Birchwood task force recommends uniform 20 mph limit, new crosswalks and speed signs

A volunteer Road Safety Task Force presented a package of safety measures for Birchwood, urging a uniform 20-mile-per-hour limit on residential streets, two new crosswalks on Wildwood Avenue, and the trialing of solar-powered radar speed signs.

The task force, represented at the podium by Cor Henkins and Ron (last name as spoken), told the council their speed studies showed frequent speeding on neighborhood streets without sidewalks. "We would like to propose a uniform 20 mile per hour speed limit throughout Birchwood," Henkins said, adding that task force members coordinated with the city engineer on signage and placement.

Council members expressed support but emphasized legal and procedural steps. Councilmember Justin noted state statute requirements for documentation and traffic analysis and said the city must adopt a written traffic policy before formally lowering limits. Marcus, the city engineer, advised the council it must "develop procedures to set speed limits based on the city's safety engineering and traffic analysis" and that changes should be implemented consistently.

To balance caution with progress, the council amended the proposed motion so it would stand as an advisory vote of intent rather than a binding change and approved that advisory vote. The council also directed staff to publish at least one email (three preferred) to residents, and to hold a town hall at the September meeting to explain the proposal before a formal vote.

On pedestrian safety, the task force proposed two marked crosswalks on Wildwood Avenue—one at Birch Beach/Owl Street and another at the Grotto—together with freestanding advance-warning signage and painted crossings. Members said the sheriff’s office observed that center-line signage and properly designed crosswalks slow traffic and increase driver compliance. The council approved adding both crosswalks to the work plan, with staff tasked to find compliant but reasonably priced signs and to time painting work around planned road and lift-station construction.

A separate discussion considered radar speed displays and flashing, push-button crosswalk beacons. Cost estimates differed: staff cited $3,800–$4,000 per solar radar sign and approximately $7,800 for two flashing crosswalk units. Councilmembers agreed to consider budgeting for a single radar speed sign in next year’s budget and asked staff to research grants and optimal siting (accounting for tree cover and glare). They also asked that programmable settings avoid constant flashing and that units flash only at speeds substantially above the limit.

Next steps: staff will draft a short Birchwood traffic-policy document required by state law, post notice about the council’s intent, schedule a town hall for September, and return with refined costs and placement plans. The advisory vote does not change any enforceable speed limits until the council adopts implementing policies and signage.