and an industrial/distribution business park.
Joe Fivas, Town Manager
Where is Crossing Paths Park Anyway?
If you would like to hold an event in Crossing Paths Park or reserve the BBQ area for your next party please contact Rebecca Carter, Events Coordinator at 704-821-5401 or rcarter@admin.indiantrail.org.
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Message from Town Manager Continued...
Union West Library Reading Room Dedicated in Honor Lane Vickery
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Crossing Paths Park
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Meet Sasse the K-9
asse is a 19 month old Malinois dog who lives, works, and plays in Indian Trail! Sasse works in Indian Trail as a K-9 for the Union County Sheriff ’s Office. Some of Sasse‘s daily duties include sniffing out narcotics in town and tracking people. Deputy Kenny Sossamon is tasked with being Sasse’s handler. Deputy Sossamon has 14 and a half years of experience as a law enforcement K-9 handler. “Having a K-9 assigned to Indian Trail has been of great benefit to the citizens,” said Lt. Chase Coble, “ because she is readily available in town. Having a quick K-9 response is valuable!” Not long after hitting the streets of Indian Trail, Sasse was already proving her value by tracking down a man who ran away from Deputy Keith Sossamon and K-9 Sasse. an automobile crash that he caused and by discovering a significant quantity of marijuana on a traffic stop. “Sheriff Cathey is committed to ensuring that our K-9 program offers our deputies the tools needed to provide quality service to our citizens”, Lt. Coble said. Sasse is one of eight K-9’s that work for the Union County Sheriff ’s Office. For more information please visit the Sheriff ’s website at www.ucso.us or contact the Sheriff ’s Office directly at 704-283-3789.
Lt. Chase Coble
Indian Trail Division, Union County Sherriff ’s Office
Live, Work, Play, Learn
Indian Trail, NC
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New Solid Waste Services, Reduced Cost
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Residential recycling and garbage collection in Indian Trail is even better!
t their regularly scheduled meeting on July 10 Indian Trail Town Council members approved a new solid waste and recycling agreement with Waste Pro of North Carolina. The new agreement will provide a number of new residential services beginning September 2012. These new services include: - New recycling and solid waste carts (delivered in August) - bi-weekly single stream recycling with new closable 96 gallon carts - bi-weekly free curb-side yard waste and leaf pick-up
WASTE PRO
- free curbside bulk waste pick-up (3 times per year) - free curb-side electronic waste pick-up (3 times per year)
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Caring For Our Communities ®
“Residents will receive further information at their homes during the next 45 days on the transition to these services. The Town was fortunate to be able to offer these new services, while significantly reducing our overall costs for solid waste and recycling. We believe people will be pleased with the new level of service,” said Town Manager Joe Fivas. Please call Indian Trail administrative offices with any questions regarding new services at 704-821-5401. Photos from left to right: Waste Pro employees at Indian Trail Arbor Day, Earth Day; Waste Pro truck in the annual Indian Trail July 4th Parade; Waste Pro employees unloading household waste at Trash and Recycling Drop-off Day; Waste Pro employees assisting residents dispose of yard waste at Indian Trail Trash and Recycling Drop-off Day; Waste Pro truck with Indian Trail logo.
Construction To Begin On Poplin Road Sidewalk
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n July 10th, town council approved a construction contract for a section of sidewalk that will connect Fieldstone Farm neighborhood, Annandale neighborhood, and parts of the Bonterra neighborhood with Poplin Elementary School. This construction will begin in the next few weeks and be completed before school begins in August. “We’ve had a significant number of concerns about the safety of walking and driving to school in this Poplin Road area. We are confident that these safety improvements will enhance these areas,” said Indian Trail Mayor Michael Alvarez. This project and future sidewalk construction projects on Chestnut Road, Unionville-Indian Trail Rd, Sardis Road, and Rogers Road are part of the new Pathways 2 Progress (P2P) Initiative, introduced by Indian Trail Town Manager Joe Fivas at the same meeting. In addition to the sidewalk projects, P2P will include road improvements, and the construction of two new parks. For more information on sidwalk construction projects or the Pathways 2 Progress Initiative please call Indian Trail administrative offices at 704-821-5401.
