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Planning Commission backs William Few Parkway master sign plan with condition after residents raise traffic and pedestrian concerns
Summary
The commission recommended approval of a master sign plan for 2207 William Few Parkway but required removal of one proposed sign ("Sign I"); several residents urged the county to address heavy traffic and improve pedestrian connections to the Greenway.
On Nov. 20 the Columbia County Planning Commission voted to recommend approval with conditions of a master sign plan for the community-commercial property at 2207 William Few Parkway adjacent to Patriots Park, contingent on excluding the proposed "Sign I" from the approval.
Staff described the master sign plan as a compliance submittal for zoning conditions approved in 2015 and said the plan provides a mix of freestanding principal signs, multi-tenant entrance signs and optional secondary monument signs for rear elevations on reverse-frontage lots. Staff recommended excluding "Sign I," a proposed sign on the northwest corner, because proposed landscaping and buffering would make it redundant and the sign would exceed typical code allowances for that frontage.
Several residents spoke during public comment. Tom Metter asked what types of businesses would occupy the site and raised longstanding traffic concerns at the William Few Parkway/Columbia Road corridor, pointing out heavy traffic during rush periods and large truck movements. Carrie McCollum said she was concerned about road safety and referenced nine fatalities on the road; she urged consideration of road widening or infrastructure improvements before expanding commercial activity. Daniel Raynak urged the commission to consider pedestrian access and connectivity to the Greenway, noting heavy Greenway use (about 600,000 annual visitors referenced) and saying the existing site lacks sidewalks and connections that would let people walk to the shopping area instead of driving.
After public comment, an unidentified commissioner moved to recommend approval of the master sign plan with the staff condition excluding Sign I; the motion was seconded and carried.
Next steps: the recommendation will be forwarded to the Board of Commissioners; site-plan review and subsequent permits will address detailed traffic, access and sidewalk/connectivity requirements.
