Alderman: 'I don’t see the results of this (traffic) study helping at all.'

Homeowners off South National Drive in Parkville are not pleased with the city’s efforts so far to deal with increased traffic and speeding in their neighborhood.

The Parkville Board of Aldermen held a special meeting Monday, June 24 to hear the presentation of a traffic study conducted by TranSystems at the intersection of South National Drive, River Hills Drive and Crooked Road. In the study, consultants concluded that the addition of a few stop signs may be sufficient to address resident concerns.

The residents who spoke out — all with addresses on South National Drive — disagreed. Carol Broadway, who lives in the cul de sac at the end of South National, spoke up at the meeting. In 2017, she presented the city with a petition signed by neighborhood residents protesting the extension of South National Drive at that cul de sac and the construction of 60 more homes. The city approved that development application, with work moving forward now.

She said there are eight houses with 10 children on her block, and more stop signs are warranted for the safety of the children and other residents, but that the city needs to do more.

Aldermen said they knew of residents’ concerns and wanted to work with them.

“We need to slow people down because people feel unsafe in their own neighborhood,” alderman Philip Wassmer said. “I don’t see the results of this study helping at all.”

Director of public works Alysen Abel said some concerns from the new addition and speeding in different areas of the neighborhood came up after the current study had been commissioned and so were not included in the current study.

Resident Kenneth Howe said he was tired of studies.

“Are we waiting for a fatality before we do something?” Howe said, stating he had recently fallen in the crosswalk while he and his dog dodged a speeding vehicle. “It’s a wonder I haven’t been jailed for assaulting some of these people.”

The frustration of the dozen residents in attendance was obvious, with some expressing regret for moving to the neighborhood and disillusionment with the city.

Resident Frank Nieto, who said he previously lived in Italy, suggested the addition of traffic circles to slow traffic.

“The Italians may not be known for efficiency for much, but they made excellent use of traffic circles,” he said.

Abel said that because the homes on South National are already set close to the roadway, the addition of traffic circles could cut into people’s front lawns.

Mayor Nan Johnston said with 60 more houses in the area on the way the problem wasn’t going to solve itself and the city needed to come up with solutions.

Wassmer suggested the installation of speed bumps or speed humps, which Abel has previously said could impede snow plowing in the winter. Perhaps the bumps could be temporary, to see if it has an impact on driving habits, Wassmer said.

Alderman Dave Rittman suggested the installation of four-way stops to slow traffic, but the TranSystems consultant in attendance said the addition of “unnecessary” four-way stops is frowned upon. Additionally, the consultant suggested the accounts of speeding were exaggerated, but aldermen who had driven the route themselves agreed with residents.

Howe said the Parkville Police Department needs to step up its enforcement efforts in the neighborhood, with other residents wondering how many speeding tickets are written in the area on average. Neighbors in attendance supported the suggestion of more enforcement and police presence.

When Abel told aldermen that she would further consult with TranSystems and come up with alternative suggestions for dealing with the traffic, residents balked at the timeline she suggested. The matter would not come before the board again until late July or early August.

Rittman and alderman Greg Plumb suggested the city staff try to speed its efforts to bring some resolution to the neighborhood and its problems.