We Make Sure Everything is Just Right in Indian Trail! Introducing IT’s Public Works Department
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he town’s first Public Works Department was formed last year, in 2011. Currently the department consists of four full-time staff members and functions as an extension of the Engineering Department. The Public Works staff has a diverse background including experience in project management, landscaping, construction, and business management. In addition to installing over 80 linear feet of sidewalk in Indian Trail already this year, the Public Works staff is currently working on a project in the Beacon Hills community, removing failed stormwater dains and replacing them in preperation for road paving. Indian Trail Public Works Department prides itself on building relationships with residents. If you see these IT staff members in your community please feel free to introduce yourself, ask questions, and take the opportunity to learn more about Indian Trail. For Public Works questions or requests please contact the Indian Trail Engineering Department at 704-821-5401 or jrt@engineering.indiantrail.org.
Live, Work, Play, Learn
Indian Trail Public Works Staff
Essential Functions & Responsibilities of the Public Works Department: - General facility maintenance of town owned buildings and structures, vehicles and equipment, and property landscaping - Maintenance of Crossing Paths Park - Repairs and improvements to sidewalks, stormwater drains, and over 54 miles of town owned roads - Set-up and breakdown of events equipment
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We want to hear from you!
Indian Trail Board & Committee Membership
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he Town needs your help! Indian Trail has various opportunities for residents to serve on advisory boards and committees. These boards and committees play a vital role in the future development of our community each with a specialized focus area. • Board of Adjustment - Quasi-judicial Board considers and decides on Zoning Appeals, Special Use Permits, and Variances from the Unified Development Ordinance.
• Planning Board - Recommending Body to the Town Council on Zoning Petitions, Land Use Plans, and Town Zoning Regulations. • Transportation Advisory Committee - Provides recommendations to the Town Council on transportation related issues. • Stormwater Advisory Committee - Provides recommendations to the Town Council on Town’s mandated Stormwater program. • Parks, Tree, and Greenway Committee - Serves as the Tree Board and provides recommendations to Town Council on Parks, Tree, and Greenway related issues. • Public Safety Advisory Committee- Assists staff with issues brought forth from the fire, police, health and neighborhood services departments. Each membership is an appointed position by the Town Council, requires a commitment to meet once a month at a regularly scheduled meeting time, and serve for a period of 3 years. For more information or an application to serve, please visit www.indiantrail.org.
ALDI Is Open For Business!
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“ALDI has delivered a fabulous store that brings beautification to this corner of our market, brings local jobs to our economy and will serve a great deal of residents in and around Indian Trail.” said Director of Community & Economic Development, Kelly Barnhardt.
What’s happening in IT ?
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re you interested in what’s going on in Indian Trail? As a resident you have a right to know what is happening in your community! Keep up with new businesses, upcoming events, council and committee meetings, publications and other town happenings by signing up to receive Citizen e-Notifications!
The e-Notification is a FREE subscription based email - your information remains confidential, and you can unsubscribe at any time. Sign-up NOW!! Here’s how: - Go to www.indiantrail.org - Click on the “Citizen e-Notification” tab on the left side of the homepage - Click on “Click here to subscribe” - Enter your information
Click here to sign up!
PO Box 2430 Indian Trail, NC 28079 www.indiantrail.org
ednesday, July 11, ALDI celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony that included customer samplings and store tours. ALDI is located at the corner of Sardis Church Road and Highway 74, across from the Lowe’s Home Improvement and QuikTrip.
Sign-up for Citizen e-Notifications!
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Community Service Opportunities
Key Contacts IT Administrative Services: 704-821-5401 - Town Clerk: townclerk@admin.indiantrail.org - Tax Department: taxcollector@admin.indiantrail.org - IT Planning Department: srd@planning.indiantrail.org - IT Engineering: sjk@engineering.indiantrail.org - Public Works: jrt@engineering.indiantrail.org - Stormwater Department: ajm@engineering.indiantrail.org - Town Manager: townmanager@admin.indiantrail.org - Economic Development: kbarnhardt@admin.indiantrail.org - Events Coordinator: rcarter@admin.indiantrail.org - Public Information: rcarter@admin.indiantrail.org - Events and Park Information: rcarter@admin.indiantrail.org Union County Sewer and Water Services: 704-296-4210 Union County Public Schools: 704-296-9898 Union County Sheriff ’s Office (IT Division): 704-684-6390 Fire Departments: - Hemby Bridge Fire Department: 704-882-2100 - Baker’s Fire Department: 704-289-2741 - Stallings Fire Department: 704-821-7100
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