People have probably driven past the proposed Gendron development site near Lake Auburn that has generated so much legal and zoning controversy.

As I read the application, I am immediately struck by the volume of traffic predicted by the developers. The language and numbers are quoted exactly below:

“The proposed development is anticipated to produce the following peak hour trips:

AM Peak Hour (generator) = 755

PM Peak Hour (generator) = 1,107

Saturday Peak Hour = 728

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at the following location: 225 Gracelawn Road.”

The largest number is 1,107 vehicles per hour at the p.m. peak hour, or the evening rush hour. This is 18.45 vehicles per minute, or almost one vehicle every three seconds.

This is not the total number of vehicles. This is the amount of increase over the number that would normally pass through that area.

I hope people consider seriously whether the proposed Gracelawn Development (Ledge Water) is a good idea in light of these facts: the increased volume of traffic in the area would require expensive changes to the surrounding roads, paid for by Auburn taxpayers; the safety of Lake Auburn and its filtration waiver cannot possibly be helped and might well be endangered by this development; there are two ongoing legal actions concerning the way the city of Auburn has handled the situation.

The full application, from which these predictions are quoted, is available at Auburn City Hall.

Ben Lounsbury, Auburn

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