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Public Meetings

The Fort Worth District of the Texas Department of Transportation set a goal to develop a “locally preferred” plan of action to the issues faced in this study. To achieve this goal, it was necessary to allow complete access into the process of evaluating existing and future conditions by those who were interested. Public input was welcomed into the process through several means.

Stakeholder Group
Individuals with an in depth knowledge of Parker County were invited to participate in a “Stakeholder Group.” The Stakeholder Group was comprised of Parker County residents who would be able to provide information on trends in population growth, growth areas, business areas, and other general information on the history of Parker County. The group was made up of residents, business owners, local elected officials, and included the following entities and businesses:

• City of Weatherford (Elected and Staff)
• Parker County (Elected and Staff)
• Peaster ISD
• Parker County Economic Development Corporation
• Weatherford Downtown Association
• Jerry’s Chevrolet, Cadillac
• City of Hudson Oaks (Elected and Staff)
• Weatherford ISD
• Weatherford Chamber of Commerce
• Department of Public Safety
• Campbell Health System
• Roger Williams Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep

Project Kickoff Meeting
This meeting was held in May of 2003, which was during the first month of the study. The meeting involved setting a schedule for the project and in determining the primary goals of the study. Potential stakeholders were identified during this meeting, and an invitation list was prepared. The first Stakeholder Meeting date was scheduled.

Five Stakeholder Meetings
Five Stakeholder meetings were held throughout the course of the fifteen month feasibility study. These meetings were held in order to update stakeholders on the progress of the screening and selection of corridor alternatives, refinement of those alternatives, progress of the study, and to accept input/comments from the group. Stakeholders were mailed individual invitations to all of these meetings. All stakeholder meetings were held in the conference room of the Weatherford Area Office, which is located at 1427 West Bankhead Highway in Weatherford, Texas. Meeting dates for the five stakeholder meetings were:

• First Stakeholder Meeting June 18, 2003
• Second Stakeholder Meeting September 23, 2003
• Third Stakeholder Meeting November 6, 2003
• Fourth Stakeholder Meeting February 24, 2004
• Fifth Stakeholder Meeting July 1, 2004

First Public Meeting
Following the Project Kickoff Meeting and the First Stakeholder Meeting, a public meeting was held on July 15, 2003 at the Weatherford High School Auditorium in Weatherford, Texas. The meeting was advertised in the Weatherford Democrat newspaper twice prior to the meeting, and was attended by approximately 183 citizens who registered their attendance. The meeting provided information about the feasibility study process and invited input from the public. Public comments were overall very positive toward the study, with an acknowledgement by the public that the population of Parker County is growing at a rapid rate, and that traffic in Weatherford and the surrounding county is getting more and more congested. Minutes of this Public Meeting, along with a summary of verbal and written comments made during and after the meeting are available for review at the Weatherford Area Office, which is located at 1427 West Bankhead Highway in Weatherford, Texas.

Second Public Meeting
The second public meeting was held on December 4, 2003 at the Weatherford High School Auditorium in Weatherford, Texas. The meeting was advertised in the Weatherford Democrat newspaper twice prior to the meeting. During this meeting, the Study Team presented minimum criteria on which alignments would be assessed, presented initial identification of alternative alignments and received input/comment from the public on all of these topics. The meeting was attended by approximately 143 people who registered their attendance. Minutes of this Public Meeting, along with a summary of verbal and written comments made during and after the meeting are available for review at the Weatherford Area Office, which is located at 1427 West Bankhead Highway in Weatherford, Texas.

Third Public Meeting
The third public meeting was held on May 20, 2004 at the Weatherford High School Auditorium in Weatherford, Texas. This meeting was advertised twice in the Weatherford Democrat newspaper prior to the meeting. Approximately 626 people registered their attendance at this meeting. During this meeting, the Study Team presented the final recommendations of the feasibility study, and took public comment on the materials presented. Comments were split fairly evenly between residents who believe a loop is needed and between residents who were not in favor of the proposed alignment, as it directly or indirectly impacted their homes, land, or business. Minutes of this meeting, along with a summary of verbal and written comments made during and after the meeting are available for review at the Weatherford Area Office, which is located at 1427 West Bankhead Highway in Weatherford, Texas.

Summary
In conclusion, an extensive effort was made throughout the study to provide information and to solicit input from the people who are likely to be affected by the findings and recommendations of this study. Overall, there appears to be strong community support for a loop roadway around Weatherford. This support is evident by the written and verbal responses received throughout the public involvement process. There is also concern from among those members of the community who will be directly or indirectly impacted by a proposed roadway. However, many members of the community who spoke in opposition to the recommended alignment felt that a loop was needed, but it should be located somewhere other than the recommended location.