Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Neighborhood Traffic Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Burton Farms residents press Smyrna council for traffic study, more patrols after near-misses
Summary
Several Burton Farms neighbors told the Smyrna Town Council they face frequent speeding, stop‑sign running and near collisions and asked the town for a traffic study, more patrols and possible traffic‑calming measures; council asked staff to discuss options and the police increased patrols.
Several residents of the Burton Farms subdivision told the Smyrna Town Council they are worried about speeding, stop‑sign running and near collisions and asked the town for a traffic study and more enforcement.
David Campbell, who identified himself as a Burton Farms resident of more than 20 years, told the council he wanted “the traffic study to be done.” Sandy Phippen said drivers routinely exceed the 25 mph limit and sometimes “go flying down Burton Farms Road or Rimrock at 60 plus,” and she described video neighbors had taken of drag‑style racing. Pat Sailors said most drivers do not stop at neighborhood stop signs and that she often must step into yards to avoid cars while walking. Janet Panchor said a child had been struck but able to walk away and warned “one of these times it’s not going to happen.”
The concerns focused on safety for children, walkers and school bus stops in the subdivision and included requests for additional enforcement, stop‑sign markings, painted lines and other traffic‑calming measures. Council members acknowledged limits to how often police can patrol every neighborhood but said the town could deploy targeted enforcement and review physical calming options.
Mayor (presiding) asked staff to meet with Burton Farms homeowners to discuss traffic‑calming options available to the town and to report back. Town Manager Dave Santucci and council members said the town has an ordinance governing nighttime street parking and that enforcement and signage changes could be part of a solution. Council also said the police department would step up enforcement in the immediate term; Police Chief staff reported a traffic division had already been assigned to the area the night of the meeting.
The council did not take a formal vote on policy changes at the meeting. Instead, officials asked staff to investigate engineering and enforcement options and to return with recommendations.
Residents said they want visible and sustained measures, not just temporary enforcement. Council members noted tradeoffs—fire and emergency services typically avoid speed bumps—and suggested a mix of enforcement, markings, stop‑sign placement reviews and neighborhood discussions about voluntary measures.
If staff returns with specific options, the council could consider formal action at a future meeting.
