Appling County commissioners authorized staff to begin the process of removing two legs of a three‑way stop at the Prentice Road/Cleveland Lane intersection after hearing public concerns and a staff review citing traffic flow recommendations.

Why it matters: The intersection has contained a three‑way stop for decades. Commissioners and the road manager said the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and state DOT guidance generally disfavor three‑way stop installations where they impede traffic flow; residents living adjacent to the intersection urged preserving the stops for local safety.

Commissioner Barnes summarized the county's review and said Prentice Road is slated for restriping, making it a logical time to consider removing the two stop signs: "Prentice Road is already on the list to be restripe. So if we're gonna do away with this three way stop, now would be the good time to do it because it's already about to be restripe," Barnes said.

Staff noted their packet included MUTCD guidance and crash data for the intersection; the criteria cited for installing a stop control typically include three crashes within a 12‑month period. A resident who lives on the road, identified on the record as Mr. Eddie during public comment, opposed removal and warned that drivers are accustomed to the existing signs: "I feel like you're gonna wind up with a bad wreck right there in my yard ... folks got used to the stop signs," the resident said.

Commissioners weighed the conflicting input. Some favored tabling for further study; others said the DOT guidance and planned striping supported initiating removal. The board voted to begin the administrative process of removing two stop signs, with staff directed to advertise the change, post advance signage, and take actions to reduce liability and notify the public.

The motion carried on a voice vote recorded as "all in favor." Commissioners emphasized the county would publicize the change and install warning signage in advance of any physical removal and said the road crew would remove RPMs and other hardware as part of the process.

Next steps: Road staff will prepare the required public notices and signage and return to the commission with documentation; no immediate physical removal will occur until the advertised notification and sign installation are complete.