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Graham council orders police monitoring, posts speed limit sign and approves stop at Cherokee Loop after resident complaints
Summary
After months of neighborhood complaints about speeding on Hillcrest Drive, the council directed police to monitor peak hours, ordered a speed limit sign installed and narrowly approved a stop sign at the Cherokee Loop intersection following public testimony and staff caution about speed bumps.
A resident’s request for speed bumps on Hillcrest Drive prompted the Graham City Council on Wednesday to direct the police chief to increase enforcement during peak travel times, install a speed-limit sign in the segment and approve a stop sign at the eastern corner of Cherokee Loop and Hillcrest.
The action followed a 20-minute public presentation from Colby Kramer, who said drivers “fly down our street” and described visibility problems near a raised vacant lot, heavy pedestrian and dog-walker activity at 6–9 a.m. and 4–7 p.m., and additional traffic expected from nearby construction. “It only takes one,” Kramer said of the safety risk.
Council members debated several options. Police and public works staff warned that speed bumps could pose a hazard to bicyclists and motorcyclists and noted the area’s poor lighting; Chief-level staff recommended enforcement and signage rather than humps. Public Works Director Randall (first name given in the meeting) said the intersection could be made a three-way stop and offered to review placement.
Councilmember Jack moved to direct the police chief to monitor the area during appropriate times and seasons and to have public works install a speed-limit sign; Jeff seconded the amended motion. That motion passed 4–1.
After further discussion, a supplementary motion to install a stop sign at the eastern corner of Cherokee Loop and Hillcrest passed 3–2. The minutes record the aye votes as Brent, Shannon and Alex; Jeff and Jack voted no.
Council and staff also encouraged Kramer and neighbors to continue reporting infractions so enforcement data is logged. Kramer told council he and neighbors are willing to help pay for physical measures if cost is a factor.
The council did not approve speed bumps. Staff plans to monitor the area during the times Kramer flagged and to install the posted speed-limit sign; public works will determine exact placement for the sign and the stop sign.
The movement toward enforcement and signage leaves open the possibility of additional physical measures if monitoring and community reporting show continued problems.
