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Home My WebLink AboutVI (E) Discussion re: Permanent Closure of Bexxley Boulevard within Silver Bend Development Agenda 5-6-97 Item VI E "CENTER OF GOOD LIVING - PRIDE OF WEST ORANGE" MAYOR• COMMISSIONER Ocoee S. SCOTT vANDERGRIEl Y ��Or di a CITY OF OCOEE SCOTT ANDERSSS O 150 N.LAKESHOAE DRIVE SCOTT A.GLASS P�, Ca OCOEE,FLORIDA 319 61-2 2 5R (IM CLEASON '6 ,�? (4W)656222 CITY M ANAGFR fR of 0000�` ELLIS SHAPIRO STAFF REPORT DATE May 2, 1997 TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Commissioners FROM: Janet Resnik, Capital Projects/Concurrency Analyst6J LY THROUGH: Russ Wagner, AICP, Director of Planning �/ SUBJECT: Silver Bend - Bexley Boulevard ISSUE Should the City Commission take immediate action on closing Bexley Boulevard at Natchez Trace Boulevard? BACKGROUND Last year, the City Commission approved a temporary closing of Bexley Boulevard at Natchez Trace Boulevard as a means of addressing the concerns of Silver Bend residents. At that time, residents felt the access was contributing to problems with cut-through traffic, crime, damage to lawns, speeding, and excessive litter. Before the City Commission took action, staff hired a consultant to quantify the cut-through traffic. The study concluded that only about three percent (3%) of the traffic at peak hours was actually attributed to cut-through traffic. The survey was conducted during the time of day when traffic is heaviest on Silver Star Road and White Road, which would be the time during which drivers would be most inclined to seek a cut-through route. Staff recommended that the City uphold the requirement for two access points to each subdivision whenever possible. This Code requirement is a basic component of the City's Land Development Code for several reasons. First and foremost, the limitation on the number of entry points to a particular subdivision has obvious emergency access concerns since it may significantly increase response times. As growth continues and access to major roadways becomes more restricted with increased traffic, the secondary access will become more important as a way to disperse traffic. These secondary access points also serve an important link for overall traffic patterns within the City by providing convenient interconnections benefitting public works vehicles, school buses, business deliveries, and the entire range of local resident travel demands. CI( - Cb Page 2 Bexley Boulevard May 2, 1997 DISCUSSION Members of the Silver Bend Homeowners' Association have approached staff requesting that the closing of the road be made permanent. We believe this is untimely and inconsistent with generally held transportation planning principles. Staff is working on developing alternative solutions that would meet the needs of the residents as well as address technical concerns of the City. Staff has had an initial meeting with the City's new transportation planning consultant, but we need additional time to formulate proposed solutions. Because this decision could affect future decisions on similar roads in other subdivisions, and because there appears to be many potential consequences to closing the road, staff recommends providing sufficient time to research all sides of the issue since the temporary barriers may simply remain in place for the time being. RECOMMENDATION Staff respectfully recommends that the City Commission delay a final decision on this issue for 60 days to allow staff to complete the necessary research and formulate proposed policies and options to be considered prior to closing any roadway within the City. cc: Ellis Shapiro, City Manager Jim Shira, City Engineer/Utilities Director Ron Strosnider, Fire Chief Robert Mark, Police Chief Richard Corwin, Public Works Director Janet Resnik, Capital Projects/Concurrency Analyst Whit Blanton, JHK &Associates c'.\all_data\wpdocs\correspondence\staffreports\bealeysr SRP9701e 04/24/1997 11:44 407-894-7245 FLA INVEST PROP INC PAGE 01 FAX ' Data 04/24/97 — INumbs!Of POW inclUd'ng cover sheet I Martha E.TO: Ellis Shapiro, City Mgr. FROM: Lopez- Anderson City of Ocoee Silver Bend Homeowners 150 N. Lakeshore Dr. Association, Inc Ocoee, FL 34761 1796 Cassingham Circle Ocoee, FL 34761 Phone (407) 656-2322 Fax Phone (407) 656-8504 _ Phone (407) 896-6651 Work (407) 293-9333 Home I Rs: Permanent Closing of Fax (407) 894-7245 Bexley Blvd. REMARKS: ® Urgent ® For your review ❑ Reply ASAP ❑ Please Comment As discussed during our meeting on April 15, 1997, please confirm that we are on the agenda for the next Board of City Commission meeting scheduled for May 6, 1997. Your prompt attention to this matter is greatly appreciated. MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE SILVER BEND HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC. BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND STAFF OF THE CITY OF OCOEE APRIL 15, 1997 Martha Lopez-Anderson—Association Liaison,Lloyd Johnson—Association President and Chesta Hembrooke— Association Secretary met with the Staff of the City of Ocoee in the Conference Room of City Manager Ellis Shapiro's office on Tuesday,April 15. 