Board declines resident request for flashing stop signs at Kimball Woods entrance

Kristen Novak told the Board of Public Works and Safety she and neighbors in the Kimball Woods subdivision see drivers routinely roll through the stop signs at Duneland Beach Drive and Jamestown Drive and asked the city to install flashing stop signs to make the signs harder to miss. “I live at 9 Bristol Drive…there are a lot of families in our neighborhood now, people walking, kids riding bikes,” Novak said. “I’m just asking for some flashing stop signs, so they’re harder to miss and drivers are more likely to stop.”

Police Captain Jesse, called to advise the board, said he reviewed accident records and saw none at the intersection since January 2020. “We have had 0 accidents at that intersection since January 2020,” he said. City Engineer Tim Warner said sight lines and advance warning signs are present and opposed adding flashing signs, saying such installations can train drivers to expect flashes rather than improve long-term behavior: “I don’t recommend that these flashing stop signs be installed at this location.” After public comment from nearby residents who were both for and against flashing signs, the board made a motion to decline the request and voted unanimously in favor of declining it.

The board’s action was a denial rather than a referral for further study; the record shows the planning and police staff reviewed the location and recommended against adding flashing signs at this time. The applicant’s HOA support was noted on the record and the board thanked Novak for bringing the safety concern forward.