Exh 7EAGENDA ITEM #7E
MARCH 24, 2003
STAFF REPORT
City of Atlantic Beach
Commission Meeting
AGENDA ITEM: Sight Triangles at Intersections and Safety Zones
DATE: March 3, 2003
SUBMITTED BY: David E. Thompso~hief 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
need to establish guidelines to assure that dangerous or hazardous conditions are not
created.
The language for a proposed ordinance was discussed at the January 13, 2003 City
Commission meeting. After being reviewed and placed in appropriate form by the City
Attorney, the attached ordinance is being presented for consideration.
The attached ordinance is being proposed as a means to provide limitations on trees,
shrubbery, berms, fences, walls, or any other structures that might obstruct the vision of
motorists passing through intersections. 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.
Enforcement: Site triangles at intersections are public safety matters that require
immediate correction. The Police Department will contact citizens and seek solutions to
problems identified under this portion of the code.
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, the Police Department would be inclined to "grandfather" it after an
appropriate review from the Department of Public Safety. This will allow 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
AGENDA ITEM #7E
MARCH 24, 2003
RECOMMENDATIONS: To approve the proposed ordinance on first reading.
ATTACHMENTS: Proposed Ordinance relative sight trifles and safety zones
REVIEWED BY CITY MANAGER:
AG~'NDA ITEM NUMBER:
AGENDA ITEM #7E
MARCH 24, 2003
ORDINANCE NO. 65 - 03-.32
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH, FLORIDA,
AMENDING C'IiAPTER 19 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, STREETS,
SIDEWALKS AND OTHER PUBLIC PLACES, BY ADDING A NEW
SECTION PROVIDING FOR SIGHT DISTANCE REQ AT
CERTAIN INTERSECTIONS, PROVIDING FOR SAFETY ZONES ALONG
THE EDGES OF ROADWAYS, AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
vVHEREAS, throughout the City of Atlantic Beach there are various items placed in the
city rights-of-way without permission which may create safety hazards for motorists and
pedestrians, and
WHEREAS, it is necessary for the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the City of
Atlantic Beach, and all others who might travel on the City streets and roadways, that limitations be
placed on trees, .shrubbery, berms, fences, walls, or other structures which might obstruct the
vision of motorists passing through certain intersections or create safety hazards along the City's
streets and roadways.
NOW THERF.I'ORE, BE IT ENACTID BY THE CITY COMISSION ON BEHALF
OF THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH, FLORIDA:
SECTION 1. The Code of Ordinances of the City of Atlantic Beach, Florida, is hereby
amended by adding a new section to be numbered Section 19-5, which section shall read as
follows:
"Sec. 19-5. Intersections: Sight distance requirements and safety zones.
(1) Sight distance requirements:
(a) For purposes of this section, "defined intersection" is any intersection
that has a City owned or maintained road, street, or any other type of roadway as one of the
roadways comprising the intersection. Excluded from this definition is any intersection
where there is a required stop condition (multi-way stop, traffic signal, or continual flashing
red light) for each roadway traffic lane entering the intersection.
(b) To ensure adequate visibility at "defined intersections," the owners or
occupants of private real property shall not do any of the following which could obstruct a
driver's view of approaching traffic at such intersections:
1. Plant or permit the growth of shrubbery or any other vegetation in
the City right-0f--way higher than thirty (30) inches above the established grade of the right-
of-way;
2. Allow tree branches to extend below the height of ten (10)
feet above the established grade of the right-of--way;
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AGENDA ITEM #7E
MARCH 24, 2003
3. Allow any berm, wall or other .structure to be erected,
placed, or exist in the City right-0f--way.
(2) Safety Zones:
(a) For purposes of this section, "safety zone" is a relatively flat,
unobstructed area along the edge of a roadway for the recovery of errant vehicles, and shall
consist of the area for at least two (2) feet from the edge of the pavement into the City right-
of-way.
(b) No persons shall plant, erect, place or allow any plant, wall, fence,
structure or other object in the safety zone of a roadway except for mailboxes and sod or
other ground cover.
(3) The City shall have the right to remove any tress, shrubbery, vegetation,
berms, walls, fences, structures or other objects in violation of this section, with or without
prior notice. Removal costs shall be charged to the owner, occupant or representative in an
amount equal to the City's costs incurred, plus a charge of 100 % of said costs to cover the
City's administrative expenses. "
SECTION 2: This ordinance shall take effect immediately upon its final passage and
adoption.
PASSID by the City Commission on first reading this day of ,
2003.
PASSID by the City Commission on second and final reading this day of
.2003.
ATTEST:
MAUREEN KING, City Clerk JOHNS. Iv~.SERVE, Maycr/Presiding Officer
Approved as to form and correctness:
ALAN C. JENSEN, ESQUIRE
City Attorney