Development boundary expands

Many expect that a future four-way intersection at Columbia Road and William Few Parkway, created by the extension of William Few Parkway south to Chamblin Road, will be ripe for development.

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To guide development, county commissioners on Tuesday approved moving an existing perimeter for commercial development, called a node, 1,750 feet west to encompass the new intersection.

Officials are negotiating the purchase of rights of way to extend William Few Parkway. The $2 million project is meant to ease traffic in the area once Grovetown High School opens in August 2009.

In the county's Growth Management Plan, nodes are intended to lessen sprawl by concentrating growth in specific locations.

Commissioners also approved a resolution Tuesday that will raise fares for public transportation 50 cents for all passengers except those 12 and younger. Passengers 60 and older will pay $3, and those between ages 12 and 60 will pay $4.50. Children under 12 are charged $1.

Though the service carries passengers as far into Richmond County as the north side of Gordon Highway, only Columbia County residents can use the service.

The public transit department's operating budget for the next fiscal year is more than $359,000, with $70,000 designated for fuel. The fare increase will bring in about $3,200 more each year and will take effect July 1.