West Bend supervisors send Big Cedar Lake parking complaint to traffic safety commission for review

Supervisor reported that residents near Big Cedar Lake asked the county July 17 to consider no-parking zones on County Highway K where it meets State Highway 144 after parked vehicles and pedestrians crossing to lake access created summer concerns. Supervisor (name given in meeting as the district supervisor) said the issue is seasonal and concentrated on holiday weekends when cars park on both sides of the steep hill to reach private piers and boat launches; neighbors have said parked cars sometimes block driveways and restrict sight lines for vehicles turning onto 144. The committee reviewed mapping and a staff crash-history analysis that covered 2018–2024 and a separate check of crashes this year; staff reported no crash cluster at the site and noted most recorded crashes in the area occurred October–March when conditions are slippery. County staff described existing rules that prohibit parking within restricted distances of stop signs, driveways and crosswalks and said the sheriff’s office may enforce parking that blocks required access. Staff noted shoulders were typically 5–7 feet of pavement with 0–4 feet gravel shoulder in places and that a first driveway is about 130 feet from the stop sign; the posted speed is 35 mph. Several supervisors suggested asking the traffic safety commission to re-evaluate the site and provide a recommendation; one supervisor suggested a limited no-parking buffer (for example, the first 100 feet from the intersection) if the commission found it would improve turning sight-lines. The committee agreed to send the matter back to the traffic safety commission for review at its next quarter meeting and to return any recommendation to the committee for consideration. No ordinance or enforcement change was adopted at the July 17 meeting.