Been spending some time since last week to review traffic study documents received from a second FOIA request. Let's talk traffic.

In our first FOIA request, we received documents that Developer Jay Odom submitted Dec. 18, 2023. One document cited a traffic count of 1,904 vehicles that traverse the North Lagoon and Thomas Drive intersection. When I asked a Bay County official on the phone what time of year that traffic count was gathered, I didn't receive an answer. Instead, I received an angry response, "it doesn't matter what time of year."
I, and many of our Grand Lagoon neighbors with whom I've talked, respectfully disagree.

The second set of FOIA documents were received April 5, 2024. These documents include traffic study data from studies Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024 and Friday, Feb. 9, 2024. Each traffic study was conducted from 7:04 a.m.. to 12:20 p.m.
These studies reported 4, 919 and 5,073 vehicles travelled north, south, east and west through that intersection. This was in February - it wasn't even Mardi Gras or Spring Break yet and there were more than 5,000 vehicles that traversed that intersection.
The numbers matter and so does the time of year. This planned development will feature 233 rooms and 267 more parking spaces. That's 267 more vehicles through that intersection. A right-turn lane will be created for traffic coming out of Town Place Suites and traveling on Thomas Drive. A right-turn lane will be included for motorists on North Lagoon turning right. The County Commissioners are talking about directing pedestrian traffic under the bridge and will let taxpayers pay the bill for signage.
Patiently waiting for the promised updated site plan documents this week.