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Sunset neighborhood residents urge West Linn to prioritize sidewalks and crossings near Sunset Primary
Summary
Residents told council the Cornwall–Oxford approach is a blind corner lacking sidewalks and signage, presenting daily hazards for children. Council agreed to schedule a work session with engineering to explore cost-effective and ADA-compliant safety options.
Several Sunset neighborhood residents urged the West Linn City Council on Oct. 14, 2024, to prioritize pedestrian safety near Sunset Primary School and Sunset Park, citing specific problem areas and a neighborhood survey.
Lori Bacon said the main concerns center on Cornwall Street’s northbound approach to Oxford Street and Summit Street’s southbound approach to Oxford, calling the intersection a "problematic blind corner" without sidewalks or school signage and describing near misses and daily pedestrian risk. Bacon told the council she circulated a survey in March–April that received 88 unique responses, which she said overwhelmingly supported safety improvements.
Other residents added detail: Jen Petren described near misses and a lack of patrols on Sunset Highway and called for incremental measures such as pavement markings or signage; an online commenter and a Sunset resident (Cayetano Hill) described three Safe Routes to School options and urged placement of sidewalks on the residence side rather than pushing the road toward homes.
Councilors noted legal and cost constraints: one councilor explained that marked crosswalks typically require ADA‑compliant ramps, which drive much of the cost, and urged creative solutions; the mayor directed staff to schedule the Sunset safety topic for a work session and to include engineering staff to present options and potential funding paths, including how Safe Routes to School eligibility affects grantability.
No formal motion or funding decision was made; council took the comments under advisement and scheduled further study and a work session to develop options for the neighborhood.
