Rockwall County orders warrant study for speed humps in High Point Lake Estates after residents describe repeated speeding

Rockwall County Commissioners voted 5–0 on May 26 to direct the county engineer to perform a warrant study to evaluate installing speed humps in High Point Lake Estates, following public comments describing repeated speeding and safety concerns.

Frank Merlino, president of the High Point Lake Estates Homeowners Association, told the court the HOA held an electronic vote that produced about 128 in favor and 92 opposed and asked commissioners to waive the county’s 60% HOA approval threshold to allow the study. "We fully understand that the county's current requirements is 60% approval threshold to proceed with the study," Merlino said, urging the court to proceed with a study so the community can determine if traffic calming would help.

Residents described near-misses and video evidence of drivers running stop signs and speeding on long, straight interior streets without sidewalks. Speaker Rochelle said children in the neighborhood avoid walking on the roads because of safety risks, and Todd Aruns recounted a recent near-collision in which he pushed his son out of the roadway.

Commissioner Lauren Lichty, who brought the item forward, said the requested variance would not immediately install humps but would permit the county to perform the technical warrant study and determine the appropriate next step. "That doesn't mean we will put in the speed humps, but it's a first step," Lichty said. The court approved the motion to proceed with the warrant study by a unanimous vote.

Next steps: the county engineer will perform the study and report back; the study’s findings and any proposed installation would be subject to subsequent review and formal approval.