Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Miscellaneous_09/26/1995_Country Club Drive Task Force f �' `�f� VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA ; , , Post Office Box 3273 • 357 Tequesta Drive ' Tequesta, Florida 33469-0273 • (407) 575-6200 � ` Fax: (407) 575-6203 �- o a o A 4 ���N CoUH COUNTRY CLUB DRIVE TASK FORCE MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 26, 1995 I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The Country Club Drive Task Force of the Village of Tequesta held a regularly scheduled meeting at the Village Hall, 357 Tequesta Drive, Tequesta, Flarida, on Tuesday, September 26, 1995. The meeting was called to order at 7:20 P.M. by Chair Gary Collins. Task Force members present were: Chair Gary Collins, Vice Chair Joan Marshall, Bill Clifton, Steve Downey, Bill Treacy, and Gene Robbins. Chuck Hartley arrived at 7:25 P.M. Grace Klimas arrived at 7:26 P.M. Also in attendance were: Village Manager Bradford and Village Clerk Joann Manganiello. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motian was made by Task Force member Treacy to approve the agenda as submitted. The motion was seconded by Task Force member Rabbins, and unanimously carried. III. APPROVAL OF MIN[J'TES (AuguSt 22, 1995) Mr. Rabbins requested a change on page 3, line 7: To place a period after the word "existence", and to delete the remainder of that sentence. The next sentence would be: "This action initially caused some problems with the ACLU." Vice Chair Marshall requested that on page 4, 6th paragraph, the second sentence be changed to: "Ms. Marshall also Kr�rycled Paper Country Club Drive Task Force Meeting Minutes September 26, 1995 Page 2 ----------------------------- pointed out that the only increase in seasonal traffic that is generated by the Town of Tequesta comes from Beach Road. Seasonal tsaffic that affects Country Club Drive and Tequesta Drive comes out of Ma.rtin County and out of the area." Motion was made by Mr. Robbins to approve the minutes of the August 22, 1995 meetinq as amended. The motion was seconded bZr Vice Chair Marshall, and unanimously carried. IV. SUB COMMITTEE CONIl�NTS/SUMMARY A) Business - William Clifton B) Facts and Figures - Gary Collins C) Legal Implementation - Gene Robbins D) Options - William Treacy Chair Gary Collins stated he had compiled a report which was a synopsis af everything that the Task Force had done in the past few months, which would be reviewed at this meeting with an atternpt to include everyone's views, and arrive at a final draft of a specific course of action to present to the Village Council. Chair Collins reported that he and Mayor Mackail had attended a Martin County Gommissioners' Meeting where they had presented Section 28 ramifications to Tequesta traffic. Slight indications that settlement would be considered in the lawsuit appealing the Section 28 decision had prompted Mayor Mackail to question the attorney at the meeting, who had assured Mayor Mackail that no vote on a settlement would be taken in the executive session following that meeting. Oral arguments on the appeal were to begin the next morning. Mayor Mackail commented that he had urged the Board of County Commissioners to respect the agreement they entered into iast February that prior to any decision they would go through the pubiic appeals process so that residents of both Palm Beach County and Martin County wouid have an opportunity to voice their concerns. Chair Collins read into the record his report entitled Country Club Drive Task Force Meeting Minutes September 26, i995 Page 3 ----------------------------- Tequesta Country C1Ub Dri ve Task Force Conclusions /Recommendations, which is attached hereto as "Exhibit A" and made a part of these minutes. Explanations and comments during the reading of the report included review of the facts from traffic studies regarding projected traffic increases on certain Village streets; and how Martin County's actions of posting truck limits of 8 tons on their bridges when they would actually take up to 23 tons and requiring stringent bonds and licenses had resulted in heavy trucks using the Tequesta Drive bridge for several years. Chair Collins stated that in essence, the Task Force had tried to give the Council time to negotiate with Jupiter and Martin County, but with a deadline so that if results were not obtained by that date, Tequesta would act. The Task Force would be given time to explore all of the options, and to consult with the attorney who had been successful in closing Haverhill Road while waiting to hear from the neighboring municipalities. At the same time, a planning ordinance would be implemented which wou�d authorize the establishment of Safe Neighborhood Districts. After the first of the year if satisfactory results had not been obtained, the Village Council would have the option of establishing a Safe Neighborhood District, or a group of citizens could do it by using their own money. Vice Chair Marshall made a motion to review the report for wording point by point. The motion was seconded by Mr. Hartley and unanimously carried. The report was reviewed a second time, point by point, and after discussion of each point the Task Force voted on whethe� to accept the wording as submitted or to make changes. l. Village Manager Bradford pointed out that traffic would be increased on other Tequesta streets by reducing traffic on Country Club Drive and Tequesta Drive. After discus�ion, it was the decision of the Task Force to retain the wording "throughout Tequesta" rather than to make the recommendation too specific, since the Village Council would have the option of changing any wording Country Clu3a Drive Task Force Meeting Minutes Septernber 26, 1995 Page 4 ----------------------------- that they would not accept. The Task Force unanimously passed number �ne �s written. 