MONROE - The recommended Monroe Parkway route has received another vote of approval.

The Mecklenburg-Union Metropolitan Planning Organization, or MUMPO, approved Route D for what was formerly referred to as the Monroe bypass and connector by a 35-3 margin. There are only 17 voting bodies, but some, like Charlotte, have multiple votes. The dissenting votes were from representatives of Stallings, Indian Trail and Wesley Chapel.

“We objected on the basis that our business park was going to be bisected,” said Indian Trail Mayor John Quinn, who is the town’s MUMPO representative.

The N.C. Turnpike Authority already gave a preliminary recommendation to Route D and is expected to give a preferred recommendation this fall. It will then make a final route decision in the second quarter of 2010 in what is called the “record of decision.” This will be the final decision and will set construction time lines into motion.

“It’s just another step toward the realization of the Monroe Parkway,” Monroe Councilman and MUMPO representative Bob Smith said. “We just need to keep pushing forward.”

MUMPO also recommended an interchange at U.S. Highway 601, something Smith called a “no-brainer.”

“I wasn’t aware that was even in question,” he added. Initially there were some environmental concerns about the interchange, but not enough to eliminate it as an exit. There are eight exits proposed off the parkway.

Route D runs through Indian Trail, along the “option 2” route the town has long opposed. Last year, residents clashed with industries over options 2 and 18A, which is proposed to leave a parallell path with U.S. Highway 74 closer to Charlotte and go past Stallings Elementary School. After public hearings, the Turnpike Authority chose option 2, partly because its environmental impact is expected to be less than 18A’s.

Quinn said Route D would affect about 35 businesses, mostly in the Old Hickory business park.

“We’re certainly not in favor of it,” said Ron Esser, president of Carolina Courts, a new sports complex that would need to relocate if Route D is chosen.

Esser said he has already been looking at potential sites, but building another gym would depend largely on how much the state pays for the right of way.

“Indian Trail is certainly one of the sites” for a new location, he said. “We are starting to grow some roots out here.”

Carolina Courts and Extreme Ice Center are part of the town’s “family friendly” business corridor.

While Quinn would prefer to see the parkway go around the business park, there were changes in the plans he liked.

An interchange between Faith Church and Poplin roads was moved north and now affects fewer families along Secrest Short Cut Road. TThe Bonterra subdivision will also be spared because of an access road to the parkway.

“I thought there were some excellent improvements there,” Quinn said.

MUMPO approval moves the parkway one step closer to reality.

“The Turnpike Authority was very pleased with the MUMPO resolution to support the parkway,” said Reid Simons, Turnpike Authority director of governmental affairs. “We think it strikes the best balance with human and environmental factors and we look forward to announcing the preferred alternative as early as this fall.”