A good City Councilmember wants to hear from all sides of an issue before making a decision. An email from anyone, but especially from a constituent, has an impact, especially if it conveys a personal experience you may have had at this intersection. The Belleview and Franklin intersection is within the City Council Districts of the four Councilmembers shown below. They want to hear from you.
Cherry Hills Village City Council Members
Doug Robinson
Email: drobinson@cherryhillsvillage.com
Susan Maguire
Email: smaguire@cherryhillsvillage.com
Greenwood Village City Council Members
Paul Wiesner
Email: pwiesner@greenwoodvillage.com
Ann Nelson
Email: anelson@greenwoodvillage.com
Q & A
Our Petition will be presented to both city councils in early November. Each councilmember will then ask themselves these questions: 1) Do we need a light? 2) Do we want a light? and 3) How would it get funded?
Q: Do we need a light?
A: Yes. Before a traffic light is approved, the state requires that the intersection meet certain traffic standards called warrants. Warrants are detailed in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), which sets the national standards for all traffic control devices. This intersection met the requirements for a light based on traffic volume and speed of traffic. The results of the traffic study are public information and available for review.
Q: What is the main argument for a light?
A: Safety is the primary concern. Many neighbors have families with high school drivers and are greatly concerned about the risk of teenage drivers making split-second decisions in speeding traffic. In addition to Andie’s death, there have been fender-benders, major T-Bone crashes, and a high-speed motorcycle crash at this intersection. The light will be a “Smart” light, actuated for cross traffic only when a vehicle is on Franklin Street.
Q: What is the main argument against a light?
A: A traffic light will increase the amount of cut-through traffic and lower the quality of life. There will be more traffic, noise, and pollution along Franklin Street. One feature of this residential area is the small-town feel of the community with narrow streets and limited sidewalks. The Belleview and Franklin intersection is not dangerous, and a traffic light will change the character of the community.
Q: How should a councilmember weigh these differing perspectives?
A: It’s true that the quality of life is reduced by increased traffic on a public street. It’s also true that the quality of life is zero to a person who lost their life; and it’s greatly diminished to that person’s survivors. We want our councilmembers to hear from all sides. We think the gravity of our concern outweighs the legitimate concerns about potential cut-through traffic. The city councilmembers will need to make a judgement call. That’s our message.
Q: Who will pay for the light?
A: Ultimately, taxpayers will pay for the light in some way. Funding is not our issue.