Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission hears costs of turn lanes and constitutional limits on blanket right‑of‑way demands
Summary
Speakers described turn‑lane cost estimates and cautioned the commission against across‑the‑board right‑of‑way exactions without a tailored nexus; staff said traffic studies will be required in some cases and ALDOT standards drive some requirements.
The commission heard that traffic impacts—especially warrants for turn lanes on state highways—drive some subdivision requirements and can impose significant costs on developers.
"Those required turn lanes are how much any of our ability? 250,000 for They're 250, $300,000 for the required permit," the chair said in discussion of roadwork costs. A county attorney or outside counsel present warned that requiring property owners to dedicate right‑of‑way in every case could raise constitutional takings concerns if the county does not demonstrate a proportionate nexus between the dedication and the subdivision's impact.
Staff told the commission they have authority to require traffic studies in many cases and can tailor requirements by locality (and offer variances), but commissioners were advised to document rationale and nexus if they impose uniform exactions. The commission asked for clearer text tying right‑of‑way and mitigation conditions to specific impacts rather than blanket countywide rules.
