Sylvania Township: Trustees mull stretch of Holland-Sylvania Road

11/9/2005

A stretch of Holland-Sylvania Road north of Sylvania Avenue handles traffic well, but development in the area will require changes, according to a consultant's report to the Sylvania Township trustees.

The report from Dansard Grohnke Long Limited, LLC, suggests that access roads paralleling Holland-Sylvania be incorporated into land-use plans and that additional traffic lights be installed at two intersections as traffic increases.

The recommendation is in line with township officials who have suggested those changes to avoid what they say in the future could duplicate the problems of Central Avenue.

Traffic congestion has been somewhat alleviated by a series of changes by township and state officials. Brad Peebles, township administrator, said it will be easier to avoid the problem with measures taken now, rather than correct a situation after it has developed.

Among other changes, the township established access roads that run behind businesses facing Central and allow traffic to move from one to another without using the major artery. It also has allowed for the elimination of some curb cuts onto Central.

That was a major focus of the plan because it reduces the number of spots vehicles enter and exit the roadway and are identified as increasing the potential for accidents.

Mr. Peebles said it will not only be easier logistically, but it will be helpful to businesses to have a similar plan in place along Holland-Sylvania before people get accustomed to a pat-tern and then have to change.

The study recommends creating access between parking areas and closing drives at Holland-Sylvania. In the longer term, it is recommended that traffic signals be places at both Renaissance Place and at Northwoods Drive.

Several office buildings and housing are under construction or planned along the strip of Holland-Sylvania from Sylvania to Harroun Road.

Mr. Peebles said he has discussed the issue with landowners and said some are resistant to the idea of their property being used as access drives.

He rejected the notion that trustees would use eminent domain powers against property owners or attempt to compel them to take part in an access management plan.

A plan to manage the growing amount of traffic on Holland-Sylvania Road will be by a consensus by the township and the owners or it likely will not be instituted.

He said, however, the day could arrive when other agencies might impose changes, "rather than being a negotiable resolution mutually beneficial to all parties,'' as could be accomplished now, the said.