Friday, November 29, 2002
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Friday, November 29, 2002 |
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Three stop signs eliminated, speed limit raised on Golf View Drive By JOHN
MUNFORD Stop signs at three intersections on Golf View Drive in Peachtree City have been removed by order of the City Council. Essentially admitting that recently implemented traffic calming devices on the road were overkill, council voted last week to remove stop signs from three of Golf View's five intersections. Council also agreed to raise the speed limit back to 30 miles per hour except for a 900-foot stretch from Flat Creek Road towards Pinemount Drive in the area residents call "Thrill Hill," which will remain 20 mph. There are also plans to remove the middle two of four speed humps that are located on Golf View between Pine Circle and Bluesmoke. "It has been a contentious and divisive issue," said councilman Dan Tennant. "We do intend to keep safety first. ... We believe this compromise is fair and reasonable." City Attorney Rick Lindsey gave the city an opinion that the traffic calming measures taken by council were legal. "It is not against the law," said councilman Steve Rapson. But an analysis by the Georgia Department of Transportation indicated several of the stop signs were not necessary and that a speed limit of 30 mph "is more appropriate" for a collector road. Mayor Steve Brown said he thought council's decision at a June meeting to lower the speed limit to 20 mph from 30 was a bad decision. "I regretted that the next morning," after the meeting, Brown said. Brown added that the changes have been a work in progress and if necessary other changes could be considered in the future if necessary. The traffic calming devices angered motorists back in July when stop signs were added at three intersections and stretched the speed humps across the road to keep cars from weaving around them. A honking protest campaign ensued, with upset motorists airing their displeasure at some residents on Golf View who petitioned council for measures to improve safety. Golf View residents, especially those in the area around the hill, lauded the changes to slow traffic, saying they could finally walk on the street again. The area is not served by a cart path so pedestrians have no other options to navigate the area.
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