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I had vowed to keep my pen (keyboard) silent and hope that others would take up my ''Question Everything'' campaign, but that seems not to be happening. I'd like to make a plea to all readers out there, including Mark Uher's new group (for which we need an abbreviated name or acronym):
TELL ME HOW THEY COULD INSTALL THOSE NEW TRAFFIC LIGHTS ON SR204!
Doesn't anyone out there have a freaking brain? How can anyone expect I-70 to unload during rush hour(s) if, within the first mile after leaving it, you encounter 7 or 8 traffic lights, just on the Pickerington side of the freeway? Don't get me going on the Wal-Mart side. Holy cow, they're going to need to extend a Pickerington ONLY exit lane back to I-71 to handle this mess. I realize Daryl Berry calls the shots as to when and where all traffic lights in the area are installed. I realize no one will question him on it. I realize the citizens of Pickerington and Violet Township will not raise their voices to speak out and dare even question Mr. Berry because of his generous (??) donation to the PPD (DON'T get me going on that one). I realize we are all sheep that need to be led (to slaughter). I realize we are all ''stupid'', ''misguided'' and ''misinformed'', because the Mayor told us so. I realize there has been no public outrage about any of the things that to city and township governments are doing to us (read: Debt Ceiling). I realize I talk too much and ask too many questions and I realize you all are probably getting tired of reading my rantings, but
TELL ME HOW THEY COULD INSTALL THOSE NEW TRAFFIC LIGHTS ON SR204!
Folks, this is the ONLY way to get in and out of town if you need to use I-70. Haven't any of you ever got stuck in the already too congested traffic near 256/204? Did you enjoy it? Did you take the opportunity to roll down your window and get to know your neighbor? Did you read the paper, knit, talk on the phone, sleep or meditate wile you were waiting through 3 or 4 light sequences for your turn? Well guess what, it just got worse.
Do you know there is a state regulation that mandates placement of traffic lights, especially their proximity to each other? I am not computer savvy enough to surf around and find it to quote it here but I am sure one of the readers is. Find it, publish it and take it to the council.
Or, get in line behind the other sheep.
By Soap Box Hero
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Rt 204 Traffic Lights & Safety
When the issue of the Rt 204 Lights (a.k.a. AMA Annexation) arose I took the opportunity to research this important issue and then speak before the Fairfield County Commisioners about a realitively full range of issues that relate. These words are a matter of the public record and I will share them with you today. The concerns are still very valid - much of which remain unanswered to the affected public.
Fairfield County Commissioners
Regarding: City of Pickerington Annexation of 68.45 acres in the vicinity of the junction of State Rt. #256 and State Rt. #204 -(NE Corner) from Violet Township.
To the Commissioners -
I would like to address you prior to final evaluation of this annexation and request your consideration of the following factual information in this process.
I speak before you today, as a private citizen, in opposition of this annexation request. I do so for the following reasons:
1. Pickerington City Council Ordinance #2000-37 dated May 2, 2000 indicates in it?’s heading a ?“Declaration of an Emergency?”. This procedure by City Council is another in a long line of issues that takes the citizens of the area out of the process. Allowing resident involvement and a voice in the future development of their community is an important notation within the Violet Township Zoning Code. Please request from those within the City Council exactly what ?“State of Emergency?” exists regarding this parcel of land?
2. How could this annexation issue be an emergency, when the City of Pickerington has already contracted the services of DLZ for engineering service work in this proposed annexation area? (April 13,1999).
With regard to the Specific Services sited within Pickerington City Council Ordinance 2000-37?’s benefits derived by this annexation, let me address the following items.
3. Section 1 Item 1. Fire & Paramedic Services ?…..Same force already provided by the Township. (Violet Township Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services). On May 8th I requested data regarding service in this vicinity and received an immediate answer to my questions. This query regarded EMS statistics for service.
