Council hears TESAC report; staff says left‑turn lanes were added to Deets Elorn reconstruction bid, some council members raise school drop‑off concerns

Fair Oaks Ranch — The Transportation Safety Advisory Committee updated council on safety submissions on June 4, and staff reported that feasibility work resulted in incorporating dedicated left‑turn lanes into the Deets Elorn Road reconstruction plans.

Assistant City Manager Carol Vanzant summarized TESAC’s work, noting that a prior front‑gate / Fair Oaks Parkway submission had been completed and closed. A newer submission asked staff to study traffic hazards at the Deets Elorn and Chartwell intersection. TESAC recommended evaluating a dedicated left‑turn lane from Deets Elorn onto Chartwell; staff said the reconstruction project plans were modified to include the left‑turn lanes and that the project had been released for bid.

Several council members and attendees raised concerns that adding the left‑turn lane might remove the existing brief gap that currently allows parents to exit the school and turn left during morning drop‑off; they warned that this could cause queueing that backs into the school campus during peak drop‑off periods. Staff acknowledged the concern and suggested the council revisit traffic‑control alternatives as the reconstruction proceeds; staff noted the turn‑lane configuration was already included in bid documents but said council could consider additional measures if needed.

Speakers quoted: Carol Vanzant; council members expressed concerns based on school‑drop‑off observations.

What’s next: Staff will monitor the intersection as the reconstruction project proceeds and will bring options to council as needed to manage school‑period queuing and safety.