2. Mr. Cliftan explained he had contacted smaller businesses which would be affected by accessibility to traffic, however, most were more concerned about other problems they had had with the Vil�age or County over taxes, signage, or other issues. The Task Force unanimously passed number two as written. 3. Village Manager Bradford stated that the $7,000,000 to replace the Tequesta Drive bridge was in future dollars. The Task Force unanimously passed number three as written. 4. Task Force Member Klimas objected to wording in point 4 which stated that waiting for support and assistance from neighboring municipalities was not viable, explaining that Martin County now seemed to be making an effort, and stating that there must be a couple of people on each side who could talk to each other without getting angry. Village Manager Bradford explained that historically as government became more sophisticated that municipalities had not taken into consideration how their development would impact surrounding communities, and Tequesta had been impacted by Palm Beach County, Martin County, and Jupiter. After discussion, it was agreed to change "is not a viable option" to "has not been a viable option". The Task Force unanimously passed number four as amended. 5. Some Task Force members disagreed with including point number five at all since they felt that the time for negotiations had passed, and that initiating the recommendations in this point would only cause delay and not solve the problem. Chair Collins disagreed, and stated that four more months would not matter since this had been going on for 10-15 years. Vice Chair Marshall commented that a Jupiter Councilmember had expressed the opinion that the only way Martin County might do an.ything would be if Tequesta started closing roads, and suggested the January 31 date be moved up. Mr. Hartley Country Club Drive Task Force Meeting Minutes September 26, 1995 Page 5 ----------------------------- commented that traffic would still be unacceptable even if every suggestion was accomplished. Mr. Robbins explained that an attempt to close Country Club Drive might take forever and never result in accomplishment • since it was a totally different situation from any other closures studied and advocated keeping the door open to verify whether Martin County might have had second thoughts. After further discussion by the Task Force, Mayor Mackail commented that the past week he had met with Commissione� Gettig, Commissioner Marcus and Mayor Golonka to discuss the roads; that he had deferred comment since he did not have the results from the Task Force; that all had agreed to reduce the right of way from 80 to 60 feet on the western corridor roadway which would connect behind Shoneys and to Island Way; that two entrances at Turtle Creek had been discussed; that he had objected to gating Longshore Drive at the lower side; and that another meeting was scheduled. Mayor Mackail expressed concern that if the options were deleted that all talks and negotiations would be moot, the door would be closed, and stated that the reason for the meeting without oth�rs present had been because in previous meetings there were so many different opinions that negotiations could not take place. Mayor Mackail reported that there had been discussion at the meeting that the Village of Tequesta stipulate the� would never close Country Club Drive, to which he did nat comment since the position of the Task Force was not known. Mayor Mackail commented that he belieued the existence of the Task Force and their work had finally provided the impetus to get something done regarding the roads in Tequesta. Mr. Hartley expressed concern that if these recommendations were all accomplished that would preclude the option of ever closing Country Club Drive. The majority of the Task Force agreed to add the following or similar wording immediately prior to the final paragraph of point five: "Special Note: The Task Force insists that the Yi1.Iage Council not agree to the statement that Countxy Club Drive Task Force Meeting Minutes September 26, 1995 Page 6 ------�---------------------- Country Club Drive will never be closed in exchange for implementation of any of the abave recommendations." Discussion was held with members of the audience who requested that the public be able to comment before the Task Force voted on these items. Dattie Campbell commented that it seemed redundant to call for comments from the public after a vote had been taken and the issue decided. Chair Collins explained that the voting at thi� meeting was only to arrive at a final draft which would be voted upon at another meeting. Hal Hutchinson requested that the public be furnished copies and be allowed. to comment at that meeting. The Task Force passed number five as amended by a vote of 5-1 with Mr. Hartley opposing. 