The Cape Elizabeth Town Council will hold a public hearing Feb. 13 on a proposal to ban the creation of “short-cut” streets. The hearing comes after a residents’ group collected over 800 signatures to stop the connection of dead-end neighborhoods.

The Neighbors for Sensible Development presented their “no short-cuts” petition to the town Jan. 20. The petition was triggered by the proposed 42-unit subdivision called Spurwink Woods, located between Mitchell Road and Spurwink Avenue. The development would link two dead-end streets, Killdeer Road and Dermot Drive.

The group opposes the development because they say it would increase traffic, jeopardizing their quiet lifestyle.

Before the council can address the petition, the town clerk must verify validity of the signatures. The law requires at least 10 percent (770) of registered voters favor any proposed law change for the petition to be valid. Pending signature verification, the town council will either vote to adopt the zone change or it could also chose to send the question to a town-wide referendum.

The zone change proposed in the petition would prohibit the creation of streets connecting existing dead-end neighborhoods. “We are not trying to…ban development…managed sensibly, healthy growth of neighborhoods can enhance the qualities that make Cape Elizabeth attractive,” said Richard Bryant, Cape resident and lawyer who drafted the petition.

By law, the council is required to hold a public hearing within 30 days after receiving the petition. The public hearing is scheduled for Feb. 13 at 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall. Town Manager Michael McGovern has recommended the Town Council wait until March to either adopt the ordinance or send it to referendum.