The Carroll City Council has temporarily tabled plans to restrict certain types of vehicle traffic on Pleasant Ridge Road during their meeting last (Monday) night. Officials are proposing an ordinance amendment to achieve that end after repeated requests from residents in that area of town. Carroll Police Chief Brad Burke explains what the amendment entails.
Burke adds that the police department collected limited data on Pleasant Ridge Road traffic, which found that westbound traffic averaged about 25 mph and eastbound traffic around 30 mph. A 2012 traffic study found 48 trucks had used the road over a 14-hour period. Officers are conducting similar research to provide the council with more current figures. Ward 4 Councilwoman Carolyn Siemann, who lives on Pleasant Ridge Road, argues that much truck traffic on a residential road is a safety issue.
The bulk of the truck traffic on Pleasant Ridge Road is traveling to and from the rendering facility on 210th Street, which has operated there since at least 1952. According to Carroll County Assessor’s Office data, the oldest home on that road was constructed in 1972. At-Large Councilwoman JJ Schreck asked Burke how common ordinances like this one are in other Iowa communities.
Ward 2 Councilman Jason Atherton questions the need for additional regulations, as the city already has ordinances for truck traffic.
The issue of what route trucks would use if the ordinance were approved was also discussed. Functionally, only two routes are feasible, one via Highway 30 and the other along 220th Street south of town. The council opted to table the topic until they can receive more input from the public. Residents and truck drivers wishing to comment can do so using the contact points included below.
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