West Market GetGo Site Plan Tabled by Planning Commission

representatives presented a site plan for a GetGo gas station to Planning Commission Thursday night, but it was tabled until next month because of safety concerns.

However, commission members did approve of the company eventually building the station on the corner of West Market Street and Trunko Road, at the former site of Ahern's Florist.

The site plan, created by TMS Engineers, of Stow, and Giant Eagle officials, includes a right entry off West Market, and a right exit back on to Market. Left turns are not permitted in or out onto Market. However, drivers can use Trunko to turn left onto Market.

"Giant Eagle, as a company, wants to bring responsible development to the city of Fairlawn," said GE representative Todd Waldo. "You say the (right) ingress and egress are issues, but they comply with the city code."

Commission members James Swartz and Scott Rainey and Mayor William Roth expressed concern with the safety of making a right turn onto Market in the middle of the intersection.

The city's consultant, Eric Smith, of URS, also expressed concern.

"Looking over your shoulder at oncoming traffic on a five-lane road at peak hours is hazardous," Smith said. "The right turn in meets the criteria, but the right turn out is just dangerous."

"I can't recall there ever being a right (turn) out in the middle of an intersection," Swartz said. "That's what concerns me. I think we have a unique situation and I don't think this site plan does it."

Commission members questioned taking out the right-only exit and making the main exit on Trunko. Roth said there is enough room to widen Trunko to make room for the extra traffic.

GE reps tried to convince commission members that the amount of cars turning out of the station would be one every two minutes, and that it would have a minimal effect on the traffic turning off Ghent Road or continuing east on West Market. They also said making all customers exit onto Trunko would worsen the level of service on that road.

"We have a good handle on traffic created by GetGo," said Michael Schweickart, president of TMS Engineers. "When we analyze the existing traffic the new volume is low and there are gaps in the traffic when the signals turn."

Schweickart continued, "The design is proper. I am confident that if this were my responsibility, I would approve this."

The GE representatives agreed to work with the city to widen Trunko to accomodate the increased level of traffic.

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