West Lawrence Neighborhood Association: Fox Chase South Subdivision
The construction of a subdivision located south and west of Stonecreek Drive began in the spring of 2005. When completed, it will include about 170 new homes. Those who live around the construction area have had three major concerns: blasting for sewer lines, construction traffic, and bike lanes on Harvard Road.
In April 2004, in order to break up subterranean rock for sewer lines, blasting started in the Fox Chase South area. Residents of the area quickly became concerned that the blasting was taking place too close to their homes. Some also said that they had not been notified properly in advance of the blasting. The existence of a 50 year-old gas pipeline at the edge of the subdivision was also a special concern. Blasting was halted temporarily and meetings were held with City officials and construction managers. The matter was also discussed at the City Commission meeting on April 20, 2004.
After lengthy negotiations, the Uniform Fire Code Board of Appeals proposed and the City Commission adopted revisions to the City Code regarding the notification of nearby residents and the monitoring of blasting. For further information, call Dan Wilkus at 842-6906.
To the best of our knowledge, blasting on the north side of Fox Chase South has finished and neither the pipeline nor any of the nearby homes have been damaged. Nevertheless, additional blasting may be planned on the south side. Please let us know if you have any concerns.
At this time, all construction traffic for Stoneridge North has to use Stoneridge Drive. Because of the large amount of construction traffic, and because there are many small children in the area, the Neighborhood Association would like to see additional access developed from George Williams Way, on the west.
With a very large number of elementary school-age children in the area and the existence of Langston Hughes Elementary School close by to the southwest, the Neighborhood Association has supported the creation of bicycle lanes on Harvard Rd. On April 20, 2004, the City Commission voted in favor of bicycle lanes on relatively-narrow Harvard Rd. Some Commissioners suggested that the children ride their bikes on the sidewalks. Additional and safer routes need to be developed.
Last updated on 2/2/06.