AGENDA #4f
MEMORANDUM
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TO: |
Roger L. Stancil, Town Manager |
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FROM: |
George Small, P.E., Engineering Director Kumar Neppalli, Engineering Services Manager |
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SUBJECT: |
Response to Petition Requesting All-Way Stop Control at the Southeast Intersection of Highgrove Drive and Hillspring Lane in Southern Village |
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DATE: |
September 24, 2007 |
PURPOSE
This report responds to a petition requesting the installation of all-way stop control at the southeast intersection of Highgrove Drive and Hillspring Lane in Southern Village. Please see the area map provided in Attachment 1.
We recommend that the Council enact the attached ordinance authorizing installation of all-way stop control at the southeast intersection of Highgrove Drive and Hillspring Lane in Southern Village.
At its June 27, 2007 meeting, the Town Council received a petition (Attachment 2) requesting that all-way stop control be installed at the southeast intersection of Highgrove Drive and Hillspring Lane in Southern Village. The petition was submitted by the Southern Village Homeowners Association, and it is supported by a majority of homeowners who live in the vicinity of the intersection. The petitioners expressed the following concerns in support of their request:
Highgrove Drive and Hillspring Lane are maintained by the Town and the posted speed limit is 25 mph on both streets. Both streets are 27 feet wide with curb and gutter with sidewalks on both sides. Hillspring Lane intersects with Highgrove Drive at two different locations as shown on the area map.
Highgrove Drive is designated as a “through” street at its intersection with Hillspring Lane, and vehicles currently continue through the intersection without being required to stop. Hillspring Lane is designated as “stop” street, and vehicles are required to stop at the existing stop sign before continuing through the intersection.
Town staff visited the site and evaluated conditions at different times of the day. We noticed that the drivers view coming out of Hillspring Lane is obstructed by the vegetation in the private property located in southeast corner. We do not believe that it is practicable to remove or reduce the height of the vegetation from this property. We also observed a significant number of school-age children using the bus stops and crossing the intersections in the morning and afternoon.
In 1989, the Town Council adopted a policy for the placement of stop signs and assignment of speed limits. A copy of the policy is provided in Attachment 3. The policy was adopted to provide guidance and consistency in responding to requests for the installation of stop signs and the assignment of speed limits on public streets.
We considered the stop sign requests at Highgrove Drive and Hillspring Lane in Southern Village in terms of the following criterion outlined in the Council’s policy:
#4) Intersection where a combination of high speed, restricted sight distance, and serious accident record indicates a need for control by stop sign(s).
CONCLUSION
We think that the installation of the requested stop signs could mitigate potential conflicts and confusion for vehicular traffic, and could improve pedestrian safety at and in the vicinity of the subject intersection. If the additional stop signs are authorized by the Council, we would include “Stop Ahead” warning signs and stop bars on all approaches to the intersections. We sent a copy of this report to the neighborhood representatives in the area.
The Town recently installed crosswalk markings at this intersection as requested by the Homeowner’s Association. We will continue to work with the area residents to identify and implement solutions to mitigate traffic problems.
We recommend that the Council enact the attached ordinance authorizing installation of all-way stop control at the intersection of Highgrove Drive and Hillspring Lane in Southern Village.
