City Council ends parking elimination, prepares for Light Up Ellijay
City Council November 16, 2021
GILMER, Ga. — The Ellijay City Council has voted to end the River St. parking elimination test early, and will move barricades to the downtown roundabout in preparation for Light Up Ellijay on Nov. 26.
During their October meeting, city council discussed the details of a controversial bid to eliminate downtown parking. Ultimately, at the recommendation of the DDA, the council voted to barricade only River St. parking and set a test period of Oct. 23 to Jan. 2.
However, at their latest meeting, the Ellijay City Council voted to remove the barricades from River St. early, and have them relocated to the roundabout for the Light Up Ellijay event. After the event, the barricades will be moved back to storage. There was some discussion about setting a new test period, but Police Chief Lacey said, “I think what we found out, is that it warrants further study by somebody who is more learned and has some stamps on their certifications.”
Barricades are currently in place to block parking along River St.
Light Up Ellijay is an annual event that serves as an unofficial beginning to the Christmas season for Ellijay residents. Each year, the downtown fills with residents coming to see the parade and watch the lighting of the Christmas tree. COVID-19 complications prevented the full celebration in 2020, but Light Up Ellijay is set to take place this year on Nov. 26, with the parade beginning at 6 p.m.
Ellijay City Council votes on roundabout parking elimination
City Council, Community October 19, 2021
GILMER, Ga. — The Ellijay City Council met Oct. 18 to make a decision regarding the proposed test period for closure of parking on the downtown roundabout. Reese Sanford spoke for the Downtown Development Authority, and gave the council the DDA’s new recommendation.
Sanford addressed the council saying, “As requested at the downtown traffic workshops [that] city hall had this summer, the DDA’s been doing due diligence on the roundabout parking.” Sanford noted that the DDA recommendation is a product of consultation with the joint development authority, the police department, the city council, and local business owners.
He explained that the consideration first arose as a way to improve public safety in the downtown area, citing three incidents on the roundabout in the last year: “Third party reports have suggested that the traffic congestion downtown is a long term business risk. The easiest solution is to move parking away from traffic and away from the pedestrians.” He also mentioned that the DDA has already requested more signs to direct visitors to safer parking locations, like behind Dalton State College. However, when he went to check, Sanford says, “Of 230 [parking spots], only 32 were in use. If we can guide cars to this lot, we can alleviate a lot of our issues.”
The DDA, as Sanford brings up, had previously published a recommendation to shut down all roundabout parking; however, “as a result of the September town hall, we have revised our original proposal … and this is the result of the community input we received at this meeting.” Sanford then explained the revised proposal: “We will not touch the nine spaces, which includes the one handicap space, on the north side of the roundabout … Our revised proposal is to barricade parking on the nine spaces on the south side of the roundabout, and the parallel spaces on River St., just after River Street Tavern. The businesses in these areas are supportive of it, and are very interested in seeing what they can find in the trial period.”
Sanford noted that parking is not being reduced, only reallocated. He says the period might even increase business activity, suggesting that outdoor dining, artists, or walking tours could occupy the new space: “If this test period goes well, and leads to a desire for a long term change, paving over the spaces is not the only solution.”
Sanford finished, “We are proposing a test period from Oct. 23 to Jan. 2. The spaces will be blocked off 7 days per week.” He says then the DDA will host another town hall, and convene to settle on a final opinion to present to the city council.
After his presentation, the council members took the opportunity to raise their concerns. Kathryn Lancey spoke first, wondering why the DDA revised their original proposal. Sanford responded, “Why force an experiment on some people, when there’s others that are offering their space?”
Tom Crawford brought up the community saying, “I’m kind of astonished that you’re making a recommendation after the town hall was a resounding ‘no.’” Sanford replied by mentioning that not all citizens go to town halls and the businesses are willing, but Crawford continued: “If you’re gonna do a test period … why on God’s earth do it at the busiest season of the year?” Both Sanford and the council members discussed these concerns, but ultimately decided to close parking.
When time to vote on the issue, Kevin Pritchitt asked to amend, saying, “I make a motion to [limit the] downtown parking elimination test for River St. only.” The motion was unanimously passed, and the parking spaces on River St. are planned for closure beginning Oct 23.
City of Ellijay to discuss removal of downtown parking Monday
News October 15, 2021
ELLIJAY, Ga. – More than just citizens living inside the city limits, people from East Ellijay and all over Gilmer County outside of either city’s limits have been voicing opinions and concerns over the loss of parking on the square and down River Street.
This Monday, October 15, 2021, will see the Ellijay City Council hear the proposal from a representative of the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and has an agenda item to take action on the subject. The agenda lists this as “Downtown Parking Elimination Test.” The idea is to test how the area will respond without parking through Light Up Ellijay in December. The Mayor’s Report in the city council notes that this will eliminate parking “on the roundabout and River Street.”
