City Denies Traffic Safety Measures for Local Business

Youngstown officials rejected a request for speed bumps and guardrails at a shop hit by six crashes in 10 years.

Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Auto Parts

Isometric editorial illustration of a steel guardrail on a cracked road, representing municipal infrastructure policy and intersection safety concerns. — Youngstown City Council rejected a request for traffic safety measures at an intersection, citing municipal liability and infrastructure policy. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Youngstown City Council officials have rejected requests from a local business owner to install speed bumps and guardrails. The proposal followed six vehicle crashes into the Cyclone Auto Seat Covers property at Oak Hill and Indianola Avenue over the past decade.

Why it matters

Business owners in high-traffic intersections often face property risks that can threaten site safety and operational stability. Recent decisions by local public works officials highlight how municipal liability and roadway design standards impact private property protection.

Cyclone Auto Seat Covers, located at Oak Hill and Indianola Avenue, has been the site of six vehicle crashes over the last 10 years, with the most recent incident occurring in late September 2026. The owner requested speed bumps and guardrails to prevent future accidents.

The players

Mark Klacik

The business owner of Cyclone Auto Seat Covers who petitioned the City Council for traffic mitigation.

Chuck Shasho

The Deputy Director of Public Works who advised against the installation of city-funded safety barriers.

Youngstown City Council

The municipal legislative body responsible for reviewing public works requests and safety infrastructure.

The details

The business owner suggested reconfiguring the business entrance to allow for guardrail installation, but city officials stated this would not address the core issue. Public Works representatives noted that guardrails are primarily engineered for driver safety rather than property protection and could introduce new liability risks for the city. Furthermore, officials argued that speed bumps present broader hazards to roadway safety.

Six vehicle crashes occurred at the business between 2016 and 2026.
The most recent vehicle crash took place in late September 2026.
The business owner addressed the City Council regarding safety measures on October 21, 2026.

The Home Front

Local traffic safety policies often align with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, which standardizes where and why structural barriers are permitted. Municipalities frequently deprioritize property protection in favor of broad roadway safety and liability management.

If your business or residence is located near a high-traffic intersection, consult with a licensed civil engineer to understand private-sector property protection options that do not rely on city-funded infrastructure. Review your property insurance policy to confirm coverage for structural damages resulting from vehicle impacts.

The takeaway

When municipal officials deny safety infrastructure, private property owners must explore independent site-hardening solutions. Property owners should document all traffic incidents with local police reports to maintain a clear record of safety issues for insurance claims.