6. Village Manager Bradford questioned whether a petition would be the first step in the process� prior to creation of a planning ordinance. Mr. Robbins explained that the petition was the second step after a municipality had passed the planning ordinance allowing creation of Safe Neighborhood Districts. For a Safe Neighborhood District to actually be established, a petition and vote within the intended district must be taken and then the Village Council would create a Safe Neiqhborhood District specifically for the area which had voted to have such a district. Mr. Robbins inquired whether the Village had recently employed the services of an urban planner, to which Vil.lage Manager Bradford replied that the Village used the urban planning services provided by JLH Associates, Inc. of West Palm Beach for the Comprehensive Plan, Comprehensive Plan amendm.ents, and responding to other Comprehensive Plans. Mr. Robbins requested that the following or similar wording be added to recommendation number six: "The Planning Ordinance sha11 provide that the Village obtain the services of an Urban Planner to assist both the Vi.Zlage Adatinistration and the Yillage Council in reviewing the options presented in the Task Force's report." Country Club Drive Task Force Meeting Minutes September 26, 1995 Page 7 ----------------------------- Chair Collins suggested the addition would be placed after the first paragraph of number six. The Task Force unanimously passed number six as amended. Grace Klimas then offered a similar suggestion regarding �etaining the services of a professional arbitrator to negotiate with the parties involved, which would not have to be binding, and would provide an objective point of view. Chair Collins requested that Village Manager Bradford write a suggestion to that effect for insertion in recommendation number five immediately after the recommendation of a third Turtle Creek gate entrance. Ms. Klimas suggested tha� some organization might be able to arbitrate so that money would not have to be spent for a professional arbitrator. Village Manager Bradford �esponded that Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council did provide arbitrators. Task Force member Chuck Hartley left at this point in the meeting, at 8:48 P.M. �. During discussion of the Village Attorney's opinion provided at a prior meeting, Village Manager Bradford commented that an attorney was not needed to draft the planning ordinance since he could do that, however, he would not bring one to the Village Council that had not been reviewed by the Village Attorney. Village Manager Bradford reminded the Task Force that Village Attorney Randolph did not say Country Club Dr�ve could not be closed--he had said that it could be done but would be very expensive. Chair Collins stated that his request to the Village Attorney had been for a praactive report to explain to the Task Force how it could be done, what the risks and ramifications were, and the report provided did not provide answers to those points. Chair Collins suggested that the following sentence in the last paragraph of number six could be dropped down to number 7: "An outside expert la.wyer who has �orked in this field shouZd be consulted as to how the ordinance should be written." Chair Collins explained that he envisioned Country Club Drive Task Farce Meeting Minutes September 26, 1995 Page 8 ----------------------------- this attorney attending a meeting of the Pubiic Works Committee to answer all of the questions regarding possible road closure in order for the Public Works Committee to make an informed decision on that option, and the public would know that their decision was based on first-hand information instead of being transmitted lawyer to lawyer. Village Manager Bradford stated that the steps to close the road were in black and white and could be read: to which Chair Collins explained questions that he would like answered and that he would like the benefit of someone who had closed a raad and had been successful. Mr. Downey asked if Mr. Randolph ever got back to the Task Force with a dollar amount for the worst-case scenaria. Village Manager Bradford commented that it could cost over $100,000 and that possibly by asking the question in that manner that the Task Force had placed the cart before the horse--since after selection of the Board of Directors o� an established district they would be the ones to decide whether to close a road and would need a dollar estimate. Chair Collins explained that the Public Works Committee wauld be helping the Village residents who might form a district, if the Village decided not to form a district. Mr. Robbins stated that the Villaqe did not have to do anything--that they were only required to pass an ordinance to create districts, and did not have to do anything further until someone petitioned them to actually create a district--unless the Village decided to create a district of their own. Mr. Robbins stated he did not believe a definitive answer would ever be provided by anybody in advance as ta how much closing Country Club Drive would cost, or whether it would be doable (since every case was totally different from the thoxoughfare definition of Country Club