LaGRANGE – The Troup County Commission may be considering a change in what kind of curves can be built on roads in subdivisions following complaints received on curves built in the past.

The commission reviewed a preliminary plat proposal for two subdivisions on Tuesday at its regular work session. Both subdivisions were before the commission for information and comment only, but the commissioners did have some concerns for a curve that they had heard complaints about in the past that was in the proposed design of one of the subdivisions.

“I think, this contractor uses a rolled up curve, and we have had some that’ve been done (like that), and they’re steep, and we catch the flack off of it in the end,” said Commissioner Buck Davis. “I’d like to make sure when this thing (gets) started they had an easy rollover curve.”

The commission has heard complaints in the past that this type of turn threatened to “throw the baby out of the car” while driving. Concerns over this type of curve often arise after homeowners have purchased the property from a contractor and the road has been turned over to the county by the contractor.

“If we allow the rolled back curve, then a standard detail of the rolled back curve has a high back on it that is not a real nice smooth transition to the driveway,” said Emory. “… I think the L-back curve would be a (better) option than just a standard rolled back curve with the required driveway at slightly more of a cost to the homebuilder.”

An L curve would change the shape of parts of the subdivision, but would help alleviate some of the problems that drivers and residents have faced in the past because of rolled back curve. The commission discussed what effects the change might have on contractors, but their greatest concern was with the people who they hope will eventually call the subdivision home.

“I can understand and respect us wanting to help the contractor out… but at the end of it all, the homeowners – the ones buying the properties adjacent to these lines – they are going to have to make the investment,” said Commissioner Tripp Foster. “They are going to have to live there, so they are going to be the ones there for the long hall, and I think we ought to take them into careful consideration for the benefit of them and the grating of the pass because they are going to be the major beneficiaries of that community.”

If the commission does change the policy, only plans that have not yet been approved through the zoning board would be affected by the change, though plans that have sat past the 2 year expiration period for plans would have to make the change when they are re approved through the zoning commission.

“If they are old, old… I think we ought to consider revisiting that,” said Foster. “I understand about costs and changing on the developer if they’ve got their numbers already, but if something’s been sitting for a considerable amount of time, and they haven’t shown any movement on it then I would have less trouble changing on that then something submitted (recently).”

The commissioners requested more information on how many contractors could potentially be impacted by the change before moving forward on any regulation changes, but they overall seemed supportive of the change because of the effects that the change would have on eventual homeowners.

Lindsey Estates on Briley Road and Belmont Farms on Mountville Hogansville Road are scheduled to go before the board of zoning on Nov. 10 at 10 a.m. The Troup County Board of Commissioners is scheduled to meet again Nov. 15 at 9 a.m. at 100 Ridley Ave.