Cedar Park residents demand traffic study before Trader Joe's zoning approval

The Cedar Park City Council meeting held on February 27, 2025, focused on significant community concerns regarding a proposed rezoning project. The meeting began with public comments addressing the implications of the rezoning, particularly in relation to traffic and neighborhood impact.

One resident, Ms. Rivera, expressed her apprehension about the changes brought by the rezoning, emphasizing that the community had initially signed up for a different zoning plan. She highlighted the need for concessions due to what she perceived as a breach of commitment by the city. Rivera urged the council to consider the community's concerns as they move forward with the project.

Following her remarks, Tristan Chiswick, a resident from the neighborhood directly south of the proposed site, raised critical traffic concerns. He called for a comprehensive traffic study before any rezoning approval, citing potential traffic backups and safety issues at the intersection of Arrow Pointe Drive and Whitestone Boulevard. Chiswick argued that the expected influx of customers, particularly to a Trader Joe's store, could exacerbate existing traffic problems, drawing comparisons to the traffic conditions seen at nearby retail locations like Costco and Target during peak hours.

Chiswick outlined several specific concerns, including the potential for traffic backups on Arrow Pointe Drive, the risk of accidents due to misjudged traffic patterns, and the inadequacy of parking facilities. He noted that Trader Joe's is known for attracting high volumes of customers, particularly on weekends, which could lead to significant congestion in the area.

In response to these concerns, council members acknowledged the importance of a traffic impact analysis (TIA) as part of the final site plan development. They discussed the existing traffic signal systems and the layout of the proposed site, indicating that while challenges exist, the design aims to facilitate traffic flow.

The meeting concluded with a commitment from the council to consider the residents' feedback and the necessity of a thorough traffic study before proceeding with the rezoning. The discussions underscored the ongoing tension between community development and resident concerns, highlighting the need for careful planning as Cedar Park continues to grow.