Deer Run-CS061227Paula Crocker Deer Run
From: Ken Griffin
To: vharris @principal mgmt.com
Date: 12/27/2006 12:09 PM
Subject: Deer Run
CC: Glenn Hollowell; Paula Crocker; Per Birdsall
Mr. Harris
Page 1 of 2
Thank you for your recent inquiry concerning Deer Run. Over the years, the City has had several
inquiries from citizens in regards to speed on streets and in alleys. In an effort to raise awareness of
speed, the City was one of the leaders in North Texas in implementing 25 mph speeds on residential
streets. The reduced speed limit helps some, but there are still citizens who speed on our residential
streets. Typically, the speeders are our neighbors. I live on Cooper Lane and I notice neighbors
driving faster than 25 mph. Cooper Lane is a wide open straight street about 0.4 miles (2000 feet) long
so the feel of the road makes people want to drive faster than 25 mph. Also, we receive a lot of cut
through traffic going from Denton Tap to Coppell Road.
Deer Run is a self contained subdivision with the longest street being about 500 feet, so, it's likely that
the speeders are the residents of Deer Run. However, just because the speeders are our neighbors, it
doesn't make it any less dangerous for our kids.
Hopefully the following will answer your questions:
1) what is our policyon alley speed bumps can the them We have one alley in town that has
speed cushions (this is different from the speed bumps you see in shopping centers). They were placed
as a test section in July 2005. When we did not receive any feed back so we sent a letter to each home
adjacent to the alley. We then received feedback from 22 people. Eleven responses stated the alley
was safer and eleven responses stated that there was no change. There are three distinct alleys in Deer
Run. If you would like us to consider one of the alleys for speed cushions, please contact me at this
email address listed below with the information.
2) can they erect their own "Caution Children at Play" signs Children at Play signs are not approved
signs for installation in the city right of way. The city adopted the Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic
Control Devices (TMUTCD) as a guideline on all traffic related issues. The TMUTCD does not
recognize the "Children at Play" signs as a valid sign and all signs installed in city right of ways have
to comply with the TMUTCD. "Children at Play" signs also tend to create a false sense of security for
parents and children who believe the signs provide an added degree of protection when motorists
actually pay little attention to them. The City right of way extends to about one foot behind the
sidewalk and no "Children at Play" signs can be placed in that area. If signs are placed on private
property, then the resident would need to go through the Building Inspections Department to determine
if a sign permit is required or if the sign would even be allowed. But, again, no sign can be placed
within the area that starts one foot behind the sidewalk and continues to the street (about 10 -11 feet).
3) is there a permit required or rules for putting mirrors at the mouth of an alley (if not, can they just do
it)? This is a new request that has not been addressed before by the city. I would be willing to meet to
discuss this option to see if it could be installed and be helpful. Because they are mirrors, particular
attention would need to be provided in their placement so as not to create a redirection of sunlight to a
file: /C: Documents %20Settings\PCROCKER \Local %20Settings \Temp \GW 00001... 1/2/2007
motorists eyes. Contact me at the email address listed below.
Ken Griffin, P. E.
Director of Engineering/Public Works
972 304 -3686
kgriffin@ci.coppell.tx.us
Page 2 of 2
Virgil Harris, property manager for Deer Run, called with 3 questions. He wanted to know 1) what is
our policy on alley speed bumps can they get them; 2) can they erect their own "Caution Children at
Play" signs; and 3) is there a permit required or rules for putting mirrors at the mouth of an alley (if
not, can they just do it)?
He wants to know where it states in City ordinance, policy, etc. that any of these things can or cannot
be done. Short of that, can you give him your opinion on these issues in writing so he can present them
to the resident group? His email address is vharris(a)principal- mgmt.con
file ://C Documents \Local %20Settings \Temp \G W 00001... 1/2/2007