Discussion has risen from the DDA, but has found stark opposition from certain members of the public. From very specific concerns of elderly and handicapped people looking to keep the close by parking for places like the Cantaberry Restaurant, Blue Ridge Olive Oil Company, Ellijay Wood Fired Pizza, River Street Tavern, and others to general concerns about eliminating any parking in such a busy area of the city.
Those speaking in favor of the elimination have quoted public safety concerns and traffic flow. Accidents have occurred in the area and comments have been made referencing these incidents when someone may pull out or back out into traffic. Others have complained about how difficult it is to back out of the lots on the square.
Discussions have also come from some to convert the roundabout parking into all handicapped parking spaces and marking off several spots to allow for van unloading from the sides for wheelchair users.
The Downtown Square already has posted speed limits signs along River Street and the city has also put up flashing signs in the past warning drivers of their speed as they cross the bridge on River Street.
Eighteen parking spots isn’t a large number compared to the lot sizes like the one behind Dalton State College or the one behind the courthouse next to the Tabor House, but the main push to keep the spots has focused on the needs for closer parking for older people. Four years ago, in 2016, research was shown in the Gilmer Board of Commissioners meetings as the county was losing its hospital proving Gilmer had 25% of its population as 65 or older. Since the COVID-19 outbreak, research has proven that the consistent occupancy of Gilmer County is increasing from more and more people moving here along with more and more tourists visiting.
The question of the day and the question behind the parking spots on the roundabout and down River Street, ultimately, has very little to do with parking, but has everything to do with traffic and congestion. Some downtown business owners are also pushing to keep the roadside parking to allow for older citizens to have easier access, but also to allow for those who may see an open spot and are only looking to quickly get in and out of one store instead of touring the downtown area.
Officials have emphasized that the action taken, if approved, is only a test run. Discussion has continued to run rampant among how the city would block off the spots, what kind of image it gives to visitors, what it would do to locals, how it would affect businesses, how it will change the look and feel of the downtown area. Discussion will continue on Monday, October 18, 2021, at 5:30 when the City of Ellijay enters its workshop right before the 6:00 p.m. meeting.
The City of Ellijay Downtown Development Authority would like to announce a town hall scheduled for September 21st
Community, Opinion September 11, 2021
The City of Ellijay Downtown Development Authority would like to announce a town hall scheduled for September 21st in the First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall. The DDA will host it’s regular September business meeting at 5, and the town hall will begin at 5:30. The purpose of the town hall is to announce a two month trial period impacting downtown parking and collect public feedback.
A proposal is being evaluated to remove the 18 parking spots on the roundabout. In 2019, a third party completed a report on the strengths and weaknesses of Gilmer County. It was noted that the roundabout was a safety hazard. The DDA consulted with the police department in the summer of 2020 and found they shared this concern. The primary issue is that vehicles are backing into oncoming traffic in a heavily congested area. This is compounded by the fact there are 10 crosswalks on the roundabout. In 2021, there were multiple pedestrians hit by cars in downtown Ellijay. The DDA’s focus in evaluating downtown traffic congestion is to make Ellijay safer.
As discussions have been held with the City Council, Police Department, the Joint Development Authority, and a landscape architect, the DDA’s attention has turned to the realization that downtown Ellijay can be made safer AND more enjoyable at the same time. As many retail purchases have moved online, the downtown business center has transitioned from selling transactions to selling experiences. One of the most popular experiences of small town life is the county fair. At the county fair, patrons do not park at the ferris wheel. They park outside the fairgrounds and walk to the ferris wheel. Like the fair, cities are evolving towards a model of walking into the experience. Already, cities such as Athens, Jasper, Greenville, Blue Ridge, and Asheville are closing city streets to enhance the consumer experience in their downtown areas. The 18 spaces in question could be used for outside dining, art work, Instagram spots, musicians, and a walking tour. Another proposal is to allow existing downtown restaurants to set up food carts. Strategically placing each of these attractions across downtown potentially increases the foot traffic in each store leading to more sales. In turn, this will increase sales tax revenue for the City.
As discussions have been held, concerns have been expressed. The public should be aware that the DDA has recently taken steps to better utilize existing unused parking. New parking signs have been placed throughout downtown to guide drivers to the parking lot behind Dalton State College and the County Employee Parking Lot. Previously, public parking was not available in the County Employee Lot, but the DDA reached an agreement with the County to make spaces available to the public on weekends. The Dalton State Lot is predominantly empty on weekends. Considering these efforts, the DDA has substantially increased downtown parking. Additionally, the DDA is not overlooking the one handicapped space, nor furniture loading. Solutions to assist both are being reviewed.
A trial period is proposed from the Apple Festival through Light Up Ellijay. It should be noted that these spots are already barricaded by the police for two weeks during each Apple Festival. If the trial period is a failure, nothing changes. This process is simply a test for the DDA to collect information and make a recommendation to the City Council.
The DDA will host town halls before and after the trial period to collect community feedback. We hope to see you at the first meeting at 5:30 on September 21st in the First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall.
Reece Sanford, Chairman
City of Ellijay Downtown Development Authority