Burlington moves to file second lawsuit against developer over unfinished subdivision roads

Burlington's City Council voted 5-0 Tuesday to authorize a second lawsuit against developer Zachary Tran and related entities to compel finishing work in the Verona subdivision off U.S. 70 near the Whitsett municipal limits. City leaders said the action is intended to force completion of roads, sidewalks and safety elements for residents.

The complaint authorized by the council names Zachary Tran, Diamondback Investment Group, Burlington Road 140 LLC and Lexon Insurance Company as defendants, and the new action will run concurrently with an existing Burlington lawsuit over unpaved streets in Huffman Point. The Huffman Point litigation, tied to paving obligations in the development off Grand Oaks Boulevard, is currently making its way through Alamance County superior court.

City Attorney David Huffman pressed the Verona action at the council's request, first addressing unfinished roads in a 12-minute closed-door discussion that capped a three-hour Monday work session and then revisiting the matter in open session at the regular council meeting. In open session Huffman told the council, "We're just trying to get the top asphalt cover out there."

Council members authorized the city to pursue legal remedies similar to those already underway in the Huffman Point case, where city officials previously sought to compel Tran or his bonding company to complete paving. Burlington Road 140 LLC was identified in council documents as the specific limited liability company tied to the Verona development, and Lexon Insurance Company was named as the insurer the city intends to include in the suit.

The city framed both legal actions as aimed at restoring safety and access for neighborhoods left with unfinished infrastructure. Verona residents off U.S. 70 and homeowners in Huffman Point off Grand Oaks Boulevard face uncompleted street surfaces and missing safety elements while the city pursues court enforcement and potential remedies through bonding or insurance claims.

With the council authorization in hand, Burlington's next procedural step is for city attorneys to file the Verona complaint and seek court orders to compel completion. The Huffman Point case will continue in Alamance County superior court as the Verona action proceeds concurrently, prolonging litigation over unpaved streets and top-course asphalt that city officials say must be finished for resident safety.