4. Section 1 Item 2. Police Service?…..Pickerington City Police Department has been responsible for service in the very near vicinity (Rt. #204 - Tussing Road / Winderly Place and Rt. #256). On May 8th I requested data regarding service in this vicinity and was told that the Pickerington Police Department could not help me. I would have to go to the Ohio Department of Public Safety. The data listed below is the result of this information request from this State agency - NOT PROVIDED BY THE PICKERINGTON POLICE DEPARTMENT.
# OF ACCIDENTS IN THE Rt 204 (Tussing / Winderly Place) Rt 256 AREA
- This area is currently within the Incorporated City of Pickerington boundaries -
1996 1997 1998 1999
21 12 16 25
Total # of accidents - 74
Total # of injuries - 59
Total EMS calls in 1999 - 6
Law enforcement responding to these accidents;
Pickerington Police - 63
Fairfield County Sheriff - 9
Ohio State Police - 2
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The area is know by local inhabitants as a very dangerous cluster of intersections, involving both commercial and residential through traffic. It has taken years for the City of Pickerington to address the needed traffic safety issues within their already incorporated boundaries for the good of the residents served by this important road system. The data for these accidents -(85%) - were processed by the City Police department. Why was the City of Pickerington Police Department reluctant to share this information with an area resident? Why has traffic safety in this area taken such a low priority? Will the City show equal apathy toward today?’s Blacklick - Eastern Corridor, Harmon Road Neighborhoods township residents regarding road and traffic safety? Will this potential danger only magnify with the projected - possible addition of 8,600 additional residents to this developing corridor in the proposed annexation area?
5. Section 1 Item 4, 5, & 10. Economic Development Planning, Legislative Proprietary Capabilities, & Planning and Zoning. During early 1999 the Pickerington City Council, at the request of one of the same developer - property owner involved in this now considered annexation, rezoned a very compatible commercially zoned area to residential. I have the signatures of 333 Pickerington residents who would like to have had the opportunity, through the referendum process, to convert this zoning change back to commercial use of this land, yet were denied this consideration. With approval of this annexation and the use of ?“declaration of emergency?” authority, what provisions do the area residence have in voicing their concerns toward regional development?
6. Section 1 Item 9. Street Maintenance. I give you Refugee road East of Rt. #256 - within the City of Pickerington City Limits, need I say more?
Now for consideration as to the fourth paragraph of the Pickerington City Council Ordinance #2000-37.
Whereas, the general good of said territory will be served upon annexation.
In considering the ODOT survey conducted by the firm of Jobes, Henderson & Associates, Inc. in conjunction with Township officials, I find it hard to believe that the general good of this territory will be served by the noted premature failure of the Eastern corridor of the Rt. 256 - Rt. 204 intersection. The May 18, 1999 Traffic Impact Study states on page 6 - ?“The intersection proposed by the City of Pickerington would have less than 175 feet of spare storage space. An additional eight vehicles per cycle, 240 vehicles in the peak hour using the proposed timing scheme, would cause the intersection to fail.?”
Additional consideration must be given to the importance of the service to this community by the much used ?“park and ride?” and COTA service that area residents are finding very helpful while construction problems continue along Interstate 70. Beyond the 3 year construction window, this will continue to be a valuable asset to community members.
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The City of Pickerington traffic planning, safety record, maintenance history, and zoning performance are not up to the needs of regional residents within the immediate territory.
Additionally, I?’m very concerned that the erosion of the township?’s commercial tax base will have a negative effect on the services that township residents can expect.
Even the Pickerington Area Chamber of Commerce in their May 2000 ?“Businews?” letter page 3 noted?…..?”Increased cooperation. One of the keys to a great quality of life and a solid tax base is regional cooperation.?” Annexation is not cooperation!
I respectfully request that the County Commissioners refuse this annexation request.
Bob Harding
Well - now your get to see the first hand results - as annexation rules have favored municipalities. Commissioners have not been allowed to consider the general good.
- Developers like ''Dovel Development'' get a traffic light (paid for by TIF's).
- Planning & Zoning go out the window, as the new & improved Municipal Comprehensive Land Use Plan of March 2001 - slates this area for ''mixed use'' ---
Yes, mixed use is commercial & RESIDENTIAL.
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