The Carroll County Board of Commissioners on June 2 authorized the chairman to negotiate and execute a development agreement with Tamarack Land Creekide LLC that requires the developer — along with O'Reilly's Auto Parts, the buyer of a nearby parcel — to fund road improvements at Strippling Chapel Road and U.S. 27.
Ben Skipper, director of community development, described the work: the current through lane at the US 27 intersection will be converted to a left-turn lane, a left-turn signal will be installed, and lane assignments to US 27 will be adjusted so the through movement aligns properly. Skipper emphasized the county would not bear the cost: "What we have is a development agreement for the developer to pay at the sole cost of him and not to the taxpayers of Carroll County to do road improvements," he said.
Staff said the parcel is within the city limits of Carolton but will access a county road, so the agreement requires coordination with public works, adherence to county ordinances and final approval by public works for the finished product. Commissioner discussion noted the project was previously approved at the city level years ago and was being revived; a motion to authorize the chairman to negotiate and execute the agreement passed unanimously (7-0).
The agreement assigns construction responsibility and expense to the developer and obligates contractors to coordinate with public works; the county attorney and planning staff indicated the county will retain oversight to ensure the finished work meets county standards.