Residents of West Highland Park voiced significant concerns during the recent City Council Special Meeting regarding increased traffic on Old Deerfield Road and Richfield Road due to a proposed development. Community members fear that the influx of vehicles could lead to gridlock, particularly during peak hours, which may hinder emergency response times.

One resident urged the commission to consider limiting access to the development to right turns only, similar to the traffic flow at the nearby Chantilly development. They highlighted that allowing left turns across two lanes of traffic could exacerbate congestion and create dangerous bottlenecks, especially for police and emergency vehicles trying to navigate the area.

In response to these concerns, it was noted that the Highland Park Chief of Police has requested that the developers cover the costs of constructing a new driveway that would connect directly to Deerfield Road. This proposed access point aims to alleviate traffic on Old Deerfield Road and improve emergency response times for the East and North Highland Park areas.

The discussions at the meeting underscore the community's commitment to ensuring public safety and efficient traffic management as new developments are considered. As the City Council moves forward, the focus remains on balancing growth with the needs of residents and emergency services.