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Meeting Date 5 25 4 Agenda Item: P 3 CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS REQUEST FOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION ITEM DESCRIPTION: Traffic concerns in Falcon Woods SUBMITTED BY: Mayor Baldwin on behalf of a resident of Falcon Woods REVIEWED BY: Susan Hoyt, City Administrator Terry Maurer, City Engineer EXPLANATION /SUMMARY: A resident in the Falcon Woods neighborhood expressed her concern over the speed of traffic driving through the neighborhood where several children live and play. She has asked that the council consider ways to control traffic speeds. The issue of inappropriate driving speeds through the neighborhood is a difficult problem to solve for several reasons. The driving speed may be within the speed limit, but may appear fast given the character of the neighborhood. Most of the drivers entering and exiting the neighborhood are residents of that neighborhood. Posting signs requiring lower speed limits or warning about the presence of children typically do not change driving habits since an enforcement officer cannot be posted at the lower speed limit at all times and because the signs become a familiar part of the landscape and are easily ignored. Here are some possible ways to monitor the traffic in this area and possibly impact the speed. These include: Placing a speed monitor on the street to determine how fast cars are driving on this stretch of roadway. Determine a "desirable" or "safe" speed to be driving. If possible, lease a digitally read speed monitor that shows drivers how fast they are going compared with an ideal speed for the area. If the above two methods aren't available, post an officer with radar to record speeds and warn drivers that are going over the "desirable" speed given the area. Once the driving patterns are established, actively work with neighbors and the police to establish a neighborhood traffic watch, particularly during busy times, to record license numbers of fast drivers and have the police follow -up with warnings. Also distribute notices throughout the neighborhood about the desirable speed to enter and exit and the necessity of watching traffic.