Council Split on Roundabout Future of SR 91

Twinsburg City Council President Ted Yates said plans to construct roundabouts at two intersections on State Route 91 are not a "done deal."

That sentiment was shared by several council members, especially when voting on a motion to post comments from the October meeting about the road construction. Council split 4-3 in favor of posting the comments that were addressed from the October meeting, some fearing this would be moving forward on a project they were unsure about it.

Yates, Ward 1 Councilman Sam Scaffide, At-Large Councilman Bill Furey, and Ward 4 Councilwoman Maureen Stauffer voted for moving forward. Ward 5 Councilman Seth Rodin, Ward 2 Councilman Bob McDermott and At-Large Councilman Gary Sorace voted against it.

Sorace, who voted against the motion, said he isn't sure this project is best for the city.

“I’m personally not convinced this is the way to go,” Sorace said.

Two residents spoke to council Tuesday night, one concerned the decision was already made.

“For us to say it’s a done deal, it’s not,” Yates said, who voted in favor of moving the process forward. “We do need to make a decision, we’re talking about it and trying to make the best decision in the interest of this community.”

City Engineer Amy Mohr said posting the comments doesn't neccesarily lock the city into the changes, it simply keeps the process moving so they don't lose money if they do wish to proceed, rather than staying at a stand-still.

Both Mohr and Mayor Katherine Procop said plans can be changed up until construction begins, which as of now is planned to start in 2014. However, the city could be stuck paying more for the project, possibly losing some government funding, and could have to start parts of the process all over again.

After doing her research, Ward 4 Councilwoman Maureen Stauffer said she needs more feedback from the community before ultimately deciding, although she doesn’t see too many cons to having roundabouts.

Mohr said once the comments are posted for the public to see, all of the information on the project will be sent to the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) before March. ODOT will then review eveything and could approve the enivronmental document for the project by April.

That should give members of council more time to discuss the project and get more thoughts before moving even further in the process.