Woods Road will remain open until a citizen's committee and county officials find another way to solve traffic problems on the road, according to county documents.

In response to County Councilman Carl "Dutch" Holland's recommendation to keep the road open, John Brusnighan, director of public works, on Wednesday wrote that the county "will terminate all plans to close Woods Road at this time."

Mr. Holland recommended keeping the road open because of the "strong opinion of the residents in that area."

He also wrote that he "has serious concerns that the response time, of fire and emergency medical equipment into that area" would increase." He said studies show placing a barrier at 11th Street and Woods Road would add as much as five minutes to emergency vehicle response times.

Mr. Holland's letter recommended that the Concerned Citizens of Mountain Road and the Greater Pasedena Council form a citizen committee to look at alternatives and report to Mr. Holland on Jan. 1.

Frank Halgas, president of the Greater Pasadena Council, will be chairman and will be helped by people from the fire, police, and planning and code enforcement departments.