ThisWeek CW 10/23/2014
http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/canalwinchester/news/2014/10/20/residents-seek-help-to-quell-traffic-speed-noise.html
Groveport and Madison Township residents complained to two separate sets of elected officials last week about the traffic speed, congestion and noise that accompany increasing development in their communities.
Westport Drive resident Charlie Beardmore presented Groveport City Council with a petition Oct. 14 from 17 households in his neighborhood, asking the city to study current conditions to set a baseline for noise and speed, then take steps to reduce both — possibly by installing noise barriers.
“I’d like to present this petition, signed by nearly everybody, to do a noise and traffic study on (state Route) 317 near the Westport addition,” Beardmore said. “The amount of traffic, including semi-traffic to the warehouses, personal traffic and the number of fire runs up and down 317 are an issue; and then there’s the noise from warehouse operations, like dumping trash at 4 a.m.”
Beardmore said he’s concerned that Route 317 will expand from two lanes to four in the near future, which would only increase the problems.
“I believe the road was originally laid out to be four lanes, not just two, and I’m sure ODOT (Ohio Department of Transportation) is looking — not if, but when — to install those additional lanes, so we want to set a baseline now to have an argument for noise barriers later,” he said.
Groveport officials did not agree to any specific action related to the petition; however, City Administrator Marsha Hall said they would continue to work with warehouse operators and try to determine what further options the city has.
At the Oct. 15 Madison Township trustees’ meeting, residents once again complained about speeding vehicles, particularly around the Blacklick Estates neighborhood.
“Many of us on wide streets like Fullerton and Sedalia are concerned about the speed of drivers,” resident Penny Smith said. “I know you do your best to put the portable speed sign out, and then you write tickets, and you do it often, but after the tickets are written, then the next day it’s back to business as normal.”
Smith asked if speed bumps “or other signs” could be installed to slow traffic.
Madison Township Police Chief Ken Braden said he would look at stepping up enforcement efforts, but due to state laws, the county would be responsible for putting in any speed bumps or other traffic-calming devices.
Trustee Gary McDonald reminded residents that the township sought legal guidance after a traffic study done by the county engineer’s office indicated the area did not meet the county’s standards for installing traffic-calming devices or additional four-way stop signs.
“I want you to know I’ve been researching, and the township has been doing an extremely good job of getting information about this and working with the county engineers, but unfortunately, we’re limited in our authority,” McDonald said.
“I know (township Administrator Susan Brobst) wrote to the county commissioners asking for their help and support, and we’re waiting for a decision as to what they can do for us.”
One of the things Brobst asked for in a July 31 letter to the Franklin County commissioners was the installation of a gate on Toy Road near the township line, which would effectively create a dead-end street while still allowing emergency vehicles to pass through.
McDonald, who also attended the Groveport City Council meeting, said he only sees this issue growing.
The fact that leaders in both communities are being approached by their residents means some action should be taken, he added.