Residents of Lehigh voiced strong concerns during a recent city council meeting regarding a proposed development project that could significantly impact their neighborhood. The meeting, which marked the third discussion on the matter, featured multiple residents expressing their apprehensions about traffic congestion, loss of property value, and the overall compatibility of the development with existing community standards.

Todd Reese, a local resident, articulated his frustration over the perceived attempts to amend the general plan to favor developers. He highlighted concerns about increased traffic from the proposed 88-unit development, questioning how residential traffic would navigate the area without sufficient exits to main roads. Reese referenced Mayor Johnson's earlier comments about the municipality's limited capacity to support growth, emphasizing that the ongoing development in neighboring Saratoga Springs would exacerbate traffic issues in Lehigh.

Jill Elmont, another resident, raised concerns about the potential loss of views and privacy due to the new development, which she argued would diminish the value of her property. She also pointed out the inadequacy of current traffic outlets and the need for more infrastructure to support the growing population.

Colton Smith echoed these sentiments, stressing that the existing road infrastructure could not handle the additional traffic from the new homes. He calculated that the development could lead to over 500 vehicles exiting daily, compounding existing traffic problems at key intersections.

Patrick Trent, a local teacher, added to the discussion by highlighting the dangers posed by increased traffic, particularly for children in the area. He suggested that larger lot sizes could mitigate some of the issues by reducing the number of homes and, consequently, the traffic.

The city council also received online comments supporting the need for green spaces and better integration of the new development with existing neighborhoods. Residents expressed a desire for parks and natural areas to enhance community aesthetics and livability.

In response to the public's concerns, city officials acknowledged the need for careful planning and consideration of infrastructure improvements to accommodate growth. The meeting concluded with a commitment to further evaluate the development proposal and its implications for the community.