Driveway permit denied on safety issue

Although safety concerns led Wayne County’s commissioners to deny a driveway permit Nov. 19, the county will continue trying to help Josh Wampler.

Wampler installed a second driveway at 6432 Manning Road, which is south of Economy, to sell cars from his property, a business for which Wampler received a variance from the county’s Board of Zoning Appeals. Unfortunately, he did not first apply for his driveway permit, and the driveway does not provide the required sight distance to the north because the road dips.

Commissioners heard Wampler’s case Oct. 15 and asked the county highway department to study traffic speeds. Mike Sharp, the highway supervisor, reported Nov. 19 that 85% of traffic travels at 50 miles per hour. Reducing the speed limit or installing “hidden drive” signs would have little impact on travel speeds, according to Sharp.

Although sympathetic to Wampler’s situation, commissioners agreed the overriding safety concern prevented them from approving the driveway permit.

To alleviate his problem, Wampler could connect the new driveway to the driveway that leads to his house, or he could move where the second driveway meets the road to a spot satisfying sight distance standards. Sharp and Brandon Sanders, the county engineer, will identify that spot and confer further with Wampler.

Other actions

• Commissioners authorized purchase of a chip spreader for chip-sealing roadways from Southeastern Equipment Company for $431,251, a price that includes a spare wheel. 
• The county will donate a 2019 Dodge Charger formerly used by the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office to Union County. Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution allowing the donation.
• Commissioners also unanimously approved an interlocal agreement with Milton that provides $9,239 in county opioid settlement money to Milton Police Department for purchase of body cameras and handguns. The opioid money comes from the county’s share of state settlements with opioid manufacturers, distributors and retailers for their roles in the opioid crisis.