DAPHNE, Ala. — The Daphne Planning Commission Thursday debated possible avenues of relieving traffic congestion at the intersection of highways 98 and 64. A proposed plan to create 10 commercial rental properties has sparked talk of redesigning access points at the troubled area.

Councilwoman Cathy Barnette—who also sits on the commission—suggested that a traffic study be conducted. The plan for such a study will be brought to the City Council for a vote.

Vice Chairman Larry Chason said there needs to be more planning to go into redeveloping the congested intersection.

“Everybody on that block has a responsibility to help this problem,” he said.

The talk of traffic congestion was raised by the discussion of the subdivision of the five-acre Handy Lock Self Storage lot. The subdivision calls for the displacement of an access point, which would present a purportedly negative affect on the area's already high traffic flow. The preliminary plat review was killed in a 5-1 vote that required unanimous agreement. The application can come back before the commission in 30 days to seek approval.

The subdivision of two lots on Wilson Avenue in the Ephraim neighborhood was another focal point of the meeting.

The plat called for the property to be subdivided and a road to be placed opposite from   Wilson Avenue.

Christina White, a lot owner, said she widened the road next to her home after signing a plat requiring her to do so in July.

Now, the developer is calling for another road to be built.

It was agreed that the first document must be canceled or amended to include the new road.

Chason said that the commission will continue for 30 days to work out the problem.

“I have all the confidence in the world that this is a workable problem,” he said.

Also Thursday, two deficiencies with the Estates of Tiawasee were brought to the commission’s attention.

The neighborhood’s landscaping has evolved to a point where it’s beginning to cause problems, according to Darryl Russel, an engineer with McCrory and Williams. Hurricanes, he said, have caused erosion in the irrigation lines.

Developers have agreed to work on combatting these problems by cooperating with engineers and landscapers.

Another deficiency is the lack of an approved landscape plan.

Landscaper Kent Broom said he is in the process of creating the drawings. He will write an itemized cost estimate of the project and will submit it to the commission, he said.

“If you know me, you know I’ll come up with a good solution,” Broom said.

A planning commission work session meeting was scheduled for Oct. 22 at 8 a.m. to discuss land use.

The neighborhood’s landscaping has evolved to a point where it’s beginning to cause problems, according to Darryl Russel, an engineer with McCrory and Williams. Hurricanes, he said, have caused erosion in the irrigation lines.

Developers have agreed to work on combatting these problems by cooperating with engineers and landscapers.

Another deficiency is the lack of an approved landscape plan.

Landscaper Kent Broom said he is in the process of creating the drawings. He will write an itemized cost estimate of the project and will submit it to the commission, he said.

“If you know me, you know I’ll come up with a good solution,” Broom said.