Lakewood to introduce Complete Streets ordinance and refer broad traffic safety plan to Committee of the Whole after public outcry over Hilliard–Madison and Bun

Lakewood city leaders said they will introduce a new Complete Streets ordinance at the next council meeting and referred a broad traffic‑safety communication to the Committee of the Whole after extensive council debate and public comment on high‑risk intersections and neighborhood corridors.

Vice President Baker, who led the presentation, told council Complete Streets “is an approach to planning, designing, and building, and operating and maintaining streets that enable safe access for all people who need to use them including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and transit riders of all ages and abilities.” The proposal breaks streets into Tier 1 (routes, intersections or crossings identified in the Active Transportation Plan) with staged Planning Commission review, and Tier 2 (other transportation projects) where the city engineer will consider complete‑street elements.

Council and administration said the city has already enacted near‑term measures at the Hilliard–Madison intersection after a March 24 crash. Mayor George said the Ohio Department of Transportation required dashed lane markings for ODOT signoff on the county lead paving project; the city later re‑striped the intersection with temporary paint and added flex posts and plans permanent high‑visibility paint and additional bollards once weather permits. The administration signed a contract with a traffic engineering firm to study the whole intersection from Carabelle to Orchard Grove and to propose medium‑ and long‑term engineering solutions.

Council members emphasized a four‑E approach (engineering, enforcement, education, encouragement). Councilman Bullock and others pressed for enforcement steps such as ticketing cars that park in bike lanes and consistent reporting of near‑misses by traffic staff; Council members also urged expanded education for drivers and families, including a call to make “no turn on red” signs and school‑time signals more consistent near schools.

The body received hundreds of public comments during the meeting. Speakers who asked the city to act quickly included parents and residents near Hilliard–Madison and Orchard Grove; callers described near misses, a family struck at Hilliard–Madison, chronic speeding on Orchard Grove, and requests for expedited safety measures (striping, flexible posts, temporary curb bump‑outs, improved signage). Multiple Bunce Road residents spoke both for and against a proposed 10‑foot shared‑use path on that corridor; opponents cited mature tree removal, driveway conflicts and maintenance concerns while supporters argued the path would improve access to schools and neighborhood destinations.

Why it matters: The proposed ordinance and the Committee of the Whole referral create a single process to consider infrastructure changes, community input and education aimed at reducing collisions and improving safe access for non‑motorized users. Short‑term tactics already in place illustrate the “both/and” strategy leaders described: quick tactical strips and flex posts now, engineering and policy changes later.

Next steps: Vice President Baker said the Complete Streets ordinance and related legislation will be introduced at the next meeting and referred for committee review and a joint workshop with the Planning Commission. A separate traffic safety communication and proposed measures were also referred to the Committee of the Whole for a holistic review of enforcement, education and near‑term engineering.

Ending: Council members urged residents to continue providing input; the administration expects an engineering study for Hilliard–Madison and further public discussion of Bunce Road design options.