A Divide of Citizens

Before the most recent City Council study session, a special meeting was called to discuss a citizen complaint about the traffic violations on Clarkson Street. At the meeting were Councilmembers Presley and Rose, as well as the Director of Public Works, the Manager in charge of traffic, along with the Greenwood Village Police Chief and Sergeant. The complaint came from a group of citizens concerned about the speed at which people (Littleton High School students specifically) drive through the neighborhood.

Clarkson connects Belleview to Littleton Boulevard, and as such, it is used constantly by LHS students coming from Denver. And while the
Already, the city has placed two radar signs in both the north and southbound directions. These signs have proven effective; they have lowered the average speed of drivers on Clarkson by 3 miles per hour. What’s more, the street also has numerous roundabouts as well as an increased police presence, all which help to slow any potential speeding. Greenwood Village Police have, in the past, worked with the Village council and staff to appease the concerns of Clarkson residents, a recent influx of complaints have the police taking a second look at the street.

Yet the residents of Clarkson are still concerned over the average speed of the cars. Citizens have requested speed bumps be added to further slow drivers. But the complexity of the street makes the next action of the Village complicated. Not all of the houses lining Clarkson are Greenwood Village residents. Englewood, Littleton, and some unincorporated properties would be affected by the addition of speed bumps to the road. In addition, officers remarked that a seeming equal number of citizens have expressed the opinion that in fact, too much is being done to slow drivers. The divide between citizens has police and Public Works concerned that any further action could come as an unwanted intrusion. The councilors decided that a public forum would be the best next step, and will hopefully be held before school starts again in the fall.