Traffic concerns dominated the Cornelius Planning Board meeting on May 7, 2025, as officials discussed the implications of a proposed development on Bailey Road. The analysis revealed that adding a new driveway would significantly worsen traffic conditions, dropping the northbound approach to a level of service F during peak school hours. This raised alarms about safety and operational efficiency, prompting the recommendation for a roundabout to mitigate the impact.

The meeting highlighted that the majority of peak traffic is linked to parents and students during school hours, although specific data on traffic composition was not available. Board members questioned whether the traffic issues faced by Cornelius schools were unique or reflective of broader trends across Charlotte. The traffic expert could not definitively answer this, leaving some uncertainty about local driving patterns.

Concerns were also raised about the roundabout's design and its ability to accommodate larger vehicles, such as tractor-trailers, which may access the proposed park. Board members expressed worries that increased traffic from the new development, combined with the recent addition of 600 students at Davidson Elementary School, could exacerbate congestion on Bailey Road.

In addition to the roundabout discussion, improvements to the intersection of Bailey Road and Highway 115 were mentioned, with ongoing reviews for enhancements to left turn lanes being conducted by Circle K. The meeting underscored the need for careful planning to address the anticipated traffic challenges as Cornelius continues to grow.