Delaware City Council approves stop signs, parking restrictions and other measures for Broadview Chase neighborhood

Delaware City Council voted unanimously Monday to accept a petition from Westfield Hills residents and to approve Resolution 25-17, authorizing traffic-control changes on Broadview Chase Drive and Park Vista Drive aimed at reducing speeds and improving pedestrian safety.

The actions grew out of repeated resident complaints and two petitions presented to the city’s Parking & Safety staff. The measures approved include the installation of “always stop” controls at the intersections of Broadview Chase with Cambridge Road and Park Vista Drive, 60-foot no-parking zones approaching stop bars on affected approaches, additional pavement markings and speed-feedback signs, advanced signage and site-tree removal where necessary so the new signs are visible. Staff said temporary flashing LED stop-lights would be used during an initial period, and that most of the changes could be implemented in about 30 days, weather permitting.

The council’s vote followed extensive public comment from neighborhood residents, who repeatedly urged a full closure of Broadview Chase until Merrick Boulevard is finished. “Closure really is the only responsible solution,” a resident said, asking the council to block through traffic while preserving access for emergency vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians. Other residents described near-misses involving children, school buses and speeding motorists.

City traffic staff summarized field observations and speed and volume counts collected this winter. Staff said 85th-percentile speeds on Park Vista reached about 38 miles per hour in a posted 25-mph neighborhood, and that daytime volumes on Park Vista and Broadview Chase ranged from about 1,500 to as high as 2,200–2,300 vehicles per day — comparable to some of the busier residential streets in town. “We had over 40 occurrences in 24 hours of vehicles exceeding 50 miles per hour on that stretch,” staff warned during the presentation.

Staff said the recommended “always stop” controls are intended to increase predictability of traffic movements and reduce high-speed entries into the neighborhood; they cautioned that 100% compliance is unlikely but that the measures typically slow vehicles to a near-stop. Staff also recommended other actions to narrow driver sightlines and encourage correct lane position, including double-yellow striping on approaches and new pedestrian-warning signage. The report noted speed bumps as a possible additional measure on Park Vista because of the long straight section where very high speeds were measured; staff said it wants to re-verify those speeds and study residential impacts before installing speed bumps.

Council members said they had heard residents’ concerns and urged staff to monitor results after installation. Vice Mayor Schaffer and other council members noted that previous community discussion had rejected some more extreme options (a one-way conversion) and that the city must balance neighborhood access with safety. The councilmember who represents the fourth ward said staff had been responsive and would continue to explore longer-term options, including temporary closures if warranted.

The council first voted to accept the petition (item 8) by roll call and then to approve Resolution 25-17 by roll call; each roll call recorded Mr. Hoffman, Mr. Reiter, Miss Frazier and Vice Mayor Schaffer voting yes.

Staff timeline and next steps: if approved work moves quickly, staff estimated about 30 days to install signs, paint striping and establish no-parking zones (subject to warm enough paving/striping weather and sign availability). The city will notify affected property owners before tree removals and parking changes. Staff said further evaluation would follow installation to measure effect on speeds and volumes and to decide whether additional measures (including speed bumps) are warranted.