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Public Works committee defers plan for text-only reckless-driving signs, asks staff to develop creative alternatives
Summary
The Public Works Committee reviewed a citizen-submitted request to post signage warning that the village may impound vehicles stopped for reckless driving. Trustees questioned text-only small signs’ effectiveness, raised visual-clutter concerns, and asked staff to return with alternative designs and a broader outreach plan.
The Public Works Committee considered a request from a Parks & Public Spaces traffic subcommittee to post neighborhood signage advising that the village may impound vehicles stopped for reckless driving under a recent state-law change.
Anne Butchlich (presenter) told the committee the request came from local volunteers and that the group proposed several sample locations. She said standard sign size and placement constraints mean any sign will likely be text-based and that the approximate cost for a streetlight-mounted text sign would be about $75 each.
Trustees acknowledged the desire to alert drivers to the new towing/impound authority but raised several practical concerns. One trustee said main corridors such as East Capitol Drive are already heavily signed and that small, text-only signs are unlikely to be legible or visible to drivers. Another trustee suggested exploring yard signs in right-of-way areas or partnering with the village’s public-art committee and BikePed subcommittee to develop more eye-catching, locally suitable messaging.
Butchlich replied that a text-only sign is the feasible immediate option for streetlight posts and that more graphic or prominent alternatives would require a broader initiative and possibly the initiative-track process. She also noted that some signposts at entry points were already at capacity, which would require reconfiguration to add the new signs.
After discussion about cost-effectiveness and design, trustees asked DPW and staff to return with alternate sign designs and invited the traffic subcommittee and interested stakeholders to a future committee meeting. The committee moved to defer action to allow further brainstorming and to explore yard-sign options and collaborative design ideas. The motion to defer passed by voice vote.
Next steps include staff-return with alternate designs, potential involvement from other committees, and a follow-up public-works meeting.
