Policy

The Public Works Department installs traffic control devices (signs). Such devices must have no negative impact upon the safe and efficient movement of people and goods.

Rationale

Frequently citizens request installation of traffic control devices, which they perceive as being beneficial. Traffic research may not be able to document that they indeed offer additional convenience or safety. On the other hand, there is no conclusive evidence that they are unsafe. The Department will thus react to a petition which indicates a reasonably strong desire among neighborhood residents to have the device.

Procedure

The party requesting the device should contact the Public Works Director. The Director will review the request and, if needed, contact the requesting party to discuss options.

If the request meets the specific criteria as described in the policy statement for that device, a petition will then be sent to the requesting party. The petition will include language which describes the action to include pros and cons.

• A valid petition requires signatures representing a majority of the affected property owners. The affected properties will be described in the petition.
• The person authorized to sign a petition for a unit shall be the occupant. Multi-unit buildings shall have their property footage prorated among the units.
• The property(s) where the sign(s) is to be located must sign the petition in favor of the request to be a valid petition.
• A valid petition shall have at least two properties approving it. An exception would be if one property has 100% of the affected footage.
• No one property shall have veto power; thus a large property could not stop a petition by not signing it. At least one other property must also not sign.
• There may be a cost for the traffic control device. The cost will be described in the petition. The requesting party will be responsible for delivering payment for the device before it is installed.