For those who were unable to make the meeting last night at Seminole Ridge, I will share my notes (from memory) since I don’t believe there is a recording of the meeting.
First I would like to thank our District 6 County Commissioner Melissa McKinlay for hosting another community meeting (in addition to the recent library meeting) focused on traffic in the area. Traffic is a major concern for our whole area. Second thank you to the members of the panel.
Present on the panel were the following representatives David Ricks, County Engineer, Nick Uhren, Executive Director Palm Beach Transportation Planning Agency, Ken Cassell, Town Manager for Westlake, Gerry O’Reilly, FDOT Secretary District 4, Jay Foy, ITID Engineer, Rob Robinson, ITID District Manager.
Presentations were done by each of the panelists addressing their responsibility and jurisdiction for roads in our area. This includes State, County and ITID roads. There was discussion on funding for each of the levels.
The State has an intricate system that allocates dollars first to safety projects, then need statewide and then whatever is leftover is divided up by Districts. We are District 4. The State currently has funded projects in our area that include the expansion of Southern Blvd. from Forest Hill Blvd. west to the Arden development, the Hamlin Blvd. sidewalk project west of 180th to 190th in front of Friedland Park, and traffic calming with ITID on Hall Blvd, 140th Ave N and Key Lime Blvd.
Things discussed:
1. FDOT reported SR7 currently in litigation regarding a legal challenge to the DEP permit. Hearing is in August. It is is still a priority for all stakeholders and FDOT is viewing the project as on hold pending the current legal challenge. Construction contract has been awarded and contractor is on standby.
2. Discussion about Northlake, speed, enforcement by PBG Police
3. Many residents from Bayhill advocating for a light there. County Engineer claims it does not meet the State standards for warrant currently. The County Engineer is going to review the study with FDOT and see if something can be done.
4. We are still waiting for the updated study of Hall/Northlake as to whether it warrants an intersection light. Many people have died or been seriously injured at this intersection. Our community has advocated for this for at least the past 6 years.
5. Road construction to begin at the intersection of Northlake and Seminole Pratt and the widening of SPW to 4 lanes to begin this year (2019).
6. Northlake to be widened to 4 lanes to Coconut next year. Why isn’t it being widened to the ultimate 6 lanes now? This was discussed and to be reviewed.
7. Extension of Seminole Pratt to the Beeline to be reviewed by County but the current opinion seems to be that there will be environmental issues without the Avenir piece to connect to the Beeline. To be reviewed.
8. Widening of coconut to 5 lanes from South of Temple to Northlake currently projected for 2023.
9. Westlake is currently working with county to turn over the ROW for 60th between SPW and 140th
10. Construction of 60th to 3 lanes from Avocado east to 120th currently planned for 2022.
11. Discussion on impact fees and proportionate share payments and how they have to be spent. Basically they have to be spent in our area.
12. Comments on the need for 4-way stops at certain intersection of ITID roads. ITID is already working with the County engineer on this.
13. Comments regarding speed bumps affecting fire rescue response times.
In total there is over $75 million in planned improvements in the next 5 years. $24 million for this year.
There will be a link posted to Melissa McKinlay’s county website and Facebook page for the slides presented by the TPA and County.
Has there been any discussion of public transportation out in the acreage? Many of us would use it. How about a public shuttle that makes morning and afternoon stops at Ibis and Seminole Pratt Publixes?
With stops east at strategic locations, such as VA, fashion center Mall, and Palm Beach lakes outlets?
Organized car/van pooling on a voluntary basis?
All very good ideas. I will point out that residents have opposed public transportation in the past as it is viewed as urban services. I do think the time has come where we need to consider all ideas to help alleviate our traffic woes. Note that on the future proposed Palm Tran routes, Persimmon Blvd from SR7 is on there to Westlake. This is something I have always objected to because Persimmon is NOT a County Road and we have always objected to Westlake connecting to us there. 60th is a County Road and this would be a more appropriate route.
Why are the developers not made to pay to widen the roads that they impact before the development is put in. Widening roads after the houses and businesses are in and the traffic increases makes no sense. You cant get out of the acerage now so why wait 4 or 5 more years to improve the roads when the developments have the increased traffic using the old roads now.
Brian, the State gutted growth management laws and developers are no longer required to pay for road improvements prior to building. At one time, if the infrastructure was not there, developers were required to build it. Now the County is required to only charge the proportionate share impact a developer has on a road if an improvement is needed to accommodate their traffic. This means that if road improvements may be needed, the county has to make up the difference with impact fees and gas taxes to make the necessary improvements.
Will the north east corner at coconut and persimmon be affected?
Thank you, for keeping us informed.
The County only has the easement for Coconut North of Orange Blvd to Northlake. The improvements they will be making will only be for that portion of that road, so No it will not affect Coconut and Persimmon Blvd. :D. Sorry I am just now seeing this message.