During a recent government meeting, officials discussed the implications of traffic studies related to local development projects, particularly focusing on the Angel Trace development. Concerns were raised about the accuracy of traffic projections provided by developers, with a notable emphasis on the need for independent verification of these studies. One official highlighted that the proposed development could lead to a 59% increase in traffic, prompting calls for a thorough independent traffic study to confirm or challenge the developer's claims.

The conversation also touched on the role of the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) in reviewing traffic data submitted by developers. Officials expressed confidence in NCDOT's ability to scrutinize these figures, but there was a consensus that local governments should not independently conduct traffic studies due to the potential for political disputes over the findings.

A proposal was made to draft preliminary language to update existing traffic policy, aiming to establish clearer guidelines for assessing the impact of new developments on local traffic. Officials discussed the importance of addressing traffic concerns early in the development process, suggesting that developers should present comprehensive traffic plans before finalizing their proposals.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to continue refining the draft policy and ensuring that traffic mitigation measures are adequately addressed in future development discussions. The officials expressed a desire to maintain a collaborative approach with NCDOT while ensuring that the needs of the community are prioritized in the face of growing development pressures.