A circle drive at Warren County Animal Control and Adoption Center was meant to ease parking issues, but it could have created others.

During a joint meeting of the county’s Building and Grounds Committee and Health and Welfare Committee, commissioners toured the site and expressed concerns.

“I’m concerned about the building getting flooded out,” said Commissioner Kenny Roberts, who said water is being directed toward Animal Control.

Commissioner Tommy Savage suggested the placement of rip rap in a stair-stepped pattern in the ditches to slow water down.

Simerly Excavation was hired to cut through the hill and connect the upper and lower driveways. Once the area was gravel-ready, Road Superintendent Levie Glenn offered to place gravel. Gravel work is pending committee approval on the dirt work.

Roberts says heavy rain will wash the gravel down the steep hill.

“The loose dirt on the banks has gotten me concerned, also. If you put rock down on the drive itself and we have some big rains like what we have at times, that rock is going to be washed right down to the front door.”

The original intent was to use the newly connected drive as an exit with motorists traveling up the hill. When discussion turned to people spinning on the gravel and making the erosion situation worse, consideration was given to reversing the flow of traffic and using the hill as an entrance.

“It might be smarter to be going up it, if there’s ice and stuff,” said Commissioner Blaine Wilcher.

Commissioner Teddy Boyd stated, “If they come off that hill and start to slide, the next thing you know we’d have one in the building.”

Boyd suggested any further work to the area may have to wait until spring due to the condition of the ground.

Committee members approved blocking the bottom of the hill to prevent access until the issues can be addressed.