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Glendale authorizes outside study to review Green Bay Avenue speed limits near schools
Summary
The council approved hiring Taddy to conduct a state-required speed limit study for Green Bay Avenue from Silver Spring to Good Hope, and discussed school speed-zone postings and pedestrian considerations.
The Glendale Common Council voted unanimously to authorize a professional services agreement with Taddy to perform a speed limit study on Green Bay Avenue from Silver Spring Drive to Good Hope Road.
“State law requires that a speed limit study be enacted to determine what the speed limit for an area would be,” Mr. Warwick, city staff, told the council when describing the request. The city presented the study as a way to determine whether the current limits — where the posted speed changes from 35 to 40 mph near Brentwood — are appropriate.
Council members raised pedestrian and school-related concerns. Alderman Schmelsley asked whether pedestrian counts were included in the contract; she said two schools are near the corridor and noted sidewalks end in places. “I didn’t know if that was something that... Taddy should do something more exhaustive for pedestrians,” Schmelsley said.
City staff and other speakers reviewed state guidance on school speed zones during the discussion. Mr. Warwick referenced state language saying that schools operational more than six months a year should be posted as school speed zones; a representative in the meeting agreed that the statute’s default school-zone speed is generally 15 mph unless official signs indicate a different posted limit. The city attorney added that municipalities sometimes post higher school-zone speeds (for example, 20 mph) based on roadway context and that such postings have not been routinely challenged.
The council moved and seconded approval of the agreement; the motion passed by voice vote with no recorded opposition. The contract amount listed in the council packet was for a not-to-exceed cost (listed in the packet as $34,549.60). Council members directed staff to confirm whether pedestrian counts and school-zone recommendations would be included in the final scope; staff said they would follow up and include any necessary clarification before work begins.
Council members also recounted local pedestrian-safety concerns on nearby streets, and potential future resurfacing work that could include crosswalks at park entrances.
