Local Parents Thrilled About Gardendale Traffic Calming Project

A crowd of more than 50 people anxiously waited at Wednesday's City Council meeting to discuss a matter close to their hearts: a traffic calming plan that would reduce speeding on Gardendale Road. Parents, with their children in tow, came to proclaim their overwhelming support of the project, which includes installing medians, extended curbs and other deterrents along the busy road near Flora Vista Elementary School.

The plan has been in motion for roughly two years. A petition was signed in May of 2009 prompting the council to investigate the problem. In December, the city sent out a ballot asking residents of the affected area whether or not they supported the plan. Of the 170 properties asked, 70 percent voted in favor. Encinitas Associate Traffic Engineer Nestor Mangohig presented this data to the council, cited that funding for the project was available and recommended that it pass. The expected cost is between $235,000 and $350,000, and financial support for the project will come from the Traffic Calming Improvement fund.

While children squirmed in the seats of the council chamber, 12 speakers expressed their opinions about the plan. The kids in the audience served as a reminder of the lives potentially endangered by speeding cars.

The debate came down to a few older, more seasoned residents versus several young families with small children. The two residents in opposition have lived in the area for more than 20 years and said they felt the plan was a bit excessive.

Pat Lococo, a resident of Village Center Drive, said she has never felt endangered walking alongside Gardendale Road. She worried about construction and devaluation of the property should the project be put into place. “If people have a genuine traffic concern, I’m not opposed to putting [up] a stop sign,” she said, though ultimately she believed the project was not necessary.

The majority of the plan’s proponents were parents concerned about their children’s and the general public’s safety. Sue Chamberlin, a mother of two, became emotional when she conveyed her fear about speeding cars coming in contact with kids. “It takes a split second to kill a child,” she said. “I don’t know if I’ll ever let my children walk to school alone, but this plan would help.”

With no deliberation, the council unanimously voted in favor of the plan.

Council member Maggie Houlihan was quick to respond to residents concerned about property value. “I can assure you, if you advertise a property near schools with safe neighborhoods due to traffic calming, it will be on every real estate ad,” she said.

Lococo was disappointed with the vote, but said she hopes the changes are nice.

Satisfied parents left the meeting and toted their sleepy children home knowing they will soon be walking to school a little safer.