Royal Oak commission keeps Lawson Park berms after split Traffic Committee recommended removal

The Royal Oak City Commission voted Nov. 10 to keep the berms and traffic diverters around Lawson Park, rejecting a Traffic Committee recommendation to remove berm number 2. The decision follows public comment from multiple neighborhood residents and a split 3–2 Traffic Committee vote urging removal.

City engineer Holly Donahue presented the Traffic Committee's review of the neighborhood. Staff described prior analysis from 2018 concluding removal would not cause traffic failure; the committee nevertheless re-examined the area and recommended removal of berm #2 after a 3–2 vote. Donahue told the commission that staff had surveyed nearby residents and park visitors (149 responses) and found roughly two‑thirds opposed to removing berms, while about one‑third favored removal.

Multiple residents who live next to Lawson Park urged the commission to preserve the berms at the public-comment portion of the meeting. Trish Oliver said removal would be premature while I‑696 reconstruction continues and warned that traffic counts taken during construction would be misleading. William Asher and Greg Hall cited staff and engineer recommendations to retain the diverters and pointed to survey results and safety concerns for children using the park. Several speakers also emphasized environmental and walkability benefits of the green buffers.

Commission discussion divided along familiar lines. Commissioner Douglas said he would favor removal in principle to restore through-streets, but several other commissioners — including Mayor Fournier, Commissioner Macy, Commissioner Chisholm and Commissioner Hunt — said the neighborhood opposition, recent investment in berm landscaping, uncertain traffic impacts during I‑696 construction and the $160,000 ballpark cost to remove a berm counseled keeping the status quo. Several commissioners said they preferred a broader "complete streets" study and more public engagement before considering any permanent changes to the berms.

Commissioner Macy moved to reject the Traffic Committee's recommendation to remove berm #2, effectively leaving the berms in place; Commissioner Colo seconded and the motion passed by voice vote. The mayor said the commission will pursue other measures to address traffic and safety symptoms in the neighborhood, such as targeted enforcement, pedestrian remedies, and a future complete‑streets planning process.

What happens next: the berms remain in place. Staff told the commission they will consider broader mobility planning through a Complete Streets update (budgeted and planned to proceed with an RFQ target in spring) and may pursue smaller traffic remedies targeted at the neighborhood's safety concerns.