Development News for Dalton, Georgia

Safety Concerns Raised at Fifth Ave, Walnut Ave, and Riverbend Ave Intersection

A taxi driver and member of 'Cichl' brought a vehicular safety risk to the City Council's attention concerning the intersection of Fifth Avenue, Walnut Avenue, and Riverbend Avenue. The speaker noted that while signage and road modifications were made to facilitate turns from Riverbend Road, drivers coming from Fifth Avenue face significant difficulties and unsafe conditions when making left and right turns onto Walnut Avenue. Data from the police department indicates 37 accidents at this intersection, with three involving left turns from Fifth Avenue to Walnut Avenue. The request is for an expansion on the left side of Fifth Avenue with proper signaling to allow safer turns, and to address a blind spot for drivers coming from Walnut Avenue to Riverbend Road.

Proposed Amendments to Alcohol Code to Include Event Facility Licensing

The City Council heard the first reading of Ordinance 26-12, which proposes amendments to the city's alcohol code. The ordinance aims to clean up existing regulations, particularly concerning the definition and licensing of event facilities and microevent facilities. It also revises definitions for 'event center' and 'restaurant,' modifies rules on possession of alcohol in public places, and adjusts regulations for local caterers, concessionaires, pouring licenses, and disqualifications.

Rezoning Proposal Modifies Access Conditions for South Tibbs Road Property

The City Council heard the first reading of Ordinance 26-10, regarding a request by Debo's Diner Investments LLC to rezone 3.42 acres at 525 and 527 South Tibbs Road. The rezoning is from General Commercial C2 conditional to General Commercial C2 conditional, conforming to the Dalton Gateway Corridor Overlay District. The property is north of the Steak n Shake. A previous condition from 2008 annexation required the Steak n Shake entrance on South Tibbs to close and a new driveway to align with the Food City complex. The current proposal seeks to modify this condition to allow a right turn only out of the existing Steak n Shake drive and establish another entrance further north, with the final access point determined by the Public Works Director. The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval.

Residents Request Speed Bumps on Cascade Drive Due to Excessive Speeding

The City Council meeting included public commentary regarding safety concerns on Cascade Drive, where residents are experiencing excessive speeding and using the residential road as a shortcut. The community group 'Cichl' presented a formal request for the installation of speed bumps on Cascade Drive to mitigate these issues and prevent potential tragedies. The council committed to having the Assistant City Administrator, Todd Pangle, follow up on this concern.