Villa Rica council weighs stops, speed humps and a one-way proposal for Thomas Dorsey; takes no action

Villa Rica City Council on Wednesday reviewed a traffic study of Thomas Dorsey and considered three options to reduce speeds near Bay Springs Middle School: installing three-way stop signs, placing speed tables, or converting Eleanor Walk to a one-way street. After extended discussion and public comment, the council did not approve any change and the agenda item expired without formal action.

Public Works representative Mr. Birch told the council the study measured about 6,773 vehicles during a full week of sampling and found the 85th percentile speed at roughly 34 miles per hour, “which is under the actual threshold for where traffic calming measures would be recommended.” He reported that nine vehicles exceeded 50 miles per hour during the sample week and said the data therefore did not technically meet the typical traffic-calming threshold.

The choice before the council was between traffic-control devices that rely on driver compliance and physical speed cushions that force slower travel. Mr. Birch said the city would need about $24,000 to install four speed tables in the corridor and noted the city’s petition policy requires 75% of property owners on a street to agree if residents initiate speed-hump installation.

Why it matters: Thomas Dorsey runs past a school and several houses of worship; residents and business owners said pedestrian safety is at stake. Council members weighed enforcement, cost, resident consent and unintended effects on adjacent roads.

During the public hearing, business owner Ryan Clark, who operates a driveway off Eleanor Walk, urged the council to avoid converting Eleanor Walk to a one-way street because of the harm to the adjacent business and nearby residents. “The speed hump will solve the traffic issue without affecting the residents that are up there in a negative capacity or affecting anything on Eleanor Walk,” Clark said, recommending three speed tables placed on the primary stretches of Thomas Dorsey instead of a one-way conversion.

Resident Doug Lang likewise opposed a one-way conversion and favored targeted speed humps plus enforcement. Marvin Hilton, another resident, asked the council to consider speed bumps at a location with three churches and a school. Several residents asked for better signage and enforcement if the council chose stop signs alone.

Council discussion focused on trade-offs: Councilman Warmoth asked whether the roadway “just barely missed” the threshold; Mr. Birch agreed the measured 85th percentile was slightly below the policy cutoff. Councilman Carter explained the rationale behind proposing a one-way route for Eleanor Walk: making it one-way, he said, would prevent motorists from using Eleanor Walk to shortcut and re‑enter the school pickup queue on Thomas Dorsey, which he said could otherwise spill onto U.S. 78. Councilman McCoy and others raised concerns about unintended consequences for businesses and driveway access if the street were reversed.

The council debated tabling the item for further study and for staff to pull additional data but ultimately did not adopt a motion to implement any change at the meeting; with no motion to approve or deny, the item “died” on the agenda and may be brought back for reconsideration at a later meeting. Interim City Manager Diana DeSanto and staff offered to provide additional filtered data (for example isolating non-school‑pickup hours) and to explore budget options or phased installations.

The council signaled it retains the authority to install speed tables by council action even if the citizen petition threshold is not met, but members emphasized the value of resident buy-in and enforcement plans before adding physical calming devices. Staff said enforcement could address the small number of high-speed drivers and that a repeat or differently located speed study could be run on request.

Next steps noted at the meeting included possible follow-up traffic counts outside school pickup windows, additional engineering input on cost and placement, and outreach to nearby residents and the affected business if council elects to pursue speed tables or restricted turning hours.