as an urban collector}, Mr. Robbins discussed the research he had done, and concluded by stating that the cost was unknown because of lawsuits that would arise, and the Village �ttorney had been very clear in telling the Task Force that there would be lawsuits. Chair Collins commented that he believed the Village and the Villaqe Council should be involved in the initial phase of exploring the op�ion of cl.osing Country Club Drive and the Task Force Country Club Drive Task Force Meeting Minutes September 26, 1995 Page 9 was recommending that the outside lawyer be consulted so that the Public Works Committee and then the Village Council could make a decision based on complete information. Village Manager BradfQrd comm.ented that because the actions taken by th� Board of the Safe Neighborhoad District would be more than just the one option of closing a road that the Task Force was prejudging the acts of a Board which would be elected by a group of people ta administer a district when closure of a road was just one of a list of many options that they might take to effectuate a Safe Neighborhood District, and they might decide to exercise all of the other options available and never consider closing a road. Chair Collins responded that road closure was one of the options recommended by the Task ForCe, and needed to be studied so that a decision could be made whether to retain that option or to reject it. After further discussion, it was agreed to make the following changes in number seven: At the end of paragraph one to change the period to a cQmma and add: "along with outside experts, if needed, that are familiar with specific options." To change the next sentence fron�. "Two questions to answe�" to "Two questions for further considerafiion". To delete the last sentence at the end of questian number (1) . Question number (2) should be changed to: "All options xi11 cost mone�r; fhe question must be ansxered, hox mueh? Where shouZd the money cosne from--the taxpayers, individuals, or a combination of both." The Task Force unanimously passed number seven as amended. 8. Discussion regarding raundabouts concerned whether there would be sufficient room in the reduced Country C1ub Drive right-of-way, which would only be fifty feet if Country Club Drive Task Forae Meeting Minutes September 26, 1995 Page 10 ----------------------------- approved by the Village Council at their next meeting. The roundabout option was kept on the list in case there was sufficient space for constructian. The option concerning changing setback measurements was discussed, and a comment was that if accepted, the new measurement process would allow approximately 15 feet more in which to construct fences, etc. During discussion of stop signs for Country Club Drive, it was stated that traffic counts were not high enough for stop signs, however, within a Safe Neighborhood District the rules would change. Other comments inclu� possibly reducing truck tonnage posted on bridges, i✓"that the police had done a good job of enforcement on Country Club Drive with the iimited manpower available, however, trucks slipped through at the time police shifts changed. Paragraphs one and two and Category 1 of nu.mber eight were unanimously passed. Chair Callins reviewed Category 2 options, and commented they would become viable if nothing happened. Discussion ensued whether items 12 and 13 were the same, regarding whether privatization and closing by abandonment of the road were the same. After discussion, number 12 and 13 in Category 2 were changed to the following: (12) Abandon Country Club Drive (privatization of road) and possibly gating, guards, etc. (13) Close Country Club Drive to aZ.I traffic except emergency vehicles. (Category 2 options beco�e the tap privri�,�r options recommended by the task force if the requests of support and action are refused by Jupiter, Martin Caunty, Palm Beach County and the Turtle C�eek Association and the process to form Safe Neighborhaod Districts should begin. The recommended date for this decision is April 1, 1996. ) Country Club Drive Task Force Meeting Minutes September 26, 1995 Page 11 ----------------------------- Category 2 of number eight as amended was unanimous�y passed. The last two statements of number eight were unanimously passed. VII. ANY OTHER MATTERS After discussion, it was decided that the next meeting of the Task Force would be on Wednesday, October 11, 1995 at 7:30 P.M. Chair Gary Collins requested that a special note be made in large letters in the minutes that he had stated: I t i s imperative that all Task Force members need to be present at the October 11, 1995 meeting, on time. At that time the final vote will be taken on the resolutions to be presented to the Village Council. If you are absent it will be assumed that you agree with everything the Task Force has decided Village Manager Bradford advised that the notice would be buried within the minutes, and Mr. Callins agreed to send out such a notice to the Task Force members. VIII. COMMUNICATION FROM CITIZENS Tim Goidsbury, 20 Tradewinds, complimented the Task Force on the good job they had done with a very difficult task, and thanked the members for taking the time to work on this problem. Dottie Campbell, 4 Tradewinds Circle, stated she had been a property owner 27 years