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➢ This analysis does not consider any specific consequences to not just the overall traffic <br />flow but the dangerous conditions that these cars might produce. This property includes <br />a city pedestrian/bike path that these 750 car trips would need to cross. Also, this <br />property is very close to a traffic light and making turns into the busy intersection may <br />prove very difficult. Area residents, familiar with the difficult of turning onto <br />Lexington, know how quickly this property's entrance onto three lanes of traffic could <br />become an "accident hot-spot". No analysis whatsoever has been given to any of these <br />concerns. <br />➢ This analysis also fails to consider in any way the impact to Autumn Street, including the <br />impact of actual traffic behavior. In fact, drivers may be tempted to access the property <br />from the west by driving down Autumn Street and parking on Autumn Street. The City <br />staff has not given one moment of consideration on the record to the impact that such <br />uses would have on a residential street. Further, no analysis has been given of the <br />possible beneficial limits that could be found in: 1) parking restrictions on the first 150 <br />feet along Autumn Street from Lexington, 2) traffic calming measures at the entrance to <br />Autumn Street from Lexington, and 3) signage restricting traffic on Autumn Street to "no <br />thoroughfare" or "local access only". Given the availability in a B-1B zone of having a <br />take-out window, consideration should be given to how Autumn Street would be affected <br />if a future owner of the property opted to locate that window on the south or east faces of <br />the building. Landscaping may help to defray such unintended use, but that has not been <br />discussed in any way. <br />➢ In line with the above discussion, it is necessary that the City also consider the change in <br />time/day of traffic as a result of the Rezoning. As a B-1 property, with an emphasis on <br />professional uses (non-retail), traffic is largely confined to the regular business day, with <br />peaks at the start and end of normal business hours. Such considerations were at play a <br />few years ago in the decision to allow development of the large professional building <br />across the street, rather than the alternative use of a gas station/convenience store. Area <br />residents are least likely to be in the street on weekdays at this time, but a change in <br />business use may negatively impact the enjoyment of Autumn Street at new times, <br />including weekends. Any minimally acceptable traffic analysis must consider how a B- <br />1 B property could affect the traffic situation at times when the residential street is most <br />likely to be at use by children and walkers, such as weekends and evenings. <br />➢ Further, in the Planning Document, the City suggested that the redevelopment of 1901 <br />Lexington would be better conducted in conjunction with the property immediately to the <br />north. The reasons for that admission are readily understood: the traffic flow pattern <br />could be significantly enhanced by a development that allowed access onto Roselawn and <br />Lexington simultaneously, since it is likely to be difficult to turn out of this property onto <br />Lexington (with consequences for Autumn Street in a variety of ways). A reasonable <br />examination of this proposal should have included an analysis (on the record and thus <br />subject to criticism) of whether a substantially more suitable proposal for use should <br />militate against this partial proposal. The foundation of a sound decision by the City <br />Council must include some element of alternatives and long-range planning. <br />� � <br />