Curb‑extension traffic‑calming plans on Shepherd and Cummings prompt resident concerns; council orders study

Village staff renewed a walkability study proposal for curb extensions on Shepherd Street and Cummings Lane, which are intended to slow cut‑through traffic and shorten crossing distances for pedestrians. Staff described the design as planted curb extensions that would remove roughly one on‑street parking space per bump‑out and create a village gateway feature.

Several residents and council members objected to moving directly to construction without updated data and engineering review. "It would be a missed opportunity if we didn't pass these plans by our stormwater engineer to say, hey, are we actually building these in the smartest way?" said Yasmina, a resident of Shepherd Street, urging pedestrian routing that would avoid putting walkers into blind spots.

Renata Spence and other residents suggested alternative measures—timed ‘do not enter’ restrictions at corridor intersections, stronger enforcement and fresh traffic counts—to reduce volume without permanently removing parking. Staff acknowledged those alternatives and said the village could research legal and enforcement constraints for timed restrictions on approaches to the state roads.

Outcome: The council did not vote to install the curb extensions at the June 26 meeting. Instead, staff was asked to order a targeted traffic study, consult the stormwater engineer about drainage and pedestrian routing, and return with findings next fiscal year so the project can be refined or reconsidered.

Closing: Council members indicated support for pursuing more data and engineering input before making capital or construction decisions.