Response to concerns about Mockingbird Lane in Paradise Valley
OPINION — Many residents recently received two large mailings from Mr. Steve Gayor who, through his PAC and printing business, targeted me for my vote on the Mockingbird Lane improvement project. After his first mailing, my call to him resulted in a productive conversation where I explained the project and rationale for my vote.
The road design is fully compliant with national safety standards for urban roads rated at 35 MPH. Our professional staff of engineers, consultants and traffic safety experts would not bring forward a road design that did not meet safety standards. That would be foolish.
The road design objective was to slow down traffic to make the road safer. The use of medians, planter/chicanes, water run-off channels and a curvilinear path reduces speed, making the road safer for vehicles and cyclists. Virtually all of the road is 11’ wide with only a small fraction 10’ wide next to a bike lane – all meeting national safety standards. The new design is safer.
This eight-year project included nine publicly noticed council meetings, two neighborhood mailings informing of two public meetings, numerous mentions in the town manager’s newsletter and at least two front-page stories in the Paradise Valley Independent.
Five out of seven council members, including Mayor Stanton, voted to approve the project and Councilmember Andeen-Keller’s “No” vote was for financial reasons. Your council studied and supported this project.
I thanked Mr. Gaynor for his advocacy and invited him to be my guest at the PV Men’s Breakfast. Please stay informed by signing up for the town manager’s newsletter, register to be notified of Planning Commission and council meetings, attend monthly Coffee with a Cop or volunteer to serve on a town board or committee.
I take public safety seriously and look forward to a safer, slower Mockingbird Lane.
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