1997 at I:311pm. Representing the City Staff were City Manager Shapiro, Police Chief Marks, Fire Chief Strosneider. Engineer Jim Shim, Janet Resnik of the Planning Department and Richard Corwin of the Public Works Department Martha was asked to state the problems that caused consideration of the closing in the first place. Martha stated traffic using Bexley as a shoe-cut, speeding cars, drivers miming stop signs mid vandalism in the development. Janet Resnik stated that considering the problems that SB HOA wanted to resolve, perhaps there are other alternatives to closing the street such as various traffic calming measures. The Chief of Police indicated that he had a problem with the closing in regards to safety. He felt it could be a problem dispatching units and having them provide a quick response time if the street was closed. (For example. if an officer in Silver Bend needed backup and the closest unit was at Good Homes Plaza, cutting through Magnolia Springs would be faster.) The fact that closing a street in Silver Bend could set a precedent for other subdivisions wanting to have a street closed scares the City. A lawyer could use such a closing in court against requiring a second access in another subdivision. They were quick to state, however, that every situation is unique, so maybe what has been done in Silver Bend may be right for them. It was mentioned that there have been other subdivisions who have approached the City regarding similar issues but their HOA was unable to come up with adequate support to pursue the matter. They stressed exhausting all other alternatives before closing a street. "Traffic Calming Measures.' have been done in other areas that reduce the size of the lane so people have to slow down. This avoids the"speed bumps' that most people do not like, and helps with speeders. It would also keep the street open. Homeowners Association Johnson questioned the effectiveness of traffic calming measures on Bexley Boulevard due to the short distance of the street. Janet Resnik said that"_.you have to drive them..." to experience how they work. If another access was mode onto Silver Star it would have to be at (cast 600 feet from the existing one and in a safe area. Mention was also made of connecting Silver Bend to Temple Grove which has access to Good Homes. The Fire Chief indicated that he felt there was a problem with only one access to the development. For example, if there was a fire in one of the first two homes as you enter the development it could block off the entire subdivision. Since most Fires occur during the time people arc going to work, this could be a problem. As a result,the Staff position will most likely be against the closing,however,the Commissioners make the final decision and they could still go with it. Manager Shapiro asked if any thought had been given to the type of barrier that would be erected if the closing was made permanent. Martha stated that the Association had discussed various ideas but wanted to wail to see which types would be acceptable by the City before going into any detailed discussion. Engineer Shiro said barriers could be from Jersey to brick walls. Landscaping and the need to acquire private property were touched upon. City Manager Shapiro indicated that he will,in no way,"vacate right of way which would have given the Association a common area space. He will only recommend closing. April 15,1997 Board Minutes of Meeting with City Staff Page 2 He suggested the Stiff come up with a position(which likely will be`no")and the cost of doing a closing plus an alternative method they believe would work (Traffic Calming Measure) that they would pay for as Silver Bend would be the experimental 'guinea pig" for the City. He recommended a field trip to Orlando where these projects have been done to see how they look. Maitland. also has them. The written criteria for closing a street in Orlando involve trips volume. speed. crime and unneeded right of way. The staff agreed that, at this time, we do not qualify for any of these. Further, the State Statutes say that a subdivision with more than 75 lots should have 2 access points. Silver Bend has 182 lots. Again, mention was made that the City is worried about setting a precedent. Lloyd Johnson, SBHOA President stated that the residents are definitely in favor of a permanent closing. In fact. some who voted against it before are in favor of keeping it closed now that they have seen the results and benefits. City Manager Shapiro stated that he would like to shoot for the first meeting in May and, in the meanwhile, get the Board Members, Homeowners from Bexley and a couple of City Staff members to go to the other barriers in Maitland and Orlando in the Ocoee City Bus to see options,perhaps meeting with their planners. Opticon Systems were mentioned, where a transponder opens a wrought iron type gate for emergency vehicles only. An example was on Mercy Drive near Rosemont Regarding the Silver Star Road expansion, it is mast likely the only median opening on Silver Star will 4gford Silver Bend Boulevard. Once tint developer develops the out parcels,access to them will also be from Silver Boulevard which would require a stop light on Silver Star. It was indicated by Manager Shapiro that the developer would be required to build into his project and financing, monies for at least partial funding of the light and that such development would permit the City to apply for the placement of a stoplight and the posting of appropriate warrants. The Staff will work on a price on options,a trip to the sites, perhaps even videotaping other areas where Traffic Calming Measures arc