City plans March public hearing after neighborhood complaints about speeding, loitering on Mill Spur

City of Lake Stevens staff will present recommended traffic-calming measures at a public hearing in March after residents near Mill Spur reported persistent speeding, blocking of the roadway and late-night loitering, Public Works Director Aaron Halverson said Jan. 28.

“A lot of them raised concerns about traffic issues on Mill Spur and at the boat launch,” Halverson told the council, adding that staff met with neighbors on Nov. 6 and collected suggested interventions such as removable speed bumps, additional signage, striping and time limits.

Halverson said staff have already implemented some striping near the boat launch and will return to the neighborhood with proposed solutions before the public hearing, which the city will hold under the requirements of its traffic-calming code. He said staff will also coordinate with police on enforcement and pursue code revisions to enable better parking enforcement at the launch.

The resident list who met with staff will receive mailings and staff will share the recommended alternatives in advance so neighbors can attend and comment. Halverson said the city has received dozens of traffic-calming requests through its Citizen View portal and expects more hearings across the city as its engineering team expands.

Council members asked about specific measures; one suggested textured paving as a calming measure, and staff agreed to include a range of alternatives for council and public review. Staff said implementation is planned for spring following council direction and the public hearing.