Waverly resident urges council to address Cedar Lane detour, pedestrian safety

Mike Young, a Waverly resident, told the City Council on Monday that a detour on Cedar Lane is creating a public-safety hazard for drivers, walkers and runners.

Young described narrow sections of the roadway, ''black marks on the curb'' from vehicles squeezed against the curb and said there is ''only about 400 feet of actual sidewalk on that whole route.'' He told council members the route is heavily used by cross-country and track teams that sometimes run four or five abreast, creating conflicts with vehicle traffic when there is insufficient shoulder or sidewalk space.

The concern is especially acute while detours remain in place, Young said, and he described a recent incident in which a runner stepped into traffic and a driver had to stop. He also said the county sheriff told him of a walker in dark clothing on a bridle path that the deputy did not see until close range. Young said he and his wife have installed dash cameras in both vehicles because of the risk and urged the council to consider temporary or permanent ordinance changes to correct the safety issue.

''My topic tonight is the Cedar Lane detour and the public safety issue around it,'' Young said during the public-comment period. He suggested options including three-way stops at the intersections where Cedar Lane meets Horton Blacktop and where the 10th Avenue extension meets Bremer Avenue and asked council members to place the topic on a future agenda.

Mayor Mark Anderson said the council could not discuss items not on the agenda that evening and invited any council member who wished to bring the matter forward to request it be added to a future meeting agenda. ''We're not able to enter into a dialogue with you tonight because you were not on the agenda,'' Anderson said.

The council did not take action at the Jan. 20 meeting; Young said he planned to pursue the matter further and asked that it be placed on a future agenda.