YPNA 2026 Annual Meeting 🏘️🤝

The  YPNA 2025 Annual Meeting was a huge success! Thank you to all our neighbors that were able to participate, and a special thank you to our very own Council Member Jennifer Justice for stopping by and taking our questions. Below is a list of questions posed during the meeting with responses from the City of Richardson.

Question 1: 

The light at Owens and Campbell (turning left onto Campbell from Owens) takes a very long time. The resident reported that it is faster to go right and u-turn rather than wait for the light. She also reported seeing people run the light regularly.

Response: Based on a previous resident concern received on 1/27/2025, Traffic Engineering set up a monitoring camera unit to review the traffic signal operation at this intersection and has completed our review. It was observed that during the morning and afternoon peak period, the longest wait time a vehicle experienced was approximately 85 seconds. These wat times are due to the high traffic volume along Campbell Road during the morning and afternoon peak period. Although 85 seconds may feel like a long time, it it a typical cycle length and wait time for the majority of signalized intersections at major arterials (including Campbell) throughout the City. Given this assessment, Traffic Engineering does not recommend revisions to the regular signal timing at this time.

Question 2: 

Is it possible to have Public Works street sweep in the neighborhood (and particularly the bike lanes on Collins)?

Response: Parks has a contractor that does a sweeping rotation that includes Collins and the bike lane one time a month. Theis contract is to sweep the main arterial streets and bike lanes, but not neighborhood streets. We would be unable to sweep neighborhood streets for numerous reasons including the noise, time of day the work would need to be done, plus the number of cars parked on the street. The contractual cost and time commitment of the contract to service all neighborhood streets would not be a feasible option for the city budget and for the contractor to fulfill.

Question 3: 

Is the Yale Park playground set for renovation? A resident reported a cone over one of the missing play structures for months and a missing slide.

Response: Yale Playground is on the Parks Department's list of playgrounds to review for potential bond proposal. The slide was replaced a few weeks ago, but the cone is for a broken piece that has been repaired and will be reinstalled weather permitting late this week.

Question 4: 

A resident reported an excessive ant problem at the playground at Yale Park. Is the City able to treat for ants?

Response: Parks will send crews to trat the ants by the playground - but will need to let the rain pass this week before sending them.

Question 5: 

Is Collins near Hindsdale on the list for repair/reconstructions? A resident reported the street in that area has been patched many times, but it keeps failing.

Response: Capital Projects sent an engineer to investigate the pavement condition along Collins near Hindsdale. The area has been patched with asphalt in the past. Neither the Capital Projects nor Public Services have concrete repair programmed at this location. Public Services will continue to monitor and provide asphalt patches in the interim. The concern has been noted and will be considered as part of our future pavement maintenance strategy.

Question 6: 

Has the Traffic Department considered a flashing stop sign at Yale and Collins? There was unanimous agreement in the room that the stop signs were routinely run by people speeding down Collins/Yale.

Response: There are specific guidelines the City follows for implementation of flashing stop signs. Based on this request, Traffic Engineering will assess existing conditions at this intersection to verify if this location is eligible for a flashing stop sign. Please allow two to three weeks for staff to conduct this assessment and provide a response. 

Question 7: 

A resident reported issues with the two left turn lanes from Collins (eastbound) onto Plano (northbound). Motorists will routinely go straight from the outside turn lane to continue on Collins into the Yale Park neighborhood. Apart from enforcement, is there anything we can do? I assume Traffic has already deemed the two turn lanes necessary?

Response: Based on the concern registered with the City, Traffic Engineering reviewed traffic volume and geometry at this intersection. The eastbound left turn volume at this intersection is high and requires the capacity of dual left turn lanes to satisfy the traffic demand, especially during the peak hours. Elimination of the second left turn lane is not recommended. Understanding the physical constraints, changes to the eastbound receiving lanes on east side of the intersection are not recommended as the southbound left turning vehicles require a minimum turning radius in order to safely make the turn without intruding into the bicycle lanes. In addition to enforcement, Traffic Operations can assist with driver awareness by adding signage in the eastbound direction along the median to alert through traffic to merge left so that they can change the lane before they reach the signal. Traffic Engineering will continue to coordinate with RPD to increase enforcement at this intersection as resources allow.

Question 8: 

A resident asked about whether the City can ban smoking establishments. She used the Tavern on Main Street as an example. I know we have a special use permit requirement, but what are the City's rights/obligations with respect to banning smoking establishments altogether? The resident recalled the City of Dallas banning the establishments recently. Also is there some distinction if the establishment is a private club?

Response: The City of Richardson can regulate smoking in public areas, up to and including an outright ban. The current smoking ordinance generally prohibits smoking in most public places, including "food establishments, nightclubs, and bars". However, the ordinance allows smoking to occur on patios and in the following areas:

• A bar that derives 70 percent or more of the establishment's gross revenue on a quarterly (three-month basis) from the sale of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption.
• A separate enclosed area designated for smoking that does not open into any other establishment or area in which smoking is prohibited under this article of a bar that derives more than 50 percent, but less than 70 percent of the establishment's gross revenue on a quarterly (three month basis) from the sale of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption.

A further prohibition of smoking would require an update to the ordinance.