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Residents press city on timing, traffic and property impacts as final plat for Ganten Parkway advances
Summary
At the April 21 New Albany Planning Commission meeting, staff presented Final Plat 23 for Ganten Parkway and answered extensive resident questions about proposed Babbitt Road improvements, survey timing, potential three‑lane widening and impacts on utility relocation, trees and property access. Commissioners approved the plat after staff agreed to follow up with service‑department timelines.
The New Albany Planning Commission accepted staff reports and voted unanimously April 21 to approve Final Plat 23, advancing the Ganten Parkway West Phase 3B right‑of‑way and related plan elements while staff promised further outreach on timing and technical details.
Staff told the commission the proposed plat dedicates roughly 5.356 acres of right‑of‑way for Ganten Parkway West and showed exhibits of the planned cross section and a future roundabout connection. Staff emphasized that the public notices were mailed to adjacent property owners and that engineering and service‑department survey work has recently been performed for segments of Babbit Road.
During an extended public‑comment period, residents raised repeated questions about traffic counts, whether Babbit Road will be widened to three lanes, the timetable for surveys and construction, tree removal, and how utilities (electric and telecom) would be handled during any right‑of‑way expansion. Ronald Barber asked specifically about whether any pre‑ and post‑development traffic studies exist; staff said staff and the service department would confirm available counts and follow up by email.
Staff said the city currently maintains Babbit Road under an existing maintenance agreement for the corridor and that recent surveys are complete but that final roadway plans and construction schedules remain pending. Steve Mayer, the deputy director of the service department, was identified as the point person who will provide timeline and survey details to residents; staff committed to mail and email notifications and to hold a follow‑up public meeting in the larger city facility when road plans are finalized.
On setbacks, staff recited the current development measurements discussed at the rezoning: a minimum pavement setback of 90 feet and a building setback of 140 feet, both measured from the centerline of Babbit Road. Staff also said that right‑of‑way acquisition to widen the road historically has been negotiated with property owners rather than by eminent domain and that any private‑development‑driven improvements typically require landscaping or mitigation beyond what was removed.
The commission approved the plat after admitting the staff documents into the record. Staff will return specific survey results, construction timing and contact information (including Steve Mayer’s) to residents who requested more detail.
The commission’s approval moves the plat forward; the city and service department will provide follow‑up meetings and written timelines as the design and acquisition work proceeds.
