The City Council has approved a 13-home subdivision on Batavia’s west side, but not before authorizing traffic barriers to prevent motorists from cutting through an existing neighborhood.
Mayor Jeff Schielke broke a 4-4 tie in favor of approving the restrictions at Millview Drive and Ellen Lane. The council and mayor later voted 6-3 to approve the final plat for the Millview subdivision.
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Residents feared that connecting the two roads, which the project calls for, would encourage motorists to use Ellen Lane as shortcut to Main Street.
The 5-4 vote restricts northbound traffic on Millview from turning right onto Ellen and southbound traffic from turning left.
“It’s foolish,” said Ald. Gene Schneider, who was on the losing side. “I’m not totally convinced that type of traffic problem will ever materialize.”
The council last month rejected the Millview plat when the traffic shortcut question was raised. But Schneider said aldermen left the city vulnerable to a lawsuit from the subdivision’s developer.