6/17/15
By: Rob Moore
Regional Planner Joe Rothwell of the Georgia Mountains Regional Commission presents an overview of the comprehensive planning process to the handful of people gathered in Helen Tuesday night. Photo by : Rob Moore
Cory Alden and real estate agent Dennis Doll both shared thoughts with Regional Planner Joe Rothwell of the Georgia Mountains Regional Commission.
Alden said he would like to see officials study the transportation layout for Helen, and look at ways to alleviate traffic congestion. One way he suggested was to spread out parking throughout the city to help disperse the backup.
Doll said he would prefer parking outside the city, with a method to shuttle or “tram” visitors in. He also proposed a wooden walkway from the area of Nacoochee Village along the river into town.
Additionally, there was discussion of possible infill or redevelopment of aging properties around the city, since Helen is restricted on possible expansion of its city limits, as White County Director of Community and Economic Development Tom O’Bryant explained.
“There are things that really stop the city from growing,” O’Bryant said.
Among those things are being surrounded by public property – U.S. Forest Service property to the north, as well as Smithgall Woods, Unicoi, and Hardman Farm state parks; and the run of the Chattahoochee River through town.
O’Bryant said redevelopment and infill are about Helen’s only options for much growth. He noted, however, that the city is nearing 50 years as an Alpine village, meaning within the next few years Helen’s downtown will be eligible for National Register designation.
Doll said he’d like to see all of White County, including Cleveland and Helen, adopt standards that prevent light pollution.
The 2015 Comprehensive Plan Survey forms are available from the respective governments and rank what respondents would like to see in the community through 2030 and beyond.
Why can’t Helen build a bridge across main street like the one the have at Piedmont College in Demorest? Seems to me this would help the traffic flow by getting pedestrians off the street.
Because they want traffic to back up so people will see stores and want to stop and shop.
They just put up new pedestrian signs recently on the center yellow line. One of the ambulances was driving thru on a call yesterday and hit on. They are supposed to lay flat when ran over. It messed up something and all of the oil drained out. I believe I heard that the motor is now messed up.