Gilmer County will be getting another traffic roundabout, this time in East Ellijay.
When meeting last Wednesday, members of the East Ellijay City Council approved a resolution authorizing an expenditure of funds for construction of a roundabout on Highland Parkway. It will go between the lower entrance to the Talona Ridge RV Resort and Westbrook Boulevard.
The RV resort’s parent company will fund 60 percent and the City of East Ellijay 40 percent of the roundabout’s cost, said Mayor Mack West. The city’s share will not exceed $80,000, and all remaining costs will be paid by “the RV center’s holders,” he added.
The resolution states that Highland Parkway has many new businesses and other structures on or near it, and the current paving is deteriorating at a fast pace because of heavy traffic.
East Ellijay City Planner Mack Wood said Highland Parkway is a city street, so the Georgia Department of Transportation will not be handling the construction. It’s hoped the roundabout will slow down traffic on the road, Wood noted.
An approximately 1.5-mile stretch of road that includes part of Highland Parkway will also be resurfaced. It runs from the Gilmer Fire and Rescue headquarters on Howard Simmons Road to just past the forthcoming roundabout, noted West.
The resurfacing project will cost approximately $200,000, including leveling and striping, and will be paid out of SPLOST reserve and escrowed LMIG grant funds.
Councilmembers Don Callihan and Linda Smith OK’d a resolution for the roundabout and resurfacing projects. It was not announced when work on either will begin.
In other news ...
East Ellijay won’t be making any changes to a standing policy on short-term rental properties.
West said the city has been having a lot of requests for short-term rental agreements, which are currently allowed only in condos or gated communities with property owner associations.
An ordinance, which underwent its first reading, states that all other requests have been and will continue to be denied unless they fit those property descriptions.
Wood said two East Ellijay restaurants recently sustained roof damage, and repairs are going on at both.
The Burger King had to close after the roof over its entertainment (or meeting) area was damaged by a recent storm. It has since partially reopened inside and at the drive thru, while the damaged area continues to be fixed, Wood noted.
The Chick-fil-A on Howard Simmons Road also experienced damage and remains closed, Wood said. It’s expected to reopen no later than Feb. 24, he noted.