This month’s council meeting was postponed a day courtesy of Floyd. With thecraziness of that week I was thankful the agenda was short and the content was agreeable. The interesting part of this month’s meeting was during the reports and recommendations portion usually reserved for the end.

The Mayor made an effort to discuss the one issue that strikes a cord with nearly everyone, traffic. For Pinecrest residents trying to head north during the morning rush hour its a growing problem. I live on a street which is directly off of Red Road and I can easily measure an increase in traffic along this road. With the advent of each of the pass several school years I have seen Red Road progressively back up at an earlier and earlier hour.

While, there may be no real solutions within the Village’s control, I applaud the Mayor for her suggestion that the Village take a pro-active initiative. The council agreed that the Village would conduct an unofficial traffic study. License plate numbers would be collected to determine from what area cars accessing Red Road from side streets are coming from. This has increasing become a problem, especially for residents on 91 street and 92 street, where a constant stream of cars, now cut through the neighborhood to reach Red Road. To the credit of courteous motorists on Red Road, drivers on the side streets have no problem merging onto Red Road. However, it may be more efficient if instead of having cars constantly merging from side streets, many of which have cut through the neighborhood too shorten their own wait, were forced to use the traffic light at Kendall Drive or possibly even one at the intersection of 104 street and Red Road. If the possibility of merging traffic at specific places and intervals could have a positive impact on traffic, it is worth a look.

Some streets in Pinecrest have drainage problems not traffic problems and that is a problem that the Village can more easily resolve. A resolution was passed to award a contact to correct the drainage problems along 131st ?street at both 82nd and 63rd avenue. I suggest that anyone who lives on a street that experiences flooding or standing water even during mild rain storms should contact the Village manager’s office.

In response to those who have voiced their longing to live in a neighborhood with sidewalks, you will be happy to know that the Council also discussed the sidewalk master plan, which is not scheduled to begin until the year 2002-3 be moved up. A master plan of the sidewalks would include a detailed analysis of existing sidewalks, their location and condition. The task of the sidewalk master plan is to identify a cohesive network of sidewalks, connecting existing sidewalks with new ones that will link schools and parks with the main roads within the Village and estimate the cost of implementing the plan. This is another situation that may very well become a contentious one, as some residents will be faced with having their landscape plan altered to accommodate new sidewalks. However, it is my personal view that it is important to balance the rural character of our neighborhood with the safety of our citizens, particularly children. As our roads become increasingly busy, pedestrian safety is a major concern. Another reason to implement a sidewalk plan, sooner rather than later, would be to have a minimal affect on the quickly expanding root systems of the recently planted trees. In some areas where the easement is small some trees may need to be relocated, the cost and survival rate are based on the size of the tree. Whatever the difficulties, the end result of shaded sidewalks to safely jog and walk on——- puts a smile on my face.