Mayor Kartak wants speeds cut on streets

SNOHOMISH — Speed limits could drop to 20 mph for all residential streets in the city’s core, Mayor John Kartak announced online last week. He’s looking for City Council’s support to do so.
This would slow down neighborhood streets inside a footprint bounded approximately from First Street north to 13th Street, and from Avenue J to Mill Avenue, the mayor said. It’s part of a Safe Streets campaign he recently launched.
It’s on the heels of dropping speed limits in three areas: Pine Avenue south of Second Street; along Mill Avenue and its connecting part of Seventh Street; and along Fifth and Seventh streets from Avenue D westward to Avenue J.
Neighbors in the historic homes along Avenue D would likely support the move. A group of residents in the 300 block of Avenue D spoke out at last week’s City Council meeting to raise concern about cars blowing past their homes at 5 to 10 mph above the 25 mph speed limit.
“Drivers consider it an arterial without considering it’s a neighborhood street,” resident Diana Horker said.
Ron Anderson reported that two cars parked on the street have been totaled in front of his house. Two more accidents happened nearby along Avenue D north of the 300 block, resident Melody Clemans said.
City administrator Steve Schuller and Councilwoman Donna Ray recently met with Avenue D neighbors on these concerns.