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City staff recommends stop sign at Scott Drive and Hillcrest; council to consider resolution next week
Summary
City Engineer Thomas Minor told the Sheridan council that the recent Geneva Lane connection has turned Scott Drive into a pass-through route, prompting a request and staff recommendation to install a stop sign facing Hillcrest at Scott Drive. The measure (Resolution 28-25) was scheduled for council consideration next week.
City Engineer Thomas Minor recommended installing a stop sign on Hillcrest Drive where it meets Scott Drive, saying the connection made by the Cloud Peak subdivision and Geneva Lane has substantially increased pass-through traffic.
"This is a resolution to have a stop sign installed at the intersection of Scott Drive and Hillcrest Drive," City Engineer Thomas Minor said, presenting maps and sight-distance photos to the council. He told the council that the Geneva Lane connection was completed in 2020 and that a 2024 traffic study showed roughly 537 vehicles per day on Scott Drive after the connection, a notable increase from historic levels.
The recommendation would place the stop sign facing traffic on Hillcrest to require those turning onto Scott Drive to stop and yield. Minor said staff developed the recommendation after consulting with the police department and traffic-and-signs personnel and noted there is no sidewalk on Scott Drive at the immediate location, increasing pedestrian exposure.
Council members pressed staff on several points. Council Member Brandt asked why this intersection was treated separately from other stop-sign requests and raised equity questions about installing traffic controls in higher-income neighborhoods while similar requests have been denied elsewhere. "So why are we doing it the high end neighborhood and not in other areas that may have the similar that may be low end income neighborhoods?" Brandt said.
Minor and other staff responded that the increase in traffic is specifically attributable to the new Geneva Lane connection and that earlier speed studies had not supported speed reduction but did document higher vehicle counts after the connection. Staff said police records show one recorded accident at the location in recent years but that officers report numerous near-miss incidents there.
Sheridan Police Chief Koltisca noted the legal standard on uncontrolled intersections: "Yes. Traditionally, that is a rule," explaining that fault in crashes depends on the totality of circumstances and not solely on the form of the intersection.
The council did not vote on the matter during the study session. Minor said the stop-sign installation is being moved forward for formal consideration as Resolution 28-25 at the next council meeting.
