Town of Elon looks into annexing land north of university

The Town of Elon is investigating the annexation of nearly 30 acres of land north of Elon university. The property is around Shallowford Church Road and Cable Road across from Rhodes stadium.

The town has plans for developing a single-family subdivision with 47 lots and one cul-de-sacs. Defined by the Town, a family is two people living together by blood or a group of three people not related by blood by living together.

At a public hearing last week, many residents of Shallowford Church Road spoke up to say they were not happy with the possibility of this development. Those who came out to the meeting believe annexation of the land will increase traffic by their homes.

A couple of residents suggested extending Walker Road to connect to Shallowford Church Road to decrease traffic.

The town said it will create a new left turn lane to turn into Cable Road to decrease congestion.

Elon student athletes frequently run on these roads as well. The Elon distance Cross Country team often runs the loop that is Cable Road and Spanish Oak Moss Road. Kieran Ungemach, Elon freshman on the team, worries that construction in the area would create dangerous running conditions.

“More activity there would make it less of a safe route,” he said.

“If it’s really shut down and unable to pass through, it could possibly cut off that run for us,” said Richard Casper, Elon junior on the distance cross country team. “We have plenty of loops, but it’s tough to get that nice farm area around here so it’d be upsetting. Hopefully we could find a way around the construction.”

Mayor Jerry Tolley of the Town of Elon said the it approved the investigation because the roads were in compliance with the North Carolina Department of Transportation standards and the town developer “did everything he was supposed to do.”