and a resident 25-1/2 years, and in �hose early days another option was periodically presented at Village Council meetings which was to extend Tequesta Drive to the water and to build a bridge across to Pennock Point. Ms. Campbell reported the current problems had been created 23 years ago when the Connector Road had been Country Club Drive Task Force Meeting Minutes September 26, 1995 Page 12 bulldozed and closed. Ms. Campbell stated that everyone should be thankful for Martin County since Tequesta's parks, water wells, and Jonathan Dickenson State Park were all in Martin Gounty. Ms. Campbell stated that Martin County had had the misfortune of some bad legislators, but the people were good, and shou�d not be discounted. Ms. Campbell urged that Country Club Drive not be closed, and suggested several stop signs to slow traffic. Mike Meder, 17 Chapel Lane, suggested another Category 2 option of making Country Club Drive one-way northbound from Tequesta Drive to the County Line. Discussion ensued. Mr. Clifton suggested making Country Club Drive one way going north from Tequesta Drive to Starboard, so that all southern bound traffic would have to exit Coun.try Club Drive onto Starboard and come out on Gulfstream Drive. Mr. Meder objected to Mr. Clifton's suggestion, stating that an unsafe traffic condition would be created and also people might speed up on Country Club Drive to compensate for the extra time they would lose by going around to Gulfstream. Mr. Meder's stated his suggestion would spread half the traffic, and would make the entire western peninsula a roundabout without any construction. After further discussion, it was decided to add this to the Task �orce �ecommendations as an option. Alec Cameron had signed a comment card, but had left the meeting. Wade Griest, South Dover Road, commented that at the first meeting of the Task Force their assignment had been to take a city-wide focus of the traffic problems, however, 990 of the discussion had been regarding Country Club Drive. Mr. Griest commented that the lack of residents in attendance who lived on other streets indicated that they were not interested in what happened regarding traffic on Country Club Drive. Mr. Griest stated that at the intragovernmental meetings our Mayor and Village Manager said that Tequesta was not going to close Country Club Drive, and that reports of discussion at tonight's meeting would not build good relations. Mr. Griest commented that Country Club Drive Task Force Meeting Minutes September 26, 1995 Page 13 a major problem was where the money would come from, and that he did not believe the Task Force options were what the Village Council was looking for since they had known about ali of the options recornmended, and urged that the Task Force suggest to the Village Council that a referendum of the people be held. Coles Goodner, representing Goodner's Variety Store, did not agree with the statement that the business community was not concerned with what happened on Country Club Drive. Mr. Goodner stated that he knew the Village was concerned with what happened to the business community, and that the opening of the Wal-Mart store could cause the loss of 500 of the downtown businesses, therefore, an�thing that would take traffic away fram the business community at this time would only hasten the vacancies. Mr. Goodner explained that his son, Mac Goodner, had been unable to attend the meetings since he was busy trying to open his Chasewood store to combat the Wal-Mart opening. Mr. Clifton commented that the businesses in this community were divided into two groups, either large corporate businesses or the small business people who had learned to rely upon their own ingenuit� to attract customers rather than on people who walk in off the street. Pat Hartley stated she had been a resident of Country Club Drive �ince January of this year and moved to Tequesta because it was a small town. Ms Hartley cornmented that if 20,000 cars were going through the Village that property values would decrease, and property values needed to increase since that was where the money came from to run the Village. Ms. Hartley stated that if Country Club Drive were closed that Tequesta would become an exclu�ive area, and property values would increase. Wade Griest commented that business people would not want Country Club Drive closed since that would affect their business. Another comment from the audience was that closing Country Club Drive would not inhibit easy access to shops in Country Club Drive Task Force Meeting Minutes September 26, 1995 Page 14 ----------------------------- Tequesta. Mr. Goodner stated their store had received five petitions from outside Tequesta stating that if Country Club Drive were closed that they would not shop in Tequesta. Vice Chair Marshall commented that would not last very long. Another comment came from a lady who said she lived at the far end of Country Club Drive and found it just as easy to go through Martin County and County Line Road to get to Tequesta shops, and that there was no disadvantage to people living in South Martin County to use County Line Road. The Task Force gave Chair Collins a round of applause for his contribution. Mr. Collins thanked Village staff for their help. VII. ADJOURNMENT Bill Treacy moved that the meeting be