Residents of Fort Collins expressed significant concerns regarding traffic safety and infrastructure during a recent city council meeting, focusing on the proposed development of a 265-home community by Zocalo Community Development. The meeting highlighted apprehensions from local homeowners about the potential increase in traffic volume and its impact on already congested streets.

Several residents from the Skyview South and Skyview North neighborhoods voiced their worries about the adequacy of current road infrastructure to handle the anticipated influx of vehicles. They argued that streets like Constellation and Skyway are not equipped to accommodate the additional traffic, which could range from 265 to 500 cars. Concerns were raised about the lack of sidewalks and bike lanes, making the streets unsafe for pedestrians and cyclists.

Libby Abramovich, a local resident, emphasized the safety risks posed by increased traffic, particularly near a nearby disability school. Other residents echoed her sentiments, urging the council to reconsider traffic patterns and the need for traffic studies that include their streets. They highlighted that existing traffic conditions already lead to long wait times at intersections, particularly during rush hours.

The developer's representative, Andy Peters, defended the project, stating that the traffic impact study (TIS) indicated no significant adverse effects on the surrounding streets. He noted that the city had already planned improvements for the intersection of College and Trilby, which would accommodate the new development's traffic. Peters argued that the city’s regulations limit the requirement for off-site improvements unless there is a direct impact from the project.

Residents countered that the TIS did not accurately reflect current traffic conditions, citing discrepancies in traffic volume data. They called for a more thorough analysis that considers the cumulative effects of multiple developments in the area.

The council's discussion included questions about the scoping process for traffic studies and whether residents could appeal decisions made during that process. City staff clarified that the scoping is determined early in the project review and can be questioned during the decision-making stage.

As the meeting concluded, residents urged the council to take their concerns seriously and consider revisiting the traffic studies to ensure the safety and well-being of the community amidst ongoing development pressures.