Motorists may now drive between North Oaks and Premier Flats unimpeded
By JESSICA BRICKER
The barricades between North Oaks and Premier Flats were removed this week by the county.
Commissioner President Michael Vanover said Monday that the City of Bluffton sent the county a letter on the matter and the barricades would be removed. As of Tuesday, they were not on Maple Drive, a county road that connects to Premier Avenue in the apartment complex that is in the city limits.
The connection point of the two roadways has been discussed since the market-rate apartments were built, with the previous commissioners wishing to leave the barricades in place until a certain occupancy level was reached at the apartment complex, citing undue through traffic burdens on the residents of North Oaks.
However, the city recently rebutted, sharing concerns about the county’s limiting of emergency access to the apartment complex.
A copy of the letter from City Attorney Tony Crowell was provided to The News-Banner following the commissioners’ meeting. It is dated Feb. 23.
Crowell said in the letter that in his capacity as the city’s counsel, he was directed to send the letter “to demand the removal of the barricades placed by the county” along Maple Drive.
“The original barricades placed at this location was a temporary convenience during the construction phase for this project, approved by the city,” his letter said. “Once construction was completed, (Bluffton Fire) Chief (Don) Craig requested the barricades be removed for emergency responder requirements. When removed, the county replaced the barricades on the county’s side of the intersection of Premier Flats and Maple Drive.”
Crowell outlined the fire territory agreement in place between the city and Harrison Township, which includes North Oaks. Craig also reportedly provided to the commissioners relevant portions of the state’s fire code to support the barricades’ removal.
“Placing the barricades at this intersection is a safety hazard, places the lives of citizens of Bluffton and the county in jeopardy and interferes with the city’s obligations under the agreement for firefighting services,” Crowell said.
In addition to the demand, the letter also issued a liability warning.
The letter, Crowell wrote, serves “to place the county commissioners on notice that if any person suffers an injury to person or property, or life, due to the continued placement of the barricades at this intersection, the county will be responsible to those individuals for their losses.”
In a message to The News-Banner, developer Rob Troxel said officials at Premier Flats have just done what was asked of them by city and county officials when it came to the barricades being in place.
Monday’s meeting of the commissioners was the first meeting since the letter was dated. Vanover spoke about the item on the agenda for about 20 seconds, saying the letter was received, the barricades would be removed and then they would stored wherever the county stores barricades.
The matter was then considered resolved.
jessica@news-banner.com