adjourned. Grace Klimas seconded the motion, which unanimously carried. Therefore the meeting was adjourned at 10:20 P.M. Respectfully submitted, ��y� _ :� �� � �,� ) ',� � _ }? � ,�`�� C� Betty Laur Recording Secretary ATTEST: � J ann Manganie lo Village Clerk DATE APPROVED: � 1: i9,9,s� �� EXHIBIT 1 TEQUESTA COUN`iRY CLUB D�tIVE TASK FORCE CONCLUSIONS/RECOMI��NDATIONS I. The Task Force Resolutions states "Even though the estimated trip increases on Country Club Drive remain under the Tequesta Comprehensive Plan figure of 10,900 trips per day, the estimated increase in trips is unacceptable and action must be initiated to reduce traffic trips on Country Club Drive, Tequesta Drive and throughout Tequesta." If plans are not initiated to force a reduction of traffic on Country Club Drive and throughout Tequesta, even with major changes in the surrounding road infrastructure, daily traf�c trips wi.11 continue to increase at a rate of 48% to 63% over the next 5- 7 years, rising to approximately 10,000 trips per day on Country Club Drive. Sections of Tequesta Drive will increase to over 16,000 daily trips, which could lead to four lanes on sections of Tequesta Drive. The task force recommends that the Village Council, after reviewing all the information, officially accept or reject the task force resolution. This will set the tone for future action. II. A sampling of Tequesta businesses and a few in Jupiter yielded the following facts regarding the traffic situation: . 10% had no knowledge of the situation; 45% had knowledge but little interest; 34°lo had knowledge and showed some concern but did not consider it a major factor; 10% had knowledge but no interest at all. The conclusion was that most felt their customers would find them no matter what, and did not seem very concerned. II I. Heavy truck traffic over the Tequesta Loxahatchee bridge is taking its toll on the life span of the bridge and based on DOT statistics, it will have to be replaced in the next 10 - 20 years at a cost of well over $7 million, much of this borne by the Tequesta taxpayers. IV. Waiting for support and assistance from Martin County, Jupiter and Palm Beach County to help alleviate Tequesta's traffic problem is not a viable option, based on past history. Developments already on the planning boards will impact Tequesta, regardless of what our neighbors do! With or without the Western Connector, either the Church Street or Longshore Connector, the Martin County Connector Road or a second entrance above the county line £or Turtle Creek, the traffic still increases , through Tequesta at a rate of 40 - 50% over the next 5- 7 years. 1 V. The Task Force recommends that a concerted effort still be made to encourage the following infrastructure road changes with our neighbors to help minimize traffic trip increases: • A Western Connector Road from Northfork south, via Chruch Street, Longshore Drive or any other connection to Ind.iantown Road that can be agreed upon. The Western Connector Road will help reduce the traffic out of Northfork traveling through Tequesta, but, on the downside, it will also affer a shortcut from I- 95 to U.S.1. • The establishment of County Line Road as an alternative east/west road link from U.S. 1 to Island Way, especially for truck traffic. Support from Martin County is essential to the success of this point. Four-laning of County Line Road should be studied for implementation as traffic increases. County Line Road is the "path of least resistance" and has far fewer frontage homes than Country Club Drive and Tequesta Drive. • The Martin County Connector Road will eliminate two 90° turns through The Little Club residential area and allow a smoother, safer flow of truck traffic to Country Club Drive north and reduce traffic on Country Club Drive south. Special Note: While Country Club Drive was closed for repairs, traffic on County Line Road increased 51.8% (2138 trips). Of those 2138 trips, 1104 (51.6%) went all the way to U.S. 1. • Martin County must post the correct legal weight limits on the County Line Road and Island Way bridges and simplify their permit process so trucks will be encouraged to use County Line Road. • Martin County must continue to appeal the Sec. 28 decision on housing density and arrive at an agreement with the developer closer to the 128 single family home development rather than the 640 homes now planned. A north and south entrance inta the development must be negotiated • A second Turtle Creek gate entrance on Country Club Drive in Martin County. This would reduce the traffic on Country Club Drive by 100 - 300 daily trips. • A third Turtle Creek gate entrance to County Line Road should also be explored by inserting a County Line Road entrance near Wooden Bridge Way. The Task Force recommends that the Council initiate another series of ineetings as soon as possible, with Martin County, Jupiter and Palm Beach County officials and again explain our situation and ask for their decision on the above recommendations. A simple yes or no will be fine. Similar meetings should be held with the representative of the �rtle Creek Association concerning the addition of two gate entrances. January 31, 1996 is the recommended deadline date for their decisions, so that Tequesta can move ahead with their own plans to reduce and minimize the traffic through our community. 