Commission approves three neighborhood traffic controls, denies one; creates school zone and OKs Midtown stop

The Traffic Commission on July 21 approved all-way stop control at Pennyworth Drive and at Georgian Way at Northwest 100th and Fortieth Street, denied a similar petition for Savannah Riverway at Northwest 100th and Fortieth Street, approved a new school zone for Sunset Hill Elementary and approved an all-way stop at North Hudson Avenue and Northwest Eighth Street in Midtown.

Commissioners said they weighed neighborhood petitions, engineering guidance and alternative speed-abatement tools before voting. "None of the locations meet any of the MUTCD warrants for all-way stop control," a Traffic Services Division staff member told the commission, noting the three petitioned intersections sit within about 900 feet of one another.

The parcel of decisions began after resident Laurel Johnson described growth in her neighborhood and urged action: "We just need stop signs to slow the people down," Johnson said, adding that the area has a pool, playground and bus stops. Commissioners discussed engineering criteria, petition support and alternative measures such as the city's ASAP speed-abatement program, which staff described as offering speed humps or driver-feedback signs.

On item 5a, a motion to approve all-way stop control at Pennyworth Drive and Northwest 100th and Fortieth Street was moved by Commissioner George and seconded by Commissioner Mark Martinez. The commission voted unanimously in favor (6–0). Staff had reported an 85th-percentile speed of about 26 mph from a three-day radar survey and said traffic volumes and speeds did not meet MUTCD stop-warrant thresholds but acknowledged neighborhood safety concerns.

On item 5b, a motion from Commissioner George to deny the all-way stop application for Savannah Riverway carried unanimously (6–0). Commissioners said the proximity of the requested stops and engineering criteria counseled against approving every request in the same short block.

Item 5c — all-way stop control at Georgian Way and Northwest 100th and Fortieth Street — passed on a 5–1 vote after Commissioners again noted resident petition support (staff said the petition contained 30 signatures) and discussed combining a stop sign with speed-abatement measures. The opposing vote was recorded but not linked to a named commissioner on the record.

Separately, the commission approved a formal school zone for the new Sunset Hill Elementary after Mustang Public Schools Chief Operations Officer Alan Green told the commission the district requested a school zone and that flashing school-zone signs were already installed and activated under the director's emergency authority. "We respectfully request that we add a school zone for our new Sunset Hill Elementary," Green said. Commissioners approved the formalization by motion (unanimous, 6–0).

In Midtown, Jackie Dobbs, Midtown district manager for the Downtown OKC Partnership, requested an all-way stop at North Hudson Avenue and Northwest Eighth Street, citing high pedestrian traffic near Elemental Coffee and a nearby rapid bus station. Staff told commissioners a metal bus shelter created a sight-distance obstruction at the current, unofficial speed and that the city will bring a separate item next month to set a formal 25 mph speed limit on Hudson; staff said the lower limit should reduce the sight-distance concern. The commission approved the Midtown all-way stop unanimously (6–0).

Staff and residents discussed alternatives to signing every requested location, including the ASAP program (which offers measures such as speed humps or driver-feedback signs), a shared-cost speed-hump program (city pays half; HOA pays half) and staging installations so the commission can measure effects before adding multiple stops in one block.

Votes at a glance - Item 5a (Pennyworth Drive & NW 100th/Fortieth): motion to approve by Commissioner George; second by Commissioner Mark Martinez; outcome: approved, 6–0. - Item 5b (Savannah Riverway & NW 100th/Fortieth): motion to deny by Commissioner George; second by Commissioner Hale; outcome: denied, 6–0. - Item 5c (Georgian Way & NW 100th/Fortieth): motion to approve by Commissioner George; second by Commissioner Mark Martinez; outcome: approved, 5–1 (one opposed; not recorded by name). - Item 5d (Sunset Hill Elementary school zone): motion to approve by Commissioner Karnes; second by Commissioner Cornett; outcome: approved, 6–0. Staff said flashers were installed and turned on under the director's emergency authority and the formal vote simply ratified the zone. - Item 5e (North Hudson Ave & NW Eighth St, Midtown): motion to approve by Commissioner Cornett; second by Commissioner George; outcome: approved, 6–0.

What commissioners and staff said - "None of the locations meet any of the MUTCD warrants for all-way stop control," (Traffic Services Division staff member). - "We just need stop signs to slow the people down," resident Laurel Johnson said, citing growing traffic and nearby playgrounds and a pool. - "We also have a speed abatement program which includes speed humps or driver feedback signs," a staff member said when discussing alternatives. - "We respectfully request that we add a school zone for our new Sunset Hill Elementary," Alan Green, chief operations officer for Mustang Public Schools, told the commission. - "There is a bus stop right outside of Elemental Coffee...a lot of foot pedestrian traffic," Jackie Dobbs, Midtown district manager for the Downtown OKC Partnership, said.

What happens next Staff said the city will provide residents information about the ASAP speed-abatement program and the shared-cost option for speed humps; residents and HOAs may pursue those measures and return to the commission if traffic does not slow. The city will also propose a formal 25 mph speed limit on Hudson Avenue at a future meeting, which staff said should reduce the sight-distance concern at the Midtown bus shelter.

The meeting also included a brief Traffic Services Division report that the new traffic signal at North May Avenue and NW 190 Second will be activated the following day.

Ending Commissioners said they sought to balance engineering standards and neighborhood safety concerns by approving select stop controls, encouraging speed-abatement measures and formalizing a school zone where flashers were already in service.