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Exh 4EAGENDA ITEM #4E SEPTEMBER 23, 2002 STAFF REPORT City of Atlantic Beach Commission Meeting AGENDA ITEM: Report on Lowering Speed Limit on Sherry Drive DATE: September 12, 2002 SUBMITTED BY: .David E. Thom son, Chief of Police/DPS BACKGROUND: On May 28, 2002, a petition was submitted to the City Commission asking the City to lower the speed limit on Sherry Drive to 20 miles per hour. This matter was referred to the Police Department for consideration and recommendation. At the time of the request, a great deal of Sherry Drive was under construction. There were occasional detours, and the traffic lanes were often affected by heavy construction equipment. It was not feasible to conduct a valid speed study under those conditions. In August, after most of the construction equipment was removed and the street traffic returned to a more "normalized" level (recognizing that the construction is still not completed), a speed study was conducted with computerized equipment. Over a period. of 61 hours, a total of 6522 vehicles were tracked on the equipment. The maximum number of vehicles traveling more than 10 MPH over the speed limit was 120 vehicles. This represents approximately 1.8% of the vehicles traveling on the roadway. This number is roughly the same as previous speed studies before the recent construction. The roadway was reviewed and evaluated, and the current street width of Sherry Drive is approximately 24' of asphalt, with an additional 1.5' on each side for curbing.. This provides a total width of approximately 2T. For a local street in a residential azea, this width is more than adequate to handle vehiculaz traffic traveling at the existing speed limit. There aze sidewalks mm~ing the entire length of Sherry Drive from the intersection with Plaza Drive to the intersection with Atlantic Boulevard, and there are curb cuts to accommodate bicycles or wheelchairs. There is no reason for pedestrian traffic to use the roadway with the vehicles. There is a school zone on Sherry Drive with a pedestrian crossing at that location. The school zone is marked with signs and flashing lights, and it is staffed with a school crossing guazd during the primazy hours when children are coming to school to leaving school Traffic crash data does not indicate a lazge number of traffic crashes on Sherry Drive due to excessive speed. AGENDA ITEM #4E SEPTEMBER 23, 2002 After reviewing the information above, one can simply drive down Sherry Drive to "get a feel" for driving through the roadway at 25 MPH. When doing so, 25 MPH appears to be a very reasonable speed for the roadway. This is consistent with the traffic study, mentioned above, where the average speed from the 6522 vehicles on Sherry Drive was 25 MPH. One concern expressed in the petition. was that the roadway has curves and vegetation that may create problems for local residents entering and exiting their driveways. This concern also exists in other areas around the city. In the other cases, modifications in landscaping have been made to improve visibility for the residents, and signs have been erected relative to "Blind Driveways." Summary: After an examination of the public safety issues on Sherry Drive, we can find no public safety justification for reducing the speed limit. The 25 MPH speed limit is appropriate considering the characteristics of the roadway. BUDGET: None RECOMMENDATIONS: We recommend that the speed limit continue to be set at 25 MPH on Sherry Drive ATTACHMENTS: May 28, 2002 City Commission Meeting Minutes Petition REVIEWED BY CITY MANAGER: Q ITEM NUMBER: Minutes Page -2- May 28, 2002 Public Works Director Kosoy reported that a walk through inspection was conducted to look at the elevations of all of the drainage structures, pavement and curb in the areas on Sherry Drive between First and Fifth Streets. He indicated that elevation problems were observed on the east side of the street, at First, Second, Fourth and Fifth Streets. It was reported that the inlet at Fourth Street was being lowered, and an additional basin would be installed, at the contractor's expense, into the temporary junction box at the place where some artificial low spots were created. Public Works Director Kosoy indicated that the city will re-inspect each of the locations after the work is completed to assure the elevations are correct, and there is no standing water twenty-four hours after a storm. J.P. Marchioli of 414 Sherry Drive spoke concerning the following items: (1) Opposed the use of speed bumps, (2) felt the limerock scattered on the rights-of--way along Sherry Drive should be removed before any sod was planted, (3) felt the citizens of Atlantic Beach should not pay the franchise fee imposed by the City of Jacksonville, (4) felt the previous Monday yard trash pick up had been scheduled to accommodate independent contractors who put yard debris from their work on the weekends at curbside so they would not have to make a trip to the landfill, (5) commented on the recent fire at Tideviews Preserve and again urged residents to purchase fire extinguishers, and (6) thanked the city for its quick response to the drainage problems on Sherry Drive. Dick Hilliard of 338 Ilth Street indicated that the drainage problems on Sheny Drive needed to be corrected, and stated that the existing two inch puddles of water would not drain into the storm drain unless they were four or five inches deep. Relative to Item 4A, Mr. Hilliard felt that contractors should be educated to perform proper compaction before paving a road. t~,,c'~ilf„~~ ~x~presented the Commission a petition requesting that the speed limit on Sherry Drive be lowered from 25 to 20 m.p.h. He also requested that signs be posted on Sherry Drive stating "Speed Limit Strictly Enforced." 3. Unfinished Business From the Previous Meetings A. City Manager's Follow Up Report on Issues from Previous Meetings City Manager Hanson commented on each item of his written report, which is attached and made part of this official record as Attachment A. In addition to the written comments, the following items were discussed: AGENDA ITEM #4E SEPTEMBER 23, 2002 AGENDA ITEM #4E SEPTEMBER 23, 2002 MAY 2 ~ 2002 BY: M A PETITION TO LOWER THE SPEED LIMIT ON SHERRY DRIVE FROM 25 MPH TO 20 MPH and POST SIGNS OF SPEED LIMITS STRICKLY ENFORCED We the undersigned agree that the speed limit on Sherry Drive should be lowered for the following reasdns; 1) Due to the imminent completion of the new pavement the traffic flow will increase making conditions hazardous for pedestrians, bikers, and particularly children. 2)Residents located on the bends of the roadway have expressed concerns about being able to back out of their driveways safely. 3) Sherry Drive is unique because of the location of the elementary school. 4) A mixture of residential and commercial traffic uses the corridor, thus increasing the chances of traffic accidents. 5) The lower speed limit will better reflect our chosen lifestyle of our community. Name Address ~, 0 .y O d . r~-~t