In a special called meeting last week, the county commission moved on next steps for an engineering study using Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (TSPLOST) funds for a road to connect Harbor Club’s Club Drive with the Richland Connector.
Many residents of the 700-plus-home development have expressed concerns over earlier plans with a large Kolter development planned last year.
The two-lane road provides primary access to Highway 44 from Harbor Club and does not have a traffic light or a roundabout at the entrance, prompting concerns for both increased traffic and safety.
The study is expected to cost $163,000.
Joanne King, a resident of Harbor Club, echoed the concerns for the safety and volume of traffic at the meeting. Tom Alexander, an attorney living in Harbor Club, also addressed the commissioners with what many feel at Harbor Club would be a huge disadvantage for living at the community.
“We would need traffic lights here, especially at 44,” he said. “Because this will be in the design stage, it is necessary to plan for them. This access road will greatly impact residents leaving and entering their community, and this will bring in a tremendous load of traffic. We already have a major problem. Accessing 44 is dangerous making a lefthand turn, and accidents have happened. At the very least, a light and or dedicated turning lanes are needed.”
Additionally, the concerns about possibly accessing Harbor Club’s water and sewer system in extending services to the Richland connector were addressed.
Many residents have reported little to no water pressure, or water itself, and Piedmont’s practice of replacing grinder pumps within the community with little to no documentation of the viability of existing systems within the development and others.
County Manager Byron Lombard said in the meeting that an extension to Richland Connector is needed and “will happen.” He said it will provide better access for emergency vehicles with the location of Greene County Fire Station No. 13, which is located off the Richland Connector.
The commissioners also voted on approval for using TSPLOST funds to conduct an engineering study for dedicated turn lanes to improve efficiency at key intersections.
These include Willow Run Road at SR 44/South Main Street, Meadow Crest at Walker Church Road, and Carey Station Road at US 278/Madison Highway.
An engineering study was also approved for flashing stop signs at key intersections including Richland Connector at Walker Church Road, Veazey Connector at Walker Church Road, Willow Run Road at Old Eatonton Road, and Bethesda Church Road at SR 44 and Washington Highway.
The need to expand wastewater treatment along the Richland Connector and other roads was discussed.
The county sees these efforts as solidifying partnerships with developers who expressed interest, much like the proposed Kolter development adjacent to Harbor Club did last year.