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Neighbors and commissioners split on proposed stop sign at Wimbledon intersection; motion fails
Summary
A contentious public and commissioner debate over a proposed stop sign on southbound Warwick at Wimbledon ended in a 3–3 tie and no action; traffic consultant cited MUTCD sight‑distance warrants while residents warned the sign would block driveway parking and create hazards.
A heated exchange at the May 18 Birmingham City Commission meeting over proposed stop‑sign changes in the Wimbledon area ended without action after a 3–3 vote.
Traffic consultant Julie told the commission that engineering warrants in the Michigan Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices required a stop sign on the southbound Warwick approach to Wimbledon because of sight‑distance shortcomings for uncontrolled crossings. "My recommendation is you need to install a stop sign on this approach," she said, citing sight‑distance standards and legal compliance.
Neighbors pushed back. Sally Swift, whose house sits next to the proposed sign location, said a stop sign placed adjacent to her driveway would eliminate on‑street parking in front of the house and force seniors and visitors to cross Wimbledon to reach cars. "It eliminates parking. We are seniors... My husband parks his car in front of our house because we have a one‑car garage," she said.
Commissioners split over whether to accept the consultant’s recommendation or seek alternate traffic calming measures. Some commissioners urged deference to the engineering study and warned that ignoring the consultant could expose the city to liability; others urged the consultant to explore alternative options — including additional signage, pedestrian‑focused treatments or redesigned curb geometry — and requested sight‑distance diagrams and further designs before acting. A motion to install the stop sign failed on a 3–3 roll call, leaving the item unresolved and directed staff to return with additional options and engineering detail.
What’s next: Staff and the consultant will provide sight‑distance diagrams and alternative measures for reconsideration; the commission directed the item be brought back with additional options for pedestrian safety and line‑of‑sight analysis.
Vote: Motion to authorize installation of stop sign on southbound Warwick at Wimbledon — tie (3 yes, 3 no); motion failed.
