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Atlantic City Council approves stop‑sign, speed‑limit and road safety measures; residents press for clearer petition responses
Summary
The council approved several traffic‑control ordinances — including stop‑sign installations and a 25 mph limit on Wisteria Road — and members debated the petition process and how the city communicates study results to residents.
The Atlantic City Council on Sept. 17 approved multiple traffic ordinances that add stop signs, set a 25‑mph speed limit on Wisteria Road and establish other roadway safety measures, while councilmembers and residents pressed city staff for clearer notice and faster responses on petitioned traffic requests.
Ordinance 9d authorized stop controls at intersections including Gramercy and Madison Avenue and Gramercy and Michigan Avenue. Council motion and discussion focused on a related neighborhood petition process, whether stop signs were requested prior to street‑reconstruction projects, and how requests are studied.
Council members emphasized that when a proposed control is within a project area — for example, where streets are being rebuilt — engineers can perform the traffic study as part of the project and the city can fund the installation if it qualifies. As one councilmember summarized, “When we make the recommendation, it's made straight to the director and the PMF. This is what we think is appropriate.” Staff told the council that some intersections are subject to a simplified process when they are within 1,000 feet of a school, playground or community center, which removes them from the more rigorous study requirement.
A petition for speed humps on the 600 block of Wisteria Road generated extended discussion. Residents had requested speed humps but staff said a 25‑mph sign was the best available measure given the engineering review and standards; council members asked staff to send the exact proposed sign locations to the ward councilmember so constituents could be informed. “If you could send me where it's gonna be placed, I'd appreciate that,” one councilmember said.
Council members also asked whether the city provides formal written notice when a petitioned traffic calming measure is denied. Staff said the department follows the ordinance process and provides recommendations to the appropriate director; councilmembers asked that the practice include a clear notice back to petitioners so residents understand why a petition was or was not approved.
Most of the traffic‑control ordinances passed on votes recorded during the meeting. Gramercy stop controls and other posted measures received affirmative roll calls; the Wisteria 25‑mph ordinance advanced as part of the group of traffic items. Councilmembers urged that the petition, study and determination process be clarified and, where required by ordinance, that residents receive a formal determination letter when their petition is denied.
Ending: Councilmembers asked the administration to follow up with ward councilmembers on exact sign locations and to consider amending notification practices so residents with petitioned requests receive clear written determinations.
