A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to a analysis of the traffic impact study related to the proposed schools, with council members and the public raising questions about assumptions made in the study, such as the percentage of students being dropped off by parents versus those taking buses. The traffic engineer’s presentation addressed the methodology behind traffic projections and the efforts to mitigate the impact on surrounding roadways by spreading out arrival and departure times. This led to an extensive examination of potential congestion and safety issues, particularly at nearby intersections during peak hours.

The council members and residents voiced concerns about the capacity of the existing traffic light at Jackson Mills and Chandler Road and the proposal for a new traffic light at the intersection of Heisen Road and Chandler Road. The need for roadway improvements, such as signalizing intersections and a modified entrance driveway design with separate ingress and egress lanes, was also a focal point of the discussion.

Public participation added another layer to the debate, with individuals expressing frustration over the process of addressing the traffic engineer and the fact witness. There was a call for clear communication regarding the procedure for public comments and interaction with the board or witnesses.

Safety was a recurring theme throughout the meeting, as council members and residents debated the adequacy of the proposed site’s access points in emergency situations. A council member underscored the urgency of designing a wide and safe entrance for emergency vehicles, referencing current global threats and the need for proactive planning. The discussion also touched upon the proposed school busing plans, with concerns about the feasibility and practicality of transporting students in the area.

The potential difficulty for buses navigating turns on Chandler Road and the impact of other developments on traffic compounded the concerns.

The project representatives attempted to address the challenges by emphasizing the independent and efficient operation of each facility within the development. They assured that the design included sufficient drop-off areas and parking spaces to prevent congestion. Nevertheless, the debate continued over the adequacy of the traffic study, the timing of its data collection, and the assessment of traffic volumes during different seasons.

The council also highlighted the need for a comprehensive understanding of the development’s potential impact, with further questioning planned for both the board and the public. The representatives acknowledged the concerns about emergency evacuation and the safety of students and faculty, stating that emergency protocols would be established, although such analysis was not typically part of the traffic impact study.

Moreover, the discussion entailed the implications of the proposed roadways, the width of the road, driveways, the turning ability of buses, and the impact on traffic flow. A resident’s skepticism about the conclusions of the traffic study and its predictions for future traffic patterns led to the suggestion of a supplemental study to obtain current data. The idea of hiring a third-party traffic expert for an independent assessment was explored as well.

The meeting concluded with administrative matters, including adjustments to the schedule for development applications and the waiving of the time of decision rule for one application. The council expressed gratitude to a participant for their exceptional contribution to the discourse.