To: Montrose City Council

City of Montrose, Minnesota

RE: Neighborhood surrounding 7th Street S & Brook Circle

We, the undersigned residents and community members, respectfully petition the Montrose City Council to take action to reduce vehicle speeds and improve pedestrian and bicycle safety in the neighborhood surrounding 7th Street S and Brook Circle in Montrose, Minnesota.

Our neighborhood is home to many young families and children who regularly walk, ride bicycles, ride scooters and play throughout the neighborhood. Children frequently travel along and across neighborhood roadways to access sidewalks, homes and neighboring streets.

Residents have ongoing concerns about vehicles traveling at excessive speeds through the neighborhood. The speed of passing vehicles creates a significant safety concern for children, pedestrians, bicyclists and other residents sharing these roads.

We understand that drivers are responsible for following posted speed limits. However, simply expecting drivers to slow down has not adequately addressed the concern. We believe proactive traffic-calming measures would provide a safer and more effective solution.

OUR REQUEST

We respectfully ask the City of Montrose to:

1. Evaluate vehicle speeds and traffic conditions in the neighborhood surrounding 7th Street S and Brook Circle.

2. Consider reducing the posted speed limit in the neighborhood where appropriate.

3. Install additional reduced-speed-limit and/or residential traffic-calming signage in locations where it will provide drivers with clear reminders to slow down.

4. Consider installing permanent speed bumps or other physical traffic-calming measures designed to encourage vehicles to travel at safer speeds.

5. Consider other traffic-calming solutions recommended by city staff, law enforcement or qualified traffic professionals.

WHY THIS MATTERS

Our neighborhood includes young children who ride bikes and scooters and walk throughout the neighborhood. Children also cross the roadway to access sidewalks and neighboring areas.

Residents should not have to choose between allowing their children to enjoy their neighborhood and worrying about whether a speeding vehicle will put them in danger.

We have also experienced situations in which residents attempting to address speeding concerns have had Sheriff’s deputies called to the neighborhood. Our intention is not to create conflict with our neighbors or involve law enforcement unnecessarily. We are simply trying to protect our children and make our neighborhood safer.

We believe that preventative traffic-calming measures are a better long-term solution than relying solely on individual residents or law enforcement to address speeding after it occurs.

This petition is not intended to target any particular resident, driver or household. It is a request for the City of Montrose to proactively address a community safety concern.

OUR GOAL

Our goal is simple: We want the neighborhood surrounding 7th Street S and Brook Circle to be a place where children can safely ride their bikes, ride scooters, walk and enjoy their neighborhood without residents having to fear that a speeding vehicle could cause a serious accident.

We respectfully ask the Montrose City Council to hear our concerns, evaluate the traffic conditions in this area and work with neighborhood residents to identify and implement reasonable traffic-calming measures.

PETITION REQUEST

By signing below, I support the City of Montrose evaluating and implementing reasonable measures to reduce vehicle speeds and improve the safety of children, pedestrians, bicyclists and residents in the neighborhood surrounding 7th Street S and Brook Circle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you for taking the safety of our neighborhood and its children seriously.