Crabapple Area Store Owner Says Horrible Traffic Ruins Business

Milton residents wanted answers to traffic problems and accessibility in any plans for the Crabapple Crossroads community during a planning meeting held Monday night on future development of the Crabapple area.

Lew Oliver of Whole Town Solution showed a presentation filled with sketches that he described as “possibilities of what can be done.”

Citizen involvement has been encouraged throughout the design process and this was seen as several sketches in the presentation were actual submissions by concerned residents. The presentation also was filled with questions and answers.

Traffic questions came up repeatedly. Robert and Millie Huckabay, owners of American Country Antiques on the corner of Mayfield and Mid Broadwell Road, said that traffic is horrible in the area. Business is suffering because motorists aren't able to make a left turn off of Mayfield. That deters customers who would have to make a U-turn to visit their store.

“We’re hanging on by a thread,” said Mrs. Huckabay.

In response, Oliver suggested creating access behind businesses. He also stressed once again making Crabapple a more pedestrian-friendly area by implementing connector streets to divert traffic away from the city center, as well as strategically placed roundabouts.

More green space to accommodate walkers, bicycles and all other non-vehicle traffic was also featured in several sketches.

“You can leave a neighborhood and go to dinner without having to get into a car,” said Oliver.

Other features that were proposed include wide brick sidewalks, tree canopies dotted along streets, parallel parking in front of businesses and bike racks.

Resident Anne Coggins asked about how these changes would affect both seniors and those with disabilities. She has a daughter who is blind and she wanted to make sure that changes would create accessibility for everyone. Oliver assured her that every person’s needs were being considered throughout the planning process.

Oliver had plans for older residents, too.

“Seniors need to quit being warehoused and they need to be moved back into towns and put into civilized streets where they’re not isolated,” Oliver said.

Before ending his presentation, Oliver reminded the audience that whatever is decided upon will not only affect us but future generations.

Oliver’s presentation, as well as proposed sketches, will be available at the City of Milton’s website soon. Also, more planning meetings are planned for Tuesday, March 22 and Friday, March 25 at 4 p.m.