Subcommittee Push Road Question Back to Greene County

The details of a proposed road that cuts through residential areas southeast of Springfield aren't scheduled to be finalized for at least a few months.

Greene County commissioners asked a subcommittee of the Ozarks Transportation Organization to decide whether the area needed a road and where it should be.

But subcommittee members sent it back to the county, saying it's more appropriate for the county to decide where the road should be.

Asked about whether the road is needed, "The answer is probably yes," Chairman Pat Lloyd said.

The next step is a Nov. 8 meeting to look more broadly at the Major Thoroughfare Plan, including other places that could need a road. One proposal is to extend Republic Road past Glenstone Avenue to Highway J, but residents of the area have protested that plan.

About 35 people showed up to the subcommittee meeting, but it didn't accept public comment.

The southeast road was proposed in response to the 60/65 development, a 300-acre, multi-use development proposed at the intersection of the highways it's named after.

But planners say the roads will probably be over capacity in the next 20 years even if the development doesn't happen.

The subcommittee was asked to decide what changes need to be made to the Major Thoroughfare Plan -- the topic of the November meeting -- whether the southeast road is needed, and the most appropriate place for that road
The details of a proposed road that cuts through residential areas southeast of Springfield aren't scheduled to be finalized for at least a few months.

http://www.news-leader.com/article/20101007/NEWS01/10070348/Subcommittee+pushes+road+question+back+to+Greene+County

THE NEXT OTO MEETING WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 6 at 8 A.M.

OTO has posted the agenda for the next meeting of the Major Thoroughfare Plan Subcommittee at http://www.ozarkstransportation.org/Documents/MTPSubcommittee10062010.pdf

The meeting will be held at the Alumni Center, 300 S. Jefferson. Bring your favorite cup of coffee and be there!

Have Plans for Thursday, September 30, 5:30 PM?

Brush your teeth, comb your hair, wash your hands and come on over to a special reception for Jim Viebrock, Republican Candidate for Presiding Commissioner!

OTO MEETING WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 15 1:30 P.M.

Besides paying your quarterly taxes, make sure this meeting is on your calendar.

As OTO is allowing public comment and moved the meeting to a larger facility, the OTO members are taking our concerns [and the concerns of our Farm Road 164 neighbors] seriously.

Meeting is 1:30p.m. , Wednesday, Plaster Student Union Room 317 {Missouri State Campus].

Our topic is to be discussed at the beginning of the meeting.

Public comment - 5 [five]minute limit, is prior to the agenda item which is listed at 15 minutes.

This meeting is during the majority's normal work hours. If you are retired, a stay at home parent/partner, please please please find a way to attend the meeting.

One HOT POTATO: OTO Panel Punts 60-65 Road Link Controversy

News-Leader Headline August 12, 2010 "OTO Panel Punts Road Controversy"

[link to article at top of page]

The final determination by the group [with two of the eight members failing to attend] was to refer it back to the much larger OTO Tech. Committee to be discussed during their September 15th meeting. "....We're being asked by one or two government jurisdictions to make decisions they chose not to make for themselves," said panel member Roger Howard.

The current OTO Major Thoroughfare Plan does NOT include road links east of the James River south of FR 164 and north of Hwy 60.

Does the OTO feel obligated to answer the questions posed to them by the city and county or enter into a thorough evaluation of the overall plan [which might take two years according to Tim Conklin (OTO Director).]

One of the most interesting statements by Wes Johnson, the News-Leader reporter and author of the article: "After the meeting, Frank Miller, MODOT's rep. on the OTO panel, confirmed that a short road linking the development and FR 164 to the north would satisy MODOT's requirement for a connection."

It is my understanding MODOT attempted to receive a retraction the following day and the only clarification given was a statement added to the online article "......MODOT has not endorsed any of the proposed alignments, leaving that for local officials to decide." Wes did not back down on his comment.

It is important for all to understand, the connection to Battlefield Rd. (via FR 164) was mandated in PD 330 (rezoning docs) by the city under "required improvements."

We appreciate the participation from our neighbors on 164 and 166.

Is ANOTHER (designated) connection needed at any time less than 20 years from now?

Thanks to all of you that attended this meeting, with special thanks to Bobbie Louderbaugh. Her little sign generated another round of emails back and forth, relative to a letter attorney Pat Platter had sent to the county prior to the last Planning Board meeting.

This issue is one HOT POTATO because of the passion, time and effort from all of you.

The issue will ultimately be determined by the County Commission. We are in the process of a heated race for Presiding Commissioner of that body. Do we need to invite both candidates in for a discussion of our concerns? Another gathering at the River of Life Church, maybe?? Please let me know via email if you feel that would be beneficial - farmroad170@gmail.com - OR - contact either Sara Ray or Lou or Pam Neblett.

Don't hesitate to contact our east side

Commissioner, Roseanne Bentley.

Jim Viebrock Candidate for Presiding Commissioner

David Coonrod, Presiding Commissioner

HEADS UP - OZARKS TRANSPORATION ORGANIZATION MEETING THIS WEDNESDAY AUGUST 11

It's summer, it's hot, our energy is low and our brains are tired BUT we can't stop now!!!

The first Ozarks Transportation Organization [OTO] meeting will be held August 11 [Wednesday], at 2pm at the MSU Alumni Center, 300 South Jefferson, 2nd floor conference room.

This is the old bank building with attached parking garage accessible from St. Louis Street, one block north, and south on one-way Jefferson street, immediately left on McDaniel to the parking garage on the right [might be worth a Sunday drive to find this location in advance].

The meeting is open to the public with NO public comment allowed. Sources say the OTO is expecting a big turn out of property owners.

Here is additional information on the meeting at the OTO website:

http://www.ozarkstransportation.org/Republic-FR170.html

As the meeting is Wednesday afternoon, those of us that work may have to make arrangements to attend. Encourage your neighbor or a non-working family member to attend and be a representative.

I spoke with Sara Ray this week. [She is off to New Orleans to visit her daughter, grandson and brand new grand-daughter]. Her thoughts on Farm Road 170 at this time: the project is 'on-hold'. Dr. Neblett and Pam are the community pit bulls listening for strange sounds or movement out of the Greene County Commissioner office.

We are on guard.....

Enjoy the summer.