On Wednesday, March 22, developers of the Spurwink Woods residential development will meet with neighbors to discuss how they might slow the speed of traffic in the new subdivision.

Spurwink Woods is a proposed 42-unit subdivision, connecting two existing dead-end streets. It has been proposed by developers Jim McFarlane, Craig Cooper and Skp Murray. The meeting is a requirement of preliminary approval, granted by the Planning Board on Feb. 27.

Traffic could be slowed with additional stop signs, speed bumps or tables, and road curves called chicanes.

However, neighbors say they want a gate in the middle of the road that could be locked and unlocked by neighbors and public safety officials only. Richard Bryant, an unofficial spokesman for Neighors for Sensible Development, a group opossed to the development, said he believes a gate would be the only effective way to stop cars from using the new roads as a short cut.

However, Cape’s town planner said it’s unlikely the planning board is going to approve such a request. “We’ve already talked about that,” said Town Planner Maureen O’Meara.

Neighbors oppose the development because they believe more cars

driving through their streets will change their quiet neighborhoods. Their petition to ban shortcut streets has led to a town-wide vote, which will take place in June.

However, the town has had a policy of encouraging connections between neighborhoods because town officials believe it’s more fiscally responsible, improves access for ambulances and fire trucks vehicles and encourages large neighborhoods rather than isolated subdivisions. “We like through-ways,” said O’Meara.

O’Meara said the meeting would not be productive if the neighbors were interest only in installing a gate.

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