Village Board OKs 25 MPH Speed Limit on Additional Residential Streets

It's been 11 years since the village reduced the speed limit to 25 m.p.h. on most residential streets.

Tuesday night the Village Board voted unanimously to add a few more streets to the list with the 25 m.p.h. restriction. Residential collector streets like Ogden Falls Boulevard, Minkler Road, Pearces Ford Road and Lake View Drive will fall under the same category as other residential roads.

Residential collector streets are considered those that feed traffic onto main roads but include homes with driveways. Police Chief Dwight Baird wrote in a memo to the board that reducing the speed limit on these roads will help clear up confusion and will help save the village money in the long run.

Different speed limit signs will not need to be purchased to differentiate between the speed limits in residential areas, he wrote.

Baird also wrote that the department has fielded resident complaints regarding the speed limits on the residential collector streets. Trustee Terry Michels cautioned  against thinking a lower speed limit will completely curb speeding on residential roads.

"I support this ... I think it's important for residents to note reducing the speed limits doesn't necessarily address some of the concerns brought forward," Michels said. "It really comes down to a matter of  enforcement. With the lower speed limit police will be able to enforce that … but  I don’t think it’s a cure-all for some of the complaints residents have had."

According to Baird's memo, the new limit also will not apply to roads like Grove and Plainfield, as they are Kendall County streets. Speed limits on Douglas Road and Fifth Street will also remain the same, as they are not considered residential.

The new speed limit is to take effect in about three months.