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Mooresville council directs engineering firm to mark school-zone sign locations, considers 25 mph limit on stretch of Indiana Street
Summary
Council voted to have Banning Engineering mark the outermost school-zone sign locations allowed under the MUTCD and discussed beginning the ordinance process to lower a section of Indiana Street to 25 mph; councilors emphasized signage, flashing crosswalk lights and enforcement data as priorities.
The Mooresville Town Council voted to have an engineering firm mark the outermost locations where school-zone signs can be placed under the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices and discussed starting an ordinance process to lower part of Indiana Street to 25 miles per hour.
At a May 19 meeting, the council’s Chair introduced unfinished business on school-zone speed limits and read guidance that school-zone signage may be placed "within 200 feet of a crosswalk or 100 feet of the school's property lines," citing the MUTCD and state statute. Carrie, who the Chair called on to respond, urged the council to prioritize visible, lighted crosswalks and solar-powered radar signs, saying, "I would suggest... put the warning signs where the speed limit changes and maybe some lights on it."
The council debated whether the safety problem on Indiana Street is primarily a signage issue, an enforcement issue or one of posted speed. One council member recommended a speed study to collect unbiased data; another said lowering the posted limit to 25 mph could "bring awareness" and reduce speeds. A motion to have Banning Engineering mark the appropriate outer limits for school-zone signage and place new signs was made, seconded and approved. The council asked staff to accept those marked locations and place signs accordingly.
Council members also moved to begin the process for changing the speed limit on the stretch of Indiana Street from the Maine/Indiana intersection north to Carlisle to 25 mph where allowed by statute; members debated the merits and one member said they would vote against that change. The Chair said the council would need to hold a public hearing and adopt an ordinance if the body decides to proceed.
Public commenter Kim Bauer, who lives on Indiana Street between Carlisle and Main, told the council the main concern is "the safety of these kids walking on the sidewalk," asked for a crossing at Morgan and Indiana and urged more visible measures to protect pedestrians.
Next steps: staff will ask Banning Engineering to survey and mark the school-zone sign locations under MUTCD guidance, and the council directed staff to prepare the ordinance and public-hearing schedule if it pursues the 25-mph change.
