Committee weighs autism‑awareness signage and 3‑way stop request on Mark Street

A resident asked the Cross Plains planning committee to consider roadside signage near Westview Court to alert drivers that autistic children live in the area and slow traffic. Agency official (S2) summarized the request and said the signage would be advisory rather than statutory: "She has, autistic children, that get away from them, and anybody who's been on Westview Court is very busy... She's hoping that the sign will slow people down," S2 said.

Committee members discussed cost, placement and policy. S2 noted the village would likely be responsible for erecting and paying for signage that is on public property and warned that approving one request could prompt many similar ones. "The only real question is we you are opening up, you know, the there's a possibility that you're gonna get more of these," S2 said, adding the village board could accept or reject a memo recommending the sign.

Separately, the committee considered a request from PI — presented by Troy (facilities engineer/manager) — to add a stop sign at a parking-lot exit to create a three‑way stop heading toward Main Street. Committee members questioned whether the location is public or private property; S2 said PI told staff the area is public and that the committee can recommend the sign via memo to the village board.

Why it matters: the signage and stop‑sign requests implicate traffic safety near residences, the school zone and pedestrian areas. Committee members asked staff to research policies used by other municipalities and to prepare materials for the board that outline placement, cost, and any criteria (for example, minimum speed or traffic thresholds) for granting advisory signage.

Next steps: S2 will prepare a memo with recommended language and research to include on next month’s agenda so the board can decide whether to approve the sign(s). No formal policy was adopted at the meeting.