Exh 9C
AGENDA ITEM #9C
JANUARY 13, 2003
1
STAFF REPORT
City of Atlantic Beach
Commission Meeting
' AGENDA ITEM: Sight Distance Requirements at Intersections
DATE: January 6, 2003
SUBMITTED BY: David E. Thompson, Chief of Police/DPS
BACKGROUND:
During the summer months of 2002, the use of the City right-of--ways was discussed at
City Commission meetings. It was recognized that when citizens place items on the City
right-of--ways without permission, they sometime create a safety hazard for motorists and
pedestrians. Although the beautification of the right-of--ways is encouraged, there is a
1 need to establish guidelines to assure that dangerous or hazardous conditions are not
created.
1 The language below, is being proposed as a means to provide limitations on trees,
shrubbery, berms, fences, walls, or any other structure which might obstruct the vision of
motorists passing through intersections.
The restrictions do not apply to signalized intersections that control each roadway ,
entering the intersection. Intersections with traffic signals and multi-way stops would not
be subject to these restrictions.
The proposed ordinance will provide an open field of vision for motorists at intersections,
and it provides for a safety zone within two (2) feet of the roadway. The proposed
ordinance also provides a mechanism for the removal of obstructions that violate this
code.
"Intersections: Sight Distance Requirements/Safety Zones
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is any intersection that has a C
defined intersection
For the purposes of this section,
owned or maintained road, street, or any other type of roadway as one of the roadways
comprising the intersection; except any such intersection where there is a required stop
condition (multi-way stop, traffic signal, or continual flashing red signal indication) for
each roadway traffic lane entering the intersection.
To ensure adequate visibility at defined intersections, the occupant, owner or owners of
private real property shall not:
AGENDA ITEM #9C
JANUARY 13, 2003
' a. Plant or permit the growth of shrubbery or any other vegetation on the city right-
of-way, above the height of thirty (30) inches from the surrounding Established
Grade;
' b. Allow tree branches to extend below the height often (10) feet on the city right-
of-way from the surrounding general ground level: or
c. Allow any berm, fence, wall, or any other structure to be erected, placed or exist
on the city right-of--way,
...which will obstruct a driver's view of approaching traffic at a defined intersection.
' A "Safety Zone" shall be defined as the unobstructed, relatively flat area provided
beyond the edge of the roadway for the recovery of errant vehicles. The safety zone shalt
be established as the area within two (2) feet from the edge of the pavement onto the non-
paved right-of--way.
No occupant, property owner or representative shall plant, erect, place, or allow any
plant, wall, fence, structure or other object in the safety zone of a roadway with the
exception of mailboxes, and sod or ground cover.
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ty reserves the r
ght to remove all trees, shrubbery, vegetation, berms, walls,
fences, structures or objects in violation of this section of the Code with or without
notice. Removal costs may be charged to the occupant, owner, or his representative at
the cost of the work, plus a charge equal to 100% of the cost of the work to cover the
City's administrative expenses."
'
From a policy perspective, the City will need to determine how they handle current
violations of the proposed code. For the most part, the site triangles are public safety
matters that require immediate correction. The public and the police will probably
support any immediate action in this area.
1 However, the safety zones are a separate matter. There are numerous violations of the
safety zones throughout the City. People have installed railroad ties, landscaping
timbers, rocks, decorative stones, and retaining walls that violate the provisions of the
safety zone. Some of these were costly projects, and some may even serve a public
purpose relative to erosion and debris in the roadways. The immediate removal of these
"violations" is probably not practical or desirable. Unless an infringement creates a
specific hazard to public safety, we would be inclined to provide a mechanism to
"grandfather" it with appropriate review from the Department of Public Safety. This
will allow the hazardous violations to be corrected immediately, it will allow existing
objects to remain as long as they don't create a specific hazard, and it will prevent future
infringements into the safety zones.
BUDGET: None
RECOMMENDATIONS:
AGENDA ITEM #9C
JANUARY 13, 2003
1
To review, modify, and adopt an ordinance that will provide reasonable limitations on the
objects, structures, and plants placed on the City right-of--ways.
' To approve/provide appropriate direction relative to the enforcement of the provisions of
the proposed code.
' ATTACHMENTS: None
REVIEWED BY CITY MANAGER:
A DA ITEM NUMBER: