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Resident urges lower speed limit on West Sycamore Street; council outlines process for changes
Summary
A Tonganoxie resident asked the council to reduce the speed limit on West Sycamore Street from 30 mph to 20 mph because of curves, parked cars and children; staff and council explained that residential streets default to 30 mph under city code and outlined a petition and enforcement process for speed reductions.
Neil Brawley, a Tonganoxie resident, urged the council during the public comment period to reduce the speed limit on West Sycamore Street from 30 miles per hour to 20 miles per hour, citing an S-curve, parked cars and children who run into the street.
Brawley said West Sycamore is a neighborhood street used for both entry and exit by area residents and that 30 mph feels too fast given the road geometry and presence of children. "I think good judgment should prevail and that that speed limit should be closer to 20 miles an hour," he said during public comment.
Council members and staff responded that residential streets default to 30 mph under the city’s traffic code, while historic business districts such as Fourth Street default to 20 mph. The council noted that previous neighborhood petitions have led to 20 mph designations in narrow, meandering streets (the council cited Fall Creek Villas as an example). Staff recommended the resident and council discuss the matter further and pursue the formal process—typically a petition or council referral—if the community desires a change. The council also mentioned increased enforcement and police patrols as an option.
Council members said staff would follow up with the resident to provide information about the traffic ordinance and the formal process for initiating a speed-limit change.
