Council debates urgent traffic issues amid development concerns

During a recent government meeting, officials discussed the pressing issue of traffic management in relation to planning and zoning. Council members expressed concern that traffic considerations are often sidelined in development discussions, despite being a frequent topic of resident complaints.

One councilman highlighted the importance of prioritizing traffic studies, noting that developers typically conduct traffic impact analyses for zoning cases. However, these analyses do not always satisfy community concerns. The meeting revealed that many residents reach out to the Transportation Safety Advisory Committee (TSAAC) regarding existing traffic problems in their neighborhoods.

To address these issues, the city plans to allocate funds for contracting external traffic studies, particularly for complex situations where in-house staff may lack the capacity or expertise. An example cited was the ongoing study of the Buffalo Pecan Shirts Parkway intersection, which aims to assess pedestrian safety and traffic flow.

The discussion also touched on staffing challenges within the engineering department, which has faced difficulties in filling vacancies. Efforts are underway to attract talent through promotional initiatives and participation in conferences. Currently, the department is down to one or two vacancies, which has impacted its ability to prioritize traffic studies alongside other pressing projects.

Overall, the meeting underscored the need for a balanced approach to development that adequately addresses traffic concerns, while also navigating staffing limitations within the city's engineering resources.