HomeMy WebLinkAboutDocumentation_Workshop_Tab 02_03/04/2019Village of Tequesta
Council Workshop
March 4, 2019
Agenda Item 2: "Discuss presenting the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT)
with a resolution to return the US 1 corridor to 3 lanes in each direction."
I am aware that many residents believe the Village did not adequately inform them about
the US 1 Complete Streets project before construction began in November 2017. As a
matter of record, between the fall of 2014, when the concept was first introduced to Village
Council by the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council (TCRPC), and July 2016, when the
Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) presented its updated plans for the roadway,
there were a total of 21 opportunities for residents and businesses to learn about the
proposed project.
Public participation was encouraged including the formation of a host committee, an all -
day interactive workshop and a presentation in Council Chambers hosted by FDOT.
Newspaper articles appeared in the Palm Beach Post and Jupiter Courier. A letter from the
Mayor was sent to residents asking them to attend a community workshop being held on
January 10, 2015 and to participate in deciding if the Village should revamp its current six
lane configuration into a four lane Complete Streets format. Former Council Member Frank
D'Ambra wrote an article that appeared on the front page of the Village newsletter, Smoke
Signals, which was mailed to every Tequesta household and business, and to homeowners
in Jupiter Inlet Colony and sections of unincorporated Palm Beach County. A full
presentation by TCRPC was made to the public at the Tequesta Baptist Church in February
2015 and FDOT held a public information meeting in the Village's Emergency Operations
Center in July 2016. The US 1 project also appeared as either an action item or formal
presentation on the agendas of twelve publically-noticed Council meetings and workshops.
However, as we have learned, even this level of public outreach was felt to be insufficient
by many.
Lesson learned.
It is only fair to note that there are also many people and businesses who have embraced
the project and still others who say that they are becoming accustomed to the new
configuration. This causes me concern that we, in all good faith, may be rushing to make
another decision that has not been truly vetted by all of our constituents. Let's not forget
the lesson.
Allow me to suggest that, rather than introducing a resolution to return the road to its
former configuration, we allow FDOT engineers to complete a speedy analysis of the
functionality of the roadway and take corrective measures where necessary, at no cost to
the Village. Their review would concentrate on rush hour traffic and backups caused by the
closing and opening of the US 1 bridge.
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If their analysis determines that the road is adequately functioning within FDOT standards,
we should determine what it will cost the taxpayers to return the road to its six -lane
configuration, when FDOT will consider starting the work, and define the length of time the
road will be under construction.... before crafting a resolution.
It was the placement of the orange barrels on US 1 that unleashed a loud outcry of
motorists. Subsequently, many residents voiced their dismay that they did not have the
opportunity to vote on the US 1 project.
Another lesson learned.
Due to the potential significant costs and likely protracted timing associated with
modifying the configuration of the US 1 corridor, perhaps we should call for a referendum.
I believe that in order to truly know the will of the majority of our constituents, we must
first give them all of the facts and then allow the people to decide the future of US 1.
The above was read into the record by Mayor Abby Brennan at the Village Council Workshop
held on March 4, 2019, concerning Agenda Item 2: "Discuss presenting the Florida
Department of Transportation (FDOT) with a resolution to return the US 1 corridor to 3 lanes
in each direction."