98-80 DESIGNATING FOUR-WAY STOP INTERSECTIONS

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It was moved and seconded (Sober/Ballard) to install four-way stop signs at the intersections of Leafland Avenue/Lowber Street and Leafland Avenue/Charles Street. Newell asked the Commission if the reason they want four-way stops is because of the request of the neighborhood. The Commission in times past and the way staff has recommended things is that the least traffic control should be installed to get the job done. The staff recommendation is for two-way stop signs facing Lowber at Leafland. He wonders what is being gained by putting in four-way stops. The stated objectives of the neighborhood are not being achieved. Gillen stated that this is the wish of the neighborhood. Moore believes there aze a lot of children in the neighborhood. Ryan stated that if this is an accident problem, a four-way stop will not address it. If this were a through street, it would be different, but there are other ways to get around this neighborhood. This is not an accident issue, it is an issue to limit the desirability of people from driving through the neighborhood. It is to help the residents identify their area. Apart from the accident issue, if there is a reason not to do this, he would be glad to listen to it. Gillen believes if you do not put in two 4-way stops, drivers will know they do not have to stop and will speed up. Mr. Works stated that the neighborhood is willing to stop at each corner if it will eliminate the unnecessary traffic and the possibility of saving some child from getting hit. Newell stated that if the goal is to remove unnecessary tra.i�ic from the neighborhood, look at other four-way stops in the City which have not been successful in controlling traffic. A four-way stop has never been used to reduce traffic through a neighborhood. They are generally installed when there are traffic volumes or accident numbers that warrant it. If the Commission is trying to reduce through traffic, stop signs will not do that. � Ryan wonders if traffic diverters would be an idea to look at. Newell advised that stop signs are difficult to remove once they have been installed because of the risk factor. Moore would like to consider something to beautify the neighborhood instead of putting in stop signs. They do slow traffic down. This is an alternative. Ryan sees that traffic diversion is the most important thing to do here, which would be something to make it desirable for unnecessary traffic to avoid the neighborhood. People who live in the neighborhood are not the problem here. Newell stated that the traffic counts do not warrant a four-way stop. Only 38 people went through the intersection during the peak hour. That is one person every two minutes.