Carmel board adopts resolution clarifying roundabout centers are not for pedestrian access

The Carmel Board of Public Works and Safety added and approved a resolution on Aug. 20 declaring the centers of residential roundabouts are not intended for pedestrian access, language the police department said will help enforcement.

Benjamin Lake introduced Resolution No. 08202501 as an add-on item and described it as clarifying existing practice: the centers of residential roundabouts are public property but were not designed for pedestrian use. "It is a public property, but it's not an area that was designed for for pedestrians to to access or use," he said, adding that the resolution would "assist [officers] in the enforcement of that."

Drake Sterling, chief of police, told the board the department supports the resolution. "I would just say that we're in support of this, this ordinance. I think it'll help us with our enforcement and and keep things safe in the roundabouts," Sterling said.

The board voted to add the resolution to the agenda and then voted to approve it; both motions carried on voice votes recorded as "Aye." The resolution's stated purpose is to clarify that roundabout centers are not areas designed or intended for pedestrian access, and to provide explicit language to assist enforcement by police when people enter those areas inappropriately.

Questions from board members were limited and the chief of police did not provide additional operational details during the meeting; staff said the resolution codifies the status quo for residential roundabouts and is meant to aid officers in safety enforcement.

The board recorded the resolution's approval and then adjourned.