Villa Rica splits Thomas Dorsey traffic-calming items; one-way proposal gets public hearing, a 3-way stop is put on consent

Public Works staff presented findings and options to address speeding and safety concerns on Thomas Dorsey Drive and the intersecting Eleanor Walk. The department’s traffic study (conducted Jan. 15–22) found the 85th-percentile speed at about 34 miles per hour in a 25 mph zone; because the measured speeds were close to conventional traffic-calming thresholds, staff recommended remedies and reviewed their expected effects.

Staff outlined three options for the area near the school and adjacent businesses: (1) add two three-way stops (at Daniel Road & Thomas Dorsey and at Eleanor Walk & Thomas Dorsey); (2) convert Eleanor Walk to one-way and add a three-way stop at Daniel Road; or (3) take no action. Staff and council said converting Eleanor Walk to a one-way could prevent queued vehicles from backing onto State Route 78, but acknowledged the change might inconvenience a nearby business that uses the street for loading. The public-works director said the one-way proposal “would create potentially the safest situation” given queue and flow concerns.

Because the one-way change affects travel patterns, staff set a public hearing; that item will return to the council for a final vote at the next meeting. The three-way stop at Daniel Road and Thomas Dorsey was not tied to the one-way change and, after discussion, council members agreed to place that stop on the consent agenda as consent item number 3.

Council members asked whether adjacent residences and businesses had been directly notified; staff said a public hearing had been advertised as a best practice but that certified notices were not required. Council members asked staff to ensure local residents and the business that expressed concern receive notice prior to the hearing.