A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to examining the potential traffic issues at the intersection of Chestnut and Shaker Roads. Updated site plans included a truck turning diagram and draft agreements for contributing funds toward traffic improvements on Chestnut Street. Jason Adams, a representative of the applicant, detailed proposed traffic enhancements, such as an eastbound right turn lane and improved turning radii for heavy vehicles. These changes aimed to address public concerns raised during previous hearings.

Board members and the applicant’s team discussed the need for further geometric improvements at key intersections, acknowledging that existing traffic challenges would be exacerbated by the development. A traffic engineer reported that the Shaker and Chestnut intersection had a crash rate of 0.62 per million entering vehicles from 2017 to 2021, which was lower than statewide averages. However, concerns were raised about intersections with higher-than-average crash rates, such as Dwight, Maple, and William Streets, which might require additional safety measures.

The discussion also highlighted the variability of truck trips, dependent on the tenant’s operations and regional distribution strategies. It was suggested that a post-occupancy monitoring program be implemented to validate initial traffic estimates and address unforeseen issues. Moreover, public comments underscored the importance of evaluating intersections not previously considered, like Chestnut and Benton Drive, where trucks have experienced difficulties.

Residents expressed concerns about the project’s impact on local traffic patterns, particularly the potential for increased congestion due to navigation systems directing trucks through residential areas. The board assured attendees that improvements would be designed within public right-of-way, avoiding property takings, but emphasized the necessity of further evaluations to alleviate community apprehensions.

Traffic safety was a recurring theme, with residents voicing worries about increased accidents, especially in adverse weather conditions. One resident highlighted the challenges truck drivers face when navigating uphill on Chestnut Street during snow or ice. Concerns were also raised about the environmental impacts of the project, including air pollution and noise, which had not been thoroughly addressed.

The board and community members acknowledged the economic benefits of the development, such as job creation and increased tax revenue. However, many residents prioritized safety over financial gains, emphasizing that potential hazards from increased traffic outweighed the project’s benefits.