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By Jim Buice

Enterprise Record

BERMUDA RUN – After providing an update with more positive news involving the Blue Heron Trail project, Town Manager Lee Rollins then offered what he said was “probably the most important thing for folks here” in March’s council meeting.

And that was “to confirm that this past week the engineering group for Chick-fil-A did submit a full site plan for consideration” for the popular fast-food restaurant chain moving ahead in redeveloping the former Rite Aid building in the shopping center anchored by Lowes Foods on NC 801 just off I-40.

The technical review committee will begin that process this week to examine that site plan after the planning board gave unanimous approval of a design waiver for the proposed Chick-fil-A in January.

The design waiver included two issues – the restaurant seeking a canopy for the drive-through, which isn’t covered by the town’s zoning ordinances, and not being required to put a sidewalk on the primary street sides for the these types of developments.

Rollins also confirmed in last Tuesday night’s meeting that the former Rite Aid building will be torn down.

Mayor Rick Cross added that Chick-fil-A coming to town will be met by overwhelming approval.

“I have to say that wherever I go these days, they want to know about the Chick-fil-A and when I’m going to be able to go see Chick-fil-A,” he said. “There’s one in Clemmons right now.”

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Regarding the Blue Heron Trail, Rollins reported that the town, as a result of resolution of the council asking for more federal funds, received confirmation that the NCDOT concurred with the construction engineering inspection agreement to proceed with the project.

The final tally came in with a total federal funds of $2.95 million and a local match of $740,000. Rollins added that after a recent preconstruction meeting, the proposed start date for the project is April 11.

Rollins also provided an update on “what we call Phase II of the Blue Heron Trail project” after the council was provided results of a feasibility study by the McAdams firm in February – with a more detailed discussion planned for next week’s agenda meeting.

“Specifically, the goals for the northern part around the ponds accessing RISE, Truist Sports Park and Kinderton Village was to look at an evaluation of dams to provide you with an opportunity to understand potential liabilities associated with that and to evaluate trail alignments based on certain situations around the ponds currently,” Rollins said.

That will further allow the council to evaluate trail opportunities, and Rollins added, “most importantly to provide some level of cost estimate as to what it may cost and how you can decide or not decide to incorporate other potential partners if you want to seek to move forward with executing some type of project on the northern side.

“And then, of course, that feasibility study did provide recommendations. So again, it’s an opportunity for you to be able to digest what McAdams has proposed, and we can discuss further and then move forward with other stakeholders that you may decide should be involved in continued discussions.”

In other highlights from last Tuesday night’s meeting, the council:

• Recognized residents Roxanne Peacock, Sharon Reid and Christy Schafer with a proclamation for outstanding service to the community for their efforts in bringing “Christmas in the Town of Bermuda Run” to life.

That included planning and executing a town-wide Christmas tree lighting with the Davie Medical Center during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, followed by expanding that to the inaugural Christmas in the Town of Bermuda Run event on Dec. 5, 2021.

“For anybody that was there, what a wonderful time – something that people are still talking about several months later,” Cross said. “You were tireless. You were collaborative. You were relentless. The only thing is we have very high expectations going forward. Thank you so much for everything you have done, and our town is much better for it.”

• Was introduced to Mike Foster, the town’s new community officer/Davie County deputy. He will replace Zach Williams, who is leaving his position to pursue other opportunities outside of the sheriff’s office.

“If you see me out and about, please stop me to have a chat,” Foster said of coming to Bermuda Run. “I love to meet the people I serve.”