Council backs PUD master plan on first reading amid traffic and access concerns at Lafayette/Illinois

The City Council advanced a planned‑unit development (PUD) and associated rezoning request for parcels at the corner of Lafayette Drive and South Illinois Avenue on first reading after an extended public hearing and lengthy technical discussion.

Council members, led by Councilwoman Smith and others, raised traffic‑safety concerns about access to South Illinois Avenue (a state route), the feasibility of right‑in/right‑out entrances at the proposed locations, and the potential for customers and delivery vehicles to send traffic through the adjacent Woodland neighborhood. Smith said the intersection "is a pretty complicated intersection" and emphasized that previous corridor planning recommended limiting access in the area to residential or light‑office uses rather than added commercial access.

Brian Mills, the acting city engineer, told council that traffic impact studies typically recommend intersection improvements and that engineering did not, at this point, require a study for the master plan but continues to discuss alternatives with the developer and TDOT. Developer representative Rick Chen said the owners seek conditional approval and will work with city staff and TDOT on a design that meets safety requirements and noted they had historical full access to the corner from a 1983 action. Long‑time neighbors, including Joy Henderson of Paris Lane, spoke in opposition citing parking spillover and loss of homes to development.

Council approved the PUD and the associated land‑use map amendment on first reading (vote recorded as 4 ayes, 2 nays for one of the items during the meeting); members asked staff to follow up with traffic engineering and TDOT coordination prior to final action.