The Smithville Board of Mayor and Aldermen, at the request of several residents in the area, voted Monday night to install three speed “humps” on West Main Street, as a pilot project, from the four way stop at North Mountain Street westward to the bridge.
Bert and Betsy Driver presented a petition signed by twenty three residents, which states as follows” The residences of historical West Main Street are gravely concerned about our safety. More importantly, we are concerned about the safety of our children and grandchildren. Motorists continually speed down our street with blatant disregard to the speed limits and caution signs (Children at Play). Many years ago, government officials recognized that West Main Street was not designed to accommodate such high rates of speed; therefore, West Broad Street was developed and continues to be the most direct and safest thoroughfare for motorists. We feel that speed humps need to be installed near the intersection of Juniper Lane and at the top of the hill near the intersection of Shady Lane. Although enforcement of speed limits by police departments is an effective means of reducing speeds, limited resources do not allow such enforcement on a regular and permanent basis. Please note that we are not in favor of flashing lights because they are ineffective and can be detrimental to the historical value of West Main Street. In brief, traffic calming measures need to be implemented now in order to protect all citizens, especially our children”.
The speed humps will not be constructed as tall as speed bumps.
Meanwhile, in other business, the city board voted to have a resolution prepared for passage at the next meeting that would give Country music entertainer John Anderson the authority to use an existing street easement in his subdivision development as a golf cart path, subject to court approval.
Anderson Estates will be a 42 acre, 52 lot subdivision on Riley Avenue
In a 1995 Chancery court settlement with the previous owner, the city dedicated a fifty foot wide right of way from Golf Club Drive to the property for the purpose of building a city street at the expense of the property owner.
The previous owner of the property never requested that the street be developed, so Anderson wants to use the easement as a golf cart path from his subdivision, where he intends to build a club house, to the city golf course.
The city board is expected to adopt a resolution authorizing the use of the easement as a golf cart path, subject to approval by the Chancellor, who approved the original court settlement between the city and previous owner.
Should the owner of the property later decide to use the easement as a street, rather than a golf cart path, he could do so under the agreement.
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