Naperville Transportation Advisory Board Meeting - February 6, 2025

The City of Naperville Transportation Advisory Board (TAB) met on Thursday, February 6, 2025, at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Michael Melaniphy. All nine members were present: Jennifer Bruzan Taylor (Councilwoman), Scott Hurley, Alice James, Michael Krzywinski, Michael Melaniphy, Sarah Rose, Andrea Nair, and Brian Laird. One member, Nigel Neibel, was absent.

Public Forum

• Cathy Clarkin, Executive Director of Accelerate Climate Solutions and volunteer with the Naperville Environment and Sustainability Task Force (NASTA), spoke about a bikeability report drafted by students from her organization. She highlighted safety and connectivity issues, citing that Naperville experiences an average of 10 crashes a day and two or more fatalities a year. She requested that the community be involved in scoping the RFP for the city's active mobility plan (bike and pedestrian plan update).

Police Department Report

• Sergeant Derek Zook reported on completed grants from the Christmas/New Year enforcement campaign, which included over 60 hours of enforcement resulting in 59 traffic stops, 58 citations (21 seatbelt, 8 speeding, 13 texting and driving), and no DUI arrests. He announced the upcoming St. Patrick's Day campaign (March 7-18) and reminded residents to drive sober during Super Bowl weekend.

Consent Agenda

• Approval of Minutes (November 7, 2024): Approved unanimously (8-0, with 1 absent).

Discussion Items

Parking Restrictions on Monticello Drive

• Staff, led by Project Manager Mary Hartegan, presented a revised recommendation to modify parking restrictions on Monticello Drive from Plank Road to Bellingrath Court. The change would remove the current four-hour parking on the east side and establish no parking Monday through Friday from 3-7 PM to address safety concerns during soccer practices at Columbia Estates Park. Staff conducted additional outreach, receiving 3 in support, 2 no responses, and one resident with concerns about congestion.
• Board member Webb thanked staff for finding a solution that works; Nair asked if the most affected resident supported the change, and Hartegan confirmed he did.
• Vote: Approved unanimously (8-0, with 1 absent).

Parking Restrictions on Triton Lane and Catalpa Lane

• Project Manager Sydney Smith presented a proposal to remove parking restrictions on Triton Lane and Catalpa Lane, originally established in 2001 for a nursery school that is no longer in operation. Survey results initially showed 100% support for removal, but a late response brought it to 92% support. Staff noted they contacted the late opponent but received no justification.
• Vote: Approved unanimously (8-0, with 1 absent).

Right-of-Way Control at Vest Avenue and Rosewood Avenue

• Staff, led by Michael Prousa, recommended removing the existing stop signs on Vest Avenue and adding a stop sign on Rosewood Avenue, citing that the current stop control is not warranted per the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and that low compliance is due to low traffic conflict. The staff recommendation noted that the school walk route does not include crossing Vest at Rosewood, and that stop signs should not be used for speed control.
• Public Comments (all opposed to staff's recommendation):
  • Sharon Phillips (resident, lives at intersection) expressed strong concern, citing the stop sign's role as the only safe crossing point connecting the neighborhood, and called for a painted crosswalk.
  • Julio Mayen (resident, father of two) stated the school walk route is unrealistic, noting a lack of sidewalks on the west side of Vest, and that new developments like Costco have increased traffic; he urged the city to use engineering judgment to keep the signs.
  • Noah Mattern (resident, original requester) noted that his request was for enhanced crosswalk and signage, not removal of stop signs; he cited the city's traffic calming toolkit which lists enhanced stop signs as highly effective for pedestrian safety.
  • Alison Mattern (resident) criticized the study as being conducted on cold winter days, missing the true pedestrian activity, and questioned why noncompliance should lead to sign removal rather than enforcement or improvements.
  • Jon Fleishman (HOA president) emphasized that stop signs were installed for a reason in 1994 and that Vest is a busy cut-through, especially with Costco nearby.
  • Mike Marek (resident) argued that today's non-compliant drivers would become the norm if signs are removed, and compared the situation to variances granted by the Planning and Zoning Commission.
  • Kathleen Buettner (original resident, since 1989) recounted that residents fought for the stop signs 30 years ago, noted the city removed a sidewalk connection, and requested a painted crosswalk.
  • Frank Cozzi (resident) stated removing the stop signs would create a dangerous situation, citing Costco's added traffic.
  • Yvonne Pan (resident) opposed the removal, saying the stop sign is crucial for the safety of about 80 children and that rewarding non-compliant drivers is illogical.
  • Tom King (resident) stressed safety, noting no sidewalk on the west side of Vest, requiring pedestrians to cross.
  • Dale Dionesotes (resident) stated removal would not make the intersection safer.
  • Irina Sullivan (resident) said removal makes no logical sense and cited MUTCD allows stop signs for traffic calming.
  • Scott Sullivan (resident) urged engineers to keep the intersection safe and requested enhancements.
• Board Discussion:
  • Councilwoman Jennifer Bruzan Taylor, who visited the intersection, stated public safety is her number one priority and recommended keeping the stop signs and adding crosswalk markings back.
  • Board member James agreed with residents and asked whether all-way stops were considered at other intersections; staff explained that warrants were likely not met.
  • Hurley expressed concern that zero accidents so far could be luck and endorsed enhanced measures from the traffic calming toolkit.
  • Krzywinski worried about children's habit of expecting stop signs.
  • Rose recommended a wider study with more data collection and questioned whether the toolkit should be updated.
  • Laird emphasized finding a solution that doesn't remove the stop signs.
  • Webb asked about a three-way stop, but staff said it would not be city policy.
• Vote: A motion to approve the staff recommendation was made by Rose and seconded by James. The motion failed unanimously (0-8, with 1 absent).

Key Outcomes

• The TAB recommended approval for the Monticello Drive parking modifications and the Triton/Catalpa Lane parking restriction removals.
• The TAB voted unanimously (8-0) to deny the staff recommendation to modify right-of-way control at Vest Avenue and Rosewood Avenue, meaning the stop signs on Vest would remain. However, staff indicated they could still bring the item to City Council with a negative TAB recommendation.
• The meeting adjourned at 8:23 PM.