Newton residents say council should reconsider reducing speed limit on Union Drive

Three Newton residents who live near Union Drive feel like city council pumped the brakes too early on action that would have reduced the speed limit on the newly reconstructed roadway from 35 mph to 25 mph, and they say other neighbors are collecting signatures to petition the vote.

During the Dec. 18 council meeting, residents spoke out against the failed motion to reduce the speed limit. Newton City Council voted 3-2 to reduce the speed, but the absence of council member Vicki Wade meant a final vote could not be cast. In order to pass, the council would have needed a fourth vote in favor.

Jeff Stark, who has property along the 1200 block of West Fourth Street North, thanked the city for the reconstruction of Union Drive, even going so far as to call it “beautiful,” which is quite the compliment for what many considered to be the worst street in Newton. But Jeff said council missed an opportunity to have a safer city.

Prior to the reconstruction, citizens living along Union Drive reacted positively to a proposed change in speed limit that was discussed at a past open house.

Jeff said pedestrians, cyclists and children all walk on the street since there are no sidewalks, though he acknowledged the proposed bike path that would have been constructed alongside the road did have to be scrapped for cost purposes. He also argued some parallel streets are marked at 25 mph.

“There is a hill you can’t see over on this street and a curve you can’t see around. That should warrant it alone,” he said. “Please consider during this less-than-one-mile drive at 35 mph … one can only save a few seconds. Is that few seconds worth a trade for the lives of our children, citizens and voters?”

Jeff said a petition opposing the council’s action has received more than 50 signatures. After he had spoken with some of those petitioners, he learned they were shocked to learn council thought the speed limit should stay at 35 mph and that they, too, felt vehicles would drive well past 35 mph.

“Please let everyone ‘get to know Newton’ as a safer Newton,” Jeff said.

Jeff’s wife, Jo Deane “Jody” Stark, also spoke against the council’s action, specifically the comments made by council member Melissa Dalton, who said there have been no problems on the road with a 35 mph speed limit. Jody claimed a person died from an accident on that road several years ago.

“The people that live next door to us to the north, the Drews, it’s a family home that’s been in the family for years, and when their parents were living there a man did lose his life,” she said. “He was on the road. And he lived in the house next to the road that goes along the cemetery.”

Jody also said residents along Union Drive were told at the March 2023 open house the speed limit would change to 25 mph when resurfacing finished.

“Nobody ever said the city council had to approve it,” she said. “So I was surprised after that last meeting on Dec. 4 that it happened. We spoke to everyone on the street and only a few were against it being changed to 25 mph. When we first bought that house, the speed limit was 45 mph.”

Meg Outhouse, who lives along the 1400 block of West Fourth Street North, also commended the city for the “beautiful job” on Union Drive. Although there were some “bumps in the road” on some communications, Outhouse said when the neighborhood reached out to the city it got its questions answered.

With her home being on a corner lot, Outhouse said she has noticed a lot of fast traffic just pulling out of her driveway on North 15th Avenue West.

“We look to the west. We look to the east. And we proceed. I can’t tell you how many times we have almost gotten hit backing out of our driveway because people are coming off that Union Drive just whippin’ it around that corner,” Outhouse said. “It’s not a point of if it’s going to happen, it is when.”

Council members Dalton and Randy Ervin both voted against the speed limit reduction, citing the change as unnecessary. Council members Evelyn George, Mark Hallam and Craig Trotter voted in favor. Hallam noted he initially was going to vote “no” but changed his mind after residents reached out to him.

“I heard from one couple and one individual who live on Union Drive, and I’m going to sort of consolidate their remarks here: There is a perception it is a rural road, even though it’s not a rural road, and it tends to encourage people to drive faster than they otherwise should,” Hallam said.

“…My first thought was, ‘Ah! Leave it at 35. It’s been like that for years.’ On the other hand, after hearing from people who actually live there I’m reconsidering.”