Trustees discuss Drug Mart/Dollar General projects and traffic-signal, drive-access concerns

Zoning and road staff briefed trustees Sept. 3 on two commercial projects in active construction: a Dollar General location expected to open imminently and a Drug Mart project that staff said is expected to open before the holidays. Zoning staff emphasized that ODOT and the Portage County engineer control driveway permits and signals on state and county routes; zoning does not grant access to State Route 43.

Mike Lad said ODOT did not permit a direct entrance off Route 43 and that the county engineer is handling modification requests for Falcon Drive. Staff described a 2023 incident in which a dump truck reportedly damaged signal wiring, and said unresolved insurance or repair disputes have slowed signal work. Trustees pressed staff to pursue coordinated signal timing and emergency preemption earlier in the project timeline. "If we have it all interconnected with preemption then all of those will turn ... as soon as you hit your signals they'll they'll all turn to flashing red," one trustee said in reference to potential preemption benefits for emergency response.

Staff said Falcon Drive modifications and drive-permit approvals will involve the county engineer and the developer's engineering team and estimated some changes to be completed in the coming months. The township discussed seeking safety funds through the county engineer to support intersection improvements and agreed to follow up with traffic engineers and safety partners before the next meeting.