VALDOSTA — Updates to the Thoroughfare Plan sparked a lengthy debate during the Lowndes County Board of Commissioners work session Monday morning.
The Thoroughfare Plan, first adopted in 1983, is used as a guide for road improvement projects, private developments and land use changes.
The plan includes new roads, updated road classifications and components for bicycle routes.
The plan also includes traffic counts for all listed roads.
Gretchen Quarterman expressed her reservations about the plan, specifically Quarterman Road’s designation as a minor collector road, rather than a local road.
Quarterman suggested that the portion of Quarterman Road located near the subdivision be designated as a local road, and the portion further down be designated as minor collector.
During her address to the commission, Quarterman requested an ample amount of information, including a list of the roads with classification changes, information on bicycle right-of-way acquisition and the accuracy of the traffic counts.
After approximately 15 minutes, Chairman Ashley Paulk told Quarterman that she only had five more minutes.
Quarterman closed by saying that she has a “genuine interest in Lowndes County and wants to make sure citizens are provided with the best resources.”
Gretchen Quarterman’s husband, John Quarterman, then approached the commission about the Thoroughfare Plan’s consistency with the Comprehensive 20/30 plan.
He also mentioned an email from the district manager in Tifton to State Senator Tim Golden (D-Valdosta), then from County Manager Joe Pritchard to County Engineer Michael Fletcher.
Paulk warned Quarterman that the commission would not argue about emails during a public meeting.
Quarterman then reiterated the Thoroughfare Plan’s inconsistency with the 20/30 plan.
Approval of the updated plan will be considered during the regular session today at 5:30 p.m. at the Lowndes County Administration Building.
Other items to be discussed during the regular session include:
l The reappointment of David Motley to the Valdosta-Lowndes County Conference Center and Tourism Authority;
l Additional stimulus funding for the county’s 5311 Rural Transportation Program; and
l Contracts for aerial mosquito spraying and debris removal in case of natural disasters.
Local News
Thoroughfare Plan sparks lengthy debate
- Local News
-
-
Resident escapes from blaze
A citizen escaped an aggressive fire with only minor cuts and bruises Friday afternoon, as wind amplified the flames from the blaze that started inside of his St. Augustine Road residence.
-
Weekend preview with Brittany McClure
Find out what's going on this weekend with Brittany McClure.
-
Popular vendor taken out of the ballparks
With a wagon-load of fresh cakes, hot boiled peanuts and ice-cold bottled water she has witnessed generations of children, or as she refers to them, her angels, grow into adults with children of their own.
-
Three candidates file for election
Qualifications for Lowndes County general primaries continue with the addition of a couple new candidates interested in running for elected office.
-
City, county tax discussions stalled
Local Option Sales Tax “negotiations” between city and county officials have descended from open meetings to a stalemate, with no clear agreement on how the estimated $210 million in tax revenue should be split.
-
Valdosta High principal to retire
After one year as Valdosta High School principal, Rufus McDuffie has announced his retirement.
-
South Georgia’s Ace
High above war-torn Germany, World War II fighter ace Donald S. “Bush” Bryan led his flight toward an estimated 50 enemy aircraft.
-
Arraignment set for Quitman 11
The “Quitman Eleven” are scheduled to have an arraignment on May 29, Brooks County Courthouse, according to their attorney, Roy Copeland.
-
Qualifying opens
Qualifications for Lowndes County general primaries kicked off Wednesday and plenty of folks tossed their proverbial hats in the ring on opening day.
-
Fire on Ridgeway Drive
No injuries were reported after a fire broke out Tuesday morning at an 800 block Ridgeway Drive house.
- More Local News Headlines
-
