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.
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