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Middleton council rejects TIA recommendation to ban left turns at Parmenter-Lisa for new Culver's
Summary
After hearing business owners and Culver's representatives, the council accepted the plan commission's motion to reject a traffic impact analysis recommendation to restrict left turns at Parmenter and Lisa, while keeping other TIA recommendations; council asked staff to monitor conditions and explore triggers for future mitigation.
Middleton’s Common Council on May 5 declined to impose an immediate left‑turn restriction at the Parmenter and Lisa intersection as part of the traffic mitigation for a proposed Culver's restaurant, instead accepting the planning commission’s recommendation to leave the intersection as configured and observe for future problems.
City engineer Luke Malatik summarized the SRF traffic impact analysis, which projects the Parmenter‑Lisa intersection will fall from level‑of‑service D to F by 2036 with the Culver's development; the consultant recommended left‑turn restrictions from Lisa and certain site driveways to avoid severe delays. (Luke Malatik)
Business owners near the intersection objected. "Limiting my business to right‑in, right‑out only would create a significant barrier," said Mary O'Connell, who owns O'Connell’s Liquor at 3111 Parmenter Street, and asked the council to consider alternatives. (Mary O'Connell)
Culver's corporate development official Christy Hughes said the company seeks to improve guest circulation and is committed to future changes "should it be deemed necessary and safety becomes a true and proven situation." Culver's asked the council to approve the plan commission's approach. (Christy Hughes)
Council members debated access, safety, and compliance concerns. Some favored leaving the intersection unchanged and monitoring traffic with a defined trigger for mitigation; others asked whether the developer could commit funds (escrow or surety) if future improvements are required. City staff said trigger details had not been negotiated and that public works would determine whether a problem warrants action. Noah (SRF) reported four recorded crashes at the intersection from 2020–2024. (Noah; Luke Malatik)
The council moved and approved a motion accepting the plan commission’s recommendation to override only the intersection‑restriction portion of the TIA (other TIA recommendations remain in place). The motion passed by voice vote. Council asked staff to return with options for monitoring, potential trigger definitions and possible financial assurances to address future impacts.
Provenance: SRF TIA presentation and council debate with O'Connell's and Culver's testimony were recorded during the TIA discussion portion of the meeting.
