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Residents press New Albany council over proposed bus terminal, citing traffic, fumes and property impacts
Summary
Several Nottingham Trace residents urged the council to reconsider a proposed school bus terminal location, raising concerns about diesel fumes, nighttime lighting, increased traffic and risks to property values; councilors encouraged participation in district and township meetings as design work continues.
Several residents of the Nottingham Trace neighborhood told the New Albany City Council on March 4 that a proposed school bus terminal and related traffic pattern changes could worsen traffic, reduce air quality and hurt property values.
Marty Combs said he has 30 years' experience with heavy trucking and worried about diesel idling and fumes reaching senior households near the proposed site. “It will be from whatever the number is, 70, 80, 90 buses, idling in the morning and all those fumes heading into our community,” Combs said.
Nancy Wills urged council staff and the legal department to confirm which roads will be used for access, noting that Schleppy Road is a private lane and should not be treated as a public entrance. Wills said aesthetic complaints are only part of neighbors’ concerns; traffic, noise and health effects are “significant” and could depress property values.
Sharon Rogers said the planned routing would make New Albany East a daily thoroughfare for buses and asked whether groundwater or a gas station on site could present additional risks. Joel Topoloski asked whether the project’s traffic study accounts for long‑term construction and increasing truck traffic tied to nearby development, and urged the city to consider turn lanes or a signal at Nottingham Boulevard to avoid blockages when buses stage or turn.
Councilors thanked residents for detailed input and encouraged them to attend a March 10 school‑district meeting where district and township representatives will be present. Councilors said the design is still evolving and that the school district and fire department have heard the concerns and are reviewing options. “We hear you,” a council member said, noting the roundabout construction on 605 and other longer‑term corridor improvements that will affect traffic patterns.
The council did not take immediate formal action on the bus‑terminal siting at the meeting; staff said the project remains under design and public comment will be incorporated as feasible.
