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Brownsville council adopts petition-driven speed-hump policy after months of requests
Summary
The Brownsville City Council adopted Resolution 1098 establishing a neighborhood petition process, technical standards and removal rules for installing speed humps after residents urged action on speeding.
The Brownsville City Council adopted a resolution on the evening agenda to create a formal policy for installing speed humps after multiple resident requests.
The new policy, adopted as Resolution 1098 by voice vote, sets a neighborhood petition process, technical design standards and a five-year minimum before formal removal may be considered.
Council members and staff said the policy responds to recurring complaints about speeding in residential neighborhoods. Resident Chris Morey told the council that speed humps previously installed in his neighborhood in November had reduced speeding but were later removed, and that “Somebody's gonna get hurt.” The mayor said public safety is “one of our number 1 concerns” and that staff and council worked to draft a practical process.
Under the resolution, an initial written request must be submitted to City Hall and is subject to an engineering review that may include roadway design, traffic volumes and speed studies. A designated neighborhood contact person will receive an official speed-hump petition at a public meeting; the petition circulation window is 90 days. To qualify for board consideration, the petition must show support from at least 65% of affected property owners within a two-block radius. If a petition fails to meet the threshold, the neighborhood must wait one year before resubmitting.
The resolution specifies technical standards: humps are described as parabolic traffic-calming devices 2–4 inches high and 12–14 feet wide, with ramps at least 3–6 feet long; spacing between humps is set with a minimum of 200 feet and a maximum of 800 feet (ideal 400–600 feet). The city will install and maintain approved devices; removal requires a petition signed by 75% of property owners within the affected area after the humps have been in place at least five years, and removal decisions rest with the board and mayor.
Attorney Banks and staff emphasized the measure is intended as a starting point and that the council expects to refine the policy through amendments and community input. The resolution passed on a voice vote following discussion and public comment.
