Supervisor Michaels addresses speed limit on Jacks Canyon Road

Yavapai County Supervisor Donna Michaels addressed the Big Park Council on Aug. 10 noting that the speed limit on Jacks Canyon Road from Horse Mesa Ranch to Pine Valley will be reduced for safety reasons.

There are blind intersections, trail access points and horse properties along that section of road. The representative from La Barranca II thanked Supervisor Michaels for reducing the speed limit further along Jacks Canyon Road noting that although the speed limit is already 25 mph by their entrance, vehicles coming from the direction of Pine Valley crest the hill moving at a higher speed and present a danger to residents exiting La Barranca II.

In August, the speed limit returned to 35 mph.

“I have mitigated all concerns by having Public Works place not one but three horse crossing signs,” Michaels stated. “This will in effect put the driver responsible for ensuring safe speeds perhaps even lower than 25 to prevent safety issues. It is in my opinion a part of a system including a custom made pressure activated device that will activate a blinking, caution, traffic-ahead type language sign when traffic approaches and puts those entering or leaving HMR at risk.

“We know by research that the lower speed will likely not be observed. Out of an abundance of caution, I lowered the speed hoping the custom sign would be ready. It will be ready by month’s end, giving us time to also put up the horse crossing signs "

She asked that other traffic safety issues in the community be brought to her attention. Mary Morris asked that additional signage and stripes on the road at trail access points be considered.

Supervisor Michaels also recapped the successful Village Recycling launch party, thanking the Big Park Council and VOCA for getting the word out to the community. She emphasized that the company managing the site, Squeaky Clean, is committed to sustainability and regeneration practices. In addition, 10% of their income is donated to cancer research in honor of the owner’s father. The new Recycling Center in the Village is in one of the lower back parking lots of Vista Village (corner of SR179 and Jacks Canyon Road) with easy access from East Cortez Drive. When entering the parking lots from East Cortez Drive, take a right into the second parking lot (past the fence) and recycling bins are in the far corner. The Recycling Center accepts plastic, metal cans, mixed paper, and cardboard but no glass. She then noted that there are several new businesses in the Village and encouraged the community to patronize them.

In answer to a question regarding the potential lease of a section of the Big Park School by the Sheriff’s office, Supervisor Michaels noted that everything is now in place with the letter of intent to begin working with prospective tenants. The Sheriff’s office will now begin the assessment of next steps.