2 V I. It is the consensus of the task force after studying all the information available that initiating action to form one or more Safe Neighborhood Improvement Districts in Tequesta is a viable and legal option and should be pursued. The first step would be the ereation of a planning ordinance by the Village Council authorizing the formation of Safe Neighborhood Improvement Districts in Tequesta. This ordinance does not authorize specific action to be taken, i.e., the closing of Country Club Drive, but does pave the way for numerous options to be implemented. An outside expert lawyer who has worked in this field should be consulted as to how the ordinance should be written. The task force recommends that the planning ordinance be in place by January 31, 1996. VII. The task force recommends the traff'ic reduction and management options listed in this report be studied by the Council Committee on Public Works. An implementation plan for each option should be studied and outlined on paper for the Council to review, prioritize and vote to implement or reject by February 1, 1996. Legal and fiscal implications must be considered for each option; task force representatives should participate in these discussions. Two questions to answer: 1. Should the Village Council participate and be a partner in forming and supporting the Safe Neighborhood Improvement Districts or should it be left up to individual citizens to decide whether to form and support the districts? The task force recommends that the Village participate. 2. All options will cost money; where should the money come from - the taxpayers or individuals or a combination of both? The task force recommends both. V I I I. Options available for consideration: Some options will help minimize and manage the traffic problem, but will reduce the daily traffic trips only to the degree that travelers avoid the streets due to the hassle and inconvenience the option presents. Others, such as road closures, toll gates should definitely reduce the traffic counts. All options must be reviewed from a legal and fiscal point of view and specific plans committed to paper as to how they can be implemented. It is the opinion of the task force that, after reviewing the facts, all of the listed options can be implemented legally if carefully crafted to fit �various Village and State laws and ordinances. I must add that some options do offer risk and possible lawsuits. The options are broken into two categories: One, options to be implemented that keep Country Club Drive open, but tend to reduce the traffic flow and slow it down. If our � neighbors cooperate and all of our requests are accepted and implemented by them then these options become viable. If the requests are turned down, then the number one option becomes the closing or gating of Country Club Drive. 3 Category 1 1. Plant trees and add landscaping along Country Club Drive to create a tunnel effect. 2. Designate Country Club Drive an "historical place." 3. Construct roundabout(s) on Country Club Drive. 4. Consider an ordinance change for Country Club Drive to measure easement footage from the beginning of the easement rather that the back edge; allowing room for structures such as fences to be built to shield homes from traffic and noise. Landscaping could be placed in front of the fences. 5. Place speed humps along Country Club Drive. 6. Install traffic signals or 4- way stop signs at south end of Country Club Drive and at the entrance to Turtle Creek. 7. Reduce right-of-way on Country Club Drive. 8. Post Tequesta Drive bridge at 8 tons; require bonding/permits for through trucks. 9. Increase police presence/enforcement of speed limit. 10. Establish Tequesta Drive bridge as a"toli bridge." Category 2 11. Gate Country Club Drive at one or both ends. 12. Abandon Country Club Drive (privatization of road). 13. Close Country Club Drive to all traffic except emergency vehicles. (While this option is listed last, it becomes the top priority option recommended by the task force if the requests of support and action are refused by Jupiter, Martin County, Palm Beach County and the Turtle Creek Association and the process to form Safe Neighborhood Districts should begin. The recommended date for this decision is April 1, 1996.) In closing, I would like to thank the task force members for the time and effort they contributed to try to come up with some reasonable recommendations to a very complex problem. In reading through the reams of data, dating back to the early 80's, it is evident that Tequesta's traffic problems have been building for a number of years and regardless of the reasons, very little help and understanding or offers to participate in reaching reasonable solutions have come forth from our surrounding neighbors. Traffic is going to increase at a considerable rate throughout Tequesta in the next five years. Tequesta needs to accept that or make some tough decisions on action to be taken. You are not going to be able to please everyone. The decisions must be made based on what is best for all of Tequesta. A referendum may have to be held next March to let the citizens decide, if the Council feels it's necessary. If we don't act now the traffic problem will continue to grow and fester. Decision time is NOW. 4