Stop Signs Return To Deerbrook Mall Amid Concerns From Residents

HUMBLE, TX -- Residents who appealed to the Humble City Council for help amid concerns over the removal of stop signs around Deerbrook Mall saw those signs re-installed this past week.

Residents from nearby Northshire subdivision, which is adjacent to Deerbrook Mall, spoke with the Humble City Council on Oct. 27, and ask that the city speak with the management officials at the mall about re-installing those stop signs.

"The Deerbrook mall traffic from Thanksgiving through Christmas is legendarily difficult," John Karshner, Humble resident and former trustee of the Northshire Homeowners Association, said during the meeting Oct. 27. "It could easily become dangerous for those trying to leave or cross past an entrance which will now - by design and by right-of-way - be able to flow impeded."

The absence of the stop signs meant that traffic from the Interstate 69 service road entrance, from FM 1960 and Birchridge Drive, did not stop when it entered into Deerbrook Mall forcing the other traffic on the loop within the mall property to stop until that traffic has proceeded through the intersection.

With the holidays just weeks away, residents were concerned about the safety of their neighbors, and others coming into the mall property.

After the meeting, city leaders contacted Deerbrook Mall representatives who were described as receptive to the concerns expressed by the Northshire residents.

"We have implemented traffic measures like this at other properties and they were met with great success," Andrew McKinney, Deerbrook Mall general manager, told the Houston Chronicle. "Every time we put in place a traffic improvement, there is an evaluated and diligent process we follow to make sure it meets our expectations. The safety and guest experience are very important to us. When we removed the stop signs at Deerbrook Mall, we have an ongoing dialog to determine if this was the best fit for us and it didn't meet our expectations so we re-installed the stop signs."

Those stop signs were re-installed in early November.

Image: Hannah Yoon via Flickr