Wildwood’s City Council is set to vote Nov. 24 on final approval on legislation that would approve adding three-way stop signs at the Bayview Point Lane and Copperwood Lane intersection.
The council approved a first reading of the legislation on Nov. 10
Ryan Thomas, the city’s director of public works, told the council during its work session that the city’s Board of Public Safety had, at first, recommended a single stop sign at the intersection, something originally requested by area residents. However, he said those residents recently reconsidered, saying they would prefer the three-way signs. Reasons given include obstructed visibility due to landscaping and numerous close calls, with accidents nearly occurring between motorists. The Board changed its recommendation and the council also agreed to revise the legislation to reflect the residents’ new request.
A review by St. Louis County Police of the crash history of the site showed no incidents since 2008; however, there have been multiple reports by residents and Ward 7 councilmembers of near misses due to drivers making unsafe turns and having their vision obstructed by trees and other landscaping, Thomas said.
“That could be a recipe for disaster with any crash,” he noted. “If all vehicles at the intersection are required to stop, the sight distance issue wouldn’t be as critical.”
Some councilmembers suggested residents living at the intersection be contacted about the possibility of also removing landscaping that interferes with visibility. However, Thomas said, while the city could require removal, such a request might not be popular among residents, given the privacy the landscaping provides.
“Some residents may not realize the situation, and, if they did, they may decide to put in lower-height landscaping as the right thing to do,” Councilmember Ed Marshall (Ward 2) said.
Councilmember Jeffrey Levitt (Ward 7) said the three-way stop signs would better protect a neighborhood with many children, who use a pool and playground close by.
“That corner has also been used as a cut-through for Pierside Lane,” Levitt said.
