A group of residents, business owners and others opposed to the 15^th Street project as proposed by the N.C. Department of Transportation last year wants the City Council to provide it with at least 30-days notice before it discusses and votes on any variation of the project.

The group’s request came during the council’s meeting Monday. The group’s members voiced many of the same concerns they’ve discussed at several previous council meetings and at least one Planning Board meeting. Some residents and business owners along the project corridor oppose raised medians, U-turn locations and other elements of the proposed project. Others said they worry the project, if built as proposed by DOT, would hinder response times of emergency personnel, add to drainage problems along the 15^th Street corridor from Carolina Avenue to U.S. Highway 264 and hinder access to businesses.

Polk Culpepper called the proposed project a “misguided solution to an over-hyped problem.”

Jeff Conway, owner of Beaufort Monument Company at the intersection of 15^th and North Market streets, opposes the project as proposed by DOT last year, saying it would take land he uses for displaying his work and parking. Conway he has another reason to oppose the project. He said a 2010 appraisal of the property placed its value at $240,000, but a recent appraisal lowered the value to $80,000. Other businesses along the project corridor could see their property values decline also, Conway said.

Ned Hulbert, who lives on North Market Street, said DOT officials who spoke to the council Feb. 20 about the project want to rush the council into making a quick decision regarding the project’s future. “For us, all the issues that have gotten raised … suggest a whole bunch of questions and maybe a lot more research. However, the DOT has told you let’s make a decision,” Hulbert said. “Our concern is that you think about the fact that this is a decision that will affect this town for at least a generation. … So, we ask you to take it carefully and give the public a chance to be present at your deliberations. So, we would ask you Mr. Mayor to advise the public at least a month before you have the discussion in public. We would ask you if you would do that?”

Mayor Mac Hodges told Hulbert that “I’ll let you know” when the council would discuss the matter.

“What I would like is a public statement because this is a huge decision. You’ve just heard a little bit of the concerns tonight… So, will you let the public know 30 days in advance of when you’re going to discuss it and vote it?” Hulbert said.

Hodges said he is hoping the council would discuss the matter at its next meeting and “be done with it.”

Hulbert replied: “We’re asking you to give the public time. We don’t feel there’s been practically any time since this came up. … Are you going to give the public an opportunity to witness and also maybe bring some more questions to you? Will you?”

Hodges said, “I’m hoping it’s on the agenda at the next meeting. I’m really hoping.”

Hulbert replied: “That’s only two weeks.”

Councilman Doug Mercer said he wants time for the council to study information presented to the council at its Feb. 20 meeting with DOT officials, noting that project information on DOT’s website is different than what was given to the council last week. The council gave no indication when it might next discuss the 15^th Street project.