Realignment of Mountain Hill Road Approved

By a unanimous vote last week, the Harris County Commissioners approved developing a plan for the realignment of Mountain Hill Road.

Commission Chair Susan Andrews explained the Georgia Department of Transportation has cited a need to realign 1000 feet of Mountain Hill Road just north of SR 315 at The Grove development. A roundabout is scheduled for construction in the area and that plan is scheduled to be ready in October.

Andrews said the proposal would create a “T” intersection of Mountain Hill Road and the future Mulberry Grove Road. The Mulberry Grove Road portion of the project would come at a later time.

It was noted that existing water, power and fiber optic lines would have to be relocated as part of the project.

Former Harris County Commission Chair Becky Langston and Dwight Langston requested to address the commissioners regarding the proposed project.

Becky Langston said that around or prior to 2007, a citizens committee met with the developers of The Grove and received certain concessions. She said the time had come to recall those concessions.

Dwight Langston said those concessions had been included in Harris County Commission minutes in July 2007. Among the concessions he reported were a 100-foot buffer around the property, some sections included a 100-foot section of medium density housing to prohibit commercial development in those areas, provided protections for existing subdivisions, and provided a 100-foot buffer “on the commercial side of Mountain Hill”. There were other concessions as well.

Becky Langston expressed a desire to make sure the engineers were aware of the concessions.

Commissioner Greg Gantt asked County Attorney Russell Britt if those concessions were enforceable, and the answer was that Britt would have to research the issue.

During an ensuing discussion it was said the engineering of the realignment of Mountain Hill Road could be impacted by those concessions.

Andrews explained the decision facing the commission was not to approve a plan but to allow the engineering proposal process to take place. The concessions would be considered when an actual plan was developed.

Gantt motioned to approve with Commissioner Scott Lightsey offering the second.