Wednesday, July 07, 1999
Residents voice concerns over proposed connector
BY KRISTINA GOETZ
The Cincinnati Enquirer
FLORENCE — A couple dozen residents voiced their opposition Tuesday night to a proposal that city officials say would relieve congestion at the Mall Road intersections of Ky. 18 and U.S. 42, and provide local access to business areas.
Florence City Council members discussed at the caucus meeting an agreement among the city, county and state that outlines the funding for the right-of-way acquisition, design, engineering and construction of a road that would link Hopeful Church Road and Mall Road.
“The only thing that is on paper is a line that I drew with a marker,” City Coordinator Jeff Koenig said. “There has been no further design work done.”
The residents, though, still questioned the connector road.
“That's going to open our neighborhood to pollution and noise,” said Bill Mattingly.
Mr. Mattingly gave council a letter and a list of 18 concerns that some of those in opposition wanted to express. Those included the speed of traffic on the road, whether it could open the area for development and the effects of dust and noise.
“If we have any say, it needs to be in the beginning stages,” Mr. Mattingly said.
The idea of a road that links Mall Road and Hopeful Church Road has been studied for several years, Mr. Koenig said.
The Boone County Planning Commission first studied the concept in 1988. In this study, several alignments were identified.
“Your staff has selected (this alignment) as the best choice,” Mr. Koenig told council members.
There are several reasons.
One is that the proposed alignment uses an existing traffic signal at Exchange Drive. The property through which the road will cross is also undeveloped and available for right of way.
The city has determined that the area is centrally located between U.S. 42 and Ky. 18 and can benefit the most residents, he said.
“The connector road is the No. 1 project in the Boone County Thoroughfare Plan,” Mr. Koenig said.
The 0.6-mile road will be two lanes with turning lanes at major access points and will be limited to a speed of 35 mph.
As far as additional development, the area is already zoned commercial.
In an effort to ensure abutting property owners have a say in the design process, council agreed to send them notices of the public hearing dates when they are scheduled.
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