LACIE SILVA
Editor
At a recent board meeting, the potential abandonment of Hillcrest Lane was discussed, drawing significant concern from local residents. Many attended the following meeting to express their worries about the impact this decision could have on their neighborhood and the town of Kimball.
Mayor Rex Pesnell addressed the audience, explaining that the board had been approached by developers and property owners to consider the idea. The board’s current stance, he clarified, was that they had only agreed to evaluate the possibility, not make any final decisions. Alderman Matthews had motioned for the board to consider the proposal, seconded by Alderman Lofty.
Mayor Pesnell outlined the steps required before any decision would be made. The process would involve notifying affected property owners, holding a first reading, conducting a public hearing, and then having a second reading of any ordinance changes. Throughout the process, Pesnell emphasized that the board could decide to halt the proposal at any point and welcomed public feedback.
Several residents voiced their opposition, expressing concerns about the road’s long-standing role in managing traffic and the congestion that would worsen if Hillcrest Lane were abandoned. Bobby Blevins highlighted the frequent traffic jams in the area, while Chris Ferrell questioned how much would be sacrificed if the closure went forward. Ferrell supported the idea of adding a new road, citing safety hazards at the current exit due to obstructed views. Dean Pesnell suggested installing new traffic lights, while Clinton Tate echoed concerns about the high traffic levels drawn by local businesses. Todd Smith proposed that developers should bear the cost of any changes, not the town.
In response to questions about why the city was considering the proposal, Mayor Pesnell reiterated that it was simply a request from the developers, and the board was obligated to review it, just as they would with any other request. He noted that the developers had not yet specified what would be built in the area, but the board would require this information before moving forward, giving an example of a prior property deal at Kimball Park.
The board acknowledged that traffic from the interstate also adds to local congestion, with Alderman Matthews supporting this view. Mayor Pesnell assured residents that the process would be slow, potentially extending into the new year, and no decisions were imminent. He stressed that the proposal might not go further but had been brought up for consideration as part of their duty to evaluate requests from the community.
