City of Flagstaff transportation staff told the Transportation Commission they found Lewis Drive's speeds and cut-through volumes do not meet the city's thresholds for traffic-calming measures, but nearby residents pressed for more data and faster remedies.

David Lemke, who presented the staff analysis, said the city's 2021 and 2022 speed studies showed average speeds around 19'20 miles per hour and a very low share of vehicles exceeding 30 mph. Lemke said a focused license-plate check during a Thursday morning peak hour showed most vehicles observed originated in the neighborhood, and "based on our residential traffic management guide" Lewis Drive did not warrant access control or speed mitigation at this time.

That conclusion drew immediate pushback from residents. Thomas Byers, who lives on Lewis Drive, told commissioners, "I think 900 cars driving past my front door should qualify," and urged the commission to review the mitigation thresholds. Amy Byers, another Lewis Drive resident, said the traffic is a daily burden: "900 plus cars is very intrusive and it's exhausting," citing damaged mailboxes and retaining walls.

Commissioners pressed staff on methodology and timing. Staff confirmed the cut-through check was a Thursday morning peak-hour observation (~7:30'9:00 a.m.) using staffed license-plate matches; staff also described prior 24-hour pneumatic-tube speed and volume counts used in the 2021 and 2022 studies. Commissioners and staff acknowledged perception and safety concerns even when engineering thresholds are not met.

Following the testimony and questioning, city staff agreed to perform an afternoon traffic study and return to the commission with results in a future meeting (staff indicated February as a target). Staff also noted that a City Council discussion of speed humps is scheduled next week and that changes to speed-hump thresholds could alter how Lewis Drive is evaluated. No formal policy change or construction decision was made at the meeting.

Votes at a glance: The commission approved routine minutes and committee appointments earlier in the meeting. A commissioner moved to approve the minutes of 10/01/2025 and the motion passed (mover recorded as speaker 6, second speaker 2; chair noted four ayes). A separate motion to approve Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee appointments was made (mover speaker 2, second speaker 6) and carried as presented.