98-80 DESIGNATING FOUR-WAY STOP INTERSECTIONS

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Newell's data shows that the counts for Leafland/ Charles do not indicate any cars going over 40 mph on Charles. The average speed was 19 mph during the 3:00 p.m. hour. On Leafland, there was only one car going between 45 and 50 mph during that period, four were between 40 and 45 mph, and five were between 35 and 40, a11 going eastbound. This was out of nearly 1,000 cars on Leafland during a 24-hour period. The speeds, according to the count, were normal. Ron Ballard is familiar with the neighborhood. He believes the problem is coming from the Kevlar Liquor store on the corner of Grand and Jasper. He also thinks shift changes at Wagner Castings are a problem. The school is a problem, although he noticed a crosswalk was painted across Grand to Lowber. He believes it would help the neighborhood if two 4-way stop intersections were installed. Jimmy Sober favors signs at both intersections. He does not like an unmarked intersection, and it is better to have a yield or stop sign. He would be willing to put in four-way stops. He believes if it belongs at one intersection, it belongs at both. Donna Spangler agrees with a four-way stop, but cannot see a four-way stop at both intersections. She wonders if speeds can get too fast coming either way in a two-block area. Newell stated that speeds are not the problem here. There may be one or two fast vehicles a day. These people will either ignore the stop signs or leave a patch of rubber after they stop. This will not change the speeds. Spangler would side with the people who live in the neighborhood, because they have a feeling for what is going on there. Fire Battalion Chief James Gillen agrees with Spangler. If the people want stop signs, they should be installed at both intersections. He does not believe the four-way stop is necessary, and would agree with the staff recommendation. Ryan tried to approach this from the aspect that this is not a traffic problem, it is a neighborhood problem. If the livability of the neighborhood would improve and there is not a good reason not to do it, he feels it should be done. If it is a through street and there is a lot of traffic on it, if there is no reason not to do it, if the people of the neighborhood want it, it should be done. If the goal is to address the concerns of the neighborhood, we should do what they want. Whether it happens a lot or not, there are a lot of people who do not belong in the neighborhood. Unless he hears a reason why four-way stops should not be put in there, he would agree to put in four-way stops. Moore believes speeds appear to be higher because of the four major streets around the neighborhood. There are also a lot of children in the neighborhood. There are younger drivers as well. There is a lot of speeding that goes through there. He talked to some people who are concerned about the speed. He concurs with what appears to be the majority. Spangler believes that if one is changed, they both should be changed.