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Paulding County proposes traffic‑calming policy change to make HOAs first point of contact for petitions
Summary
Staff proposed revising the traffic‑calming policy to designate homeowners associations or citizens advisory groups as the single point of contact for neighborhood petitions; staff outlined the study criteria, petition thresholds (about 70–75% owner approval), and requirements for deed verification and engineer-prepared plans.
Paulding County staff told the Board of Commissioners they recommend modifying the traffic‑calming policy to establish a single point of contact — typically a homeowners association (HOA) or a citizens advisory group — to coordinate neighborhood petitions and communications during traffic‑calming studies.
A transportation staff presenter said the policy change is intended to improve coordination and ensure a consistent contact for the county during speed and safety studies. She summarized the county’s current criteria: traffic‑calming petitions apply to local roads posted at 25 mph or lower (not collectors or arterials) and staff typically collect data while school is in session to reflect true neighborhood conditions.
The presenter explained that a typical study looks at crash history, signage and speeds. Speeding that averages roughly 10 mph or more over the posted limit may qualify a segment for further consideration. If a segment qualifies, staff identify an assessment area of the properties most impacted; the designated point of contact must then gather neighborhood support, seeking roughly 70–75% approval among property owners in the assessment area. Petitions must be signed by deeded owners (renters do not count), and where a deed lists two owners both must sign. If the petition threshold is met, the HOA or property owner must retain an engineer to prepare plans that county staff will review before installation. Once installed, the county will maintain speed humps.
Board members asked how the county would handle neighborhoods without an HOA; staff said in those cases the county’s traffic operations division will work directly with property owners, perform the speed study and identify the assessment area, and that petition gathering and deed verification would follow the same process. Staff also noted the timeline for studies can be extended by school calendars because data collection is most representative when school is in session.
No formal roll‑call vote was recorded in the transcript on adopting the policy amendment; a commissioner asked that a consent agenda item be moved to new business for additional discussion.
