Council favors low‑impact fixes for Sueta Drive after residents cite school‑hour cut‑through traffic

The council spent a portion of its work session Thursday discussing resident requests for traffic calming on Sueta Drive, where neighbors reported heavy cut‑through traffic and limited visibility at a curve during school commute times.

Staff reported a stealth speed study that did not show ongoing speeding but confirmed resident concerns about traffic volume during school drop-off and pick-up. Traffic engineer Jared said the curve meets stopping-sight-distance guidelines assuming no parking on the roadway; residents declined suggestions to restrict parking because parked cars can help slow traffic.

Council members and staff discussed options including speed tables, a right‑turn restriction off 2300 East, increased enforcement, advisory signage and flashing speed-alert signs. Several council members cautioned against measures that set a citywide precedent, such as blanket right‑turn closures or widespread speed‑bump installation, when the study did not corroborate chronic speeding.

Instead, councilors expressed preference for lower‑impact steps and further neighborhood engagement. The council asked staff to speak with the neighborhood about advisory signage and potential flashing beacons and to return with recommendations. "If we start doing that, then it all becomes, well, I think they're speeding," one council member said, urging reliance on data and narrow, non‑precedent interventions.

Next steps: staff will consult the broader neighborhood about signage and possible targeted enforcement; if residents support low‑impact measures, staff will return with cost and implementation options.