Item 8BAGENDA TEEM # 8B
APR[L 27, 2009
Royal Palms Survey Summary
Introduction
Through the strategic planning process and input from residents, the Royal Palms area has been
identified as a priority area for the City to address. This area is a phase II extension to the
Mayport Corridor project and identified as the Royal Palms Redevelopment Area. This area
incorporates Sailfish Drive East, west to Mayport Road, and Cavalla Road, north to Sailfish
Drive West.
Survey Implementation
A survey was constructed and implemented in the area over a period of one month (March
2009). Lieutenant Jim Christman conducted the survey. He made contact with 101 residents,
asking for their input based on these following structured questions. As Lieutenant Christman
conducted the survey at each residence, he took notes from each citizen regarding the answers
and their feedback. These notes were utilized as the basis for this overall summary.
Resident Response to Questions
What do you like best about your neighborhood?
When asked what residents like about their neighborhood, the majority of responses showed that
residents felt the neighborhoods were quiet, have well kept yards, close proximity to shops and
the beach, good neighbors that looked out for each other, and affordable living. The majority
expressed how they like the fact they were close to the fire department and police department.
Other comments given were that they enjoyed the larger yards for children to play, low crime
rates and low traffic flow. They also appreciated the mixed nationalities, good service and
response by city departments, and a good place to raise a family.
What would you most like to change about your neighborhood?
The participants expressed several concerns regarding changes they would like to see. The
majority remarked that they would like to see increased traffic enforcement, more code
enforcement to include junk cars in yards and yard debris. They expressed concerns over the
dilapidated condition of some of the homes and felt like more building code enforcement should
be conducted.
In additional, they would like more enforcement of animal control violations such as stray and
loose dogs. Another popular comment was either additional lighting or increased wattage of
existing street lights in the Royal Palms area. Other changes the residents would like to see are
the addition of sidewalks and no parking on pavement signs. They complained about the smell
emanating from The Fish Company located at 725 Atlantic Blvd. They expressed concerns over
appearance of Cavalla Rd, such as the front yards, building aesthetics, and abandoned vehicles.
Do you feel safe in your neighborhood? Why or why not?
The majority of participants felt they were safe.
AGENDA ITEM # 8B
APRIL 27, 2009
Do you know your neighbors on the street? Tell me about them generally. (young, old,
retired, professionals, children, loud, quiet)
They felt that the neighbors watched out for each other and stated there was a good mix of adults
and children, with adults ages ranging from 20's to 80's. The residents stated they had a mix of
owners, renters, families, retired individuals, and single residents.
Would you be willing to meet with neighbors and city officials to discuss ways to enhance
your community?
The majority felt they knew their neighbors. Almost everyone indicated an interest in meeting
with City staff to further discuss ways to enhance their neighborhood.
Are there any comments or suggestions that you would like for me to take back to City
officials?
The residents expressed comments and suggestions such as their appreciation for the police.
They commented that they would like the cost of watering their yards lowered. They would also
like to start a volunteer group and have had 2 Neighborhood Watch meeting for Cavalla Road
and some surrounding streets. Further, they wanted something done with a local individual who
was known for petit theft and drug dealing.
They suggested that code enforcement issues be enforced evenly. They wanted to have the city
mow and remove trash from both sides of the ditch behind Skate Rd. As mentioned above, they
wanted more lights or an increase in wattage on street lights. Some wanted to have a community
garden, install bike paths and raise the power lines. Although outside the perimeter of this area, a
few people expressed a desire for the city to further address the Atlantic Gardens' property.
Summary
Overall concern from the residents surveyed consisted of the following
• traffic enforcement issues,
• code enforcement issues, with concentration on junk cars and unkempt yards,
• building codes,
• animal control violations such as stray and loose dogs. They were concerned about the
• need for increased wattage on streetlights, additional lights,
• a cleaner ditch line behind Skate Rd (especially on the west side), and for the city
• to address the fish smell emanating from The Fish Company.
The Royal Palms area was subdivided into, 4 Districts. The first of 4 community meeting is
scheduled for Thursday Apri130th at 6:30 PM in the Commission Chambers. The clean-up for
that same district will be on Saturday May 9~' from 8:00 to 10:00 AM.