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STAFF REPORT
CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH
CITY STAFF REPORT
AGENDA ITEM: Passible removal of traffic signal at Town, Center
DATE: April 5, -2000
SUBMITTED BY: Jim Hanson, ~~ity..~4 .
BACKGROUND: The City of Jacksonvill has requested that the Mayor and
Commission of Atlantic Beach take a position on the possible
removal of the traffic signal at the intersection of Ocean and
Atlantic Boulevard in the Town Center area.
This issue has been brought to the attention of the Mayor and
Commission of Atlantic Beach on several occasions and the
City's Police Department has opposed the removal of the
signal. David Thompson has prepared an attached updated
staff report on this issue.
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The Project Oversight Committee for the Town Center Project
has voted to ask Jacksonville to remove the signal. When this
item was last brought to the Mayor and Commission, no
action was taken because the Project Oversight Committee
had already made their recommendation and because it was
not in Atlantic Beach's city limits.
The Jacksonville Engineering Department has the Project
_ Oversight Committee's recommendation for removal of the
signal, but has now asked for formal response from the Cities
of Atlantic Beach and Neptune Beach..
BUDGET: No budget impact. The expectation is that the City of
Jacksonville would pay the cast for removal if approved.
RECOMMENDATION:. Vote to leave the signal at its present location.
ATTACHMENTS: Staff Report from David Thompson dated. April 4, 2000.
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STAFF REPORT
CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH
CITY STAFF REPORT
AGENDA ITEM: Traffic Light in Town Center
DATE: April 4, 2000
SUBMITTED BY: David E. Thomps~ onrDirector of Public Safety/Chief of Police
BACKGROUND: The issue has been raised relative to the removal of the traffic light
located at Ocean Boulevard and Atlantic Boulevard.. The Police Department continues to have
concerns relative to removing this traffic light. This intersection currently has a very low crash
rate, and the removal of the light could create a variety of problems:
A. The intersection has pedestrian crosswalks on all four streets. The traffic lights
assists pedestrians in crossing the roadway, and the elimination of the light will
force pedestrians to compete with traffic.
B. There is a great deal of parking near the intersection. With the light, there are
normal breaks in traffic for vehicles backing into the roadways. Without the light,
there will be no breaks in traffic during peak hours.
C. The intersection is very narrow, and the turns do not leave much. room for error.
If traffic is turning while other traffic is traveling through the intersection without
stopping, then the potential for a crash is going to be increased from its current
configuration. If vehicles become backed up due to a 4 way stop, then the
intersection is going to become sluggish and prone to crashes.
D. The traffic counts at this location vary significantly according to the time, day,
season, weather, and special events in the area. On a normal day, the traffic light
may not be necessary. However, considering the character of the azea and the
people on a Spring weekend, the demands on the intersection can change
dramatically.
Over the past few years, this issue has been raised on several occasions. Consistently, Atlantic
Beach and Neptune Beach Police Departments have opposed the elimination of this traffic light.
RECOMMENDATIONS: Leave the traffic light in Town Center
ATTACHMENTS:
REVIEWED BY CITY MANAGER:
/AGENDA ITEM NUMBER: