Columbus, Georgia

1. What is the definition of an ordinance?



Black?s Law Dictionary defines an ordinance as:

?An authoritative law or decree; especially a municipal regulation.?



2. Do you (the council) think this body went against it?s own ordinance when it

approved permits for additional development after tract A was completed with

the infrastructure in place needed to control the traffic in this area of town

(i.e.)



The infrastructure needed for this rezoning is in place. This was

initially done prior to the construction of the Columbus Park Crossing. Under

the most recent rezoning, an update to the previous rezoning was required and

reviewed by staff for conformity and to insure that all the necessary

infrastructure would be in place.



A. Widening of the West Whittlesey Road?



This roadway has been taken into consideration and is scheduled for

widening under funding provided by the Georgia Department of Transportation.

Right of Way is to be purchased over the next three years, with construction to

be completed two years after.



B. Installing traffic lights at crucial points on J.R. Allen Parkway?



J.R. Allen Parkway is a limited access road that does not allow for

traffic lights directly on the road itself. At key intersections, traffic

signalization has been provided and is constantly monitored to insure

synchronization.



C. The widening of Moon Road?



Moon Road is in the Transportation Improvement Plan, but currently

being evaluated as to actual design needs. The section of roadway from Wilbur

Drive to Livingston Drive is being reviewed for design as a three-lane segment

versus a four lane segment. Improvements are also being sought from Livingston

Drive to Veterans Parkway for widening to a four-lane segment. No immediate

timetable for this project has been set.



D. The developer not doing traffic studies and coordinating them with the city

agency in charge of traffic control for each individual tract before it?s

developed according to condition 5 in the zoning ordinance that the council

passed unanimously.



The developer was required to submit an update to the original traffic

analysis to demonstrate how the project would impact the existing system. This

study was also reviewed by the staff prior to its submission to the Council.



3. Why doesn?t Wal-Mart help finance the infrastructure as it has at other

Wal-Mart stores in the area?



Wal-Mart has not financed any of the infrastructure at it other

stores. Developers are typically the ones who are required to make these

improvements. Under the recent rezoning for Columbus Park Crossing, the

developers will be responsible for any improvements required by the City.



4. If the infrastructure is going to be in place before the new Super Wal-Mart

is completed, has the right of way and land needed to widen the roads been

obtained as is done before any other widening of roads in the city?



All of the necessary right of way for Whittlesey Boulevard has already

been obtained. Any additional right of way needed for decel lanes, will be

dedicated to the City by the developer.



5. Has the DOT approved the plans to widen the roads?



DOT and the City have developed plans to widen Whittlesey Road (please

see Question 2.A for more information). Moon Road is currently under review

(please see Question 2.C for more information).



6. Do you (the council) think the developer has low-balled the number of daily

trips to the new Super Wal-Mart?



No. The report is based upon sound data and analysis, and is reflected

under standard practices using the Institute of Transportation Engineers Trip

Generation 7th Edition.



7. Without requiring the infrastructure improvements to be in place and the

signalization of certain parts of J.R. Allen Parkway, don?t you (the council)

think this would increase the danger of these intersections to the citizens of

Columbus being that 4 out of the 10 most dangerous intersections in Columbus

are on the route?



As was stated earlier, any infrastructure improvements required of

projects of this type are always in place prior to their opening.