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Commissioners debate timing and scope of traffic study as PUD proceeds
Summary
Commissioners pressed staff on whether to require a traffic impact study (more intensive) versus a lighter traffic assessment, cited crash history at the Sulphur College/Highway 25 intersection and raised concerns about voting on rezoning before traffic data are available.
After planning staff recommended a traffic study, commissioners questioned whether to require a full traffic impact study or a lighter traffic assessment and when counts could be taken.
"With 80 units being put on, it's difficult for me to assess that generally," Amanda Harrington said, noting the county's local knowledge should inform the decision. Jared Claiborne, the project engineer, said his recommendation would be to perform a traffic study covering Sulphur College and Highway 25 so the county and TDOT are engaged early. He estimated a traffic assessment might be about $5,000 while a traffic impact study could be in the range of $15,000, both to be paid by the developer.
Commissioner David cautioned that the commission could end up voting on the ordinance's second reading before traffic studies are completed, and said turnover after the election could mean new members vote without the same institutional knowledge. Deputy Brian Crook recounted multiple crashes at the nearby intersection and said a traffic study would likely identify safety issues for the entrance onto Highway 25.
No decision was made at the meeting about which level of study to require; commissioners asked staff to clarify options and timing and noted the final master-plan review could withhold approval if traffic conditions are not met.
