The City of Santa Maria has approved a plan to build 58 new homes on Santa Maria Way, but neighbors say the roads can’t handle the extra traffic.
The new development will give the City of Santa Maria more housing options, but with construction comes traffic, and people who live by Waller Lane and Santa Maria Way aren’t excited about adding more cars to their streets.
“Waller Lane is turning into an expressway,” said resident Barbara Adkins.
The development includes one and two-story single family homes which will be built on a 13.2-acre lot. Each home will be around 2,300 to 2,900 square feet.
Jody Harshbarger has lived near the area for 20 years.
“I moved to the area because it’s nice and quiet,” Harshbarger said.
But with the development bringing 58 new houses just minutes away from his home, Harshbarger wants traffic changes.
“If they’re gonna do that kind of construction to make it more congested around here, they need to do something like that for everybody’s safety,” he said.
After conducting a traffic study, city leaders indicated no major changes were needed.
However, the developer decided to add a median on Santa Maria Way so drivers can make a right turn into and out of the property.
Some resident’s don’t think it’s enough.
“They’re gonna have to end up putting a light there. It’s just so bad, especially in the mornings, in the afternoons and when everybody is getting off work. It’s hard to get out,” Harshbarger said.
While the city works with the community to resolve their concerns, residents believe a street sign on Santa Maria Way and Waller Lane will go a long way in addressing those issues.