in place.and getting ready for the meeting. If the commission says go ahead and close, then there will be another meeting to frame a question (ballot) for voting. Manager Shapiro excused himself as he had another meeting. Chief Marks mentioned plans to have additional police staff. numbering around 90 in the future, that could provide police "beats' in subdivisions to assist with problems. Janet Resnik asked a couple of days to get back to Martha regarding locations and details of Traffic Calming Measures in place in Orlando and Mail land so appropriate field trips could be completed. Respectfully submitted , Chesty M. Hembrooke. Secretary J11 Silver Bend Homeowners Association, Inc. TRAFFIC CALMING MEASURES The information below was provided by Mr. Tom Allen, Traffic Engineer for the City of Orlando: Speed Bumps - 6 to 8 inches wide Speed Humps -20 feet wide Speed Tables- 90 to 150 feet wide, pavers arc utilized to make riding over these bumpy and noisy. Mr. Allen compared it to riding on cobblestone. Very dangerous for motorcycles and bicycles, so an area with no pavers must be available to accommodate these. Also, very costly. These have been in use approximately two years on Briercliff Street, where they worked for a while but speeders are back to business, according to Mr. Allen. Road Islands/Landscaped Median- these are on the center of the road allowing a 10 foot lane on each side. Mostly used for beautification purposes. These are being used on Summerlin Avenue, between Briercliff and Kalev since September 1996. Mr. Allen, mentioned people with sports cars think of these as a challenge. Area residents indicated people speed as usual, plantings are damaged regularly by drivers who run over the "road islands" plus overall they consider these a nuisance and a waste of taxpayers money. Chokers-this is when the road is gradually narrowed to"force" drivers to slow down. Mr. Allen, added that even City's Police Dept. is shorthanded, thus making the enforcement of traffic laws difficult. Mr. Fabian Hurtado, Engineer for the City of Maitland provided the following information: Pavement Undulations -these are 22 feet long: 0-4 inches in height for the first 6 feet. continues to be 4 inches for the next 1(I feet and for the remaining 6 feet height is 0-4 inches. Asphalt or pavers is used for its construction. When used in residential areas, they should be between 50 and 100 feet away from driveways. These arc currently used around Lake Sybelia, on Lake Sybelia Drive near 17-92. `Chokers"are also utilized in this area. Area residents indicated these have had little or no impact on the volume and speed of traffic. Also, that it seems that solely "low riders" drive with caution just because they are concerned with damaging their vehicles. Mr. Hurtado kindly faxed a graph showing the elevation of a pavement undulation, which I have attached for your information. C. VA 4 - 5 31 6215 r- rYot.)a S3 6211 t01 „.../....-ASQNA‘T 4'l v t LtV4T1 ON 6sJ c � IS N n il t t\71 o � Sac I 51 6 g I0 i �IDC IPC f/9 k 644j7E r �t g FR I _I- / r� ASPNAIT eV At 10 IO %el 10� IP S SQ 1z coN ..r(pj D>_ ;.2 • 43.4E 2188 Alclobe Circle Ocoee FL 34761 April 22, 1997 Martha Lopez-Anderson 1796 Cassingham Circle Ocoee FL 34761 Dear Martha, We are writing to you as liaison for the Silver Bend Homeowners Association, Inc. to the City of Ocoee regarding the Bexley Boulevard closing reevaluation and trust that you will present our comments and concerns to the City Commissioners and/or Staff as appropriate. On Friday afternoon, April 18, 1997, we decided to "experience" the various road islands, speed bumps, humps, tables and undulations utilized by the cities of Maitland and Orlando that had been provided as examples. Our first site to be driven was on Summerlin, between Briarcliff and Kaley, in Orlando. As we started down the street, my husband asked if we were on the correct street. I told him he had just driven through the beginning of the traffic calming measures on that street. The road islands are attractive and the pavers add a nice look, as well, but they did not, in our opinion, create the need to slow down they were intended to create and we knew what we were looking for. I question this type of measure for Bexley as it seemed ineffective. We then drove to Lake Sybelia Drive in Maitland to experience chokers and undulations. Lake Sybclia Drive is a curving road that covers quite a long distance, compared to our straight, short, section of Bexley Boulevard that is in question. Again, we felt these measures to be inadequate for the Bexley situation. Both locations we drove attempt to address the issue of speeders, and, although speeding vehicles were part of our problem prior to the temporary closing, another, major issue, were the numbers of vehicles cutting through our development from other areas. We believe these traffic calming measures do not adequately address this issue, and, further, that they also lack in effectiveness for speed control. As a result of our experience, we feel that closing Bexley Boulevard permanently is the best option. Sincerely, 1 Ltii1-C‘ Joseph C. & Chesta M. Hembrooke 7oCEDA �d� S, 60 m x s,m u° e �o,� ... i . .,. (cis) 7� _ ° _ _ _ u - _— _— P ," cB a 4 4 e� .—"� ,"� a9 a, _ Z. " ,.� ". n.� ," �,�g �S P/ a .n A e 9 4 f R [6 3 65 2 6667 1 g e J �,,,+� B -- 1t �n. .. 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