LISBON - Village Council agreed Tuesday to allow for a new service entrance from Vista Drive to the Columbiana County fairgrounds. It would be closed to the general public.

Authorization for the project to proceed was granted after Mayor Mike Lewis and council's street committee met earlier in the day at the site with fair board representatives and Matt Parkes of the Vista Center, one of two businesses served by the dead-end Vista Drive, which is a public street.

Council member Mary Ann Gray, head of the street committee, recommended the permission be granted based on the presentation made by the fair board officials.

Lewis agreed.

"They made a good explanation ... and Vista Center seemed to be satisfied with the explanation about the impact it would have on traffic," he said.

The fair board intends to close the existing Gate C entrance on Morris Street and replace it with a new Gate C off Vista Drive. The move will create additional parking while also providing easier and more direct access to the fairgrounds for concession stand vendors and the amusement ride company.

The Vista Center's Parkes was concerned about increased traffic interfering with his operations, especially with ambulances trying to get to and from the nursing home/care facility. Fair board officials told him the general public still must use the other entrances, and the only traffic would be from fair staff and the concession vendors and amusement ride company when moving their equipment in and out.

Like all gates, the new Gate C would be staffed by fair personnel, and the gate would be locked the other 51 weeks of the year when the fair is not being held. The six-foot-high chain-link fence surrounding the fairgrounds will be extended westward to Vista Drive.

Parkes said he felt better after the presentation, but he still has other concerns that may or may not materialize, depending upon what happens during construction.

Lewis said he would still like to see a written agreement for all parties to sign to reduce the chance of any future problems.

tgiambroni@mojonews.com