Study does not warrant traffic light or sign at intersection

CELINA - A recent traffic study of the intersection of Myers Road and Meadowview Drive does not warrant the placement of either traffic signals or a four-way stop, safety service director Tom Hitchcock said.

Hitchcock revealed the study on Monday night at a streets and alleys commitee meeting. It was initiated after several residents petitioned city officials for traffic signals or a four-way stop, claiming chronic traffic congestion and safety concerns.

Resident Toni Slusser, who has spoken on behalf of the petitioners, questioned the study results and requested a copy.

The 16-hour traffic study included a two-hour timeframe in the afternoon when children are released from school but did not include the two-hour period in which they walk to school.

Councilman Fred LeJune recommended another traffic study this fall of the two hours in which the children walk to school.

"According to the Ohio Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices, the traffic at that intersection does not warrant a traffic signal," Hitchcock said.

However, city council members could still decide to put a signal there but Hitchcock advised against that.

Councilman Bill Sell asked if the city would put itself in a difficult position - due to liability and potential lawsuits - by installing a traffic signal.

"We would be taking on unnecessary risk that we don't have to. I would have to be on the stand saying that that intersection did not warrant a signal," Hitchcock said.

He said he could not recommend installing traffic signals or a four-way stop.

"You guys can do what you want but from my engineering standpoint, I can't recommend (signals or stops)," he said.

"Right now I don't see where it warrants that," councilman Jeff Larmore said.

"I can't dispute the study," councilman June Scott said.

Hitchcock said the city will conduct another study this fall in the morning but pointed out most likely crossing guards - not traffic signals - would be a better solution.

Since the petition involving the intersection, several people have requested traffic signals at other intersections, Hitchcock said.

Councilman Jeff Larmore said he doesn't like the idea of setting a precedent of installing traffic signals.

"We got to make sure, No. 1, it's about safety," Larmore said.

Hitchcock had the traffic study at the meeting but council members apparently did not review the actual results.

Slusser asked Hitchcock to publicly disclose the hour-by-hour results. He said he would make copies and pass them out.

"Do any of them (council members) have the numbers because they made a decision tonight without seeing the numbers?" she asked.

"We just know that it doesn't meet the criteria," Larmore said.

Hitchcock said there's enough traffic on Myers Road to meet some of the warrants but not enough traffic on Meadowview Drive.

Traffic congestion is exacerbated when shifts change at Crown Equipment Corp. along Grand Lake Road. New economic development - the recent opening of Happy Daz restaurant at 911 E. Wayne St., and the future opening of Marshall's in Harbor Square - will only make the situation worse, Slusser argued.

The group claims to have numerous signatures on its petition. Group members, according to Slusser, include Pam Prater of Miller Place, Steve Dzendzel of Lehman-Dzendzel Funeral Home, dentist Dr. Sara Willmann, Andy Charleson of Meadows Apartments, Melissa Smalley of Celina Manor, Eric Ireland of The Gardens at Celina, Deb Borns of Coldwell Banker and Barry Peel of Peels Pit Stop.

Another streets and alleys committee will be held in the future to continue discussions as well as a potential traffic study near both access roads into and out of the Walmart, Menards and First Financial Bank area.